Summer Skin Savers

When sticky weather brings on a heat rash, cool off with a lavender essential oil and aloe vera fusion. Try mixing a half-ounce of aloe vera gel with five drops of oil and applying it to the skin. The mixture is anti-inflammatory, so it reduces the redness and heat of the rash. Massaging in some calendula salve can have a similar hydrating, calming effect.

Post Picnic Relief

Indulged in one too many servings of ambrosia salad? Unburden your belly by drinking a cup of chamomile tea (iced if you prefer) or chewing on fennel seeds. Both natural remedies act as carminatives to aid digestion and dispel gas from the stomach.

Sunburn Soothers

With its anti-inflammatory effects, aloe vera is your best salve for sunburn pain. Squeeze the amino-acid-rich gel directly from the plant, or apply a product containing 95 percent to 100 percent pure aloe vera, says Stengler. For a skin-cooling soak, combine a cup of powdered milk with 10 drops of lavender essential oil, says aromatherapist Constance Hart. Shake the ingredients in a jar and let sit for a day before pouring into lukewarm bath water.

Summer Skincare - Protect Your Skin

We all know we need to wear and SPF of 30 or higher - but did you know you also need to apply about a shot glass full of sunscreen to get complete coverage?

When purchasing sunscreen, check the ingredients list for zinc oxide, a shield against both UVA an UVB rays. Once you're out of the sun, rub in some borage oil, a rich source of gamma-linoeic fatty acid, to help protect against sun-related aging.

Aura Cacia Wins Award!

Aura Cacia organic lavender essential oil has won one of Organic Products Retailer’s
second annual Stellar Organic Awards. OPR conducted a survey with its organic retailer
readers, and they chose our organic lavender essential oil as their favorite.

Natural Bug Spray

Make your own DEET-free repellent by blending five drops of patchouli essential oil, 2 ounces of witch hazel, and eight to 10 drops of cedarwood essential oil in a spray bottle. Find all your discount essential oils at EdibleNature.com