Making Herbal Love Potions

Happy Holidays Everyone!  Looking for a book that explores the 'sensual realm' of herbs?  Something a little different from the usual herbal remedy books out there?  Well, after scads of requests from my readers over the past decade, I finally wrote that book . . . and I wanted to pass along this new, and informative, book review for you to read . . . perhaps you can make some romance-enhancing Holiday (or Valentine's Day) gifts using the 5 delightful, aromatic recipes included in the article - what a bonus!!

Hot Off The Presses . . . the popular online magazine, Refinery29, just released an awesome review of my latest book, Making Love Potions: 64 All-Natural Recipes for Irresistible Herbal Aphrodisiacs. My beautifully illustrated book makes an excellent gift for BOTH you and your sweetie!  Available from bookstores everywhere.  Here's the link . . . enjoy! 

http://www.refinery29.com/making-love-potions-book-self-care#slide

 

Olive Essentials Facial Oil #1: Nature's Skin Food

Hello Everyone . . . Today, as promised, I'll continue the discussion about the two fabulous all-natural facial oils that I've formulated for Healthy Harvest www.healthyharvests.com (yes, there is an "s" at the end of harvest in the web address - it's not a typo).  In my last blog, I detailed the uses for and ingredients in Olive Essentials Facial Oil No. 2, and today, I'll discuss Olive Essentials Facial Oil No. 1.  I love them both and use one blend in the morning and the other at night.  Living up here in northern coastal Maine, my skin needs lots of oil, as the fall/winter seasons can be rather arid at times, plus the combined exposure to outdoor cold and indoor heat totally sucks the moisture right out of my skin. Not a pretty picture if I don't deeply moisturize!  I use them in the spring/summer seasons, too, but just apply 3-4 drops, 2x per day, vs. 6-8 drops, 2x per day in the colder months.

So . . . let me recap that both of these facial oil blends contain pure, organic, unrefined, raw, unfiltered, enzyme-rich and polyphenol (antioxidant)-rich Tuscan olive oil as their base - that oil alone (without any added essential oils) will leave your skin incredibly velvety and soft, but when I add the key essential oils to the mix, the results are amazing!  Both formulations tone and tighten the skin, diminish the visibility of wrinkles and fine lines, and add plumpness to mature skin - and that's definitely a good thing!  To refresh your memory about Olive Essentials Facial Oil No. 2, see my previous blog posted in mid-October, 2016.  Now, let's discuss its partner facial oil . . . 

Olive Essentials Facial Oil No. 1

What type of skin is it best for?  I like this oil for all skin types, really, as it seems to balance all complexions.  Never fear oil if you have an oily skin . . . just use a lot less of it.  A light application of oil (approx. 2 drops) after you've cleansed and while your skin is still damp, will seal in valuable moisture and prevent dehydration of skin tissue - which will preserve youthfulness for a long, long time.  Imagine a prune and its plump counterpart . . . a plum.  What's the difference in the two?  Moisture aka water!  Get the picture?

Here's the wording on the product label:  This rejuvenative, gentle, protective, skin-nourishing treatment oil, when used consistently, will seal in moisture, balance, and tone most skin types, including combination, normal, dry, and mature.  An especially soothing herbal remedy for inflamed, chapped, cracked, and environmentally damaged skin.  Contains antiseptic, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, emotionally uplifting, and anti-anxiety properties - a truly multi-purpose oil blend.

Ingredients:  Tuscan olive oil, which I've already mentioned, plus the following essential oils:

- French Highland Lavender essential oil:  Organically grown in France and steam distilled from fresh lavender buds.  Lavender is considered a 'medicine chest in a bottle' and is the most versatile and widely used of all the essential oils, having calming, relaxing, soothing, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, and antiseptic properties.  Its regenerative effect on the skin stimulates the growth of healthy new cells, promotes rapid healing, and helps prevent scarring.  Perfect for all skin types, especially red,couperose (dilated capillaries with diffuse redness), rosacea, and inflamed conditions.

- Myrrh essential oil:  Steam distilled from wild-harvested myrrh resin.  Myrrh has a resinous, rich, heavy aroma, is highly antiseptic, antifungal, gently stimulating, and strengthening to skin tissues.  Tones, lifts, and tightens skin and is an important anti-aging treatment that delays the appearance of wrinkles. Acts as an emollient, protective, healing balm for the skin.  Recommended for dry, mature, environmentally damaged, chapped skin and open wounds.

- Geranium, Rose (Chinese) essential oil:  Steam distilled from the wild-harvested leaves, flowers, and stems.  Rose geranium has an earthy, flowery, rose-like scent and antiseptic, astringent, antiviral, and antifungal properties.  Excellent for all skin types as it's quite balancing, but especially good for oily, congested, combination, and acne-prone; gently stimulates stagnant circulation; tones and tightens skin.

- Palmarosa essential oil:  Steam distilled from the organic fresh and dried grassy-leaves.  Same family as lemongrass.  Palmarosa has a pleasant, sweet, slightly musty, floral-rosy smell.  Best known for its balancing action upon the skin.  Helps to rehydrate dry and mature skin or normalize the sebum (oil) secretion of oily skin.  Also tones and revitalizes the appearance of tired or aging skin.  Has antiviral, broadly antiseptic, and antifungal properties.

Don't these simple, but highly effective ingredients sound fabulous??  I put a lot of research and testing into my formulations, and I'm confident that you'll benefit from one of my blends.  The price for either of these oils is $45 each or 2 for $80.  Please give one or both a try . . . your skin will thank you for sure!  They are created with love and the utmost purity - absolutely no useless ingredients or fillers . . . how often can you say that about your skin care products?  To order, please visit www.healthyharvests.com

Olive Essentials Facial Oil #2 - Nature's Skin Food

Greetings My Fellow Health Seekers - Let's talk about your skin and its particular needs for today.  It's fall and the temperatures are beginning to drop, the air is becoming less moisture-laden (full of water that your skin needs and loves), and soon your skin - especially if you live in the northern tier of the U.S. - will start to lose youthifying hydration.  Moisture, or water, or humidity is what helps keep your skin looking alive, plump, dewy, and young.  Without it . . . your skin tissue gets thirsty, crepey, and looks dull and lackluster.  Nobody wants that . . . no matter what your age, right?

So, what to do, what to do?  Well, you could rely on a typical, cheaply-made (but not so cheaply priced) drug-store moisturizer that's primarily water, glycerin, and mineral oil - oh no you don't!  There's nothing nourishing in there at all . . .  just cheap crap (pardon me for my honesty) and the mineral oil will suck the life out of your skin and leach the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K. The water will evaporate off your skin in no time flat!  OR, you could visit a high-end department store cosmetic counter and fork over loads of hard-earned $$ for a jar/bottle of "youthful promises" that also contains primarily water, glycerin, and mineral oil and maybe a handful of better grade ingredients, plus irritants like DEA; texturizers like polyethylene glycol; preservatives, artificial fragrance and/or color.

If you chose to visit Whole Foods, or a similar natural grocer, you might be able to find a relatively decent natural moisturizer or facial oil, but generally, they have some deleterious ingredients on the label or are actually rancid already.  Just sayin' . . . 

Well . . . you can stop looking!  Your SOLUTION is here.

If you read my blog from late July 2016 titled, "Olive Essentials Facial Oils - Food For Your Face", (you can still find it by going to my website www.stephanietourles.com and click on the "B" icon in the upper right hand area and scroll around until you do - or you can still find it on the front page of my website TODAY), you'll remember that I partnered with Karl Burgart, owner of Healthy Harvest www.healthyharvests.com (yes, there is an "s" at the end of 'harvests') to formulate our new Olive Essentials Facial Oils # 1 & #2.  Karl is a fine olive oil importer and imports this amazing organic, low-acid, unrefined, unfiltered, unheated, raw Tuscan olive oil, high in anti-oxidant polyphenols and live enzymes, from a 200 year old olive oil family farm in Italy. It comes from a single estate and is not blended with other olives from anywhere else.  Guaranteed absolutely pure!  It's not grocery store olive oil folks!

When I tried the smooth, velvety Tuscan olive oil for the first time on my skin last winter, I just knew that I had to formulate a couple of exquisite facial oils for Karl's company, Healthy Harvest www.healthyharvests.com.  They are designed to be used IN LIEU of your normal moisturizer, twice daily.  The facial oils actually seal in the important moisture remaining on your skin from your toner/astringent/hydrosol - after you've cleansed - and truly nourish your skin, leaving it feeling fabulous, toned, and lifted - like it did when you were a young adult.  

Remember, ladies/men (or if you're new to my blogs, listen up) . . . I'm a licensed holistic esthetician, herbalist, professional aromatherapist, and author of 12 books on natural skin and body care and I've been formulating pure skin care products for years and teaching folks how to do it themselves.  I'm not new at this . . . so, trust me when I brag about a product that I've made.  Healthy Harvest Olive Essentials Facial Oils #1 & #2 are all your skin needs . . . to preserve its life and infuse it with vital nutrients and remedial essential oils. I care about my skin and I care about yours.  That's the God-honest truth!!

Today, I'm going to tell you more about the first facial oil I developed using Karl's Tuscan olive oil . . . which happens to be formula #2 . . . lol.  Formula #1 came second.  Don't ask - ha ha ha.

Olive Essentials Facial Oil #2

Firstly, these are the simple ingredients . . . nothing more, nothing less . . . Organic Tuscan olive oil, and essential oils of wild-harvested Frankincense CO2, organic French Highland Lavender, and organic Australian Sandalwood. That's it . . . and that's all you need for glorious, healthy skin.

Secondly, here's a detailed description of each of the essential oils so you know exactly what they will do for your skin.  How many manufacturers give you this kind of information?  This is small-batch, artisinal skin care here . . . Karl and I want you to have the VERY BEST for your skin . . . and want to be transparent about our products!

-  Frankincense CO2 essential oil: Carbon dioxide extracted from ethically wild-harvested frankincense resin (this is a 'complete' frankincense essential oil, processed at low temperatures and high pressure - with a deeper aroma and higher percentages of rejuvenating benefits than steam distilled frankincense). Frankincense has an intensely rich, sweet, resinous, complex fragrance with properties that are antiseptic, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, gently stimulating, and strengthening to skin tissue. It invigorates and rejuvenates the complexion and helps repair skin damage and heal wounds - a perfect choice for mature skin that's normal to dry, dry, or very dry, chapped, environmentally damaged, or cracked. Many find that it grounds emotions, calms anxiety, and balances mood swings.

- French Highland Lavender essential oil: Organically grown in France and steam distilled from fresh lavender buds.  Lavender is considered a 'medicine chest in a bottle' and is the most versatile and widely used of all the essential oils, having calming, relaxing, soothing, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, and antiseptic properties.  Its regenerative effect on the skin stimulates the growth of healthy new cells, promotes rapid healing, and helps prevent scarring.  Perfect for all skin types, especially red, couperose (dilated capillaries with diffuse redness), rosacea, and inflamed conditions.

- Sandalwood (Australian) essential oil:  Steam distilled from organic, sustainably-grown and harvested sandalwood trees.  It has a warm, woody, smooth, musky base scent with a light spicy note.  Australian sandalwood has similar properties to traditional Indian sandalwood (which has been over-harvested and is at risk/endangered).  It is a soothing antiseptic with anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.  Rejuvenating and protective.  Helpful for dry, red, inflamed, and flaky skin conditions, and has a balancing action on oily skin, as well. Sandalwood is useful for easing tension and anxiety.

Glowing Testimonials


"I absolutely love the Olive Essentials Facial Oil #2 - best product I've ever tried.  I ordered 2 at the recent Mother Earth News Fair in Pennsylvania.  I've only been using it for a week and I can honestly say that I can already see a difference in my skin, especially around my eyes.  I enjoyed hearing you speak, Stephanie, and plan on telling others about this great product!  I'm 63 and I feel that I've tried so many products - even items sold by doctors - and none of those products have done what this oil has done!  My skin appears so much smoother.  Thanks for creating such a great product.  Don't ever let it run out!" - Jan Norris, Oct. 5, 2016

"I wrote to you the other day on Facebook and just wanted to tell you that I'm passing the word along to my friends about your facial oil.  My best friend lives in Miami, FL, and she ordered a bottle today.  I sure wish I had a before and after photo of the area around my eyes.  I've been using more facial oil than called for just because I've been using it on my full face, neck, and chest area, and then one more dab around my eyes.  I'll be 64 in January and even my husband said the area around my eyes looks better." - Jan Norris, Oct 8, 2016

"I love this oil so much and use it a lot more than just on my face.  I use it on my neck, chest, and back of hands.  I was born and raised in Miami, FL and therefore lots of exposure to the sun with scuba diving, skiing . . . anything outdoors.  I've had 5 malignant skin cancers over the years, the first one on my nose when I was 35 years old.  There are lots of procedures you can do to help with your face, but not much that can help your neck or chest area and as we age we tend to get crepey skin.  Could you consider making a larger bottle than the 1-ounce?" - Jan Norris, Oct. 16, 2016

- "Dear Stephanie . . . A much-overdue 'thank you' for the totally amazing bottle of Olive Essentials Facial Oil #2.  I'm hooked!  And, as usual, I'm impressed with your cleverness and initiative at seeing the possibilities for a new and wonderful product!  I hope it does well!" - Deborah Balmuth, Publisher, Storey Publishing

To wrap up this long blog, if you're searching for skin care that's ALL GOOD with NONE of the bad - then please give either Olive Essentials Facial Oil #1 or #2 a try (you can find out more about #1 from Karl's website www.healthyharvests.com and I'll detail it next month in another blog).  Your skin will thank you (and so will Karl and I).  The bottles are 1-ounce each and retail for $44.95 OR purchase 2 bottles for $80, and will last for approx. 2-4 months, depending on how many drops you use each day. The full directions are on the labels. Thanks for listening folks!

Herbal Tick Repellents: Sage, Rosemary & Basil

Hello Everyone . . . it's feeling very much like fall here in northern, coastal Maine - and I LOVE this kind of weather!  Along with this chill, I would have thought that the ticks in my lawn and outlying "wild property" would have become more scarce, especially after our first-of-the-season frost last week.  Sadly . . . they have not!  After walking my two indoor kitties  outdoors around my yard and garden (they've been leash-trained) a couple of days ago, I discovered several ticks crawling about on their bellies and faces . . . yuck!  I always do a thorough inspection and combing of their fur after every walk just to remove any fleas and ticks that may have pounced on them. I was truly surprised to see this many parasites - didn't have that many all summer long - and it was a hot, sticky summer (favorite weather for ticks - and fleas)!  The weekly powder blends that I'd been rubbing into their fur hadn't been enough this go round - apparently.  Time to use other "tick shield" treatments in my arsenal of herbal tick repellents (they also work great against fleas, too). 

That's just what I'm going to share with you today . . . these are simple to make formulas using inexpensive, commonly available herbs.  The recipes come from my latest book, "Naturally Bug Free: 75 Nontoxic Recipes for Repelling Mosquitoes, Ticks, Fleas, Ants, Moths & Other Pesky Insects".  The book is only $10.95 and offers a boat load of valuable information on how to keep all manner of bugs off yourself, your dogs and cats, and out of your home - naturally and totally chemical-free!  If you haven't purchased a copy yet (available from online retailers and lots of bookstores nationwide) please do . . . and get another for your pet-loving friend(s).  They make great Holiday and birthday presents.

Herbal Tick Repellents: Sage, Rosemary & Basil

Powdered rosemary and sage are particularly effective against ticks.  Infused basil tea used as a spray creates an effective tick-repelling herbal haze around your pet. These also make fleas hop elsewhere, too!  Here are the DIY details . . . 

Herbal Powders

Grind 1/2 to 1 cup of dried, whole sage and/or rosemary leaves in a coffee grinder, blender, or food processor.  To use, massage the powder into your pet's fur, all the way down into the skin.  Most pets will shake off a good bit, so apply it outdoors in order to prevent a dust cloud in your home - but enough should remain to be effective.  Store powder in an airtight container by the door where you can apply it before every outing if you wish.

NOTES:  Powdered sage is readily available at most grocery stores or in bulk at natural markets (if you don't want to grind your own) and both herbs can be found in powdered form online - try www.mountainroseherbs.com. You can use the above technique to make almost any herbal powder, including lavender, neem leaf, and lemongrass - which are included in other flea- and-tick-fighting recipes in my book.

Basil Infusion Spray

Pour 2 cups of boiling water over 2 tablespoons of dried basil or 4 heaping tablespoons of fresh, finely chopped basil leaves.  Cover, and steep for 2 hours.  Strain the liquid, then pour into a 16-ounce plastic spray bottle.  Store in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.

To use, spray your pet's entire body before every outing; the effect lasts several hours.  If your pet spends most of its time outdoors, reapply several times per day in the height of tick (and flea) season.  

NOTE:  Portions of this blog have been excerpted with permission from the author's book, "Naturally Bug Free"  (Storey Publishing, c2016).  The information is true and complete to the best of Ms. Tourles' knowledge.  All recommendations are made without guarantee on the part of the Ms. Tourles.  She disclaims any liability in connection with the use of this information.  It is for educational purposes only.

DIY Herbal Flea- & Tick-Control Powders - Part 2

Hello Everyone!  Early fall is upon us, the temps are beginning to cool a wee bit, but the blood-thirsty, irritating fleas and ticks are still a menace . . . for sure.  Today, I want to share with you another all-natural, herbal flea- and tick-control powder recipe from my book, "Naturally Bug-Free: 75 Nontoxic Recipes for Repelling Mosquitoes, Ticks, Fleas, Ants, Moths & Other Pesky Insects" (Storey Publishing c2016).

It's made in the same manner as the "Bugs-Be-Gone Powder" recipe that appeared in my previous blog posted on August 18, 2016 - "DIY Herbal Flea- & Tick-Control Powders - Part 1".  If you want to refer back to it, you can go to my website www.stephanietourles.com and click on the "B" for Blogger and look it up that way or you can buy the book (only $10.95 from book retailers everywhere) and find it on page 141.  If you like the aroma of lemongrass, then you'll enjoy today's recipe. Makes your dog(s) or cat(s) smell mildly earthy with a hint of lemon.  Remember, if making this for cats of any age, omit the lemongrass essential oil.  The lemongrass powder will impart sufficient scent and flea/tick control benefits. 

Bite Ban Flea & Tick Powder

Lemongrass and neem, two of nature's best pest-repelling herbs, come together in this pleasant, earthy-lemony scented powder. This recipe doubles as a carpet treatment powder to prevent or rid your home of flea-infestations.  Simply sprinkle very, very lightly on carpets, allow to remain for 48-72 hours, then vacuum up. No worries about toxicity to pets and young children if trod upon.  It's completely safe.  (FYI - this recipe is found on page 141 of my book.)

Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups food-grade diatomaceous earth (container MUST say "food-grade")
- 1/4 cup lemongrass powder (available from www.mountainroseherbs.com)
- 1/4 cup neem leaf powder (available from www.mountainroseherbs.com)
- 10 drops lemongrass essential oil

NOTE:  Omit essential oils in powders made for cats of all ages AND for dogs and under one year old.

Directions:  This recipe yields 2 cups of powder. You'll need a medium bowl and whisk, and plastic, cardboard, metal, or glass application and storage container.  A good application container is a recycled herb or spice jar with a perforated lid - or make one yourself using a pint-size or quart-size Mason jar - using a nail and hammer to poke a dozen or so holes in the top.

Combine the dry ingredients in a medium bowl and gently whisk to blend.  Add the essential oil (if not making for cats or young pups), scattering the drops around the powder, and whisk again to combine.  Loosely spoon the mixture into the container(s), then shake vigorously for about 30 seconds.  Label and date the powder.  Allow the powder to synergize for 24 hours prior to use.  Store at room temperature, away from heat and light; use within 1 year.

Application:  To ensure maximum effectiveness, sprinkle the powder evenly and uniformly from nose to tail, and as close to your pet's skin as possible, massaging it in really well.  Fleas and ticks will rush to any part of your pet that is dust-free, so address the entire face, ears, genitals, anus, and between the toes. Pick off and destroy any fleas and ticks that start scurrying around.  When applying to the face, be extra careful not to get powder in the eyes, nose, and mouth, as it is irritating to mucous membranes.  Repeat once or twice per week, as needed, to control fleas and ticks.

Remember, that simply using a flea/tick powder on your pet is not an assurance that these pests will disappear.  It's a start. You still have to vacuum daily (initially), treat your floors with the appropriate powders, comb your pets daily, change their bedding weekly, etc., to get ahead of the reproductive cycles of the pests. It takes work, but, to me, it's better than infusing your home and your pets with toxic chemicals. See page 122-125 of my book for the full discussion on how to be proactive against fleas and ticks!

CAUTION:  When treating mature pets under 5 lbs. or young kittens and pups, carefully apply very small amounts of powder to one section of the body at a time, massaging it into the skin very gently to minimize dust. 

Useful Suggestion: To prevent making a dust cloud in your home, I suggest powdering both your indoor and outdoor pets outside, keeping them controlled with a comfortable harness and leash (this includes cats).  Most pets will shake off much of the powder immediately after being treated, but if you've massaged it close to the skin, a sufficient amount should remain to do the job. 

Disclaimer: This blog was written by Stephanie Tourles and adapted from her book, "Naturally Bug-Free" (Storey Publishing c 2016).  The information is true and complete to the best of her knowledge. All recommendations are made without guarantee on the part of Ms. Tourles. She disclaims any liability in connection with the use of this information.  It is for educational purposes only.

 

 

DIY Herbal Flea- & Tick-Control Powders - Part 1

Happy Summer Everyone!  Whew . . . it's been an unusually hot and humid season here in Maine, but it's nothing compared to what the rest of the country has been experiencing!  Glad I live way up north!!  Can you guess what irritating pests thrive in heat and humidity (aside from mosquitoes and biting flies)??  Fleas and ticks!  

I visited my local veterinarian's office just the other day to purchase a bag of grain-free kibble for my 2 cats and inquired as to how the flea problem was this year, and almost in unison, the entire front-office staff said, "Horrible!"  "People are buying Advantage and Frontline flea and tick products (and home foggers) like crazy, yet still complaining about the situation!"  How sad . . . exposing your pet(s) - and family - to all those chemicals, itching, and scratching (and potential tapeworm) when there are safe, herbal solutions available that really work.   

Well, that's what I'm here to talk about today.  My cats no longer suffer from the skin/mucous membrane irritation and toxicity from spot-on, chemical, flea- and tick-control "drops" or the powders.  I quit using those years ago and now use only natural products that I create  myself.  They work great!  I follow a weekly flea and tick prevention protocol and have nary a pest this year.  I comb my cats daily, vacuum the house 2x weekly to suck up any fleas, larvae, or eggs that might be lurking, apply herbal flea/tick control powders to my floors and carpets 1x per week, and apply safe, effective powders to my cats.  It initially takes a bit of effort in the beginning - when transitioning from chemical flea/tick products to natural ones -  but once you get ahead of the flea/tick cycle of reproduction, then your problem will be over (or significantly minimized) and your house and pets will smell great and be all the more healthy for your efforts - that's a guarantee!

So, today, I'm going to share with you some introductory information about natural flea/tick powder ingredients and one of my recipes for the powders that I sprinkle on my cats.  You can find my full protocol of methods/recipes and ingredient resource lists in my latest book, "Naturally Bug-Free: 75 Nontoxic Recipes for Repelling Mosquitoes, Ticks, Fleas, Ants, Moths & Other Pesky Insects" (c2016 Storey Publishing).

 
DIY Herbal/Natural Flea- & Tick-Control Powders

In my book, I have 3 recipes for flea/tick control powders, and these mildly aromatic recipes combine insecticidal herbs and essential oils with food-grade diatomaceous earth (DE) -available from your local hardware store or online -  and powdered bentonite clay (BC) - available from www.mountainroseherbs.com, two mineral-rich substances that deliver a double-pronged deathblow to fleas and unattached ticks.  They are powerful desiccants, due to the abrasive action of the silica on the parasite's exoskeleton, and they also clog the insect's breathing channels, leading to death within 24 to 72 hours.

These powders work remarkably well when applied regularly, once or twice per week, especially during the warmer months (providing you follow the entire herbal house care protocol that is outlined in my book).  No worries about your pets licking themselves, either, - ingesting DE and BC will even add valuable minerals to their dietary intake, and the high silica content assists as a natural dewormer.  Additionally, the powder acts as a deodorizer and dry shampoo, leaving your pet's coat smelling fresh and clean.

General Instructions: Each of the recipes in my book yields 2 cups of powder.  You'll need a bowl and whisk, and a plastic, cardboard, metal, or glass application and storage container.  A good application container is a recycled herb or spice jar with a perforated lid or use a pint canning jar and poke holes in the top with a fat nail and a hammer.  If you use the latter, be sure to place a piece of plastic wrap over the jar to seal it after you've sprinkled your cats, then screw on the metal lid.

Combine the DE and/or BC with any other dry ingredients specified in a medium bowl and gently whisk to blend.  Add the essential oils, scattering the drops around the powder, and whisk again to combine.  Loosely spoon the mixture into the container(s), then shake vigorously for about 30 seconds.  Label and date the powder.  Allow the powder to synergize for 24 hours prior to use.  Store at room temperature, away from heat and light; use within 1 year.

Application:  To ensure maximum effectiveness, sprinkle the powder evenly and uniformly from nose to tail, and as close to the skin as possible, massaging it in really well.  Fleas and ticks will rush to any part of your pet that is dust-free, so address the entire face, ears, genitals, anus, and between the toes.  When applying to the face, be extra careful not to get powder in the eyes, nose, or mouth, as it can possibly be irritating to mucous membranes.  Repeat once or twice per week, as needed, to control fleas and ticks.

To prevent making a dust cloud in your home, I suggest powdering both your indoor and outdoor pets outside, keeping them controlled with a comfortable harness and leash (this includes cats).  Most pets will shake off much of the powder immediately after being treated, but if you've massaged it close to the skin, a sufficient amount should remain to do the job.

Recipe:  Bugs-Be-Gone Powder

I tend to favor light, floral aromas in the spring and summer, which is when I generally apply pest-repelling powders to my indoor cats, so this delicate lavender-rose scented formula is a favorite - it makes their fur smell oh-so-nice!

Ingredients:
- 1 cup food-grade diatomaceous earth (package MUST say "food-grade")
- 1/2 cup neem leaf powder (available from www.mountainroseherbs.com)
- 1/2 cup lavender flower powder (available from www.mountainroseherbs.com)
- 10 drops geranium essential oil

Note: Omit essential oils in powders made for cats and for dogs under 1 year old. 

Caution:  When treating mature pets under 5 pounds or young kittens and puppies, carefully apply very small amounts of powder to one section of the body at a time, massaging it into the skin very gently to minimize dust.

Note:  The information in this blog has been written by Stephanie Tourles and adapted from the material in her book, Naturally Bug-Free (c2016 Storey Publishing), with permission.  The information is true and complete to the best of her knowledge.  All recommendations are made without guarantee on the part of the author.  Ms. Tourles disclaims any liability in connection with the use of this information.  It is for educational purposes only. 

Olive Essentials Facial Oils - Food For Your Face

Hello Friends!  Today, I'm going to introduce you to two amazing skin care products that I've formulated for Healthy Harvest - www.healthyharvests.com (yes, there is an "s" at the end of the website address - it's not a typo).  I'll explain why I formulated OLIVE ESSENTIALS Facial Oils No. 1 & No. 2 and their benefits to your skin.  This blog is rather long, but it's quite educational . . . besides, don't you want an education about the ingredients in a skin care product prior to making the decision to purchase it?

I'm just going to jump right in and start by saying  . . . if you want to have beautiful, healthy skin for life, then you've got to stop slathering it with crap (and stop eating a diet full of crap - that's a given) - plain and simple. Pardon my frankness, but that's the truth. Let me explain why I say this . . . and I deliver this message during every presentation that I make about skin and body care.  Your skin EATS!  What I mean by that is it absorbs up to 60% of what is applied to it (read: "transdermal penetration").  The healing, rejuvenative, restorative constituents in your pure, natural skin care/body care products will penetrate your skin and oftentimes end up in your bloodstream (if the molecules are tiny enough such as those in essential oils) or . . . at least penetrate into or affect the sub-surface of the skin and muscle tissue.  So, if the good-for-you ingredients can affect your skin, so, too, can the potentially irritating synthetic colors, fragrances, and artificial ingredients in standard skin care - which I suggest that you avoid.  REMEMBER . . . your skin is your largest organ - your "living hide" - so to speak, a living, breathing, and excreting organism - not just an inert covering or container that holds the rest of your organs and bones together.  The ingredients in OLIVE ESSENTIALS Facial Oils are totally biocompatible with your body - your body will recognize the natural nutrients/chemical constituents and your cells will literally drink them up . . . thus, aiding in healing, nourishing, rejuvenating, comforting, restoring, and youthifying your skin - for years to come.

Earlier this year, I partnered with Karl Burgart, owner of Healthy Harvest -  www.healthyharvests.com  and importer of the finest raw, unrefined, unfiltered, enzyme-rich, organic, high polyphenol count (read: high in antioxidants), single estate olive oils (and olives) and created OLIVE ESSENTIALS Facial Oils No. 1 & No. 2 using his ultra-fine, low acid Tuscan olive oil as the base for these wonderful products.  Tuscan olive oil is different . . . it's light and velvety upon the skin - unlike many olive oils - which tend to be moderately heavy.  Think of these facial oils as skin food - essential nourishment for the health of your face, neck, chest, and hands (the texture of your hands will greatly benefit each time you apply these - so be sure to massage it in real well).

I fell in love with using oils to nourish and pamper my skin and body way back in the 1990s. Back then, the so-called "holy grail" of new skin care products were launched by the big commercial cosmetic houses - these being - tiny bottles of expensive facial serums.  I did some ingredient sleuthing, and discovered that they were primarily full of synthetics that irritated the skin and only seemingly worked short-term.  So, I decided to create my own.  I've formulated and used oils to care for and condition my skin (and my client's skin) for decades - way before it was trending. In fact, using oil on the skin to cleanse and/or moisturize is not new . . . it's the beauty secret of ages past.  An ancient secret to youthful, supple, near ageless skin.  Just look at the skin of the elder Greek and Italian women - those who have followed the true Mediterranean diet, eating volumes of fresh, REAL olive oil AND slathering their skin with the same oil. Their skin looks near flawless up into their 80s.  You can enjoy the same experience.  Buy pure olive oil from Karl Burgart at Healthy Harvest (to ingest) and use the facial oils that I - a licensed holistic esthetician - have formulated using his Tuscan olive oil. It's a win-win for your face and body!  I both eat AND slather myself with his oils daily.  I'm 53 and friends tell me that I look years younger!

So, if you're looking for a new moisturizer and/or nourishing facial serum, then look no further.  You simply apply 4-8 drops into your palm, rub palms together, then gently massage (using upward and outward strokes) into your clean, damp chest, neck, and face every morning and evening.  That's it!  OLIVE ESSENTIALS Facial Oils No. 1 & No. 2 are ultra-pure and guaranteed to contain no synthetic fragrances, silicones, mineral oils, parabens, GMO ingredients, phthalates, propylene glycol, DEA, EDTA, acrylates, nano technology, BHT, or any other questionable ingredients.  And, positively no cruel animal testing!  Additionally, I've included organic and wildcrafted essential oils into these formulations.  Here's a breakdown of the products and their ingredients:

1.  OLIVE ESSENTIALS Facial Oil No. 1: This rejuvenative, gentle, protective, skin-nourishing treatment oil, when used consistently, will seal in moisture and balance and tone most skin types, including combination, normal, dry, and mature.  An especially soothing herbal remedy for inflamed, chapped, cracked, and environmentally-damaged skin.  Contains antiseptic, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, vulnerary (tissue healing), emotionally uplifting, and anti-anxiety properties - a truly multi-purpose oil blend.  Does wonders for skin suffering from acne, too, as it helps rid the skin of nasty, subsurface bacteria.
- Ingredients: Organic Tuscan olive oil; essential oils of organic French highland lavender, organic geranium, wildcrafted myrrh resin, and organic palmarosa.

2.  OLIVE ESSENTIALS Facial Oil No. 2: With consistent use, this highly emollient, luxurious formulation will seal in moisture - deep within the tissues - and is recommended for normal-to-dry and very dry skin, helping to reduce the appearance of visible fine lines and wrinkles, plus it helps to prevent and/or delay the onset of future wrinkles.  Revitalizes, tones, and tightens environmentally damaged, lackluster, and mature skin.  Softens and retexturizes scar tissue.  Gentle and calming, beneficial for reactive, sensitive, and couperose skin conditions, too.
- Ingredients: Organic Tuscan olive oil; essential oils of organic French highland lavender, organic frankincense CO2, and organic Australian sandalwood.

If you're searching for skin care that's ALL GOOD . . .  with NONE of the bad - then please give one of these facial oils a try, won't you?  Your skin will thank you!  For more information, go to www.healthyharvests.com.  The oils are $39.99 for a 1-ounce bottle - which will last for approx. 2-3 months.  Thanks for listening.  I'm passionate about quality skin care!
 

DIY Herbal Mosquito & Tick Repellents - Part 3

Hello There My Fellow Health-Minded Readers!  Summer's in full swing, and what comes with  it?  The hoards of hungry, winged, biting insects - of course . . . namely mosquitoes, midges, gnats, and no-see-ums.  Today, in Part 3 of my "DIY Herbal Mosquito & Tick Repellents" series, I'm going to share a pleasantly-fragrant recipe that's specifically formulated to be safe for children one year of age and older, and can also be used by those of you who have extremely sensitive skin.  It appears on page 76 of my latest book, "Naturally Bug-Free: 75 Nontoxic Recipes for Repelling Mosquitoes, Ticks, Fleas, Ants, Moths & Other Pesky Insects.  If you're looking for DEET-free, mosquito and tick repellent recipes for yourself; recipes for flea and tick repellent powders, shampoos, and herbal bedding sachets for your dogs and cats; and easy-to-make (and effective) insecticide recipes for your home, then this is the book for you.  Folks, it's only $10.95!  Not much moola for a boat-load of useful, safe, natural information!  Available in bookstores nationwide and, of course, online - just about anywhere books are sold.

Child's Play Spray  

Young children are not little adults - they cannot tolerate the standard concentration of essential oils in strong formulations of homemade insect repellents.  This spray is designed for children one year of age and older.  It has a pleasing aroma that's wonderfully effective at keeping mildly to moderately hungry biting bugs at bay.  When bugs are voracious, clothe children appropriately and inoculate their clothes with a few spritzes.  Never "drown" their bare skin in bug spray, even an all-natural one, in an attempt to keep bugs away.  Use common sense, please.

Cautions:  To ensure gentleness and safety, you MUST use one of the two species of eucalyptus essential oils specified as well as the "linalool" chemotype of thyme. Thymus vulgaris thymol or a non-chemotype specific thyme essential oil - is WAY TOO HOT to use on a young child.

Ingredients: (Photos of the plants from which the essential oils are harvested are shown below.)
- 3 drops EACH of the following essential oils:  eucalyptus (species radiata or smithii), cedarwood, rosemary, lemongrass, thyme (chemotype linalool)
- 1/2 teaspoon neem base oil
- 1/2 teaspoon liquid castile soap, peppermint or eucalyptus scented (Dr. Bronner's is fine)
- 1/2 teaspoon vegetable glycerin
- 1/2 cup unflavored vodka (use 80-proof and an inexpensive brand)
- 1/2 cup purified water
- 8-ounce spritzer bottle (PET plastic or dark glass) 

Directions:  
1.  Add the eucalyptus, cedarwood, rosemary, lemongrass, and thyme essential oils directly to the storage bottle, then add the neem oil, liquid soap, glycerin, vodka, and water.  Screw the top on the bottle and shake vigorously to blend.  Allow the spray to synergize, or rest, for 1 hour prior to use.

2.  Store at room temperature, away from heat and light; use within 1 year.

Application:  Shake well immediately before use.  Spray lightly onto skin as needed - you may need to reapply it every 20 to 30 minutes.  May be sprayed on clothing but might stain light-colored fabrics.
 
Yield:  Approximately 1 cup or 8 ounces

Note: Portions of this blog were excerpted from, "Naturally Bug-Free", by Stephanie Tourles (c2016), with permission of Storey Publishing.  The information is true and complete to the best of Ms. Tourles' knowledge.  All recommendations are made without guarantee on the part of Ms. Tourles.  She disclaims any liability in connection with the use of this information.  It is for educational use only.

 Eucalyptus (species radiata or smithii)

Cedarwood (Juniperus virginiana)

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)

 Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus)

Thyme (Thymus vulgaris chemotype linalool)  It's the plant in the middle.
 
 
 

  

DEET-Free Natural Mosquito Repellents: Learn To Make Them

Mother Nature gave us biting insects, but she also gave us the means to deal with them.

Photo by Mars Vilaubi

Summer is nearly here — my favorite season! It’s a time to celebrate the great outdoors with backyard barbecues, badminton, puttering in the vegetable garden, and sipping evening cocktails on the deck, all while dressed in comfy shorts, T-shirts, and flip flops. Alas, along with these blessedly warm months come the bummers of summer: irritating insects. Mosquitoes, ticks, biting flies, chiggers, midges, and other crawling, flying beasts arrive as if on cue to feast on our exposed skin. But while Mother Nature gave us buzzing, biting insects, she also gave us the means to deal with them.

As a writer, licensed esthetician, and herbalist, I frequently hear from people looking for alternatives to commercial insect repellents, which are replete with noxious fumes or chock-full of toxic chemicals. I’m quite sensitive to man-made chemicals myself, especially DEET, which is often the primary bug-repelling ingredient in commercial mosquito repellents. Within minutes of applying one of these commercial brands I develop DEET-induced dermatitis, complete with burning skin and red, itchy spots. Not pretty or comfortable! As a result, I’ve been making my own herb-based repellent products for years using strongly aromatic herbs, essential oils, and other natural ingredients. My homemade formulations smell pleasant, feel great on my skin, and work quite well (though when deer flies and black flies — which, where I live, are jokingly referred to as the “Maine State Bird” — are particularly voracious, I don protective clothing or stay indoors).

I experimented, tested, and perfected dozens of insect-repelling recipes that are quite effective, safe, and non-irritating to most folks (even pets!) and collected them in my latest book, Naturally Bug-Free: 75 Nontoxic Recipes for Repelling Mosquitoes, Ticks, Fleas, Ants, Moths & Other Pesky Insects. So the next time you’re itching to get outside, instead of reaching for chemical-based, potentially irritating repellents, keep pests at bay with natural, nontoxic products that are pleasing to the senses.

The following recipes are two of my favorites. They’re fun and simple to make. And remember: everyone’s body chemistry is unique, so if the first recipe you make doesn’t work as well as you’d like, try another. May you be bugged, boggled, and pestered no more!

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Bug Boggle Formula #1

Oil-based: I’ve had this formulation in my herbal remedy recipe box for years. It works wonderfully well with my personal chemistry, and the aroma is quite pleasing, but the bugs apparently don’t like it! This version uses oil as the base ingredient, which leaves the skin feeling velvety soft and nongreasy, but if you’d rather use a lighter formulation, make Formula #2 (recipe follows), which uses alcohol and water as the base ingredients. Note: Soybean oil is used as a base for its natural bug-repellent properties, but you can substitute your favorite lightweight, organic base oil such as jojoba, sunflower, grapeseed, or almond.

Ingredients

• 15 drops geranium essential oil
• 8 drops cedarwood essential oil
• 8 drops catnip essential oil
• 6 drops eucalyptus essential oil
• 6 drops rosemary essential oil
• 5 drops peppermint essential oil
• ½ cup organic soybean base oil
• 4-ounce spritzer, pump, or squeeze bottle

Directions

1.  Add the geranium, cedarwood, catnip, eucalyptus, rosemary, and peppermint essential oils directly to the storage bottle, then add the soybean oil. Screw the top on the bottle and shake vigorously to blend. Allow the spray to synergize for 1 hour.
2.  Store at room temperature, away from heat and light; use within 1 year.

Application

Shake the bottle prior to each use. I like to put a bit of this formula onto my palms, then massage the oil into areas that need bug protection. It is designed to penetrate quickly. If your skin feels greasy after application, you’ve used too much. Reapply as needed.

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Bug Boggle Formula #2

Alcohol-and-water-based: This is the same basic formulation as above, but instead of using oil as the base or carrier ingredient, I use a blend of alcohol and water. This combination of ingredients results in a lighter-textured product, which some people prefer, especially in hot, humid climates.

Ingredients

• 15 drops geranium essential oil
• 8 drops cedarwood essential oil
• 8 drops catnip essential oil
• 6 drops eucalyptus essential oil
• 6 drops rosemary essential oil
• 5 drops peppermint essential oil
• ½ teaspoon liquid castile soap, peppermint or eucalyptus scented
• ½ teaspoon vegetable glycerin
• ¼ cup purified water
• ¼ cup unflavored vodka
• 4-ounce spritzer bottle

Directions

1. Add the geranium, cedarwood, catnip, eucalyptus, rosemary, and peppermint essential oils directly to the storage bottle, then add the liquid soap, glycerin, water, and vodka. Screw the top on the bottle and shake vigorously to blend. Allow the solution to synergize for 1 hour.
2. Store at room temperature, away from heat and light; use within 1 year.

Application

Shake well immediately before use. Spray liberally onto skin as needed — you may need to reapply it every 20 to 30 minutes. May be sprayed on clothing.

Recipes excerpted from Naturally Bug-Free ©2016 by Stephanie L. Tourles. All rights reserved.

Buy This Book Now, Click here

 

DIY Herbal Mosquito & Tick Repellents - Part 2

Spring Blessings Everyone!  Our high today here in coastal Maine was nearly 80 degrees!  Quite toasty for mid-May!  I'm not the only one who loves to frolic in the warmth, though . . . so do the mosquitoes and biting flies.  If it hadn't been for the most welcome sea breeze today, I would have had to make twice hourly applications of one of my go-to favorite, homemade, herbal bug sprays to keep them at bay.  Did you know that an ever-so-gentle breeze of 5 - 10 mph will deter all but the strongest of flying insects?  It's true!  I always take full advantage of breezy weather when I want to do outdoor chores, have a picnic, or enjoy a cocktail on the back deck.  The bugs rarely even light on my skin!

Today, in Part 2 of my DIY Herbal Mosquito & Tick Repellents blog series, we'll begin by discussing DEET - the main bug-repelling ingredient in most chemical-based, commercial insect repellent sprays. You can find this and more bug-repelling information in my handy little book, "Naturally Bug-Free: 75 Nontoxic Recipes for Repelling Mosquitoes, Ticks, Fleas, Ants, Moths & Other Pesky Insects" (Storey Publishing c2016).

DEET:  THE BEST DEFENSE??

Developed in the 1940s by the U.S. Army for protection of military personnel in insect-infested areas and registered in the U.S. for use by the general public in the mid-1950s, N-diethyl-m-toluamide (DEET) is one of the most widely used ingredients in store-bought, conventional bug sprays for personal use.  It is a colorless, oily liquid with a mild odor and is designed to repel, rather than kill, insects, including mosquitoes, biting flies, fleas, ticks, and other small insects.

DEET is used by an estimated one-third of the U.S. population each year.  Its use has increased dramatically since the 1970s as an aid to protect against Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and other tick-borne illnesses, as well as West Nile virus.  Although it clearly works as intended, it is not safe - even the EPA, as well as the product package label, says that you should wash it off your skin when you return indoors (who does that??), avoid breathing it in, and not spray it directly on your face.  A known eye irritant, it can cause rashes, soreness, or blistering.

A mosquito repellent containing 25 percent DEET cannot be applied on or near plastic, leather, synthetic fabrics, watch crystals, or painted or varnished surfaces, including automobiles.  If this chemical, which in addition to being toxic to insects is also toxic to birds and aquatic life, can damage plastic, leather, and glass, then what is it doing to you?  Think about it!!  I mean, seriously!  Remember that your skin is your largest organ, and it can absorb up to 60 percent of what you put on it!  

Prior to the discovery of DEET, did you know that a blend of citronella and cedarwood (Juniperus virginiana) essential oils was a go-to mosquito repellent?  Essential oils have been used for hundreds of years to help repel bugs of all kinds.  In my next blog, I'll share a chemical-free, essential oil-based insect repellent recipe that's simple to make, smells great, and works wonderfully well!  Check out the first blog in this series for my "Lemony Eucalyptus-Geranium Tick-Repellent Spray" recipe.  Smells amazing to you, but the bugs hate it!

DON'T BE A MOSQUITO MAGNET: 3 Ways to Guarantee Fewer Bites

Why do some people seem to attract clouds of bloodthirsty mosquitoes while others can sit around on the back deck all evening with nary a bite?  These lucky people apparently don't have the right combination of visual and aromatic "bait".  Mosquitoes use their senses to choose tasty targets, so here are some suggestions to make yourself less appetizing.

Keep Clean

The stronger you smell, the easier it is for a hungry mosquito to find you, so shower often and try to stay cool and dry.  Ever wonder why mosquitoes seem to target your ankles?  They're attracted to the aroma of stinky feet, so change your socks daily.  Mosquitoes are also attracted to movement.  If you're running around, they'll deem you worthy of an investigation even if they can't smell you yet.

Check your breath, too.  Mosquitoes detect the carbon dioxide we exhale and they are drawn to ethanol fumes, so having a couple of drinks at the neighborhood BBQ might lure them to you.  Using peppermint mouthwash or essential oil drops to freshen your breath might steer them away.

Stay Neutral

Biting insects seem to be attracted to the same scents that we like, so avoid fragranced personal care products such as soaps, shaving cream, deodorant, hair products, and even laundry detergent.  Choose unscented versions and skip the perfume or aftershave if you're planning to be outside during bug season.

Lactic acid is a big draw for mosquitoes, so consider cutting down on yogurt, milk, and cheese.  Your body naturally produces lactic acid, but when you eat dairy products, you excrete more of it, making you more desirable.  Avoiding skincare products with alpha hydroxy acids might help as well, as many of them contain lactic acid, which is touted to improve the texture and tone of your skin.

Dress For The Occasion

Mosquitoes respond most to dark colors, especially blue and brown, so wear light-colored clothing with loose, long sleeves.  Linen provides protection against munching marauders while allowing you to maintain a stylishly cool demeanor.
 

NOTE:  This blog was adapted from the book, "Naturally Bug-Free" (Storey Publishing c2016) by Stephanie Tourles - Licensed Esthetician, Herbalist, and Certified Aromatherapist.  The information is true and complete to the best of the author's knowledge.  The author disclaims any liability in connection with the use of this information.  It is for educational purposes only.