healthy hair...naturally

Here are two easy recipes you can easily prepare at home to keep your hair healthy, strong and shiny. The ingredients can be easily found at your local health food shop.

Recipe #1: Avocado moisturising hair pack
This is a nourishing recipe for the scalp and hair using Avocado, which is rich in Vitamins A, D and E, as well as proteins and amino acids.

Ingredients:
1 large Avocado
1 tablespoon Honey

Directions:
Mash the avocado into a smooth puree and stir in the honey. Dampen your hair with warm water and massage the avocado mixture into the hair. Cover with a plastic shower cap and leave in place for 30 min. Rinse well and shampoo with a natural shampoo. Finish with a apple cider vinegar rinse.

Frequency:
Once a week

Recipe #2: Honey Conditioning Hair Pack
This is a rich moisturising treatment, especially for damaged hair whilst rosemary and lavender soothe the scalp and stimulate healthy hair growth.

Ingredients:
2 tablespoons Honey
1 tablespoon Almond Oil
1 egg yolk
3 drops of rosemary essential oil
3 drops of lavender essential oil

Directions:
Beat together the honey, almond oil and egg yolk. Stir in the rosemary and lavender essential oils. Dampen your hair with warm water and massage the conditioning treatment into the hair with your fingers. Cover your hair with a plastic shower cap and leave the conditioning pack in place for 30minutes. Rinse your hair with lukewarm water and then shampoo with a natural shampoo to remove the conditioner.

Frequency:
Once a week

Source: '1001 Natural Remedies' by Laurel Vukovic

drug-free sinus relief

Here are some easy tips to help you clear congested sinuses as well as manage the pains or discomfort

Recipe #1: Eucalyptus, Thyme and Peppermint Steam Inhalation
Inhaling hot steam loosens and thins the mucus in your sinuses so that it can be expelled. Eucalyptus and Thyme essential oils has powerful anti-microbial properties, and peppermint essential oil has a strong fragrance that helps to open sinus passages.

Ingredients:
2 litres of boiling water
3 drops of pure eucalyptus essential oil
3 drops of pure thyme essential oil
2 drops of pure peppermint essential oil

Directions:
Carefully pour the boiling water into a basin and then add the essential oils. Make a towel tent over your head and the bowl and breathe in the steam for 10minutes. Take care not to burn yourself with the steam.

Frequency:
Twice daily

Tinderbox offers a Sinus blend for temporary relief by using a stimulating and antibacterial blend of Eucalyptus, White Camphor, Pine Needle, Thyme, Clove Leaf, Peppermint, Rosemary and Lemon essential oils. Click here to view more details.

Recipe #2: Pain Relieving Hot Compresses
Ease the pain and encourage mucus drainage by applying hot compresses to your sinuses.

Ingredients:
5 drops of pure eucalyptus essential oil
Hot water
Thick face towel

Directions:
Add 5 drops of eucalyptus essential oil to a small basin of hot water. Soak the face towel in the water and wring till moderately dry. Place the face towel over your sinuses. Take care not to burn yourself. Rewet the cloth when it cools and reapply for a total of 10minutes.

Frequency:
Repeat the compress several times a day as desired.

Recipe #3: Strengthen your immunity
Boost your natural immunity to fight sinus infection by taking echinacea and garlic. Or add a thin slice of fresh ginger to your cup of hot peppermint tea for natural decongestion. Remember to drink plenty of fluids to thin mucous secretions.