The Next Big Thing..... Turmeric

Growing up with parents from the West Indies there are certain things that are second nature, for instance Curry, I've eaten Curry all my life. Whether it was chicken, beef, goat... Curry was a staple in our home, also a staple were seasonings like Cumin, Geera, Tandoori, Cardamon and Turmeric. These are not new or mysterious to me, but in the mainstream, they are definitely exotic. Ironically, as I was getting ready to write this post there was an ad pop up about Turmeric and its benefits to ease joint pain.

What is Turmeric? *Turmeric is a plant. You probably know turmeric as the main spice in curry. It has a warm, bitter taste and is frequently used to flavor or color curry powders, mustards, butters, and cheeses. But the root of turmeric is also used widely to make medicine.


There are a mulitude of benefits Turmeric provides to not only our joints, but to our overall health.
*Here are the benefits of Turmeric in our body:

• Eases joint pain
• Heartburn
• Stomach issues
• Jaundice and liver problems
• Loss of appetite
• Gallbladder issues

Turmeric can be ingested in food or as a tea, you can even mix a bit in your detox water for added benefits. I especially love to use Turmeric in rice an peas, it gives the rice a beautiful yellow color and add great flavor to an ordinary dish.

**The topical (on the skin) benefits of Turmeric are:

• It has anti-inflammatory properties, which reduce skin inflammation, pigmentation and blemishes.
• It has antibacterial properties, which help reduce acne, especially when used with other natural ingredients.
• It has anti-aging properties, which help prevent and improve dry skin and wrinkles, thus slowing the process of aging to help your skin look younger.

I use a combination of Turmeric powder and Eucalyptus Mint Essential Oil blend in my WBS Herbals soap. I have used a bar for 2 weeks now and I have noticed some scars on my arm have began to lighten...Yay! The great thing about Turmeric powder is it creates a very fine exfoliant in the soap and the blending of the Eucalyptus Mint make for a soothing scent.

Check out the links below for more information on this amazing, soon to be the new super food and learn more bout how it can benefit your overall health. Also grab a bar of my WBS Herbals Turmeric soap...

Source: *http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-662-TURMERIC.aspx?activeIngredientId=662&activeIngredientName=TURMERIC

**http://www.med-health.net/Turmeric-Powder-For-Skin.html 

All the world is a learning experience

You've heard the phrase " you're never too old to go back to school". This is very true, for me however, I'm not going back to the classroom. I love to learn new techniques, especially in soap and body care.I have experimented before with lotions and body sprays to help expand my business, I am still working out the best bases to use so it is an on going learning process in which I find is one of my favorite parts about my business. Which brings me to the point and also a hint of what is to come from my company. My Hubs whom is very supportive in my business venture came to me recently with complaint/idea. He likes to use shower gel over bar soap, his most recent gel soap purchase contain Menthol, which by no real stretch of the imagination, leave a "tingling" sensation on the skin. The issue was, he didn't know the gel had menthol in it, so needless to say what was supposed to be a relaxing shower after a hard day's work, turned in to a "that ish burns, what the hell did I buy" aftermath... lol.

After the tingle subsided he came to me and asked if I could make him a shower gel that he could use. This sent my head into a spin... What would I create? What additives should I try? What scent should I create? Thus the research started and I have come up with a gel I think he will like and that would be beneficial to his skin. First, I'm starting with an organic base that is all plant derived and does not contain SLS (Sodium lauryl sulfate) which is known to be very harmful to our health. Second, I am adding activated charcoal for it detoxifying properties and jojoba granules as an exfoliate. Lastly, and most tricky is a blend of essential oils that will help neutralize odor, aid in skin cleansing, refresh the body and if blended well leave a wonderful scent.I feel like a bit of a mad scientist mixing and testing the combinations of Clove oil, Lavender Essential Oil and Rosemary Essential Oil. Working on a ratio of 3:2:1 ( 3 parts light top note fragrance, 2 parts mid note scents and 1 part bottom note) Most fragrances are built this way and it all depends on how the oils absorb in the skin the faster top note to the slower bottom notes. I think I came up with a great combination, though the Hubs thinks it smells like Christmas because on the Clove...lol.

I'm sure you are asking why this combination.. here are the benefits of these essential oils:
Clove Essential Oil - Though it is a numbing agent when applied to skin, the aroma therapeutic qualities of this oil also make it a stimulant, helping with fatigue, depression and potentially as an aphrodisiac. Clove Oil smells like the spice and it is a wonderful blending oil. Clove has long been used in connection with respiratory ailments such as asthma and bronchitis (breathed in over a steam bath).

Rosemary Essential Oil - Rosemary is high in camphor and is traditionally used in decongestant blends and muscle pain relief blends (think 'Vicks Vapor Rub'). This distinctive smelling essential oil is considered stimulating in nature and is often found in energizing blends. Warnings: Do not use if pregnant, have high blood pressure or a history of seizures


Lavender Essential - Lavender is used for restlessness, insomnia, nervousness, and depression. Some people use lavender for painful conditions including migraine headaches, toothaches, sprains, nerve pain, sores, and joint pain. It is also used for acne and cancer, and to promote menstruation.



I will keep you posted on my new concoction...

*Source - Clove Essential Oil, Lavender Essential Oil, Rosemary Essential Oil