Headache/Migraine Relieving Aromatherapy Lotion

Ever have a horrific headache or even a migraine?  If you have, you'll never forget it.  I suffer from them as do many members of my family.  Luckily, I only get a migraine about once a month (more often if I am sleep deprived), but I also get terrible tension headaches.  Working at a computer 8+ hours a day, I tend to hold tension in my shoulders and neck. This can result in excruciating tension headaches.  

One way that I have discovered for relieving headaches is through a combination of aromatherapy and acupressure.  I'm going to share my solution here. The lotion uses peppermint (menthol) and eucalyptus essential oils.  Peppermint used topically and as aromatherapy is known to help relax muscles and increase circulation.  This makes it excellent for headaches, particularly tension headaches. 

I have included the recipe below for making your own headache relieving lotion.  This is for use on your hands in combination with acupressure.  See instructions, below the recipe, for how to use this lotion in combination with acupressure for headache relief.  My hubby loves acupressure so much that if he has a headache, he will wave his hand at me and ask me if I'll rub it to relieve a headache!

Headache Relieving Aromatherapy Lotion:

 4 oz. (1/2 cup) of lotion of choice or homemade hand lotion (recipe HERE or dollar store vitamin E lotion is also excellent for this)

15-20 drops peppermint essential oil

10 drops eucalyptus essential oil 

Combine all ingredients, mix well, and store in air-tight container. 

To use:  Place a small amount of lotion on both hands and massage all over hands.  Concentrate on the part of your hand where your thumb joins to your hand.  Put pressure on both sides of this area by placing the thumb on the top part of the area and your fingers underneath (see link below for photo).  Use firm pressure and massage in a circular motion.  You may even find that, surprisingly, it is sore and that the degree of soreness directly relates to the severity of your headache.  Continue to massage this area for 5 minutes.  If you are experiencing nausea with your headache, place three fingers together (as if you were going to show someone you're 3 years old), place your fingers on the inside of your wrist, and measure 3 fingerbreadths down from the base of your hand.  Begin massaging at that point on the inside of your wrist/forearm.  This is an acupressure point to relieve nausea.  Alternate these massages, using the lotion liberally.  Relax, breathe deeply, and your headache should ease. 

For further information on the use of peppermint for headaches, see link HERE. 

For further information on the use of acupressure to relieve headaches, see link HERE. 

Medical Disclaimer:  The information provided here is for personal use only.  It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, treatment, or consultation.  

Homemade Hand Cream/Body Butter - Simple Gifts

I saw this recipe for homemade hand cream/body butter on Pinterest.  (When haven't you heard that phrase?)  However, I have seen it pinned many times with rave reviews and just had to try it for myself.  I followed the pin to the original blog post on Patchwork Times HERE and decided to give it a try.  Except I modified it just a bit to add some things. 

The original recipe called for:

16 oz. baby lotion

8 oz. petroleum jelly (2 of the petroleum jelly jars shown below; this one is 4 oz.)

8 oz. vitamin E cream (again 2 of the jars shown below, as this one is 4 oz.)

Those are great, but I also knew that glycerin would add an extra protective element, and olive oil is very healthy for our skin.  I added those to my recipe.  

For my recipe I used:  

• 16 oz. generic baby lotion
• 8 oz petroleum jelly 
• 8 oz. vitamin E cream
• 1 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil 
• 2 Tablespoons glycerin (found near the pharmacy at Walmart)

Place all the ingredients into a 5 quart bowl and whip at high speed until the mixture has the appearance and consistency of frosting or whipped cream.  This makes about 3-4 quarts of hand cream!! (The photo below is of the bowl from my 5 quart mixer to show just how much this makes!)

Spoon into individual pots or jars and then keep in a cool area.  This will stay in it's wonderfully whipped state unless it is exposed to warm temperatures, and then it will lose its consistency.  However, it can be mixed again into a whipped consistency.  

This is wonderful for hands, feet, and your entire body, especially if you are prone to dry skin.  I've heard it does wonders on dry, cracked feet.  Everyone in my family suffers from dry skin in the wintertime, and this is a blissfully soothing, rich yet light cream that can be applied from head to toe.  It's also wonderful to apply to your hands right after hand washing or doing dishes.  You can also apply it to your entire body straight out of the bath or shower to seal in moisture.  

Put this rich cream into small plastic pots (I found mine at Dollar Tree, my favorite store!) and give as teacher gifts, stocking stuffers, or place in different spots in your home for easy access to hand cream.  Everyone that I've given this to has absolutely loved it!

Homemade Soothing Facial Cream

You can buy many types of soothing facial creams in stores, but this one is very easy, works well, and is as close as your medicine cabinet.  This is another tip passed to me by my eldest brother, who was a stylist and cosmetologist.  It has two simple ingredients:  Unscented lotion and aspirin.

To make this wondrous lotion, crush one aspirin until it is a fine powder.  Mix the powder into 1 tablespoon of your choice of lotion.  I used Palmer's Olive Oil lotion for the batch I made in the photo. Mix well, and store in a covered container.  I usually make a couple of batches at a time. Apply at night, before going to bed, and then wash off the next morning.  Your skin will be smooth and soft. 

This is especially wonderful for reducing facial redness, relieving discomfort from blemishes, and it also helps smooth lines in your face.  Use it approximately 1-2 times a week, no more, and you'll find your skin tone to be more even and have fewer blemishes. 

Aspirin contains acetyl salicylic acid, which is a mild exfoliant.  Many skin-clearing creams, lotions, and makeup sold in department stores contain salicylic acid, which is a close relative to aspirin.  Salicylic acid originally came from willow tree bark but was bitter and was known to cause irritation, especially of the gastric lining.  By modifying it slightly to acetyl salicylic acid, it is buffered and more gentle and more easily tolerable in the body.  

**PLEASE, if you are allergic to aspirin in any form, do not use this lotion.  If you're allergic to it on the inside, you'll be allergic to it on the outside, as well.**