Manufacturers are increasingly boosting their promotion of their products inclusion of the ‘good stuff’ they include in their products with an attempt to give the public warm and fuzzy feelings…distracting the, from the ‘bad stuff’ that they’ve failed or declined to eliminate from the same product.  Above all else, my number one mission in life is to promote and encourage healthy skin and hair care practices.  Ok ok, maybe ‘in life’ is a little strong, but it sincerely is a passion to educate and enlighten the public on this subject, creating more of an awareness of the importance of carefully selecting their personal care products.

The “care” in personal care should mean that products contain ingredients that provide your body sustenance, nourishment, and are overall advantageous to one’s physical and mental health and wellness.  These product should also not contain ingredients are not linked to illness, are not harsh or abrasive, are not pore clogging, are useful without being mere fillers, and are overall skin and hair loving elements.  Products that meet these criteria are not impossible, they can and do exist.

In 2010 it will be my focus to continue this mission by educating you on the good, as well as the not so good ingredients to be on the lookout for when shopping for your personal care products.  In order to pamper yourself effectively, it’s important to know what’s in the products you choose to pamper yourself with.  After all, truly pampering yourself is a not only a physical act, but is a mentally comforting experience. Knowing that the products you’re treating yourself to are good for your overall well being is the ultimate contribution to a fulfilling spahhhhh experience.

Wishes of much love and many blessings in 2010 and beyond!

Peppermint is definitely a pleasant taste and smell to many people around the world, but peppermint is not just for candy and tea.  Peppermint essential oil is surprisingly multi-purpose, and can be used in many ways around your home.

1. To Aid Digestion – This is probably the most widely recognized use for peppermint.  I have long been a fan of peppermint tea to help with indigestion and other stomach upsets including nausea, flatulence and premenstrual cramps.
2. As a Pain Reliever – Peppermint essential oil has analgesic properties as well.  Adding it to a lotion or massage oil and rubbing on the affected area can help relieve the pain associated with problems such as gout, rheumatism, and muscle and back pain.
3. Aromatherapy – Peppermint essential oil as an aromatherapy tool has a refreshing and cooling effect that can help relieve anxiety, depression and mental fatigue.  Peppermint is known to be a mild stimulant.  Candles, lotions, diffusers and a wide range of other products come scented with peppermint for this very reason.  Inhaling the scent can make one feel more alert, yet somehow more relaxed at the same time.
4. Respiratory Problems – The fact that peppermint essential oil is a stimulant is also helpful to those with asthma and other bronchial problems, as is the fact that it is a known expectorant.  Vapor therapy (putting the oil in your bath or in a vaporizer) can be used to relieve a range of respiratory ailments like dry cough, sinus congestion, asthma, bronchitis and pneumonia.
5. Skin Care – Peppermint essential oil is also an astringent, making it a very useful in skin care products.  Not only can it help with acne and oily skin, but it can also be used for sunburn and other common skin irritations.  Peppermint is also a tool against more uncommon skin problems, such as ringworm and scabies.

My sister has always told me that your taste buds will like, and your body will crave whatever it is that you need the most, or the thing that will be most helpful to you.  Keeping this in mind, it is no wonder, between the asthma, the anxiety and the stomach problems, that I have ALWAYS loved peppermint.  I love the taste, I love the smell, I just love peppermint.  Up until now, however, I had no clue of its usefulness in skin care as well, and I love the thought of peppermint lotion, and will DEFINITELY be adding it to my next bath.  The candy cane foot soak recipe that Tyrika posted last week is the perfect place for you to start incorporating this oil in your home.

As with any other essential oil or product, discontinue using peppermint essential oil if it causes irritation.  Those with high-blood pressure should also use caution, as it does have a stimulating effect.

Tea is an excellent source of anti-oxidant and have recently been linked to preventing a number of cancers including breast and ovarian.  However, those tea bags are not just for sipping on. Get in the kitchen, look in the cabinet and pull out your tea bags.  Did you know that you could:

• Mix a tablespoon of ground oatmeal with chamomile tea to form a gentle facial scrub
• Exfoliate with a chamomile tea and powdered milk masque. Rub on skin, let dry, then wash
• Rinse with black tea to darken hair; all other teas will add shine and volume
• Splash your face with lukewarm tea as an astringent; don’t rinse
• Retain your lips moisture by applying a warm teabag to clean lips for 5 minutes
• Place a warm teabag on blemishes for several minutes to help clear up and smooth out
• Steep peppermint tea leaves, ground lavender and fresh rosemary, strain and combine with olive oil for use as a hot oil treatment

Skin and hair care are right at your fingertips.  Brew a large pot of tea and pour two cups for yourself: one to sip and enjoy and one for your hair and skin to enjoy

Merry Christmas from the mainelement: love family

Tyrika and Jamie