Magic, Balm and baby

OK, I often write about soil or community, even when I'm writing for my Dr. Bronner's fam. But today I need to write - unashamedly, boundlessly, big-time-appreciation- kinda writing - about one of their products. The Unscented Organic Magic Balm, aka Baby Balm.

As someone who usually has their hands in dirt, paint or on a stick-turned-magical-sword by a 4 year old, my hands and bared face are outside and open to the air and sun a lot. Like, alot, alot. The number one thing that soothes them, and that makes me feel comfort after a shower and a long outdoors day, is this stuff. The Baby Balm.

And a bit like with their Castile Soap, I have the extra feeling of ease come over me when I'm using it, because I know deeply that there is nothing even remotely toxic or bad for me in it. In this world of constant exposure to chemicals and plastics, I am so grateful to rest well knowing that what's on my hands, face and body, is truly restorative for my body - and has been grown in ways that are truly regenerative for the people and planet in the supply chain behind it. 

This year I moved to a cold climate where the wind blows hard, the saltwater calls you, and the wilderness at every doorstep reminds you that we human animals live right alongside - not above - all fellow animals. A place close to the Southern Pole where this veil hasn't been eroded or sterilised, and remains vast and awe-inspiring year-round.

As well as big exposure to the elements, I am pregnant. Yes, I have a son inside me. Now, there's lots about being pregnant that no one tells you! Some are mind-bendingly beautiful, and some are truly gnarly realities haha... for months, this baby and my body have been co-growing so many cellular and universal wisdoms, far beyond my mind's eye, and... my skin is dry and sensitive as hell! 

So, this brings me to today. I'm living mostly in a garden on a hill. Watching daffodils have their first days on Earth blossoming. Their faces magnifying the beauty of the late Winter sun before slowly letting go of what was their one, short season on this planet. I'm drawing a lot of botanical sketches and going for long walks on a windy beach whose soft sand under my feet feels like the deepest hug I've ever been held in. The saltwater air pours into my mouth and down to enlarge my lungs with new-dayness, quenching a thirst bigger than any I knew I had. 

Sometimes I meet with women whose wisdom and generosity envelops me into a realm I've never known. Of an evening, I sit in wonder as funny movements bubble across my tummy and my son kicks more and more... These are slow days, gentle days. These are days for us. Me and the baby. And these are days when gentleness of the Magic Balm has been extra, extra appreciated. So much so, I now have two empty tins and desperately need more! 

So, how did I find myself with these 2 empty tins? Let me tell you about of my favourite Magic Balm uses….

1. Honestly, this has been my number one face moisturiser for the last 5 or 6 years. It does give quite a glossy look though, so if you’re not into that, perhaps stick to using it overnight.

2. On my dry hands. After the garden, after painting and creating... all the time now I'm pregnant! Ha! - the Magic Balm is my go-to. I love massaging it into my nails. They've never looked better. 

3. Massage, softening and circulation. I love massaging this into my legs, my thighs, my ankles. I know it's conditioning my skin surface. But even deeper, I love the ritual of massaging, knowing my energy and circulation are being moved and shifted in regenerating ways. I should mention here that there is another version of Dr. Bronner’s Magic Balm – the Arnica Menthol Balm – which is the bee's knees when it comes to soothing sore muscles. 

4. Removing make up. I'm with Lisa Bronner in her Going Green Blog on this - if I have a day where I've worn make up and my mascara won't come off, a tiny bit of the Magic Balm on a cloth or tissue always, always gets it off. No soap near my eyes, and my skin feels happy afterwards.

5. Babies! This is my favourite use... the one that's to come. I can't wait to use this on our son. On his little bottom, or later, his cracked little lips... eeee talk about magic!

No one knows what goes into the magic better than Lisa Bronner, Dr Bronner's granddaughter herself. Her answer told me everything I needed to know: "The Magic Balm base—which is all that’s in the Unscented Balm—has seven ingredients. Five oils (avocado, jojoba, coconut, olive, hemp seed), one wax (beeswax), one antioxidant (Tocopherol). And each ingredient is edible. (Don’t eat the balm. I’m making the point that it’s healthy for skin.)"

For more tips and uses, click here for Lisa's Magic Balm Usage Cheat Sheet.

Simple, huh? Which is like a lot of nature's wisdom and magic. When we tap in, listen deeply and let the elements do what they know how to do best, things become greater than the sum of their parts. Ahhhh, the reminders to keep listening. Endless... and magic... aren't' they?!