Hello Naturalista!

 

Have you ever been traveling and lost, left, or unable to find your well-packed natural goodies?

 

That’s been me for the past week…I didn’t have to throw anything away at the airport (thank goodness) but I did have to leave some of my diy mixing ingredients in storage for our move to Maui.

 

I didn’t cry — much.

 

Almost all of my essential oils made it, along with my Marvelous Marshmallow Root Powder, hibiscus flowers, and of course - my burnt sugar pomade (the whipped pudding made it too - YEZZZZ).

 

Marshmallow root powder comes from the beautiful marshmallow plant (Althaea officinalis).  You may also see marshmallow root referred to as althea extract, marshmallow extract, and marshmallow root extract.

 

Its roots and leaves are used to:

• heal the skin
• reduce inflammation
• get rid of congestion
• add soothing slip and softness to hair
• and yes - to top off a good cup of hot chocolate - I am so making these the next time I have hot chocolate - it’s probiotic too - WHAAAATTTT

 

 

Consumed mostly as a tea, marshmallow root* is what gives some of your favorite natural hair products their trademark slip, which can shorten any detangling regime.

 

It comes as a vitamin, extract, tea, and powder.  You can also buy it in bulk.  I bought the powder form and have been using the same bag (1lb for $12 from Mountain Rose Herbs) for 2 years now.  I use it for its slip factor but also for it’s Super Natural Thickening & Conditioning Powers.

 

Like xanthan gum and guar gum, which also thicken soups and sauces, marshmallow root will thicken anything its added to. Think along the lines of a more binding flaxseed gel, but even more soft and slippery.  This is orgasmic for homemade conditioners, moisturizers, and any of your water-based goodies.  I even add it to my clay mixes AND when I add too much liquid to a handmade creation.

 

For all of our Lavish Male Readers (we have quite a few y’all:) this bodacious botanical also makes an excellent aftershave.  Luscious Hubby uses it for this and as a gentle conditioner for his sexy skin.  Many aftershaves have lots of icky toxic chemicals in them - and he’s married to a Gawjus Natural Goddess sooooo…

 

A common recipe you’ll find online, is to add 1 cup of marshmallow root to 3 to 4 cups of hot purified water, with your favorite essential oil.

 

I never use that much in my mixes but perhaps thats because I’m using a powder.  My rule of thumb is to use 1 teaspoon per 1 cup of liquid…or just add it until the conditioner is as thick as I like it.

 

I like to add catnip and whatever I have on hand to make it Lavishly Conditioning.

freshly made catnip tea 

 

Here are some additional benefits and my recipe for this softening, simple diy conditioner.

 

Marshmallow Root Benefits**

• Has emollient, soothing and healing capabilities when incorporated into skin care formulations
• Beneficial in aftershave preparations and in products that treat sunburns and dry skin
• Natural hydroglycolic plant extract from the althea root
• Pain relieving
• Works as an anti-itching agent 

1. *do not use marshmallow root if you are pregnant or breastfeeding
2. **from Milady’s Skin Care and Cosmetics Ingredients Dictionary, 3rd Edition, pgs. 90 & 213

 

 

Lavishly Natural’s Slippery Marshmallow Detangling Conditioner

2 tablespoons marshmallow root powder

3 cups purified water

2 tablespoons catnip

1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

Grapefruit essential oil (or your favorites)

Love Synergy Blend essential oil

1. Heat 2 cups of water to just before boiling and remove from heat.  

2. Add catnip and let sit for 10 minutes.

3. Strain catnip roots/leaves from the water.

4. Bring the remaining cup of water to a boil.

5. Add marshmallow root powder and apple cider vinegar to boiling water.

6. Remove from heat.

7. Allow to cool for 10 to 15 minutes.

8. Add catnip infused water to marshmallow root/apple cider mixture.

9. Add essential oils and have a Lavish Hair Partay!

 

Great for use after shampoo, co-wash, and deep conditioner.  Also good as a hair rinse.  I leave catnip on my hair but this is personal preference.  Some naturalista’s wash it out after use.  I don’t notice any film or residue and my hair LOVES catnip.  There is lot’s of shine! 

 

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Essential Oil Benefits

 

Grapefruit Essential Oil

Natural anti-depressant, promotes positive feelings, hopefulness and relaxation.  Excellent overall health tonic for hair, mind, and body, helps balance oily skin

 

Love Synergy Blend Eessential Oil Ingredients:

 

Clary sage***

Natural relaxant, anti-depressant, reduces muscle spasms, natural aphrodisiac, heals rashes, reduces inflammation, induces feelings of euphoria, joy, and confidence, helpful in breaking addictions.

 

Geranium  

Improves skin, reduces blood pressure, anti-bacterial, helps in the regeneration of new cells, uplifting, strengthen’s mental functioning


Patchouli

Cell rejuvenator, anti-fungal, reduces appetite, conditions hair, eliminates dandruff, enhances sensuality, good for centering and meditation

Rose bulgarian 

Decreases nervous tension, mind calming, boosts libido, improves memory, anti-bacterial, decreases nausea, improves circulation


Sweet orange

Uplifting, cheerful, anti-depressant, relieves cramps, boosts the immune system.  This is my favorite essential for homemade hair and skin goodies for kids.  Team Lavish refers to this scent as Fruit Snacks.  We add it to baths, hair and body oils, and buddas

Ylang ylang

Anger eliminator, dissolves anxiety, helps reduce blood pressure, balancing/centering properties, clears negative thoughts, reduces dermatitis

***Do not use clary sage if pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you are being treated for breast cancer

 

For more marvelous marshmallow root recipes, Google “marshmallow root recipes for hair” and “marshmallow root hair recipes” for a plethora of good stuff!  To research your essentials use “The Google” again for your specific essential oil and one of my favorite sites - Aroma Web to get started.

 

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Condition Lavishly:)