The natural way: rejuvenating treatments for face, hair, lips and body - Natural Beauty

Hippocrates (c.460-370 B.C.) once said, "The natural way is the only way." As we venture into the new millennium, many people are moving toward the natural lifestyle recommended by the Father of Medicine thousands of years ago. Organic foods are becoming increasingly available and consumed. Yoga, pilates, and other types of movement are becoming daily activities. Various alternative therapies including reiki, breathwork, and acupuncture are quickly emerging as alternatives to conventional allopathic medical treatments. Often, people become so harried trying to naturally achieve and maintain balance within their core that they forget to take care of their "shell."

While no one would dispute the validity of the saying, "It's what's on the inside that counts," looking and feeling good on the outside can increase both self-esteem and confidence, which can help sustain that crucial emotional balance inside the body. After the rush associated with the holidays, many people begin the New Year hoping it will bring renewal. Too soon after making resolutions--to be less stressed, to save money, to get more sleep--life's many responsibilities get in the way and we feel, by February or March, that we've failed. Staying up nights worrying about how you are going to pay for that yoga/meditation class and your electric bill will have you failing before you even begin to do better for yourself.

Here is a challenge that will help you reduce stress and save money while bringing that sense of renewal we are constantly seeking. It will require some resolve on your part, adding five items to your grocery cart, and taking an hour a week to spend on yourself. The following recipes are designed to combat the ill effects of harsh winter weather on your face, hair, lips, and body, without costing a fortune, or requiring hours of hunting down ingredients and making concoctions. (Each recipe has only three steps!) Your challenge is to spend a little time each week treating your body to one (or all) of these treatments. You will look and feel better on the outside, which will make you glow from the inside.

FOUR HEALING TREATMENTS FOR YOUR SKIN AND HAIR

On your next trip to the food market, you will need to buy the following items:

* 1 Avocado: contains Vitamins A, C, and E, iron, potassium, niacin, pantothenic acids; unsaturated fatty acids stimulate the skin's of production of natural oil

* 2 Small bananas: contain tryptophan, an amino acid, potassium, and Vitamins A, B, C and E which restore the elasticity of the hair

* 1 small bottle Olive oil: Hippocrates called olive oil "the great therapeutic"; provides sunscreen protection, absorbing 20% of the sun's rays

* Orange essential oil: soothes and restores the spirit; is a skin conditioner and soothing agent

* 1 brick of beeswax: melting point is 145[degrees]F; natural animal wax from the comb of the honey bee; works as a binder and protective barrier from wind and sun

Face: Tropical Citrus Mask

If you want to avoid lots of clean up, before applying this mask cover your face with cheesecloth (with holes cut out for eyes and mouth).

1. Mix together 1 ripe banana, 1 tsp. Olive oil, 1 drop Orange essential oil.

2. Smooth over face and leave on for 15-20 minutes.

3. Rinse off with tepid water. Apply a rich moisturizer.

Hair: Mayan Hair Mask

Ancient Mayan Inca and Aztec women believed that avocados fed the skin from the inside and outside. Make sure you save the avocado pit, setting it in a place where it can dry out.

1. Mix together: 1/2 ripe avocado, 1 tbsp. olive oil, 1/2 small banana and 1 egg yolk.

2. Gently massage onto hair and scalp and cover with a shower cap.

3. Leave on 1 hour and rinse thoroughly with warm water. Shampoo as usual.

Lips: Honey Orange Lip Balm

If you like your lip balm to have a thinner, glossier consistency, use more olive oil. If you like a thicker, creamier feel, use less.

1. Heat 2 tbsp. Chopped beeswax in a double boiler until melted. Remove from heat. Slowly pour 1/3 cup olive oil into beeswax and stir to mix.

2. Add 1 1/2 tbsp. honey and 5 drops Orange essential oil. Stir continuously to mix until cool.

3. Pour into a clean container with a lid. Tightly seal.

Body: Avocado & Banana Scrub

The pit of the avocado needs to be dried for 3-5 days before it can be ground for this recipe.

1. Grind dried avocado pit until pieces are very fine (placing it in a sealed plastic bag and hammering it will work). Mix with 1/2 banana and olive oil to make a thick paste.

2. Rub gently over skin-do not use too much pressure, as the pit will naturally exfoliate!

3. Rinse off in a warm shower.

Emily Ray is a freelance writer in Atlanta, Georgia. She has been creating natural beauty products for five years, and is currently studying to become a registered practitioner of Aromatherapy. You can contact her at TheAromaticWay@yahoo.com

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