Aromatherapy Play-dough for Calming and Soothing

Essential oils have been used for centuries, both medicinally and as beauty products. These oils are simply the 'oils' of the plants from which they were extracted. Oil of clove, for example. Each of these oils have different uses and curative effects. Here is a list of some plant/herb/spice oils and their curative properties:

Anise - useful for colds, flu, muscle aches and rheumatism

Basil - useful as an insect repellent, and for colds and sinus

Bergamot - useful for skin problems such as acne, boils, cold sore and oiliness

Cinnamon - useful for low blood pressure, stress exhaustion (and was used an ancient repellent for lice!)

Clary sage - useful for asthma, labour pains, and sore throats

Clove bud - useful for toothaches, joint pains and asthma

Eucalyptus - useful for arthritis, fevers, colds and flu

Fennel - Useful for halitosis, nausea and water-retention

Geranium and Rose-Geranium - useful for oily skin, menopause and acne

Juniper Berry - useful for appetites, toxin build-up and gout

Lavender - a popular calmative, useful for anxiety, stress, allergies, headaches, vertigo and earaches, broken hearts

Lemongrass - a popular insect repellents, useful for athlete's foot and perspiration

Neroli/Orange Blossom - useful for depression, insomnia and shock

Sweet Orange - aids digestion, stress and depression

Peppermint - useful for headaches, nausea and sinusitis

Rosemary - aids exhaustion, aching muscles, hair care and dull skin

Thyme - aids poor circulation, laryngitis, cuts and sores

Vetiver - very useful for anxiety and shock

There are many, many more and I couldn't possibly keep going…

Now for the Play-dough Recipe:

2 cups of flour (self-raising or plain)

2 cups of water

1 cup of fine cooking salt

2 tbsp cream of tartar

2 tbsp cooking oil

Few drops of food coloring of choice 

An essential oil of choice

Add all the ingredients, excluding the essential oil, into one pot and whisk to get rid of any lumps. 

Place pot over a low heat and constantly stir it until it forms a dough-like texture and starts coming away from the sides of the pot. 

Remove the dough from the pot and place it into a bowl, being careful not to burn your hands. Leave it to cool and then knead in the essential oil. Start with 2 drops, then knead it, and then add more if the aroma is not strong enough for you. 

Finally, it's playtime.

Spiced Chai Cupcakes with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting... seriously delicious...

In India, 'chai' literally refers to tea. Chai has a history that is over 5000 years old and was originally used as an "ayurvedic" healing remedy. It has been known to lower cholesterol and blood pressure - aiding diabetics, helps the digestive system, and has a powerful source of antioxidants. Most importantly, it tastes amazing.

Chai Spice Mix: 

1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp ground ginger

1/2 tsp ground cloves

3/4 tsp ground cardamom

1/8 tsp ground nutmeg

Mix all the spices in a small bowl and keep to the side.

Cupcake Mixture:

350ml flour

1 1/4 tsp baking powder

125 g butter, softened

250ml sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract 

1 egg plus 2 egg whites

175ml milk

Chai spice mix

Heat oven to 175 degrees C and line a cupcake tin with 12 cupcake liners.

Beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, adding the sugar a tablespoon at a time. Add the egg and the egg whites, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add in the vanilla extract.

In a separate bowl, mix flour, baking powder and chai spice mix. Alternately add the flour mixture and milk, beginning and ending with the flour.

Fill the liners about 3/4 full. Place in the oven and immediately turn down the temperature to 160 and bake for about 20-25 minutes or until an insert skewer comes out clean.

Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting

2 1/3 cups icing sugar, sifted

3 Tablespoons butter, room temperature

125g cream cheese, cold 

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Beat the powdered sugar, cinnamon, and butter together in the bowl with an electric mixer. 

Add the cream cheese all at once and beat on medium to medium-high until incorporated and the frosting is light and fluffy.

Do not over-beat as the frosting can quickly become runny!!!