The familiar scent of lilac is always a welcome sign that spring is in the air.  The naturally calming, soothing and relaxing properties of this gorgeous flower have been used in aromatherapy while it is also known for its tonic and antiseptic properties which treat many skin ailments including sunburns, rashes, minor cuts and scrapes. 

Use fresh flowers in bath or make infused lilac oil using dried flowers.  Fill a sterilized mason jar with clean dried lilacs, cover with olive oil & tightly seal the jar.  Leave in a sunny spot and shake jar regularly for 2 weeks. Strain. This infused oil may be used in bath, massage & as a mild antiseptic.  Use within 2 months. 

Does dry itchy skin have you irritated?  Scratch out that itch with oats! As early as 2000 BC, the Arabians, Egyptians, Greeks and Romans documented the use of oats to heal and beautify the skin. This useful grain is known for its moisturizing, cleansing, and soothing properties.  Oats are also used for relief of dry, itchy skin, eczema, outer inflammation, chicken pox, mosquito bites, mild burns, and basically any type of irritated skin.

For a basic face mask simply grind up oats in coffee grinder and add milk or water to make a paste.  Cover face with mask, leave on for 15-20 minutes or until dry and rinse off.  This paste may also be applied to relieve chicken pox, mosquito bites, burns or any other skin irritation.  

Enjoy an oat bath for all over body relief.  Add a small handful of oats to the middle of a cheesecloth or J-cloth.  Fold over until all four corners are touching and oats are in a pouch.  Secure with a twist tie or elastic band.  Hang this oat filled pouch under tap and run bath.  Once tub is filled float the pouch in water, squeeze regularly to release oat milk, lay back and enjoy your moisturizing, soothing bath!