Best Natural Deodorant for Women with Sensitive Skin (Without Baking Soda!)

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January 8, 2020 By Rebecca D. Dillon 8 Comments

On the hunt for the best natural deodorant for your sensitive skin? It can be super frustrating finding that perfect natural deodorant without baking soda that actually works. I know. I’ve literally tried a TON of them! Luckily, there’s a new brand in town that blows the competition out of the water. Not only, that, but my quest for the best natural deodorant is FINALLY (omg FINALLY!) over!

My quest for the best natural deodorant started just over 2 1/12 years ago. I have fibromyalgia. And if you have chronic pain, or know someone who does, you know that we prioritize our health like a rhino charging through the bush. We also don’t give up. Not ever.

Ditching aluminum based antiperspirants was part of this charge. Unfortunately, while there are a ridiculous amount of options for natural deodorants at this point in the game, they aren’t all what they’re cracked up to be. And, because I can’t use a natural deodorant with baking soda, my hunt to unravel the mystery as to the best natural deodorant without baking soda (that actually works) has been a years long guessing game of trying new products. I’ve even made many of my own natural deodorant recipes. (Which sadly, isn’t always possible when you have a busy lifestyle.) And I’ve even gone so far as to combine products. (Like when I found one deodorant that worked but caused irritation without a buffer layered under it.) Unfortunately, I never found the best of the best. That is, until now.

You’re probably thinking what I was thinking, no way. But here’s the thing. Natural deodorants are trending. And for so many great reasons! That means new companies are popping up all the time with new formulas. It’s also why you’ve likely never heard of this company. It’s brand new, but nevertheless amazing.

Why Should I Use A Natural Deodorant?

First, however, I really want to share with you the benefits of swapping out your antiperspirant for a natural deodorant. Along with the reasons you shouldn’t be using an aluminum laden antiperspirant in the first place!

To put it simply, our bodies are designed by nature to sweat. This includes our armpits. Using antiperspirants with aluminum clogs the pores located in our armpits. This in turn causes bacteria (ick!) and toxins (ew.) to get trapped in said pores. So while not sweating may seem like a good idea, over time it can lead to a whole host of other problems. The major differences I found when making the switch to a natural deodorant were that A.) I started to sweat less over time. And B.) My sweat didn’t smell like I’d been rotting all over the four corners of hell.

Natural deodorants don’t clog pores — a MAJOR benefit. Instead, they contain ingredients that naturally fight odor causing bacteria rather than just masking your otherworldly stench. These ingredients often include bacteria resistant carrier oils and/or essential oils. Sometimes these ingredients also include probiotics, prebiotics or minerals like zinc or magnesium.

$The best natural deodorant without baking soda for sensitive skin for women. On the hunt for the best natural deodorant for your sensitive skin? It can be super frustrating finding that perfect natural deodorant without baking soda that actually works. In addition to natural essential oils, these natural deodorants for sensitive skin contain fractionated coconut oil, arrowroot powder, beeswax, tapioca starch, mango butter and zinc, and are paraben free and aluminum free.$

What’s the Best Natural Deodorant for Sensitive Skin?

Like I said before, I’ve tried a ton of natural deodorants in search of the perfect one. I’ve written numerous blog posts that chronicle that journey, and I’ve even made my own. Because natural deodorant with baking soda gives me an itchy, angry, painful rash (regardless of the formulation) I’ve also had the bonus challenge of trying to find a natural deodorant without baking soda that actual works for more than two hours at a time. It really has been incredibly frustrating. And this journey definitely hasn’t been easy. There were a few times I almost considered switching back to an antiperspirant. But I’ve stuck it out, and more than two years later, I actually found the best natural deodorant for sensitive skin without baking soda. (Hooray!)

WildRoot Aluminum and Paraben Free Deodorant

My saving grace is — wait for it — WildRoot Natural Deodorant. Owned by the same company that launched the Simply Earth Monthly Essential Oil Recipe Box some time back (Score $40 off your 2nd order of ANYTHING btw with coupon code: SOAPDELIFREE when you sign up!) WildRoot deodorant is both alumunium free and paraben free. So it’s the perfect switch if you’re trying to live a healthier lifestyle. They offer two formulas — the regular version of their natural deodorant with baking soda and a sensitive formula without baking soda — both in a variety of natural fragrances scented with Simply Earth brand essential oils.

WildRoot Natural Deodorant Sensitive Skin Formula

I tried the WildRoot sensitive formula in two scents: Wildflower and Meadow. I love them both! The Wildflower natural deodorant is naturally scented with lavender and ylang ylang essentials oils. While the Meadow natural deodorant from WildRoot contains mandarin and lemongrass essential oils (and is technically unisex if there’s a special guy in your life.) In addition to essential oils, these deodorants also contain fractionated coconut oil (which is basically the same thing as MCT oil), arrowroot powder, beeswax, tapioca starch, mango butter and an easily absorbed form of zinc.

I absolutely LOVE this deodorant. And without a doubt I can say it is the BEST natural deodorant without baking soda that I’ve ever tried. It’s just as effective at controlling odor as my antiperspirant was, but without the negative harmful side effects.

Ready to make a difference in your daily skin care routine? Check out WildRoot natural deodorant today! (Use coupon code: YOUROCK20 for 20% off your first order.)

For more great natural product, recipes and ideas from Soap Deli News, make sure to follow me on facebook, twitter, pinterest and instagram as well as on Blog Lovin’. You can also sign up to receive an email whenever I share a new post!

Filed Under: Health & Wellness, Lifestyle, Shopping Tagged With: deodorant, deodorant stick, essential oils, health and wellness, healthy living, lifestyle, natural, natural alternative, natural beauty, natural skin care, sensitive skin, shopping

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

August 13, 2019 By Rebecca D. Dillon 10 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

DIY Shower Steamers Recipe with Menthol Crystals

August 1, 2019 By Rebecca D. Dillon 10 Comments

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

How to Dye Easter Eggs Naturally (Using Food Ingredients As Natural Dyes)

March 19, 2019 By Rebecca D. Dillon

Learn how to dye Easter eggs naturally using food ingredients as natural, plant-based dyes. Plus unique Easter egg design ideas using foraged botanicals or store bought herbs.

When I was a little girl I would dye Easter eggs with my mother every spring. My mom would hard boil eggs and buy my brother and I an Easter egg decorating kit she’d picked up from the grocery store. We’d dye our Easter eggs a rainbow of colors and patterns. Using things like stickers,rubber bands and white crayons to create our own Easter egg designs. The one thing we never did, however, was dye our Easter eggs using natural dye.

As it turns out, it’s rather easy to learn how to dye Easter eggs naturally. You can still achieve a rainbow of colors based on the foods you choose. Or experiment with natural plant dyes such as indigo powder or turmeric. Just because you aren’t using commercial food dyes, doesn’t mean you can’t create a multitude of Easter egg designs and patterns. You can still do all the same things you did with traditional dyes. Methods such as wax resist or using stickers to create shapes work beautifully with natural Easter egg dyes too!

For the purpose of this tutorial however, I’ll teach you how to use plants, leaves and other foraged botanicals or herbs to create beautiful Easter egg designs. While also using common foods and herbs from the grocery store to create a rainbow of Easter egg colors. If you’re a soapmaker, like me, then I also encourage you to pull out your stash of all the natural dyes you’ve hoarded – er, collected – for naturally coloring cold process soap.

Ready to get your craft on? Keep reading to learn how to dye Easter eggs naturally using common vegetables and plant materials.

How to Dye Easter Eggs Naturally

Choose and prepare your eggs.

When buying your eggs, you should choose white eggs for bright colors. Or give brown eggs a go for more muted tones. Once you have your eggs in hand, hard boil them prior to dyeing. Alternately, you can also blow out the eggs for decorative home decor you can use through the entirety of spring. Or keep your eggs in storage to reuse the following year.

Decide on the colors you’d like to use.

I used onion skins and red cabbage to naturally dye my Easter eggs. Yellow onion peels impart an orange hue on eggs while red cabbage will turn your eggs blue. You can also use coffee for brown colored eggs. Or try one of these other color ideas:

Blueberries = Blue-Gray
Red Onion Skins = Green
Red Cabbage = Blue
Yellow Onion Skins = Orange
Coffee Grounds = Brown
Paprika = Light Red-Orange
Dill Seed = Brown-Gold
Grape Juice = Lavender
Violet Flowers = Green
Lavender Flowers = Blue Green & Brown
Beets = Light Pink
Beet Root Powder = Red
Spirulina Powder = Green
Turmeric = Yellow (Beware. This will stain everything!)
Hibiscus Tea = Black
Spinach = Yellow-Green

Make your natural Easter egg dye.

You should follow these guidelines for the amount of plant material to use when making your natural Easter egg dye. Adjust the recipe as needed to accommodate the number of eggs you’ll be making.

For spices and powders, use two Tablespoons per 1 1/2 cups water.
When using dried flowers or other botanicals, use four Tablespoons per 1 1/2 cups of water.
Combine one cup of cut fruits or vegetables with 1 1/2 cups of water.

Dye your Easter eggs.

Once you’ve prepared and measured out the plant material for your egg dye, you’ll need to combine the dye material with 1 1/2 cups of water in a saucepan. Bring the water to a boil, then reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes. Then remove from heat.

Allow the natural dye to cool. Then strain out the plant material. Add dye to a bowl or a large mason. For every cup of water left (after the process) add one Tablespoon of white distilled vinegar to the dye.

Now add your eggs to the container of dye. Leave the eggs in the dye until they’ve reached the desired color. For deeper colors, place the container of eggs in the dye in your refrigerator and leave overnight.

Once the dyeing process is complete, remove the eggs from the dye. Place on a cooling rack or paper towel to dry. Then rub with olive oil, if desired, to add shine.

How to add designs to naturally dyed Easter eggs.

Leaf & flower prints.

It’s easy to use leaves or flowers, like parsley or four leaf clovers, to create leaf or flower shaped designs on your Easter eggs. To do this, simply place the plant matter onto your egg. Then wrap the egg tightly in either pantyhose or cheesecloth to hold the leaf or flower in place. Next, simply follow the above tutorial on how to dye Easter eggs naturally. Your final eggs with come away with a beautiful design. If desired, you can go back and dye your eggs again with an alternate color.

Wax resist method.

Simply use a wax crayon or beeswax to draw a design onto your eggs. Then dye your eggs per the above instructions. (Be sure your dye is cool so as not to melt off the wax.) Once you’ve dyed and dried you naturally dyed Easter eggs, simply rub off the wax with a soft cloth.

Rubber bands.

Rubber bands are an easy way to add random stripes to your Easter eggs. Just wrap rubber bands around your eggs, then dye as usual. Once the eggs are dry, remove the rubber bands to reveal your unique Easter egg designs.

For more Easter egg design ideas, be sure to check out my Easter board on Pinterest. Or learn how to make glitter Easter egg bath bombs for a non-food Easter basket treat.

Also be sure to follow me on Blog Lovin‘, facebook, twitter and instagram so you never miss a post. Or sign up for my semi-weekly newsletter.

Filed Under: DIY Craft Project, Holiday DIY Tagged With: botanicals, craft tutorial, crafts, diy, Easter, Easter basket, Easter egg dye, Easter eggs, easy, herbs, holidays, natural

Best Essential Oil Blend for Colds and Flu

December 29, 2018 By Rebecca D. Dillon

Enjoy all of the wonderful health and wellness benefits of essential oils by starting with this practical (and less expensive) best essential oil blend for colds and flu. Saving you money so you can breathe easy in more ways than one!

Essential oils don’t have to be expensive.

If you love the idea of essential oils and their potential aromatherapeutic benefits, but aren’t sure where to start, read this! I know many of us have wanted to purchase essential oils in the past. Especially for practical uses throughout the winter season. However, essential oils can be expensive when buying several at one time. Or, you may not want to make a huge investment on essential oils that end up going to waste. You can easily solve this dilemma by purchasing a single essential oil blend. And, as it’s cold and flu season, I’m sharing with you the best essential oil blend for colds and flu to get you started!

I’m SO sick.

We’ve all had those days. Those days where you’re so sick it feels like it will never end. You’ve caught some virus that’s in the midst of throwing down seriously bad voodoo. You can’t breathe. And when you talk, your friends think you’re using a voice changing app to sound like Darth Vader.

The next thing you know you find yourself on Facebook out of sheer boredom. Moments away from pulling the “I’m dying over here” card for sympathy. But you don’t. Because even though you are way sicker than your significant other has ever been in his life, you know that to say that would mean sinking down to that man level cry for sympathy. And you’re a strong badass woman. (Most of the time.)

This is exactly how I’ve felt since Christmas. I’ve had a cough for days. One of those body wrenching coughs that leaves your back sore and your throat raw.

And I’ve been fighting this illness with cough medicine that’s somehow supposed to suppress my cough while also helping me expel mucous at the same time. (How does that work exactly?) Not to mention cough medicine makes me loopy AF. So when my friend and fellow blogger, Cari, suggested that I diffuse essential oils to help, I was blown away by how easy it is to miss the obvious when you’re completely out of it.

Diffusing essential oils for an illness – without a diffuser.

Somehow, however, I’ve managed to make it 43 years on earth without ever once owning an essential oil diffuser. Which, considering my occupation, seems dubious, I know. Of course, I’m not about to make shower steamers when standing is a challenge. So Cari suggested I add a few drops of essential oil to my shower. Now that I could swing. (I mean if all else fails, sitting in the shower is completely plausible.)

So I chose to go with eucalyptus and tea tree essential oils for my (very late) morning shower. I turned the shower head on, let the water get hot then added a few drops of tea tree oil to end of the tub. Next, I followed with some eucalyptus essential oil. Except, oops. I’d taken the dropper out of that bottle and didn’t check before the pour. Therefore, instead of a few drops of eucalyptus to open up my airways, I ended up with more like a teaspoon of eo swimming in the bottom of my tub.

Of course, like any other completely normal totally sick person, I figured it couldn’t hurt. I could barely smell it anyway.

So I showered and inhaled and rinsed and inhaled and at some point I started to actually breathe normally again.

Then Greg came home.

Now the apartment we live in is crazy small. It’s basically the size of a studio apartment but with actual rooms. So my shower basically turned into a giant essential oil diffuser for the entire pad. And when Greg walked through the door he literally took a step back.

Where my overkill of eucalyptus oil had helped to open up my sinuses, it had the opposite effect on him. Greg kept saying “he couldn’t breathe” over and over again. He then went out to the truck to wait for me.

Wait. What?!

Yep. We took a trip to BJ’s Wholesale so the apartment could air out.

So where Greg’s version of events is that I tried to suffocate him. My version is that I was simply disinfecting the entire apartment. Naturally, of course. In one easy step.

The Best Essential Oil Blend for Colds & Flu

There are a number of common essential oils you can diffuse for colds and flu. These include eucalyptus essential oil (obviously) ravintsara essential oil, peppermint essential oil, rosemary essential oil, tea tree essential oil, clove bud essential oil and white fir essential oil. However, buying all of these essential oils at once, or even additional essential oils to create a pleasing essential oil blend for your diffuser, isn’t always cost effective for most people. Therefore, if you only dabble in aromatherapy from time to time, or if you are just starting out, sometimes the easiest and most affordable option is to start with a ready made essential oil blend.

The best essential oil blend for colds and flu is from Spark Naturals. Trusted for their quality and purity, Spark Naturals sells an amazing essential oil blend for colds and flu called Respire. Spark Naturals Respire essential oil blend offers protection against cold and flu germs during flu season as well as congestion in general.

Because so many of us are forced indoors during the winter months, we are more likely to become exposed to these germs by our close proximity with others who may be sick. Therefore, Spark Naturals formulated their proprietary best essential oil blend for colds and flu to offer some protection against common germs. Made using a combination of peppermint, tea tree, eucalyptus, rosemary, lemon and clove essential oils, their Respire essential oil blend also helps with both cold and flu symptoms in addition to common respiratory issues such as congestion.

How to use an essential oil blend for colds and flu.

You can use 5-10 drops of this essential oil blend for colds and flu in an essential oil diffuser in your home. Or try about 10 drops in a bowl of steaming water with a towel draped over your head. Alternately, you can also add around 10 drops of this essential oil to your shower to enjoy the benefits. (Just don’t make the same mistake I did!)

You can also make a simple essential oil salve for chest congestion using this blend. Simply weigh, combine and melt .5 oz. beeswax pastilles in a double boiler with 1 oz. of your preferred carrier oil. Once melted, remove from heat. Then mix in 15-18 drops of the Respire essential oil blend. Pour into metal tins and allow to cool prior to use. Or try Spark Naturals ready made Respire Stix multi-purpose balm.

Spark Naturals also offers a base salve that’s already premade for adding in your choice of essential oils. This is especially useful if you don’t have the space or funds to purchase extra ingredients in bulk. In addition, you can also purchase several pre-made essential oil salves containing the same high quality essential oils for a variety of other health ailments including anxiety and trouble sleeping. Their 8-pack salve sampler is a super affordable way to explore the health benefits of essential oils.

The end result.

Truth be told, I feel a LOT better today after flooding our apartment with tea tree and eucalyptus essential oils. And while Greg may not be quite as thrilled about how I handled my own sick care, he’s pleasantly surprised that my shower diffuser experiment eradicated the dog smell from my aging (super stinky) dachshund, Jasper, from the apartment.

If you’re looking for more ways to help combat those nasty cold and flu germs, be sure to check out these 5 must have products to boost immunity as well as this collection of natural ways to fight colds and flu. Or try Cari’s DIY breathe easy wax melts. You can also learn how to use eucalyptus and tea tree essential oils to make your own natural deodorizing candle.

Do you have a favorite recipe for an essential oil blend that you love using in your home? I’d love for you to share it with me and my readers in the comments! (It’s always so wonderful to be able to learn from one another, don’t you think?)

In the meantime, sign up my semi-weekly (meaning sometimes every week and occasionally every other week) newsletter to discover more great health and wellness tips and skin care recipes.

Filed Under: Health & Wellness, Lifestyle Tagged With: aromatherapy, cold relief, colds, essential oil blend, essential oils, flu, health, health and wellness, healthy, healthy living, home remedies, home remedy, immunity, natural, self care