Essential Oils - Lip Balm Recipes - Smacking Good For Healthy Lips

The easiest way to make a lip balm with your choice of essential oils, is simply to warm your favorite balm (with all those pure natural ingredients) and add a few drops of the therapeutic grade essential oil. For example, take about a Tablespoonful size of a beeswax type of lip balm, place the container in some warm water until it softens, and then add 2 drops of Melissa, 1 drop Tea Tree and 1 drop of Spearmint essential oils. Stir well with a toothpick. This formula is wonderful salve for healing cold sores. It tastes good, too.

Lip balms make great gifts. You can experiment around with different combinations. Check with your aromatherapist for specific essential oils specific to your special needs.

If you want to make your own, here is a wonderful recipe for cracked, dry or sore lips that I have used with success:

• 1 tablespoon of beeswax
• 2 tablespoons of castor oil
• 1 teaspoon of honey
• 1 Vitamin E capsule
• 2 drops of carrot seed essential oil
• 2 drops of sandalwood essential oil
• 2 drops of myrrh essential oil

Melt the beeswax in the top pan of a double boiler over low heat. Stir in the castor oil and honey until you have a thick liquid, then remove from heat. Cut the end off the vitamin E capsule, and add the gel from the capsule to the mixture. When cool, add the therapeutic grade essential oils. Blend well, and then put into small containers for storage. Be sure to make labels that contain the ingredients and directions for use. Directions are to smooth a small amount on lips as needed. Precaution: do not use myrrh during pregnancy. (Just leave it out if this is the case).

For lip balm, the proportions you need are 2:1 solids to liquids. The beeswax is a solid and all of the other ingredients are liquid. I like to use castor oil because if gives a nice gloss to the lips. Honey adds a bit of sweetener, and the vitamin E contains antioxidants and will extend the shelf life of your balm. The essential oils listed are all known for healing properties. In particular, myrrh is renown for mouth care.By Judy Lausch

Using Essential Oils to Prevent Wrinkles - If You Are Over 50

I love the little story about the granddaughter who looked at her grandmother's wizened face, traced some of the lines with her finger, and said: "Oh grandma, what beautiful lines on your face." So let's just be positive about this! We did earn these lines, didn't we? Yes, wrinkles ARE a sign of aging. They are a symbol of wisdom. Why is it, then, that we do everything possible to keep them away? Oh, that youthful appearance. So desired. So coveted that we consider drastic measures like facelifts, and risk horrible outcomes by letting people put injections in our face to plump up our skin. Hopefully this article will give you some safe, natural ways to ward off those signs of aging.

Just like the old adage says, beauty is more than skin deep. Many factors are involved in keeping that elastic skin that looks youthful and glowing. But when we look at skin, we can truly see the effects of a healthy or not-so-healthy lifestyles. If you have spent long days out in sun, smoked or overused alcohol, or ate a high-fat diet loaded with artificial ingredients, succumbed to insomnia and stress, or abused your skin with over-manipulation or cleaning, people will be able to see a lasting impression of this mistreatment.

Fortunately the skin can renew itself, although it takes longer as we grow older. So it is never too late to change from an abusive to a healthy lifestyle. Start working from the inside out by internal cleansing and drinking adequate amounts of water. As you start eating foods rich in anti-oxidants, vegetables containing vitamins A,B,C,E and zinc, you will even begin to feel the skin's positive response. Regular exercise will help increase metabolism and circulation, deep breathing exercises will help bring needed oxygen to the cells.

You can also help bring blood flow and vitality to the skin with regular brushing of the skin to remove dead cells and dry skin. This is very rejuvenating. Start with a soft bristled brush, put a couple of drops of essential oils such as lavender or myrtle, and brush the whole body in a circular or figure eight pattern. Brush toward the heart. It is especially good to brush before a shower or bath. Facial masks are very moisturizing and excellent cleaners. Ask your aromatherapist about what is best for your particular skin type, and needs, but for mature skin and wrinkles, this mask is recommended:

Natural Facial Mask for Wrinkles

1 tsp. fine oatmeal

1 tsp. fine cornmeal

1 tsp. honey

1 tsp. natural yogurt

1/2 tsp. Brewer's yeast

2 drops Myrtle essential oil

1 drop Galbanum essential oil

1 drop Frankincense essential oil

1 drop Myrrh essential oil.

Mix the first five ingredients together with enough floral or distilled water to make a paste. Then stir in the essential oil and mix well. Put this on your fingertips, and then massage it gently onto your face with upward movements. Do not rub hard, and avoid the eyes. Leave it on for about 20 minutes, and then rinse with warm water to remove. Spray with a gentle mist to your face.

And now finally, here is the wrinkle prevention oil specifically for people over 50:

Wrinkle Prevention Oil If You Are Over 50

1 Tbsp Apricot Kernel Oil

1 tsp Evening Primrose or Kukui Oil

1 tsp Wheatgerm Oil

3 Drops Carrot Seed Essential Oil

4 Drops Neroli Essential Oil

4 Drops Myrtle Essential Oil

3 Drops Galbanum Essential Oil

2 drops Myrrh Essential Oil

1 Drop Rose Essential Oil (for women) or

1 Drop Jasmine Essential Oil (for men)

2 Drops Frankincense Essential Oil

Combine these ingredients in a 1-ounce dark glass bottle. Cap the bottle and mix gently. Label with the ingredients and instructions. Apply 2-4 drops of the blend onto your fingertips, and apply to a moistened face and neck. Work upward, gently massaging the facial tissue.

By Judy Lausch