Terre Pruitt's Blog

In the realm of health, wellness, fitness, and the like, or whatever inspires me.

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Posts Tagged ‘moisturizer’

Refresher – Cool Ya Down, Freshen You Up

Posted by terrepruitt on May 2, 2018

I used to use SeaPlasma for so many things. It was a great moisturizer that I could spray all over;  my hair, my face, my skin, my clothes . . . it didn’t matter. Of course I didn’t spray it on my clothes to moisturize them, but when I sprayed it on me I was not worried about it getting on my clothes and staining them. I didn’t worry about it getting on my car’s upholstery or my furniture. It was a great way to “freshen” up when I had to go somewhere right after teaching Nia.  I loved it and have been using it since Junior High. Sad, so sad, to say that it is not being made any more. So . . . I am always on the lookout for something comparable. I have found a couple of moisturizing products but they are basically made of oils so I don’t trust them on my clothes or furniture. I also don’t like to use them in my hair as they just make my hair oily. The other day, after posting about peppermint oil, I decided to make a mixture of my own.

I had a little spray bottle and I filled it almost all the way up with witch hazel, I added a few drops of peppermint oil for its cooling properties. Since it can help with allergies, congestion, among other things, I thought it would be a nice addition. I put in a few drops of lavender oil primarily for its calming effects. And I put in some Ylang Ylang because I enjoy the smell and it can help with anxiety, high blood pressure and restlessness. I topped the bottle off with water. I thought this would make a nice mixture for cooling me down. I think it will not be drying and it smells nice.

Witch Hazel is an astringent made from the bark and leaves of North American witch-hazel shrub. But even though it is an astringent it is not a harsh one. It does not dry out the skin, in fact it helps with moisturizing the skin and hair.

I am not so worried about it on my clothes although I should probably test it out. For now I just have a bottle by my bed and it helps me get to sleep on those warm nights.

I think I will make some more to use in replacement of my beloved-yet-no-longer-made SeaPlasma.  I really love the smell!

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Refresher

Small spray bottle
Witch Hazel
Peppermint oil
Lavender Oil
Ylang Ylang Oil
water

Fill the bottle almost all the way with Witch Hazel, then add about 7 drops of peppermint oil, 7 drops of lavender oil, and 3 or 4 drops of Ylang Ylang oil. Top of with water. Shake.

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As I said I have not tested this on clothing or furniture so be cautious. Also, this is just a loose recipe and IDEA of what to do. Add more or less oil as you see fit . . . do what works for you.

Do you have a recipe for a refresher?

Posted in Essential Oils | Tagged: , , , , , , , | 3 Comments »

Helps My Knee And My Feet

Posted by terrepruitt on May 5, 2015

My knee has been burning.  I don’t know what is the problem in my knee, but I do know why.  So I thought I would put some Arnica Allay on it.  I have mentioned arnica before.  I mentioned it in my post about the cream called Trauma.  I also mentioned it when I posted about my having henna tattoos on my legs and feet.  I used it then not for its healing properties, but because oil is said to help set henna.  Then I mentioned it in a post when I broke a blood vessel in my hand.  At that time I said I would use it.  The thing with the broken blood vessel is that it didn’t actually hurt.  I had attention called to it because I had that 400 bubble survey to do, but aside from that my hand didn’t hurt.  So putting the oil on was to help it heal, but I didn’t need any pain relief.  With my knee there is that uncomfortable burning sensation, so I am using the oil to make that go away.  And ya know what?  It does.  The second I put the oil on the burning goes away.

Dance Exercise, Nia, Nia in the City of San Jose,  Nia at the San Jose Community Centers, Nia classes in the South Bay, Nia Teacher, Nia Class, San Jose Nia, Nia San Jose, Nia workout, Nia, Gentle Yoga, Group Ex City of San Jose, San Jose Group Ex classes, YMCA, Zumba, PiYoI like this oil because . . . as funny as it sounds . . . it is not really oily.  I am not sure if you are familiar with how some oil can be really oily and others are not so much, but that is the case with this.  This oil is more like moisturizer and it seems to absorb really well.  I put it on my knee then rub the oil into my knee, trying to warm it up.  Then usually by the time I am done it is pretty much absorbed into my knee.

With some oils I would not think to rub any left over into my hands, but since this oil absorbs so well, I just rub it in.

A quick Google search revealed there are many arnica products available.  There are creams, oils, ointments.  This particular oil is for external use only.  It is made by Flower Essence Services.  The ingredients are listed as:  “Olive Oil*B; with infusion of Arnica flowers*B, non-GMO tocopherols, essential oils of Sandalwood W, Cedarwood*, Vetiver*, Palmarosa*, Rose*, Cistus* and Helichrysum*; flower essences of Alpine AsterWB, ArnicaWB, Chrysanthemum*B, Indian PinkWB and Star of BethlehemWB

*certified organic, BBiodynamic®, Wwild-harvested

The bottle also states that it is an Herbal balm that provides “soothing and centering during times of trauma, injury and stress.”  It says it is good to be used with a massage or in a bath.  I have put it in my foot bath recently.  It makes my skin really soft.  I feel it helps bring a little relief to my tired feet.  The past few weeks I’ve had a least nine classes a week so little extra care for my feet goes a long way.

This particular oil also has a very nice flowery scent.

A quick Google search will also reveal that there is science has not documented that arnica works at reducing inflammation or pain.  So as with all things it is good to do the research and decide for yourself. My share is that I like it and it works for me. Even if it is just the moisturizing effects of the oil. 🙂

Do you ever use a cream(/oil/ointment) to reduce pain or swelling?  What is your preference?  Have you ever used a product with arnica in it?

Posted in Misc | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments »