We’re all starting to come out of our winter cocoons.

It’s getting warmer.

The swimsuit and beach vacation ads are showing up on TV.

And we’re looking at our milky white skin, the cellulite on our thighs, the varicose veins in our legs and thinking “Not a chance I’m putting this body in a swimsuit for public view any time soon.”

Okay, maybe that’s just me. But I know it’s time to shed the layers of winter clothing and repair the damage I’ve subjected my body to while hibernating over the past few months.

And knowing what I’ve learned about herbs and essential oils, I know I’m going to use them to help me do it.

Varicose Veins

Varicose veins are caused by abnormal swelling of the veins in the legs. They’re usually a symptom of poor circulation and loss of elasticity in the vascular walls, especially the valves that control blood flow. When the valves don’t work correctly, blood pools in the veins instead of flowing back to the heart. This blood pooling causes swelling and that’s what makes the veins look larger.

First, stop crossing your legs. Period. Crossing your legs is one of the worst things you can do for your circulation.

Second, get up and take a quick walk for about 10 minutes every hour to hour and a half to get the blood flowing.

Do those two things and give your circulation some support with the herbs and essential oils.

Some of the herbs and fruits you can use in teas to support a healthy circulatory system are lemongrass, lemon, peppermint, basil, orange, rosemary, or tangerine.

Make some herbal tea with any or all of these herbs or fruits and drink 3 or 4 cups a day.

Try a medicinal oil infused with one of these herbs and massage your legs with it: bergamot, geranium, helichrysum, juniper, lavender, spikenard, or yarrow.

Or choose one of these essential oils and use it for a while until you find the one that works best for you: lavender, bergamot, geranium, helichrysum, juniper, cypress, spikenard, or rosemary.

I’ve found that a combination of bergamot or lavender essential oils and rosemary leaf tea works best for me.

If you’re using essential oils or medicinal oils to massage your legs, always start at the ankles and massage the oils up the legs toward the heart.

Cellulite

Now tell the truth – who doesn’t have a problem with cellulite? As much as magazines airbrush it away, the “appearance industry” has finally admitted it’s more normal to have cellulite than not.

If you don’t have it, believe me, give it a few years and you’ll be visited with this little joy, too.

A fact of life, yes, but one we don’t have to just accept and do nothing about.

You can make your own massage oil with any of these essential oils: , , , , cumin, , , , , , , , , , , , , , or essential oils. Mix a few drops of an essential oil with an equal amount of a carrier oil (like good quality extra virgin olive oil) and massage it onto the places where you have cellulite.

Massage it on the places you have cellulite twice a day, EVERY day, and you’ll see the appearance of your skin improve and you’ll see less cellulite. You’ll have healthy, beautiful skin and you won’t bruise as easily. I speak from experience here.

Again, you need to do it every day, twice a day, if you expect to see results.

Dry Skin Brushing – The Secret Ingredient for Maximum Benefit

If you’ve never heard of skin brushing, you’re missing an important piece to the puzzle to improve circulation (fighting varicose veins) and decreasing cellulite. Dry skin brushing clears away dead skin cells, clears pores and stimulates circulation.

Skin brushes look a little like a horse brush with natural bristles. Start brushing at the soles of your feet and move up your legs. Always brush toward your heart. After brushing your skin for a few days, your skin will be softer.

The best time to dry skin brush is every day before you take a shower or before you work out. Your pores will be open after you brush and it will be easier for your body to get rid of toxins.

Milky White Skin

Personally, I’m not a big fan of tanning. My family is far too prone to skin cancer for me to be pro-tanning salon. But a few minutes every day of good old fashioned sunlight is good for your skin, gives you much needed Vitamin D and can provide a mental lift and adjust your attitude. Just don’t overdo it or you’ll end up looking like someone’s old saddlebag when you’re 50.

Weight Loss

To lose weight and keep it off, you have to eat a healthy diet and you have to exercise. Without those two things, you won’t lose weight, keep it off and stay healthy.

Having said that, if you’re eating a healthy diet and you’re exercising and you would still like a little help to burn some fat, put ½ cup of lemon juice and ½ cup of grapefruit juice (or 5 drops of Lemon Vitality essential oil and 5 drops of Grapefruit Vitality essential oil – these are both made by Young Living Essential Oils and are dietary essential oils so you know they’re safe to take internally) in a gallon of water and drink it throughout the day. Both of these citrus oils may help to break down fats and that allows your body to eliminate them more quickly.

If you want to get your body beach ready, now is the time to start. Start trying any of these herbs, oils and skin brushing now and you’ll give yourself time to see results before you hit the beach or pool.

Want more tips on a healthy circulatory system and healthy skin using herbs and oils? Drop me an email at susie@theherbalistjournal.com.