Aromatherapy for Sleep: 3 Ways to Make An Insomnia Sleep Spray Recipe

I may receive compensation from links on this site. See my disclosure policy.

August 13, 2019 By Rebecca D. Dillon 6 Comments

Sometimes, falling asleep, much less getting a good night’s sleep can be a challenge. Without proper rest, however, we suffer not just physically but emotionally as well. Luckily there are ways to help combat sleeplessness and enable you to get a good night’s rest. By utilizing aromatherapy for sleep, you can promote a restful night’s sleep. Not only can my easy DIY aromatherapy sleep spray assist in helping you fall asleep faster, it may also help you sleep more soundly.

Trouble Sleeping?

Sleeping and night and getting a good night’s sleep are two entirely different things. As someone with fibromyalgia, my body definitely knows the difference. It also responds accordingly. Therefore, it’s important to me to get a restful sleep so I can function the next day. Sometimes, however, that can be a huge challenge. Not only do I wake to pee every two hours – a combination of age and fibro overstimulating those muscles – I’m also constantly dealing with a barge of emotional stress.

The current events as of late haven’t been pleasant. And trying to filter out that chaos with social media being what it is, has been a challenge. More recently, I found myself deeply affected by the mass shootings in Dayton and El Paso. The senselessness of the killings breaks my heart. It also leaves me a little terrified. I’m still freaked out knowing my son had just left UNC Charlotte campus the day that school shooting took place. I can’t imagine the struggle to move past that trauma as a survivor. And as someone who was previously diagnosed with agoraphobia, I have to consciously push myself to move past that fear and be present in the world, while also not allowing myself to be overwhelmed by the emotional toll we all feel from such tragedies.

Natural Aromatherapy Sleep Sprays

Luckily there are ways to make sure we get a restful sleep so we are better equipped to deal with chronic illnesses and day to day stressors. Whether you use essential oils in a diffuser, as an aromatherapy roll on or as a pillow spray, aromatherapy is a natural way to promote a good night’s sleep. And it can safely be used in conjunction with natural supplements or sleep aids if needed.

My essential oil aromatherapy sleep spray recipe is a natural way to promote rest and relaxation in order to help you fall asleep. Made with a blend of three essential oils – lavender, ylang ylang & vetiver – this DIY insomnia sleep spray is easy to make and simple to use. Simply mist the spray onto your pillow or bed linens prior to going to bed.

Following you’ll learn how to make you own natural sleep spray recipe using essential oils with three different ways to make it depending on whether or not you choose to use a preservative.

DIY Sleep Spray Formulation

Ingredients Used to Make a Sleep Spray

My insomnia sleep spray contains several key ingredients. These include rose water, an aromatherapeutic essential oil blend and polysorbate 20. The rose water, which can be substituted with distilled water if desired, adds its natural scent to the recipe. While the polysorbate 20 is an emulsifier used to bind oil and water together. It’s derived from the lauric acid found in coconut oil.

Sleep Spray Preservative Options

There are also two preservative options. One being Optiphen ND and the other ethanol or 100 proof vodka. Optiphen ND is a paraben- and formaldehyde-free preservative design for water-based recipes. It protects against mold and bacteria growth when incorporated homemade recipes for facial toners, room sprays and perfumes. You’ll find Optiphen ND works best in products with a pH of 6 and lower.

If you choose not to use a preservative you won’t be able to include any water in your sleep spray. However, I don’t recommend this option for a linen or pillow spray as it can stain linens and takes longer to dry. You can use this sleep spray recipe as a body spray though by reducing the amount of essential oils called for in my insomnia sleep spray recipe. You can find more information on making a body spray below.

Tips & Tricks for Essential Oil Measurements

Should you desire to scale any of my insomnia sleep spray recipes, there are some tips that make measuring out the essential oils easier. You can find these tips along with an essential oil conversion chart at Mountain Rose Herbs here.

Insomnia Sleep Spray Recipe #1

Ingredients:

1.8 oz. rose water
2 oz. 91% (or higher) isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol
.2 oz. polysorbate 20
.05 oz. Optiphen ND
48 drops vetiver essential oil
32 drops lavender essential oil
32 drops ylang ylang essential oil

Recipe Notes:

This insomnia pillow mist spray uses isopropyl alcohol, more commonly known as rubbing alcohol, to help the water evaporate more quickly. This will also help prevent your pillow sleep spray from staining linens. While it does have a strong alcohol smell when first sprayed, this scent of the rubbing alcohol fades quickly as it evaporates in the air. So you are left with only the fragrance of the insomnia essential oil blend. As rubbing alcohol is not a preservative, but a disinfectant, you should use a preservative to prevent mold and bacteria growth. Optiphen ND is recommended at a usage rate of 1% for this application.

Should you choose to use this recipe and omit the preservative, your formula will last up to one month when kept store in the refrigerator.

Instructions:

Using a digital scale weigh out the polysorbate 20 in a 250 mL glass beaker. Then use a dropper to add each of the essential oils to the polysorbate 20. Mix to combine.

Now weigh out the rose water and the rubbing alcohol. Pour the liquids into the polysorbate and essential oil blend. Mix well.

Finally, weigh out the Optiphen ND and stil into the sleep spray. Mix thoroughly. Then pour your sleep spray into a single, sterilized 4 oz. spray bottle or two 2 oz. containers with a fingertip mister.

Shake your insomnia sleep spray before each use, then mist onto pillows and bed linens before going to sleep.

Insomnia Sleep Spray Recipe #2

Ingredients:

2 oz. rose water
1.8 oz. 100 proof vodka
.2 oz. vegetable glycerin (or polysorbate 20, as desired)
48 drops vetiver essential oil
32 drops lavender essential oil
32 drops ylang ylang essential oil

Recipe Notes:

This aromatherapy sleep spray recipe uses alcohol as a natural preservative. Like rubbing alcohol it helps the water evaporate more quickly. Unlike rubbing alcohol however,which can be drying to skin, vodka is not drying when used as part of a moisturizing base. It also acts as an emulsifier. This makes this recipe suitable as a body spray as well. To make a skin safe body spray, make the recipe as is, but reduce the amount of essential oils called for in the recipe by half.

As many of us don’t have access to ethanol, which is 200 proof, I formulated this insomnia sleep spray recipe using 100 proof vodka. If you have access to ethanol, you can substitute ethanol for the vodka. When doing so, increase the amount of rosewater in the recipe to 2.95 oz. and reduce the ethanol to .85 oz. (or 20% of the total recipe weight.) You can learn more about using alcohol as a preservative here.

Adding Magnesium Oil to Your Sleep Spray Recipe

If desired you can also add magnesium oil to your sleep spray when utilizing it as a body spray. To do this, you can either substitute the rosewater with ready made magnesium oil or make your own magnesium oil by adding magnesium flakes to the rosewater. If adding magnesium flakes to the rosewater, simply dissolve one Tablespoon magnesium flakes in the rosewater by mixing well. Then, with either option, reduce the essential oils to 24 drops vetiver essential oil and 16 drops each of lavender and ylang ylang. (Also be sure to try my magnesium body butter recipe to reduce the symptoms of restless leg syndrome and promote restful sleep.)

Instructions:

Using a digital scale weigh out the polysorbate 20 in a 250 mL glass beaker. Then use a dropper to add each of the essential oils to the polysorbate 20. Mix to combine.

Now weigh out the rose water and the vodka. Pour the liquids into the polysorbate and essential oil blend. Mix well.

Then pour your sleep spray into a single, sterilized 4 oz. spray bottle or two 2 oz. containers with a fingertip mister.

Shake your insomnia sleep spray before each use, then mist onto pillows and bed linens before going to sleep.

Insomnia Sleep Spray Recipe #3:

Ingredients:

2 oz. jojoba oil, or other dry carrier oil
2 oz. cyclomethicone
24 drops vetiver essential oil
16 drops lavender essential oil
16 drops ylang ylang essential oil

Recipes Notes:

This recipe is designed to be used as an aromatherapeutic body spray. It is not recommended for use as a linen or pillow spray as it’s primarily oil based. As it doesn’t not contain water, there is no need to use a preservative for this body spray recipe.

Instructions:

You can use liquid measurements for this recipe. Simply measure out the jojoba oil and cyclomethicone and combine in a 250 mL glass beaker.

Then use a dropper to add each of the essential oils to body spray mixture. Mix well to combine.

Finally, pour your aromatherapeutic body spray into a single, sterilized 4 oz. spray bottle or two 2 oz. containers with a fingertip mister.

To use, simply shake your body spray before each use, then mist onto skin as desired, avoiding your face. (For a facial spray, the amount of essential oil called for in this recipe should be reduced by half.)

Once you’ve made your insomnia sleep sprays, you can easily decorate your bottles using scrapbook paper. (I like catching paper stacks when they’re on sale for $10!) Simply cut a sheet of decorative paper to fit your container. Then tape it to your spray bottle to secure it in place. (I used a strip of tape for each side of the paper.) Easy peasy!

Where to Buy Ready Made Sleep Sprays

If you’d like to try an aromatherapy sleep spray for your pillows and bed linens, but aren’t ready to make your own, there are a number of ready made options that you can purchase. This Sleepy Head Pillow Mist from Made By Coopers Apothecary is made with a calming blend of lavender essential oil and a soothing blend of chamomile and frankincense to help you de-stress and unwind. You can buy it here.

Or try one of these other natural essential oil sleep remedies to explore aromatherapy for sleep.

Alternately, you can purchase other natural remedies here. Or explore home remedies you can make yourself right here on Soap Deli News or via my Home Remedies Pinterest board.

You can also follow me across your favorite social media platforms for regular DIY ideas for soap, bath and beauty recipes you can craft at home. Follow me now via facebook, twitter and instagram. Or sign up to receive my newsletter to stay in the loop.

This article is not intended to provide diagnosis, treatment or medical advice and is provided for informational purposes only. Information on products mentioned are based on my own personal experience and have not been evaluated by the FDA. Please consult a physician prior to making any changes that may impact your health.

Filed Under: Bath & Beauty Recipes, Health & Wellness, Lifestyle Tagged With: aromatherapy, essential oil blend, essential oil recipes, essential oils, health and wellness, healthy living, home remedies, home remedy, lavender, natural, natural alternative, natural remedy, self care, sleep, vetiver essential oil, ylang ylang

Pumpkin Spice Latte Recipe: A Healthy Non-Dairy 2-Ingredient Recipe

I may receive compensation from links on this site. See my disclosure policy.

August 7, 2019 By Rebecca D. Dillon 1 Comment

This healthy dairy and gluten free pumpkin spice latte recipe is the perfect treat for fall. A vegan latte packed with healthy fats from coconut and almonds, this pumpkin spice latte makes a quick and easy breakfast swap whether you’re running behind from back to school or just feeling run down. All with just two simple ingredients and only 76 calories per 12.5 fl oz. serving.

A Better Pumpkin Spice Latte

Apparently pumpkin spice season comes earlier every year. Starbucks, in fact, announced that their pumpkin spice latte will be released early this year – on August 28th. While there’s a certain celebrity (hey, Martha!) who thinks pumpkin spice is basic, I disagree. Even so, we like what we like, and I for one, refused to be shamed for treating myself to a classic fall flavor.

However, if I’m being totally honest, I just don’t like Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte. The flavoring is off and tastes artificial. Which, for me, ruins the whole experience. Therefore, I came up with my own pumpkin spice latte recipe. And believe it or not, it’s literally just 2-ingredients if you don’t count the water to brew the coffee.

I’ve been trying to cut back on dairy as my eczema had been coming back more recently. I’d actually given up milk all together more than a few years ago. If not for butter and cheese, I could easily have cut it from my diet entirely. But for obvious reasons – cheese if F-ING DELICIOUS – I found that not drinking milk did keep the eczema at bay. I even learned to take my coffee black. When I wanted to indulge in a flavored coffee, however, drinking it black leaves something to be desired. So I’ve had my eye out for a good non-dairy coffee creamer to replace my regular half and half for some time.

The first dairy free latte I tried making was a caramel and coconut cream latte. I combined Archer Farms Buttery Caramel Coffee with Califia Farms Vanilla Almondmilk Creamer. It’s made with real almond and coconut cream. This non-dairy creamer is also non-GMO, kosher, vegan, gluten-free, soy-free and carrageenan-free. It’s also crazy delicious and tastes SO much better than butter coffee, which I just couldn’t wrap my taste buds around.

Luckily, the simple combination of almond milk, can sugar, coconut cream and vanilla extract goes well with so many different bakery inspired and caramel flavored coffees. It also tastes great with pumpkin spice flavored coffees! Thus, a simple combination of your favorite, fresh brewed pumpkin spice coffee combined with vanilla almondmilk creamer makes a pumpkin spice latte that is to die for!

I’ve started catching this non-dairy creamer on sale at Target and buying them two at a time because it’s just that good! It’s seriously my favorite food discovery of the year. Which I guess seems sad – or basic maybe? – but I’ve been trying a lot of everything since my mid-thirties. There’s little I haven’t tried at least once at this point.

If you’re ready to jump on this fall pumpkin spice latte train, then let’s get rolling!

Healthy Pumpkin Spice Latte Recipe

Ingredients:

10 fl. oz. fresh brewed pumpkin spice coffee, or flavor of choice
2.5 fl. oz. Califia Farms Vanilla Almondmilk Creamer

Directions:

Brew your pumpkin spice coffee using one rounded Tablespoon per cup of water.

Once brewed, stir in the vanilla almondmilk creamer. Then sip, relax and enjoy!

Yield: 12.5 oz.

Healthy Pumpkin Spice Latte Recipe

Name: Healthy Pumpkin Spice Latte Recipe
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Yield: 12.5 oz.
Cuisine: latte
Ingredients: 10 fl. oz. fresh brewed pumpkin spice coffee; 2.5 fl. oz. Califia Farms Vanilla Almondmilk Creamer

This healthy dairy and gluten free pumpkin spice latte recipe is the perfect treat for fall. A vegan latte packed with healthy fats from coconut and almonds, this pumpkin spice latte makes a quick and easy breakfast swap whether you're running behind from back to school or just feeling run down. All with just two simple ingredients.

Cook Time 5 minutes

Total Time 5 minutes

Ingredients

10 fl. oz. fresh brewed pumpkin spice coffee
2.5 fl. oz. Califia Farms Vanilla Almondmilk Creamer

Instructions

Brew your pumpkin spice coffee using one rounded Tablespoon per cup of water.

Once brewed, stir in the vanilla almondmilk creamer. Then sip, relax and enjoy!

Nutrition Information:

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 76 Total Fat: 2.5g Saturated Fat: 0g Trans Fat: 0g Cholesterol: 0mg Carbohydrates: 10g Sugar: 10g

For another low calorie treat, be sure to check out my post on why hard seltzer is the new wine substitute. Or pair my pumpkin spice latte with these delicious, natural brown sugar drop cookies. They’re also the perfect treat for fall with lightly crunchy exteriors paired with soft fluffy centers! You can discover more drink recipes for fall via my Drink Recipe Pinterest board.

And don’t forget to follow me via facebook, twitter and instagram for more great recipes and ideas. You can also sign up to receive my newsletter to stay in the loop.

Filed Under: Food Recipes, Health & Wellness Tagged With: almond milk, coconut milk, coffee, dairy free, drink, drink recipe, food recipe, gluten free, health and wellness, latte, low calories, non-GMO, soy free, vegan

DIY Shower Steamers Recipe with Menthol Crystals

I may receive compensation from links on this site. See my disclosure policy.

August 1, 2019 By Rebecca D. Dillon Leave a Comment

Learn how to make DIY shower steamers with menthol crystals and eucalyptus essential oil as a natural home remedy for stuffy noses caused by colds, flu and seasonal allergies. Easy natural relief from congestion caused by colds or allergies, this easy shower steamer recipe is a must for back to school season. Learn more about this home remedy as well as the benefits of menthol crystals when used to promote health and wellness.

Shower Steamers for Natural Symptom Relief from Seasonal Allergies, Colds & Flu

My seasonal allergies have been terrible this year. I mean generally they aren’t great, but I’ve had to pull out the big guns recently. Meaning I stood in line at the actual pharmacy to buy Sudafed. Unfortunately that didn’t work quite as well as I’d hoped, being that it was a last resort. So I made DIY showers steamers with menthol crystals as a last ditch effort to avoid getting a sinus infection. And they worked great at easing my allergy symptoms by opening up my nasal passages so I could breathe better. Better than the Sudafed, in fact. They also conquered that irritating sinus headache I’d had for two days straight.

With back to school right around the corner, there’s really no better time to make your own DIY shower steamers. After all, if you have kids, you know that schools are a cesspool of germs and viruses. When my son started kindergarten I’d had him out of daycare for over year. He got community acquired pneumonia his first week. Of course, seeing as how he inherited my stubborn streak, he ran around like a little chicken with his head cut off anyway. It took two months for him to fully recover.

And of course there are the joys of sports practices. Whether my son was struggling through a cold, or suffering with seasonal allergies himself, I quickly learned that yes, all boys hock loogies the size of a small country.

No one wants to over medicate their kids if they don’t have to. After all, you want them to develop a healthy immune system while also avoiding the overuse of antibiotics. At the same time, however, you don’t want them to suffer either. It’s no fun struggling to breathe through your mouth or fight a sinus headache. Luckily, shower steamers with menthol crystals are a great natural remedy for chest and nasal congestion.

What Are Menthol Crystals?

Menthol crystals are derived from a species from the mint family known as mentha arvensis. These flowering plants, which are found in the mint family known as Lamiaceae, include corn mint, field mint and wild mint and contain the organic compound known as mentol. The menthol is extracted from the plant by freezing the essential oil of said plants, then removing the resulting menthol crystals through a filtering process.

Menthol crystals have a number of therapeutic properties that make them useful in aromatherapy as well as medicinal and cosmetic applications. The medicinal properties they are believed to exhibit make menthol crystals analgesic, anesthetic, antibacterial, cooling, circulation-stimulating, expectorant, antimicrobial, antispasmodic, decongestant, antiemetic and antitussive. While cosmetically they offer antibacterial, invigorating, soothing, cooling, circulation-stimulating and skin plumping properties.

Due to their inherent chemical makeup, menthol crystals are a popular choice for a number of medicinal applications. You may be most familiar with menthol crystals from the over-the-counter product, Vicks VapoRub, in which they are a key component.

Benefits of Menthol Crystals in Shower Steamers

Menthol crystals have a number of benefits when used in aromatherapy. Whether you have a stuffy nose, chest congestion or even a sore throat, menthol crystals have been historically used in aromatherapy to relieve the symptoms of colds, flu and allergies. Not only do menthol crystals help promote easier breathing and offer temporary relief from nasal congestion, they can also be used to soothe sore throats, alleviate fever symptoms, coughs, headaches and sinus related discomfort. Additionally, their aromatherapeutic properties also support immunity and can help with nausea.

While menthol crystals also have a number of both cosmetic and hair care applications, for this purpose I chose to use menthol crystals as a key ingredient in DIY shower steamers. As, when used as a decongestant agent, menthol crystals in combination with eucalyptus essential oil, offer natural symptom relief from stuffy noses and sinus headaches.

Precautions for Using Menthol Crystals in Shower Steamers

It is important to note that menthol crystals are not recommend for use by children ages 7 and under. Likewise, if you are pregnant or nursing you should consult a physician before using menthol crystals. You should also seek out guidance from your doctor before use if you have cancer, heart-related ailments, skin disorders or hormone-related ailments. Additionally, do not use menthol crystals if you have an open wounds as high levels of absorption may be toxic and take care to keep menthol crystals out of contact with mucous membranes.

The maximum dilution rate for using menthol crystals is 5% in order to protect respiratory system and skin from any distress or discomfort.

How to Make DIY Shower Steamers

Made with menthol crystals and eucalyptus essential oil for their aromatherapeutic benefits, these easy DIY shower steamers are the perfect addition to your morning shower. Just take care not to mistake them for bath bombs. As soaking in a tub filled with menthol crystals is likely leave your lady parts in an overly frigid state.

You make shower steamers in much the same way you would make bath bombs. The main difference is, however, you don’t need additional dry ingredients in your shower steamer recipe aside from the baking soda and citric acid. Nor will you need to use more expensive oils or butters to bind these two ingredients together. As you aren’t soaking in a tub with your shower steamers, you can use an inexpensive carrier oil instead. Additionally, you’ll find that DIY shower steamers harden and dry out much faster than bath bombs as the menthol crystals recrystalize once the shower steamers are made.

Like bath bombs you are working with citric acid. Therefore you may want to use a face mask or respirator to avoid inhaling this ingredient should it become airborne. I also highly recommend wearing gloves to make your DIY shower steamers so you are able to protect your hands from the cooling action of the menthol crystals and eucalyptus essential oils.

You don’t necessarily need a bath bomb mold for this recipe. I used my favorite heavy duty round bath bomb molds to make my shower steamer with menthol crystals. However, as these mold rather easily, you can also use a meat baller for smaller sized shower steamers, or simply mold them into balls with your hands. Other than that, if you need additional tips on making shower steamers, you can find tips and tricks for molding and unmolding bath bombs here.

Shower Steamer Recipe with Menthol Crystals

Ingredients:

10 oz. baking soda
5 oz. citric acid
3 oz. carrier oil, such as sweet almond or fractionated coconut oil
.5 oz. eucalyptus essential oil
.5 oz. menthol crystals

Instructions:

Using a digital scale, weigh out the carrier into a small glass measuring cup. Then weigh out the menthol crystals. Add the menthol crystals to the container with the carrier oil, then stir until the crystals have dissolved. Then weigh out and mix in the eucalyptus essential oil. Set aside.

Next, weigh out the baking soda and citric acid into a large glass or ceramic bowl. Use a whisk to mix the ingredients together until they are evenly combined throughout.

Now pour the liquid ingredients into the dry ingredients, slowly mixing as you go. Mix thoroughly then use your hands, a meat baller or a bath bomb mold to form your shower steamers.

If using a round bath bomb mold, loosely pile the ingredients into each half of the mold. Then lightly pack. Follow with additional mixed ingredients, lightly tap down, then firmly press both sides of the bath bomb mold together. Then unmold your DIY shower steamers.

Repeat until all the ingredients from the shower steamer recipe have been used. Then set your finished shower steamers with menthol crystals aside for several hours, until dry.

Once dry, wrap your DIY shower steamers tightly in foodservice film or store in an airtight container until ready for use.

Shower Steamer Recipe with Menthol Crystals

Learn how to make DIY shower steamers with this easy 5-ingredient shower steamer recipe with menthol crystals & essential oils as a natural home remedy for stuffy noses caused by colds & seasonal allergies.

Prep Time 5 minutes

Active Time 10 minutes

Total Time 15 minutes

Materials

10 oz. baking soda
5 oz. citric acid
3 oz. carrier oil, of choice
.5 oz. eucalyptus essential oil
.5 oz. menthol crystals

Tools

digital scale
bath bomb mold or meat baller
large glass or ceramic bowl
glass Pyrex measuring cup
utensils for mixing

Instructions

Using a digital scale, weigh out the carrier into a small glass measuring cup. Then weigh out the menthol crystals. Add the menthol crystals to the container with the carrier oil, then stir until the crystals have dissolved. Then weigh out and mix in the eucalyptus essential oil. Set aside.
Next, weigh out the baking soda and citric acid into a large glass or ceramic bowl. Use a whisk to mix the ingredients together until they are evenly combined throughout.
Now pour the liquid ingredients into the dry ingredients, slowly mixing as you go. Mix thoroughly then use your hands, a meat baller or a bath bomb mold to form your shower steamers.
If using a round bath bomb mold, loosely pile the ingredients into each half of the mold. Then lightly pack. Follow with additional mixed ingredients, lightly tap down, then firmly press both sides of the bath bomb mold together. Then unmold your DIY shower steamers.
Repeat until all the ingredients from the shower steamer recipe have been used. Then set your finished shower steamers with menthol crystals aside for several hours, until dry.
Once dry, wrap your DIY shower steamers tightly in foodservice film or store in an airtight container until ready for use.

More Natural Remedies for Cold & Allergy Symptom Relief

If you’re looking for more natural alternative for symptom relief of cold and allergy symptoms, then try one of these natural remedies.

You can also explore more natural remedies on my natural health and wellness board on Pinterest as well as my home remedies Pinterest board.

If you like my DIY shower steamers, then be sure to pin my shower steamer recipe with menthol crystals for later. You can also follow me across your favorite social media platforms for regular DIY ideas for soap, bath and beauty recipes you can craft at home. Follow me now via facebook, twitter and instagram. Or sign up to receive my newsletter to stay in the loop.

This article is not intended to provide diagnosis, treatment or medical advice and is provided for informational purposes only. Information on products mentioned are based on my own personal experience or research and have not been evaluated by the FDA. Please consult a physician prior to making any changes that may impact your health.

Filed Under: Bath & Beauty Recipes, Health & Wellness Tagged With: aromatherapy, bath bomb recipe, bath bombs, cold relief, colds, congestion, congestion relief, cough relief, essential oil recipes, essential oils, eucalyptus, flu, health, health and wellness, healthy living, home remedies, home remedy, immunity, menthol crystals, natural, natural alternative, natural remedy, self care, shower steamers

Free Online Herbalist Course: Making Herbal Preparations (with 33 Herbal Recipes)

I may receive compensation from links on this site. See my disclosure policy.

July 22, 2019 By Rebecca D. Dillon Leave a Comment

Are you looking for basic herbalism skills you can practice in your day to day life? Then don’t miss out on this free online herbalist course from the Herbal Academy! Available for a limited time only, this free online herbalist course will teach you how herbs are used and prepared for everyday use. By the end of the course, you can begin making your own herbal recipes at home! Keep reading to learn more about this exciting herbalism course. And don’t forget to enroll by July 31st!

How to Get Started in Herbalism

You may have noticed the covers of major magazines when out on your shopping trips lately. Publishers like National Geographic, Time, Newsweek and almost every home, food & fashion publication are talking about herbs! And with good reason. Herbs and herbalism are more than just trendy hot topic buzz words. Herbs can actually play a very important role in our everyday wellness!

Herbal education offers a number of solutions for living a more natural, healthy lifestyle. With a little help from The Herbal Academy, you’ll learn exciting new information and skills that can follow you throughout your entire lifetime. Discover ways that herbs are used and prepared for everyday use. And start making your own herbal recipes at home. All through their free online herbalist course! This course is the perfect entry point into the wild and wonderful world of herbs, covering basic herbal preparations that will help you build your own repertoire of exciting, nourishing formulas.

Free Online Herbalist Course

Ready to give this free online herbalist course a try? The Making Herbal Preparations 101 Mini Course from The Herbal Academy is only available for free registration through July 31, 2019. Course registration will close after this date – and it won’t reopen until next year. You can choose to enroll in either the free online herbalist course by itself. Or take the opportunity to upgrade your course and receive an incredibly practical laminated recipe and herbal preparation tutorial guides with your registration!

Throughout this course you’ll discover herbalists’ four basic categories of herbal preparations along with 12 everyday safe herbs to use at home, and 33 DIY herbal recipes from teas and tinctures to salves and oils! This free online herbalist course will guide you through 7 convenient and compact lessons that are chock-full of hands-on activities, videos, and helpful herbal charts to guide you on your way to making herbal preparations at home. If you’re a beginning herbalist, then this mini herbal course is for you!

What’s Inside Making Herbal Preparations

Designed to bring the world of herbs right into your kitchen, the Making Herbal Preparations 101 Mini Course, provides you with the information you need to get hands-on with herbs while filling your herbal toolkit and knowledgebase at the same time!

Throughout this course you’ll learn the basics of herbal preparations. What they are, why they work the way that they do, when to use them, and of course, how to make them. This course also covers four categories of herbal preparations. This includes valuable information on water- and sweet-based preparations to alcohol- and oil-based preparations as well as detailed, step-by-step video tutorials for each of these common preparations for everyday use.

Upgrade Your Free Online Herbalist Course

To get even more from this free online herbalist course, The Herbal Academy is also offering an upgrade that comes with a 140 page herbal journey planner. So it’s even easier to bring your studies right into the kitchen with these mess-friendly, durable, and incredibly practical laminated recipe and tutorial guides. They’ve compiled the essential hands-on information from all of the lessons in this program into beautifully convenient guides so you can work offline and in your kitchen, practicing your herbalist skills! Simply upgrade your order with the charts when you sign up!

What’s Inside the Free Online Herbalist Course: Making Herbal Preparations

This free online herbalist course provides 3 months of access to 7 instructional lessons on making herbal preparations. You’ll find recipes and tutorial guides, checklist and assignments, reference charts, resource recommendations, video demonstrations and a printable PDF lesson files. You’ll also receive a completion badge in your student dashboard upon course completion. (Sign up here.)

Here’s a breakdown of the instructional herbalism course lessons included in the course.

Lesson #1

Lesson 1 explores how herbs can help us on an everyday basis with some of our most common complaints. It begins with a brief overview of each herbal preparation category that will be covered in more detail later in the course as well as the various solvents that are used in these preparations.

Lesson #2

Lesson 2 takes us deeper into the world of herbs. It covers some foundational principles regarding herbal safety including the various safety categories of herbs, introduces 12 nutritious herbs that are safe for most people, and discusses how these herbs can be used in a variety of ways for everyday situations!

Lesson #3

Lesson 3 kicks off our first herbal preparation category—water-based herbal preparations. This lesson explores water as a solvent and discusses two of the most common types of water- based herbal preparations: infusions and decoctions. It takes a look at the various ways these preparations can be made, walking you through making them from start to finish as well as touching on shelf life considerations and suggested dosages.

Lesson #4

Lesson 4 looks into our next herbal preparation category—sweet-based herbal preparations. This lesson explores various sweet solvents, such as honey and glycerine, and discuss two common sweet-based preparations: infused honey and glycerites. It offers detailed tutorials on making each of these preparations, and takes a look at the shelf life and suggested dosages for each.

Lesson #5

Lesson 5 investigates another herbal preparation category—alcohol-based herbal preparations. This lesson explores alcohol as a solvent and introduces two common alcohol-based preparations – tinctures and liniments. It explores the extraction process for these preparations, provides detailed steps for making each of these preparations, and discusses shelf life considerations and suggested dosages.

Lesson #6

Lesson 6 introduces the last herbal preparation category of our course—oil-based herbal preparations. It begins by looking into how oil extracts herbal constituents from plants, and then explores two common oil-based preparations: infused oils and salves. Tutorials walk you through how to make each preparation from scratch, and the lesson discusses preparation shelf life and suggested dosages.

Lesson #7

Lesson 7 takes all you’ve learned in this mini course and allows you to apply it with 33 recipes, many featuring the 12 nutritional herbs detailed in this course, that you can use for common conditions. These recipes will not only give you practice in making the herbal preparations you’ve learned about in this course, they will also help you to stock your herbal toolkit and give you some experience using herbs in everyday situations.

By the end of the Making Herbal Preparations 101 Mini Course, you will feel more confident in exploring herbal recipes on your own. You will also build a great beginner’s understanding of 12 herbs that you can incorporate into everyday use! Join us for class, and we’re certain you’ll be making herbal preparations at home in no time!

Don’t delay! Register for this online course while it’s offered for FREE! The Making Herbal Preparations 101 Mini Course is only available for registration for 10 days through July 31st and will not be available again until 2020. Enroll here now.

For more information and ideas on living a healthy lifestyle, be sure to check out my boards on Pinterest board. You can also find me on your favorite social media platforms including Blog Lovin‘, facebook, twitter and instagram. Or sign up to receive my newsletter to stay in the loop.

Filed Under: Bath & Beauty Recipes, Health & Wellness, Lifestyle Tagged With: education, health and wellness, healthy living, herbal education, herbal infusion, herbal oil infusion, herbal recipes, herbal remedies, herbal remedy, online course

Why I Switched to Syndet Solid Shampoo Bars (Plus How to Make Your Own!)

I may receive compensation from links on this site. See my disclosure policy.

July 18, 2019 By Rebecca D. Dillon 4 Comments

Learn the benefits of switching to a solid syndet shampoo bars for both hair health and the environment. Syndet solid shampoo bars work just like a regular shampoo – but better! And, unlike cold process or melt and pour soap shampoo bars, there’s no transition period. Only happy, healthy looking hair from the start! Plus they’re gentle on even color treated hair. Keep reading to learn about the benefits of syndet shampoo bars, where to buy them and how to make them.

Making the Switch

As someone who makes my own bath and beauty products, I’ve tried a LOT of different skin and hair care products. Shampoos, however, were always tricky. Castile soap and even cold process shampoo bars left a lot to be desired. The PH of these products just doesn’t work for hair. Which is why it’s suggested you use an apple cider vinegar rinse afterwards. However, from experience and research, this method can actually damage your hair over time. So I’ll admit, I was super hesitant to try the trendy new shampoo bars made popular by Lush.

The new solid shampoo bars are a different approach to hair care. And they aren’t made with soap at all. Known as syndet shampoo bars, these solid shampoo bars are everything you always wanted from your bottle shampoo. And more! The short and long of it is, shampoo bars are pretty amazing!

What Are Syndet Solid Shampoo Bars?

The term “syndet” comes from the combination of the words “synthetic” and “detergent.” It sounds scary, but with the right combination of ingredients, it’s not necessarily a bad thing. By combining variations of different synthetic detergents, a syndet bar is formed. Syndet bars have, in fact, been around a long time. Dove beauty bars, which were first developed in 1955, are actually the first syndet bar.

The one thing syndet bars are not, however, is soap. Likewise, syndet solid shampoo bars also aren’t quite the same as a syndet “soap” bar such as Dove. Like syndet bars, syndet solid shampoo bars are crafted from a combination of mild detergent based cleansers formulated to wash and care for hair. These shampoo bars are typically formulated with a gentle surfactant such as Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate (SCI.) Additional ingredients are then added to nourish and condition hair.

What to Avoid When Shopping for Syndet Hair Care Products

It is important to note, however, that some syndet solid shampoo bars also contain Cocamidopropyl Betaine (Amphosol CG) – which can cause skin irritation – as well as Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS.) For example, the solid shampoo bars sold by Lush contain Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS.) SLS is a harsh detergent based surfactant that can irritate skin which can lead to itchy scalp and dandruff. It also has potentially toxic effects on aquatic organisms. Because of potentially negative effects both on my hair and scalp – as well as the environment – I make sure to avoid shampoo bars containing SLS.

Likewise, I also avoid shampoo bars that contain Cocamidopropyl Betaine (Amphosol CG) as I do have sensitive skin that’s easily irritated by surfactants as well as artificial fragrances. While a milder surfactant, Cocamidopropyl Betaine is made by combining raw coconut oil with 3-dimethylaminopropylamine (DMAPA.) 3-dimethylaminopropylamine is a known skin allergen and sensitizer that can cause both skin and eye irritation as well as an allergic reaction. Cocamidopropyl Betaine is also believed to be toxic to aquatic life. (Learn more here.)

While ultimately the type of shampoo bar you choose for your hair care routine is up to you, I highly encourage you to take the time to read the list of ingredients before making a decision. After all, you don’t want to swap out your liquid shampoo for a solid shampoo bar that leads to the same concerns in regards to the condition and care of your hair and scalp.

The Many Benefits of Syndet Solid Shampoo Bars

Now that you know what solids shampoo bars are – and what they aren’t – following are all of the many reasons I’m head over heels for syndet shampoo bars.

They lather. Unlike some shampoo bars, such as soap based melt and pour shampoo bars, syndet shampoo bars have a lovely foamy lather that gets hair clean. They also tend to have a better lather than liquid shampoos.
These solid shampoo bars won’t strip hair of oils and they’re gentle enough for even color treated hair. (I use mine before and after henna treatments for my thinning hair.)
There’s no plastic waste with solid shampoo bars because there are no bottles. Therefore these little beauties are zero waste & eco friendly. Plus it’s an easy way to reduce plastic waste in your home.
I can use way less of my syndet bars on my hair than I do for traditional bottled shampoo. Just a few swipes and there’s enough lather to wash my long hair. As a result these bars outlive even a large bottle of shampoo.
Because they’re made using gentle surfactants, they don’t cause scalp irritation. Unlike my liquid shampoos, I found these bars reduced build up and works like a clarifying liquid shampoo. My itchy scalp stopped itching entirely when I made the switch.
Shampoo bars have a lower PH than soap based shampoo bars. Therefore there’s no awkward transition period while your hair adjusts.
Finally, they just work! They do they job they were made to perform better than bottled shampoo brands.

Where to Buy Solid Shampoo Bars

If you’re ready to make the switch, there are a number of handmade bath and beauty artisans that sell homemade syndet solid shampoo bars. Following are some of my favorites – most of which are best sellers on Etsy.

Tea Tree Shampoo Bar from NMJ Handmade Creations (Buy it.)
Vegan Friendly Shampoo Bars from Dirt Honey Soap (Buy it.)
Passionfruit Solid Shampoo & Conditioner from Soul and Soap (Buy it.)
2-in-1 SLS Free Shampoo Bar & Conditioner from Green Living Soap Company (Buy it.)
Orange Peel Shampoo Bar from Mountain Madness Soap, pictured (Buy it.)
Honeysuckle & Calendula Solid Conditioning Shampoo Bar from East Tn Soap Works (Buy it.)
Sea Kelp & Agave Shampoo Bar from Just Soapin’ Around (Buy it.)

How to Make Syndet Shampoo Bars

Already in love with this new way to shampoo your hair? Then take the next step in your hair care journey and learn how to make your own syndet solid shampoo bars! These recipes are a great place to start if you’re not quite ready to formulate your own unique shampoo bars.

Mango Mango Shampoo Bar Recipe from Humblebee & Me
Snowflake Shampoo Bar Recipe from Humblebee & Me
SCI Solid Shampoo Bar Recipe Two Ways from DIY Bath & Body Shop
PH Balanced Syndet Shampoo Bar Recipe from Soap & More
Syndet Shampoo Bar Recipe & Video from Muddy Soap Company
Basic Shampoo Bar Recipe by Susan Barclay-Nichols (aka Swift Crafty Monkey)

Want to personalize your hair care formulations? The School of Natural Skin Care offers a free introductory class on how to become a natural hair care formulator. You can sign up to learn more here. Alternately, It’s All In My Hands offers an introductory guide to formulating syndet solid shampoo bars.

For more hair care recipes, including shine sprays and dry shampoo, visit Soap Deli News blog here. You can also explore more DIY ideas via my Pinterest boards. Also be sure to follow me across your favorite social media platforms including Blog Lovin‘, facebook, twitter and instagram. Or sign up to receive my newsletter to stay in the loop.

Filed Under: Bath & Beauty Recipes, Health & Wellness, Lifestyle