OT - Cleaning the Natural Way - You, Your Mask, Your Home

amandalee · Post by **amandalee** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 5:32 pm

Hooray! Glad you like the links.

For the goat milk soap, there is a liquid one that they say works well for hair:
http://www.codashaven.com/liquid_goat_milk_soaps.html

I'd imagine the bar soaps would work too, but I've never tried either (on my hair). I had forgotten about the site, but reading about soapmaking on this thread reminded me. I'll have to get their liquid soap and try it on my hair.
I've got a soft spot in my heart for animals too, and they seem to be providing a nice home for the ones they take in.
The soaps are pretty cheap, $2.85/bar, IIRC. I saw some similar ones at Wild Oats that were between $5-6.00, so even if someone tries this soap and doesn't like it, at least it wasn't expensive.

While it's worth noting that the soaps don't have the same "lather" as store-bought products, I still thought my skin felt clean after using them. And not being dry and irritated was a nice bonus.

It's nice to have found "my people."

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SleepingBeauty · Post by **SleepingBeauty** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 5:44 pm

Wooo Hooo, I just ordered 8 bars of soap from AmandaLee's recommended site. I too have a major soft spot for critters (and being in the employ of three feline masters at home)

I even ordered the patchouli bar. I have a dear friend that LOVES that stuff. I am not particularly partial to it, but he just bought a new house and the bar will go into a "welcome to your new home" basket I'm putting together for him.

I have another friend who is wild about vanilla and ordered the vanilla soap for her (she just had a relative commit suicide and needs a comfort basket)

Thank you for the link! I'm thrilled with the free shipping too!

I am always making soap/lotion/potion baskets for friends (my friends are the cleanest, nicest smelling folks you'll ever meet) and I'm always looking for new and different sources of goodies to put in the baskets.

jennmary · Post by **jennmary** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 6:23 pm

I cant do the ACV on my face. It just burns then my whole face is bright red and weltish for a day or 2. So maybe its an allergy....I dont know. I switched to the lemon rinse for my scalp. It seems to work pretty good, and I dont mind the lightening properties....How much blonder can I get?

I have been using an egg and EVOO mix on my hair once a week. I might have to try the coconut oil. Maybe do a mix with that and a less greasy oil.

Something I forgot to tell you all. My hands are looking really good. The peeling around my nails has stopped. I work all my ocm oil into my hands when I am done slathering my face. I think it helped.

amandalee · Post by **amandalee** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 6:40 pm

SleepingBeauty- I'm so glad you decided to try the soaps! I hope you will like them as much as I do.

I thought of another natural product I haven't seen mentioned yet:
Neem

It has lots of different uses, and can be helpful for skin conditions. I saw some neem lotion on display in the health food store, and on the bottle it said it was good for dry skin, so I thought, "What the heck? I'll give it a try."
Now, be aware that it doesn't smell good, but it really does help. I've been putting it on some dry, gross patches of skin on my hands and arms, and it has been slowly clearing it up. I feel like it's curing whatever the problem is rather than just treating the symptoms.

The neem tree has been used as a medicinal plant by people in India for thousands of years. The oil is what's most often used in lotions, shampoos, etc. Info about the tree and the oil can be found here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neem
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neem_oil
http://www.neemfoundation.org/

Compounds from the plant have anti-microbial properies that might help with various health conditions. The neemfoundation.org site has alot of interesting information and is worth exploring.

For those of you who enjoy gardening (I'd like to, but I live in an apartment ), neem oil mixed with water can be sprayed on your plants as an insect repellent. Best of all, it's non-toxic to humans and pets. More info can be found here:
http://www.gardenmandy.com/neem-oil-for ... t-control/
http://www.neemfoundation.org/organic%20farming.htm

Anyway, just one of those things I've come across. In struggling with being tired and feeling crappy for all these years (from what I now know is OSA), I've spent some time searching the internet for natural remedies. When I remember something helpful/interesting, I'll post it here.

gasp · Post by **gasp** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 8:09 pm

amandalee wrote:...I've found that coconut oil makes a good deep conditioning treatment. I try to use it once a week after washing & conditioning (although maybe the coconut oil by itself is enough, I haven't tried it. I take a spoonful and put it on the ends of my hair, working it through until I've gotten it all off of my hands, then comb it through. It does feel a bit greasy though, so I always wear my hair pulled back in a bun on the days I use the oil. But even after I've washed the oil out, my hair is soft and silky for days.

I've also used coconut oil as a moisturizer, but only before bed because it can be kind of greasy. It's very soothing for dry irritated skin.
....

I forgot how much I like using coconut oil in my hair. I braid mine and work out in the garden on a sunny day. Then I shower and my hair is so soft.

I haven't liked using it on my skin for some time as I don't like the smell. However, perhaps I should try mixing it with something for a better smell. Have you done this?

jennmary · Post by **jennmary** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 8:17 pm

I am going to try mixing the coconut oil in with a few other things and making a lotion tonight.

Difference between almond oil and sweet almond oil? Is there one?

SleepingBeauty · Post by **SleepingBeauty** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 8:57 pm

I just got back from having a few inches trimmed from the bottom of my hair. This wasn't my regular girl, but it was the same salon. (I have a funeral tomorrow and wanted it cut right away) The girl who usually cuts it came over and grabbed a piece of it and asked me what I had been using on my hair. I asked why and she commented on how thick and healthy it looked. I've been using the shampoo bars for about a month now and my conditioner mix of shea butter and jojoba. It was nice to have a hairdresser notice! We're on the right path with these natural products, ladies!

jennmary · Post by **jennmary** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 9:02 pm

Yeah....my lotion looks more like vaseline. Oops. Oh well. I will still be using it. I dont really care what it looks like as long as my skin looks good. lol Plus I intend to use it on my hair too. So its all good.

SleepingBeauty · Post by **SleepingBeauty** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 9:08 pm

Jennmary, don't consider it failed "lotion" if the consistency isn't what you wanted - call it coconut creme or tropical salve!

jennmary · Post by **jennmary** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 9:50 pm

Yeah....I put it on my hair. NIGHTMARE. I am going to have to get back in the shower and wash at least one more time. It is really really gross looking right now. lol

Oh well. I will know better next time not to leave out ingredients just because i didnt want to go back to the store.

Babette · Post by **Babette** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 9:57 pm

AmandaLee, thanks for the Neem Oil links! I've been wondering about that stuff, too.

I'll have to post some of the recipes from "Curly Girl". My fav once a week conditioner is:

4 tbsps of Olive or Almond Oil (I used 2 tbsp Almond, 2 tbsp Avocado)
4 tbsps of your favorite conditioner
2-3 drops of musk oil or your favorite EO

I skipped the scent, and just did the first two. I mixed it well in a small plastic storage container, and used half on my head (I have short, earlobe length hair). I covered it with a conditioner cap, and just did my thing around the house for a few hours.

The recipe says to use as much as you want, and then let it dry on your hair. I really can't see that happening. ))) It says to rinse with a combination of conditioner and lemon juice and ACV. I did that, and it was the softest hair I've ever had!!!

Jen has been using her OCM oil on her scalp, and on her hair ends. Curly Girl also advocates using oils on your hair ends whenever you feel dry. Of course, this is for long or curly hair. My short hair won't really tolerate it. In fact, I still have to shampoo every other day.

JM, I'm glad your hands are looking better! Mine aren't. I think I need to be slathering some more. I think I'm being chintzy with the OCM oil. Skin still broken out, and blackheads, but possibly it's healing. I dunno... I contemplated steaming tonight, but it got away from me.

Anybody got a bag I can borrow?

LOL,
B.

jennmary · Post by **jennmary** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 10:45 pm

Yeah babette....I really slather on the OCM oil. My face and hands are soaked in it. My face looks great. I jsut passed ovulation with no more than 4 zits....that is huge for me. So I am feeling good about it. I keep getting comments on what nice skin I have, little do they know it is not naturally like that. lol

Going to go rewash hair. Have to actually look good for something tommorow. Cant have oily gross looking hair. Hope the rewash works. Eeek....last time I try something new on a weeknight. lol

amandalee · Post by **amandalee** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 11:03 pm

Hmm, I've never tried mixing the coconut oil with anything. I'm not a fan of the smell either, which is another reason why I just use it at night.
I'll have to look into some other essential oils that I could mix it with to make it smell a little better...

gulfpearl · Post by **gulfpearl** » Wed Aug 01, 2007 12:53 am

I have terrible dust mite allergies & my allergist suggested I use neem oil spray on my mattress, pillows & bedding. It really seems to help. I just reapply every 6 weeks.

amandalee · Post by **amandalee** » Wed Aug 01, 2007 3:30 pm

I have terrible dust mite allergies & my allergist suggested I use neem oil spray on my mattress, pillows & bedding. It really seems to help. I just reapply every 6 weeks.

Oooh, I'm going to try that! I hadn't heard of it being used for allergies. Thanks for the tip.

Mask	Humidifier

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OT - Cleaning the Natural Way - You, Your Mask, Your Home

Re: My experience with natural products