I’ve worked for Jade Bloom since it’s inception and while I had some pre-conceived notions regarding the nature of Health, Healing and Happiness ™ prior to employment with this company, I have learned so much from all of YOU! I am so grateful for that. For this week’s blog post, I’d like to share some of my thoughts regarding complementary medicine, external health’s very real and direct correlation to internal health and finally, some long awaited recipes! Providing all of you with customer service this past year has made it very clear that recipes for specific ailments are something you would all find very helpful. :)
Jade Bloom’s mission to provide Health, Healing, and Happiness ™ to as many people as possible is something I am extremely passionate about for personal reasons. Traditional medicine in the United States seems to have forgotten the barebones of pharmaceuticals. So often in discussions with others in regards to the field I’ve chosen to pursue, my views on the importance of holistic medicine gets pigeonholed as an indicator of me not trusting the monumental advancements of modern medicine. I believe that true holistic health is achieved when one is able to utilize the advancements of modern medicine in conjunction with sound holistic healthcare practices. I am hopeful for a future in which medical practitioners utilize the thousands of studies available in medical journals regarding the efficacy of natural remedies. A quick look at PubMed articles on the use of various essential oils for everyday ailments makes it pretty apparent that this is not an impractical hope, but rather a very tangible and real future we can all look forward to.
I believe that the negative stigma regarding those who adhere to holistic healthcare practices needs to be eradicated for this to be possible. To maintain a healthy lifestyle, modern medicine and natural remedies can co-exist; in harmony. Believing that the two are mutually exclusive is a harmful assumption.
Listening to our bodies is so important when commencing the journey that is achieving good health. The condition of our bodies on the outside can be a pretty reliable indicator of the condition of our bodies internally. Identifying these outer concerns, and then treating accordingly tends to be the most efficient way to address the underlying cause. These ailments can be identified and remedied via natural methods supplied to us by the earth.
First, we’ll discuss acne. This is not an ailment experienced solely during adolescence; It can be perpetuated by unbalanced hormones. Personally, my skin has been dramatically improving these past few years, but there is always room for more improvement. While I was able to tackle my cystic acne, I still occasionally suffer from hormonal breakouts. I know that’s what they are due to the time of month they occur and the location. Hormonal breakouts typically appear around the mouth or along the jawline. Our Smoothe blend comes pre-diluted with Moringa oil that has healing properties and a light consistency that makes it an effective remedy for blackheads and acne. It also has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that help fight infection, reduce swelling and minimize redness. This blend is particularly effective for deep, inflamed, cystic acne. Don’t have our Smoothe blend yet? No problem. Below is a recipe you can make at home with just a couple common essential oils that you likely already have in your collection:
DIY Essential Oil Acne Recipe
-- 20 drops of Jade Bloom’s Tea Tree essential oil
-- 20 drops of Jade Bloom’s Rare Kashmir Lavender essential oil
-- Blend these two oils in a dark, 5 ml bottle. (Note: this will not fill up the entire bottle. This will create a blend ideal for a few days worth of regular application, the amount of time it will take to clear up the breakout.)
Instructions
Apply 2-3 drops of this blend to a cotton ball, put it in the refrigerator for 10 mins until cold and then apply to the affected area 3-4 times daily.
The cold will assist with bringing down the inflammation. However, this is an optional step.
Next, our hair is a major indicator of internal health. Brittle, dry hair is a common ailment, as well as oily roots. I like to keep my recipes very simple, and easy to follow so that oil blends that work for me personally can be used without poor aroma interactions from extra unnecessary oils. Below is a recipe for a fantastic hair mask, with the added bonus of ridiculously luscious smelling hair. :)
DIY Hair Mask Essential Oil Recipe
-- 2 Tablespoons of melted 100% pure coconut oil
-- 5 - 8 drops (depending on the thickness of your hair) of Jade Bloom’s Ylang Ylang essential oil
Instructions
Mix the coconut and Ylang Ylang in your palm and apply to the ends of your hair first, working your way up to your scalp. Leave on for at least 1 hour, then rinse thoroughly with a sulfate-free shampoo.
I’ve been growing my hair out for a few years now and it is getting close to the length I’d like it to be. Due to the nature of my coarse hair and dryness after moving to a new, drier state, I feel the growth has halted somewhat. Basil ocimum basilicum can be used to promote hair growth. Its magnesium content is high and it can strengthen the hair against breakage. This would make Jade Bloom’s Basil essential oil a great addition to this blend should you decide to add more EO’s.
Another aspect of my health that I previously neglected to an almost dangerous point were my teeth. After years of just basic brushing and flossing, my oral health fell victim to the drawbacks of neglect. After a few painful dentist visits, my oral health is on the up and up but there were still mistakes I was making in regards to caring for my teeth. I started researching more natural toothpaste options and was ecstatic when Jade Bloom came out with an all natural toothpaste, backed with plenty of research. They offer a fluoride-free toothpaste that uses Calcium Hydroxyapatite instead. This ingredient is important when it comes to remineralizing the teeth, a benefit I so desperately needed after years of neglect. The U.S. National Library of Medicine published a study in 2014 addressing this specific ingredient: “[Hydroxyapatite] is certainly superior to conventional fluoride, and [has] good results on the sensitivity of the teeth” (Pepla, Besharat, Palaia, Tenore, & Migliau, 2014). This toothpaste also doesn’t contain foaming agents which took some getting used to but my teeth ultimately feel cleaner when I use this stuff. Rather than plaque build-up being noticeable a few hours after brushing with traditional toothpaste, I rarely notice this happening unless it’s been over 8 hours since I’ve brushed. This is because the toothpaste doesn’t have glycerine that coats the teeth.
After talking with all of you extensively on a daily basis, I’ve heard a lot of requests for a natural mouthwash to accompany our wonderful toothpaste. Below is a recipe I love for a morning rinse to use following brushing with our Protect Remineralizing Toothpaste.
DIY Mouthwash Essential Oil Recipe
-- 10 drops of Jade Bloom’s Lemon essential oil
-- 10 drops of Jade Bloom’s German Chamomile (Can substitute for Peppermint EO if you don’t have German Chamomile on hand.)
-- 5 drops of Jade Bloom’s Tea Tree essential oil
Instructions
Blend these oils together in an empty, dark 5 ml bottle. Add 3 to 5 drops to 1/2 a cup of warm water, stir thoroughly and use as a rinse.
I truly hope you all experiment with some of these recipes on your own and remember: Listen to your body and make adjustments where you see fit! Natural remedies work best when tailored to your specific needs. I wish you all the best in your journey towards Health, Healing, and Happiness™!
Blog Author: Jackie Mallett
