Greetings and welcome to the April Treatment Recipes

In the spirit of Earth Day, in our own small way, we wanted to concentrate on things that are green, or things that are earthy, or things that are green and earthy for this months recipes!

So lets work a little bit with clay - can’t get much earthier than that…

People have been using clay for health and beauty treatments both internally and externally throughout the ages. For our purposes we will stick to external applications.

French Green Clay

a.k.a. Illite is rich in a variety of healing minerals such as Calcium, Magnesium, Iron, Zinc, Copper, Potassium, Selenium, Phosphorus, Sodium and more, making it great for a bath addition, wonderful as a poultice for bringing injured or sore muscles and joints back to health; and it has tremendous bactericidal properties, which makes this sun-dried clay a superior facial or body masque for those with oily or acne prone skin. Make a paste by mixing the clay with water. Pour desired amount of clay into a bowl; add water to cover. Let sit for an hour or so and mix thoroughly. Apply a thin layer to skin, sit back and relax. Leave on skin for 10 to 15 minutes. Remove with tepid water. (Don’t let masque dry out completely, spritz with water to keep moist for easier removal.)

Add a cupful to a foot bath or bath tub to soak feet or full body to promote softness, and renewed vitality to the skin.

If you have the desire to mix up a really lovely masque that utilizes gifts from the earth and the sea, try the following, we use it for specialty foot and hand treatments as well as for a full body wrap:

Soothing Jade Body Masque

1 cup French Green Clay
1/2 cup Green Tea Powder
1/8 cup Blue Green Algae Powder
1/8 cup Kelp Powder
1/8 cup Irish Moss
1/8 cup Comfrey Root Powder
1/8 cup Bentonite Clay

Mix all ingredients together and store in an airtight container. When ready to use, mix with distilled water and essential oils of your choice. I like to add a tablespoon per treatment of one of my favorite massage oils, here are two of my favorite massage oil blends below; and if I have vegetable glycerin on hand, I add a splash of that for extra softening power. Apply to skin in a thin, even layer and let sit for 10 to 20 minutes. Remove with hot/warm towels, sea sponge with warm water, or jump directly into the shower. Follow with body oil to seal in moisture.

Note: if working on hands and feet, apply a coat of petroleum jelly to nails before putting the mud on and you won’t get as much mud settling into the creases around the nails.

Caution: It is always wise to perform a skin test on a small part of the body, such as the inner elbow to test for sensitivity before applying new ingredients to larger body parts. Those with iodine allergies should stay away from this preparation, and pregnant women would be wise to avoid it as well.

Forest Blossom Pure Essential Oil Blend
Anti-Anxiety, Anti-Inflammatory, Softening and Hydrating

Reminiscent of a stroll through an English garden somewhere in the middle of the woods, these aromas are very effective in relieving mental fatigue, calming nervousness, and anxiety, and fighting depression. It makes a wonderful foot soak for tired, swollen, sweaty, or smelly feet. It can be inhaled to give one comfort and strength after the loss of a loved one. A terrific blend to decrease fluid retention, and stimulate the lymphatic system.
(See notes under “Scents” page on different uses of undiluted essential oil blends.)

5 drops Lavender
5 drops Geranium
5 drops Cypress
5 drops Eucalyptus Globulus

For a lovely massage oil, add all of the above to one ounce of carrier oil of your choice.

Regenerative Pure Essential Oil Blend
Meditative, Grounding, Healing To Skin

Seductive, earthy, opens the heart and mind, and inspires one to be adventurous and explore new ideas. Spicy, woody, and sweet, this blend makes a beautiful, peaceful room scent. It is a great addition to skincare products, because of its healing and regenerative properties. It is especially nourishing to dry, damaged, or aging complexions.

5 drops Frankincense
5 drops Ylang Ylang Complete
4 drops Patchouli
2 drops Lavender

For a lovely massage oil, add all of the above to one ounce of carrier oil of your choice.

If your in need of a luxurious, full body micro-polish, try this next recipe and blend it with