Monday, September 5, 2011

Coconut, Chamomile & Lavender Soothing Scrub

This is Norah. She's adorable.


And has eczema.


Many people are of the belief that eczema has undetermined origins, and that it is uncurable without the aid of a perscription. Through LOTS of research and elimination dieting, we have learned that Norah's rash comes from eggs and dairy. This particular breakout was from almost two weeks ago when I had Indian food and took a unknowing abso-freakin-lutely damn good bite of paneer cheese. Symptoms can take up to a week to show up and up to three weeks to calm down.
In the meantime, Norah's left with red, cracked, pusing, sometimes bloody, scabby, easily infected sores on her face :[ I've been cleaning her face with colloidal silver to prevent or cure infection, and coconut oil to sooth/moisturize. But, it just isn't enough of a soother as I'd like. Norah often is kept up at night by scratching her itchy face, so I found out that chamomile and lavender are both natural soothers. Any good quality essential oils that I've found are just too expensive so I'd given up. UNTIL I had a brilliant idea-TEA!! So last night I started experimenting after buying some tea from central market. Here's my recipe for an amazing lotion/scrub/smelly good concoction to sooth, lightly exfoliate, reduce redness and reduce swelling for your little one's rash.
Note ***I ain't got my medical degree. Or any degree as a matter of fact. Don't ever put anything on your child's skin that they have an allergy to [I do know some babies who are allergic to coconut oil], and always consult your family health care provider before making any changes in your baby's health :]

What you'll need:

  • Extra Virgin Organic Coconut Oil
  • Organic Chamomile & Lavender tea from Traditional Medicinal
  • spoon & bowl to stir ingredients together
  • container to keep your finished product in



I cleaned out an old Burt's Bees hand creme jar, but I'm sure a baby food jar or even tupperware container would work great :] Just make sure to clean it out REALLY well!


I found that for every tea bag you use, four teaspoons of cold coconut oil are needed. Sidenote- DON'T microwave or otherwise heat up your coconut oil to "get it out of the jar." Just spoon it out! Every time it heats up, it's nutritional value goes down. Coconut oil is ideal to use because of how lotion-like it already is. It will melt some while you are using it, then when it cools down in the jar it becomes solid and doesn't separate from the tea :]


Pour in your tea over your oil [I used two tea bags and 8 teaspoons of oil to fill my jar]



Stir well until there aren't any lumps in the oil and the tea looks evenly incorporated :]


Spoon into your container


 Now apply to your cute little baby's cheeks and let them play. They don't have to be naked, but it's preferable for cute pictures.




Leave on...well, I just left it on her all night last night, but for this I left it on for 30 mins or so. I could tell immediately that the swelling went down, all of the dead skin was gently exfoliated, and Norah was much more settled :] I think this well be a great addition to our bedtime routine!



So try it out and let me know how it works for your baby!

Happy Monday friends! Hope you had a great weekend :]
Mae

4 comments:

Sarah R said...

Awww, poor baby. That's such a great idea, though.

Anonymous said...

That's such a good idea. I'm sure the fact that lavender and chamomile are relaxing helps with bedtime too.
I need to try some of that tea just for drinking though. It sounds delicious!

Shi said...

Oh, I'll have to try this!! My baby girl Chloe has mild eczema on one cheek, her ribs, her back, her legs...and horrible crusty eczema on her forehead. I've tried everything!! Rosehip Seed oil with a cocoa, mango, shea butter salve put on over it has been a life saver for moisture, but hasn't helped with her constant scratching.
Poor babies!!

Shi said...

P.S.
By the way, LOVE your blog and photography :-)