All Natural Hair Mask (w/ Bentonite Clay)

Thanks again to Gio who allowed for me to use his hair for this hair mask demonstration. My brother catches a lot of attention for having a massive blonde afro. Though it is amazing to see, it can sometimes be a pain to deal with color-treated natural hair. I opted for doing a bentonite clay mask treatment to revive his curls, clarify his hair and provide an all-natural conditioning option for him to use regularly.

Since my brothers hair is color treated and afro textured, I opted for less vinegar and more aloe vera juice. There are many different recipes for bentonite clay hair masks. I never recommend a one-size fits all approach when it comes to hair care. Experiment! See what works for your hair and stick to it!

• 3/4 cup Bentonite Clay (depending on hair length you may have extra - which you can save for later)
• 1/3 cup Apple Cider Vinegar (use 1/2 cup or more if your hair texture is looser and tends to get oily easily) 
• 1 cup Nettle Tea 
• 5-7 drops Eucalyptus Essential Oil
• 5-7 Tea Tree Essential Oil 

Mix the ingredients immediately. Stirring thoroughly until clumps are removed from the mixture. 

Section the hair life so.. applying the mask quickly to each section and coating the strands generously. As you are applying the hair mask, be sure to comb out your hair thoroughly. 

Be sure to work really fast! It should take about 5 minutes to apply the product since the mask temporarily stiffens the hair.    If you have a lot of hair I would recommend applying the mask in four sections individually and washing each quadrant individually instead of doing it all together in a rushed fashion. 

RESULTS: My mother and I immediately noticed how amazing my brother's hair looked and felt. It was thoroughly clean yet did not have the drying effect that a lot of conventional hair shampoos tend have on afro-textured hair.  Feel free to condition the hair after you apply the mask for a more moisturizing effect. 

Nettle Tea

I have to pay homage to my go-to-tea for almost any ailment. I mostly use it for menstrual cramps and bloatedness during my period.

It has a bit of a "spinaghy" taste to it which is great for those who enjoy leafy greens. If you don't fit in this category, I have found that steeping bits of ginger root with nettle gives it a taste similar to a pungent vegetable broth.

Some reported benefits of nettles/stinging nettles:
Uncontrollable bleeding
Stomach disorders
Asthma
Wound healing
Urinary infections
Circulation etc.





DISCLAIMER: I do not endorse any of the aforementioned companies listed on this blog post. I encourage you to do extensive research prior to purchasing herbs . It is always best to speak to a medical physician, clinical herbalist or any other trained or credentialed adviser before consuming herbal products.

DIY Journal Cover

Ok...

So I wanted to spruce up my spiritual journal that I have been using for over a year. Decorating can be a great way to revive or renew any object to give it a new or greater purpose. I wanted for this journal to stand out amongst all of my others since I use it to write prayers, describe reiki sessons, or jot down specifics of dreams.

Supplies:
Cardboard cut up into shapes of your choice
Nail Polish - At least 3 different types
Craft gems and pearls with a flat surface
Scissors
Notebook with a plastic cover
Recycled Paper Bag
Crazy Glue

Optional: glitter, sea salt.

You may also want to use a plastic cover it your notebook comes with it.

Decorate them to your liking! This was the most enjoyable part by far. Be creative. 

Use notebook cover as a template to cut the paper bag. Try to add extra length to account for folding!

If you like the paper bag look then simply apply the shapes.

However, I wanted more of a mosaic feel to it so I took a few moments to pant the book cover. Allow the paint to dry for about 5 - 10 minutes.

Once the paint has dried, apply a plastic shield for your book cover. In this picture I am using a plastic cover that came with the original journal. It is important to note that if you have any 3D designs it will take up more space then you may have allotted. 

Facial Steam Baths

I like to use these steam baths to clean my nasal pathways when they are congested. I also use this as a remedy against anxiety and morning grogginess. It also serves as a wonderful way to open up clogged pores prior to using  facial masks.

Scented Flowers
Hot Water
Mixing Bowl
4-6 drops of Essential Oils (I put lavender in mine)

I use freshly picked lavender leaves and put them in a mortar and pestle to squeeze the fragrances out. This is a subtle way to gain aroma without the potential harshness of inhaling essential oils.

Add lavender flower and leaves, dried chamomile flowers, and mint leaves. 

Let it steep for a few moments and then inhale. I also use a towel when apply my face to the bowl to get the full effects of the steam on my face.

Be sure your face is a few inches away from the bowl so that you avoid irritating your eyes or inhaling the fragrances to the point of nausea. If you have asthma or other respiratory issues be sure to consult a physician before adopting this as a daily regimen.

All Natural Toothpaste

Bentonite Clay has been one of my favorite staples since 2010. When I was transitioning from chemically processed to natural hair, I would make Bentonite Clay hair masks to deal with hair breakage that occurred at the line of demarcation. Little did I know I could use this same clay to create an all natural toothpaste as an alternative to fluoride toothpaste and store-brand "natural" toothpastes that contain chemicals.

Here are the ingredients involved: (I use a smaller amount then listed since I like to switch up the mixtures). 

• 1/2 tbsp of Bentonite Clay
• 5 to 6 drops of essential oils (My personal favorites are clove oil, eucalyptus oil and tea tree oil.) *
• 1 tsp of sea salt
• 1 tbsp Distilled Water
• Mixing bowl and/or container 

* Clove oil and eucalyptus oil have been shown to fight against cavities . I add tea tree oil for an extra boost since it reportedly helps against gum disease. 

Add bentonite clay and sea salt to mortar and pestle

Add distilled water little by little until you get the consistency that you are looking for

Feel free to add the essential oils of your choosing 

It should have a texture similar to paste.

Apply mixture to toothbrush and brush away! 

Disclaimer: I am not a physician nor do I claim to be knowledgeable of what will be appropriate for you and your oral care. It is advisable that you consult a knowledgeable professional who may before you engage in home remedies. All recipes and information listed on this site are for educational purposes only. Experiment at your own risk.