DIY Daily Conditioner

For years now I've been making my own moisturizing shampoo yet for some reason, when it came to conditioner, I've been quick to go to the store. 

My hair is thick with a combination of spiral curls, coils and waves. It takes a lot and I mean a lot of moisture to keep me from looking like I'm sporting a scraggly lion's mane. Conditioner is not something to be taken lightly. 

About three months back, an Ayurvedic client of mine with a similar hair type requested a DIY daily conditioner.  I had a ton of recipes for a variety of hair types but nothing that I could stand behind to address the unique needs of thick, curly hair. 

So I went into mad scientist experiment mode. I tested formulas on my kids and on myself, I added this and I added that, and I came up with a DIY daily conditioner blend I can stand behind.

First, can we talk about the smell? Your hair will smell divine. The lavander is so fragrantly floral and blends perfectly with the earthy sweetness of myrrh.

Second, did I mention all day moisture of not only your hair root to end, but of your scalp as well. Castor, coconut, and olive oils combined with the essential oil myrrh, pack a powerful moisturizing punch. If you have curls, they will spring into shape. The castor seals your coils like a serum.

Finally, you can whip up a batch in minutes. I prep mine the day before and store in a 2 oz glass jar.

You can make single batches or double up. If you're going to double up, I recommend adding a few drops of Vitamin E oil as a preservative. 

Here's what you'll need:

3 tablespoons unrefined coconut oil

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 tablespoon castor oil

10 drops essential oil of myrrh

5 drops essential oil of lavender 

Here's what to do:

I combine my ingredients directly in my storage container. If your coconut oil is hard, soften it by running the jar under warm water so that your items blend easily and evenly. 

I mix with a small whisk and ta-da!

It's so easy!

A few things to consider:

 One batch is usually enough for my hair (shoulder length thick and wavy) and  both of my son's hair (in pictures). This means that I whip up a quick batch daily before each use. You can make a big batch if that suits your lifestyle better, but if you're planning to keep the conditioner longer than a week, I'd add a few drops of vitamin E oil to serve as a preservative. 

Also, this recipe is for daily conditioning. Even though it's moisturizing, it's relatively light. Once a week, I do a deep conditioner using the same foundational recipe only adding 1/2 cup of melted shea butter. For deep conditioning, I leave in my hair for 15 minutes before rinsing, for regular daily conditioning, I leave the basic recipe (without shea butter) in for 2-5 minutes.

Questions? Don't hesitate to reach out! You may also like my DIY Shampoo recipe. 

For more DIY natural skin care ideas, check out my latest book Natural Beauty from the Outside In, where you’ll find 70 Ayurveda inspired hair and skin care recipes.

DIY Cold and Cough Tonic

With a little help from a few simple items, most likely already in your pantry, fridge or spice rack, you can create nourishing medicinal preparations that will keep you in balance the natural way.

There is a resurgence of treating ailments the good old fashioned natural way with great cause considering the amount of chemicals, artificial dyes, and artificial preservatives found in many over the counter cold and cough remedies (have you read the warning labels on these? Don't mix with...Don't drive if....May cause drowsiness, dizziness, ulcers....)

I'm not saying not to seek medical treatment or take medicine for the major things, let's face it allopathic medicine is one of the greatest comforts of living in the modern era, but for the small discomforts, the coughs, the colds, you have more power than you may think. Using everyday foods, spices and herbs, you really can combat a majority of life's minor illnesses and discomforts.

When you first begin to feel that foreboding scratch in your throat, or notice that your cough and sneeze are becoming a problem, this all natural cold and cough tonic will get you back to 100% in no time!

To make you will need: 4 cups water 3 tablespoons Raw apple cider vinegar 1 tablespoon Raw honey 1/2 teaspoon Turmeric 1/8 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper 1 whole Ginger root

Bring your water to a boil in a saucepan. While your water is boiling, rinse and slice your ginger root, then add to your water.

Let the mixture come to a full boil before reducing the heat to a simmer. Add your turmeric and cayenne pepper. Simmer for ten minutes and remove your mixture from the hot eye. Add your apple cider vinegar and mix with a spoon. Pour 1/2 cup to a cup into a mug ( you can strain the ginger out or you may leave the bits of sliced root- depends on your personal preference) stir in your honey and consume while warm. Store any extra in a mason jar. Drink twice daily.

This tonic is safe for children and will not leave you the least bit groggy, dizzy, or incapable of driving or operating machinery.