Health, Beauty and More
From the kitchen to the bathroom, there is a potential treasure trove of natural oils that can serve you in unexpected ways. High on nutrition and flavor, we already love them in the kitchen, but why not try these tips as well?
6 Ways to Use Argan Oil
For generations, natives of the Argan Forest in Morocco have pressed the nut to extract this precious oil. It was used by them as a dietary supplement, for wound healing and rash relief, and to nourish skin and hair.
Acne: Argan oil has been proven to reduce sebum levels in individuals with oily skin. Argan oil’s high linoleic acid content helps to reduce inflammation caused by acne, (not to mention rashes, infections and bug bites) while helping heal damaged skin cells.
Dry Feet and Heels: If you have dry cracking skin on your feet or heels, rub 2 drops into your feet, paying special attention to the problem areas.
Hair Conditioner: Argan oil is not only beneficial to skin – it is also great for hair. This non-greasy oil makes for the perfect leave-in conditioner that makes your hair easier to style while repairing those annoying split-ends.
Helps Lashes Grow: Apply gently around the eye area as a conditioner for your lashes. The oil promotes growth and keeps them strong and healthy. (Hint: Almond oil works well on lashes, too).
Lip Conditioner: It’s a chap stick substitute! This will not only heal any cracked lips, but also keep your lips soft, smooth and conditioned. Keep Argan oil around in winter-time to prevent chapped lips
Skin Rejuvenator: It has vitamin A and E that help reduce fine wrinkles and keep the face moisturized. Argan oil helps remove dead skin cells and also works to repair sun damage.
7 Great Uses for Coconut Oil
Body Oil : Just slather it on wet skin after the shower, then pat dry. You’ll smell like a beach vacation all day. Plus, it has a natural SPF4.
Body Scrub: Mix half a cup of coconut oil with a handful of coarse salt or sugar to create an exfoliator. The moisturizing oil will last long after the grains have melted away.
Breath Freshener: Coconut oil has antifungal and antibacterial properties. Gargling for 20 minutes with a spoonful of oil (a.k.a. oil pulling) can help clear up germs in the mouth, leading to fresher breath, whiter teeth, and healthier gums.
Dandruff Treatment: Dandruff and dry scalp go hand in hand. So send moisture right to the roots with a nightly coconut oil treatment. Just apply lightly to roots and massage in, which will also stimulate hair growth.
Makeup Remover: Even the most resistant waterproof mascara doesn’t stand a chance against coconut oil. Apply it directly to the face as an oil cleanser, or let it sit on your skin with a cotton pad. Makeup will melt away.
Massage Oil: Warm coconut oil in the microwave and add a few drops of an essential oil, like lavender or peppermint, for a soothing massage mix.
Whitening Toothpaste: Run out of toothpaste? Grab the closest jar of coconut oil and add baking soda for a quick fix. The natural way to a white smile.
10 Ideas for Using Olive Oil
Nutritionists will continue to recommend olive oil for its high content of healthful, monounsaturated fats, like oleic acid, and polyphenols, but we also love it for much more.
Control Hair Frizz: Comb a bit of olive oil through dry hair to tame the frizz and fly-aways on humid days or in the winter.
Cure an Earache: Very carefully, use a cotton swab to apply olive oil to the outside ear cavity to help with earaches and excess wax.
Cuticle Conditioner: Want to grow longer, stronger nails? Use olive oil as your cuticle softener.
Diaper-Rash Treatment: There are very few products that are safe for both babies and adults. Olive oil is perfect for the sensitive skin on a baby’s bottom and as a moisturizing remedy for cradle cap too. >>
Eczema Remedy: The best and most widespread use for olive oil is as an intense moisturizer. This product works great as an all-over treatment for extra-dry skin.
Eye-Makeup Remover: Olive oil grabs onto other oil-based products, making it a great pre-cleansing step to remove stubborn eye makeup. Follow it up with warm water and a pH-balanced face wash.
Hair Conditioner: Olive oil has been used as a hair treatment since ancient Egyptian times. First, warm the olive oil in the microwave or in hot water. Then apply it generously to the ends of hair and scalp. Leave it in for up to 10 to 20 minutes, and then shampoo it out.
Shave: Olive oil can provide a safe and natural lubricant for a close shave. Rub in an extra teaspoon after washing your body or face once finished.
Stop Snoring: Take a sip of olive oil before heading to bed. It might lubricate your throat muscles, and stop yourself, or your partner, from snoring.
Wood Furniture Polish: Wipe with a teaspoon of olive oil and a soft rag. Add a bit of vinegar of citrus juice to bulk up the cleaning power, and give a fresh scent.
Essential Oils
These powerful extracted oils need to be used sparingly, but come with amazing results. Our all-time favorites are:
Lavender Oil: This plant is native to northern Africa and the mountainous Mediterranean regions, and thrives best in sunny, stony habitats.
Analgesic properties: Some people use lavender for painful conditions including migraine headaches, toothaches, sprains, nerve pain, sores, and joint pain.
Anti-depressant: Lavender is used for restlessness, nervousness, and depression.
Digestive Disorders: It is also used for a variety of digestive complaints, loss of appetite, vomiting, nausea, intestinal gas (flatulence), and upset stomach.
Induces sleep: Research shows that the scent of lavender eases anxiety and insomnia.
Rosemary Oil: This crisp and clean-smelling oil has been used since ancient times as a medicinal and culinary herb due to its therapeutic properties.
Hair Growth: When applied over the scalp rosemary essential oil helps stimulate hair growth. Put 5 drops of rosemary oil on scalp and massage in after showers.
Improve Memory: Mix 3 drops of rosemary oil with 1/2 teaspoon of coconut oil and rub on upper neck.
Reduce Pain: Mix 2 drops of rosemary oil, 2 drops of peppermint oil and 1 teaspoon of coconut oil and rub on sore muscles and painful joints.
Tea Tree Oil: In use commercially since the 1920s, tea tree oil exhibits powerful antiseptic properties.
Anti Fungal: Tea tree oil can be used as an effective anti-viral and anti-fungal home remedy to help treat athlete’s foot and fungal nail infections.
Antiseptic: It has antiseptic properties and is used to treat cuts, wounds, burns, boils and other skin disorders.
Insect deterrent: Tea tree oil acts as a natural insect deterrent, thus keeping mosquitoes, flies, lice and bugs away. Simply mix a few drops of this oil with a carrier oil like mineral oil or sunflower oil and apply it on the skin.
Hair Growth: It has been found that tea tree oil induces hair growth. It actually helps in unclogging hair follicles and nourishes your roots. Take few drops of tea tree oil, mix it with any carrier oil and simply massage it onto your scalp. However, you must remember to add carrier oil because tea tree oil for hair growth by itself is extremely strong.
Skin outbreaks: If you are suffering from blemishes, dark spots, pimples etc, tea tree oil is your savior. Dab a few drops of this essential oil on a cotton swab and apply it over the affected areas on the skin.
If you are pregnant or nursing, consult with your doctor first before using any essential oils. They are powerful and can be absorbed by your skin and carried throughout your body!
