Volcanoes do more for the planet than what we give them credit for. We all know that they are responsible for forming the continents and providing us with solid ground to live on. What most people do not know is that they also give us a particular clay that has powerful healing properties. This clay has its origin from deep within the earth.

As volcanic ash settles on the ground, it ages and when comes into contact with water from rainfall, it forms a very special clay, Bentonite Clay. The reaction of water with the volcanic ash keeps the mineral content intact, making it rich in calcium, magnesium, silica, sodium, copper, iron and potassium.

Bentonite Clay’s healing and purifying properties are unmatched by none of the other clays naturally found on the planet. Its level of purity
depends on where the Volcano Ash settles and how it is then dried up into a powder. Soveral’s bentonite clay comes from the purest of places left on the planet directly to be used in our Transformative Mask, Volcano Ash.

Today is national porridge day. Oats are wonderful, containing an abundance of natural goodness whilst being great value for money. They are a British staple. They can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. However, porridge can be made from a variety of grains including quinoa, bulgur wheat and brown rice.

We love warming and autumnal aromatics such as ginger and cinnamon, which is why we have decided to make this recipe from Sheer Luxe using brown rice.

Serves 2
Ingredients
1 cup cooked short-grain brown rice
1 cup milk (your choice – I like a combination of rice and coconut milk)
1 cinnamon stick
1 thin slice of fresh ginger
1 vanilla bean, split and seeds scraped or 1⁄2 teaspoon vanilla paste
1 teaspoon ground flaxseed/ linseed (optional)
a little honey, to serve
Cooking Method
1. COMBINE brown rice, milk, cinnamon, ginger and vanilla in a pot.
2. HEAT gently and simmer for 10 minutes, adding a little extra milk if necessary. Your porridge should be creamy.
3. SERVE alone or topped with flaxseed, stewed fruits, honey and extra hot milk.

Image source, Pinterest

In the Russian novel The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov, the Devil gives Margarita a magic cream for her to apply all over her body, before attending his annual ball, where she will hosts it completely naked. When she applies the cream, her skin is instantly rejuvenated and beautified. I have often imagined what that magic cream could possibly contain... on the top of my list I had to have Castor Oil.

I choose Castor Oil because has so many very impressive properties and at one time or another it was used to heal just about anything. Unfortunately it went out of fashion because it is a rather expensive cosmetic ingredient.

So what makes it special? Well for starters it has an extraordinary amount of ricinoleic acid that is known to fight off acne-causing bacteria. It also has the capacity to penetrate deep into the skin layers, therefore attacking the bacteria from a deeper level.

Castor oil is also anti-inflammatory, anti-viral and has lots of antioxidants. Combining this with its super moisturising properties, Castor oil is the perfect all rounded ingredient to keep skin young and healthy.

Products:

Volcano Ash - Transformative Mask (... just like Margarita's Magic Cream)

Nourishing Oil - Body, Bath & Shower Oil

Angel Balm (...another magical ingredient of our best selling product)