I’ve been on a creative brainstorm and will start formulations in the new year.  What does this mean for you?  Lots of new goodies!  Because we are a small batch handmade line I’ll have to scale back on some items and make more of others.  You’ll see some different scrubs, serums and soaps plus at some point this year I’d like to give the store a makeover – so keep an eye out!

2015 is going to create some amazing change and I can’t wait 🙂

Happy Holiday!

You’ll need the following for your DIY pumpkin facial:

• Pumpkin (approx. 1/4 cup puree or a few handfuls of raw and cubed)
• Plain yogurt – approx. 1/4 cup
• Honey (Manuka honey if you have it) – spoonful
• Clay – spoonful or two if you have any on hand, if not no biggie
• Egg (optional) – The yolk will nourish while the white will tighten
• Apple Cider Vinegar (optional) – Great to add for oily skin
• Dash of cinnamon (optional)

Mix all together very well or if using fresh pumpkin then you’ll want to puree.  If using a machine to puree don’t make the fusion hot, just blend enough to make it smooth.  I like to place a hot towel on my skin for a minute or two to open up my pores then place the mask on.  Leave on for 10 – 20 minutes (depending on your sensitivity) then rinse with cool water.  Your skin will be radiant 🙂

It’s that time of year again and even though bugs are great for the environment, they aren’t great for me.  Here’s a few tips for keeping them away without using yucky chemicals.

Ants – First clean up anything that may be attracting them (sweets, honey, grains, etc) then try the following:

• Hot & spicy (black pepper, chili pepper, chili powder, cayenne pepper, mint, cinnamon, garlic)  Sprinkle at point of entry such as doorways and windowsills.  Place garlic outside the house by the foundation and kill two birds with one stone (those pesky vampires too).
• Who knew ants didn’t like cucumbers?  Cut the skin off and rub the inside around the area – you can leave the skin in the area too.
• Do you see where they are coming in? Squirt some lemon
• You can plant peppermint & spearmint plants outside or in containers around your windows or doors to keep them away.

Mosquitoes – they love water so if you can clean any of that up outside then get rid of it

• Tried and true – you can burn citronella candles
• You can make your own spray to use and it’s super easy plus it will smell better than the chemical sprays.

Natural Bug Sprays:

• Essential oils:  Citronella, Lemongrass, Lavender, Peppermint, Clove, Rosemary, Cajeput, Tea Tree, Catnip, Eucalyptus, Cedar – find a blend that you like.  I like lemongrass, lavender, mint with some citronella.
• Get your base:  Easiest is witch hazel or a carrier oil – I like witch hazel because it dries fast.
• Recipe that I use is this:  take about 2 cups witch hazel and add 15 drops lemongrass, 10 drops citronella, 10 drops peppermint, 5 drops lavender.  Put this in a misting bottle and spray it on when needed.  Don’t spray directly on your face instead spray in your hands and pat onto face.
• Play around with the oils to find a blend you like

Heavy Duty Spray – this is stinky when you spray it but once it’s dry it’s fine.  This is great for wooded areas.

•  Four Thieves Vinegar diluted with water

DIY keep bugs away naturally is pretty easy.  Stay safe and have fun this summer 🙂

The story goes something like this – back in the day there were four merchant thieves (one was a herbalist).  They would rob people that died of the plague but would never get sick themselves.  When they were finally caught the judge said he’d go easy on them if they told him how they didn’t get sick and four thieves was born.

Ingredients:

•  2 TBS dried Wormwood
• 2 TBS dried Rosemary
• 2 TBS dried Sage
• 2 TBS dried Lavender
• 2 TBS dried Peppermint
• 4-8 minced garlic cloves,  cloves or cinnamon sticks (optional)
• 1 quart (32 oz) apple cider vinegar

Place the herbs and if you’re using any of the optional items in a glass jar then pour the apple cider vinegar over it. Tighten the lid and store in a cool and dark place for 6-8 weeks – shake it daily.  Once done strain and store in smaller jars (don’t forget to label them).  You can store in a cool and dark place or even the refrigerator.

*If you are using a metal lid you may want to place a plastic bag over the top before screwing the lid on because the vinegar may corrode the metal.

What can I do with Four Thieves Vinegar?

• To use as a disinfectant mix Four Thieves Vinegar in an equal part of water and put in a spray bottle.
• Great as a soak for nail fungus.
• Said to be good for dandruff – dilute and place on scalp.
• Heavy duty bug repellant – mix 1/4 cup vinegar with 6 oz water in a spray bottle.  Spray on clothes and skin (if using on your face first put it in your hand and pat on).

Quality organic herbs can be found here:

As promised here is the post on french green clay for first aid purposes.  Our Detox Mineral Mask is created with french green clay and yogurt.  You can use this for the items below or contact me if you’d like to purchase the french green clay by itself.

French green clay has many uses.  In Detox Mineral Mask, I talk about using french green clay in a detox bath and below are some uses for the clay in first aid situations.

To use for the following purposes you’ll need to create a poultice with the french green clay.  To do so mix water and clay until you have a moist paste consistency (do not mix in a metal bowl or with metal utensils).  Cover area to be treated with your paste then cover with something moist such as a moist towel, moist ace bandages, etc. – whatever you choose make sure it keeps the area moist.  You don’t want the clay to dry on your skin, you want to keep it moist for 2-3 hours so it will pull out all the junk.

You can use a french green clay first aid poultice for the following:

• Skin Conditions
• Fungal Issues
• Minor cuts and burns
• Insect bites
• Sprains
• Swollen joints
• Rashes such as poison Ivy or Oak

After 2-3 hours rinse it off and can repeat in another 2 hours.  French green clay poultices are said to relieve pain.

Buy Detox Minerals Mask

**Please note I am not a medical doctor and this post in no way is to take the place of seeking out medical attention if you need it.  This is all complementary information if your doctor approves.

Did you know our Detox Mineral Mask has other uses?  Like the majority of our products – yes you can use this mask for other things and one of my favorite uses is to take a detox bath.  I use this in a bath if I’m not feeling well, when I’m doing a whole body detox (generally each season), and also just when I feel like it. 

French Green Clay:

• Absorbs and removes impurities
• Tightens and tones the skin
• Exfoliates
• Stimulates circulation
• Great for blemishes
• Many other benefits!

Buy Detox Mineral Mask

For Detox Mineral Bath:

• Fill your tub with hot water
• Add 3-4 heaping tablespoons up to half of the package to your bath
• Slide in and soak while relaxing
• Will it make a mess?  Yes!  Is it worth it?  Yes you are!
• Don’t want to do a whole body bath?  Just do a foot bath 🙂
• Make sure to drink lots of water to hydrate and flush the toxins out

You can also add (in addition to the Detox Mineral Mask) for added benefits:

• Aloe Vera
• Essential oils (rose, peppermint, lemon, frankincense, any detoxing oils) just a few drops

***Do not mix french green clay in a metal bowl or with metal utensils

Don’t miss the next post when I talk about the first aid benefits of french green clay!

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Our Kafa Seaweed Facial Mask is packed with antioxidants.

• Coffee is full of antioxidants and it’s a natural vasodilator which works to tighten and firm your skin.
• Seaweed (kelp) contains vitamins including Vitamin E and B12, minerals, amino acids and trace elements.  Seaweed draws out impurities while adding back nutrients.  It also stimulates circulation which will give you that healthy glow.
• Rhassoul Clay comes from the Atlas Mountains in Morocco and has been used for over a thousand years to treat the skin.  This clay is rich in calcium, magnesium, Silica and potassium and it is great for flakiness / dryness plus it improves clarity and elasticity of the skin.

This mask will exfoliate, tighten, tone and rejuvenate your skin.

**This package will yield at least 12 facial applications depending on how much you use per application.  Please remember to only hydrate the portion you are going to use immediately.

Directions:  Mix approximately 1 TBS with liquid (water, milk, juice, endless possibilities) to create a creamy paste.  Apply Kafa Seaweed to your face in gentle circular motions.  Let dry for several minutes then rinse with warm water and pat dry.  Skin will look and feel stunning!  Finish with your toner of choice and moisturizer.

Buy Kafa Seaweed Facial Mask

Over the next few months Freda’s Potions will be releasing some new items for kids.  All of our products are natural and can be used on children but sometimes they just like to have their own products.  I can totally relate to that – growing up I always wanted my own stuff so my grandmother would make me miniature versions just for me.  The first two items for kids are:

Pretty Pretty Princess is perfect for the little girl that wants to be a princess.  Smells amazing and it’s good for them!  No chemicals like in some spritzers and perfumes – this comes right from the rose.

Buy Pretty Pretty Princess

Monster Be Gone is just right for the little one that doesn’t want to sleep because of a monster under the bed.  Mist the lavender on the pillow and sheets and sleep will be

refreshing. 

Buy Monster Be Gone

Kids love participating and they also love to have their own things.  Put a smile on their face with something that’s great for their skin.

Essential Oils Kids

10 Essential Oils for Kids – Please make sure to dilute essential oils in some type of carrier oil before applying topically. A good carrier oil most people have on hand is olive oil.  Almond oil is lightweight as well as sunflower.  Here is a great article ‘Guide to Diluting Essential Oils‘ to take a look at on proper dilution.  The rule of thumb is no more than a 3% essential oil mix for topical use. It’s always better to start at 1% and add more if need be especially with the sensitive skin most kids have. Topically apply to soles of the feet, reflexology points, inhalers, and location of the ailment.

This is a great chart from http://www.growingupherbal.com/

Number 7 should be Citrus 🙂

Our Floral Waters are also great to use directly on the skin.  They are made by steam distilling and carry all the properties from the plant.  We have Rose, Lavender, Chamomile and Immortelle (also known as Helichrysum or Everlasting).

Have fun exploring all the uses for essential oils kids.