Kombucha for Healthy Skin?

Kombucha for healthy skin? Really? I started brewing kombucha again and want to sell it at the farmer's market with the skin care products. Then I thought about our banner "Heavenly Bodies Organic Skin Care." Well, I figured if I could find out that kombucha was good for the skin it wouldn't be a problem to incorporate into the Heavenly Bodies line. You will never believe what I uncovered.

Aids With Acne

I came across multiple bloggers who stated that their acne cleared up while drinking kombucha on a daily basis. It makes sense considering that our skin is one way the body detoxes and lets us know that there is something wrong. What is it? The gut bacteria is off, kombucha is a probiotic which means it aids in replenishing our good gut bacteria which for most of needs to tended to and we usually neglect.

Benefits of Kombucha Externally 

Using kombucha externally on the skin also has benefits. Just put aside some unflavored kombucha and let it really ferment about 14 days. You can put right on to your face as a toner it has been shown to aid with the following. You can also click here for a recipe to create a toner with kombucha. 

• Reduce redness
• Reduce wrinkles and fine lines
• Reduce dry skin
• Reduce uneven skin tone
• Reduce pores
• Reduce dark circles 
• Reduce puffiness around the eyes
• Reduce varicose veins 
• Increase collagen 
• Increase oxygen
• Increase protein production
• Increase cell regeneration 

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Scoby Facial Mask

You know all those SCOBYs that come with brewing your own kombucha? Well, they are great to use as a face mask, those who have used it state softer, glowing skin. It is believed that the SCOBY aids in the circulation of the skin which aids in regenerating skin cells. The SCOBY also is said to act like a natural acid pull due to its PH and aids in shedding dead skin cells. Some who used this mask stated that they were concerned how they would smell afterwards, but said it absorbed into their skin so fast there was no negative smell afterward.

Warning: Some have reported that there was redness after using the SCOBY facial mask, but stated it did not last long.

SCOBY Band Aids

Sounds kind of funny to use a SCOBY which is bacteria and yeast as a band aid doesn't it? The fact is that the PH aids to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria. As mentioned above it aids in increased skin cell regeneration along with tissue. I found various testimonies stating they used a piece of a SCOBY on a wound, cut, burn, or even an insect bite. For burns, cuts, and wounds cut off a piece of the SCOBY the size of the wound and put some gauze over it with tape to hold it in place. 

Warning: Stinging has been reported.

Storing SCOBYs

From everything I read seems SCOBYs used for these purposes can be kept. Just be sure to keep them in a separate jar and label it.

Organic Skin Care Product

After learning about the benefits of Kombucha for the skin I started to incorporate it into some of my formulations. Check out the Heavenly Bodies Eye & Face Cream, Versatile and Soothe & Cleanse which contain Kombucha.

Skin Care, Crystals & Kombucha Oh My!

I have been soooo busy these days with my business I hardly have time to blog, which I miss very much. I started my own business because one I love helping people and two I'm not going to work for someone else's dream, I have my own.

My Business

I started making organic skin care products for myself after learning how toxic store bought brands can be. At the same time I was learning about herbs over at the Herb Mentor. There are a number of herbalists on the site such as Rosemary Gladstar and Rosalee de la Foret. There are many more all have been herbalists for 15 to 25 years.

Okay so, my business got started with a salve I formulated. Southern Man drives a truck and let a woman try it at truck stop for her psoriasis. When he went back she asked where he got it and how she could get it. Word spread and my husband said you have something there. 

I formulated a whole skin care regime for my self and hesitate to share them with others due to their appearance. They do not look appealing, nor do they smell pretty, but they work and the complements on get on my skin on a regular basis are proof. So, I started selling my skin care products at a local farmer's market, but wasn't doing the business I hoped I would.

Unique Ingredients

Due to the fact the skin care business is so vast even the organic industry I had to find a way to stand out. I thought this would help selling at the market, but nope. The two unique ingredients I use in my products are Kombucha and infuse my water and oils with the mineral Shungite. 

Learning More

I wanted to learn more about formulating organic skin care products, so I searched around for a place I could get more knowledge. Unfortunately there is no place close by for me to do this, so unto the internet I went. I found some on the internet, but really liked "Create Your Skincare." I liked the fact that I have access to the information, including any updates, for the rest of my life. The course was great and I took the two part test to get certified in October 2017. The second part of the test I had to formulate a full skin care regimen for 3 fictitious clients. I really enjoyed that part and love to formulate custom skin care products for my clients.

Kombucha

I started brewing Kombucha about 2012 and if you ever brewed you know that it is a time process and can quickly take over the fridge. At that time I was the only one drinking it and I had a ton of it, so I stopped brewing. Then I had the idea to start brewing again and sell that at the market as well. I had one problem, at this time I had a banner that read "Heavenly Bodies" organic skin care. I was like hmmmm what does Kombucha have to do with skin care, so off to research I went. I spent 5 hours researching and it turns out it is very good for the skin. So, I started brewing, selling it at the markets and using it in my skin care products.

Crystals

I have always been attracted to crystals. Some might think it is because they are so beautiful, but my studies have led to the energy. Everything around has a certain vibrational frequency including our bodies. The energy from the crystals can aid us with issues in our every day lives. Some are grounding, absorb negativity, are calming the list goes on.

I wanted to bring the benefits of crystals to others, so I started making jewelry, key chains and prisms to sell at the market. The majority of what I create is unique one of a kind items. After us women do not like to see another woman wearing the same thing. There are some items I have duplicated due to requests. I also create one of a kind items upon request at the market and on my website. 

Essential Oil Diffusers

Right now the thing that I am asked the most is if I have diffuser bracelets, the answer is yes. I create diffuser bracelets with lava beads, wood beads and crystal beads. I do not use any other materials because I feel the interaction with the oils may cause a negative effect. 

The diffuser necklaces I create does have a silver bead cap that the lava bead sits in, but it sits up on it rather than in it. Some of my customers us them in their cars over the rear view mirror. Love products that are versatile. 

Closing

So as you have read I am busy!! I do miss blogging, but a lot of the blogs I write require research. I spend hours doing research to ensure I am writing the most factual information I can. Looking at website after website to seek out consistences. I also listen to various speakers and webinars that deal with living a happy, healthy natural life while I tend to my many artistic creations. Thanks for stopping by, hope to see you again real soon. Oh almost forgot, my Southern Man and I are working on starting an online radio station in the near future, so watch out for that also.

Do you sell at a local farmer's market? If so what do you sell?

Perimenopause/ Menopause?

So, when I had the signs of perimenopause I knew I had to find a natural way to deal with this. One that would support my body to do what it is suppose to do instead of fooling it into thinking everything is okay.

I'm always listening to natural health talks and doing research on different health issues me or my family is dealing with to learn how to deal with it naturally. Just before I started going through perimenopause I listened to a week long webiner on women's hormones. I took away many great points on how to deal with this issue naturally and applied some and also created a tincture to deal with my symptoms. Here are some of the ways we can produce the hormones are bodies are lacking naturally.

• 'Exercise helps to create hormones
• Eating green vegetables helps to create hormones

Taking anything to replace hormones causes are bodies to stop producing them naturally, yes even herbs

Support the Body Naturally

I went to our naturopathic doctor to find out which organs I needed support for to deal with the symptoms of perimenopause. I tried the Dong Quai and while it helped I found I needed to be careful as it would trigger menstruation and I was having irrational thoughts, so I stopped taking it. So, let's try the Black Cohosh, it is suppose to aid with hot flashed, nope no go. 

Locally I sell organic skin care, Kombucha, handcrafted crystal jewelry and key chains. While I was at a local event another vendor wanted to barter for my Night Time Facial Scrub. I'm totally up for a barter and knew they had some tinctures, so I asked if they had anything for menopause. They did and I noticed a difference in my symptoms within 2 weeks. I went to order some more and that didn't go to good, so I decided to do some research and make my own tincture. 

Herbs

I took a piece of paper and wrote down categories for all the symptoms myself and others deal with.

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• Hot Flashes
• Regulating Hormones
• Energy
• Menstrual Cycle
• Mood Swings, Anxiety, Stress
• Vaginal Dryness

I then set out on my research cross referencing all the herbs I found to be sure they would do what was previously said. I also searched for any warnings of any sort on each herb I came across. By the end of my 2 weeks of research my paper looked something like this.

Hot Flashes                                    Regulating Hormones                           

Red Raspberry Leaf                          Red Raspberry Leaf                        

Dong Quai                                         Dong Quai                                      

Licorice Root                                     Licorice Root                                  

Black Cohosh                                     Chasteberry

Elder Flowers

Energy                                             Menstrual Cycle

Red Raspberry Leaf                       Red Raspberry Leaf

Oatstraw

Mood Swings, Anxiety, Stress          Vaginal Dryness

Red Raspberry Leaf                                Dong Quai

Dong Quai                                               Oatstraw

Chasteberry

Licorice Root

Oatstraw

Warning

As I said I searched any warnings and side effect of these herbs. Now keep in mine my research was for perimenopause/menopause, so keep this in mind if you are planning on creating something for yourself. The only warning I came across multiple times during my research was for Licorice Root. Oh and by the way the Licorice Root also amps up the medicinal properties of the other herbs. Okay if you have any of the following health issues Licorice Root might not be for you. Always consult with a health care professional.

Licorice Root

• High Blood Pressure
• Kidney Issues
• Liver Issues
• Diabetes 

My tincture has a very small percentage of Licorice Root, but we still need to be aware of issues. For this reason I ask anyone if they have any of these issues and omit this ingredient for precautions. Do your own research on this root before ingesting. 

My Tincture

Instead of using alcohol I decided to infuse apple cider vinegar with the herbs. So, I ordered my herbs and waited, and waited, and waited some more. Meanwhile I had bought something from the local health store to hold me over, it didn't work as good as the tincture I had bartered for, but I had no choice at that point. Once it was ready I anxiously filled my bottle and started taking a dropper full every night. Well it wasn't really a full dropper as it will not fill the full dropper, so it was more like 2 half droppers. Once again after 2 weeks I noticed a difference in how many hot flashes I had, bye bye mood swings, night sweats still happening, but not as bad. 

Time Elapse 

So, getting symptom free at 53 didn't happen over night. It took about 4 to 6 months before all the symptoms were gone. However, they were less and less over the months of taking the tincture. I continue to take it and not sure if I will for the rest of my life, I mean it can't hurt and the herbs have other benefits besides aiding with the symptoms of perimenopause and menopause. 

How About Others?

Purchase 

Now to find out if other women would have the same experience as I did. I gave 3 friends a 2 oz bottle of the tincture, which lasts about a month, and yes!!!!!! They all had a positive experience and one has even come back for more. The others still have some, but they'll be back.

So, how about you? Taking medications and hormones is not the solution however, for some it might be, not me. What are you doing for your symptoms during perimenopause/menopause? Is it working? If not you might consider "Change" menopause tincture. 

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