It Started as a Hobby…

I started Charlene’s All Natural as a hobby to keep me busy and out of trouble. That was a year and a half ago. I honestly wanted to make natural products that were beneficial, eco-friendly, and something that would help with inflammation. Another benefit to this whole escapade was to travel and meet like-minded people. You know, the ones that are your kind of weird. And thus the journey began.

I didn’t think about all the ingredients used or the many beneficial properties that go into plant-based materials. Plus the essential oils, clays, and additives I would learn, and boy, have I learned a lot. Going natural isn’t cheap, and there’s a lot to it. Finding ethically sourced manufacturers is one of my biggest obstacles. You see, essential oils come from all over the world, including here in the USA. Each one uses a steaming process to get the oils from the plants. I can buy Sandalwood from two different suppliers and get two different smells. There are so many different kinds of oils; Cedarwood has different names, such as Atlas or Virginia. Depending on where the oils are gathered, they give different scents and definitely different costs. But I am learning so much; I never thought I would be so drawn in. There are so many benefits that are known for calming, uplifting, anti-inflammatory, and the list goes on.

I battle with autoimmune disease. I have Rheumatoid Arthritis, Osteoarthritis, Osteoporosis, degenerative disc disease… well, you get it. I wanted something that I could use that would help ease some of my symptoms. I can’t tell you how many books I’ve read on essential oils and natural plant-based ingredients. I’ve started making my own tinctures and teas I use in soaps and salves. I don’t mind the reading, and I love and wish I had found this a long time ago.

I created a salve with dandelion, arnica, and beeswax that really works when I have arthritis flare-ups. Yes, me! So every spring I start foraging plants all over the yard and in my gardens. Flowers are very beneficial when making teas and oils, so I have since started planting a medicine garden. The hardest part of growing your own medicine cabinet is the weeds. I learned a long time ago about homeopathy from a special lady. And it works for any ailment on the planet. She taught me how to eliminate scenarios to get to the right product. This is where I started my natural learning process.

I have learned what oils work for many skin conditions too. Eczema and psoriasis are two autoimmune diseases that can be treated with a simple Bastille soap. Sunflower oils are also beneficial for your skin. As you can see, I have learned so much that I want to share my knowledge and use it as much as possible. One of the best benefits I have learned is making emulsified body butter. Oh man, it keeps your skin so smooth and moist all day long. It’s made of oils and water with a plant-based emulsifier that binds them together.

My biggest lessons come from fails and huge wins. Not everything turns out, and that is an expensive waste, but there are ways of saving a bad batch of soap called Hot Processed, in which you put the soap into a crockpot and you cook the lye out. It becomes thick like mashed potatoes, and after it sets up in the mold, you can cut it and use it right away. The other way is the Cold Processed method. This is where you melt your butters and oils together, cool to a temperature, then add the lye mixture and blend to a light trace, then add your essential oils before putting into a mold. This is usually cut 24-48 hours after it sets and must cure for six to eight weeks. Olive Oil soap has to sit for months before it’s ready.

As you can see, I picked an expensive hobby that has really been a learning quest. Not all oils are the same. The same with different butters and essential oils. I embrace the knowledge I have learned and would love to share that knowledge with you. I hope you got something from all this, and I hope you are excited to see where this will take me down the road.

Don’t be afraid to try the natural way. There’s more to it than the box stores sell. They take out the glycerin and replace it with chemicals, which leaves your skin dry and itchy. Plus, they are very uneco-friendly and use animal testing. BAD Mojo!

I’ll end here and will have new and exciting adventures to share with you in the future. Remember, always be nice; no biting, hitting, or hair pulling. You never know what someone else is going through, and a little kindness goes a long way.

~Peace, Love, and Light