peppermint and coconut oil

DIY CRACKET FOOT AND HEEL REPAIR BALM

It sounds like the extreme weather has really been tough on your skin! Here’s a possible rewrite for your introduction:

“Living in a place with hot summers and cold winters, we’ve gotten used to the seasonal changes. However, this winter has been especially harsh, with many nights dipping below 0°C, which is unusual for us. As a result, our skin has been much drier than normal. My husband and son started experiencing cracked hands, and my son’s feet also became a concern. I had been using commercial hand soap, but as soon as I switched to my homemade DIY Natural Hand Soap, their hands started improving. To help with my son’s feet, I created this DIY Cracked Foot and Heel Balm.”

Cracked Foot & Heel Balm

Ingredients:

  • 40g shea butter
  • 40g beeswax
  • 100g coconut oil
  • 10 drops Lavender Essential Oil
  • 10 drops Frankincense Essential Oil
  • ¼ tsp Vitamin E oil

As we endure cold winters, our skin often gets drier than usual. This winter has been especially harsh with many nights below 0°C, leading to cracked hands and feet for my husband and son. I found a solution by switching to my DIY Natural Hand Soap, which helped their hands heal, and created this homemade DIY Cracked Foot and Heel Balm to address the dryness and cracks on my son’s feet.

Key Ingredients & Benefits:

  • Frankincense Essential Oil – Known for its ability to protect, regenerate, and repair skin cells, frankincense has antiseptic, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties that may speed up the healing of minor wounds, insect bites, and rashes.
  • Lavender Essential Oil – Lavender promotes blood circulation, has anti-inflammatory properties, soothes the skin, and offers temporary pain relief.
  • Tea Tree Essential Oil – Tea tree oil is fantastic for skin healing with its antibacterial, antifungal, antiseptic, and anti-inflammatory properties. It helps relieve itching, redness, and inflammation.

For the best results, apply daily to keep your skin moisturized and heal cracked heels and feet.

Method for Cracked Foot & Heel Balm:

  1. Add coconut oil, shea butter, and beeswax to a microwavable glass jug or double boiler.
  2. Slowly melt the ingredients, stirring frequently.
  3. Let the mixture cool slightly before adding the essential oils and Vitamin E oil.
  4. Mix thoroughly and pour into containers. I used both lip gloss tubes and a jar for easier application.

Cracked Foot & Heel Roller Bottle

For a more convenient option, I also created a Cracked Foot & Heel Roller Bottle. Here’s what you’ll need:

  • 3 drops Oregano Essential Oil
  • 5 drops Frankincense Essential Oil
  • 5 drops Lemon Essential Oil
  • 5 drops Peppermint Essential Oil
  • Fractionated coconut oil to top up a 10 ml roller bottle.

Roll this on your feet morning and night, and add socks for best results.

CONCLUSION

Creating your own DIY skincare products not only ensures you’re using natural, safe ingredients, but it also allows you to customize them to suit your specific needs. The DIY Cracked Foot and Heel Balm and Roller Bottle are perfect examples of how simple, natural ingredients like essential oils, coconut oil, and shea butter can work wonders for dry, cracked skin. By using these remedies daily, you can nourish, heal, and protect your skin during harsh weather conditions. Whether you’re tackling dry feet, cracked hands, or simply looking for a natural way to care for your skin, homemade solutions can be both effective and rewarding. Embrace the power of DIY self-care and enjoy the benefits of healthier, smoother skin all season long.

DIY TOOTHPASTE AND POWER WITH BENTONITE CLAY AND ESENTIAL OILS

There are plenty of all-natural toothpaste options available, but they can be expensive! My Homemade Toothpaste Recipe with Essential Oils provides a toxin-free way to freshen your breath. Our family loves using this tooth powder to maintain a healthy, clean mouth.

This recipe includes bentonite clay, known for its detoxifying properties. With a touch of stevia for sweetness and essential oils for flavor, this toothpaste tastes amazing!

THE IMPORTANCE OF ORAL HEALTH

Oral health plays a vital role in overall wellness, and problems in the mouth can affect the entire body. Oral issues go far beyond cavities and bad breath—over 80% of disease symptoms stem from mouth problems. Gum disease, for example, increases the risk of heart disease (1), and there is even a connection between mouth bacteria and thickened arteries (2).

Unfortunately, many people face disease-promoting dental procedures because they don’t prioritize oral health. By focusing on preventative care, many of these interventions can be avoided. While there are plenty of advanced techniques, it’s crucial to stick to the basics:

  • Brush your teeth – Make sure to brush after every meal. Take your time to remove all food particles thoroughly.
  • Floss regularly – Flossing removes stubborn food bits from between your teeth and stimulates your gums, reducing your risk of gum disease. I recommend flossing at night after eating.
  • Oil pulling – Have you tried oil pulling? It’s an incredibly effective oral health practice to add to your routine. Learn how to get started with oil pulling today.
  • Visit the dentist – Did you know there are holistic dentists? They blend traditional treatments with natural options and often provide alternatives to harmful procedures like mercury fillings. Never skip your dental checkups!
  • Use essential oils for oral health – Certain essential oils are proven to support oral hygiene. These oils are great for homemade oral products like toothpaste or mouthwash.

By incorporating these basic practices into your daily routine, you can help maintain optimal oral health and reduce the need for costly or harmful interventions.

3 HARMFUL INGREDIENTS IN TOOTHPASTE

In my opinion, we should be extra cautious with the oral health products we use since we end up ingesting them. Unfortunately, many store-bought products are filled with toxins. Here are just a few of the harmful chemicals commonly found in most tubes of toothpaste:

FLUORIDE

Fluoride is a harmful ingredient commonly found in most oral care products. For years, oral health specialists believed fluoride was essential for healthy teeth, but we now know that’s not true. Fluoride is classified as a neurotoxic chemical, and consuming too much of it can lead to fluoride toxicity (3). This can affect tooth coloring, kidney function, and more. If you have young children at home, this is especially concerning! Many store-bought toothpaste brands have kid-friendly flavors that encourage little ones to use more than necessary, increasing the risk of fluoride toxicity.

ASPARTAME

You wouldn’t brush your teeth with sugar, so many companies add a sugar substitute called aspartame to improve the taste of toothpaste. Aspartame is often marketed as a low-calorie alternative to sugar, but studies show it can lead to increased food consumption (4). It can also trigger headaches, spiked blood sugar levels, and other side effects (5). In this recipe, we use stevia as a sweetener instead. It tastes better than aspartame, and best of all, it has no harmful side effects!

SODIUM LAURYL SULFATE

This toxin is responsible for the foamy texture in most toothpastes. Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) is an environmental toxin that can wreak havoc on your body (6). Interestingly, researchers use SLS to intentionally create skin and eye irritations during product testing. SLS can also cause canker sores (7), which is the complete opposite of promoting oral health! It’s one of the worst toxins for your body and should be avoided at all costs.

NATURAL ORAL HEALTH INGREDIENTS

There’s a better way to take care of your teeth, and it starts with using natural, non-toxic ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need to make this recipe:

  • Essential Oils: Many essential oils have antimicrobial properties, making them ideal for toothpaste. They can freshen your breath, fight plaque, and even help with canker sores. Plus, they add a nice scent! Here are some of my favorite combinations:
  • Peppermint: Fights bad breath, smells fresh, and gives you a burst of energy in the morning!
  • Clove and Orange: A soothing blend for sensitive teeth.
  • Eucalyptus, Rosemary, and Orange: Helps with whitening your teeth.
  • Lime, Lemon, and Grapefruit: Great for boosting your mood!
  • Wintergreen: Offers a minty freshness, perfect for tackling stubborn bad breath.
  • Distilled Water: Tap water often contains fluoride, which we want to avoid. It can also have other toxins that contribute to health issues like obesity, diabetes, and birth defects. I recommend using distilled or purified water for the cleanest, safest option.
  • Bentonite Clay: This clay, derived from volcanic ash, helps absorb toxins in the mouth while providing essential minerals that can strengthen your teeth. Bonus: It can also aid in whitening your teeth.
  • Stevia Powder: Stevia is a natural sweetener that helps balance out the taste of bentonite clay. A little goes a long way!
  • Himalayan Pink Salt: Saltwater is often recommended after dental surgery to reduce bacteria (8), and salt is highly effective for combating bad breath. Plus, if you have sensitive teeth, Himalayan salt can help reduce discomfort.

This simple, natural recipe is all you need to promote healthy, toxin-free oral care!

HOMEMADE TOOTHPASTE RECIPE

This DIY is super easy to make! In just a few minutes, you’ll have everything you need to detox your mouth naturally.

To turn the tooth powder into toothpaste, simply add ¼ cup of hot purified or distilled water and 1 tablespoon of extra-virgin, unrefined coconut oil. You can add more coconut oil as needed to achieve your desired consistency.

For added teeth-whitening benefits, open capsules of activated charcoal and mix them into the tooth powder. After using this toothpaste, follow up with mouthwash, and be sure to brush your teeth again after rinsing.

Since bentonite clay can react with metal, it’s important to make and store this recipe in a glass or ceramic container to preserve its effectiveness.

STEP ONE: MIX THE ESSENTIAL OILS

Mix your chosen essential oils in a small glass container or glass measuring cup, then set aside for later use.

STEP TWO: ADD DRY INGREDIENTS

Place the bentonite clay, stevia, and sea salt in a food processor and blend until well combined.

STEP THREE: ADD ESSENTIAL OILS

With the machine running, slowly add the mixed essential oils to the food processor and process for a few more seconds. The mixture should be granular and slightly damp.

STEP FOUR: BRUSH YOUR TEETH

Store the mixture in a glass jar with a lid. To use, apply just enough of the homemade tooth powder or toothpaste to cover your toothbrush. Wet the brush with water and brush as usual.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, this all-natural homemade toothpaste and tooth powder is a simple, effective, and toxin-free way to maintain optimal oral health. By using ingredients like bentonite clay, essential oils, and natural sweeteners, you can avoid harmful chemicals found in store-bought products while reaping the benefits of a cleaner, healthier mouth. With just a few easy steps, you can create a product that not only freshens your breath but also supports long-term oral wellness. Enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing exactly what’s in your toothpaste, and feel good about giving your family a safer, more natural option for oral care.