Calendula Oil – So many remedies!

There is an incredibly great reason I use calendula oil as the main ingredient in my Shaving Oil & Skin Salve at Ember Cove. The wide variety of healing remedies this little herb has to offer the skin are simply amazing. You may recognize “calendula” as its other name, the common flower, Marigold. When the flowers are infused into an oil base, the healing properties flourish. For many cases, calendula oil can be used as an alternative to Neosporin. Time to list a few big words. Calendula naturally contains anti-oxidants and offers antibacterial, antiseptic, antimicrobial, astringent, anti-fungal, antiviral, and immunostimulant properties. Wow! This makes it useful for disinfecting and treating minor cuts, wounds, and scratches (hence the “Skin Salve” part of my Shaving Oil). Not enough? It is also anti-inflammatory when applied topically. Because of this, you will more than likely find relief and a speedier recovery when applying it to other irritations as well like burns, rashes, bruises, yeast infections, athlete’s’ foot, bee stings, and dry or chapped/cracked skin. In further addition, it will also benefit those suffering from skin conditions such as eczema, acne, and psoriasis.

My first experience with calendula oil marked the end of my shaving problems for life. I had won a contest on another blog where the prize was a small sample of calendula. When it arrived in the mail, I set it aside for future use. I had read a few things about the healing remedies it had to offer, but the timing wasn’t right to add it to any of my existing Ember Cove products. Well, a few weeks passed and I was getting sick of the red bumps and irritations that my electric shaver caused me, so I tried to shave with a razor instead. I used regular foaming shaving gel, applied liberally, let it soak in and shaved. It felt great, or so I thought. The next morning, my legs were COVERED with razor burn, ingrown hairs, big splotchy rashes…it was a disaster, I even took pictures because it was so bad. Because I own a bath & beauty company that focuses on healing skin irritations, the first thing that popped in to my mind was to grab some ingredient to slather on my shaving battle wounds. I thought of Shea Butter, but that’s really greasy when applied alone, same with coconut oil. Both of those were great options, but I didn’t want my legs to have that greasy shine. The calendula came to mind and I figured, “why not?”. I applied the oil, completely rubbed it into my skin and waited. The next day, the swelling that the ingrown hairs had caused had gone down, but there were still little scars and a few bumps from the previous irritation. A week went by with daily application, the scars completely healed and the ingrown hairs went away. Since I was due for another shave, I used the calendula and mixed it with sunflower oil to experiment. I used a regular throw-away razor with only three blades. The moment of truth came the next morning. I woke up and looked at my legs, and for the first time in 24 years, my legs had no irritations on them. They were as smooth as a baby’s bottom. I was hooked for life! I immediately started working on a recipe for my business, infused the calendula with olive oil and a few other choice oils, and came up with my Shaving Oil & Skin Salve at Ember Cove.

Speaking of baby bottoms, anyone with a baby in their life will appreciate this. One of the best uses for calendula oil is healing diaper rash. It soothes the area instantly, and helps with a speedy recovery for baby’s little hind end! Bed sores and rug burns can even benefit with an application of calendula oil. For the “older” kids, it contains anti-aging properties and broken or varicose veins will benefit from the healing properties. I have seen it suggested to “apply calendula oil after cosmetic waxing or laser procedures to calm the skin and reduce the inflammation and redness quickly while bringing a sense of relief to the site. As a bonus, it will reduce scarring”.

The process of creating calendula oil involves immersing the flower heads in an oil (I use olive oil at Ember Cove), and letting them slowly infuse with each other over a period of weeks. Because of this, individuals who are allergic to ragweed, goldenrod, or any other plant in the Asteraceae/Compositae family will probably not benefit from a calendula application. If you aren’t one of these unlucky people, then go ahead and enjoy the benefits of this medicinal oil all you want! Just be sure not to go absolutely bonkers and when using calendula topically, follow general guidelines for first aid, (aka don’t apply it to gaping or oozing wounds).

Be sure to check out the Shaving Oil & Skin Salve I make at Ember Cove! My business is how I make my living, so know that any purchase you make helps me personally. In return, my products are guaranteed to help you so it’s a great deal for both of us! :D Link this article to your friends and family, maybe even the guy at Starbucks who is always on his laptop! Educate everyone with the healing properties of calendula. Consider sending me a “like” on Facebook as well so that I can reach more people with my information. :)

A thank you to my sources:  Effortless  Eating, The Mountain Rose Blog, Delighted Momma, Ageless, Livestrong, Score Skincare, Langua Vert, List of Birthstones

The Healthiest Oil On Earth – Coconut Oil

Before my old blog vanished without a trace, I had written a nice long post about the benefits of coconut oil. In doing my research on it, I became fascinated with everything that this oil had to offer for not only the body and skin, but for your hair, stress relief, immunity, bone strength and more. Since none of my bath products are ever meant to be ingested, I’m going to focus on explaining some of the benefits for the outside of your body.

I created Ember Cove because I want everyone to look their best and have the healthiest skin possible regardless of their situation. Coconut oil has been quoted as “the healthiest oil on Earth” and is the base of choice for my soap and a great moisturizing addition to my lotions and lip balms. Its natural cures have benefited people worldwide for centuries. Wonderful and hypoallergenic, coconut oil contains many beneficial properties that make it an outstanding choice for any skin type. (It also produces a wonderful thick lather in my soap). The oil is unique to any other and I will explain the exact reason I chose it for my recipes.

First, we have its Saturated Fats. These are Triglycerides that keep your skin smooth to the touch by retaining moisture content, preventing it from drying out and making coconut oil a really powerful moisturizer. This has been known to delay wrinkles and help maintain a youthful appearance. By keeping your skin moisturized, it keeps it from peeling or flaking which may cause painful cracking and bleeding. Second, are more beneficial saturated fats – Capric Acid/Caprylic Acid/Lauric Acid. These three fatty acids have strong disinfectant and anti-microbial properties. When coconut oil is applied on skin infections, it forms a thin chemical layer which protects the area from external dust, fungi, bacteria and viruses. By using coconut oil as a base in my soaps, you can be sure to be providing any infected area with a clean wash as well as an amount of protection. Next we have Vitamin-E. The benefits of vitamin-E on skin are well known. It is essential for healthy skin growth, repair of scars and stretch marks, keeping skin smooth and preventing aging. Finally the proteins. Coconut oil is rich with wonderful proteins that help keep skin healthy and rejuvenated.

These powerful properties that make up Coconut Oil are so beneficial that I couldn’t pass up including them in my products. Like most of my ingredients, coconut oil also helps treat a vast amount of skin conditions and irritations such as eczema, dermatitis, dry skin, burns, infections, lice, rashes, wounds, topical effects of psoriasis – just to list a few. The antibacterial and soothing qualities make it a perfect addition to a soap for those struggling with acne as well. According to the Coconut Research Center, coconut oil also kills viruses that cause influenza, measles, hepatitis and more. To add to this, it is also effective on fungi and yeast that cause ringworm, athlete’s foot and diaper rash. Coconut oil is even effective on bruises as it speeds up the healing process by repairing damaged tissues.

Not only is this an amazing alternative to some pharmacy medications*, it smells amazing – and even more amazing when added to my bath products!

I do not make any hair products, but I know some people use my soap in their hair which contains coconut oil. Coconut oil is very nutritious for hair. Its essential proteins help in hair growth and re-growth of damaged follicles. This nourishes your hair while giving it a healthy and shiny complexion. It also helps ensure your head is free of dandruff, lice, and lice eggs, even if your scalp is dry. If you don’t want to wash your head with a bar of soap (which most people don’t), I strongly suggest finding a shampoo and conditioner with all natural coconut oil. I might try my hand at making a shampoo and conditioner combo some day with coconut oil, but I’m not going to worry about it at this moment.

I’d be interested to hear about anyone’s experiences with coconut oil on their skin as well as the benefits internally. (please don’t ingest my products, I mean if you’ve ever had coconut oil in a food or drink). I don’t really care for the taste unless it’s mixed with something else, but I know it’s extremely healthy. What product would you be interested in trying if I made another with coconut oil?. Feel free to share! :)

*Remember – I am not a doctor and I will never claim to be one. My posts are not here to replace any medical advice given to you by any professional. If you experience any kind of irritation you need to stop use of the product immediately and consult an actual physician or dermatologist. Everyone is unique and only you are responsible to know what is beneficial and healthy for your skin.

A special thank you to some sources: Organic Facts, Care2, Coconut Connections, Earth Clinic, Acne.org,

Sweet, Healthy Honey

Not only is honey considered a delicious treat, this superfood is a wonderful addition to any body or beauty product. Researchers are turning up new medical benefits of honey all the time so you shouldn’t even begin to wonder why I use natural, additive-free farm grown honey in all my products.

Honey has numerous natural benefits including being antimicrobial, antibacterial, a natural antioxidant, antiseptic and has amazing healing and cleansing properties for head to foot situations. It’s strongly recommended for beauty and skin care including keeping your hair healthy, healing eye infections, athlete’s foot and so much more! The powerful healing qualities of honey have been used for centuries around the world to help heal cuts, reduce inflammation and scarring, cure diseases and ailments, and help health disorders. On top of this, honey is also recommended for treating digestive problems such as stomach ulcers, indigestion, diarrhea, and gastroenteritis. These benefits of honey are just a drop in the bucket. I include honey in all my products not only because of these wonderful healing remedies just mentioned, but also because it is a natural skin care option. It helps heal acne, eczema, sunburns, the effects of psoriasis, and it also helps heal yeast infections.

So how does honey work like this? Honey naturally contains enzymes, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. It is formed when bees gather nectar from flowers, regurgitate it, then fan it with their wings until most of the water in the nectar has evaporated. Their saliva is enzyme rich and turns the sucrose into glucose and fructose, while another enzyme turns some of the glucose into an acid and hydrogen peroxide. This makes it impossible for bacteria to survive. It also makes it naturally resist mold, fungi, and other bacteria allowing honey to last for years and still stay fresh. The potency of honey’s healing properties is dependent on the type of flowers from which bees gather their nectar. At Ember Cove I have received nothing but positive feedback on the healing quality of my products!

The honey I use in Ember Cove products is farm grown, completely natural and additive-free. I know the bee-keeper, and the bees couldn’t be happier. By using all natural non-processed honey, the benefits are guaranteed to be free of any negative side effect.

Honey Remedies:

Tips for healing Eye Infections:

Honey, which as mentioned above has antibacterial properties and acts as a humectant (helps retain water), will clear the eye of infection and provide soothing relief. Use raw, unpasteurized honey for additional antibiotic properties. Honey can be used in several ways for eye infection.

For an eye infection that has spread to the eyelid, mix equal parts honey with distilled or boiled water to make a solution. Use a cotton ball and apply on the eye. For more effectiveness, leave the soaked cotton ball on the eye, and do not reuse to prevent spreading of infection. The same solution can be used as eyedrops. Keep the eye open and squeeze two or three drops in the eye. The mixture can also be used to rinse the eye two or three times daily until infection clears.

Honey can also be applied directly to the eye without diluting it. Place one or two drops of honey directly on your eyes. The honey will collect dirt or discharge and be eliminated through natural tearing.

Credit: http://www.ehow.com/way_5410564_honey-eye-infection.html

Tips for healing Athlete’s Foot:

Athlete’s  foot is a skin disorder caused by a by parasitic fungus called dermatophytes with symptoms of ugly dry and flaky skin, red inflammation or blistering, especially between toes. With its natural fungicidal properties, honey will naturally and effectively help.

All you have to do is soak cotton balls in honey and place them between your toes, then apply a thin coat on your foot over the affected areas and cover with a sock overnight. Wash, and thoroughly dry your feet in the morning. This can offer a wonderful alternative to over the counter medications, and leave your feet smelling honey sweet!

Tips for helping clear Acne:

My soaps at Ember Cove are perfect for fighting acne with the combination of goat milk and honey. Not only that, I make sure that the honey I use in my products is free of chemicals, additives, and has never once seen any store. This keeps everything beneficial in it that processed honey might not have to help fight your acne. Keep in mind that everyone’s acne is different and is caused by different reasons. If you experience any kind of negative effect whether small or large, to immediately stop using my soap or any other product that upsets your skin.

For acne scars that have been disturbed or picked at on your face, a dab of honey will help heal it up quickly.

Want more stories on honey and how it helps? Check this page out: http://www.benefits-of-honey.com/the-benefits-of-honey.html

Please share your honey stories with me as well! I absolutely adore feedback, especially when it’s something that has helped you!

As a disclaimer, I am not a doctor. My remedies are ideas thought up, not printed at a doctors office. Please remember if you take my advice, know that I am not a professional and do not claim to be one and I hold no responsibility for any negative side effects caused by these remedies. Consult a doctor first before treating anything yourself.