Since my last batch of homemade deodorant bar ran out, it’s time for a new batch.

This time around I added some new ingredients. They are less clumpy and come as little hearts!

My old recipe consisted of extra virgin coconut oil. As good as it sounds for skin and hair, I just didn’t like it’s strong scent anymore. It reminded me too much of sun tan lotion. So this time around I replaced that with scent free mango butter.

The good thing about this home made deodorant is that it doesn’t contain aluminum like the commercial ones. And so it’s a much healthier and safer version too.

Ingredients: Mango butter, baking soda, cornstarch, colloidal oatmeal, beeswax. Tree tree oil, lemon and peppermint essential oils.

Directions: Take 1 tbs of first 2 ingredients. 2 tbs cornstarch. 1 tsp of beeswax. A few drops of the essential oils to your liking.

I think tea tree is the key ingredient here. So a little more of tea tree is fine. But if you find that scent too strong, you can blend with other essential oils.

Put all the ingredients together in glass container and use a double boiler to warm them up. Once it’s melted, mix well. Add the essential oils last then pour into mold. Refrigerate until it hardens and remove.

To use, just pitch off a section and spread them around. No stains, no clumps. And I think the oatmeal is very soothing for your skin too.

My latest hair care review is made by Giovanni. It’s an invigorating shampoo and conditioner made with tea tree oil and other great essential oils too. It’s called “Tea Tree Triple Treat” and it’s the perfect summer time shampoo. 

Image from .  Available in pack of 3 for about $19.

Tea tree oil is known to be very good for treating troubled skin. In this case, it also helps deal with dry, patchy, or itchy scalp.  So it would make sense to add tea tree into a shampoo.

Tea tree oil on it’s own can smell really strong, but in combination with other essential oils, it’s much nicer. I’ve noticed it works well with such oils such as lemongrass or peppermint.

It was really the ingredients used in Giovanni’s that got my attention.  Such as organic eucalyptus, rosemary, peppermint, and other good essential oils.  It’s even got sea salt and trace minerals.

It’s also vegan (no animal by product), cruelty free (no animal was harmed to make this stuff), and sulfate free (no extra chemicals used to create lather).  It’s also made right here in the U.S.A.

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Pacifica, a company from California, first started out making beautifully scented natural soaps and soy candles. I remember seeing them for the first time and thought how pretty everything was packaged. The design was a bit vintage, but also very cheerful too.

Most of all, it was their lovely scents that got my attention. Especially the tropical fruity scents like “Hawaiian Ruby Guava“. I have always enjoy having a ripe pink guava around just because it smelled so nice. Much like ripe quince.

So it was exciting to know that these scents can be replicated using only essential and natural oils of pomelo and grapefruit.

Now Pacifica has expanded to include solid perfumes and spray perfumes. Pacifica sent me a sample of their floral Tahitian Garden solid perfume to try out.

I don’t usually wear too much perfume or scent of any kind, as I am very sensitive to certain fragrances. Just coming near strong scents (such as cologne) could trigger an instant headache for me. But one thing I noticed is that essential oils don’t bother me at all.

I was glad to see Pacifica uses only essential and natural oils.  It is also made with organic (non-GMO) soy and coconut wax. I also like that it’s in a small tin that’s very portable and convenient.

Tahitian Garden solid perfume smells just like being surrounded by blooming gardenias and spring jasmine. The scent never gets overpowering and is very floral. The scent is blended using natural and essential oils including ylang ylang, osmanthus and jasmine. Ylang ylang essential oil is beneficial for relaxation.

Photo from Garden Express from Australia.  These variety are called “Gardenia Florida”.  They are such beauties and highly fragrant flowers.

Gardenia’s are some of my favorite flowers. I love the glossy green leaves and the pure white blooms. Unfortunately, I’ve never had much luck with growing them.  So having this tin of solid perfume in “Tahitian Gardenia” is perfect.

For more info, visit Pacifica: Fun, fresh and perfect for layering. $9 for Solid Perfume.

A recent study by the The Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry noted six scents that helps soothe away stress.

The scents include lavender, lemon, orange, grape, mango, and basil.  Each of these fruits and herbs contain linalool, which is a chemical that appeared to offset the effects of stress. Linalool provides a calming effect on the limbic center of the brain, which is involved in processing emotions.

I’m surprise peppermint didn’t make it on the list. Peppermint is great at relieving headaches and also very uplifting. I always feel more relaxed and calm after being around peppermint.

The scent of any fruit makes me happy. Especially guava, but mangoes come out second. There is actually a tree that grows in my mom’s yard with leaves that smell very much like green mango. The young leaves are edible and taste just like tangy green mango! I don’t know the name of it, but will have to take a picture of it when spring arrives.

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I usually don’t obesses too much about body lotion, but since it is winter time I find a reason to enjoy them more. Especially the ones with an uplifting scent. I also prefer lotions that aren’t too greasy and has all natural ingredients.

Boots UK has a great lotion made with essential oils of citrus of bergamot and olive oil. Bergamot is of the citrus family and grown mainly in Southern Italy and parts of France. Essential oils are extracted from the rind of the fruit and used in soaps and lotions, as well as in aromatherapy.

Another new discovery I’ve found that is great in lotion is yuzu. It is also called Japanese grapefruit. In Japan, the fruit is very popular and has many uses. Nothing goes to waste! Yuzu is made into jams and the rinds are used to make tea. But the fragrance is most valued of them all.

Photo from The New York Times by Tony Cenicola

The fruit is rare, and highly prized. The New York Times food writer also mention that it sells for $19 per pound and the juice are good squeezed on grilled or poached fish. From the look of the picture above, you would think the fruit isn’t fully ripe yet. But I guess it can be used green or yellow and a little bit probably goes a long way. Tradeswind Fruit described the fruit as yellow to orange skinned citrus, medium in size, with highly fragrant rind and flesh. The flavor is acidic and tart. Read the rest of this entry »

As we all know, the cost of health care in America is not attainable by all Americans. It’s a shame that a developed nation, such as ours, can not afford to give it’s citizens affordable and proper healthcare. So lately I’ve have been looking into alternative healthcare, meaning eating healthy and living healthy. And the one thing that has caught my attention is the use of essential oils and herbs to help fight common ailments.

So when I figure a headache was going to come on earlier tonight, I decided to put peppermint EO on my wrist and sniff on it every few minutes. An hour later, the throbbing pain on my head is gone.

I also make my own summer mister with peppermint EO. My other favorites include eucalyptus, lemon, and grapefruit. All the citrus scents make me happier. I am at the point where I can not stand other types of artificial scents. Especially the stronger ones and the little perfume inserts in magazines. They just make me feel nauseous. They really do need to get rid of that too!

As for more info on EOs, I have come across a very neat website call AromaWeb. Here is one of the EO that I want to try out in the future. Ylang Ylang Essential Oil. The picture remind me of the citrus fruit, Buddha’s Hand.

I also read in another EO book that in Indonesia, it is pronounced “lang lang”. Which translate to “the flower of all flower”. Since the beautiful scent is like no other flower to be compared. So it’s like Queen Flower, and it’s rather pricey too!

Oil Description: Fresh, floral, sweet, slightly fruity, fragrant yet delicate.

I would like to try mixing ylang ylang with another oil, but I’m not really sure yet. I also hope this scent won’t be too floral, because they usually make me feel more sleepy and tire. This EO was placed under peace & happiness. So that would fit me just nicely! Actually I think M could use more of this as his life as of late has been pretty stressful. So I think this oil would be really helpful to him. I can always get some soaps made with ylang ylang EO or make a linen spray out of this oil too.

Photos from AromaWeb

This linen spray is from L’Occitane. Aromachologie Relaxing Pillow Mist as described by the company, “This pillow mist combines the soothing properties of 100% natural essential oils (lavender, tea tree and geranium) with softening lime blossom extract, to calm tensions and soothe nerves. Its aromatic fragrance helps ease away stress and anxiety and promotes a peaceful, repairing sleep.” Retails for $14 for 3.4 fl oz

This makes me dream of a lovely spring garden filled with lime blossom and geraniums in bloom. But it is pricey for such a small bottle. Or you can always make your own! I like linen spray since the scent is very light and it’s also made with pure essential oils. Most perfumes will give me an instant head ache. So here’s my version of an uplifting scent, a walk in the orange groves of southern California.

Citrus Linen Water - Best to spray on linens right before ironing. It will leave a light clean fragrance.

1/2 teaspoon (50 drops) lemon/orange essential oil  ***to your liking***
1 oz. 80+ proof vodka
12 oz. distilled water

Pour essential oils, vodka, and distilled water into the spray bottle and shake to mix.

Be sure to shake well before each use.

Note, you can always subsitute the essential oils of your choice. I personally enjoy peppermint and citrus scents. And lavender usually makes me feel tired and is too much for me.