It's blazing hot right now in most of the northern hemisphere. (Marcia, if you are reading this, I believe it's the dead of winter in S. Africa! Lucky you.) Going anywhere means you will likely have to deal with "that irritating light", the sun. (my friends and I still laugh about the time I was driving around Seattle and absent-mindedly wondered what that 'irritating light' was that was hurting my eyes. It turned out is was that unfamiliar old friend the SUN!)
I have always balked at applying commercial sunscreen to my skin and especially to my daughter's skin when she was a baby. It never felt like the right thing to do, as your skin is like your lungs, a respiratory organ and the way environmental elements pass in and out of your body. This can be a good thing (like essential oils or topical balms) or bad (like pollution or other toxins), depending on what you surround yourself with!
Just read the scary labels on any tube of sunscreen, even the so-called "natural" ones, and notice all the chemicals listed there. It makes me shudder. But on the other hand, I know the dangers of being unprotected from the sun. I always wondered how to find a win/win solution?
Well, as many of you know, a couple of years ago, I began using therapeutic grade organic essential oils to help my clients (and now my readers!) with their attention and focusing challenges. They have been such a blessing for so many people and they are completely gentle and non-invasive to your body.
Because I am a voracious learner, I am on several newsgroups about how to use the oils and today, I came across a recipe for a sunscreen/bug repellent that I know I can use. Hooray!
Here is the recipe from the wonderful Lori of Terra-Cotta-Pendants.com. It features the essential oil called Purification*, which is also great for ridding your space of mildew, bugs (ants, wasps, moths, flies, etc) as well as to rid the air of unpleasant odors such as cigarette smoke, mustiness or pet smells. (If you'll be traveling this summer, try putting a few drops on a cotton ball and sticking it in the vents in your hotel room to cleanse the air and freshen things up a bit).
Here's the easy recipe for natural sunscreen:
Sesame oil
Distilled water
Coconut oil
Several drops of Young Living Purification oil*
And one tiny glob of zinc oxide
Sesame oil can block or reduce about 30% of the burning rays, coconut and olive oils about 20%
and Aloe Vera also inhibits 20% of the rays of the sun.
Aloe vera gel can be used as part of the water measurement and you can add 5 drops of lavender and myrrh for a delicious scent.
[Here's a link to purchase Zinc Oxide, but you can find it at your local drug store.]
By the way, those Terra Cotta Pendants are a fantastic and inexpensive way to "diffuse" essential oils. You can just put a few drops in the morning on your pendant and you are good to go for several hours. A few more drops later in the day will freshen you right up. Check out the choices: Terra Cotta Pendants.
While we're at it, here's a yummy-smelling bug repellent that really works from someone else in the newsgroup:
Pour about a cup of distilled water in an empty spray bottle, then add the
following Young Living Essential Oils*:
Patchouli - about 10 drops
Lavender - about the same
Purification - maybe 15 drops
this recipe is so effective, you'll be amazed, but the great thing is, it smells delicious and you can spray it right on babies with no worries!
Don't forget that peppermint oil in a spray bottle with water is a great way to cool yourself off in the heat when you are at an outdoor concert or park. You can also put a few drops in your drinking water and feel how refreshed you are!
*If you feel drawn to hearing more about these transformative and healing oils, please contact me here.
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((¸¸.•´ ..•´ Jessica -:¦:-
