Organic Dry Shampoo

A few years ago I noticed I was beginning to experience hair loss at a fairly rapid rate. Pretty scary to one who is already noticing several other signs of aging and the vulnerability of self esteem that can accompany this time of life. I began to research hair loss and the effects of aging on hair and scalp.

As you might imagine I have gradually altered my hair care regimen to better suit the needs of my aging hair. Nature's Gift carries a product we call Stimulating Scalp Massage Oil. You can read all about it on our site. Marge suggested I try it, which I did, and can tell you now that my hair loss has diminished. Another thing I've found is that I shouldn't wash my hair everyday. It not only makes my hair look dull, it makes it drier and weakens the hair shaft as well. Not washing daily was a hard one for me as my hair tends to get flat and look oily at the roots if I don't.

I love hats, but they don't look good on me. I love scarves, but I'm not so great at tying them in the exotic styles I see some women wearing. So what am I to do on the 'bad hair days'?

Dry shampoo!

Today I found a wonderful recipe in one of my fave magazines, 'Ready Made", and I'd like to share it here with you. Any of the ingredients can be found on line, or at your local health food store, and of course, you'll find any number of tantalizing aromas to scent it with at www.naturesgift.com.

Materials

• 2 Tbl Organic Arrowroot Powder
• 2 Tbl Kaolin Clay
• 1 Tsp Organic Horsetail Powder
• 6 drops Essential Oil of choice (more or less depending on the oil and your preference)

Tools

• 2 Mixing Bowls
• 1 Sieve
• 1 Whisk
• 2 Spoons, one large + one small
• 1Tablespoon
• 1Teaspoon
• One Empty Spice Jar

In a glass mixing bowl add the arrowroot powder, the kaolin clay and the horsetail powder. Whisk the powders together until they are well blended.

Next, slowly drip 6 drops of essential oil into your powder and whisk again. The oil will not blend into the powder on it's own so don't be discouraged by any lumping.

Gently scoop your powder mixture into a sieve positioned over an empty mixing bowl. Sift the powder into the bowl until only small, dust covered clumps are left.

Take a large spoon and gently press these clumps through the sieve. Scrape to and fro and continue to press to get all of the oils through. Tap the sieve against the palm of your hand to knock any remaining clumps into the bowl.

Whisk the powder again, make sure all of the oil is distributed evenly.

Take a small spoon and gently spoon your powder into an empty spice jar, cap with a shaker top, label and store.

***

I think this sounds like a wonderful idea. If any of you try it I'd love to hear your feedback, and when I get around to it, you will certainly hear mine. Have fun!

Bumps and Bruises

One of my best friends totalled her car Sunday, and is very lucky to be alive.  I was called by the ER nurse around 11:15 Sunday morning and raced to the ER.   I got to be the "responsible adult" signing all the forms and paperwork. 

Gwen has a broken wrist (her right one, and she's right handed), a broken nose, a really DEEP gash over her eye that required shaving her eyebrow and a LOT of stitches, and bruises and pain in places she didn't know existed.  When the airbags deployed, although they undoubtedly saved her life, they did a fair amount of damage on their own.

Why am I blogging about this?  Because I came up with a new solution to treat the miscellaneous aches, pains, bruises and stiffness. She thinks she may have some broken ribs, her right ankle and knee are stiff and sore, etc.

The morning after the accident, when heading for her house, I stopped and picked up a 4 ounce bottle of our Arnica Infused oil.  I poured out a spoonful or two to allow "headroom" and added a full 5 ml bottle of Corsican Helichrysum.

She is raving about the results. She says the combination is giving almost instant relief from the various aches and pains, and just wishes she could pour it inside the cast on her broken wrist!.

Needless to say, she will be using our Helichrysum in Rose Hip Seed Oil on the scar from that horrendous cut on her face. I hope to be able to post before and after pictures down the road a bit.  This morning we are off to the tow in yard to salvage the personal items from her totalled Jeep Cherokee. It will be the first time we've seen the car, and, I suspect, will bring us both a LOT of gratitude.