The leaves are turning color, and the Balloon Fiesta is starting this weekend here in the Albuquerque area. It’s a beautiful sight – lots of colorful balloons with colorful changing leaves. So, now that we’re fully into Fall (or Vata season), it’s important to stay warm and build immune health. The holidays are right around the corner, so be sure to get some rest to calm the nervous system. Follow some of these selfcare guidelines for October. Selfcare Guidelines for October

As we transition from the warmer season of summer to the cooler season of fall, we need to take extra care of our skin. Fall is the beginning of Vata season in Ayurveda; and Vata’s qualities are dry, light, cold and rough, so you may notice your skin taking on these qualities. As the weather gets colder, the body draws blood from the limbs into your core to protect the internal organs. This can cause the skin to look pale and become dry. So, you'll need to step up your skinca

The days are longer and warmer, children are out of school, and we turn our attention to summer activities, such as vacationing, pool parties, picknicks, and barbecues. To stay cool and healthy this June, follow some of these selfcare tips. Selfcare Tips for June Diet With the summer heat, you’ll want to focus on smaller, lighter meals, because they’re easier on your digestion, especially during the heat of the day. Choose from any of these seasonal foods.  Fruits that are in

Whipped body butters are super-rich and great for your skin. They're very effective at rejuvenating dry, damaged skin; and can be applied all over or just on problem areas, such as elbows, knees, or the heels of the feet. Although you can use them any time of the year, they’re especially beneficial during these cold winter months. This recipe is a bit time-consuming, but so worth it. It yields about 10 ounces of butter. Whipped Body Butter Recipe Materials Needed  2 oz. Unref

Cleansing the skin with oil is also an ancient Ayurvedic practice, which may seem strange at first, so let’s take a look at the skin and why oil is better at cleansing than soap and water.  Cleansing Your Face with Oil About the Skin The skin contains sebaceous glands that produce sebum, which is an oily, waxy substance that protects your skin from environmental pollutants and infection. It also naturally hydrates the skin.  When you wash with soap and water, you can wash aw

Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States.  Your skin is the largest organ of your body; and its functions are to protect you from heat, sunlight, injury, and infection; control your body temperature; and store water, fat, and vitamin D.  Considering all that your skin does for you, protect your skin to prevent skin cancer as much as possible. Protect Your Skin This Summer Types of Skin Cancer There are different types of skin cancer, but the most com

High dietary sugar intake causes so much damage to the body.  It can suppress the immune system, disturb vitamin and mineral balance, contribute to weight gain, and cause systemic inflammation. Chronic or systemic inflammation in the body leads to, or contributes to, the development of many chronic diseases, such as heart disease and diabetes. But high sugar intake can also contribute to aging skin.  Sugar and Your Aging Skin Cross-linking and glycation are processes that o

Herbal salves are useful for a variety of skin issues, including cuts, scrapes, bruises, irritated skin, dry skin, acne scars, arthritis, and so much more. They’re also easy to make, so this is the perfect project for beginner herbalists. So give it a try - make these herbal salves for natural skin care. Herbal Salves for Natural Skin Care Where to Get Your Herbs If you're a gardener, then you're all set; you can grow some of these herbs. If you don't wish to start from seed,

It’s early-Autumn and my lips are already getting dry and cracked. If yours are too, then make this lip balm with healing Calendula and soothing Coconut Oil. Calendula is an anti-inflammatory herb, ideal for chapped, brittle, or cracked lips; and Coconut Oil inhibits skin moisture loss and makes the skin smooth. The Calendula is infused in Olive Oil, which hydrates and nourishes dry, cracked, or chapped lips. Calendula Lip Balm Recipe for Dry, Cracked Lips I like making so

Facial scrubs are a type of exfoliation for the face, neck, and upper chest area. Exfoliation removes the build-up of dead skin cells from the epidermis, leaving your skin clean and silky smooth. Other benefits of exfoliation include: follicles and pores become unclogged, your skin can breathe better, your skin texture improves, your skin's overall function is stimulated, and circulation to the area increases. Exfoliation also helps with the absorption of moisture. There

I have many vials of essential oils; but there are six that I absolutely must have because of their therapeutic benefits to the skin....

The cold outside temperatures can chap your skin, and the indoor heat can dry out your skin. This is a damaging combination; so, it’s important to take extra care of your skin. Try some of these winter skincare tips. Winter Skincare Tips A few things you can do to keep your skin healthy: Since indoor heating is so drying, use a humidifier, because it puts moisture into the air, and it will help prevent your skin from drying out. Avoid overly hot baths and showers, because the

Now that we’re in the heart of summer, let’s take a look at a great first aid herb that will come in handy for all those outdoor...

Calendula lotion in a clear glass jar sitting on a bed of calendula blossoms If you suffer from dry skin in the winter, whip up a batch of this nourishing Calendula Lotion. Calendula Officinalis (Calendula) has anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antiseptic, and antibacterial properties, which means it's helpful for healing wounds, soothing eczema, and treating damaged skin. I grow Calendula during the summer, so I use fresh flowering heads to make a solar-infused oil. However, yo

Solar-infused oils make wonderful skin-care products. I use them for lotions, creams, and salves. A few of my favorite solar-infused oils to use in skin-care products are calendula, lavender, plantain, comfrey, and rose. Directions for Making Solar-infused Oils Pick the fresh flowers or leaves (make sure they’re not wet, so as to avoid mold in your oil) and grind them briefly in a mortar with pestle to get started on releasing the essential oils from the flowers. You coul

Autoimmune diseases are on the rise, in part to our ex posure to environmental toxins and chemicals. Skin care products may include toxins and therefore, there may be a link between skin care products and autoimmune diseases. Skin Care Products and Autoimmune Diseases Environmental toxins are in every one of us and stay in our bodies for years. For many of us, these toxins cause dysfunction in our bodies, particularly to the immune, nervous, and endocrine systems; and may l