CHAPTER 7

THE PERSONAL TOUCH

Feeling good and looking good have been essential to human wellbeing for as far back as records exist. The ancient Ayurvedic texts, for example, suggest citrus to calm the nerves. In ancient Egypt, Dead Sea salt was used as an exfoliant to brighten and soften the skin. And traditional Chinese medicine has recommended ginger as a treatment for nausea and upset stomach for two thousand years.

In this chapter, you’ll fi nd lots of practical preparations drawn from these and more modern traditions that will make you look and feel better. And although most of the recipes here include at least one of our starring ingredients (salt, lemons, vinegar, or baking soda), a handful rely solely on a cast of the supporting players mentioned in Chapter 1. Finally, a note of caution: Do not use any ingredients to which you are allergic in these health and cosmetic treatments. If you’re not sure about potential allergies, try a small application on the skin of your forearm, and wait 5 minutes to see if you have a reaction.

Steam Facial

Steam treatments are a great way to clean away dead skin, moisturize, open the pores, prevent or treat existing acne, and increase blood flow to the skin (which promotes the production of collagen and elastin, two proteins responsible for firmness and resiliency). The process couldn’t be simpler.

• Boil 1 quart (4 L) water in a large pot and pour it into a large, wide bowl. Add either 10 drops essential oil (eucalyptus to open pores, chamomile for sensitive skin, rosemary for oily skin, and orange or grapefruit for the sheer joy of it), 1 lemon or orange, cut into slices, or 2 tablespoons (30 mL) dried herbs of your choice and let the water cool for 5 minutes. Place your head, face down and eyes closed, over the bowl and drape a clean dish towel over your head, creating a loose seal around the edge. If the heat is too much, move your face farther away. Steam for at least 5 minutes and up to 10 minutes.

• Then, while your pores are open, gently exfoliate your skin with Exfoliating Sugar Scrub (this page) or Gentle Exfoliating Facial Scrub (this page).

Exfoliating Salt Scrub

Our skin is the living barrier that protects us from the outside world as well as the largest single organ in the human body. As our birthday suit of armor, skin gets covered in dirt, sweat, harmful bacteria, and all sorts of other contaminants—including dead skin cells. To keep your skin clean and tight and your pores clear, you don’t have to purchase an expensive product—try this simple, effective scrub instead.

NOTE: Use no more than every two or three days; your skin’s natural chemistry and colonies of beneficial bacteria need time to rebalance in between treatments.

• In a medium bowl, mix 1 cup (250 mL) fine sea salt, ¼ cup (60 mL) olive oil, 10 drops lemon essential oil (or other scent of your choice), and 1 tablespoon (15 mL) dried thyme (or other dried herb of your choice). Place the mixture in a clean, resealable glass jar. Before you step out of your next bath or shower, apply a handful of this fragrant salt scrub to your skin, moving your palms in a circular motion. When you are done, rinse any residue away with cool water. Sea salt crystals are quite angular, by the way, so this preparation is best used on your body and not your face.

Exfoliating Sugar Scrub

If you have particularly sensitive skin, or if you are exfoliating your face, you may want to use a sugar-based scrub instead of the Exfoliating Salt Scrub (this page). Sugar granules are easier on the skin because they are rounder than sea salt granules and dissolve more quickly when they come into contact with water. In general you should not use a physical exfoliant such as salt or sugar more than two or three times per week.

NOTE: Because it is loaded with minerals that are good for your skin, unrefined cane sugar makes an excellent scrub too, but it is quite angular and coarse, so it may be better suited to your body than your face if you have sensitive skin.

• In a medium bowl, mix 1 cup (250 mL) table sugar, ¼ cup (60 mL) virgin coconut oil, 5 drops lemon essential oil (or other scent of your choice), and 1 tablespoon (15 mL) fine citrus zest (lemon, orange, or grapefruit work well). Place the mixture in a clean, resealable glass jar. Before you step out of your next bath or shower, or after you wash your face at the sink, apply a handful of sugar scrub to your skin, rubbing gently using a circular motion. When you are done, rinse away any residue with cool water.

Gentle Exfoliating Facial Scrub

For particularly sensitive or acne-prone skin, this scrub is a softer, gentler alternative to the Exfoliating Sugar Scrub (this page) because it uses rice flour, which has smaller granules than table sugar.

• In a small bowl, mix ¼ cup (60 mL) rice flour, 2 tablespoons (30 mL) honey, 1 tablespoon (15 mL) distilled water, and 1 teaspoon (5 mL) argan oil. Store the mixture in a clean, resealable glass jar. Apply to your face with your fingertips, rubbing gently in a circular motion. Rinse thoroughly and don’t forget to apply moisturizer afterward.

Skin-Softening Bath Salts

The practice of bathing in hot springs is an ancient one, common among cultures with access to these naturally heated, mineral-rich water features. (Even snow monkeys, the famed Japanese macaques, make use of hot springs, allowing them to extend their range farther north than any other nonhuman primate.) Thanks to the miracles of modern plumbing and heating, we can emulate the cleaning and restorative powers of the hot spring in our homes with this quick recipe.

• The next time you draw a hot bath, pour 1 cup (250 mL) hand-harvested sea salt (which is rich in minerals) and ½ cup (125 mL) baking soda into the running water. Give the bath a big swirl to distribute. When the bath is ready, soak your bones for 30 minutes to 1 hour. After you towel off, make sure to moisturize (Body Lotion, this page).

Fizzy, Lemon-Scented Bath Salts

This is a scented, effervescent variation of the Skin-Softening Bath Salts (this page)—the sunny citrus aroma alone is worth the extra work.

• In a medium bowl, mix ½ cup (125 mL) baking soda, ½ cup (125 mL) fine sea salt, and ¼ cup (60 mL) cornstarch. In a small bowl, mix 1 teaspoon (5 mL) virgin coconut oil, ¼ cup (60 mL) strained lemon juice, and 5 drops lemon essential oil. Since the fizz is short-lived, you’ll want to gather your ingredients and bring them to the bathtub, ready to use. Once the bath is drawn and you are in the water, add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and give a quick stir, then pour the foaming mixture directly into the bath with you. Soak in the lemon-scented water for up to 40 minutes, allowing it to soften and cleanse your skin. After you towel off, seal in the moisturizing effect by applying a light lotion to your skin (Body Lotion, this page).

Moisturizing Honey-Milk Bath Soak

For an extra-moisturizing bath treatment, try this delightful mixture of three ingredients you almost certainly have in your kitchen right now. Honey contains numerous antioxidants and skin-softening amino acids, while milk features lactic acid, numerous proteins, and skin-nourishing fats. And sea salt contains many minerals that are beneficial to the skin, including calcium, magnesium, and potassium. Together they offer a moisturizing treat for dry skin.

• In a small saucepan, heat 2 cups (500 mL) whole milk, ½ cup (125 mL) fine sea salt, and 1 cup (250 mL) buckwheat honey (any honey will work, but darker honeys contain more beneficial nutrients), stirring until the honey has dissolved (and to prevent a “skin” from forming on the milk). Turn off the heat and pour this mixture into a drawn bath, giving the bath a big swirl to combine.

Body Lotion

Most commercial moisturizers are loaded with additives and can be very expensive (especially high-end brands). Luckily, it’s a snap to make a customized, luxurious moisturizer at home for a fraction of the cost.

NOTE: Coconut oil becomes solid below 76 degrees F (24.5 degrees C), so you may want to warm it up on the stove or in the microwave to make the mixing process easier.

• In a mixing bowl, add 2 cups (500 mL) virgin coconut oil. Whip the coconut oil with an electric hand-mixer until light and fluffy, 5 to 7 minutes. If you’d like a scented moisturizer, add 10 to 20 drops essential oil (lavender and frankincense are good choices) and crank up the hand-mixer for another 10 seconds. Scoop your moisturizer into a clean, resealable glass jar and store in the bathroom.

NOTE: Coconut oil has a lovely, subtle aroma all on its own, so you may want to make this a one-ingredient recipe.

Skin Toner

After washing or exfoliating your face, tighten your pores again with this treatment made from a pantry staple: rice. This tonic contains helpful antioxidants (including inositol, a sugar manufactured by the human body), which are compounds known to prevent cell damage.

• In a medium bowl, mix ½ cup (125 mL) uncooked rice with 1½ cups (375 mL) distilled water and let sit for 1 hour. Pour the rice-water through a fine-mesh stainless-steel strainer into a clean, resealable glass jar and store in the refrigerator. Dip a cotton ball into the chilled rice-water and massage it into your skin at the end of your skin care regime. Then you have a choice: rinse your skin with cold water or allow the rice-water to dry on your face.

Face-Moisturizing Serum

Because the skin on our faces tends to be more prone to acne, it is better to moisturize it using a noncomedogenic oil (that is, one that doesn’t clog pores). This rules out coconut and olive oils, though both have many benefits to the skin (including antioxidants). In this simple preparation, it’s argan oil to the rescue.

• In a small bowl, mix 1 tablespoon (15 mL) argan oil, 1 tablespoon (15 mL) aloe vera gel, ½ teaspoon (2.5 mL) honey, and 5 drops rosemary essential oil. Using a small funnel, pour the mixture into a clean 2-ounce (60 mL) glass dropper bottle. Use 2 or 3 drops applied with your fingertips to moisturize your skin after cleansing. Shake well before each use.

Shaving Cream

Slapping a handful of light, fluffy shaving cream onto your stubble is one of the most fun-for-its-own-sake activities in any beauty routine. But many shaving creams contain unnecessary chemical additives, and some come in environmentally unfriendly, aerosol-powered dispensers. Here’s how to make one at home that is just as delightful to use, less harmful to the environment, and much more affordable.

NOTE: Coconut oil becomes solid below 76 degrees F (24.5 degrees C), so you may want to warm it up on the stove or in the microwave to make the mixing process easier.

• In a medium bowl, add ½ cup (125 mL) virgin coconut oil, 1 tablespoon (15 mL) extra-virgin olive oil, and 2 teaspoons (10 mL) baking soda. Whip this mixture with an electric hand-mixer until light and fluffy, 5 to 7 minutes. Add 5 drops essential oil of your choice (sandalwood or eucalyptus work well) and crank up the hand-mixer for another 10 seconds to incorporate. Store your pre-fluffed shaving cream in a clean, resealable glass jar and store in the bathroom.

NOTE: If you are in a hurry, you can also simply apply olive oil or coconut oil to the skin before shaving.

Skin-Tightening Aftershave

Dragging a sharp blade at an angle across your skin is not without its dangers, especially as you navigate the curves of your face or the swooping contours of your legs. If you find yourself scratched and abraded after your last tussle with a razor, use this skin-tightening mixture afterward.

• In a small bowl, mix 3 tablespoons (45 mL) pure witch hazel, 2 tablespoons (30 mL) aloe vera gel, 1 tablespoon (15 mL) distilled water, and 5 to 7 drops essential oil of your choice (rosemary or frankincense work well here). Using a small funnel, pour the mixture into a clean 2-ounce (60 mL) glass spray bottle. Replace the nozzle and shake well before each use. Spritz lightly over affected skin (close your eyes if you are spraying your face).

Anti-Acne Facial Mask

As a teenager, I imagined adulthood as a land of plenty, full of wonderful new adventures, the thrill of true independence, and much less time spent with my parents. One thing I thought for sure would come to an end was acne. But now that I’m older and wiser, I know that pimples, like diamonds, are forever. Acne usually occurs when a follicle becomes blocked with oil and dead skin cells; add in common bacteria and the result is a pimple (or lots of them). Here’s a mask that can help speed the healing process without damaging your skin when a breakout occurs. The antibacterial effect of the honey combined with the mild exfoliating properties of baking soda and the antioxidants in the citrus make this mask especially effective.

• In a small bowl, mix 2 tablespoons (30 mL) honey, 1 teaspoon (5 mL) lemon juice, and 1 teaspoon (5 mL) baking soda. Dab this slightly sticky mixture onto your skin with your fingertips, avoiding your eyes (if putting it on your face) and other sensitive areas, and allow it to remain in place for 10 minutes. Rinse thoroughly with warm water, then cold water. Finally, moisturize with Face-Moisturizing Serum (this page).

Shampoo

Your hair type—fine or coarse, dry or oily, curly or straight, thick or thin—will determine how frequently you need to, or should, shampoo. This is because shampoo is a surfactant, which means it cuts through oil and lifts dirt and other debris from your hair and scalp. If you have oily hair, you may have to shampoo every day or every other day, but if you have thick, curly hair or very dry hair, you may need to shampoo just once per week. No matter what, you’re going to want to wash your hair at some point, of course. This formula works well on all types of hair and is free from the cornucopia of strange and sometimes harsh chemicals found in nearly every commercial shampoo out there.

• In a small bowl, carefully mix ⅓ cup (80 mL) Castile soap, ⅓ cup (80 mL) water, 1 teaspoon (5 mL) olive oil, and 10 to 15 drops essential oil of your choice (lemon and thyme or lemon and tea tree are good places to start). Using a small funnel, pour into a clean 8-ounce (250 mL) plastic squeeze bottle with a lid. Swirl the bottle before each application to gently mix the ingredients.

NOTE: This shampoo is thinner than commercial varieties but lathers up nicely—a little bit goes a long way!

Dry Shampoo

If you have long hair, washing it is a multistage process—and it takes a minute too. Plus, the worst-kept secret in hair care is that daily washing with shampoo is bad for your scalp and your hair, stripping them of their natural oils and drying them out. If you are in a rush or trying to minimize shampoo-related damage to your hair, try this quick volumizing and freshening dry shampoo.

Below are four different combinations of ingredients, based on hair color, but the application process is the same: Leaning over the bathtub, flip your hair forward and, using a flour sifter or fine-mesh stainless-steel strainer, sprinkle the dry shampoo onto your hair. With your fingertips, work the shampoo powder throughout your hair, to the ends. Flip your hair back and sprinkle more on top of your hair before using a brush or comb to evenly distribute and remove any excess product. Then style as you normally would.

NOTE: For the tinted shampoos, add or subtract a little of the color-adding ingredient to match your personal hair color.

BLOND OR SILVER HAIR

• In a small bowl, mix ¼ cup (60 mL) cornstarch, ¼ cup (60 mL) baking soda, and 5 to 10 drops essential oil of your choice (lemongrass or frankincense work well).

BROWN HAIR

• In a small bowl, mix ¼ cup (60 mL) cornstarch, 2 tablespoons (30 mL) baking soda, 2 tablespoons (30 mL) cacao powder (or cocoa, if that’s all you have, but cacao is better because it is minimally processed and contains more nutrients), and 5 to 10 drops essential oil of your choice (lemongrass or frankincense work well).

RED HAIR

• In a small bowl, mix ¼ cup (60 mL) cornstarch, 2 tablespoons (30 mL) baking soda, 2 tablespoons (30 mL) cinnamon powder, and 5 to 10 drops essential oil of your choice (lemongrass or frankincense work well, even in combination with the cinnamon).

BLACK HAIR

• In a small bowl, mix ¼ cup (60 mL) cornstarch, 2 tablespoons (30 mL) baking soda, 2 tablespoons (30 mL) activated charcoal powder, and 5 to 10 drops essential oil of your choice (lemongrass or frankincense work well).

Under-Eye Reviver

Many conditions can cause the skin under the eye to become looser, more wrinkled, and darker: lack of sleep, an unhealthy diet, illness, and the inexorable march of time. While you should, of course, try to address these contributing factors (well, not the passage of time—there’s no cure for that), you can temporarily tighten up your under-eye skin with this quick fix, which is safe to use daily.

• In a small saucepan, heat ½ cup (125 mL) pure witch hazel with 2 tablespoons (30 mL) salt, stirring until the salt dissolves. Remove from the heat and allow to cool.

• Place 24 cotton balls into a medium bowl. When the witch hazel solution has cooled, sprinkle it over the cotton balls until they are lightly soaked. Place the cotton balls into a plastic sandwich bag and store in the freezer. When you want to tighten the skin under your eyes, remove two cotton balls and hold one under each eye for 5 minutes.

Conditioner

Shampooing washes away accumulated skin flakes, dandruff, and dirt, but it also strips your locks of their natural coating of protective oil, drying out your hair and scalp in the process. To prevent your hair from becoming brittle and frizzy (and your scalp from getting dry and itchy), use a conditioning treatment to restore some of that protection one to three times per week, depending on how often you shampoo and how naturally oily your hair is.

• In a blender or food processor, whip ¼ cup (60 mL) virgin coconut oil, 2 tablespoons (30 mL) olive oil, 1 tablespoon (15 mL) honey, and 1 ripe banana until smooth, around 2 minutes. Scoop the conditioner into a clean resealable 8-ounce (250 mL) glass jar. To use, apply to wet, clean hair and let stand for 5 minutes before rinsing.

NOTE: This will keep for 1 week at room temperature and for 1 month in the fridge (recommended if you live in a home where room temperature is higher than 76 degrees F or 24.5 degrees C).

Hair Deep-Conditioner

It’s gross but true: hair consists of long strands of dead cells that have been pushed through the skin by hair follicles. And the job of sebaceous glands, which grow next to the hair follicles, is to keep hair strong and shiny by coating it with natural oils. Even though hair is not technically alive, our bodies work hard to keep it looking as lively as possible. Alas, due to various stressors—shampooing, blow-drying, chemical straightening, environmental pollution, sun exposure, the list goes on—those oils get stripped away and hair can become dry, brittle, and dirty. To repair damaged hair and enhance its shine, treat yourself to a deep conditioning before your next wash and your hair will thank you from the bottom of its little zombie heart.

• In a small saucepan, bring ¼ cup (60 mL) water to a boil and remove from the heat. Let sit for 5 minutes. In a blender or food processor, add the boiled water, 2 tablespoons (30 mL) honey, and ¼ cup (60 mL) olive oil. Blend on high until the mixture has emulsified, then immediately pour into a large coffee mug and let it cool slightly until warm.

• Over the sink or bathtub, flip your hair forward and use your fingertips to massage approximately half the oil into your hair, from your scalp to the ends. Flip your hair back and work the rest of the oil into the hair on the top of your head. Immediately wrap your hair in an old towel. After 30 minutes, remove the towel and wash your hair completely—you may need to wash it twice to remove the last of the oil. Dry and style as usual.

Beach Wave Inducer

If you have long, straight hair, you know that a day spent swimming in the ocean can leave you with a fuller, wavier, lighter-colored coif—beachy waves! This happens because sea salt cleans oil and dirt from your hair, adds body and minerals, and induces a slight curl, or wave. Try this simple solution to get the beachy look at home, but don’t use it more than two or three times per week—any more than that and you risk drying out your hair and scalp.

• In a small saucepan, heat 1 cup (250 mL) water, 1 chamomile tea bag, and 1 tablespoon (15 mL) fine sea salt, stirring until the salt has dissolved. Remove from heat and after 5 minutes, discard the tea bag. Add 2 tablespoons (30 mL) aloe vera gel, 2 teaspoons (10 mL) argan oil, and 1 teaspoon (5 mL) strained lemon juice. When the mixture is cool to the touch, use a small funnel to pour it into a clean 12-ounce (375 mL) glass spray bottle and replace the nozzle. Shake well before each use.

• After washing and towel-drying your hair, flip your hair forward and spray from the roots to the ends. Flip your hair back and spray the hair on the top of your head before using a wide-toothed comb to evenly distribute. Loosely scrunch your hair into a shower cap or a large-toothed hair clip and let it sit for 30 minutes, or until dry.

NOTE: You may substitute coconut oil for the argan oil.

Hair Volumizer

For the finer-haired among us, adding body is a must. This can be accomplished through a variety of different treatments, but not all of them (for instance, Beach Wave Inducer, this page) should be used every day. This volumizer, however, is perfectly safe for daily use and does an excellent job of fortifying your hair in its battle against gravity.

• In a small bowl, mix 1 cup (250 mL) water and ½ cup (125 mL) aloe vera gel. Add 1 teaspoon (5 mL) coconut oil and 5 drops essential oil of your choice (rosemary or lemongrass work well) and stir to combine. Using a small funnel, pour the mixture into a clean 16-ounce (500 mL) glass spray bottle and replace the nozzle. Shake well before each use.

• After washing and towel-drying your hair, flip your hair forward and spray from the roots to the ends. Flip your hair back and spray the hair on the top of your head before using a wide-toothed comb to evenly distribute. Allow to air-dry.

Hair Color Lightener

Nature offers its own hair-bleaching treatment through exposure to the sun and (if you’re lucky) the ocean. If you don’t live near the sea or it’s still months away from beach weather, you can still give yourself a touch of that just-back-from-the-beach hair color, whatever your seasonal motivation.

• In a small saucepan, boil 1 cup (250 mL) water and turn off the heat. Add 5 chamomile tea bags and steep for 5 minutes. Discard the tea bags and, using a small funnel, pour ½ cup (125 mL) concentrated chamomile tea into a clean 8-ounce (250 mL) glass spray bottle. Add ½ cup (125 mL) strained lemon juice (the juice from about 3 or 4 lemons) and replace the nozzle.

• After washing and towel-drying your hair, flip your hair forward and spray from the roots to the ends. Flip your hair back and spray the hair on the top of your head before using a wide-toothed comb to evenly distribute. Allow to air-dry.

NOTE: Exposure to the sun will accelerate the hair-lightening process, but no matter what, it will take several treatments for the effects to be noticeable. Do not use for more than a month at a time as the lemon juice will have a drying effect that can leave your hair brittle and with a tendency toward frizz.

Anti-Dandruff Treatment

Dandruff, a type of seborrheic dermatitis (flaky skin irritation, in plain language), happens to many people, from infancy (when it is called “cradle cap”) through adulthood. It isn’t dangerous or contagious, but it can make your scalp itch, and the flakes don’t look great in your hair or scattered across your shoulders. Dandruff seems to be caused by a variety of factors, including the presence of yeast in the genus Malassezia (various species of which cause several unpleasant skin conditions), an excess of oil (which these yeast feed on), stress, low humidity, shampooing too frequently or not frequently enough, and chemical sensitivity. Dandruff can’t be cured, exactly, but it can be treated using common household staples.

APPLE CIDER VINEGAR RINSE FOR OILY HAIR AND SCALP

• In a small bowl, add ¼ cup (60 mL) water, 1 tablespoon (15 mL) apple cider vinegar, and 5 drops rosemary essential oil. Over the bathtub, flip your hair forward and use your fingertips to work approximately half the rinse into your hair, from your scalp to the ends. Flip your hair back and work the remainder of the vinegar rinse into your hair, starting from your hairline and working toward the back. Wait 10 minutes, then rinse with cool water before shampooing and conditioning.

COCONUT OIL MASK FOR DRY HAIR AND SCALP

• In a small bowl, mix ¼ cup (60 mL) coconut oil with 5 drops tea tree essential oil. Over the bathtub, flip your hair forward and use your fingertips to massage approximately half the oil into your hair, from your scalp to the ends. Flip your hair back and work the remainder of the oil into the hair on the top of your head. Wait 1 hour, then shampoo and rinse thoroughly before styling.

Lip Balm

Because the thin, flexible skin on our lips is exposed to the air, as well as constantly moving and stretching during normal daily activities—for example, eating, talking, whistling, and kissing—it is essential to keep it moisturized and elastic. Here’s how to make your own custom-flavored variety of protective lip balm.

• In a small saucepan, heat 3 tablespoons (45 mL) olive oil and 1 tablespoon (15 mL) beeswax until melted. Add 2 to 4 drops vanilla extract or essential oil of your choice (grapefruit, lemon, and spearmint all work well) and stir to combine. Pour mixture into a clean, resealable, wide-mouthed 2-ounce (60 mL) jar or tin and allow to cool. If the balm is too hard at room temperature, re-melt and add a little more olive oil; if it is too soft, re-melt and add a little more beeswax.

Tooth-Whitening Pretreatment

The whiteness of teeth is determined by several factors: your genes, your diet (you knew all that black coffee and red wine was going to stain your chompers, right?), and your oral hygiene routine. Only two are factors you can control, and of those, your dental care regime is probably the easiest to change. (Give up the red wine, maybe. But coffee? Never.) This before-brushing mouthwash will work wonders over the course of three months if used twice per day.

NOTE: Give your teeth a one-month break after three months of treatment.

• In a small saucepan, heat 1 cup (250 mL) water and 1 tablespoon (15 mL) salt until the salt dissolves, then turn off the heat. In a large bowl, add ¼ cup (60 mL) loosely packed fresh spearmint leaves and pour the mixture over the leaves. Steep for 10 minutes. Using a funnel, pour the water through a fine-mesh stainless-steel strainer into a clean, resealable 16-ounce bottle and add 1 cup (250 mL) hydrogen peroxide and 1 tablespoon (15 mL) baking soda. Allow to cool completely before capping the bottle.

• Before brushing in the morning and in the evening, swish 1 or 2 tablespoons (15 or 30 mL) of this prewash around your mouth for 1 minute, gargling before spitting out the rinse.

Whitening Toothpaste

Come for the whitening, stay for the antibacterial properties! This is a great, inexpensive preparation that does an excellent job at whitening teeth, fighting cavities, and controlling bad breath—plus, it’s dentist-approved.

NOTE: Both salt and baking soda are effective against bacteria that cause cavities, but neither is as powerful as fluoride; use this preparation no more than once per day, alternating with your regular toothpaste.

• In a small bowl, add 2 or 3 fresh spearmint or sage leaves, 1 teaspoon (5 mL) baking soda, and ½ teaspoon (2.5 mL) sea salt. With the back of a spoon, crush the powder into the herbs for a few seconds to release the scent, then remove the leaves. Add 1 teaspoon (5 mL) water and mix to create a thick paste. Scoop the scented paste out of the bowl with your toothbrush and polish those pearly whites.

Mouthwash

When your brushing and flossing are done, it’s time to rinse your mouth with something that will leave you with some ongoing protection against the bacteria that cause cavities and bad breath.

NOTE: Avoid mouthwashes that contain alcohol—it will only dry out the tissues in your mouth, increasing your chances of raising up a bumper crop of bad breath-causing bacteria.

• In a large bowl, mix 1 cup (250 mL) aloe vera juice, ½ cup (125 mL) distilled water, 2 teaspoons (10 mL) baking soda, 5 drops sage essential oil, and 5 drops spearmint essential oil until the baking soda has dissolved. Using a funnel, pour the mixture into a clean 16-ounce (500 mL) bottle. Swish 1 or 2 tablespoons (15 or 30 mL) around your mouth for 1 minute, gargling before spitting out the mouthwash.

Retainer Maintainer

Wearing braces is a traumatic experience for most of us, leading to all sorts of irrational fears of dentists, orthodontists, and their sinister co-conspirators, oral hygienists. But when those teeth emerged all straight and perfectly aligned, it sure felt great, right? To make sure your teeth stay properly aligned and never need braces again, you must use your retainer—and if you use a retainer, you need to care for it properly.

STORING RETAINERS

• The first rule of retainer club is never let the retainer dry out. In a coffee mug or glass jar, add 1 cup (250 mL) distilled water and 1 teaspoon (5 mL) baking soda, stirring until the baking soda dissolves. Store the retainer in this solution and rinse it with cold water before using.

CLEANING RETAINERS

• The second rule of retainer club is that you should give it a warm, cleansing bath once per week. In a small bowl, dissolve 1 teaspoon (5 mL) fine sea salt in 1 cup (250 mL) warm water. Add 1 tablespoon (15 mL) baking soda and 1 tablespoon (15 mL) white vinegar. Soak the retainer in this foaming mixture for 15 minutes. Rinse with cold water before using or returning to storage.

Sore Throat Wash

When we’re ill, and particularly when we’re suffering from respiratory issues like coughing, sore throat, and lung congestion, gargling with salt water is a proven way to ease the discomfort and shorten the duration of the illness. Salt water soothes inflamed tissues and is antimicrobial to boot. While the cure for the common cold remains elusive, at least we can alleviate the symptoms.

• In a 12-ounce (375 mL) drinking glass, mix 1 cup (250 mL) warm water with 1 teaspoon (5 mL) fine sea salt, stirring until the salt has dissolved. One mouthful at a time, gargle for 1 minute and spit out the saline solution, repeating until the glass is empty. Repeat 3 times per day when you are ill and you can shorten the duration of your symptoms by as much as 40 percent.

Lemony Throat Soother

If you are suffering from a cold, chances are you also have a sore throat. Soothe it with a tonic that combines the antibacterial, antiviral, antioxidant, and immune system-boosting qualities of honey and lemon juice. Repeat this as often as necessary when you are sick.

• In a large coffee mug, mix 1 cup (250 mL) hot water, 2 teaspoons (10 mL) freshly squeezed lemon juice, and 1 teaspoon (5 mL) honey. Sip this hot concoction, letting it soothe your throat as it goes down.

Canker Sore Reliever

Canker sores were the bane of my existence as a kid—in large part because I was a huge fan of orange juice, which is quite acidic. Food and beverages that are spicy or acidic can cause agony in the mouths of the afflicted—even mild food can irritate a canker sore just by touching it. To lower the acidity of your mouth, promote healing, and help ease the pain of eating, use this rinse before every meal and after your last toothbrushing of the day until the sore heals.

• In a 12-ounce (375 mL) drinking glass, mix 1 cup (250 mL) warm water, 1 teaspoon (5 mL) baking soda, and 1 teaspoon (5 mL) salt, stirring until everything has dissolved. Take a mouthful of this mixture before and after eating, swirling around your mouth for 1 minute before spitting out the rinse.

Earache Soother

When I was practicing for my junior lifesaving certification, I spent a lot of time in the community pool pretending to drown or rescuing other kids who were pretending to drown. As a result, I had multiple cases of swimmer’s ear every summer for a few years running. Swimmer’s ear, I later learned, is a bit of a misnomer—tons of people who don’t swim at all suffer from the condition, also known as otitis externa, which is a fancy name for an infection of the outer ear canal. If you have an earache, this remedy works wonders by removing ear wax, dirt, allergens, bacteria, and other gunk in your ear.

NOTE: If the pain worsens despite this treatment, you may need oral antibiotics—an untreated ear infection can lead to a ruptured eardrum, so be sure to consult a doctor.

• Using a small funnel, pour 2 tablespoons (30 mL) 70 percent isopropyl alcohol and 2 tablespoons (30 mL) white vinegar into a clean 2-ounce (60 mL) glass dropper bottle. Tilt your head to the side so your affected ear is facing up and, using the dropper, pour about 1 teaspoon (5 mL) of this mixture into your ear canal, letting it sit for 1 minute. Tilt the affected ear down and let the solution drain out. Thoroughly dry the ear canal with the corner of a clean towel or blow-dry your ear gently with a hair dryer on the lowest setting, held 1 foot (30 cm) away from the side of your head. Repeat 3 times daily until the earache subsides.

Nasal Irrigation Solution

The mucosal linings of our sinuses—so moist, so warm—are a perfect landing pad for airborne allergens, bacteria, and viruses, which can leave us with stuffy or blocked nasal passages. One proven way of easing nasal congestion or lessening the symptoms of an allergy attack is nasal irrigation, an Ayurvedic practice called jala neti that dates back as far as five thousand years. It’s even been shown to reduce the viral load in your sinuses when you are afflicted with a rhinovirus such as the common cold. The process involves pouring a saline solution into one nostril and letting it flow out the other, flushing out all the junk. It takes a little practice, but it is a worthwhile technique to learn.

• In a small saucepan, mix 2 cups (500 mL) water and 1 tablespoon (15 mL) pure, non-iodized salt (or kosher salt with no additives) and boil for a minimum of 15 minutes. Remove the pot from the heat and pour the solution into a sterile, resealable 16-ounce (500 mL) glass jar. Store at room temperature.

• To use, warm 1 cup (250 mL) of the solution to just below body temperature and pour into a neti pot or nasal irrigation bottle. Standing over the sink, tilt your head to one side, insert the spout of the neti pot or bottle into the top nostril, and let about half the water trickle through. (You’ll have to find the angle that allows the water to flow directly out of your bottom nostril without spilling into the back of your throat.) Tilt your head to the other side and repeat until the solution is gone. Tilt your head forward over the sink and snort any remaining water out. Then gently blow your nose a couple of times to completely drain the water. You can do this as many times as you wish until you can breathe more easily through your nose.

Eye Wash

If you have a foreign object stuck in your eye or a case of conjunctivitis (inflammation of the conjunctiva, the thin lining of the inner eyelid and white of your eye), your eye will appear bloodshot and will itch or feel uncomfortable. This simple saline solution is a good option for rinsing away foreign objects or bacteria and easing any discomfort.

• In a small saucepan, mix 2 cups (500 mL) water and 1 teaspoon (5 mL) pure, non-iodized salt (or kosher salt with no additives) and boil for a minimum of 15 minutes. Remove the pot from the heat and pour the solution into a sterile, resealable 16-ounce (500 mL) glass jar. Store at room temperature.

• To use, warm ½ cup (125 mL) of the solution to just below body temperature and pour into a small drinking glass. Tilt your head back over the sink or bathtub and place the lip of the glass below your eye while holding your eyelids open with the fingers of your other hand. Carefully pour the water over the surface of your eye so it runs from the inner corner to the outer corner and down your cheek.

NOTE: If you have conjunctivitis and plan to clean both eyes, thoroughly wash your hands and the drinking glass before switching to your other eye—some forms of conjunctivitis are very contagious!

Eye Makeup Remover

When it comes time to remove makeup from around your eyes, this simple method not only safely removes any last traces, it also moisturizes the skin around your eyes and conditions your eyelashes.

• Lightly soak a cotton ball in olive oil and use it to very gently rub the makeup from around your eyes, working from the inner corners toward the outside corners and using a semicircular motion. Repeat with new cotton balls as necessary until the makeup is gone.

(Temporary) Tattoo Remover

It goes without saying, but this technique will not work on any ill-conceived and regrettable permanent skin art—if you’re sporting ink you wish you didn’t have, you’ll need to see a trained professional to get rid of it. But if you have a temporary tattoo that has begun to flake and look more like an unpleasant skin condition than art, here’s how to erase it.

• Take a small handful of salt and a couple of drops of olive oil and use it to rub away the temporary tattoo—since these tattoos are like decals, the salt crystals will scour away any lingering remnants from the surface of your skin. Wash and moisturize when you’re done.

NOTE: It is possible to lighten henna tattoos with a 20- to 30-minute topical application of olive or coconut oil to the affected skin, but this won’t completely remove them—the molecules of the plant extract used in henna tattoos bind to the keratin in your skin and only disappear completely with the passage of time and the shedding of your epidermis.

Splinter Treatment

As a feral child who ran around barefoot as often as possible (especially during the summer when the very thought of shoes offended me), I got a lot of splinters in my hands and feet. If tweezers couldn’t remove the splinters, the skin around them would sometimes become infected and painful, and they would have to be dug out, along with a chunk of skin. Here’s a better way to remove these bitter barbs.

• Begin by soaking the area of skin with the splinter in white vinegar for 30 minutes. The acid in the vinegar will help shrink the skin around the splinter, bringing it close enough to the surface to be grabbed with the tweezers.

• If that doesn’t work, mix ½ teaspoon (2.5 mL) baking soda with a few drops of water to create a paste. Spread the paste on the skin around the splinter and cover with a sterile bandage. Wait 24 hours before removing the bandage, at which point the skin around the splinter should have pushed the splinter to the surface, allowing you to grab it.

Foot Scrub

The bottoms of your feet are just like the rest of your skin, just tougher and more jaded from being stuffed into shoes and walked on, day in and day out. To soften up those leathery soles, try this coarse scrub.

• In a small bowl, mix 2 tablespoons (30 mL) white vinegar, 2 tablespoons (30 mL) honey, and 2 tablespoons (30 mL) coarse sea salt. Sitting on the edge of the bathtub, vigorously scrub the underside of one foot from heel to toes, focusing on the thickest areas of callused skin. Repeat with the other foot and rinse before moving on to the Tropical Foot Soak (this page).

Tropical Foot Soak

After scrubbing away the gnarliest skin from the bottoms of your feet (Foot Scrub, this page), it’s time to soften the skin even more with a moisturizing soak born in the tropics.

• In a blender or food processor, place 2 ripe bananas, 2 tablespoons (30 mL) freshly squeezed lemon juice, 2 tablespoons (30 mL) fine sea salt, and 1 tablespoon (15 mL) coconut oil. Blend on high for 1 minute and pour into a medium bowl.

• Sitting on the edge of the bathtub, coat your feet completely with this mixture and massage it into the skin. Wait 15 minutes before rinsing the banana mash from your feet with warm water. Moisturize with Body Lotion (this page).

Athlete’s Foot Treatment

The scourge of locker rooms everywhere, athlete’s foot (or tinea pedis) is a flaky, itchy rash that can be quite painful, especially if it causes cracks in the skin. It is caused by a fungus that likes to hang out in the moist areas between the toes and spread from there.

NOTE: While you are treating athlete’s foot, change your socks a few times per day, if possible, and keep your feet dry. Avoid wearing the same shoes two days in a row—better yet, avoid wearing shoes as much as possible.

SALINE SOLUTION

• High concentrations of salt are lethal to microbes of all kinds, including the fungus that causes athlete’s foot. Fill a shallow tub just large enough to fit both feet with ½ gallon (2 L) hot water and pour in 1 cup (250 mL) fine sea salt, stirring to dissolve. Soak your feet in this saline solution for 15 minutes once per day until the condition improves. Dry your feet thoroughly.

HYDROGEN PEROXIDE

• Hydrogen peroxide is an excellent antifungal. Using a cotton ball soaked in hydrogen peroxide, apply it directly to the rash on your feet two times per day, until the condition improves. Rinse and dry your feet thoroughly after each application.

TEA TREE ESSENTIAL OIL

• Tea tree, another effective antifungal, is frequently used to treat both dandruff and athlete’s foot. Using a cotton pad, apply tea tree oil directly to the rash on your feet two times per day until the condition improves.

Nail Polish Pretreatment

If you are one of those remarkable, steady-handed people who apply their own nail polish, here is a pre-application treatment that may well improve your efforts, no matter how skilled you’ve become as your own nail stylist.

• The first thing to do is to cut and shape your nails with scissors or a nail clipper while the nails are dry. File with an emery board after cutting.

• Next, soften the cuticles so they can be shaped without damaging them. In a small bowl, mix ½ cup (125 mL) water and ½ cup (125 mL) white vinegar and soak your fingertips in this mixture for 1 minute. Using a cuticle pusher, gently shape your cuticles by pushing them back from the nail.

• It is essential to completely dry your nails before applying polish—remember this the next time you’re at the salon. Any extra moisture causes them to expand a little, and if polish is applied before the nails shrink back to normal, it could cause the manicure to crack. Wait at least 30 minutes after soaking before the last pretreatment step.

• Finally, using a cotton swab, apply coconut oil to the skin around the sides and bottom of each nail. This ensures that if you color outside the lines (that is, onto your skin) you can easily clean the excess without damaging the manicure once the polish on the nails has dried.

Heavy-Duty Hand Cleanser

Some substances in the world (I’m looking at you, bike grease) are very difficult to clean off with conventional soap. This treatment will cut through the toughest grime and exfoliate your hands at the same time.

• In a small bowl, mix 1 tablespoon (15 mL) apple cider vinegar and 1 tablespoon (15 mL) cornmeal. Scoop a little of this loose paste into your hands and scrub the trouble areas. Reapply until the grime is gone. Rinse under warm water and moisturize using a dab of Body Lotion (this page).

Rash Treatment

Bad rashes happen to good people, and for all sorts of reasons: allergies, infections, excessive heat, parasites (sorry but it’s true), immune disorders, and so on. Depending on the type of rash, different treatments exist to treat the underlying cause, but there is one home remedy that works to soothe the itchy discomfort caused by all of them.

NOTE: If a painful rash persists for more than a few days, consult a doctor.

• In a blender or food processor, blend 1 cup (250 mL) old-fashioned rolled oats until the oats turn into a fine powder. Add 1 cup (250 mL) baking soda to the powdered oats and pulse to combine. Draw a warm bath—hot water exacerbates most rashes—and pour in the powdered oats mixture. Soak in the bath for up to 40 minutes.

NOTE: If you are bathing a baby with diaper rash, add 2 teaspoons (10 mL) powdered oats and 2 teaspoons (10 mL) baking soda to lukewarm water in the baby bathtub and stir to combine. Repeat twice daily until the rash subsides.

Sunburn Soother

If you spend any time in the sun, always wear sunscreen, even if you have dark skin—ultraviolet radiation is an equal-opportunity scorcher and the burning begins after only ten minutes of direct exposure. The best sunscreens contain a physical barrier (titanium dioxide or zinc oxide), whereas chemical sun-blocking sunscreens frequently contain harmful chemicals that can leach into the bloodstream and don’t even last very long before you have to reapply. But if you do miss a spot before heading out for a day in the sun, here’s how to treat the inevitable burn.

• In a medium bowl, mix ½ cup (125 mL) aloe vera gel, ¼ cup (60 mL) whipped coconut oil (follow the instructions for Body Lotion, this page), 1 tablespoon (15 mL) olive oil, 3 drops lavender essential oil, and 3 drops eucalyptus essential oil.

• Next, take a cool shower or bath—the burn will immediately start to dry out your skin, so keeping it moist and cool will make you more comfortable. Do not rub yourself dry with a towel—instead, use it to pat your skin almost dry, making sure to leave a little moisture on the surface. Trap the moisture against your skin by immediately applying the aloe vera moisturizer to any affected area.

• Finally, drink lots of water while your burn is healing to replace the extra water your body is using to repair your dry, damaged skin.

Muscle Ache Soother

After a strenuous workout, whether at the gym, during a big grocery shop, playing with little kids, or sneezing wrong (it happens!), our muscles get sore. Here’s a simple balm that relies on the power of essential oils to soothe aching muscles.

• In a small, microwave-safe bowl, add 1 teaspoon (5 mL) beeswax, 1 tablespoon (15 mL) coconut oil, and 1 teaspoon (5 mL) olive oil. Heat for 5 seconds on high power to melt; return to microwave for a few more seconds if necessary. Stir to combine and allow the mixture to cool for 5 minutes. Add 5 drops rosemary essential oil, 5 drops peppermint essential oil, and 5 drops lavender essential oil and stir to thoroughly combine. Before the balm sets, pour into a clean, resealable, wide-mouthed 2-ounce (30 mL) glass jar or storage tin. To use, apply the balm with your fingertips to the affected muscles.

NOTE: Like many such remedies, the massaging works best when administered by a trusted (perhaps even beloved?) second party.

Indigestion Relief

Often connected to overindulgence at mealtime, dyspepsia (the ten-dollar word for indigestion) is a feeling of discomfort in the abdomen. It happens to lots of people, and the causes for it can include any number of factors, from diet (overeating, spicy foods) to personal habits (running, wearing too-tight pants, bending over after eating) to disease (ulcers, for example). For most forms of mild indigestion, this simple tea will soothe the savage stomach, but if the pain persists or returns for more than a week or two, be sure to consult a doctor.

• In a coffee mug, grate a 1-inch (2.5 cm) knob of peeled fresh ginger. Add 1 teaspoon (5 mL) honey and ½ teaspoon (2.5 mL) baking soda, and top off with warm water. Stir to combine and slowly sip as the mixture cools.

NOTE: Baking soda is a base and will help neutralize the acid in the stomach, while ginger is clinically proven to soothe an upset stomach and curb nausea.