Coffee Scrub

I’m a huge fan of New York Biology products. Their new coffee body scrub didn’t disappoint me. Here’s the thing. I’ve been making my own coffee body scrubs for over a year a now. I mean it seems quite easy, mix the remains of your k-cup morning coffee with some oils and Epsom salts and voila, right? And my home made scrub is not bad. It’s just not as good as New Your Biology scrub. I have no idea what they did, but it’s incomparable. It smells wonderful. I love that there is a touch of cocoa. I’m also a sucker for everything natural and organic.

The texture of the scrub is very pleasant. It’s not too soft and not too rough on my skin. Perfect for the body, but not the face. Caffeine helps from cellulite and stretch marks. The entire body feel baby soft after using this scrub. The wonderful aroma lifts the mood and gives a little energy boost.

Frankincense Essential Oil

The 'King' of Oils
Frankincense scent has a special meaning to me. It is frequently used in Christian Orthodox churches. It’s the first thing you smell as soon as you step into the church. I feel quite spiritual whenever I smell Frankincense. Despite that it’s called the King of the Oils for a reason. You can use it for almost anything! Below are my favorite ways to use it:

- Shortness of breath caused by cold or allergy. This is my grandma’s recipe for home-made inhaler. Boil a large pot of water, add twenty drops of the essential oils. You can mix Frankincense with Bergamot or/and Lavender. Cover yourself with a thick blanket and breathe over the steaming pot for 10-15 minutes. You will sweat like a pig and hate me during your inhaling procedure. However instant relief is almost guaranteed.
- Oral health. This is my recipe for home-made mouthwash. Mix a cup of clean water (bottled or preferably distilled, not from the tap) with twenty drops of essential oils. You can mix Frankincense with Peppermint. Use twice a day as your regular mouthwash.
- Menstrual cramps. Boil a small pot of water, add 20 drops of Frankincense essential oil. Dip a small cloth into your mix and put it on your lower tummy. Repeat as necessary throughout the first day f your period when cramps are the worst. You don’t have to boil the mix ever time. You can heat it up in the microwave. If that’s too much maintenance for you just rub a few drops into your lower tummy. The effect won’t be the same, but it is better than nothing.
- Stress relief. Add 20 drops to your bath or 8 drops to your diffuser.
- Eliminate odor. You can add a few drops to your trash can. Frankincense naturally kills bacteria and deodorizes.
- Fight both acne and wrinkles, scars and stretch marks. Dilute 6 drops of Frankincense in an ounce of any unscented oil and apply directly to problem areas.
- Indigestion (constipation, gas, PMS, cramps). Mix 2 drops of Frankincense in 8 ounces of water or in a tablespoon of honey. Take when needed.

I am not a doctor. Please use your own common sense if you decide to follow one of my advises and don’t hold me accountable if something goes terribly wrong :)

Bergamot Essential Oil

Bergamot is one of my favorite scents. It’s not too sweet, not too flowery, and not too intense. It’s perfect for so many reasons. I also love its versatile benefits. Below are some of them:

- Antidepressant. The components of Bergamot oil create a feeling of freshness and joy. It stimulates blood circulation and helps to eliminate the sadness. Add a few drops to your diffuser to lighten up the mood.
- Antibiotic. The Bergamot oil is disinfectant in its nature. It is perfect to add to your home-made soap.
- Sedative. The scent of the oil is relaxant. It soothes the tension and anxiety. It also helps from insomnia. Add a few drops to your diffuser and set the timer on for 1-2 hours before going to bed. It is very nice to fall asleep with the lovely scent of Bergamot.
- Cicatrisant. It helps to fade the scars and acne marks. It also evens out your skin tone. You can apply it directly to your skin (only locally to scars or other marks you want to fade). If you want to even out your skin tone you can add a few drops to your home-made soap or to your moisturizer.
- Deodorant. It kills bacteria causing body-odor. Apply directly to your armpits. I wouldn’t use on a daily basis. I like using the bergamot oil when I camp in the middle of nowhere.

I am not a doctor. Please use your own common sense if you decide to follow one of my advises and don’t hold me accountable if something goes terribly wrong :)