Pregnancy affects everyone differently, and the same applies to postpartum life. Just as both of these stages in life can be intense, emotional, or easy, so can breastfeeding, especially in the first few days after giving birth. Breastfeeding is worth it and being able to nourish your baby with your own body is nothing short of miraculous. Making sure the baby has a good latch from the beginning can help mitigate the pain. That said, breastfeeding is not a completely painless process, despite what you read. 

Go on any baby registry or talk to any mom or mom-to-be, and they will tell you that nipple cream is a must-have item. When you are in the trenches of learning to breastfeed, nipples can become irritated and sore. Some lactation experts recommend lanolin cream, but that doesn’t work if you are allergic to lanolin. 

What Is Lanolin?

Lanolin is the oil that is extracted from sheep’s wool. It undergoes a process to create finished lanolin, which is only problematic if you have a wool allergy. You also have to worry about potential pesticide residue found in wool. This can build up in fatty tissue or in breast milk if you apply it to your nipples. 

The reason for that is because a lot of sheep are sprayed with pesticides, which treat mites and various pests. Additionally, most sheep consume non-organic and GMO feed, traces of which are sometimes found in wool. Organic lanolin from healthy sheep exists, but it is hard to find. There are conflicting opinions and sources about the safety of lanolin, though. If you want to avoid the risk and be a little more careful with your little one’s first food, you may want a natural nipple cream.

Natural Nipple Cream

If you want to have an easier time with those first few days or weeks of nursing, you are going to need a soothing nipple cream. Because there are various natural nipple creams on the market, there is no need to make a DIY version. If you want to make your own because you want the assurance of knowing exactly what goes into the cream, this article provides an excellent DIY version. 

The baby may ingest some of the cream while nursing, so the goal is to use all-natural, safe ingredients for newborns. The ingredients in this cream have a low chance of allergic reaction. You’ll notice that it doesn’t contain almond oil, beeswax, or coconut oil, despite how beneficial those ingredients are to the skin. This is because they have a small chance of allergic reaction. This recipe is also free of essential oils for similar reasons, and because of their intensity. 

The Consistency

This nipple cream has a consistency that is more akin to a soft salve, but it is incredibly easy to apply. Should you desire a firmer cream, increase the amount of cocoa butter to one-third cup or more. You can also add some beeswax to thicken it, but there is a small chance that the baby could have an allergic reaction. Some evidence indicates that pesticides in inorganic beeswax may cause beeswax allergies. 

DIY Nipple Cream

Ingredients For Infused Oil:

• 1 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup chamomile flowers
• 1/4 cup calendula flowers
• 2 tablespoons marshmallow root
• Ingredients For Nipple Cream:
• 1/4 cup infused oil
• 1/4 cup cocoa butter

Instructions:

• You can make the infused oil one of three ways. The easiest way (provided you have time) is the solar method. 
• Add all of the ingredients to a pint-size mason jar, place in the sun, and shake daily for two to four weeks. Once the infusion is complete, use a metal strainer lined with a cheesecloth to strain the herbs. 
• The quicker method is to fill a small saucepan with an inch or two of water and place it over low heat. Add all of the ingredients to a mason jar and place the jar in the saucepan.
• Allow the ingredients to melt and stir every so often once melted. Make sure to replenish the water if it evaporates too much. 
• Once the infusion is complete, use a metal strainer lined with cheesecloth to strain out the herbs. 
• Once you have the infused oil, you can make the nipple cream. Add 1/4 cup of the infused oil and cocoa butter to a heat-safe glass jar and fill a small saucepan with an inch or two of water. Place the saucepan over low heat and place the glass jar in the saucepan. 
• Stir the oil and cocoa butter until melted. Remove from heat and pour the mixture into a heat-safe glass jar or tin. Allow to cool at room temperature and then use when needed. 
• Keep the balm in a cool, dry place.

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Lemon balm is a relaxing, calming herb loved by bees and humans alike. It is a common ingredient in stress-reducing creams or supplements that aid sleep and rejuvenation. As a relative of the mint family, lemon balm has dense green leaves that emit a fresh lemon aroma. It is a lovely addition to any herb garden and complements other shrubs and flowers. If you have good soil and sunlight, lemon balm will grow easily!

How Does Lemon Balm Benefit The Skin?

Rich in caffeic and ferulic acids, both of which are antioxidants, lemon balm can help neutralize free radicals on the skin. Free radicals, which are commonly created by pollution, are oxidizing agents that cause damage to skin cells. If left unchecked, these free radicals can cause premature aging, including fine lines, dark spots, and wrinkles. Creams or salves that contain lemon balm work to increase circulation, while simultaneously tightening the skin. 

Lemon balm exhibits antibacterial properties that work to cleanse pores and reduce the frequency of blackheads. Some anecdotal reports indicate that it may aid healing, being a natural remedy for insect stings, bites, cuts, and small wounds. Lemon balm contains rosmarinic acid, which works to benefit oily skin by reducing oil production. In turn, that effect may help reduce acne breakouts. 

What Does The Research Say?

An in-vitro study that used lemon balm oil found it to be very effective against a series of human cancer cell lines. Lemon balm oil exhibits antioxidant activity, evidenced by a reduction of 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH). Another study from 2004 found that lemon balm may offer anti-tumor properties, but more research is necessary to determine this. 

Lemon balm works to relax the blood vessels and offers antiviral activity. Historically, Greek and Latin cultures used lemon balm to calm nerves and treat fevers. In America, the Cherokee tribe used lemon balm to remedy digestive disorders and mitigate stress. Even today, lemon balm offers therapeutic properties that help soothe wounds, anxiety, acne, eczema, and even chickenpox. 

What Is Lemon Balm Oil?

Lemon balm can also be found in oil form, but you can make your own lemon balm oil if you have the time. Please note that lemon balm oil is not the same as lemon balm essential oil, which is made by distilling lemon balm leaves. To make lemon balm oil, you have to crush the leaves and slowly heat them in a carrier oil, such as jojoba oil, almond oil, or fractionated coconut oil. This process can take a couple weeks before it is ready to use, and the longer you wait, the better. If you don’t have the time, though, you can buy lemon balm oil for the following DIY salve. 

DIY Lemon Balm Salve

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon candelilla wax
• 2 tablespoons jojoba oil
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 tsp lemon balm oil (not essential oil)

Instructions:

• Melt the wax with the jojoba oil and olive oil in a small saucepan over low heat. Once the wax is melted, you can stir in the lemon balm oil. 
• Transfer this mixture to a metal storage tin and allow it to cool before placing the lid on. Use as needed, but do not use lemon balm if you have thyroid issues.

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There are many natural ingredients that people use to moisturize their skin. Because of that, you can choose to lather your skin in all sorts of oils, butters, salves, and balms. You don’t necessarily want to bombard your skin with too many things because you want to try certain products to see their efficacy before you keep adding more and more. If your skin is chapped or dry, the DIY moisturizer in this article can help enhance moisture levels.

This recipe calls for dried dandelion flowers, which you need to infuse into the coconut oil. This is a process that you can typically do two different ways, but coconut oil limits you to one way. Because coconut oil is solid at room temperature, unless it is very hot where you live, you can’t just add flowers to the oil and allow it to infuse for a few weeks. If this whipped moisturizer called for olive oil, you could do that process. 

The quickest way to infuse dandelion flowers into the coconut oil is by putting them in a heat-safe jar with the coconut oil. A glass measuring cup or canning jar will work just fine. Set the jar down into a saucepan that contains a couple inches of water in the bottom. This is a makeshift double boiler. Set the pan over medium-low heat for about two hours, adding more water so that it doesn’t fully evaporate out. 

Dandelion Flowers For Skin

Dermatologists recommend dandelion for the skin because it can inhibit microbial infections. Naturally rich in anti-fungal and antibacterial properties, dandelion can act as an antibacterial, germicidal ingredient, detoxifying the skin and clearing out pores. It may help reduce the risk of future breakouts, especially if you have acne-prone skin. Dandelion flowers also exhibit anti-aging properties, and some studies found that they may help reduce the appliance of fine lines. Lastly, dandelion stimulates collagen and elastin production, which helps to firm up your skin, preventing sagging or drooping. As a bonus, it may help minimize the appearance of hyperpigmentation or age spots. 

Coconut Oil

Is coconut oil the undisputed champ of moisturizing agents? That is up for debate, but it is an occlusive, so it sits on top of the skin and traps moisture underneath. That works to soothe the skin and lock in any existing moisture, but it does not “hydrate” the skin. Instead, coconut oil may help to plump up the skin because it is a natural anti-aging moisturizer. The medium-chain fatty acids in coconut oil help your skin retain moisture, while keeping it silky smooth. Coconut oil may also suppress inflammatory markers and enhance skin barrier function, but more studies are necessary to confirm that. 

Whipped Dandelion & Coconut Oil Moisturizer

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup coconut oil
• 1/4 cup dried dandelion flowers

Instructions:

• Add the coconut oil and dandelion flowers to a heat-safe glass jar. Set this jar in a saucepan with a couple inches of water in it over medium-low heat. This process takes about two hours.
• The indirect heat melts the coconut oil and helps infuse the dandelions into it. Make sure to keep an eye on the water so that it doesn’t all evaporate. When it gets low, pour more water into the saucepan. 
• Remove from heat and strain the dandelion infused oil into a small mixing bowl. Discard the dandelion flowers.
• Place the infused oil into the fridge until it becomes firm. Once it is firm, remove it from the fridge and beat the chilled oil with a hand mixer for about five minutes, or until light and fluffy. 
• Spoon this whipped coconut oil into a glass jar and store in a cool, dark place. If you have a warm house, though, consider storing it in the refrigerator. Use when ready, but let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes before using.

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Lavender is one of the most pleasant, floral aromas that is incredibly soothing and relaxing. Since spring is here, lavender flowers are in bloom. If you have lavender flowers and don’t know what to do with them, you can infuse them into an oil and make the salve in this article. A salve can help soothe the skin, filling in any dry areas of skin and replenishing them with nutrients. 

Studies show that inhaling lavender’s aroma before bed contributes to a more restful night of sleep. You can place a few drops of lavender essential oil under your pillow, or inhale the aroma via a diffuser. That said, you can also make a lavender-infused salve, which has multiple uses. In fact, if you are new to making salves and want to learn more about them, this recipe is a great entry point. Continue reading to learn about some of lavender’s most impressive health benefits for the skin. 

Antibacterial And Anti-Inflammatory Properties

Lavender’s antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties work together to help purify your skin. The antibacterial properties help fight bacteria and clean out the pores, while the anti-inflammatory properties calm the skin, reducing swelling that is common among other skin irritations. Lavender is also great at minimizing the appearance of scars. If the skin is not inflamed with infection, lavender can do a better job of forming new skin cells, according to research. 

Anti-Aging Properties

One of lavender’s most impressive benefits is that it can help improve circulation, which increases the delivery of oxygen to skin cells. When skin cells receive more oxygen, they get an energy boost and start producing new cells. New skin cell production makes your skin look more youthful and healthy. Additionally, better circulation through the bloodstream can help reduce the appearance of wrinkles. 

Antioxidants

According to several studies, lavender contains antioxidants that work to improve the look of your skin. How do they do this? By fighting free radicals that cause the skin to appear dull, antioxidants contribute to a more youthful glow. The same antioxidants may also help rid the skin of dead skin cells, allowing new skin cells to come to the surface for improved skin barrier function. When you have a strong, healthy skin barrier, you are better protected against environmental pollutants. 

Homemade Healing Lavender Salve

Ingredients For Lavender-Infused Oil:

• 1/2 cup dried lavender flowers
• 12 ounces olive oil
• 4 ounces refined coconut oil, melted

Instructions For Lavender-Infused Oil:

• To make the lavender-infused oil, add the dried lavender to a 16-ounce, heat-safe glass jar.
• Pour in the olive oil and the melted coconut oil. Cap the jar and give it a little shake. 
• Leave this jar in a cool dry place for a few weeks and then strain the oil after that, discarding the lavender flowers. 

Ingredients For Lavender Salve:

• 1/2 cup lavender-infused oil
• 1/2 ounce beeswax
• 1/2 ounce refined shea butter
• 12 drops lavender essential oil (optional)

Instructions For Lavender Salve:

• Melt the beeswax and shea butter in the top of a double boiler over medium-low heat. Once these ingredients are thoroughly melted, stir to combine and then remove from heat. 
• Pour in the lavender-infused oil and the optional lavender essential oil. 
• Get your tins read and then carefully pour this mixture into the tins. Allow the salve to cool at room temperature before screwing on the lids. 
• Use when ready and store the tins in a cool, dry place.

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Wouldn’t it be great if, after getting a headache, you could close your eyes and it would melt away? Unfortunately, life doesn’t work that way. Instead, you become stubborn, irritated, and dwell on the discomfort when you experience a headache. The pain is manageable, but frustrating, unless of course you have a migraine. 

Some people immediately resort to over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers to help curb the pain of the headache. The most common OTC pain relievers are aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and acetaminophen. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns consumers of OTC pain meds to take them with caution. Improper usage of them can cause liver damage, serious illness, and increase the risk of drug misuse and abuse. 

Should you want to try and naturally get rid of your headaches, there are several methods that may provide relief. One such method is by gently massaging this homemade peppermint pine headache salve to your temples, shoulder, and neck. We’ll explain how it may help by detailing three key ingredients below. 

Peppermint Essential Oil

Peppermint essential oil is great for opening up the airways when you’re sick, but it may help you relieve headache pain. In fact, it is one of the most commonly used essential oils to treat headaches and migraine attacks. Researchers attribute this ability to the menthol in peppermint essential oil, as menthol helps relax muscles and eases pain. Applying a diluted peppermint essential oil topically may alleviate headache pain and reduce the severity of migraine attacks. 

Mint

How does mint differ from the aforementioned peppermint essential oil? Believe it or not, the topical application of mint helps numb the area slightly. Topical application of mint has been effective at alleviating acute pain from tension headaches and migraine attacks. It is, however, important to apply it in the early stages before the headache or migraine attack takes a turn for the worse. Researchers believe that mint may stimulate inflamed nerve cells to activate a protein that counteracts the inflammatory connection to headaches. Additionally, drinking mint tea can calm an uneasy or upset stomach that can accompany headaches. 

Pine Needles

Pine needles are fresh, fragrant, and typically associated with the holidays and winter season. That said, pine needles are beneficial to your health year-round. According to research, pine needles are naturally rich in vitamins A and C, two nutrients that are essential for many bodily functions. Traditionally, though, pine needles were used to soothe arthritic joint pain. Certain countries even filled mattresses with pine needles, so that people could soothe their joints during sleep. Research notes that pine needles have pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties. They may be able to reduce joint and muscle pain, which excites scientists!

Peppermint Pine Headache Salve

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons dried mint leaves, crumbled
• 2 tablespoons dried pine needles, chopped
• 2/3 cup olive oil
• 1 tablespoon tamanu oil
• 1/2 ounce beeswax
• 1/2 teaspoon peppermint essential oil

Instructions:

• The first step is to infuse the mint leaves and pine needles into the olive oil. To do so, you can add the mint, pine needles, and oil to a jar, cover it, and store it in your windowsill for about three weeks. 
• That will take a while, but it is very easy. You then strain the oil through a fine mesh sieve to discard the mint and pine needles. 
• The other option is to place the mint, pine needles, and oil in a heat-safe glass measuring cup and add that to a saucepan with a couple inches of water over low heat. The infusion process should take about an hour or so, after which you strain the oil. 
• When ready to make the salve, combine a half-cup of the infused oil with the tamanu and beeswax in the top of a double boiler over medium-low heat. Warm until all the ingredients are fully melted. 
• Remove from heat and then stir in the peppermint essential oil. Carefully pour the mixture into tins or jars and allow the mixture to solidify at room temperature. 
• Use when you first notice signs of a headache, massaging a small amount into your temples, shoulders, or neck. The shelf life of this salve is about six to nine months in a cool, dry place.

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Chickweed is a common weed that belongs to the carnation family. Growing low to the ground, chickweed produces a hairy stem with small, star-shaped white flowers. It commonly grows in North America and Europe, and herbalists have used it in alternative remedies for many years. Although it’s a weed that many people dig up to throw out, chickweed does offer significant health benefits. 

According to historical records, chickweed has had a prominent place in folk medicine since the 16th century. Healers made the flowers, leaves, and stems of the plant into extracts, teas, and oral decoctions. In present day, people commonly incorporate it into ointments to help remedy numerous skin conditions. There is a history of using chickweed to accelerate the healing of wounds, in addition to remedying other skin issues. 

Experts don’t recommend that you take chickweed by mouth because there may be potential toxicities. That doesn’t stop people in some cultures from consuming it for its health properties. Many people in Japan, for example, consume it during Nanakusa-no-sekku, a springtime festival, because it promotes weight loss. Continue reading to learn about a few more health benefits. 

First Off…Foraging For Chickweed

You won’t find chickweed in the store, but you can easily find it in the wild. Don your finest foraging attire and head to your backyard or hiking trail. Chickweed likes to grow in patches and it grows like a ground cover. It’s somewhat of a bushy plant with star-shaped white flowers. In case chickweed is not flowering, use the following picture for reference. 

May Fight Germs And Promote Wound Healing

Chickweed has the potential to help accelerate wound healing and may even fight germs. It has many purposes in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), primarily for skin conditions like dermatitis. In Britain and Ireland, chickweed was commonly used in folk remedies for reducing irritation and itchiness on the skin. It was also able to help accelerate wound healing. One test-tube study found that chickweed juice was able to fight the hepatitis B virus. The study found that applying the juice to an HBV-infected liver cell line for six straight days reduced the growth and production by 25%.

May Reduce Inflammation

One review found that applying whole chickweed to swollen areas, even broken bones, provided anti-inflammatory relief. The chickweed also helped to soothe the area and decrease irritation. A separate review found that the entire plant may be beneficial for combatting inflammation, in regards to inflamed skin or joints. 

DIY Chickweed Salve

This salve is beneficial for sore joints and numerous skin ailments. To help calm damaged skin and improve complexion, there is the addition of lavender essential oil. If you have any chickweed allergies, please do not use this salve. Additionally, always do a small patch test in a non-sensitive area to ensure that the salve does not give you a negative reaction.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup dried chickweed herb
• 1 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup beeswax, grated or chopped
• 20 drops lavender essential oil

Instructions:

• In a heat-safe glass bowl or measuring up, combine the chickweed and oil. 
• In a small pot, make sure there is about an inch or so of water. Place it over medium-low heat and place the glass bowl/measuring cup with the oil in the pot. 
• Once the water is simmering, turn the heat down to a low simmer and let the chickweed infuse in the oil for three hours. You’ll need to refill the water as needed so that it doesn’t all evaporate. 
• Remove from the heat and strain the chickweed through a fine mesh sieve, saving the oil in a heat-safe glass measuring cup. 
• Add the beeswax and infused oil back to the original glass bowl/measuring cup that you used for infusion. Place it in the pot over medium heat, ensuring that there is a little water in the bottom. Stir until the wax is fully melted. 
• Remove from heat and stir in the essential oil. Pour into salve containers (glass or tin) and allow the mixture to harden at room temperature. Use as needed and store in a cool, dry place.

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Everyone is familiar with the irritating, itchy sensation of a bug bite. The itchiness starts almost immediately after the insect bites. Slapping the bite, scratching around the bite, or applying cold compresses can only provide so much relief. Is there a natural relief ointment or cream that proves effective for relieving itchiness? The anti-itch bug bite sticks in this article may be exactly what you need. 

Even though summer is almost over, bug bite season is not. Insects tend to stick around until the beginning of fall, getting in every last bite possible. All of the fly strips, bug zappers, swatters, citronella sticks, and more cannot seem to win the war against insects. They always find a way past your defenses and get you when you least expect it.

Why You Shouldn’t Scratch A Bug Bite

The last thing you want to do is scratch the bite to the point of bleeding. Scratching a bug bite, especially a mosquito bite, makes the itching worse. Bug bites itch because of inflammation and scratching something that is already inflamed only increases the inflammation. That’s why bug bites itch more after you itch them. If you break the skin as a result of scratching, it can increase the risk of infection, itchiness, and it can make the healing process take longer.

Calendula Flower

Some people refer to calendula as the Swiss Army knife of the forest. It has many healing properties and can help relieve diaper rash, itchy eyes, wounds, dandruff, sunburn, and bug bites. It exhibits antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, which accelerate the healing process while simultaneously reducing itchiness. 

Beeswax

Beeswax has powerful properties that help to heal and protect the skin. The anti-inflammatory properties help accelerate wound healing and create a protective barrier on the skin. This helps to protect the skin from the environment and can relieve itching in the process. Additionally, beeswax exhibits antibacterial properties, which help to keep the skin clean and reduce the risk of more inflammation or contamination. 

Lavender

If you’ve seen a lavender bush, you know that many bugs are attracted to it. More often than not, bees collect pollen from the flowers and bring it back to their hives. Well, as it turns out, lavender is a popular remedy for treating bug bites. The soothing properties are similar to that of chamomile and help to relieve pain or itchiness. Several studies found that it proves most effective for spider bites, fire ant bites, and bee stings. That being said, the notable anti-inflammatory properties work to relieve bug bites from all insects. 

DIY Anti-Itch Bug Bite Sticks

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup sunflower oil
• 1/8 cup calendula flowers
• 1/8 cup lavender flowers
• 1 tablespoon beeswax

Instructions:

• Pour the oil in a glass canning jar and add the calendula and lavender flowers. Stir a few times to ensure that there are no air bubbles. 
• Screw the top on the jar and place it in a windowsill for about three weeks for a slow infusion. 
• If you want a quicker infusion process, set a heat-safe glass jar with the oil and flowers in a saucepan containing a few inches of water over low heat. 
• Keep an eye on the oil for about two hours and then strain the oil, discarding the flowers. 
• Add the beeswax to a heat-safe glass jar along with 3 tablespoons of the infused oil that you reserved. Place it in a saucepan with a few inches of water in it over low heat. 
• Allow the beeswax to melt and stir well to combine. 
• Remove from the heat carefully and pour into lip balm tubes or tins. Allow the mixture to harden completely before putting on the tops. 
• To use the bug bite sticks, dab the bug bite with them as needed to relieve itchiness. 

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Chapped lips, dry elbows, itchy shins, and cracked hands all indicate that the colder months have arrived. Most people are at war with elements during winter, fighting for silky smooth skin that looks nourished and moisturized. You don’t have to fight the good fight anymore because we have a DIY salve that will help your skin retain moisture like never before. 

What Causes Dry Skin In The Winter?

The top layer of your skin, known as the epidermis, contains a lipid barrier and skin cells that keep the skin from drying out. This barrier also prevents harmful pathogens or substances from entering the body. The combination of environmental factors and age naturally weaken this barrier. Now add the excessive hand washing and use of hand sanitizers as a result of COVID-19 and you find yourself with skin that looks that you just jumped in flour. The temperature of the water, alcoholic sanitizers, and less moisture in the air during the winter months all contribute to dry skin. Luckily, you can replenish the moisture you lose with the right ingredients. 

It’s All About The Right Moisturizers

If you want to lock in moisture to the skin, you need the right ingredients. Think of your skin like a bottle of carbonated water. If you leave the cap off, the carbonation won’t last very long. Keeping the cap on makes the bubbles last longer. Moisturizing is all about putting the right cap on your skin, creating a strong barrier that helps your skin retain moisture. The salve in this article contains several ingredients that keep the skin hydrated, but the two that stand out are detailed below.

Beeswax

Beeswax is hypoallergenic and works to protect the skin. It’s the natural waxy substance that hives produce, and it has myriad uses, but the buzz we’re concerned with is how it benefits the skin. The natural antibacterial properties work to combat eczema and acne, while the anti-inflammatory properties create a barrier between the skin and the environment to protect the skin without clogging pores. Beeswax is also rich in vitamin A, which helps support skin cell reconstruction. Finally, beeswax acts as a humectant, meaning that it attracts water to the skin to keep it hydrated and supple. 

Olive Oil

This classic cooking oil is one of the best kept beauty secrets that is most likely in your kitchen. Just like beeswax, olive oil has humectant properties, which help to attract moisture to the skin. Olive oil also contains vitamins E, K, and other antioxidants that offer anti-aging benefits, helping your skin look younger and softer. The great thing about olive oil is that it helps to hydrate your skin whether you apply it topically or ingest it. If you are prone to breakouts or have sensitive skin, do not apply olive oil on your face. 

DIY Moisturizing Salve

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 3 tablespoons unrefined coconut oil
• 2 tablespoons beeswax pellets
• 1/2 teaspoon vitamin E oil
• 1/8 teaspoon alcohol-free vanilla extract
• 8 drops black spruce essential oil
• 4 drops frankincense essential oil
• 4 drops lavender essential oil

Instructions:

• Add the olive oil, coconut oil, beeswax pellets, and vitamin E oil to a heat-safe glass jar.
• Create a double boiler by pouring some water (about a couple inches) into a small saucepan. Carefully place the jar in the center of the saucepan.
• Keep the pan over medium-low heat until all the ingredients in the jar are completely melted. Before removing from the heat, stir to combine. 
• Once you remove the glass jar from the pan, add in the vanilla extract and essential oils. Stir gently to combine and then pour the entire mixture in a small glass jar. Let the mixture solidify at room temperature before using it. 
• It’s best to apply a small amount on dry hands, dry feet, or dry areas of skin at night to allow the moisturizing properties to soak in overnight. 

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Lip balm is a salve or wax-like substance that you apply to your lips to increase moisture. Chapped or dry lips are quite common, especially as the weather gets colder and dryer. Using lip balm fights the dryness by creating an occlusive layer on the lips. This helps to protect the lips from external exposure and ultraviolet damage, and it also helps them retain moisture. 

There are chemically flavored or colored lip balms that have unnatural ingredients, but you can easily make a lip balm with natural ingredients that provide moisture. For the lip balm recipe in this article, the most time-consuming step is the making the rose-infused oil. 

How To Make Rose Oil

Take a handful or dried rose petals and add them to a jar with enough olive oil to completely submerge the petals. If you don’t want to use olive oil, you can use avocado oil, grapeseed oil, or sunflower oil. Close the lid on the jar and leave it in a cool, dry place for three weeks. Strain the rose petals after three weeks and that’s your rose-infused oil. 

How Roses Benefit The Skin

Rose petals contain a variety of antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins that work to moisturize dry skin. Because rose petals have astringent properties, they help to combat inflammatory skin disorders, acne, and any redness on the skin. Rose-infused oil or rosewater are also beneficial because they contain antibacterial properties. Additionally, rose oil works to balance the skin’s pH level and minimize the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. 

How Vanilla Benefits The Skin

You don’t typically think of vanilla extract when you think of skin care. It’s only for desserts, right? Wrong. Alcohol-free vanilla extract is excellent for fighting acne because the vanillin has antibacterial and antioxidant properties. Those same antioxidants help to neutralize free radicals on the skin, which can reduce premature signs of aging (dark spots, wrinkles, and fine lines). Finally, anyone with dry skin can benefit from using vanilla extract. The B-vitamins in vanilla play a role in nourishing skin cells, and they help lock in moisture. 

How Cocoa Butter Benefits The Skin

The high fatty acid content in cocoa butter makes it an excellent ingredient for nourishment and hydration. The fats in cocoa butter also create a protective barrier on the skin to help it retain moisture. This is wonderful news for your lips because that’s exactly what you want out of a lip balm. The phytochemical in cocoa butter work to increase blood flow to the skin, which not only slows the signs of aging, but also provides protection from UV rays. 

DIY Rose Vanilla Lip Balm

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon cocoa butter
• 3 tablespoons rose-infused oil, plus 1/4 teaspoon for mixing
• 1/2 tablespoon castor oil
• 1 tablespoon beeswax
• 1/4 teaspoon alkanet root powder
• 1 teaspoon alcohol-free vanilla extract
• 5-6 lip balm tins

Instructions:

• Pour about two inches of water into a small saucepan. Place a heat-safe glass measuring cup with a pour spout in the center of the saucepan.
• Add the cocoa butter, 3 tablespoons of the rose-infused oil, castor oil, and beeswax to the measuring cup. Turn the heat on low and stir the oil mixture occasionally until all the ingredients are thoroughly melted and combined. 
• You don’t want the water to boil, so keep that in mind and watch the temperature. 
• While the mixture is melting in the pan, combine 1/4 teaspoon rose-infused oil with the alkanet root powder in a small bowl. Mix until well-combined.
• Once the cocoa butter mixture is melted, remove the measuring cup from the pot, set on a towel on the countertop, and stir in the alkanet powder mixture. This will give you the beautiful burgundy color. 
• Finally, stir in the vanilla and then evenly pour the mixture into the lip balm tins. Allow the balm to harden at room temperature and then use as you please. 

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The post DIY Rose Vanilla Lip Balm appeared first on Dherbs - The Best All Natural Herbal Remedies & Products.

Babies all around the world experience diaper rash. It’s nerve-wracking for parents and painful or irritating for the baby. As a parent, you don’t want to see your child in pain, so you try to remedy the rash with healing lotions and ointments. Since many of those lotions contain harmful chemicals, it is better to use natural ingredients to soothe irritation and get rid of the rash.

Understanding Why Diaper Rash Occurs

You have to understand the causes of diaper rash if you want to prevent it. The most common cause of diaper rash is the containment of moisture, warmth, and growth of organisms within the diaper. Candida or yeast, which is present in stool, is typically the growth. This is not always the cause of the rash, though. Some children have food sensitivities or allergies to certain materials. Chronic diaper rash, for instance, is most commonly attributed to a food allergen. Finding the allergen can take time, but there are ingredients that can remedy the situation in the meantime.

Beeswax For Diaper Rash

Beeswax has numerous benefits, one of the primary ones being that it nourishes the skin. Loaded with anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and germicidal properties, beeswax can help fight diaper rash and soothe the skin. While there are dozens of lotions that contain beeswax, go straight to the source and incorporate it into a homemade salve.

Calendula For Diaper Rash

The recipe for this DIY diaper rash salve calls for infused calendula oil. Traditionally, calendula flowers have been used in herbal remedies for their medicinal properties. The antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties are especially beneficial for wounds, burns, rashes, infection, and inflammation. Research suggests that calendula is better for diaper rash than aloe vera gel, but some children may be more sensitive to it.

DIY Diaper Rash Salve

Ingredients For The Calendula Infused Oil:

• ½ cup dried calendula flowers
• 1 cup sweet almond oil

Ingredients For The Salve:

• 1 cup calendula infused oil
• ¼ cup beeswax
• 1 tablespoon marshmallow root
• 1 tablespoon chickweed
• 1 tablespoon comfrey rot
• 1 teaspoon barberry root powder

Instructions For The Calendula Infused Oil:

• Add the calendula flowers and sweet almond oil to a pint-sized mason jar.
• Make sure that the flowers are completely submerged in the oil.
• Cover the jar and allow it to sit in a sunny windowsill for one month.
• Strain the flowers and reserve the oil in a jar for your diaper salve.

Instructions For The Salve:

• Add the infused oil, marshmallow root, chickweed, comfrey root, and barberry root powder to a small saucepan over low heat. You do not want to cook the herbs, so make sure that it is very low heat.
• Let the herbs infuse for 10 minutes and then add the beeswax. Stir the beeswax occasionally until it is completely melted.
• Strain the herbs through a cheesecloth into a glass measuring cup with a pour spout.
• Quickly pour the mixture into jars or small tins for storage. Allow the mixture to harden in the tins before screwing the tops on. Store in a cool dry place and use as needed.

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The post Homemade Herbal Salve To Get Rid Of Diaper Rash appeared first on Dherbs - The Best All Natural Herbal Remedies & Products.