_______________________
Like the hair, nails are composed of keratin, a strong protein that is flexible and more resistant to the elements than the skin itself. Our translucent nails are a protective outgrowth of the fingertips, and they contain no nerves or live cells.
The body of the nail is nourished by the nail bed on which it rests, and the underlying matrix, which contains nerve endings, blood and lymph. A healthy nail matrix will deliver vitamins, minerals and other nutrients to the nail bed. If the blood and lymph are rich in nutrients, and regular massage, care and maintenance are given to the hands and fingertips, the result will be smooth, strong, beautiful nails.
Interestingly, the more the nails and surrounding cuticles are massaged and manipulated, the strongerand healthier the nails will become. Healthy, well-manicured nails provide an elegant finishing touch to our hands, which are constantly on display as we perform our daily tasks, assist others and express our thoughts and emotions.
Probably the plant most closely associated with hand and nail care is the lemon, and lemon juice is a key ingredient in most recipes. Lemon juice has anti-bacterial, deodorizing and bleaching qualities and is used to fade age spots, whiten skin and nails and stimulate healthy nail growth. Both lemons and the pure essential oil of lemon, expressed from the peel, are inexpensive and readily available.
SIMPLEST NAIL WHITENER
Cut a whole lemon in half, and press your fingernails into the cut half, rubbing cuticles and nails against the inner white portion of the peel. Massage your nails this way for several minutes before rinsing them under warm running water. Rough skin on elbows and knees can also be smoothed and softened by rubbing them with the cult lemon halves.
REFRESHING CITRUS NAIL SOAK
A fresh, anti-bacterial soak to deep cleanse the skin and nails.
- 8 oz (240ml) heated spring water
- juice of one lemon
- 1 tbsp (15ml) aloe vera gel
- 10 drops lemon Pure Essential Oil
LEMON OIL NAIL STRENGTHENER
A conditioning and strengthening warm oil treatment for healthy nails.
- 1/2 oz (15ml) avocado oil, warmed
- 1/2 tsp Vitamin E
- 10 drops lemon Pure Essential Oil
Mix the carrier oils and lemon essential oil and pour into a small glass bottle with the cap on (but not tightly). Stand the bottle in a half-full mug of just-boiled water. Pour the warmed oil into a small bowl and soak nails and fingertips for 5-10 minutes.
HEALING CITRUS NAIL AND HAND SALVE
A rich and nourishing 'barrier cream' for hardworking hands. Shea butter and lecithin give the salve its creamy, healing quality.
- 2 tbsp shea butter (or cocoa butter)
- 1/2 oz (15ml) hazelnut oil
- 1/2 oz (15ml) avocado oil
- 1/2 tsp modified lecithin
- 30 drops lemon Pure Essential Oil
- 30 drops mandarin Pure Essential Oil
Melt the shea butter in a bowl and add the avocado and hazelnut oils. Stir in the lecithin, and when the mixture cools slightly, the lemon and mandarin essential oils. Store the salve in a wide mouthed glass jar and apply as needed.
In addition to pure essential oil of lemon, have fun experimenting with other citrus oils:
- grapefruit
- bergamot
- mandarin
- lime
- sweet orange
- bitter orange
- blood orange
Hand and Foot Cleansers
____________________
Our hands and feet are frequently exposed to a great deal of strenous activtity, so it's wise to take special care of them, cleaning thoroughly to remove dirt, grime and sweat and softening them with water and cleansers to refine rough, chapped skin and to restore lost moisture. Like the rest of the body, skin on the hands and feet needs effective but gentle cleansing.
The skin on the back of the hands is particularly thin and vulnerable and receives constant exposure to external elements, making hands the first part of the body to reveal aging.
UV exposure, chemicals and detergents can also exact a toll on the hands. Our feet are expected to support us through all our daily activities while encased in footwear that is sometimes constrictive and cumbersome. The result is often sweaty, aching feet that are susceptible to infections and irritations.
The nerve endings in both feet and hands are particulary sensitive, so it's no wornder that a footbath or hand soak with softening cleansers feels so wonderful when we remember to treat ourselves to them!
Refreshing essences like peppermint, lemon tea tree and rosemary are popular choices for hand and foot cleansers. The menthol content in peppermint provides a stimulating hot/cool sensation to weary, overworked feet. Here are 3 recipes using pure essential oil of peppermint to deep-cleanse and refresh your deserving hands and feet.
GEL BASE*
A multi-purpose bath and shower gel made with mild and gentle cleansing agents.
- 4 oz (120ml) distilled water or herbal infusion
- 2 oz (60ml) polyglucose
- 1 oz (30ml) coco betaine
- 1 tsp xanthan gum
- 1 tsp (5ml) modified lecithin
- 1/2 tsp grapefruit seed extract or Germaben II
Combine all the ingredients in a blender, adding the xanthan gum powder last. Run blender on the lowest setting for 5-10 seconds. The mixture will be white and frothy. Pour the liquid through the funnel into a clean bottle and cap tightly.
GARDENERS' ROSEMARY AND PEPPERMINT CLEANSER
Green clay is a favourite for absorbing dirt and soil on the skin and gently removing it. This liquid cleanser is a favourite for gardeners and anyone whose hands are exposed to oily dirt and grime.
- 8 oz (240ml) unfragranced gel base (refer *)
- 2 tbsp green clay powder
- 25 drops rosemary Pure Essential Oil
- 25 drops peppermint Pure Essential Oil
Pour the gel base into a bowl and slowly stir in the clay powder and rosemary and peppermint oils until you reach a smooth consistency. Using a funnel, pour the mixture into a plastic squeeze bottle. Use in place of soap. Your skin will feel smoother, softer and cleaner overall.
PEPPERMINT AND BLACK WALNUT SCRUB
An invigorating scrub for feet and hands, with the brisk aroma of peppermint and the dirt removing properties of black walnut hulls.
- 8 oz (240ml) unfragranced gel base
- 3 tbsp black walnut hulls
- 1 tsp (5ml) modified lecithin
- 50 drops peppermint
Pour the gel base in a bowl and stir in the other ingredients until fully blended. Store the finished mixture in a wide-mouthed glass jar and use a spoon to stir up the ingredients before using. Use with a washcloth or brush on the feet and on the palms of the hands as needed.
PEPPERMINT FOOT LOTION
This all time favourite makes your tired feet feel like new! The addition of tea tree oil provides antibacterial benefits.
- 8 oz (240ml) unfragranced lotion (refer to previous posting -body lotion recipe)
- 1 tsp (5ml) modified lecithin
- 40 drops peppermint Pure Essential Oil
- 20 drops tea tree Pure Essential Oil
- 10 drops rosemary Pure Esssential Oil
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment