Foot Warming Lotion

Foot Warming Lotion

Some of us just get cold feet and I don’t mean the “reluctance” kind.  Winter is difficult for many people and some, like my husband, have cold feet despite warm socks, boots, etc.  Circulation varies from person to person and sometimes we need a little help.  I am playing around with various formulas using essential oils.  There is a whole group of these magnificent plant based extracts that are known to increase circulation and promote a warming feeling on the skin.

Foot Warming Lotion Number 1

It is super quick and easy to make yourself a lotion for any purpose but this one is made with a purchased lotion from the Bend Soap Company and essential oils.  Bend Soap Company uses goat’s milk to make their wonderful products and the unscented lotion is a great base for essential oils.

This lotion is meant to help warm up cold feet.  Of course the act of rubbing it into the feet will increase circulation but the essential oils are warming, circulation increasing extracts.  The base is an unscented lotion from the Bend Soap company (100% natural ingredients).  The oil include Juniper Berry, Black Pepper, Ginger, Clove Bud, and Lemon.  The dilution is 2%.  The formula comes from Aromatics International.  It may take several minutes or more to experience an effect.  Putting on warm socks after rubbing the lotion in may enhance the effect.  I used 1 ounce of the lotion and the following formula:

5 drops of Juniper Berry, 3 drops each of Lemon, Black Pepper and Ginger and 1 drop of Clove Bud.

I stirred it in well and boy does it smell nice.  I will be trying a few different combinations in the future and will post the results.

It is always best to try a new product on a small patch of skin like the inside of your wrist to make sure you don’t have a personal reaction to any of the ingredients.  If you do, then don’t use this particular product.  There are no preservatives in this lotion so please use it up within 3-6 months and keep in in a cool, dark place.  Certainly if you notice any discoloration or change in smell, discard.

Culinary and Medicinal Plant Gardening

The attached PowerPoint went along with the talk I gave recently at the Quiet Corner Garden Club in Woodstock. It includes generic tidbits about herbs we can grow in Connecticut that are both culinary and medicinal.

Presentation on Invasive Plants

Invasive or Exotic plants made their way to our country from all over the world. Us humans wanted them for their many culinary and/or medicinal uses, or as horticulturally attractive plants for gardens and estates. Some certainly came over by accident as hidden seeds, by long range birds, and in some manner: hitching a ride from their countries of origin. Now, depending on your point of view, invasive plants may horrify you or intrigue you, but like it or not, they are here. Knowing more about each and every one of the plants listed as invasive in Connecticut has become one of my passions.

This presentation in PowerPoint was made to the Franklin Garden Club and is certainly just the beginning of gathering and sharing information. There will be future updates, edits and more talks as I learn more. Enjoy, and don’t be frightened!

Debra