Papaya contains an enzyme called papain that breaks down protein and thus is responsible for the fruit’s role as an excellent exfoliator. The fruit acids of ripe papaya help slough off flaking, dead skin and leave the skin soft and polished. This recipe also calls for yogurt, which contains lactic acid to restore natural pH to the skin and is well known for its conditioning properties.

1 ripe papaya, peeled and seeded

1/4 cup natural yogurt

2 tablespoons honey

In a blender, combine all the ingredients and puree on medium-low speed for 30 seconds or until smooth. Apply to skin and leave on for 15-20 minutes. Rinse off with a gentle cleanser.

Recipe from: Barbara Close, The Spa Deck

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Soothing Vetivert Balsam

The smoky, musky notes of sandalwood and vetivert in this blend are very grounding to the mind while the soft floral notes of jasmine add a hint of sweetness to the oil. This is a powerful antidote to relax overstimulated nervous systems. Use this massage oil before going to bed.

Makes 1 ounce

1-ounce glass bottle

1 ounce carrier oil

5 drops sandalwood essential oil

4 drops vetivert essential oil

3 drops jasmine essential oil

Fill the bottle halfway with carrier oil. Add essential oils and shake well. Top off with remaining carrier oil, cover, and agitate a second time. Apply where needed.

Healing Calendula Salve

This all-natural salve contains my favorite herb for treating dry skin. It has a base of soothing beeswax, which acts as an emollient barrier to protect the skin. The anti-inflammatory properties of calendula make it versatile remedy for healing wounds, scratches, or minor burns. This salve is invaluable in the cooler months for dry elbows or cracked skin. Calendula has a delicious honeylike bouquet, which makes the salve all the more irresistable!

Makes 1/2 ounce

Heatproof glass measuring cup

1/2 ounce calendula infused oil

1/2 tablespoon beeswax, grated

5 drops benzoin extract

4 drops lavender essential oil

1/2 ounce ointment jar

Pour calendula infused oil and beeswax into the heatproof glass measuring cup. Place cup in a shallow pan of simmering water. Heat, stirring constantly, until all the ingredients are melted together. Add benzoin extract and lavender essential oil and stir until well mixed. Pour into ointment jar and place in refrigerator to set. Apply liberally to body as needed.

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Herbal Skin Soother

This rich, nutritive body oil, fortified with soothing herbs and essential oils, will calm even the most aggravated skin conditions. When we alternately expose our skin to cold spring air followed by the warm dry air of central heating systems, the skin often becomes dry and itchy. St. John’s wort is an excellent herb for this condition. Rich, vanilla-like benzoin and earthy German Chamomile work synergistically for their anti-inflammatory properties while rose and sandalwood are antiseptic to the skin.

Makes 4 ounces

4-ounce glass bottle

1/2 ounce St. John’s wort infused oil

1 ounce avocado oil

2 drops rose otto essential oil

4 drops sandalwood essential oil

5 drops German chamomile essential oil

18 drops benzoin essential oil

2 1/2 ounces grapeseed oil

Fill the bottle partway with 1/2 ounce of St. John’s wort oil and 1 ounce avocado oil as the carrier. Add essential oils and shake well. Top off with grapeseed oil and agitate again. Apply to body as needed after bath or shower.

Lavender Compress

This is great to wake up on those crisp mornings when getting out of bed can be difficult. The restorative, anti-inflammatory properties of lavender help soothe puffy eyes and calm irritated skin, while the floral herbaceous scent helps wake up your tired mind. In addition, the warm, steaming washcloth helps the essential oil penetrate the skin more easily.

Fill clean bathroom skink with warm water. Add 2-3 drops of lavender essential oil and swish water to disperse the oil. Soak washcloth in water, wring out, and apply to face. Inhale deeply.

Mandarin Lime Synergy

Synergies are more powerful than the individual essential oils. The warm notes of basil and marjoram are revitalizing. The uplifting qualities of citrus oils are a perfect antidepressant for the darket months before full spring.

Using a candle diffuser, simply fill the dish at the top of the diffuser with the following synergy, light the candle and enjoy the uplifting aroma as it vaporizes into the room.

Makes 4 ounces

4-ounce glass bottle

4 ounces purified water

2 drops basil essential oil

19 drops mandarin essential oil

21 drops lime essential oil

12 drops sandalwood essential oil

12 drops grapefruit essential oil

Fill the bottle halfway with water. Add essential oils, cover and shake well. Top off bottle with water, cover and agitate a second time. To dispense, pour 2 tablespoons of synergy into top of diffuser. Shake well before dispensing.

 Photo: All rights reserved by SigHolm

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Chamomile Face Serum
Chamazulene, the active ingredient in German chamomile, gives this essential oil its characteristic deep blue color and is responsible for its anti-inflammatory benefits.

During the colder months, this serum is one of the most effective remedies to calm rosacea or almost any type of dry, itchy skin condition. The soothing properties of chamomile will have a calming effect on the emotional level as well. This is important since most skin imbalances have their roots in emotional stress and not just an external irritant. Evening primrose oil has a reputation as a healing agent for scars and is added to this blend to promote tissue repair along with avocado oil, which is rich in fatty acids.

Makes ½ ounce:
½-ounce glass bottle
¼ ounce evening primrose oil
3 drops German chamomile essential oil
6 drops neroli essential oil
4 drops lavender essential oil
¼ ounce avocado oil

Fill the bottle halfway with evening primrose oil. Add essential oils and shake well. Top off with avocado oil, cover, and agitate a second time. Apply to affected areas. 

Tea Tree and Lemon Foot Balm

1 1/2 tablespoons shea butter
1 teaspoon grated beeswax
1 tablespoon lecithin
1 teaspoon sweet almond oil
1 teaspoon avocado oil
2 tablespoons lemon balm infusion
8 drops tea tree essential oil
6 drops lemon essential oil

2-ounce glass jar

Place cosmetic jar in a saucepan filled with water and gently boil for 5 minutes to sterilize jar. Melt the shea butter, beeswax, lecithin, sweet almond oil, and avocado oil in a double boiler or in a heat-proof measuring cup set in a pan of simmering water. In a separate pan, heat the lemon balm infusion until almost boiling and then slowly add it to the oil-and-wax mixture while beating with a whisk. Remove from heat. Add essential oils as mixture begins to cool but before it sets. Pour into jar and use for a foot massage. Keep refrigerated to discourage spoiling.

Root Vegetable Soup

Root vegetables such as carrots, beets, and turnips are fortified with vitamins and minerals and are a good way to replenish your body in the winter when it may be lacking some of these essential elements. Excessive amounts of coffee, alcohol, and rich food as well as insufficient amounts of water can deplete the body. When many other vegetables are out of season, winter root vegetables are bursting with beneficial nutrients.

Makes 6 servings
6 medium-size or large leeks, white part only, cleaned and sliced
2 small onions, chopped
1 to 2 garlic cloves, to taste, minced or pressed
2 medium carrots, peeled and chopped
1 celery rib, chopped
2 small turnips, peeled and diced
1 1/2 pounds potatoes, peeled and diced
6 cups water, vegetable stock, or chicken stock
Boquet garni made with a bay leaf and 2 sprigs each thyme and parsley
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
1 cup milk as needed
2 to 4 tablespoons dry white wine or sherry (optional)
Drained nonfat yogurt or creme fraiche for garnish
Chopped fresh parsley for garnish

Combine vegetables, water or stock, and boquet garni and bring to a boil. Add salt, reduce heat, cover, and simmer 1 hour. Remove boquet garni and puree soup through the medium blade of a food mill, or with a hand blender. Do not use a food processor or blender, or soup will be too smooth. Return to the heat and thin with milk as desired. Add salt and pepper to taste. Stir in the wine if desired. Serve, garnishing each bowl with a dollop of yogurt or creme fraiche and a sprinkling of parsley.

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Flickr.com, Gunnar Magnusson