When I Have Psoriasis Flares, This is What I Do

I hate when my psoriasis flares, it’s the worst feeling. What does it feel like? My skin itches, it’s on fire, it turns red, and it’s all around uncomfortable.

So what do I do when it happens? Slather on steroid cream? Run to the dermatologist to get shots? Nope. These are the last things I do, the things I do ONLY if I have to. Let me explain.

I am not one to take medication. If I’m sick, I’m downing homemade, garlic-filled soup, dousing on essential oils, and sipping on OJ along with endless amounts of water.

And when I get psoriasis flares, it’s much of the same. Well, not exactly the same, but as natural and non-medicine as I can. Here are the things I do when I get a flare and the things that make me feel better, sans medicine.

Ice

Sometimes, nothing feels better than ice. It cools your skin, slightly numbs it, and does a good job of taking away the itch. Of course, be careful to not over-chill or give yourself ice burn, as this will only further irritate your skin. But in this case, for psoriasis flares, cold is good.

Essential Oils

If I’m “at home,” and not going out, geranium is key. The thing is, it doesn’t smell good. But you know what else? It stops the itch. My other favorite no itch oil is peppermint. Because of the mint in it, it instantly cools your skin and, you guessed it, stops the itch.

Essential Oil and Epsom Salt Bath

These baths are perfect for flares and really help me relax, too. I like to use lavender, tea tree, and geranium oils for the bath. Make sure to mix the oils in a cup (or more) of Epsom salt and then add them to your bath water. (Just so you know, this mixture doesn’t smell good, it isn’t meant to, but it will make your skin better and you will be glad that you sat in it.) Also, add apple cider vinegar to your bath. I KNOW, yuck, all around, but this isn’t a smell good bath, it’s a (skin) feel good bath. Oh, and make sure the water’s not too hot, this is very important!

These are the main things I do when I get a flare. I have steroid cream on hand if I ever need it, but I rarely use it. I prefer to eat gluten-free, make sure to drink all the water, use paraben-free, fragrance-free, high-quality and natural lotion, and do anything and everything I can to naturally protect and take care of my skin.

I hope you don’t have psoriasis, but if you do, I hope this blog post is helpful and inspiring. Take care!

Essential Oils The Life I Live

Post-Workout Sore: I Have an Essential Oils Bath for That

If you love to workout like I do, then you get sore. And sometimes you’re not only sore but it really hurts. I did a heavy leg lift over the weekend and yesterday my legs literally ached. I knew I needed an essential oils bath, I just didn’t know how much until I slipped under the surface of that warm bath.

I used different oils than I usually do in the bath and one was orange essential oil. As I drew my bath, my entire place started to smell like orange. It was heavenly. I felt better after this bath and if you’re sore from the gym, you will, too!

How to Prepare an Essential Oils Bath for Soreness

1. Draw a bath of warm, and NOT hot (this detail is most important,) water.

2. Using a mason jar or glass measuring container, add two cups of Epsom salt. To the salt, add your oils. For sore muscles, this is the combination I used:

Copaiba 10 drops
Orange 10 drops

4. Soak 20-30 minutes to reap the benefits.

5. Finish with lotion

apply a high-quality lotion

Coconut oil is an amazing moisturizer, too, but a little messy. A little goes a long way, so use it sparingly, until you’re used to it. Other oils like jojoba, sweet almond, avocado oil, and others work much the same way.

Self-care using quality ingredients are vital to feel your best. Check out the links below for my everyday, wellness book and my favorite, natural lotion.

This lotion I love!

For oils, I use Young Living Essential Oils. If you want to order through me, let me know in the comments.

Disclaimer: I use Young Living Essential Oils and based on my research, I believe these are the best, safest, and most pure oils on the market. PLEASE do your own research and determine which oils are best for you and your family.

Essential Oils Recipes The Life I Live

Taking a Bath with Essential Oils

How do you get skin care and relaxation, all in one? Take an essential oils bath, of course!

You skin is your largest organ. Acting as a sponge, it absorbs whatever it comes in contact with. Because your skin is susceptible to all the elements, you have to make sure to consider it. Also, let this remind you to use quality products.

One of my favorite ways to care for my skin is through essential oil baths. They are easy to prepare and relaxing. Plus, your skin sits and soaks in the goodness. (Get it, bath..soak? LOL) This is how.

How to Prepare an Essential Oils Bath

1. Draw a bath of warm, and NOT hot (this detail is most important,) water.

2. Using a mason jar or glass measuring container, add two cups of Epsom salt. To the salt, add your oils. I like to use a combination of the following oils:

Frankincense 5 drops
Copaiba 10 drops
Lavender 10 drops
Tea Tree 10 drops
Peppermint 2 drops

Figure out what you like best or what works best for your skin, and use those. You can essentially add any you want, just be careful of the citrus and photosensitive oils if you plan to be out in the sun.

3. And lastly, for love of skin, (and not the smell of it,) I add about a cup of Apple Cider Vinegar to the bath water. ACV is very acidic and helps your skins pH, among other things.

4. Soak 20-30 minutes to reap the benefits.

5. Finish with lotion

apply a high-quality lotion

Quality refers to the ingredients, so the more natural, the better. You want lotions to list no-parabens and no dyes. If you can, use completely natural sources to take the guess work out of making sure you’ve got the good stuff.

Coconut oil is an amazing moisturizer. A little goes a long way, so use it sparingly, until you’re used to it. Other oils like jojoba, sweet almond, avocado oil, and others work much the same way.

Self-care using quality ingredients are vital to feel your best. Check out the links below for my everyday, wellness book and some of my favorite, natural products.

This lotion I love!

Apple Cider Vinegar is awesome for your skin and also to cook with!

For oils, I use Young Living Essential Oils. If you want to order through me, let me know in the comments.

The Life I Live

My 5 Favorite Natural Ways To Get Un-Sick and Quick!

‘Tis the season and whether you live in Northern WI or Southern FL, sickness always seems to accompany the holidays. Everyone has a passed down remedy for a sore throat or a cure all food to ward off a cold. These are usually things from your childhood that lapse into adulthood until they can be given to the next generation. Along with these come your own practices to get well.

When I woke up yesterday feeling under the weather, I found myself doing what I always do and I wanted to share those things with you:

Tea

Black tea or green tea with a pinch of cinnamon, cayenne pepper, some honey and fresh lemon. Speaking of lemon..

Lemon

Lemon. And more lemon. On everything. In everything. Lemons have antibacterial and antifungal properties making fresh lemon juice the stuff of health.

Essential Oil Bath

I love a bath anyhow but there is nothing like slipping your sore and achy sick body into the warmth and stillness of a bath. There are typically three things I add to a bath:

Apple Cider Vinegar- Good for your skin health including balancing the pH and killing the fungus and bacteria on your skin

Epsom salt- Also good for your skin and helps soothe sore muscles (great for the fitness lover in me=)

Essential Oils- I love Young Living Essential oils for everything in life, especially the bath.

Tea Tree Oil contains antibacterial, antimicrobial, antiseptic and antiviral properties and is gentle on your skin. I added Lavender and Stress Away (my favorite blend!) as well.

Tip: Add the oil drops to your salt before adding to the bath water, this ensures the oils won’t bother your skin. (I’ve never had a problem adding the oils on top of the water but you can never be sure)

Water

We all know that drinking water is as important to life as breathing. 55-60% of an adults body is made up of water. When you’re sick, staying hydrated will make you feel better and keep things moving as well.

No Sick Soup

You didn’t think you’d get through this without a recipe, did you? Haha. This is my “No Sick Soup.” Made with fresh vegetables, fresh garlic and chicken broth, this soup is calming and filled with goodness.

No Sick Soup

1 baking potato, washed and sliced
1/2 red onion, chopped
1 carrot, sliced
1 stalk of celery, diced
5 cloves of garlic, sliced
1 1/2 cups of chicken stock

Add everything in a medium sized saucepan over medium heat and simmer for about 30 minutes or until you can easily insert a fork into each type of vegetable. Scoop into bowls and add fresh pepper and a pinch of salt. Enjoy and feel better!

Feeling sick is a pain and will slow you down for sure. Make sure to rest when you need it and fuel up on nutritious and healthy foods and drinks so that you can feel better fast!

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Faith, Food, and Real Life

Tag: bath