Birch tears

After a long, cold winter the first signs of spring would have been welcome - sweet, nutritious Birch Sap. It is the essence, the life-blood, of the tree, carrying nutrients essential for growth. Birch sap is also a great source of vitamins, minerals and sugars – mainly fructose and glucose. Vitamins and minerals include potassium, manganese, thiamine, calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, zinc, sodium, iron, amino acids and Vitamin C – perfect for fending off spring colds.

The birch sap is very valuable product that influences well on the whole human organism. It helps to overcome the winter weakness, depressions and distractions. The birch sap also increases the resistive ability from infectious diseases and has the diuretic and other good effects because of its composition from organic acids, minerals and vitamins.

The birch soap shows positive effect in case of protection against oxidative stress on skin cells. Observed effects indicate that birch sap could be included in anti-ageing cosmetic formulations. Research showed positive effects on deeper layers of skin: increased elasticity of skin due to formation of new collagen. (http://www.pcccl.lv/f/uploads/PCCCL_P26.1_Abstracts.pdf)

That is the main reason why we were to collect the gift on the NATURE -  “birch tears” and I am looking forward to use it for:

 

- my skin as the natural lotion,

- for my hair as the natural conditioner,

- for new formula of my natural soap.

Birch sap should be consumed quickly and stored at refrigerator temperature. The sap can be frozen and I made ice blocks to use them later.

Elixir for dry hair

Dry hair looks dull and can become easily split at the ends. Therefore, we want essential oils for hair that stimulate the sebaceous glands in the scalp to produce more oil!
My Elixir for dry hair contents the carrier oils:

- 20 ml argan oil,
- 20 ml jojoba oil,
- 10 ml avacodo oil
- essential oils: lavender and sandalwood.

I would like to create the natural shampoo to avoid contact with not friendly chemical ingredients as Propylene Glycol, Oleyl Betaine, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate or Laureth Sulfate. These ingredients causes dry hair, rashes, dry skin and skin irritation. There is still a lot to learn!
http://www.experience-essential-oils.com/essential-oils-for-hair.html

Vanilla macerate and lip balm

The macerates are a particular contact process between virgin oil (as a solvent) and seeds, leaves or plant extracts (as a solid).

To create the vanilla macerate (vanilla infused oil)  I use 4 vanilla beans cutted into small pieces and 200 ml of sweet almond oil. The mixture stays on warm sunny place 4-6 weeks and should be daily shacked. It smells incredibly tasty, I love this smell! What a pity that we can't share the smell on-line...

The macerate has been successful used for the sugar scrub and lip balm.

Ingredients for the lip balm:

- 15 g shea butter
- 4g beeswax
- 30g vanilla macerate
- 6 drops of es.oil: sweet orange.

My natural deodorant: Al-, Zr- free

As a chemist I do not like the active ingredient in commercial antiperspirants:  aluminum chlorohydrate (in roll-ons and aerosols) and aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex  (in solids). These compounds temporarily prevent perspiration just because they block the pores. Hmm... so the sweat stays inside of the skin. Maybe very effective but absolutely not natural.

That is why I prefer to create a product - the antiperspirant which disinfects the sweat, keeps the skin fresh and allows to breath. My product is not alcohol free, I use vodka with the idea: if you  practically can drink it – cannot be wrong for your skin.

So we let the skin to sweat naturally :) and help to keep it fresh.

For the deodorant  I use only these natural ingredients:

- 40% vodka 40 ml,

- dist. water 40 ml,

- glycerin 20 ml,

- 65 drops of naturally antibacterial es. oils: grapefruit, lemon, orange (respective: lavender,  tea tree, geranium).

I love giving gifts

I love giving gifts, special now when I have my own handmade products.
I love the process of thinking about the person, the planning and preparation. It is very pleasant to see the smile and reaction.
The presentation  of the gift also is very important. I found a nice way to pack my soaps and creams into handmade boxes.
A bit "an origami and decoupage exercises" and it looks lovely!
With my gifts I show that I care and would like to make someone happy.