Natural & Nappy

Starters for the D.I.Y Beauticians

2010-09-26T22:18:00.000-07:00

So, you have a basic understanding on the knowledge of herbal-lore. And now, you want to take this further. So... whats stopping you?

Possibly motivation... or possibly understanding... or probably, if you are a consitent reader, just a little more guidance into the direction of creating your own cosmetic line.

Firstly, I would like to share that I have been overjoyed from what I have been witnessing over the internet. Before, when I first started this blog. There were no websites out there, to support the idea of creating your own cosmetics... and hardly any companies that would develop 'organic' products. Since, this blog has been posted up, I have been 'wowed'! There has been a sudden 'boom' in the market for organic and DIY products, that I must say... I am very impressed.

My only drawn back is, that even though the boom is good.

I will warn readers to be very careful on some of these recipes being posted on others sites. Some of these sites (possibly out of ignorance) post some ingredients that will actually do HARM to your body, rather than improve it. So be careful.

This is also why, I think it is a priority that I post information about different ingredients. I want you to have an understanding of what you are putting into your recipes. One ingredient in particular, Lemon, has great benefits... if used in the correct reciepe.

For example:

Lemons, are great for lightening up your skin, and creating lovely natural highlights to your hair. BUT the high acidity in them, can be HARSH to your skin and scalp. And can cause unwanted bleaching, if not used correctly.

***

Anyways, enough of the preaching. Lets get down to business. This post is strictly about different ways to 'prepare' your chosen ingredients for your recipes.

Different types of preparations are as follows:

Tinctures
Infusion
Decoction
Distillation

***

Tincture: Is a solution that has either an alcoholic base or non-volatile substance (like, witch hazel). The base solution is used to extract the properties from natural substances (like, plants or minerals). In this process, a lot of the original properties from the original substance is preserved. Tinctures are considered one of the closest forms of the original extraction.

(example of commonly used tinctures: Witch Hazel)

Example Recipe: Witch Hazel

1/2 cup of vodka

1oz of witch hazel flowers

Place items in a tinted glass jar. Let the mixture set for 6 months (max.) in a cool and shaded environment. Shake the contents weekly. Filter the loose leaf out using cheese cloth; and use in recipes.

Infusion: Is a solution that has an oil base (usually olive oil). Like the tincture technique, it extracts the properties of the original subject. Though Infused solutions carry a great percentage of the original subject's properties, it is not the closet form of the original extraction. However, most recipes that will be used on the skin/hair, will use mostly infused solutions or decoctions, since tincture solutions (due to the alcoholic base) are to harsh for the exterior body.

(example of commonly used Infusions: Calendula Oil)

Preparation is for external usages

Example Recipe: Calendula Oil

1 cup of Castor Oil (or Olive Oil)

1 1/2 oz Calendula flowers

Place contents in a tinted jar. Place container in a shaded environment for 3-6 months (min), shaking the contents weekly. Filter the loose leaf out using cheese cloth; and use in recipes.

Decoction: Is the most common form of preparation, when using fresh or dried herbs. Decoction preparation time is more instant, making it more convenient. However, because the herbs are prepared on a high temperature, most of the natural properties are cooked out of the herbs/minerals, making the mixture not as potent as it could have been without decoction.

(Example of Decoctions: Tea)

Example Recipe: Peppermint Tea

4 fresh twigs of peppermint

3 cups of water

Place water into a small pot; bring to a boil, then add peppermint leaves. Bring the temperature down to 'low heat'. Then let the mixture simmer for a couple of minutes (sweetening the tea, whilst it is over a heat. Sweeten to preferred taste). Take pot off of the stove, and let the mixture seep for 3 minutes before serving.

Distillation: Is the most potent solution and the most commonly used solutions used. It is oil based like infusions. Distillation is similar to Infusions. The only difference that Infusions are prepared and left to sit in dark cupboards, and their preparation time is much longer. Distillations can be left to 'infuse' outside in the sun, for a shorter period of time. The process is great, however, it does require a large amount of herbs/minerals to create a solution that is greatly potent. Preparation is for external usages

Example Recipe: Lavender Distillation

1 oz of Lavender Flowers

1 cup Olive Oil

Place contents in a jar (preferrably a tinted jar, but not required). Place the container outside, in a stable location, where the container will recieve a large amount of sun. Leave the container in this location for 2 weeks (max), shaking the container bi-weekly. Filter the solid contents out, and bottle the liquid into a tinted container, and store in a cool location.

Essential Oils: are a sub-catergory in Distillation. After the herbs have been infused in the sun for a couple of weeks (allowing the substance to become some what oxygenated), the solution is then further filtered. From the base solution, they extract the plants natural oils. Essential Oils require a HUGE amount of product (like, a few pounds), just to make a 2 oz bottle. The process is very delicate. And takes a lot of time to produce. However, if done correctly, essential oils are the CLOSEST format of the original subject. And can be used in almost any external type of recipe. Preparation is for external usages

And there you have it... the basic preparations when working we herbs. So what do you do from here? Try it yourself. Try combining different types of herbs to create a new oil infusion (like, calendula & lavender). With making "base infusions" (like distillations; tinctures; and oils) you are cutting down on preparation time when you are in the kitchen. Also, you are cutting down the costs, since you will only need to use a few drops of your homemade solutions, verses a few cups of your materials.

The Vegan Cosmetic Diet

2010-09-24T17:11:00.000-07:00

Over the passed year or two, I have been trying out my own personal experiment. I wanted to discover the best possible solutions for improving my appearance... other than the typical resolutions like losing weight or eating better.

I believed, full heartedly, that the cosmetics that I was paying hundreds of dollars for (per year), were wasting my time and money.

I also believed that if God (if you believe in God), created this world especially for us to thrive in, then there were resources surrounding us, that would indeed 'heal us' for whatever ails us.

Before I could make a my theory be seen as a FACT. I had to endure the full chemical cosmetic lifestyle for a month or so.

So, I lathered myself up with fragrance induced soaps; oiled

myself up with Palmer's coco butter; fed my hair organic root stimulator hair food... and washed my face up with Ne

utrogena.

Thru that time period. Nothing really seemed to change. The worst part was that because I had been using a few natural products before, my body seemed to be repelling the products. I felt the residue from the soaps; the lotions and hair food. My face broke out, which is rare for me, and I felt either super greasy or super dry. My hair began to develop dandruff. And my skin, started to look really scaly.

During this uncomfortable time period, I continued my

studies on Natural alternatives. Taking classes in Herbology, etc.

When the month ended, I began the full vegan cosmetic diet with confidence.

Unlike, changing from a meat eater to a vegan, there were no withdrawal symptoms.

In fact, there was a rapid change in quality of my skin and hair. My stretch marks and scars, that seemed to never vanish, began to fade. And my hair became silky soft.

After 6 months of being on this plan, my skin looked so radiant, that people were stopping me on the streets to compliment about how beautiful my skin was (both men and women).

My hair, which seemed to take forever to grow (when I used chemical hair products), seemed to explode with length and thickness.

Being inspired by the results, I then took my change a little further... but before I inform you of what it is, here is a back story:

For 5 years, my menstrual cycle stopped, for unexplainable rea

sons. Being 19 when it stopped, I spent so much time and money going to hospitals to figure out why it stopped. But the doctors couldn't find a solution... I just stopped having periods.

If you didn't know, periods are important to have, not only to reproduce, or to clean out toxins out of a woman's body... but to 'balance your hormones.

Without a period, my hormones became extre

mely unbalanced, which then caused a series of problems... the biggest one, being that my body started to swell. My breasts increased drastically, but as they increased they caused an unbearable amount of pain.

I always would go to bed crying because I was in that much agony.

Getting back to my natural cosmetic diet... I started to gain positive side effects from the homemade recipes I was using.

Not only did the scars and stretch marks go away... but my body's hormones began to balance out. And the agonizing pain I use to experience... vanished.

Happily, I can say that my body is back to normal, as if... nothing every happened.

***

Once again, the more and more I discovered, the more and more I wanted to go deeper into my change of lifestyle.

I took my recipes and decided to try out the same recipes with 3 of my friends. And put them on a strict cosmetic diet for a month.

Friend #1: Hair Type/ Asian. Her issue was that she worked a very laboring job (day porter). Because she was very active at work, her hair would become frizzy and greasy, so she would always wear baseball caps, to hide her hair.

Friend #2: Hair Type/ Relaxed. She had relaxed hair, and her issue was that her hair kept breaking, and never would grow. She had to keep cutting it off.

Friend #3: was Caucasian. Her hair was healthy. But not perfect.

I altered the Conditioning solution that I would use for my own hair, for Friend #1 and #2, since it would have been too heavy for their type of hair.

I expected to see results in a week or two. But to my surprise, the next day they came back to me thrilled! And gave me their reports:

#1: I'll be honest, I was skeptical about trying this solution that you gave me. But, when I was in the shower, and started using your shampoo... I could feel a difference in my hair automatically. It was like it was coming to life, or something. I put the light oil on my damp hair, as instructed afterwards, afraid that it would make my hair greasy. But it did! I was shocked. My hair feels soooo soft, and shiny. Thank yous!

#2: I tried out your hair stuff, last night, and... WOW. My hair became super curly in the shower.. but really soft, even under the water. I used the conditioning solution afterwards, and when it dried, my hair became super manageable all of a sudden. It was such a change, it was like I didn't recognize it.

#3: My hair is really soft and manageable. I love it. Wow. When can I buy a bottle.

In two weeks, I watched (super happy) as my friends changed. They seemed more and more confident. #1 stopped wearing baseball caps; #2 started wearing her hair down, instead of pulling her hair back; #3 was just.. well, happy. She started styling her hair in a different way, each day. And the added bonus, was that ALL of them has experienced a sudden improvement in the skin quality. Their complexion was much more clearer.

My Conclusion: Chuck the store bought junk, and pick up a herbology book... free your mind, and you may find something quite interesting.

Recipe: Avocado Wash

2010-09-21T19:42:00.000-07:00

This is a treatment that should be used, in cases where your scalp and hair is seriously damaged. As I mentioned before, the Avocado has an excellent abundance of natural fats, that the skin, scalp and hair love.

1/2 Avocado

Taking half of a ripe avocado meat, apply to hair and scalp, massaging it in for about 3 minutes. Let it set for another 2 minutes. Rinse out under COOL water until all contents are out. Hand dry your hair, preferably. Or dry under the COOL setting with your hair dryer. You don't want to create any further damage to your hair/scalp from using heat, when your hair is in this delicate state.

You should only need to use this treatment once or twice. (For Nappy/Kinky hair wash hair once a week. All other types of hair, can use this treatment twice in one week)

*Note: You will automatically notice that your hair will start to become super curly, this is a great sign. It just means that your hair is well moisturized. The botanical properties from the avocado in its rawest form, should help in bringing your hair/scalp back into a more healthier and balanced state.

Playing The Guinea Pig

2010-09-21T18:55:00.000-07:00

So from 2008 to present day, I have been conducting a series of personal experiments on myself. I became a "Mad Scientist", determined to find answers to my own personal questions.

A couple of assignments were completed. While some, are still are still being worked on. I needed answers, and became willing to sacrifice myself (as the lab rat) to find them.

I had a series of theories, like:

Would my body thrive better on a "Vegan Cosmetic Diet", or would the results be the same if I used other types of ingredients?
What would happen if I went "back" to using store bought products, after being on a Vegan Hair/Body Diet for a year or two? Would the product benefits on the container labels, give me good results? Or back fire?
Is chemically altered hair, permanently altered and bounded to using a cycle of chemicals to maintain it?
Can relaxed hair successfully be locked? Or do you really need to chop it all off?

Quick Tips: For the D.I.Y Beauticians

2010-09-21T18:03:00.000-07:00

For all the readers who are developing their own custom Shampoos, Conditioners and Hair Food... here's a cool tip for your recipes:

Add Color Enhancing Ingredients to Your Recipes

Ever wish that your natural hair color was a little more richer or more vibrant, without having to dye your hair? There are several plants in the natural world, that have the ability to enhance our natural hair color. Causing your typical black hair, to become even more darker and richer looking. Or your red hair to become even more shiny and vibrant without having to dye your hair.

Here are some basic color enhancers...

Blond Hair:

Chamomile
Honey

Auburn & Red Hair:

Cinnamon

Brown & Black:

Lavender
Basil
Sage

Natural & Nappy

2010-09-21T00:38:00.000-07:00

Hurray! "Natural & Nappy" Blog finally got its own personal make over. All the links and interesting stuff should be all up to date. Once again, I apologize for the delay in new articles. And also I apologize for any delays in answering your questions.

The Bar-Kays play "Son Of Shaft" live in Los Angeles 1972

2010-09-20T22:15:00.000-07:00

I had to post this again. Cause the other link, apparently no longer works. :-(

Enjoy, if you haven't seen this already...

...Holy Basil!

2010-09-20T21:00:00.000-07:00

Wazzzzz UUUUUUUUUUUUUUuuuuuup!!!! lol. It has definitely been a while since I posted anything new on this blog. I am not sure, if at this point anyone is still interested in reading anything on here... but what the heck.

Here... finally, for over a year, is the next AMAZING Plant! Basil!

[And the the crowd says: "ooooooooh... and ahhhhhhh"]

Yep, basil. It is not just an Italian garnishment for meals. It is a semi-super plant. And I say 'semi' only because it is not considered a miracle plant like Hemp. But just because it is not a a miracle plant, it doesn't mean that it doesn't have stunning properties of its own.

***

Like always, before going into what Basil can do for you... let's learn a little bit about the wonderful Basil.

Basil is indeed seen as a 'holy' plant. In many cultures Basil symbolized: Love; Loyalty; Honor; and Holiness.

It originates from India, where originally it was used regularly to swear oaths in the courts. And in Greece, it was used in preperation of the Holy water used in the Orthordox Churches.

Basil, throughout history, could be found in various places around the Mediterranean; Middle East and even in Central America.

But the reason Basil spread to various parts of the globe, was not just because of its sweet flavoring. It was due to its healing properties.

The Well-Known Benefits of Basil:

Anti-inflammatory {(E) Beta-Caryophyllene: aka BCP}
Antioxidants
Antibacterial
Magnesium
Minerals
Eugenol

Healthy Benefits from Basil in the Inside:

Boosts up your immune system (fights off flus; colds; etc)
Kills Bacteria
Helps to diminish inflammations
Pain Relief (head aches; migraines; etc)
Helps to keep your Heart Healthy
and so on, and so on

So, what does Basil have to do with keeping you looking beautiful? You ask.

The common known cosmetic factor about Basil is that...

the eugenol works well to relax an individual... Basil Aroma therapy

But what else...

Something to always remember is that every living plant that exists in our world, usually have more properties than is listed in Science Text books!

Scientists are always discovering a new element that they didn't see originally with the natural world around us.

For example:

Did you know, that Basil naturally boosts the hues of your hair color (both natural and dyed)?

It works best for people who have darker colored hair (brown and black for example). Basil will enrich the colors of your hair naturally. Given a more profound & richer effect that chemicals can't ever fully mimic (if processed correctly).

The natural properties and minerals found in Basil, not only improve the visual appearance of your hair. But also, they improve the health of your hair too.

Here's an experiment tip to always remember...

Whatever benefits your hair most likely will give similar results to your skin. And that tip works the other way around, too.

Happy Birthday Hair! - February 2008

2010-09-20T20:54:00.000-07:00

This Video inspired me t try to start my locks. I thought it would be nice to share to all of you

Q & A

2010-09-20T20:37:00.000-07:00

Sorry once again, for not keeping up on this blog, as much as I should. Anyways, I received a lot of questions, so I figured I should share the questions and answers with everyone:

1. What is the best way in finding the best 'hair care remedies'?

ANSWER: The best BASIC hair food known to this planet will always be:

A combination of shea butter; coco butter; rosemary extract; and basil extract. Shea Butter will always be a great base for nappy/natural hair, due to its properties, along with Coco butter. But did you know that Rosemary and Basil has great properties of their own? Basil naturally boosts your natural color; whilst rosemary that fills your hair with a great balance of vitamins and minerals to keep your scalp well fed with a healthy nutritional diet.

Essentially, products that you buy over the counter, are going to sit on your scalp causing a collection of gross residue. The ingredients I listed above, will absorb into your hair strands and scalp, giving you a better result. Without that nasty greasy hair.

When your buying hair products, look at the ingredients on the bottle, like you would if you were buying food to eat at a grocery store.

The following ingredients will always be a BIG "no no" for a choice of 'hair food':

Mineral Oil
Fragrance
Petroleum

These listed ingredients will cause WAY more damage than good. Mineral Oil, for example, will 'dry out the scalp' even further, rather than keeping it properly moisturized.

Video: The Bar-kays

2008-08-06T16:18:00.000-07:00

Ok. The last video was annoying, but this one is just fun. I love the dude with the silver afro and the lead singer... they just crack me up. Especially when the lead singer gets into banging that cow bell...

...Somebody, loved themselves.

Video: I Can Feel It by the Afros

2008-08-06T16:14:00.000-07:00

Um. This music video might have been the reason people don't take fros seriously...

Sorry if you find this video annoying...

hmmm...

2008-08-05T22:22:00.000-07:00

The last article, was quite dark. I thought that I cleared out my beauty closet enough until I researched for that article... So goodbye Neutrogena Oil-Free facial scrub and cleanser. I can no longer put you on my face, now that I know that I'm putting Cetyl Alcohol on my face, too. [ That goes for your moisturizers and lotions, too]

The alternatives???

Option 1: Make your own products...

Advantages ~ the product will be the best quality you can ever get... even the most expensive products can't compare to that.

Disadvantages ~ can be time consuming. Might have to rearrange your lifestyle.

My favorite websites to get supplies from:

Organic Creations

~ I like this guys because they follow up with emails and invoices to make sure the package was delivered. They also deliver quite quickly AND give you a tracking number.

Dandelion Botantical

~ Located in Seattle, Wa. But they also do business online. Very nice people. They even teach classes on Certified Herbology. They have a lovely book selection. AND THEY ARE NOT CULTISH... so I don't feel like I am going into a devil worshiping store. The environment is laid back, clean and friendly.

Option 2: Alternative over the counter products, from natural cosmetic companies like LUSH

Advantage~ Products are natural and there are even some that are vegan!

Disadvantages~ A bit pricey. Not the greatest cosmetic quality compared to homemade products.

Hope this lifted up your spirit since the last post....

Painted Faces (part 2)

2008-08-05T20:19:00.000-07:00

Have you caught your breathe, from the last part of this article? Good, cause it gets worse...

3. I found these definitions of ingredients from "Caring Consumer.com" These ones are IMPORTANT to know because they usually show up in everyday products...

Cetyl Alcohol (Basically Sperm from a Sperm Whale or Dolphin) ~ you can find this in some face products and more!

Elastin ~ Protein found in the neck ligaments and aortas of cows

Estrogen ~ Female hormones from the urine of pregnant mares

Gelatin ~ Protein obtained by boiling skin, tendons, ligaments, and/or bones with water. From cows and pigs

Glycerin ~ usually comes from animal fat

Insulin ~ usually comes from the pancreas of hogs.

Keratin ~ Protein from the ground-up horns, hooves, feathers, quills, and hair of various animals

There's "... confusion over whether or not an ingredient is of animal origin is the fact that many companies have removed the word animal from their ingredient labels to avoid putting off consumers.

For example, rather than use the term hydrolyzed animal protein, companies may use another term such as hydrolyzed collagen. Simple for them, but frustrating for the caring consumer...

Animal ingredients are used not because they are better than vegetable-derived or synthetic ingredients but rather because they are generally cheaper... Rendering plants process the bodies of millions of tons of dead animals every year, transforming decaying flesh and bones into profitable animal ingredients. The primary source of rendered animals is slaughterhouses, which provide the "inedible" parts of all animals killed for food. The bodies of companion animals who are euthanized in animal shelters wind up at rendering plants, too. One small plant in Quebec renders 10 tons of dogs and cats a week, a sobering reminder of the horrible dog and cat overpopulation problem with which shelters must cope... Thousands of products on store shelves have labels that are hard to decipher. It's nearly impossible to be perfectly vegan, but it's getting easier to avoid products with animal ingredients. "

~ quoted from www.caringconsumer.com

To Conclude:

There ARE products out there in the market that are vegetable-derived or synthetic- derived (if you want to go this route) products. Go to your usual store and check out the cosmetic sections. Look at the ingredient lists on the back of the containers and take note of all the ones you CAN'T understand. Then,

RESEARCH IT! RESEARCH IT! RESEARCH IT!

This makes you realize that the manufacturer isn't always honest. And that you can't always trust what someone is trying to sell you. Educating yourself on what you place onto your body is truly the GREATEST policy.

If you have a strong stomach and still want to search even deeper into this subject, check out
www.foodRisk.org

for there own reports on the subject...

Recipes

2008-08-05T19:09:00.000-07:00

Here's a couple of new recipes, from my favorite books, to cheer you up:

Avocado Skin Softener (from "The Herbal Home Spa")

1 Avocado Pit
1/2 Avocado
1/4 Cup (50ml) Cornmeal
1 tbsp sea salt

Dry out the avocado pit for a few days, then break it into several pieces. In a spice mill, or old fashion grinder (or coffee grinder), grind the pit to make a gritty pit meal. Reserving the avocado skin, mash the 1/2 avocado with the cornmeal, 1/4 cup of avocado pit meal and sea salt.

how to use: in a foot bath basin, gently massage the mixture into your feet in a circular motion, starting with your toes. Rinse, and then with the inner part of the avocado skin, rub the heel and any other callused areas... including your knees, elbows and hands. Do not rinse off.
Massage the oil into the skin with your hands in gentle circular motions. At first, your skin may seem green (regarding to people with more littler skin tones). Soon you'll feel the abrasive effect, then the moisturizing effects.

Makes 1 treatment

Cuticle Cream (from "Beauty By Nature")

2 tbsp coconut oil
1/2 tsp cocoa butter

combine ingredients in a small saucepan, and warm over very low heat, stirring constantly. Store in a clean container with a lid.

Painted Faces (part 1)

2008-08-05T16:59:00.000-07:00

I think I have mentioned this before... if not, let me say this again. We are slaves to the Cosmetic industry from before most of us can remember.

Barbie taught little girls that to be beautiful, your hair needed to be straight; you needed to wear make up and be really really skinny with big pointy boobs and long legs. Preteen and Teenage girl magazines showed us pictures of models who were in their 20's dressing their age (or little girls imitating them, with WAY too much makeup on).

For centuries, women (and... um... men) have relied on makeup to keep them looking like they have beautiful skin... sexy lush lips... drop dead gorgeous eyes... and a desirable body.

But didn't you ever wonder...

What the hell am I putting on my body?

Well let me tell you...

"WARNING! If you would like to choose to NOT know what is in your daily hygenie products... please ignore the following reports, below this warning. This list may cause readers to be grossed out and/or offended at the Cosmetic Industry. It is also possible that you may not want to wear your favorite makeup, face care products, etc, ever again..."

This part of the article has been developed from a series of different references...

1. This has been quoted from "Beauty. The New Basics" By Rona Berg

Human Placenta: The protein-rich lining of the womb, expelled after birth, was first used in cosmetics in the 1940s. Because of its hormone content, manufacturers claimed that placental material would stimulate tissue growth and eradicate wrinkles. When the FDA challenged these claims, manufacturers changed their pitch, but still claimed that placenta was an aid to aging skin.

Animal Amniotic Liquid: The fluid that surrounds and protects the cow or ox fetus, touted as a valuable source of protein and vitamins, is used in moisturizers and shampoos (some of those big scientific name no one can pronounce)

Fish Scale: Used in some glittery eye shadow

'Live' sheep cells: used in anti aging skin treatments

Beetle Carapace: the shell of a beetle is the source of 'carmine', a common ingredient in red lipstick

Cattle, Ox, or swine brain cells: Used in moisturizers"

***

2. The following, more surprising items, have been quoted from a CNN article by Adrienne Crezo, called:

9 Weird ingredients in make up

Sodium chloride (table salt) ~ used in many 'foamy' products

Oleoresin Capsicum (pepper spray) ~ in lipstick

Diatomaceous Earth (a component in dynamite) ~ found in natural toothpastes, deodorant, absorbent powders, cuticle cream, and in mild-exfoliation products due to its gentle abrasiveness

Simethicone (gas relief drops) ~ used in cosmetics during the manufacturing process to reduce the surface tension of air or gas bubbles, causing them to collect and rise upward

Urea (formerly extracted from urine) ~ widely used in all manner of cosmetics as a skin-softener and humectant

[end of part 1]

GASP... don't forget to breathe

Q&A: Curly Afro (Part 2)

2008-08-05T16:40:00.000-07:00

Q: thanks a lot for the suggestions. I think I am going to keep
twisting. But I did have a question. How do you make your own hair
products?

~ Holly

A: Your very welcome, and...

I developed my own recipes from researching into herbology and basic
'homemade' body care product recipes. From looking at the results of the
recipes and tweaked it to my own standards.

*Example:

A basic shampoo recipe is:

~1/2 cup of organic castile soap
~ 10 drops of essential oils (your choice)
~ 1 cup of water.

I looked at that recipe and realized that it wouldn't have enough base
or body for my kind of hair. So I researched into different types of
plants that would give my hair nutrients, body, and keep it
moisturized.

A great research starting point is...

"Beauty By Nature" by Brigitte Mars

She teaches you details about how your body works and techniques on how
to care for it. She also analyzes different herbs that are good for herbalist beginners (like, general herbs that you can find in grocery stores, local herb shops, etc). And shares some basic recipes.

The best hair care products that you could ever use, are ones that you make yourself from your own sun-infusing kitchen. Everyone has their own expectations on what a hair or body care product should do.

But here is another basic recipe:

* Hair food:
3/4 cup shea butter
10 drops of your choice of essential oils
add a cup of herbs (of your choice) to infuse into the oil mix. (then drain them before placing mixture in a container.

(Melt butter on the lowest heat, until butter is liquefied. Add in
essential oil. Then place mix in a container, put in fridge to harden)

At this time, I am not going to post up my recipes that I have been developing. But if you ever have any more questions, feel free to ask.

** Another tip, is to keep your products vegan and chemical-free for better results.

On a slightly other note...

If you are in the Seattle Area, in September. There's a Natural Hair Meet Up Group getting together
on the 20th. I'll be there and I will be giving a
presentation on things that I found out... if you want to come along, you can
holla at me

My AOL name is:
Pinky White01

P.S.

and another good book is " the herbal spa" by Breedlove

Hope that I helped.

Latoya

Natural and Nappy

Q&A: Curly Afro (Part 1)

2008-08-05T16:35:00.000-07:00

Hello.
My name is Holly and I was browsing the internet looking for ways to
get a curly fro..thats not a lot of maintenance, and i stumbled across
your blog. I currently spend hours twisting my hair but it tends to
lock up on me and takes a long time to redo. Ive been told to go to a
salon and have them fro it for me but id rather do it myself. Do you
have any suggestions?

thanks
holly.

A: Hmmm... This is a tough one

One way, is the method that I think your already using. Which is double
twisting your hair, when its slightly damp (applying hair food to your
hair as you go). When your hair fully dries, gently untwist the hair
leaving your hair looking like cute curly ques, that are both soft and
moisturized.

Another method, is by using the straw affect, which is typically used on
women with relaxed hair (which I find ironic, since it mimics the whole
Afro look).

In the case of nappy type hair, you could use a wooden skewer stick
(the flat end) and wrap each section of dry and oiled hair around it
tightly (works better with tiny sections, and shorter hair) . Gently
pull out the skewer stick... your hair should naturally stay in the
curl, no fritz needed...

Avoid using beauty supply beeswax, real beeswax, or black hair care
store bought products on your hair for this. The chemicals will most
likely make your hair frizz, later. The beeswax will clump your hair.
All you need is an organic batch of shea butter (or even your own
organic homemade hair food recipe) to keep your hair staying
moisturized.

Hmmm, you could try doing the double twist effect, again. But using a
blow dryer or hair dryer to evaporate to excess moisture, and keeping
the hair curled.

Sadly, I don't think there's a hair style that can naturally last for a
long time... other than the usual cornrows, braids and twists. If well
kept, your curly Afro should last for about 2 days.

If you desperately want it to last longer than that...

You would probably have to resort to using a hair spray... which might
damage and strip your hair later... leaving your hair yucky frizzy at
the end of the night.

If you decide to go to a hair salon, mostly likely they will put your
hair into a "cold curl" (aka Jerry Curl) or relax your hair then do the
straw effect or put some sort of chemical texturizer in your hair. But
don't take my word for it, ask around... observe what they say FIRST
then go on your way and then, research maintenance and technique, BEFORE
you let them touch your hair.

I prefer the double twist method, because I like having a day look (with
twists) and a night look (my curly Afro)

Another tip, might be when you take your twists out. Gently wash your
hair with a homemade organic shampoo, rinse, then towel dry until lightly
damp. Add a light hair oil (an almond oil blend works nicely or even
Shea butter oil) for conditioning, after the wash/rinse.

I found that my hair became tightly curled/ wavyish... quite cute, if I
say so myself.

All and all, having nappy hair requires a bit more patience. Changing
your schedule around to better maintain your hair regularly, might be
the best thing.

Latoya

Warning: Do Not Go To This Online Store

2008-03-05T17:41:00.000-08:00

Ok. So this store, never refunded my money. Never tracked my package. Nothing. They never sent a confirmation letter. And basically screwed me over.

So if you don't want to go through this. I recommend NEVER ordering ANYTHING from these pricks.

Crab Apple S.F. Should be renamed 'A Crap Apple of Pricks'

[And their products are questionable.]

The wonderful... the fantasic... and super... Avocado

2008-02-20T16:24:00.000-08:00

The wonderful, as well as under rated, fruit of the world is the 'Persa Americana'. (Commonly known as the avocado)

The avocado originally came from Mexico, Central America and Guam. It was in 1750, when the trading of the avocado began. Since then, the fruit has been shipped by the millions, and grown in different tropical regions around the world.

The leaves of the avocado tree, contain a fatty acid called Persin.

Persin is toxic to both human and animals (extremely more hazardous to animals since their digestive system is weaker).

The fruit, however, (though still hazardous to birds) is extremely nutritious to people... both inside and out.

The Avocado fruit meat, contains about 21 grams of fat (mostly mono saturated fat). It also is rich in potassium (60% more than bananas) and fiber. The meat of the avocado fruit also contains vitamins E, B, and K.

Because of the avocado's natural oils and fat. The avocado fruit is a great meat substitute for vegans.

Cosemetically, the avocado's natural fatty acids is also a fantasic substance for the hair and body, by conditioning and nourshing the dry hair and skin. (...so don't belive the hype about 'fat' being bad in the cosemetic and beauty industries)

The Avocado seed (aka pit) is also very beneficial to the skin. Since the pit contains a lot of nourishing and replenishing properties, by itself. It acts as a gentle exfolliant.

So, so far... the avocado is excellent for the inner make-up of the body, as well as wonderful for the exterior part of our bodies... "what else is there??"

...hmmm.... sex.

The word "Avocado" derives from the spainish word "aguacate"; which derived from the Nahuatl (Aztec) word "ahuacatl"... which means... "testicle". (It was mainly named 'testicle' due to the shaping of the fruit)

In the Aztecian age, many of the Aztecian people, believed that the "ahuacatl" (or Avocado) was a fertility food, or a sexual stimulant. And should not be consumed, unless the consumer wished to be... well... sexual.(So... it was basically not consumed by any man wishing to preserve a more... decent and composed image)

"So, is there any truth to this Aztecian folk lore?" You ask...

Well... yes and no.

There isn't actual proof, that I'm aware of anyway, of the avocado being such a great sexual stimulant, that a man would need to walk around with big folders and books near his crotch.

*[However, please consider that the diet and lifestyle of an Aztecian warrior was much more different then how we live today. Firstly, their enviroment was cleaner... pollution wise, anyways. Second, their diet was organic and rich with wholesome foods... other than the occasional boar heart or blood dripping organ]

For us, in this day and age. 'Essential fatty acids' (usually found in oily fish; nuts; seed; liver oils; pulses; beans; evening primrose; and unrefined vegetable oils) are known to stimulate sexual hormone production (in men). And also, Vitamins E and B6 may help increase 'sperm count'. (Along with increasing an overall healthy diet, cutting out drugs, smoking and large alcohol intakes)

Essential Fatty acids, Vitamins E and B are found inside the avocado fruit. So, theoretically, the avocado probably could work extremely well as a sexual stimulant...

Of course, unless anyone is willing to put that theory to a test... I guess we'll never know.

To end this article I give the "avocado" 3 cheers for all of its benefits.

*Good Resources on this article are:

Healing Remedies by Norman Shealy MD, PhD
Wikipedia
The Herbal Spa Book by Breedlove

Q&A

2008-02-19T22:27:00.000-08:00

Q:

From MoopieLips:

"Help my hair is dry and frizzy!"

A: Most likely the reason your hair is dry and frizzy, is from the use of chemicals you may have been placing in your hair... from hair food/oil, hair shampoo, conditioner, hair spray, etc.

These products, usually contain chemicals that contradict the products' actual purpose, by drying out the scalp and stripping the hair of its natural oils, and nutrients (especially when water touches the hair and scalp).

A good thought is that its easy to fix...

Depending on your 'hair structure' use the correct type of 'natural conditioning herbs and minerals' to help put back what was stripped away.

Example:

Use 'Sweet Almond Oil' (as a base) and mix with a few other herbs (such as rosemary essential oil and Calendula oil). Remove any pieces in the formula after the ingredients have been blended. This mix will result in being a lite oil blend. Which is a perfect conditioner for individuals with naturally straight or loosely wavy hair. This blend wont be to heavy a substance on the hair. It will also absorb into the scalp and hair strands, not leaving extra oil residue. (Best used for people with more Asian and Caucasian type hair)

For individuals with relaxed hair (which is originally curly and/or nappy), curly hair, and nappy hair. It is better to use "Unrefined Organic Shea Butter" as a base. This type of hair conditioner is much heavier but absorbs very well, and conditions (as well as heals) the hair and scalp.

Both examples of replacement conditioners, are excellent when blended in with other herbs and minerals.

Conditioners should be used after hair has been washed (with just a natural shampoo) and is still damp. This allows the "sweet almond oil', or "Shea Butter" to lock in the moisture (in both hair and scalp). This will leave your hair healthier and very soft.

* Side Note: Olive oil is a good in between base, from an extremely dry scalp to oily.

Hope this helps to give you a good idea with getting rid of the 'frizz'...

Hmmm... where was I...????

2008-02-19T22:06:00.000-08:00

{10 years later... she returns to the scene...} Yes I'm back, belated entrance and all. I return... about 5 months later, to finally updated my log... And yes, new articles have also returned. I took the past... almost half a year, to experiment on some new herbs; new recipes; research more books; more history; as well as try to find a direction for my personal life; and do a few new drawings here and there.

Oh, here are a couple of pieces I drew up for some peeps, by the way... (you know I'm gonna have to show and tell)

I'm sorry that I flopped on the 'Blog Action Day' article. Once again... lots of drama... can't completely plan how life is going to work.

So enough of the... "sorry's" or "where I have I been's". Now that everything has been explained, lets get back to being "Natural & Nappy"

Dear Readers

2007-09-25T09:14:00.001-07:00

Just wanted to write a quick letter to my readers. I wanted to
appologize for not posting up any new articles recently...

Sadly, I have been stuck into a Writer's Block Faze...

(A disadvantage to being deep into studies and researching, as well as
trying out experiments and tests...)

Lately, I have been trying out a lot of experiments with natural
products and chemical products for my "Raw Hair Foodist Diary". Its
taking more resources and time than I orginally thought. So between
that, and other areas of research, as well as living life, of course...

Its been tough.

The good news is that...

I have some unfinished articles that will be posted up, sometime in our
near future...

Other than blog action day... the articles don't have a set deadline.

For those who are members of blog log... please feel free to become a
member of my community... that way you can easily see when I post up a
new article.

For those not a member of blog log. I will add a subscription box, so
you can easily see when a new posting has arrived on "Natural and
Nappy", if you don't want to become a memeber of blog log.

Thank you for your support, by reading my articles. Hope that you will
remain my constant reader.

Much love and respect....
--
sincerely,
Latoya

Q&A

2007-09-01T07:12:00.000-07:00

Q: From Honeylips: (regarding her hair falling out) She
stated that she is afraid to cut off her hair because everyone else is so obsessed over her hair length though she is having a serious case of hair breakage...

A: Your hair has already given you an answer, because its falling out in chunks, etc. You, as stated, have already done a lot of damage to your hair. And the constant breakage means that the chain of damage has probably gone up through most of the hair strand.

Its up to you to make the final decision. But it might be good to consider that:

1) Its your hair, not theirs. Right now you have to deal with constant hair breakage. If the hair damage continues on a long term basis, who knows what new effect might arise.

2) At this point, your hair is still growing. Whatever damage that you have done to your hair (in the hair strand areas) is mostly likely permanent. Which means you could go through a hair detoxing treatment, but your hair (that you refused to cut off) wont be as healthy as it could be.

With those points to consider, my suggestion is that you do chop it off, but not dramatically. I recommend using a transition hair style.

A transition hair style is used to hide the real hair to allow the real hair underneath to grow naturally without the use of heavy chemicals.

So this is where braids, cornrows and weaves come in handy as a great hair fixer upper...

As long as the hair dresser does not put them in too tight, with can also leave to breakage, (remember your hair is delicate) you can wear these styles until your hair naturally grows to a comfortable enough length (or when you are spiritually ready to let go) and cut your damaged hair off.

During and afterwards, I recommend changing the lifestyle that you have regarding your usual food intake and hair food (and product) intake.

Increasing the amount of vegetables, fruits and complicated grains (lowering the intake of meat) not only helps your body heal itself, but helps give your body enough nutrients to send to your hair follicle to grow more hair. Remember growing hair, is like the last priority to your body. So the nutrients sent to your hair and nails is the lesser amount compared to what the rest of your body receives.

A good example of that is looking at the African American Slaves... they lived with eating a very poor diet and poor hygiene for a long time. Along with their extreme measures to straighten their hair, and head diseases that arose, the lack of nutrition was also seen as a cause for their rapid hair loss.

The more good things that we put into our bodies, the more good nutrients is sent to all areas of our bodies.

Other than a change of diet within your body. Changing the diet for your hair is also important. This allows your hair to get nutrients both from the inside and the outside. I recommend using Raw Shea Butter and creating Raw Hair Shampoo and Conditioner recipes...

Hope my answer helps. For some resources, check out:

Treasured Locks
Raw Hair Food Diary
Q&A

Blog Action Day

2007-08-19T21:39:00.000-07:00

Yo, thanks to LukiaNo for posting this on your blog. I am going to participate too. On October 15th 2007, blogs around the world will post up a single article regarding the environment. Since there is so many areas to discuss, it will be interesting to see what everyone decides to say. Check it out:

Blog Action Day

Analyzing the 'Hair Relaxer' (part 2)

2007-08-19T17:45:00.000-07:00

So, how does relaxer work with 'straighten hair'?

The Calcium Hydroxide (or sodium hydroxide, if your using lye) penetrates the cuticle layer of your hair shaft, and violently attacks and strips away your cortex (Which we explained earlier as being the hair shaft's source of nutrients, strength and elasticity). Unlike, the cuticle, the cortex happens to be very easy to perish.

From the lack of strength... the hair shaft falls (lacking the vitality to hold up curls), making your hair... straight(ish). Hence the term "relaxing the hair".

To add to stripping the cortex, the active chemicals not only penetrate the the hair shaft, they also penetrate your scalp! (No matter how careful you try to be, the hair relaxer STILL touches and penetrates into your scalp.)

In your scalp, the chemical does 3 major things:

The chemical violently react to the substances in the body and attacks the oil glands, making them dormant.
The chemical strips your outer epidermis layer (aka your skin on your scalp) taking away your natural protective layer, leaving your skin unprotected.
The chemical also absorbs into your scalp, and is stored some where else in your body for a side effect to develop later, after a long term usage. (Like balding, skin disease, etc.)

Without natural oils, and stripped skin. Your hair and scalp are left to dependent on OTHER products to fix what problem was created.

As mentioned in an earlier article, kinky hair is actually very WEAK, BRITTLE, as well as DRY. So, in a sense, that would make 'relaxed hair' the MOST WEAKEST, DRIEST and VULNERABLE type of hair.

With no form of natural protection, the 'Relaxee' is forced to become a slave to a 'Cycle of Chemicals'.

What is this 'cycle of chemicals'?

A "Cycle Of Chemicals" is a constant routine of chemical usage and dependency to fix a problem that a previous chemical (or product) had initially created. Every single product that contains chemicals, this includes preservatives (etc), has ingredients that cause some form of damage.

Example (A):

"Fragrance" is added to every chemical mix product to cover up the horrible smell the formula originally had in the laboratory. The 'side effect', however, is that it dries out your hair and scalp. Every new product used to fix the problem of dry hair and scalp, usually contains the same (or similar) fragrance chemical which will essentially add to further damage or dependency to another temporary fix. With constant forms of damage, trimming off the hair shaft is needed to stop the chain of breakage, from reaching the rest of the hair.

Example (B):

After a while you develop hair breakage (from using hair relaxer, or other harsh methods of treatment)
You use a product, to fix the problem.
That product in turn has its own damaging side effect. So you use another product to fix that problem.
Which leads to damage, or a side effect in another area. So you use another product to fix that problem. Etc, etc, etc.

Over and over again, we use one product to fix one problem, then another one to fix another problem. No wonder the cosmetic industry makes billions of dollars a year. They create products to fix problems that they themselves have originally created.

As this cycle of dependency continues, there is yet another problem that arises...

WATER...

Water???... you ask.

Here is yet another irony. Kinky hair is the driest type of hair there is. It needs moisture... yet for most black people (mainly black women), they end up usually fearing the idea of water touching their heads (unless planned, of course)... why?

"Wonderful, fantastic water!!!

It can help sustain life, as well as be a means of destruction. It can be molded into a new shape, as well as mold a new shape out of a solid object. And... Whatever is NOT naturally bound to you will be simply stripped away in mere minutes!"

Chemicals aren't bound to us. They don't really absorb... well not always in a good way, anyway. A lot of chemicals just sit on top of your skin or hair shaft... waiting to be washed away.

Water not only attacks from the outside of our bodies, but from the inside as well. Our bodies sweat, and practically push the chemicals away from us... along with other toxins that were inside of us.

Without protection, both chemically and naturally, the skin and hair become... once again... vulnerable to the elements. Which leads to...

Frizzy hair, 'unmanageable' hair, dry, flaky skin, itchy scalp, matted hair, and... just another addition to the chain of hair breakage.

***

[The image above is of a pair of antique "Sheep Cards". Slaves often used Sheep Cards to try to straighten their hair, so that they would look like the Europeans. The result was actually, their scalp being slashed, as well as their hair being ripped out, which lead to infections in the scalp, due to the lack of hygiene. But they kept using it, regardless of the pain and damage, for centuries because of their desperation to have the so-called "good hair".]

There was a time (well, the last 400 years anyway) when Black people felt that they needed to 'fit in' with the Europeans. With out a good source of knowledge (and due to our demanding desire to look like our slave owners) we used very extreme methods to satisfy our own personal obsessions (that actually was the REASON for hair breakage, balding, and infections. Like using the "Iron Toothed Sheep Cards", Car Oil, etc).

I am sure that if C.J. Walker (and other famous black people for the black hair industry) knew that the reason they were rapidly balding, was because of the extreme methods that they used to try to straighten their heads, rather than just genetics. I am sure they wouldn't have continued searching for things to fix the problem of balding. But rather, they might of just STOPPED what was causing the problem in the first place and let their bodies heal themselves.

In our time, however, WE have absolutely no reason not to ask questions about what we are putting in to or on our bodies. Using resources like the library, asking questions to professionals, the internet and other forms of media, gives us the opportunity that our imprisoned (both physically and mentally) ancestors didn't have.

***

This isn't me trying to force you to go nappy. But rather me trying to show you the 'oxymoron' with using black hair care products.

Some good starter resources are:

Treasured Locks FAQs
Wikipedia
The Book "Hair Story" by Ayana Byrd and Lori Tharps
The book "Beauty" by Rona Berg
The Library, etc.

*** You will notice, however, that a lot of resources state the obvious problems, yet... they still promote their own "so called" glorious products, which has their own side effects. (GREED is such a powerful temptation...)

Analyizing the 'Hair Relaxer' (part 1)

2007-08-19T17:17:00.000-07:00

What does " Hair Relaxer" actually do?
Before answering the question. We need to take a good look at the structure of our hair and skin.

Cuticle: Is the outer layer of the hair shaft. The cuticle is made up of layers of scales that interlock with the inner root sheath, to firmly latch it to the hair follicle. Healthy cuticle scales, will lie down smoothly and reflect the light. This is what gives the hair a lovely shine.
Cortex: Is the bulk of the hair shaft. The cortex is made up of combined (or locked) groups of cells. Each group of cells contain particles of nutrients that gives the hair Strength and Elasticity.
Medulla: The center or core of the hair shaft. Scientists are still unsure of its function but it is known that some people with fine hair, like nappy hair, don't have it.

***

Other areas to take note of are:

Melanin: Is contained in the cortex. It gives your hair an skin its color. The more melanin you have, the darker the tone.

Hair Follicle: Is at the base of the hair shaft. At the hair follicle, dead cells are compacted together and added to the base of the chain of grouped dead cells that make up the hair shaft and hair follicle.

Papilla: Is made mainly of connective tissue and capillary loop.

Hair Matrix: Is located around the papilla. The hair matrix is the actual location where there is cell division between the new arrived dead cells.

Sebaceous Glands: Are glands that produce Sebaceous oil, or your body's natural oil. Your body uses the Sebaceous oil to naturally condition your hair and skin.

So what is " Hair Relaxer"?

Relaxer is a form of creme, which is used to 'reform' the texture of a type of hair. It is usually used on tightly curly or kinky type hair. There are 2 types of chemical hair straighteners: Lye Hair Relaxer and "No-Lye" Relaxer

"No-Lye" relaxers contain Calcium Hydroxide, which is a colorless crystal (or power) chemical compound. The Calcium Hydroxide is a medium alkaline base substance that 'violently' reacts with acids and attacks metals in Water.

[Interestingly, the human body is made up of about 65% water. It also contains some form of metal substances and acids...]

"Lye" relaxers are a high alkaline base substance. That reacts more violently than 'no lye' relaxers.

I found this description of LYE quite interesting. Thought you might like to read about it:

" Many household products contain lye, the chemical sodium hydroxide. Lye is a caustic, alkaline chemical, which means it dissolves sticky substances like fat, and has a high degree of reactivity with other materials. Lye, in a flake, granular, or liquid form, is very dangerous and can cause damage to surfaces and people... Lye is created out of a chemical reaction between soda, known as sodium carbonate, and calcium hydroxide, or lime. In raw form, it's made into solid flakes, chips, or grains.

Chemical suppliers provide lye to manufacturers to make a wide variety of products, such as fabric, paper, personal soap, laundry detergent, pool-cleaning supplies, metal polishers, and drain de-cloggers.

Caustic lye products pose other dangers to surfaces. They can dissolve substances to your advantage, like hair clogs in a shower drain, as well as to your detriment, such as the adjacent shower curtain. In fact, lye can damage and corrode paint, metal, cloth, plastic, and especially skin. Lye can be so reactive that, in its solid form, it should be kept away from metals, such as aluminum, and the open air. It's usually non-combustible when dry, but could ignite when mixed with water and cause a fire."

[Taken from "What is Lye?"]

Interestingly enough. The 'No-Lye' active ingredient Calcium Hydroxide, is also used in drain de-cloggers, as well as hair removal cremes!

To see just how violent these substances react. Get a secure 'see-through' tube and bowl, and mimic a clogged drain. Use the drain de-clogging substance, and watch. Not only does the product unblock the clog... but it disintegrates the substance enough for the hair (or clog) to loosen up enough to continue moving through the drain pipe.

Hair remover cremes, aren't as concentrated enough to "disintegrate" your hair... but... it is concentrated enough to make your hair actually FALL OUT.

I find that kind of ironic, how we, black women, are always determined to find a way to make our hair grow longer, yet we put things in our hair that were originally designed to do the complete opposite.

I am sure that if the manufacturers actually renamed their "hair straightening" products as the "Hair Fall Out Formula That Has Been Less Concentrated", the millions upon millions of black people probably wouldn't be so eager to "fix" their "kink" problem.

"Its all about the marketing, baby."
Thats how drugs even more harmful than cocaine get sold in the medical industry!!!!!

{end part 1}

Q&A

2007-08-13T04:13:00.000-07:00

Q: My lil 8 year old son has excema; would this dry skin recipe work well for that skin condition? If so, what is and where does one purchase the comfrey?

A: For this particular situation. External treatments are not necessarily the best solution. It probably would be best looking into changing your diet or lifestyle. Changing your diet (or rather your son's diet) would be a form of treatment at the root source rather than treating the after results.

There have been cases, where people were diagnosis with an illness (including Excema) and decided to incorporate a larger amount of vegetables, fruits, water, and complicated grains in their diets, as well as cut out red meat, and lower their intake of meat and fish. The result for them was that their illnesses were cured.

When you incorporate more veggies, fruits, and complicated grains into your body, your body is given the ingredients it needs in order to create ITS OWN HOMEMADE treatment. Usually that treatment consists of a natural "detox".

When your body goes through "detox", it pushes out everything that it doesn't want. The result is first 2 to 3 months of your body going through a withdraw faze, since you no longer eat a lot of junk food. The other result is that your skin becomes radiant, your system internally has cleared FULLY up (and not drastically) so your organs begin to function correctly.

In my own personal case, I had not been menstruating for 3 years and my liver had a lot of damage. Not enough to operate, but enough for me to be screaming in pain once and a while. Since I became vegetarian (or eating an 80% non meat diet, while leaving 20% to fish and occasionally poultry), my body has balanced back and is going back to normal, and I am no longer in the pain that I use to be.

To add to my change of lifestyle, I am using natural cosmetics on my body. Its a slow conversation, but the result, my scars and blemishes are fading and my skin looks radiant and smooth (as well as soft... no make up required).

So to sum this up. In your case, changing your lifestyle to a much more healthier diet as well as incorporating external treatments (you use the external methods as an additional way of treatment rather than relying on it fully).

A: You can purchase the "comfrey" online. It probably would be better to order the "essential oil " from an online facility. If not fresh or dried herb leaves and root.

Good Resources to check out are:

RAW Foodist articles about healing Excema

(note: A RAW Foodist diet, is considered an extreme but gives you a good example on the effects)

Comfrey root

[P.S. My apologies for the belated response.]

Great Moments In Black Hair History: 1979

2007-08-04T21:40:00.000-07:00

In the year 1979. The world was amazed, and African Americans were appalled, when Bo Derek appeared on the movie screen wearing a braided cornrow hair style.

For the rest of the world, it was a showed that anyone could wear that hairstyle, no matter what the color of the skin. For the African Americans, however, it symbolized the end of the 'Black Is Beautiful' movement... why???

Going back a few years, to the year 1963. The world, once again, was shocked or amazed over a hairstyle. This time, however, it was from seeing an African American woman, Cicely Tyson, wearing her hair natural on National TV.

During this time the world viewed black people, especially black woman, as ugly and not human. If an Black woman was seen walking down the street wearing her hair 'not straightened' she was automatically despised, not only by the European Americans but by the African American people as well.

Hatred towards an African American woman, was based off her appearance. She couldn't find a husband if her hair was not straightened. Nor could she get work... In magazines, newspapers, and posters. She was told over and over again, both by black and white people, that she needed to straighten her hair in order to appear beautiful.

For centuries, slave owners would purposely dehumanize the black woman. By referring to her hair as woolly (Like a sheep. Making her appear like animal), as well as using illustrations in newspapers and posters to show her as an ugly barbaric creature. The reason why they focused on the black woman, was because from her insecurities she would also pass on these thoughts to her children. Making sure generation after generation, her descendants would resent themselves.

And if a group of people are weak from their insecurities, it makes them easier to control...

But...

For the first time in African American history, Cicely Tyson (a darker skinned African American Woman) wore her braids proudly on a national television show on CBS, East Side West Side.

The Black People... for a moment (in a sense) opened their eyes. They began to ask questions, research their history and then finally realized what they have being doing to themselves.

One of the most interesting movements in black history had finally arrived... the "Black Is Beautiful" movement.

The "Black Is Beautiful" Movement was a movement that was made to 'celebrate' the beauty of black people. By helping black people gain self confidence as well as show the rest of the world that black people are beautiful, as well as human.

The movement continued through out the 60's but new terms, symbols or meanings kept being added on to what 'going natural' meant. The once simple and peaceful movement eventually was morphed and run by extremists. The 'natural look' became incorporated with more violent actions and movements rather than remaining just a peaceful statement.

But by the 70's, the 'natural look' (mainly the afro) became just another hair style and no longer carried the strong political meaning that it once had. People of all races and cultures were getting a 'fro. In fact, they were desperately trying to get their hair permed, so that they could be able to 'fro up their hair.

The Afro became seen as comical. Jokes about people hiding objects in their afro, and other jokes constantly kept appearing through out different types of media. European Americans no longer felt a need to be threatened by seeing an Afro on a black person.

Cornrows and dreadlocks, however, still appeared as unprofessional and eccentric to the European Standards. Black Women, and black men, were being fired from their jobs for coming to work wearing locks or cornrows. White women, however, would go to work wearing their hair in cornrows and receive compliments about how 'cute' it looked on them. Double Standards began to control society.

So when Bo Derek fronted her cornrow hair style on "10" ( a movie by Blake Edwards: 1979), black people viewed it as an insult. Interestingly enough, the hairstyle Bo Derek decided to wear was very similar to what Cicely Tyson wore in 1963.

The "Black Is Beautiful" movement (in a faze) died. The African Americans forgot why they went natural in the first place (or never really understood) then realized that they wanted to go back to work again. In the 1980's they quickly grabbed their hair straightening chemicals or adopted a new kind of chemical to change the texture of their nappy hair to look once again 'professional' and 'beautiful' to the rest of the world.

... Enter the era of the Jheri Curl...

Analyzing A Statement

2007-07-29T08:54:00.000-07:00

Straightened Hair

Nappy Hair

The famous claim is:

" Nappy hair is unmanageable and Straight hair is easier to maintain."

I decided to test that theory out... to see for myself if it was true or not.

Below are two charts that shows, on average, what a black woman usually spends on hair products, hair equipment, time with maintaining her hair, and visits to the hair salon. Please, compare:

[Costing Chart]
[Estimated Times]

[*Side Note: I do want to point out, the nappy hair product list is very short (it does NOT include afro sheen or any other crap). This is not an under estimate, this is really all that you need to maintain your nappy hair.

The stuff you see in the local store, or on black hair websites, are "unnecessary" products that have been promoted only to make a profit off of the "uninformed" people...

Most African Descendants (from all over the world, especially in the westernized countries) have generally forgotten how to take care of their own hair from years of oppression and insecurities.

So, the 'so-called' Black Hair industry uses that 'lack of knowledge' and insecurities to manipulate people into buying their useless products (that in the long run do more damage than good).

So please don't buy that crap. Just learn more about your hair and then, you'll see what I am talking about.]

To get a general idea we need to know the statistics...

75% of black women in America straighten their hair either with a 'relaxer' or a hot comb. Out of that 75%, about 65% of them wear weaves (extensions, pony tails, full headed weave, etc) as well as get their hair regularly straightened.

Here's a scenario...

Mary, goes to the hair salon every pay day (which is every 2 weeks). Out of the two visits of the month, she only gets her hair weaved once a month. The other visit, she gets her weave removed. Whilst she is there, she gets her regular hair 'touch up'.

For the rest of the month, she self styles her hair with her usual products (Shampoo, Oil Moisturizer, Gel, Spritz, Conditioner, Hair Grease, Setting lotion, Anti Frizz Spray, and curling papers). She usually runs out of her supply about every 2 months.

Mary already, spent $281.42 on her equipment. On her usual supplies she spends $36.32 every two months. On her regular hair salon appointments she spends $420 a month.

So, Mary averages out spending $5257.92 per year on... her hair???

Lets compare with Lisa, who has natural hair.

Lisa also goes to the hair salon twice a month, to get her hair twisted (double strains) for both visits. For the rest of the month, she self styles her hair. Lisa owns the basics as her equipment: two combs, spray bottle (that she fills with water), and a night scarf. She uses only Shea Butter, shampoo, and conditioner as her regular supplies. Lisa usually requires a refill of her products, every two months.

Lisa spent $13.89 on equipment, and each month she spends $110 at the hair salon, as well as $20.48 on supplies every two months.

Lisa ends up spending $1442.82 a year on her hair.

From getting those totals, it is obvious to assume that "Straightened Hair, not Nappy Hair, that is more unmanageable." Or harder to maintain because it averages taking the larger amount of time and money. This isn't to say that natural hair styles don't take a long time. The more eccentric a style the longer it takes to make, of course. But for this example, both the natural and straightened hair styles are fairly basic (e.g. Lisa usually braids back her hair into a cornrow style, while Mary curls her hair into a bobbed hair style).

In the end, however... Once you know and understand your hair, maintaining it would never be a problem. After researching all of this, I have come to realize that not only is the statement not true, but its actually more of a subtle cry of uncomfortably.

Most of us are uncomfortable to step outside the box for a change, which is normal... its human nature.

I hope that this will help you get a larger picture on seeing that going natural isn't as scary as it looks...

***

*On a Side Note: I can't help but think about all those women who have 'relaxed' and weaved their hair for 30 years or so. If they were any thing like Mary, that would mean that they have dumped a total of $157,737.60 (give or take a couple years of price inflation) on... their hair???

That's like a down payment on a house!!!!! ...Or in some places, thats 2 houses!!!!!

I also can't help but think about all those times when my mom, my sister, and I were short on cash. If I realized then what I know now, we wouldn't have had to struggle so hard.

Some more Recipes

2007-07-28T14:43:00.001-07:00

For some requests. Here are some more herbal cosmetic recipes...

Herbal Cleansing Milk For Dry Skin

2 TBSP dried chamomile blossoms
2 TBSP dried rose petals
2 TBSP dried lemon balm leaves
2 TBSP dried calendula
2 TBSP dried comfrey
1 TBSP bee pollen
1 cup boiling water
1/4 cup aloe vera gel
1/2 glycerin
2 TBSP honey
10 drops vitamin 'E' oil

[this recipe is good for 4 treatments]

Place the dried flowers and herbs and bees pollen in a 10 ounce (284 gram) glass jar with lid. Then, pour the boiling water into glass jar, cover and steep for 20 minutes. Strain out herbs (use a cheese cloth or muslin bag for better results), reserving the liquid. Pour liquid into a blender and add the remaining ingredients. Blend at high speed for 2 minutes. Pour contains into a wide mouthed jar. Keep refrigerated; mixture will last for a week.

[for 'normal' skin types, replace the chamomile blossoms and lemon balm leaves with dried elder blossoms and dried lavender. Follow the same procedure as mentioned above]

***

Dandruff Oil Treatment

1/2 cup grapeseed oil
2 TBSP cornmeal
1 TBSP apple cider vinegar
1 shower cap

Pour the grapeseed oil into a bowl, then add the cornmeal and vinegar.
Stir well to make a pastry oil.

How to use:

Rinse hair with warm water. Warm 1 TBSP of the oil mixture in the palms of your hands. Using your finger tips (not your nails!) in a circular motion gently massage the mixture into the scalp. Repeat until the entire scalp has been massaged. Place the shower cap over your head, and let it mix sit for 30 minutes. Rinse well, then shampoo as you normally would.

[ Recommend treatment to be used every other week or once a week. To prevent dandruff from ever starting]

***

Rosemary Water Rinse

Also a dandruff treatment. Use weekly.

1 cup of fresh rosemary
2 cups of boilling water

Place rosemary into a bowl, then pour boiled water over it. Let mix seep until it cools down, to lukewarm tempature.

After shampooing (and rinsing) the hair pour the mixture in the hair, massaging the mix through out the head. Rinse, then condition hair as usual.

***

A Personal 'Get Away' Bath

1 tbsp fresh rose petals
2 tbsp fresh comfrey (for aches and pain refief)
2 tbsp fresh elderflowers (1tbsp dred)
2 cups boiling water

Place the herbs into a 1-pint jar. Pour boiling water over the herbs and steep, covered, for 20 minutes to 4 hours (depending how strong you want the infusion to be). Strain liquid into the bath.

To Use:

Add mixture in to a tub half full of warm water. Relax in the tub for 10 to 20 minutes. Rinse with tepid water and pat dry.

Video: "Good and Bad Hair" (song)

2007-07-27T04:34:00.000-07:00

This is a clip from the famous Spike Lee movie, 'School Daze'. The song is called Madame Re-Re's Salon~ 'Good Hair and Bad Hair'.

It shows in a few minutes, tunes and words a major ongoing issue Black people around the world is arguing about... even in this day. For over 300 years or so, we have argued about who's hair is better. From the beginning of an African American Child's life, even when the child is still in the mother's womb, the family argues over whether or not the baby is going to have supposedly 'good' hair (loosely curled/wavy and long hair, usually obtained by an individual of an interracial inheritance) or 'bad' hair (a constant referral of Nappy/Kinky hair, which is mostly found on an African or African descendant).
The overlooked fact is, the only type of 'good' hair, is hair that is healthily and 'bad' hair is hair that is balding, breaking or seriously damaged. Texture of the hair is NOT a way to define hair quality. In the end, your hair is your hair.

"Run and Hide": My Naps' Story

2007-07-24T19:56:00.001-07:00

At the age of 3. I remember trying to escape the clutches of my family's grip. At the end of every week, my mom, my sister, and my aunts spent the routine of chasing me down to get me to get my hair straightened.

" Latoya, come here!" They shouted.

"No!!" I screamed back.
Then kept running away from them, looking for a good place to hide.

"Don't you want to look beautiful?" "Don't you want your hair to look pretty?"

They said.

Feeling guilty and ashamed, I slowly walked back and sat in the chair prepared for me... then waited.

I held my breathe as the hot comb slowly passed my ears and neck. I squirmed as I felt the heat coming closer to my skin. The smell of burn hair passed by my nose and I started to become more nervous, as I began expecting the hot iron comb to burn me, on my neck, ear, scalp or forehead.

I shuffled in the chair and jerked quickly. I felt the hot iron burn me on my ear. Then, I screamed out in pain. I received a sharp and quick slap from a plastic comb, on my hand, then was told off for moving.

I held back my tears and waited, yet again but this time with my eyes tightly shut. I still could feel the heat of the comb, and could hear (as well as feel) the raking motions of the comb as it was coming closer towards my skin. I began wishing that it was over with. So that they could be satisfied, and maybe leave me alone to play. The heat crept near me and I quickly move away, then screamed out for a second time, as the hot iron burnt the back of my neck.

***

I eventually graduated (since my scalp wasn't so sensitive) from the "Hot Iron Comb" to the "so-called" light relaxer formula for young children.

My big sister reassured me that this would be much better, faster and easier than the hot comb. I began to believe that relaxers were a pain free way to making my hair look "pretty".

The reality, however, was quite different...

I remember crying because the chemicals were quickly burning my scalp. My sister tried to calm me by telling me just to "bare with it, just a little bit longer". I tightly grabbed hold of the chair arms and bit my lower lips. I tightly closed my eyes, held my breath and began kicking my feet at the air. The relaxer chemicals slowly absorbed into my scalp eating away at my hair follicle's cortex, skin and oil glands.

Water finally was splashed onto my head. I quickly assisted my sister with throwing the water, more quickly, onto my head. It took a while for the cool water (and neutralizing shampoo) to neutralize the relaxer.

When the burning finally stopped (note: I stayed under the water for quite a while afterwards) I began crying. I begged my sister, that I didn't want to ever do this again. She told me to wait and see what it looks like when its styled.

Hours later, after the conditioner, the trimming, the drying, the straight iron (for more of an effect) and curling iron, I finally saw the new me...

I ran my fingers through my new "pretty" hair, then said:

" I don't like it. I looks and feels weird."

My sister, reassured me, telling me that I looked "beautiful". Then she called my mom to come and see. My mom also told me about how "beautiful" I looked and they began taking pictures.
In school, the other black kids, began to compliment me (side note: these were the same 'fools' who cussed me out for have messy hair). It felt good, to be excepted... I guess. But the feeling was only temporary, because... my "real" hair grew, showing my nappy roots. I began to get bullied and teased, again.

I started to long to look like the other girls in school, on t.v., and on the "Just for Me" boxes. Every month (or so) the same torturous process of straightening my hair, continued. Eventually, my scalp got "somewhat" use to the chemicals and the process didn't hurt so much...
However, I couldn't scratch my head (at all) a few days before I planned to get my hair straightened or the burning would increase. (Also to keep looking "clean" I couldn't play like the other kids because I didn't want to get "messy hair")

Elementary, Middle and High School passed by over the years. By college, I found myself teasing other young black women in the similar way that I had been constantly teased. My friends and I use to make jokes about "messy haired" women and men. Any women who would walk down the street with their 'fro, we would look at them weird. Looking back at that, I think it was because I didn't feel comfortable about it.

I also started making statements like:

" The only person on EARTH that I'd allow to witness my messy hair, would be my husband. Even then, it would only be seen in private... not openly." My friends laughed and agreed with me."

Eventually I evolved into a "hair extension junky". I found that braided hair extensions (aka weaves) were way better than relaxers because they didn't burn my scalp. The only problem was that I spent HOURS getting my 'singles' put in. Later I got into braided extensions in styles like cornrows because it saved time. From there, I discovered 'invisible'. Occasionally between braiding my hair, I'd get my hair relaxed... to get rid of my naps. That pattern continued until I actually found and married my husband.

***

Ironically, my husband WAS THE FIRST person (other than my intermediate family) to see my "messy" hair. He also was, interestingly enough, the one determined to convert me to go 'natural'...

Every time I relaxed my hair... I got his look of disapproval. Every time I put extensions into my hair... I got his look of disapproval. 20 major arguments, later, I received the question that forever changed my way of thinking.

"Why?"

For such a deep (single word) question, I couldn't find an answer to really match it. I tried though...

***

"Because it looks good!" I said.
"Does it???" he paused. "And your natural hair doesn't??"
"No... its messy and unmanageable!" I said.
" Why do you think that?" he paused, then said. " Have you ever let your hair go completely natural?" (referring to growing the relaxer out) "Have you ever asked some one how to maintain it?" "How do you know its unmanageable?"

I huffed, then said,
" Just leave me alone. Its MY hair and my body. I can do what I want with it!!!!"
" Actually, its OUR body, because your my wife and I don't think it looks 'right' on you. Black women were meant to wear their natural hair!" he said.

[Silence... then a glare]

"Its MY hair on MY head... and I like it!!!" I said.

" Why??"

... "Its professional looking. I can't get a job with nappy hair!" I replied.

"How do you know? And by whose standards??" He said. " I see other black women wearing their naps, at work. So... what are you talking about...?"
" Good for them." I huffed.
" Yeah, really." He replied.

***

Of course, I got really fed up with this conversation. So eventually, I gave in. We have been married for almost 4 years. Out of that time, it took me about 2 1/2 years to finally get it... even though, a year after we got married, I gave in and went nappy.
If you remember I went "Nappy" for HIM... not for ME and honestly, there's a big difference in that.
In my mind, when I first went nappy, I couldn't "carry off" wearing my own nappy hair. After a while, from insecurities and frustration, I tried to relax my hair again.

Lets analyze why, for a moment:

At this point I had a head full of hair follicles that were half nappy (at the roots and base) and half fried (from permanently being chemically fried from relaxers). The result! I was in a state of "nap limbo".

*Note: the 'nap limbo' stage is actually the faze where MOST previous 'relaxees' run away from going back to being natural. You'll usually hear the transitionist complain about their hair being easily tangled, overly frizzy, and 'unmanageable'. Most assume that, this is what REAL NAPPY HAIR IS like and run quickly back to chemicals (like, a frightened junky running back to drugs after attempting to get clean).

The reality is, your head and hair are going through a physical 'withdrawal' faze. Your oil glands (depending on how long you relaxed your hair) have been damaged and are trying to repair themselves. Which is why the hair is overly frizzy. Your hair is tangled because your hair is mixed with two VERY different types of hair. The best thing to do is actually just cut it off...

***GASP***

... or put extensions in and wait for your hair to grow longer, before cutting off the "fried" hair.

At that time (I believed that my hair was unmanageable) and acted like the scared junky and quickly grabbed what ever relaxer I could find...

[oops, bad move]

So, what happens when relaxer goes on a head full of fresh 'new growth' hair?

Imagine that some one has just set your hair on fire, then forced you to sit and wait, as the fire burns your hair and head. Not this is not an over exaggeration!

***

The burning came almost instantly! I screamed! I cried! I screamed some more. Then, my husband ran into the bathroom, thinking that I was dying or something. He had to virtually lift me into the shower, and help me wash out the chemicals. I cried out:

"Get it off of me, get it off!"

It took a long time for me to stop crying. As it neutralized and it was washed out, my husband started asking me:

" Why or how could you possibly believe, that I would be happy watching you go through this, just to look good?"

He stormed out of the bathroom angry and I took a long look at myself in the mirror. It didn't look right... me with my 'new' head of hair. I couldn't help but think that I just "refried" my hair. My scalp still stung and my 'new' look came off as synthetic rather than 'pretty'. From that moment on, I decided never to put that crap on my head ever again.

Ironically, I felt like I couldn't carry off wearing my 'relaxed' hair and began hiding my chemically fried hair under scarfs, hats, and braids. When my naps grew long enough, I quickly cut my fried hair off and tossed the hair into the trash.

A year and a half later, here I am. With BEAUTIFUL & MANAGEABLE black nappy hair. In fact, my hair now is WAY easier to take care of than my previous relaxed hair.

***

Please leave your comments, if you have any but mainly...
Please leave YOUR NAPS' STORIES,
if you have any...

***

I'd like to hear them.

Favorite Quotations: James Solomon

2007-07-24T04:38:00.000-07:00

" I began to see magazine pictures of people with these big Afros. You can't imagine what it was like when you were brought up all your life to think something is your primary aesthetic and then you see the cover of Ebony with this person with puffed-out nappy hair. It was a strange feeling because part of me was like ' Should I like this?' and the other part of me said, ' Boy, I really like this!' It was like a natural supercharge."

- James Solomon, reflecting on his memories in 1968, when he was still stationed in the U.S. Army base in Germany.

Solomon also stated that he thought the Afro style was " more than anything else representing the opening of information of what Black people were doing."

Oh, Shea... Shea

2007-07-14T22:08:00.002-07:00

Shea is a tree that is native to Africa (occuring in the regions of Mali, Congo, Cameroon, Ghana, Guinea, Nigeria, Senegal, Sudan, Burkina, Faso, Uganda, and Cote d'lvoire). From the Shea Tree is harvested Greenish/Ivory colored Shea Fruit, also called nut, contains a seed from which shea oil is extracted (as well as what "Shea Butter" is formed) from.

For centuries, on the wooded savanna, Shea Butter has been used by the locals. Its been incorporated into the history and culture of Africans. Shea butter was used as a drum conditioner, for the wood shell of the drum and the animal skin head of the drum. And even, funeral beds of Kings were carved out of old fallen Shea Trees.

To add to its history, "Shea Butter" has wonderful natural qualities, such as being used as: a decongestant, an inflammatory, relief for muscle sprains and arthritis pains, lamp fuel, hair and skin care, and even cooking oil.

In regards to skin care, Shea butter is known for being a moisturizer, as well as being effective for fading scars, healing eczema, acne, blemishes, dark spots, patches, stretch marks, and even wrinkles. Shea butter also provides a natural UV sun protection, ranging from none (the refined) to SPF 6. It is not recommended to be used as sun protection for individuals with sensitive skin.

In our modern era, however, Shea Butter, has been manufactured quite different than the tradional ways in ancient africa. These days, there are two different forms or processes of Shea Butter. The first is called "Refined Shea Butter". In this process, the Shea Fruit is bleached and "refined" by using several chemicals, like: Hexane (which is an alkane hydrocarbon, which is used with organic manner, due to them being nonreactive. Interestingly enough, it is also found in gasoline and in glue, that is used for shoes.), fillers, pesticides, and preservatives. Because of this "refining" process, the "Shea Fruit" looses all of the nutrients and benefits that it had originally. So the manufacturers add MORE chemicals and synthetic "nutrients" (that don't even really come close to the natural benefits) to make their product work.

The second process, on the other hand, is called "Certified Organic Unrefined Shea Butter". This process is free of use of pesticides, preservatives, and Hexane. The life of the product is shorter due to the lack of preservatives, and it is also more pricey. But consider this good, for two reasons:

One- its decomposing the way it is suppose to, which is always good.

Two- you pay more now, but pay less in the long run, due to it being healthier and safer, think of all the hospital bills that you'll save on.

Most Shea Butter that you find on the shelf, sadly is "Refined Shea Butter". The manufacturers add a bit of fuller's clay and use a vacuum extraction process, to get rid of the gross smell created from the mixed chemicals...

... Apparently, the smell is that "Nasty" that the manufacturers are willing to spend a few hundred dollars to hide the stench from their customers, consumers, and the occasional FDA agent, that just happened to stop by.

The "organic Shea Butter's" aroma disappears quickly, but it absorbs (smooth like 'butter') into the skin.

You might want to make up a personal home experiment project. Take two samples from your local department store (from the cosmetic section), one of "refined" and the other "unrefined", and see for yourself what the difference is.

Home Style Cosmetic Recipes...

2007-07-11T19:09:00.001-07:00

Buttermilk & Fennel Seed
Skin Cleanser
(Note: This is a good cleanser that is meant for people with 'oily skin'. Fennel seed is a strong astringent and will cause over drying or irritation on people with normal and dry skins.)

1/2 cup of Buttermilk
1 tbsp of fennel seeds

Place the buttermilk into a double boiler and heat them gently for 30 minutes. Cool and leave to stand for 2 hours. Strain. Pour the buttermilk into a clean, sterilized jar. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

[Taken from "A Dash Of Spice" by Kathryn Hawkins & Gail Duff]

***

Honey Water After Shave

This makes a soothing and refreshing aftershave
This is a variation of the recipe created by George Wilson (an apothecary to James II, 1685-88, of England).

1 tbsp honey
1/2 cup hot water
1/2 orange-flower
4 tbsp vodka
4 drops coriander oil
4 drops musk oil
4 drops juniper oil
4 drops vanilla oil

Put the honey into a large jug and pour hot water over. Stir until the honey has dissolved. Leave until quite cold. Add the orange-flower water, vodka, and essential oils. Pour the water through a funnel into a dark bottle. Cover and shake well.

[Taken from "A Dash Of Spice" by Kathryn Hawkins & Gail Duff]

***

Facial Scrub

Do not use if your skin is very sensitive.

	1 tbsp ground oatmeal
	1 tbsp ground dried lavender blossoms
	1 tbsp ground thyme leaves
	1 tbsp ground almonds
	4 drops lemon essential oil

Grind all dry ingredients finely and mix until uniform. Add essential oil and mix well. Store in a glass container. Use 1 1/2 teaspoons with enough water to make a paste. Gently massage into skin and rinse thoroughly.

[Taken from "E Audry"]

Nappy Hair Care...

2007-07-08T20:21:00.000-07:00

African hair, even though beautiful when natural, has to go through different routines to keep it well maintained. African hair is actually the most driest hair, out of all hair types. And don't be fooled by its amazing thickness, African hair follicles are also the thinnest.

Most don't realize that when we relax our hair, it actually weakens are hair even more. Relaxing the hair also reduces the scalp from naturally producing its own natural oils. Eventually (at some point) we end up with split ends, due to continuous use of chemicals. Which leads us to grab more chemicals and products to fix the problems that we already created... After fixing the "split end" damages, we continue the cycle all over again.

Hot irons and curling at the end of the hair, also leads to breakage. To add to this, kinky hair is also very prone to quickly be tangled. Pulling these tangles out, ALSO leaves to breakage...

So the question... How do we maintain African Hair?

1. Firstly, ignore anyone who claims that you should wash your hair two or three times a week! Our hair is already dry, and only needs (at least) to be washed once a week.

2. Next, after washing your hair. Begin to comb your hair when it is wet (Gently! Remember, our hair is weak) to get the tangles out. Do this (with a wide tooth comb) when you have your deep hair conditioner. Comb your hair for a few minutes, letting the conditioner get to all parts of the hair, before rinsing out the conditioner.

3. Pat your hair dry, until almost dry (still damp. So that you can lock in more moisture), with a towel. Then oil your hair (Not the scalp! You don't want to clog up your pores on your scalp). When oiling the hair, place the oil (preferably Shea Butter) at the bottom of the hair strands. Then, using a wide toothed comb, comb your hair gently. Spreading the oil along the hair strands.

4. Section it and plait it before going to bed. This will reduced tangles when you wake up in the morning. It also helps to keep your hair moisturized.

5. Wrap it up in a silk or satin head scar. And sleep with your head wrapped.

6. When you wake up the next morning to style your head, a good tip would be massaging your scalp with your finger tips. This will help to activate your oil glands. Your body's own oil supply is always better than anything you can purchase in the store.

7. Don't be too dependent with using oil moisturizers. They clog up your pores, and the contain chemicals (like fragrances) that tend to dry out your head. Oil moisturizers are a good quick fix, if you forgot to oil or tie up your hair the night before. But don't rely on them. A good leave-in conditioner is better to have.

8. Another good tip is using a rosemary rinse (mentioned in my previous article... "What do you know about your Rosemary") every other week, can help prevent you developing dandruff.

9. Try to avoid petroleum base or Vaseline base hair food products. They actually block your pores... which is something you don't want.

10. If you exercise regularly, make sure to rinse the salt out of your hair (collected from sweating), and put in a deep conditioner.

To Hemp or Not to Hemp?????

2007-07-08T07:51:00.000-07:00

So Yesterday I talked about the benefits of rosemary. But do you know of another "miracle" plant?? This particular one, is probably the greatest one, because it can do so much for you.

Hemp!!!!

You might have been wondering, why every one has been turning into a sober version of a "weed head". Hemp has been popping up every where. Hemp is in food, in clothes, and in cosmetics. Hemp is also now used for Fuel, in paints, in cleaners and even being used for building constructions. Why??? Here are some reasons:

Foods

Hemp contains a balance of nutritional benefits, making hemp the world’s premier food source. Hemp seeds have fiber, protein and essential fatty acids (EFAs).

Fuel

If the government would allow it. If we planted at least 6% of the continental U.S. This could satisfy all America's energy needs. Hemp is Earth's number-one biomass resource; it is capable of producing 10 tons per acre in four months. Biomass can be converted to methane, methanol, or gasoline at a cost comparable to petroleum, and hemp is much better for the environment. Hemp can produce 10 times more methanol than corn. Hemp fuel burns clean. Petroleum causes acid rain due to sulfur pollution.The use of hemp fuel does not contribute to global warming.

Clothing and Textiles

Hemp is the standard fiber. It is know for its strength and durability. The latest fad these days, is mixing the hemp fibers in with other fibers. Like, hemp silk, hemp cotton, or hemp wool. Hemp is taking the fashion industry over by storm. More and more, people have discovered that hemp blended materials are stronger and longer lasting than that average polyester blend or even 100% cotton blend. Products range from rope to fine laces to dynamite to Cellophane!

And what use does it have regarding cosmetics??? Hemp Oil provides your skin with 3, 6, and 9 nutrients (omega)...

Hemp is truly amazing (inside and out)... In fact, if your planning to become more ECO friendly. You should join the "HEMP MOVEMENT", which is basically taking out the harmful chemicals and poor fabric, and replacing it with hemp in your regular shopping list.

For more information, check out: http://students.ou.edu/W/Elicia.A.Wallach-1/hempcopy1.htm

Did you know???

2007-07-07T22:42:00.000-07:00

Did you know...

... that "Animal Amniotic Liquid" (or the fluid that surrounds and protects a cow or ox fetus) is used in moisturizers and shampoos. It has been heavily praised for protein and vitamins. Cattle, ox or swine brain cells are also used in moisturizers.

Don't forget that...

Fish scales are used in some glittery eye shadow...
"Live" Sheep cells are in antiaging skin treatments...
Beetle Carapace (the shell of a beetle) is used in red lipstick. The beetle shell is a source of carmine.

How does this slide, you ask...

The author (Rona Berg) of "Beauty, the new basics" wrote:
"... the FDA spends only about 1% of its budget on monitoring the entire beauty industry, the industry remains largely self-regulated."

This means that fish scales and animal cells are the least of your worries. There are chemicals after chemicals placed into our daily cosmetics. Not only are these chemicals harmful to your skin. But they are harmful to the inside of your bodies, too. "What goes on your skin, goes into your blood stream..."

A good motto to follow, should be:
" If you can't eat it, then you wouldn't want it on your skin..."

Soldier...

2007-07-07T21:54:00.001-07:00

I'm a soldier,
Thou I'm not in green.
I'm a soldier,
This is what it means.

Struggle...
is my constant eniemy.

my, Struggle...
is a battle made for me.

A war. A battle.
that seems to never end.
A war. A battle,
I will fight you until the end.

A soldier,
that fights to be free.
Of a battle. A battle,
inside of me.

What do you know about your rosemary????

2007-07-07T19:40:00.000-07:00

Hey here's a little bit of a "brain refresher" for you... What can rosemary do for you???

Apparently, rosemary is one of those miracle plants. Placing rosemary, honey, and hot water together (making a rosemary tea), helps to naturally relieve Headaches. Also in the Middle ages, rosemary was believed to help you improve your memory. Which would explain the reasons why rosemary was placed on graves for remembrance, and also would explain why Ophelia (from Shakespeare's Hamlet) said, "There's rosemary, that's for remembrance."

It is also good to place fresh rosemary in boiled water, and have a towel hanging over the back of your head, so that you can take in the steam. This helps your pores get rid of excess dirt. Also, fresh rosemary and hot water can be used as a rinse (through your hair) to help prevent dandruff.

Even though rosemary is so convent, large quanities of it, because it may cause seizures in otherwise healthy adults or children, if over dosed. Rosemary in culinary or therapeutic doses is generally safe, however precaution is necessary for those displaying allergic reaction, or those prone to epileptic seizure.

For more information about Rosemary, check out: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosemary

Lets Go Natural, People!!! (My Introduction)

2007-07-07T14:45:00.000-07:00

A lot of people don't understand my joy, I guess. Its 2007 and STILL having nappy hair isn't excepted in society... I find that strange.

I notice the looks that I get from various people. The uncomfortable look, of a lack of understanding. Perhaps you know what I am talking about. Where people think your appearing too PROUD for wearing your own hair... or having, even, a confident attitude.

Whats amazing is that these LOOKS mostly come from my fellow African Americans... NOW THAT IS STRANGE...

So what IS wrong with me wearing my hair, the way it naturally grows? And whats wrong with having a content attitude?

I feel really good going natural. In fact, I feel SO MUCH MORE CONFIDENT, these days, that I am finding that I prefer more things in my life to be natural and healthy (beauty products, food, etc) rather than the " popular and excepted".

So what is the "Popular and excepted"? The "popular and expected" are the ones without questions. Its like me following a mass of people jumping off of a jagged cliff edge without ever asking the question... why?!

For Example:

We live in a society, where the moment "iphone" came out, thousands of people ran out to buy a $600 phone (on top of paying the extra fee, to end their previous contracts) to join a crappy network (AT&T).

What happened to asking questions and finding the logic in our actions?

If those same people waited before acting, they might have actually thought:

"Hmmm, the life expectancy of a phone is around 6 months to a year. Would it really be wise for me to spend, roughly $1100 on a phone that hasn't worked out its problems yet? As well as, go to an unreliable network, just because, I want the latest (not necessarily the greatest) phone. Am I really not satisfied with having a $400 ipod and a $399 blackberry????"*

Just like our methods with purchasing luxury items. Our methods of treating our bodies, are (in my opinion) worse!

Our hair and appearance says a lot about an individual. Everyday, women put themselves through horrible forms of toucher, just to look beautiful (like relaxing their hair). Personally... I find that looking beautiful for being natural, is more sufficient than getting liposuction...

This is a blog about being Natural (no matter your skin color) and showing off your naps (if you have any). Lets us try something different. Especially in a time when everyone is becoming health conscious. Why not allow our eyes to open up a bit more, so that we see that its not only fruits and vegetables that we need to be adding to our lives.

Lets try to evolve into being a more NATURAL SOCIETY...

Please feel free to email me photos, of hair styles and looks or messages...

Lets spread the word...

*Every year, in America, millions throw away millions of dollars, just because the magazines, TV, and radio (don't forget billboard, etc.) said that we should buy it!!!! MOST of those products or purchases were totally unnecessary. In fact, if the products were cosmetics and food, a lot of the items we pick out are actually damaging. Without really stopping and thinking about it, we buy it! And MAYBE regret it later...

{P.S. if your heart is set on purchasing the new "iphone", try waiting 6 months. Like every cell phone thats ever existed, the rates or prices drop, incredibly. Thats also around the time when you see the contract bargains, for giving the phone away for free or to sell the phone for a third of its original cost. A good example of phone prices being cut, would be the "T-Mobile Side Kick". In the end of the day, are you really more interested in buying a cell phone that will last you 6 months to a year, or putting $1100 to something else?}