Which Flavor Lip Balms to Make???

Hi.

I'm making lip balms today. The two I made for this winter are killer recipes. They are smooth and glide on so easily and smell awesome. I made Chocolate Mint Lip Balm and Orange Wax Lip Balm, and they have been very popular. Yay!

Now, I would like to make some more. I have this awesome vanilla flavor oil I'd like to mix with some peppermint oil for another new one. But, I'm sitting on some fun flavor oils, too. They include:

Vanilla Hazelnut

Orange Sorbet

Honey

Peach

French Vanilla

Bubble Gum

Pina Colada

Chai Tea

Pineapple & tangerine

Vanilla (yummy)

I don't use sweetners in my lips balms. Although edible, not a really good thing to do...so, I make them aromatic but not sweet. In fact, flavor oil do not taste - they only smell. So, it wouldn't do us any good to eat it anyway.

I also have several essential oils that may be mixed with the vanilla or such, like the one I'm making with vanilla and peppermint. That is fun, too.

If you would like to have some input into this dilemma, I would love to have it. If not, I'll come up with something, and hopefully, it will be good. Ha ha ha ha

Thanks, Kathleen

ps. Oh, yeah. I'm loving the new natural oval tubes I'm now using. Once I got used to it, I like it better than the round. I notice Avon is using a new oval tube, too. Lol

Whipped Winter Butter in new Etsy Treasury

I have just learned how to screen shoot a web page, save it to "paint" software, and post it to my blog. I am so lucky in that this is the 5th treasury in less than a month that has cradled one of my products. My whipped Winter Butter has been in three, the large size is in this one.

The curator, shaprink, makes her own blank books and stationery which make unique gifts and functional art. She would love to have your visit.

Thank you for visiting my post. I appreciate your celebrating with me. :)

Kathleen of Sweet Creek Herbal Soaps

Sweet Creek Herbal Soaps

Sweet Creek Herbal Soaps

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Free Shipping Sale

Hi you all.

I'm having a blowout of a sale. I've decided to do Free Shipping (domestic) for all orders regardless of the minimum. I'm knocking $5.00 off shipping for all international orders, too.

This sale will run from today (11-30-2009) through December 22, 2009. It is my Christmas present to you, my customer. Happy Holidays!

I've also listed (and am still listing) new products. I listed two new soaps today: Apple Cinnamon pink and green layered soap and Raspberry Butter with aloe butter and all natural fragrance oil.

I'm listing two essential oil blends: 4 thieves oil and Toothbrush oil, and a new gift pack called Orange Paradise.

Thanks for reading. I'll be back soon with a more serious post. :)k

Eureka Inn Etsy Holiday Craft Show Pictures

Hi everyone:

This was a fun show. I have never done a craft show of this type.

First, almost all the vendors are Etsy sellers. That is a first for me. And, it was awesome and so much fun to talk "Etsy" comparing notes and techniques. I have worked many craft shows, and this was the first time there was a camaraderie deeper than usual. A

nice connection.

Second, this show was held in a historic Inn. Every room in this Inn is different from the rest; they are all unique. They are also named along with a number, not just a number. I set up in the

Garden View Room, while across from me was The Cook's Room. They were all decorated according to their name.

Third, I was the only soap maker there. Yay! That is a lot of fun and extremely rare. So, I thoroughly enjoyed it.

I met three vendors I would like to interview and show their wares on my blog. Be looking for that.

Enjoy the pictures. Thanks for reading again. :)K

PS. One of my products, my new Whipped Winter Butter, is in a treasury through Tuesday. I'd love to have you check it out at: http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=95598 ♥

Historic Eureka Inn Holiday Craft Show NOVEMBER 21, 2009 (12PM-6PM)

Historic Eureka Inn Holiday Craft Show

NOVEMBER 21, 2009 (12PM-6PM)

Hi everyone. I am participating in an unusual (for me) craft show this weekend. It is predominantly a craft show filled with Etsy sellers. Though we have at least two that are not Etsy, it looks like an Etsy gathering. I did not include myself in this listing, it is a list of my fellow craft vendors. I hope if you are nearby you will come and visit our show. The above Etsy mini reflects items from the shops below. You are very welcomed to click on them and visit their shops. :) enjoy!!! and thank you!

The Hippie Hempstress is known for her hand knitted cowls and fingerless gloves. She loves to do originals for customers.

History Repeating History Repeating is two ladies that are just smitten with handwork from the past! They want to share their love of the more genteel era with you! They take special requests, as well.

SummerField Farm Whether you live on a farm or in the city, you will enjoy a piece of my "farmgirl

equipment"! Who says farmgirls have to be tomboys with mudboots? We can do the job with style and grace! Please check her place out - her pictures were unruly here.

Art by Jean Ann Poore I am an artist from East Tennessee, in between the beautiful Appalachian Mountains and the Great Smoky Mountains! My work is original artwork done in oils.

Jeri's Jewels I have become so fascinated with what you can do with beads and how much you can express yourself that I have decided to set up a store on Etsy. I hope you enjoy my jewelry as much as I enjoy making it!

Grandma Bessie's Custom Shop THE HOME GRANDPARENT THEMED MERCHANDISE AND QUILTED AND EMBROIDERED ITEMS, which includes sweatshirts, pillows, towels, tote bags, and more.

Play Pretty Hairbobs I began making hair accessories to match their special outfits for

Christmas and Easter nearly seven years ago. Now I am offering my creations for your little princess to enjoy. Don't just play...pLaY pReTtY!!

Creative Touches Creation Fabric Bakery for Children's Pretend Play or Display These few words and pictures explains this shop completely.

LaPella Pottery is the pottery shop of Lisa and Alex LaPella. Alex specializes in ceramic hand drums that are durable and tunable. Lisa LaPella makes stoneware pendants and jewelry. Both potters focus on handmade, functional, wheel thrown pottery that brings art and beauty into the mundane.

Flower Hill Botanicals Flower Hill is located in the lovely foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. From my hillside I have beautiful views of the mountains in the distance, which is a creative inspiration for gardening, floral preservation and designing with natural materials.

My Baby's Time I would love to have the honor of creating a one-of-a-kind book to celebrate all the precious moments of your baby's first year! Convo me and we can get started planning your custom book! Contact me.

Shaprink Unique Gifts We began as a business in 2007 with the stated purpose of creating unique gifts and functional art. Shaprink: Unique Gifts - Functional Art

Becky's Bag & Baggage Shop I love to sew, mostly quilts and currently handbags are my passion. I enjoy making jewelry and sewing beads to my fabric creations. I am a small business person. I am a stay at home grandmother to three little boys. They keep me very busy, but I must create with fabric in my spare time to maintain sanity!

Sisters Act Two Hi there from Tennessee!! I have been sewing for at least 40 years so have used a few spools of thread!! you will find lots of great items for gifts or for you to keep in your own home. All items are those practical things you will actually use, not just stick in a drawer somewhere. I do take pride in my work and love sewing. It is a stress buster.

Just the Right Thing! Is not on Etsy, but specializes in Chinese freshwater pearls, various Asian items such as silk and brocade, plus unusual gift items. Shows are by invitation-only with guests welcome. Most shows are held in Tennessee and Texas, but occasionally shows are held in other states. Whatever your jewelry needs, we have ...Just the Right Thing !

An Allice J. Collection is not online; but a bit of her lovely jewelry can be seen at the Historic Eureka Inn Holiday Blog - which is where it will take you if you click on it.

Well, folks, there are the list of vendors. This time, the pictures are in the Table of Pics above. If you have any questions about it or needing directions, please contact me. I sure would love to see a lot of you there. Thanks again for reading...:)k

Winter Whipped Butter

I've just got to talk about my new whipped butter.

Up until now, I've just whipped shea butter. It is a super butter to whip and when adding about 25% oils to it while whipping, it is awesome in its ability to sink into the skin and leave it ever so soft.

So, whipping mango butter is a new experience for me. But, it is awesome, too. Upon whipping a blend of mostly mango butter, some shealoe butter, and the coffee butter, this product takes on the consistency of whipped cream. It is so scrumptious looking.

What brought on the idea was finding jasmine floral wax and coffee butter on sale with one of my suppliers. They had more than that on sale, but these two new items "beckoned" me. Lol.

Coffee and jasmine - just sounded so good. I knew I could not use shea butter, because the aroma would offset the aroma of the two new ingredients. So, mango butter is so low on the aroma scale, I decided to try whipping it. I love whipping it and using it whipped. It is a very softening butter and melts right into the skin when whipped with other products. It is awesome in appearance when whipped, too.

The coffee butter melts real well and whips nicely with the mango butter. The jasmine floral wax is tough to melt. It has to be melted above the using temp. and brought back down to the using temp. before whipping it into the product.

After whipping my ingredients, I found the coffee butter stronger in aroma than the jasmine. So, I added a couple of drops of jasmine sambac absolute and hand stirred each butter jar. I felt like I was working an apothecary. It was so cool. And, I got to hand stir each jar of butter for my customers.

Did you know a hand stirred butter is a very airy butter with wonderful moisturizing properties? I am enjoying mine so much right now. I hope you find it in yourself to enjoy one, too.

Again, thank you for reading. :)k

Cocoa Vanilla - New Soap

The controversy is the fragrance oil used in soap.

So many soapers believe that the time has come to product all natural soaps. So true, it is time. And, so all my soap recipes are 100% natural soap. However, adding a fragrance oil usually makes the soap less than 100% natural.

And, of course, the difference between essential oil and fragrance oil should be brought out here. Essential oils, when you see that ingredient in your soap, means you are getting an all natural plant oil or wood resin oil in your soap. Cedar, cypress, lavender, patchouli, rose geranium...are essential oils that are often added to soap.

Vanilla, rose, hazelnut, christmas pine, and other fragrances are oils added to soap just for scent. And, it is widely believed this detracts from an all natural soap.

Well, this is my take on the whole thing:

Fragrance oils do detract from an all natural soap only in the sense it has added synthetic oil to create a lovely scent. It cannot be called "all natural" now. This soap I'm adding to my shop has added Vanilla Fragranc oil to it. It is all natural except for that. So, I cannot call it an all natural soap. When all ingredients are added and percents are calculated, it now becomes an 96% natural soap.

I do think many of our synthetic detergents with all their synthetic ingredients, including fragrances, have led us to many dermatology problems. But, if your skin is NOT sensitive, then I think using all natural soaps with synthetic fragrances is not harmful. At least, it has not harmed me, but my skin is not sensitive.

I'd love to know what you think?

Also, I'm getting ready to do a give away here on my Blog. I'm not sure what type of give away pleases most, but I'm open to suggestions on that, too.

Again, thank you for reading. :)k

Cypress Christmas - New Bath Soap

Hi again.

I've listed a new soap at my Etsy shop.

I'm going to answer a question I never do while writing my description. I'm going to write about why I made this soap.

First of all, it is a Holiday or winter, 2009 soap. And, I don't usually make "holiday" soaps. So, why make it?

I made my first holiday soap for Halloween with my Etsy street team (EGCG). It was so much fun, I wanted to do a holiday soap again. Christmas is the very next holiday I could get in on, and so, I made 2 actually (but, the second one is still curing and so not for peeking at until listed).

This one is scented with the essential oil of cypress - nothing else. Pine is a bit too sweet and pungent for my taste. Balsam fir is nice, but I made that three years ago, and it sold moderately. There are other evergreen scents, but I use cypress in many of my blends, and so it was the first one I thought of. And, it is wonderful. It smells like I am in an evergreen wood with the quietness of a new fallen snow.

I wanted to play with color a bit, too. I used parsley in part of my soap and layered it green and white. However, to do it again, I would add more soap to the parsley. But, it still has a nice appearance with an icing sort of top instead of a layered look.

And, this soap is the one that helped me see my new packaging with the "present" look about it. I really like my new labels, and this soap led to my seeing it. So, I will probably make this soap again.

Another reason for this soap is an excuse to use hemp seed oil added at trace (instead of in the

recipe, like my Eucalyptus Lime soap). I wondered at the lather of such a soap - hemp seed tends to add creamy richness to lather and conditioning properties, too. This recipe is already

quite lathering, so I am curious.

And, my curiosity is quite gratified. I took this soap to my kitchen sink and washed my hands with it. Wow! The lather is just wonderful - thick, rich, creamy, and bubbly.

You may want to take a look at this beautiful soap today. Thanks for reading. :)k

A Rare Occurrence - A Sale at Sweet Creek Herbs

Hi you all.

This is a short blog to let you know about a fantastic sale going on right now at Sweet Creek Herbs.

This sale will last November 1 through November 7.

It is the easiest sale - all you have to do is order $10 minimum and checkout with PayPal or Google.

I will refund 15% to any and all orders that total at least $10 before shipping through PayPal or Google.

I have just introduced 22 new products for the winter, 2009, mostly for the feet and face, but other products, too. This is a great time to try out my new products. It is also a good time to try out products priced a bit higher than our budget normally allows.

And, it is NOT too early to think about Christmas gifts.

Thanks!

22 New Listings at Etsy!!

Hi.

Yes, I know, and I apologize most sincerely. I went into a funk phase and found myself creating some new items like crazy, soaps and other skin care, and here I am on the other side.

It's been a tough time, no lie. I've been ill, my car wouldn't take me to 2 market days, and the rain has kept me from the rest. Hard to do without when you are use to doing with.

But, I cannot argue with the results, and maybe that is what it takes sometimes, a down time to let the creative juices flow.

I welcome you to my shop between now and January 1 to view all lovely 22 new products, as well as substantial price decreases on the rest.

I'm posting this on Twitter and Facebook; I'm also celebrating my 600th sale at Etsy by giving the next three orders at my Etsy shop a FREE Foot Soak bag, value $2.95. No minimum order required.

Thank you and everyone who visited and bought from my shop; the reason I'm celebrating today. :D ♥♥♥

New Etsy Finds

I call it "Etsy Finds on Soap Molds and Beveler". I had a lot of fun finding them. I think I'd like to tell you a bit about them.

The first is a hand poured original design mold by Grand Horse. This particular one is a silicone mold of a full size bath bar. I just love it. It is original, and therefore, a bit costly. But, somethings in life are just worth it. This sure looks like one of those items.

The second is by Saharas Supplies. I include it, because this little Etsy shop carries over 100 molds. That is a great selection. And, some of them are very hard to find elsewhere. I especially like the one I included in my "finds".

The third find is by Tart Molds by K. They make their own wax tart molds out of silicone. They are very nice molds for soap embeds or sample/guest size soaps. I especially like the honey bee and honeycomb one.

The fourth find is by Native Baby. She carries quite a few silicone and other molds for soap makers who enjoy animals and other fun shapes. I like the mini loaf pans for melt and pour with soap embeds. But, I had to include the doggy mold. How cute for pet soap!

And, my fifth include is not a soap mold, but a simply and seemingly well-made soap beveler. It is a simple design, but simple designs work best for me. I'm very tempted, here, to check out beveled soaps!!

And, so my dear readers, here are the new Etsy finds of the season. With soap makers every where getting ready for the Holidays, these are great finds to encourage a little creativity and unique displays of rare and beautiful soaps.

:)kathleen

Appalachian Fair 2009 Eye Candy

Hi. I'm doing a show at the Appalachian Fair this week. It is a tough week, because this show is 1 1/2 hours from my home, and I am commuting daily. It is also from 3 to 10 pm., and I am usually abed before 10 - so the schedule throws me off a bit. I also demonstrate at this show, and that requires some serious prep work.

I would like to just post some pictures today. I'll be back with some more...but this will get us started.

One of my favorite things about this gig is the herb garden cared for outside the building I do my show. It is the nicest herb garden in a formal setting. I enjoy sitting out here when I take a break. I also walk it before I begin my show. It has herbs from other cultures and many varieties of standard herbs. I just love it.

The museum will raffle off their quilts, one each year. This is a magnificent quilt - pictures cannot do it justice. I keep telling the ladies I appreciate their watching over my quilt like that. I bought 3 tickets! :D

Of course, there are other crafters there, as well. If you are invited to participate, you may demonstrate your craft, set up your booth, and sell your products for free. Other booths cost $550 and $750 each. So, I feel this is a really good gig, a win-win situation, because I am adding to inventory and selling my wares all at the same time for free (just my gas). It is also my time to prove my authenticity to my local customers.

This is my fourth year at the Fair, and these ladies are here every time. They volunteer their time to work on quilts for the Museum during the Fair week. I am impressed with their dedication and skill.

Inside the farm and museum building at the fair are other buildings. There is a small cabin showing beds and other antique furniture. And, there is an old fashioned candy store, too. It is a big hit at the Fair.

This is my Lavender Sea Salt soap at the Fair. I have to tell you it is my best seller so far. I sold 3 Monday, and 3 yesterday. This is the only one with which I've sold 6 soaps. My pet soap is next

with 4.

My set up Monday. It looks different today, mostly

because I thought it looked too busy here. I took out the organza bath teas and some of the gift items, and it seems easier to manipulate with your eyes now. I will take another pic of it today to show what I mean.

And, finally but definitely not least, I meet some

really neat people. And, these ladies were two of the finest.

As always, thanks for looking. You readers are the best in my book. ;)K

Another Blog on Soap Making

Hi.

This is a short post to announce my new blog. The address is http://sweetcreeksoapmaking.blogspot.com. I would love you to check out this new blog I've created. I've just published my first post on Olive Oil Soap Making.

I want a blog that is more business oriented and allows me that outlet for talking about the professional aspects, the opinions that abound, new products, new processes, and all other aspects of being a business soaper.

I love this blog you are presently reading for all my other writes, especially on herbs and herbal products. I will keep this more garden and personal oriented.

I hope to see you there as well as here. I appreciate all of you who read me and make such wonderful, thoughtful comments. Thank you very much for that.

Sincerely, kathleen

Chamomile

German Chamomile or Matricaria recutita (or chamomilla)

A skin care herb I use a lot in my products. In fact, I often tell customers my top three herbs are the three C’s – calendula, chamomile, and comfrey; followed by marsh mallow, lavender, rosemary, peppermint, echinacea, meadowsweet, lemon grass, basil, eucalyptus, and more.

Chamomile is widely available in three species: roman, german, and wild. Interestingly, while the roman and german share many properties and appearance, they do not share the same genus. All three seem to have beneficial properties for our skin and in aromatherapy.

I personally like the essential oil of roman and the plant herb of german (although I grow the two species and the wild grows here, too). I have tried all three oils and all three herb plants – and I have my favorites.

I love the german chamomile herb. The flowers dry faster and better than the roman and have greater aromatic value than both the roman and wild. It produces a very aromatic herbal oil, especially if macerated with an odorless oil, such as almond or grape seed. (It is very important to have dried herbs when making herbal oils – otherwise rancidity will set in quite quickly.) I make this oil with elderflower for some of my products; and, I make it with st. johnswort for other of my products. Both oils are done in sweet almond, and smell just so good. I add the one with elderflower to my eye oil (MEmu), and it makes this fragrance-free oil smell deliciously and sweetly herbal.

German chamomile is better known for its anti-inflammatory properties (even though the roman and wild both have some), while it is less known for its sedating properties (while the roman is more know for this).

According to my RD Magic and Medicine of Plants, studies support many of the traditional benefits of chamomile. It seems chamomile also treats upset stomach and menstrual cramps. And, studies also support the anti-inflammatory action of chamomile. I use it in my first aid salve for that reason. I also use calendula to speed cell replacement and st. johnswort to staunch the bleeding...but the chamomile is for the pain and/or swelling resulting from the wound.

The most exciting side effect of this “medicine” is the aroma. Wow! It is so soothing and pleasing, it makes treatment a pleasure. ♥

As always, thanks again for reading what I think I have to say. :D

Rosemary in the Home

Rosemary or Rosmarinus officinalis

A skin care herb I am loving in my garden, in my home, on my skin, and in my hair. This is a luscious herb I enjoy very much.

My RD book writes this about rosemary...”a reputation for strengthening the memory, it soon became an emblem of fidelity for lovers...etc.” Another book writes that "students wore sprigs of rosemary in their hair while studying, brides wore it to show they’d remember their families, and the dead were buried with it to show they’d not be forgotten".

Most of us are familiar with the culinary aspects of rosemary. There are many recipes written for this herb alone, especially used in meat dishes of lamb and pork, as rosemary aids in the digestion of fats. Rosemary makes awesome herb butter and is delicious in baked potatoes, too. The stems of rosemary are placed on a grill to discourage insects and release a fantastic aroma.

You can also bring in a few fresh branches from the plant to create a wonderful aroma in the air of any room. This is perfect for the bathroom...lovely and aromatic.

I’ve used rosemary all these ways and more. I have placed a few leaves of rosemary in my bath to stimulate my poor blood circulation. It is quite therapeutic in its aroma, I think. It is written that it helps with muscle aches, too.

I know its reputation for eliminating lice and lice egg sacks from the hair. It also seems to impart good health and shine to hair, also. I’ve read it is for dark or red headed people, but I have light headed customers who enjoy it very much.

It is also a strong disinfectant – a good house cleaning essential oil. (I think Pine, Lemon, Rosemary, and Peppermint are the best for this use. A future blog?)

Rosemary can grow in mild to temperate zones with many varieties to choose from. It actually can thrive in a pot and brought indoors during winter. Rosemary does not need a dormancy time. So, most of us could enjoy rosemary year round. If you choose to grow herbs, this should be in the top 5, in my opinion.

My favorite way to enjoy rosemary is just to smell it. I love its fragrance so very much; I can smell this daily and not get headaches from too much aroma.

And, I AM hoping it IS improving my memory, because, as most come to know, I sure do need that.

As always, thanks for reading! :)k

Lavender in the Bath

Lavender! I am a soap maker of 5 years, and this is by far the most asked for oil and scent in my market.

Apparently, even the word lavender is associated with the bath. It comes from the Latin work "lavare", which means "to wash". The Greeks and Romans used lavender water with which to rinse their bed sheets. Lavender water was a popular face wash 14th through the 19th centuries. (1) And, it was a popular strewing herb for its insect & mice repellent properties, as well as the long lasting fragrance of the plants. (2)

Keville & Green (1) write that is a good oil for all skin types. They say it is a cell regenerative that actually helps in preventing stretch marks and skin scars. It reads to be a pretty awesome skin herb and oil.

Lavender also enjoys the reputation of a "balancing" oil, which means that if you are tense and stressed, lavender tends to relax; and where you are lethargic or even irritable, lavender can "raise the spirit" and stimulate into action.

Mind, Body, & Spirit write "lavender is the perfect bathroom oil...it will relax your mind and muscles after a hard day's work, and is also good for your skin and hair."

I read in three sources out of three that lavender is good for acne, burns, and for delicate and sensitive skin; it also speeds cell replacement.

It is not the only oil and/or herb good for the bath, skin, and hair, but it is a good one with which to start a new regime of natural products. From lavender, you may want to go more woodsy (cypress is my favorite), more flowery (rose geranium comes to mind), or more fruity (LEMON, yay!), but I think Lavender is a great place from which to begin your aromatherapy adventure.

I have also read that lavender is one of two oils that seem safe enough to use undiluted. The other being Tea Tree oil from Australia. When I go out in public, I use a drop as my natural deodorant - it works very well without fear of negative side effects. And, I KNOW it

keeps me de-stressed, because my reputation seems one of a "friend to all". Now, I know me better than that. But, it seems, others don't know my ugly side...probably thanks to this lavender deodorant. *laugh*

I had a customer at the market yesterday who found all my lavender products too weak. Someone had given her a lavender spray that made her feel so good she said, but it was much stronger than any of my products. Odd. I use between 2 and 3%, the high end on the aromatherapy scale. I found out she had been given a lavender "fragrance" spray - not essential

spray. She was convinced she had the real deal when in fact, she had a man made synthetic fragrance - not plant derived at all.

Does this make a difference? Yes, it does. Lavender has molecules of alcohols, ketones, and esters to make it what it is. These molecules actually attach themselves to some of our own cells and effect change.

The molecules of fragrance oils linger and hang out, but do not connect. When a molecule of plant oil connects to other molecules, it can and does effect change. This is what gets rid of odor molecules - change the molecular structure. Fragrance oil or man made molecules do not connect to other molecules, and therefore do not effect change. It masks odors but does not eliminate them. Plant oils actually eliminate them as they connect and effect change. This is my understanding of how aromatherapy works.

So, when you pick up your lavender product, read the label. If it reads a bit "fishy", then it is probably fragrance oil. If the real lavender plant oil is used, somehow this reads out pretty boldly, because those of us who use the real oil want this to be known.

Do I have lavender oil in my products? Oh, yes. I don't own one bottle of Lavender fragrance oil. All my lavender is Essential oil. I think the price is fair enough to use even in soap. What products do I make with lavender oil? Oh, my gosh, several. Take a look...

Lavender Spray, 4 sizes of this lovely french lavender spray are offered.

Lavender Powder without the talc

Lavender Chamomile Lip Balm

Lavender Himalayan Bath Salts

Lavender Provence Salve two sizes, 2 oz. and 1/2 oz. I'm getting ready to list a 4 oz. too.

and several soaps and one shampoo bar

Lavender Shea is the shampoo bar

Lavender Lemon is a nice hand soap with poppy seed

Lavender Rose Buds is a cocoa butter bath soap

Lavender Peppermint, another cocoa butter bath soap

Lavender Rose is a avocado oil bath soap

Lavender Oats is just lavender oil alone

and several soaps have lavender in it as part of a blend, such as

Pine Tar bath soap

Marshmallow Mellow Shampoo bar

Marshmallow Bath soap

plus more...

And, as always, Thanks, kathleen

(1) AROMATHERAPY A Complete Guide to the Healing Art by Kathi Keville & Mindy Green, The Crossing Press, 1997

(2)HERBS with contributing editor Lesley Bremness, Reader's digest, NY, 1990

(3) Natural Healing, by Mind, Body, & Spirit

Thyme In Vinegar

I've made a few herbal vinegars in my time, but the one I enjoy most is Thyme.

Don't groan...it is true.

I make a thyme vinegar every year with fresh dried thyme. I pack quart jars with this year's dried thyme and pour apple cider

vinegar over it until covered. I cover them with a lid and place in a sunny window for up to two or more weeks. I shake them at least once every day.

And, while it may be true that creeping thyme has the strongest medicinal qualities, garden or common thyme is most commonly used in cooking, so it is my thyme of choice. I use my thyme vinegar for cooking, a digestive tonic, and a medicine for colon viruses. Using garden thyme allows me to use only one thyme vinegar.

I can share a few ways right off my mind...substitute it for use in barbecue sauce recipes, use it on cooked greens, use it as the vinegar in oil and vinegar dressings for salads, and a few drops on baking fish does a good job, too.

Also, after a heavy meal, like lasagna or spaghetti, or eating too much, I will swallow a teaspoon or two of this vinegar to prevent getting heartburn. The heavy feeling in my belly subsides, too.

Until I made this vinegar, I used lemon juice on colon viruses. Now, I use this vinegar. Thyme is reported to have strong disinfectant qualities, and may be the reason it helps my family.

Oh, btw, while I was outside taking pictures today, I had to take this one. I like to try and capture bees and butterflies on flowers, but rarely remember to do so. I went over to take my first pics of sunflowers this year when I saw this bee. Isn't it a nice pic?

Until next time...me.

Catnip

A little-known herb. A common weed for some. Many, who do remember it from their childhood days, say their grandmothers grew and, now that they think on it, used it.

I did not grow up around herb usage. I stumbled upon herbs as an adult. But, it was love at first stumble. I am still fascinated by the properties of so many of our herbs. There seems to be many definitions of that term: herbs. But, I find I like this one: whatever plant material that benefits the body. This means edible flowers, veggies, fruits, and mushrooms, too.

But, catnip is an herb not commonly used. I think it should be. Here are the many reasons for thinking so.

Catnip as an Insect Repellant

Catnip is a very effective insect repellant against mosquitoes, other kinds of flies (like gnats and no see-ums), and cockroaches. I find it works just slapping the branch of a catnip plant on my person. However, catnip macerated in an oil works, too; as well as catnip essential oil in a spray (even though it is catnip, do not use this on your cat – they do not process essential oils through their liver very well). Studies back this natural insect repellant claim. Check the following sites out:

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2001/08/010828075659.htm

http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.1603/0046-225X(2004)033[1562:CNCLLC]2.0.CO;2

http://www.ars.usda.gov/research/publications/publications.htm?SEQ_NO_115=158336

And,

http://www.nfm-online.com/tabId/105/itemId/2980/Never-mind-the-DEET--bug-off-naturally.aspx

There are many, many sites you may explore for more studies of this type. Google catnip studies. You may also be interested in the strewing properties of catnip.

Catnip as a Nervine Tea

The first few books I picked up on herbs indicated Catnip tea would settle the nerves. I had also read bee balm (monarda) tea relaxes the muscles. I thought – what a magnificent pair. So, I made tea from these two herbs many, many times. It is a knockout flavor with a wonderful feeling of contentment when I enjoy this brew. I also think you shouldn’t drink an herbal tea on the run – it is to be enjoyed thoroughly while relaxing and putting our feet up to do so. Now, some say that is what relaxes a person – sitting down to drink the tea. Well, and if it is? I, personally, think the combination of sitting and drinking the tea is what does the trick. They both work toward relaxing our bodies.

My infant son also knows catnip tea. By the dropper, he learned the benefits of catnip on the colon and digestive involuntary muscles – relaxing them so that he could pass gas.

The following sites indicate others who advocate drinking catnip tea. This is also a controversial subject.

http://elitehealthresources.com/medicine/understanding-the-benefits-of-catnip-tea.php

http://www.localharvest.org/catnip-tea-C5519

http://catnipteaguide.com/

Catnip with its side effects

This is a new side of catnip for me. My books only mention women expecting a baby should avoid catnip because of its effect on menstruation. I had a customer who is taking neurontin to check online to see if it is okay to also drink catnip tea. Well, I did, and first I found this:

http://books.google.com/books?id=NtbGLKxC7SgC&pg=PA155&lpg=PA155&dq=neurontin+interaction+w

ith+catnip&source=bl&ots=wFfVNmVRRg&sig=gjRpsuaeOipqJCKRtgY7F3B7WgI&hl=en&ei=AQBSSufmD4OGtgeWjMyyBA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=6 on page 155 – reads the warning I found the day I researched this for her. Today, I’m trying to find that same site – and I cannot find it after several, several searches. But, instead, I found a few serious sites that back data that there are no serious interactions documented that deal with catnip. See these sites:

http://www.drugs.com/npc/catnip.html (at this site, I checked the interactions page – and none came up.)

http://www.peacehealth.org/kbase/cam/hn-2063002.htm (this site indicates catnip is not very powerful, period.)

So, I have to go back with my gut feeling and say catnip is safe. But, I sure would use low doses if I took other medicines just to be safe. I wonder, too, if we are only pawns in some power game, and really must decide this for ourselves. ?

This is a long blog – and I apologize. Catnip is not a very simple herb. But, it is wonderful. I hope you have a chance to experience it sometime.

Today, I’m listing a new product – Catnip Oil. I macerate my own catnip leaves in extra virgin olive oil and hemp seed oil. When I bottle it, I add a bit of jojoba for a longer shelf life and a thinner application. It is awesome for me in repelling no see-ums. And, this is one the studies seem to back up, esp. for mosquitoes and cockroaches. $8.00 for a 2 fl. oz. glass bottle of pure catnip oil, no fragrance or essential oils added, so that our young people may use it safely, too.