While many people see the new year as a fresh start, until this year it was always the end of summer for me. A new year, heading back to school, meant that I could cast aside the bad habits of summer and get back to basics and new habits.
Over two years ago, these new habits included significantly reducing my toxic load. After watching the documentary Bag It, I got to work and a blog was born. I threw out my soaps and shampoos, stocked up on baking soda, vinegar, shea butter, beeswax, and a few other “must haves,” and began making all of my own personal care and cleaning products. I made new batches every time I came home from college, and even made sure I always had baking soda and apple cider vinegar in my dorm room.
This was my first venture into #LifeFromScratch, and I’ve never looked back.
It took another year before I was “fully integrated” into this life. I used commercial products as I battled my eczema, until I learned that these were in fact exasperating it. Instead, I switched to essential oils and homemade remedies. Eventually I discovered my eczema was caused by a food sensitivity. After 10 months of making my own products, I finally made the transition from eating a relatively real “SAD” diet to a true real food diet.
Most people go to real food before they go to non-toxic products but for me it was the opposite. I have always found it much easier to DIY everything I put on my body than to stick to real food — yet I do my best at both. The body is very sensitive to the large number of toxic ingredients that are put in/on it in a typical day and my body is especially sensitive. My number one priority, by far, is to care for it.
Part of this care is not only using natural products day-to-day, but continuing to use natural products in the face of injury or sickness. I always make sure to have some healing ointment made up in my house. It has a long shelf life (it expires when your coconut oil does), so no need to worry about it going bad before you use it!
This DIY healing boo-boo balm is quick and simple to make.
The base, made from anti-fungal, anti-microbial, and moisturizing coconut oil plus naturally firming beeswax is incredibly versatile and great for skin health.
Added essential oils amp up the healing properties:
- Lavender essential oil is very soothing. I use it to soothe burns, itchy skin, inflammation, etc.
- Melaleuca (tea tree) essential oil is anti-microbial, making it a must have in all healing balms.
- Frankincense essential oil is one of my favorites. It has wondering skin-healing properties, making it great to help diminish scarring.
- Helichrysum essential oil is not as well known, but in addition to supporting the anti-microbial functions of melaleuca essential oil, it also supports reduced swelling and lessening pain.
Remember to only use high quality, pure, organic or wild-harvested essential oils. Combining simple lavender and melaleuca essential oils with the base will yield a wonderful boo-boo balm that costs significantly less than anything you will find in the store.
Adding frankincense and helichrysum will increase the price, but also yields a healing balm that really packs a punch! Try one, or both, and see how they work for you.
- ⅓ cup coconut oil (virgin, organic like this0
- 1-2 tablespoons beeswax, *see note (by far our favorite beeswax)
- 7 drops melaleuca essential oil (organic, pure essential oils like this)
- 7 drops lavender essential oil (organic, pure essential oils like this)
- Melt coconut oil and beeswax* over low to medium-low heat in a small saucepan.
- Remove from heat and add essential oils (see below).
- Pour into a glass container and allow to harden.
- Store away from direct heat or sunlight.
- Wash hands and affected area. Scoop out a small amount, soften between fingers, and apply to affected area.
