Christmas

Hawaiian Dancing and Herbs

9:56 PM


Every Christmas, we think of ways to celebrate the birth of Jesus and give joy to others.  The merry-making normally consist of musical programs, games and, of course, lots of food! Our preparation was our dance presentation.

Initially, our dance performance was only for the Christmas party of our church organization, Legion of Mary, but we were also invited to perform for our family-oriented church organization, FAMILIA and finally, at the party of SUBPRES, the association of officers of different villages within Barangay BF but outside BF Homes subdivisions in Paranaque, Metro Manila.

We were composed of seven dancers and five whose role was to serve as ocean waves. The dancers were fast learners because some of them were teachers, while the rest had previous background in Hawaiian and modern dances. Most of them only have one to two affiliations with the organizations mentioned above so I had to hold rehearsals for three different groups.

They may be different groups but they all had one thing in common and that was the appreciation of herbs during break time. They all enjoyed cold Pandan-Tanglad and Tarragon-Mint juice with fresh Ashitaba, Stevia sweet leaves and crackers.

Get your Pandan, Tanglad, Tarragon, Peppermint, Ashitaba from  https://herbalandherbs.wordpress.com/.

But food wasn’t the only preparation I made before the dancers came to the house for practice. To make our rehearsals more pleasant and relaxing, I lit a candle and placed homemade Citronella-Mint Oil for mint scent and aromatherapy. And to set us in the Christmas mood, I made a wreath with Citronella leaves and Christmas décor and ribbons. I strategically placed it in the living room not just to serve as design but for it to exude fragrance that drives away mosquitoes.



Hawaiian Interpretative Dance is a dance for matured women. It interprets the feelings   in the song projected through facial expression and body movements. The interpretative dance is accentuated by the graceful hula of the hands and the feet.  It is challenging to keep up with the discipline required in this kind of dance while maintaining the individual dancer’s poise.

Enjoy the dance with us! Click the video below to watch ‘MoonlightBay’, a Hawaiian Interpretative Dance, choreographed by Ma. Vida Madrigal, Ph.D.


Merry Christmas and Aloha!

Citronella

Citronella For Mosquitoes: DIY Repellant and Massage & Lamp Oil

7:43 PM



I used Citronella leaves just to add fragrance to my first experiment, the Breath of Mint Oil (Peppermint and Java Mint).  Then, I realized Citronella also have healing properties and gave a stronger effect. Both Citronella and Mints are very helpful in relieving headaches, colds, cough, body aches and pains.  (Find procedure for Breath of Citro-mint Oil at Herbal and Herbs in Personal Care: Aloe Vera, Mints & Citronella).

I apply Breath of Citro-Mint Oil also before taking a bath.  The mint scent is retained even after taking a bath.  When I feel my skin pores open at my back, which makes me more susceptible to catching a cold, I am relieved once I apply this oil.

Lamp Oil



After some time, I thought of using it in as lamp oil. Citronella’s lemony and minty aroma spread all over the house especially after the candle's flame was put out.  With this, we also have Citro-Mint Lamp Oil and personally-made aromatherapy! Water can also be added to the oil. 


Fragrance and Mosquito Spray

On its own, Citronella leaves can just be left as is and it will exude its pleasant smell.  Also, it can be boiled and put in a sprayer to give fragrance and drive away mosquito and garden pests.  Even the boiled leaves retain its smell.

Get your Citronella at Php100-150/seedling bag. 
Visit us at https://herbalandherbs.wordpress.com/ for more info. :)

Mosquito Repellant

Same Breath of Citro-Mint Oil can also serve as mosquito repellant and fragrance.  The requirement to be called a repellant is to have citronella plus one or more herbs mixed with it.  Here, we have Peppermint and Java Spearmint. You can try others herbs and  be creative!

Deodorant

Preparing homemade deodorant is simply mixing tawas (Alum) with Petroleum Jelly.  To give fragrance, I add a few drops of Breath of Citro-Mint Oil. (Find procedure for Breath of Citro-mint Oil at Herbal and Herbs in Personal Care: Aloe Vera, Mints & Citronella).

Get your Citronella at Php100-150/seedling bag. 
Visit us at https://herbalandherbs.wordpress.com/ for more info. :)

DIY

How To Make Gugo Shampoo

7:12 PM




Gugo shampoo comes from the Gugo vine. It has been used by our ancestors as shampoo and even soap because it produces a lot of natural suds. It promotes hair growth, healthy, soft and shiny hair. Lemon (kalamansi) is added for fragrance and to soften the hair more.

The Gugo I use and sell comes from Lipa City. The bark is about 18 inches long and more than 3 inches wide.

Procedures:

1. Gugo Strip Shampoo
a. Get a small strip from the bark, put in dipper (Tabo). Add lemon.
b. Hang the Gugo strip after bath. It is reusable as long as it has suds. (If it has no more suds, put in your compost.)

2. Bottled Gugo Shampoo
a. Put half of a Gugo strip in a bowl, let it stay for 30 or more minutes.
b. Squeeze! Enjoy forming natural suds, then put in reusable plastic bottle.
c. For every 250ml (or less) plastic bottle, add 1 or more lemon and half teaspoon natural or organic vinegar. I use cane vinegar. Vinegar is preservative and also another beauty secret to make hair manageable.

CAUTION: Avoid contact with eyes.

BUY GUGO FROM US!

HOW TO BUY GUGO: STORE PICK-UP or DELIVERY
STORE PICK-UP. Visit us at 805 Jackielou Ville, Brgy. BF Homes, Paranaque City
PRICE PER PIECE: Php13.50/pc.
FOR DELIVERY via JRS, LBC, XEND
Contact us for more information
HOW TO PLACE YOUR ORDER FOR DELIVERY: (Any of the following)
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B. Text us at 0917 578 03 43;
C. Personal Message us at our FB page: https://www.facebook.com/HerbalnHerbs
D. Send us a message at our website: https://herbalandherbs.wordpress.com/
PAYMENT: You will be given a BPI savings account name and number where you can deposit your payment.
CONFIRMING PAYMENT: Upon payment deposit, kindly notify us through text, e-mail or FB personal message. Please include your complete name, address (where you want it shipped) and contact number. We will then check your deposit and confirm receipt.
SHIPPING: Upon shipment, we'll send you the tracking number for your reference. Expect your package within 1-2 working days.

Alcohol

Herbal and Herbs in Personal Care: Aloe Vera, Mints and Citronella

7:01 PM


By using herbals to the fullest, I lessen dependence on consumer products and chemicals. And you can too!
Aloe Vera



Aloe Vera Hair Wash

 Procedure:  Cut open the Aloe Vera leaf, scrape the gel then cut into small pieces.  Mix ½ tsp. of cane vinegar with water. Cane vinegar preserves and brings out the fragrance of Aloe Vera.  Put inside a clean recycled bottle.  (I use liquid dish-washing soap bottle.)
For the final rinse, I just put a little drop in a small dipper (tabo), add water and pour.  My curly hair becomes manageable and shiny. It also leaves skin smoother.

 Aloe Vera Alcohol

 Procedure: Cut up the Aloe Vera leaf, scrape the gel then into small pieces.  Mix Aloe Vera gel with alcohol.  Put inside a clean recycled bottle.  I use liquid dish-washing soap bottle. The alcohol turns yellow.

 Since I always use alcohol, I noticed that with Aloe Vera, my hands feel smoother.  Also, the cracks at my fingertips easily heal.

 Aloe Vera Sanitizer

 Procedure:  Cut open the Aloe Vera leaf, scrape the gel then cut into small pieces.  Mix with alcohol.  Put inside a clean recycled bottle.  I used my old sanitizer bottle.  Add homemade Breath Citro-Mint Oil (below) for fragrance and mint coolness.

 Optional:  Add some water as in commercial sanitizers. 


Get your Aloe Vera at Php60-100/seedling bag. 

Visit us at https://herbalandherbs.wordpress.com/ for more info. :)
Mints
Java Mint

 Breath of Mint Oil

 This is my homemade oil from combination of fresh and dried Peppermint and Java Mint (Spearmint).

 Procedure:   

 1. Heat  10 tbsp. of unused coconut oil or vegetable oil.
2. Turn off the fire when there is steam.  
3. Place a handful of Peppermint and Java Mint including the dried leaves and stem. Cool then drain into a clean glass container.  I recycle a small glass bottle used for vitamins as container.
When I apply this oil behind my ears, my neck or even on my head, I feel the mint every time I breathe.  It works for headache, colds, cough and body pains.
Get your Peppermint at Php60-80/seedling bag. 

Visit us at https://herbalandherbs.wordpress.com/ for more info. :)
Citronella


Breath of Citro-Mint Oil

 Citronella gives not only fragrance, it is also good for headache, cough, colds, body pains and even for depression.

 Procedure:  

 1. Heat 10 tbsp. of unused coconut or vegetable oil.
2. Turn off the fire when there is steam.  
3. Place a handful of cut leaves of Citronella and a handful of Peppermint and Java Mint. Cover and cool.
4. Drain into a glass bottle.  I recycle a small glass bottle for vitamins as container. Make sure the oil is crystal clear without sediments.
Citro-Mint Deodorant  

 I have been using Tawas in pulverized form but it keeps falling off,  so I placed petroleum jelly which is good for the skin.  As gardeners, my husband and I sweat a lot, and this preparation works wonders.

 Procedure:  

1. Add a few drops of home-made Breath of Citro-mint Oil to Tawas. It will make the deodorant cool and fragrant.  
3. Put in a clean hollow container.  I recycle beauty cream container.

 Optional:  Add cornstarch.

 Trivia: Tawas or Alum is also used to heal mouth lesions/canker sores (singaw) and also for laundry during rainy days.
Get your Citronella at Php100-150/seedling bag. 


Visit us at https://herbalandherbs.wordpress.com/ for more info. :)

 Sources:

 Healing Power of Water by Dr. Savitri Ramaiah c 2009. Sterling Publishers Pvt,Ltd, New Delhi
Healthy Healing An Alternative Healing Reference by Linda Rector-Page c 1992 by Linda Rector Page Published by Healthy Healing Publication 9th Edition
Herbal Plants and Remedies Philippine Copyright 2004 by Amos Books, Inc. 2007 Edition
The Juiceman’s Power of Juicing by Jay Kordick c 1992 by Jay Kordich
Encyclopedia Britannica 15th Edition