OUR STORY

My inspiration for creating this site comes from my personal experience with caring for my body using the gifts of our planet. By using ingredients from nature such as clays, oils, herbs, and minerals, I was deepening my relationship with the earth which we are always connected to.

Additionally, skin care and beauty has always been a hobby and passion of mine and I love experimenting with new facials, new oils, and blending together what I’ve learned to figure out the plan that works best for me. I’ve also struggled with severe acne as a teenager and wish I had known then what I know now. Alas, at least I am informed on what to use for scarring.

Along with the School of Hard knocks, I’ve formally studied herbalism, biology, chemistry, permaculture, Kundalini yoga, and tai chi.

I’ve obtained a B.Sc. in Environmental Science / Chemistry and a M.Sc. in Sustainable Systems, Herbal Certification, and Reiki level 1 attunement.

My experience is strong in natural skin care, magical traditions, and self-growth and transformation. I had a handcrafted natural skin care line that I built from the ground up and have studied, experimented, and practiced herbalism and natural skin care for years.

PASSION AND PURPOSE

I see so many people struggling with skin or hair issues and much of that comes from what they are using to care for themselves. It’s exciting to pass on information about natural ways and methods for skin and hair as often times the issues stem from synthetics that are loaded into commercial products.
Going natural is best for health AND beauty. Let’s get healthier together!

Peace + blessings,

Michelle
www.wildlynaturalskincare.com
Xoxoxo

Bay rum oil is a classic fragrance for men originally made in the west Indies and is used as a cologne, aftershave and skin toner. It is made like a tincture of some very readily available ingredients. There are really 2 distinct products here: an aftershave and an oil.

Both of these products can be used for deodorant purposes. Yes, many potential mates want you to smell like the spicy and natural Earth! Homemade or all natural products are not offensive like chemical products. They have a subtle effect and add to allure rather than knocking people out when you walk by them.

The basic ingredients to make bay rum oil and astringent are the following: rum, leaves and berries of the bay tree (Pimenta racemosa), citrus peels like lime or orange, and spices including cloves and cinnamon. Traditional Bay Rum is made from the leaves of the Caribbean tree Pimenta racemosa. Leaves of the Bay Laurel tree, Laurus nobilis, can be substituted. They have similar properties but of course, not identical. Using a creative combination of these ingredients, you can make your bay rum blend smell how you like.

Bay Leaf Essential Oil Uses

Bay leaf essential oil is used to control dandruff, promote hair growth and stimulate lymph and blood flow. It has a hot nature and so will create a heat sensation when applied. If you tend to be a hot person, err on the lower amount of essential oil added to the oil blend.

All of the ingredients used in bay rum oil and aftershave are grounding yet stimulating. Bay rum makes a great skin toner and will help to prevent razor burn, bumps and break outs of all sorts.

So here go 2 recipes to get you started…

Bay Rum Aftershave

This makes a bracing, astringent aftershave to help prevent razor burn, decrease large pore size and clear acne. It also acts as cologne and can also be used under the pits to freshen up. This is adapted from Rosemary Gladstar’s Family Herbal.

Ingredients:

Bay leaves, fresh if possible
Allspice, ground or grated 1 tablespoon
Cloves, whole 1 tablespoon
Ginger, grated 2 tablespoons
Orange or lime peel 1 whole
Rum
Lime hydrosol (optional)
Bay (Pimenta racemosa) essential oil (optional)

Directions:

Fill a 16 ounce jar with bay leaves and add the other spices and citrus. Cover this with rum, shake and allow to steep for 4 weeks.

Strain out the herbs and rebottle the resulting liquid. Lime hydrosol and Essential oil of bay (Pimenta racemosa) can be added, but be sure to add just a few drops of bay and test the smell.

Bay Rum Oil

This is super easy. Basically, mix a carrier oil with essential oil of bay (Pimenta racemosa), shake and use.

Ingredients:

Carrier oil, such as sweet almond or jojoba
Bay essential oil (Pimenta racemosa)

Directions:

Get a cool bottle that you will be happy looking at and using regularly. Pour your carrier oil of choice into the bottle, leaving about an inch or two at the top. Then start adding drops of essential oil at a rate of 10 drops per ounce of carrier oil. Cap and shake, then test if the scent is strong enough for you.

When you get it to your liking, cap and it’s ready to use!

A modification of this recipe is to first infuse the carrier oil with bay leaves for a month, strain and then add essential oil.

Abyangha is an Ayurvedic practice of daily self-massage with oils. It has so many benefits for the body and spirit, including amplifying skin health and moisture and strengthening the circulatory, nervous and lymphatic systems.

On a more esoteric level, it protects us from negative outer influences and strengthens our natural boundaries and preferences. As you see, the practice of caring for the body includes more than the physical, as “matter” and “spirit” are inextricably connected. When we care for the body, we care for the soul.

Now, I apply oils daily and though it takes effort and a bit of discipline, I am so pleased by the benefits. I have a young son and carving out this self-care ritual is an act of love for myself and also challenges my creative thinking skills.

Here is my daily routine:

I have a yogurt maker that I keep in the bathroom and store my oils in. I plug it in at night so that in the morning the oil is a perfectly warm temperature. This not only feels so good but it also helps the pores to open up and better receive the oils.

How to Apply Abyangha Oils

1) Set your intention. This body care stuff is a healing and sacred act and taking a moment to remind yourself of that is powerful.

2) Start with your feet and legs and massage the abyangha oils up towards your heart. Keep the flow towards the heart for your whole body. Meanwhile, whisper sweet nothings to yourself, about how beautiful, strong and healthy you are and how the oils are doing their job perfectly.

3) Work your way up massaging each part in turn with the same process:

~Belly, hips, thighs and buttocks
~Lower back
~Chest, breasts, neck (don’t forget the back of the neck)
~Out to the arms and hands
~Face and ears (those ears have mad sensors and it’s good to stimulate them!)

4) Take a moment at any part of your body that is in need of extra special healing and love and once again, set your intention that this part of you is healed and operating at full vibrancy (it’s inherent in our DNA you know).

Now you get to let the oil soak in for a while. I make abyangha part of my daily practice (sadhana) and so I take this time to meditate, pray and otherwise revere the sacred. You could also wear a robe and do whatever you do in the morning. The oils will stain clothing so wear something particularly for your abyangha practice. Give it a minimum of 15 minutes soaking time if you can for maximum benefits.

Next you shower and this washes off the excess oils yet leaves your skin moisturized.

One of the really fun things is creating your own oil blends to suit your skin type, the season and temperature and any current healing needs you may have. A blend that I made recently was designed to be very rich and nourishing to bring my dry and somewhat neglected skin back to vibrancy.

Here is the recipe for that:

Love Myself Abyangha Oil

Avocado oil                        4 ounces
Macadamia nut oil              4 ounces
Ylang-ylang essential oil      30 drops
Sandalwood essential oil     10 drops

This yellow-green, thick and rich oil goes on very smoothly and feels delightful. Being heavy and warming, it is perfect for “recovering” skin: cold, dry, ashy, uneven tone to restore moisture, pliancy and even tone.

When I first started using this blend, I double dipped applications (morning and evening) and when my skin responded noticeably after only two days, cut back to once per day.

Abyangha is good for everyone, from babies to elders. It is particularly valuable for maintaining youthful skin, as one of the keys to healthy skin is oil which keeps the cells plump.

Peace to you and let me know how it goes.