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* WHAT ARE ESSENTIAL OILS? *
Essential oils, or 'essences' as they are also called, are highly concentrated substances extracted from various parts of
aromatic plants and trees. It is used in aromatherapy for healing effects to the body. They are usually captured by steam
distillation, a process whose origins can be traced back to
ancient Mesopotamia. Unlike ordinary vegetable oils, such as corn and olive, plant essences are highly volatile and will evaporate
if left in the open air. The chemistry of essential oils is complex. Most consist of hundreds of components, such as terpenes,
alcohols, aldehydes, and esters. For this reason a single oil can help a wide variety of disorders. Lavender, for instance,
is endowed with antiseptic, antibacterial, antibiotic, antidepressant, analgesic, decongestant and sedative properties. Moreover,
due to their tiny molecular structure, essential oils applied to the skin can be absorbed into the bloodstream.
They also reach the blood as a result of the aromatic molecules being inhaled. In the lungs, they pass through the tiny air
sacs to the surrounding blood capillaries by the process of diffusion. Once in the bloodstream the aromatic molecules interact
with the body's chemistry.
* HOW DOES IT AFFECT THE BODY? *
Whether absorbed through the skin or inhaled, once in the bloodstream and body fluids, the essences may have a pharmacological
effect even though the amount absorbed is very small indeed. According to Gattefosse®, essential oils diluted to a degree
at which they no longer have any effect on living cultures in the laboratory still have a clear, rapid and beneficial action
on the body. This indicates that essential oils are immuno stimulants or biocatalysts. Having triggered their healing effect,
the aromatic molecules are rapidly excreted from the body via the skin, sweat, urine, faeces, or, in the case of certain essences,
such as eucalyptus and garlic, mainly through exhalation and yet the aromatic molecules remain almost unchanged in themselves.
The efficacy of the treatment is also due to the fact that aromatherapy treatments are given once or twice weekly over a period
of not less than one month, thus repeatedly stimulating the body's self-healing processes. Of course, there is also the psychotherapeutic
aspect of aromatherapy which, so far, we have only touched upon. As this is a subject worthy of much more space than can be
afforded here.
Essential oils don't have to be just used in massage treatment... it can be intergrated with other areas of health. In the
use of the locing journey, we can use these wonderful properties as part of our hair care regime... adding it to anything
from shampoo to hair cremes. Just keep in mind that just a few drops is powerful enough -don't overdo it.
But, with everything there are risks involved and before you use essential oils, please read the info on the following link:
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There are plenty of sites that you can look at for information on different essential oil properties...
Don't be afraid to add a few drops here and there...
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When we are in good health, our hair looks lustrous and full of life. When we are sick or under stress, our hair appears languid
and dull. Beautiful hair is a product of a balanced lifestyle; of course, good hair care is essential as well. Any commercial
products strip hair of its natural protection by throwing off the proper pH balance, making hair either too dry or too oily.
This homemade shampoo will rid the scalp of any hair-care product residue and cleanse without eliminating the oils your follicles
need for healthy growth.
The rinse protects hair shafts against damage from toxins and bring out highlights.
Use the recipes one at a time or in shampoo-rinse sequences as you see fit. Depending on the condition of your hair, you may
treat it more or less frequently. Similarly, there are no fixed rules on when to add one of the deep treatments to your regimen.
Indulge as often as your hair needs it, or perhaps in preparation for a special event. The result will be beautiful hair you
can be proud of: soft, shining, and glowing with health and vitality. In general, these shampoos won't produce the sort of
intense lather you get from commercial products. Natural shampoos have a gentle, softly foaming lather that nevertheless thoroughly
cleans your hair. The cosmetics industry would have us believe that it is lather that cleanses. It's not; it's ingredients
like chamomile and citrus extracts that dissolve grease and clean the scalp.
Peppermint Shampoo
Here's a tingly scalp-cooling remedy for the dog days of summer. The trio of mints cleanses your hair and refreshes your spirit,
while jojoba and wheat germ rehydrate hair shafts thirsty from exposure to the sun. This shampoo is great for all hair types,
but the moisturizing action of the oils makes it especially beneficial for dry, brittle hair. If you can't find bergamot mint
essential oil, substitute five extra drops of spearmint essential oil.
2/3 cup liquid castile soap
1/3 cup distilled water
2 teaspoons jojoba
1 teaspoon fine sea salt
1 teaspoon wheat germ oil
20 drops peppermint essential oil
5 drops spearmint essential oil
5 drops bergamot mint essential oil
In a bowl, combine the castile soap and water and blend well. Stir in the remaining ingredients.
Transfer the shampoo to a prepared bottle and cap tightly. Stored in a cool, dark place, it will keep for 2 weeks. Shake before
using.
Yield - This recipe makes approximately 1 cup, enough for 5 or 6 shampoos.
To use - Massage about 1/4 cup of shampoo into wet hair, working to a lather. Rinse off with plenty of warm water.
Essential Oil Conditioner
When you don't have time to brew an herbal hair conditioner, try this simple scalp-stimulating solution. All you have to do
is mix together four essential oils in the palm of your hand and massage them through the hair. The conditioner immediately
penetrates the hair shafts, leaving no oily residue. This recipe is geared for hair of medium length and thickness. Increase
or decrease the number of drops depending upon the length and thickness of your hair.
3 drops carrot seed essential oil
3 drops chamomile essential oil
3 drops lavender essential oil
3 drops rosemary essential oil
In the palm of your hand, mix the oils together with your fingers.
Use immediately.
Yield - This recipe makes enough for 1 treatment.
To use - After shampooing, towel-dry hair. Apply the conditioner by rubbing, brushing, or combing it into hair, starting at
the ends (which need the most conditioning) and working to the scalp.
Hot Avocado Oil Treatment for damaged hair
Sun, wind, rain, smoke, pollution, dust, life in general, even many commercial hair-care products: All can wreak havoc on
your hair. For natural damage control, apply this oil treatment once a week before shampooing. It will strengthen your hair
and leave it shining with vitality.
1/4avocado, mashed
3 tablespoons avocado oil
2 tablespoons jojoba
2 tablespoons lime juice
In a small bowl, whisk the ingredients together, then warm them by placing the small bowl into a larger bowl filled halfway
with hot water. Stir occasionally to distribute the heat evenly.
As soon as the mixture is at body temperature, apply it to your damp hair.
Yield - This recipe makes enough for 1 treatment.
To use - Apply directly to dampened hair, working from the scalp through the hair to the ends. Wrap your head in a warm damp
towel (use an old towel, as the avocado may stain it.) Leave the treatment on for about 20 minutes. Without rinsing, shampoo
hair, then rinse thoroughly.
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IT HAS BEEN A WHILE AND MY ROUTINES HAVE CHANGED SO MUCH OVER THE JOURNEY -BUT NOW ONE THING IS FOR SURE:
ITS ALL ABOUT KEEP EVERYTHING VERY SIMPLE.
In the early stages, I loved going out and buying products, seeing what would work for me and what didn't... many of the items are still on my shelf unused.
But what I found to work best for my locs is letting time, patience and a simple natural routine do its thing.
I have been using Black soap on my locs since January and let me tell you how great it feels -no other shampoo has really made my locs feel naturally moistured and it also helps loc up my roots too, without that stripped effect that I used to have with many of the shampoos I used. It works out so much cheaper too.
Now and again, I still like to use shampoo -natural tea tree shampoo is always a favourite. And every motnh, I clarify with clarifying Herbal essences shampoo to get rid of any build up. But apart from the odd occasion, I like to keep 100% natural.
I have started freeforming -meaning, I literally just wash and go... I don't twist the roots, I simply part any hugging locs after I wash my locs. A few reasons for me to freeform- I wanted volume and thickness. When I tried finger latching, my locs thinned out -so I wanted the thickness back and it has worked. Freeforming since January.
A good spritz works wonders and a soft brissle brush to gently brush my locs when I wake and go to bed. I first spritz, then take 5 minutes to brush my locs in a root to end direction.
Thats it!
My locs know best, I want to let them do what they want.
HOME MADE RECIPES
To be honest, I only really ever use home made recipes when I want to treat my Self to a good locing session. I have a section in the fridge where I keep some handy for those days that I have time to relax and pamper my locs.
Everything works out so much cheaper now I ue home made products. And I do really enjoy making all of them. I feel more in control because I know now what really does work and what doesn't.
I always use something for atleast 1 month before I really begin to say if it works for me. Sometimes products don't really show results until much later on when your locs start to thank you.
And my locs have done so! In all the years I have been natural, this is the firt time I can really say that my hair is always soft and feels healthy.
STYLING MY LOCS
I'm not one to spend time styling my locs, but I do like to decorate with silk scarves and earrings -I can't get enough of it. Now that the Summer time has come, I tend to wear my locs out more -a simple ponytail is all I really do or if I'm feeling like it, I'll curl my locs.
To curl, I start off with damp locs (after a wash, rinse or water spritz). Then I spritz with the honey recipe mentioned in the twisting section, braid it tight and leave to dry. When I take down the braids, my locs are curled and in place. I got this recipe off a nappturality member and it has worked great! It adds so muh moisture and holds everything in place -like a hair spray.
SUMMARY
I spritz and brush my locs in the morning and at night.
I shampoo wih black soap- atleast 3 times/week. For info on Black soap: http://groups.msn.com/HOLISTICLOCING/blacksoap.msnw
Freeforming -no twisting the roots, they do what they want. My roots are fuzzy and I LOVE it that way.
After each wash, I check my roots for any hugging locs and seperate.
I use home made recipe to condition.
In Summer -I may rinse my locs every day.
In Winter -I prefer to keep my locs undercover with headwraps.
I don't really like oils -I find them too heavy for my scalp. The only oil I use is extra virgin olive oil, as a condioner treatment after my shampoo session.
I like to use aloe vera gel to moisturise.
I take 2 tablets of MSM and garlic daily -good for circulation and overall health.
I never leave my locs tied up for too long. |
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