the miracles of honey

Note: This post was previously published here as a part of my freelance work. 

Honey. What a sweet sweet elixir. Its uses date all the way back to ancient times, and we’ve only begun to tap into it’s magical powers. From the skin to the immune system, it can work wondrous effects on the human body. For today, I want to address its benefits for a glowing complexion. Behold, your quick guide to honey skincare…

Wash

Raw honey makes an amazing face wash. It has anti-bacterial properties and is chock full of probiotics and enzymes that are beneficial for the skin. It acts gently, wiping away bacteria and oil while leaving the skin hydrated. Its way of stripping away the bad and leaving the good makes it especially great for acne prone skin. 

Keep a small jar of raw honey along with a spoon in the bathroom for easy access. When you go to use, lightly wet the face with warm water and then massage on about a little less than a teaspoon. If you want it’s antibacterial properties to really work in on those pores, leave it for 5-10 minutes before rinsing away. 

Prevent

To give your skin a little pick-me-up, mix up a face mask with honey, yogurt, and flax meal. Smear it across your face, and let it sit for 10 minutes before rinsing off. They honey will work into those pores, treating blackheads, excess oil, and acne, while the yogurt and flax help to slough off the top layer of dead skin. Afterward you’ll notice skin that is plump with moisture and a dewy glow. What’s better than that?

Treat

Raw honey is well respected for its healing properties. It is both anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory all in one go. Even modern day medicine touts it’s effectiveness. For cuts and burns, one of the best things you can do is to apply raw honey. Even better, pick up raw Manuka honey which is harvested from bee’s pollinating Manuka flowers, otherwise known as tea tree. Slather it on your wound and dress it appropriately to heal skin fast. If you really must pop those pimples, mix up some raw honey and tea tree oil to apply directly following. I find that this works wonders at healing the puncture, but also at preventing it from growing back into another embarrassing white head.

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There you have it! Raw honey, great skin’s best kept secret. 

florence's officina profumo farmaceutica di santa maria novella

Note: This post was previously published here as a part of my freelance work.

On a recent trip to Italy, I visited the world mecca for holistic beauty. Officina Profumo Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella is the oldest known pharmacy still in operation today. But don’t be fooled when I say, “pharmacy.” This place is so much more than your average CVS or Walgreens. I was so struck and amazed by the institution, that I wanted to share a peek inside its walls. If you ever find yourself in Florence, please, pay the site a visit.

The pharmacy originally belonged to the convent, Santa Maria Novella, which may sound familiar as the name of Florence’s main church located in the city center. Record of an infirmary first appeared in 1284, but it wasn’t until 1609 that we can prove the convent had a friar herbalist. In 1612 the pharmaceutical workshop opened to the public, and in 1667 the pharmacy became famous beyond the city’s borders. The convent’s monks were growing herbs, making distillations, and creating ancient remedies within the renowned apothecary. Because modern medicine did not yet exist, herbs and natural remedies were still being used to cure diseases and to care for the body. The pharmacy was also a sort of social destination where guests would come to be entertained and treated to delicacies. 

In 1871 Cesare Augusto Stefani became tenant of the city, and owner of the property. It was at this time that the pharmacy left control of the convent, and moved into the modern day. The current private management’s objective is to combine the lessons of the past with the needs of the present. They work very hard to continue selling remedies originally invented at the pharmacy and to continue herbal traditions. The space itself is well-preserved; arched ceilings, striking frescoes, marble floors, and small courtyards make wandering it’s maze an entertaining fete.

Today the Officina Profumo Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella sells everything from ancient preparations, extracts, and essences, to cosmetics, liquors, and fragrances. Products like Acqua di Santa Maria Novella are particularly interesting. The specialty water was developed in 1614 by friar Angiolo Marchissi as an “anti-hysterics” remedy. You dilute one teaspoon in water and drink in small sips to help with anxiety or to soothe digestion. 

Herbal-based beauty products honor traditions past that are again becoming popular today. Intriguing hair rinses in scents like lemon verbena claim to add shine, and they sell cleansing body oils to use in place of skin-drying soap. The smells are all so delicate and alive. It’s like rereading your favorite old-world novel where women would take bathes with rose and orange blossom, pampering their skin with oils and patchouli. Here, you can also have them blend essences to create your very own custom fragrance. 

Myself, I walked away with Acqua di Fior D’Arancio, a face toner with the most beautiful and relaxing of smells, and Aloe Gel Viso Corpo to help sooth razor burn and after sun skin. Next time I go back, I think I’ll need to get a little more adventurous with my purchases.

What product do you think you would want to try?

aromatherapy headache cure

Note: this post was previously published here as a part of my freelance work.

We hear it all the time, or we say it ourselves: “Does anyone have an Advil?” It seems that headaches plague too many of us these days. Late nights, computer screens, stress, a stuffy nose – they are all factors that can contribute, but taking a processed remedy isn’t necessarily the best way to deal with it. All around us, nature grows healing herbs that can help alleviate the pain.

THE HERBS

Often with a headache the mind needs both soothing & awakening. It needs to be opened up allowing air to flow, but then needs to settle and calm at the same time.The following herbal combination is designed to do just that.

Chamomile: Known for its calming and soothing properties. Chamomile helps the mind to rest.

Peppermint & Spearmint: Both mint varieties awaken the mind. They are warming as well as cooling, and are curative for swelling and aches.

Rosewood: Rosewood is made from the wood of a rose as opposed to its flower. It is not known for having major curative powers, but the smell is very up-lifting.

Lavender: Lavender emanates peace, and allows the mind to find a place of soothing.

THE REMEDIES

Diffuser: Do yourself a favor and buy a candle diffuser. You can use it to disperse various remedies or just to freshen the air. In the case of a headache, put ten drops of each essential oil in the top portion, and light a tea light underneath. Allow the candle to burn for 15-30 minutes, letting the sent of the wafting oils calm and refresh your mind.

Bath Bomb: in a light muslin sack, add a scoop of dried chamomile, peppermint, spearmint, and lavender (this version will leave out rosewood, but you can add another version of dried rose if you wish). Close the bag, and drop it into the tub while filling to make an herbal tea soak. You can also add epsom salts and essential oils directly to the water if you wish.

Compress: heat a small pot of water over the stove, and pour the hot water into a bowl with ten drops of each essential oil. Soak a clean wash cloth in the water. Take it out, let it cool slightly, and then lay it over you face. You can repeat this several times, allowing the washcloth to rest across your skin a few minutes each time. Enjoy breathing in the scented steam from the towel, and if you wish, simultaneously massage your temples.