For most of my adult life I have had trouble with store bought skincare products. Anytime I tried something new it was a gamble as to whether or not I would develop a rash. In 2015 I had a rash I couldn't seem to get rid of. It was miserable and itched all times of the day or night. I would lay awake trying not succumb to scratching as I knew the more I scratched, the worse it would itch. I tried all sorts of over the counter remedies, none of which worked and most of which made it worse.  

As the months passed I tried eliminating wheat from my diet, and next dairy, to no avail. I eventually sought the help of a dermatologist and after months of allergy testing was told I had eczema (atopic dermatitis). Meaning my body has an immune response and my skin becomes inflamed due to some sort of trigger or irritant. Over the course of the next year I tried at least 6 different creams or ointments prescribed by my dermatologist. All of which made my rash much worse. I basically had a condition with no known cause or cure according to the medical community.

I spent the next 3 years praying, asking the Lord for answers. 1 John 5:14-15 says, “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us-whatever we ask-we know that we have what we asked of him”.

During this time I was invited to a farm and garden show, where I purchased some homemade soaps. After using them for a while I noticed my rash improved. I contacted the soap maker in hopes of understanding what was different about her soap in comparison to store bought soap. She really wasn't sure, however at the end of our conversation she mentioned that she avoided palm oil in all her products. I knew I had at least 4 different items( shampoo, moisturizer, deodorant and mascara) at home that made my rash much worse. Sure enough, when I checked the ingredients list the first, second or third ingredient was palm oil. Could this be the answer I had been praying for? The mystery ingredient giving me all my trouble?

I immediately stopped using any body care product that contained it and my condition greatly improved. Praise the Lord! Once I eliminated it from my diet it was completely gone. This wasn't easy as it is in most over the counter items and prepackaged foods. Palm oil goes by many names, and is hard to avoid.  Fortunately I was already in the habit of making most of our meals from scratch as I enjoy gardening and cooking with fresh ingredients. Thus it wasn't that hard to give up prepackaged foods, however the body care product choices were very limited. This led me to researching how I could make my own soaps, moisturizers, sunscreen etc.

I began making homemade soap and read everything I could get my hands on about making skincare products from natural ingredients. I researched which oils, herbs, plants, produce, nuts, roots and essential oils are best for which skin problem. I tried recipe after recipe, keeping meticulous notes and eventually I stumbled across tallow. At that point there was no turning back. It was incredible in soap and in any skincare product I whipped up. Making it far superior to anything I had purchased retail. I realized for years I had been trusting big companies with the nourishment of my skin. I wanted fresh products without preservatives, harmful chemicals and mystery ingredients. This is not necessarily the goal for big cosmetic companies. They have other things in mind, like a longer shelf life, cheap ingredients that are easy to acquire, etc.

As time passed I shared my creations with friends and family. They seemed to love them as much as I did and often asked for a refill as soon as they ran low. I was happy to help others and have my skin healthy.  For quite some time I heard, "You should sell this!" It was never a goal of mine, and honestly I never saw Herb 'n Tallow coming. Proverbs 16:9 says, “In his heart  a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.” 

After much prayer, I felt I heard the Lord saying "you can do this; help others have healthy skin, and share your story of burden to blessing. Share how I took something that made you miserable day and night and turned it into something you love."  I have always loved herbs, cooking, health and nutrition. I went to school for physical therapy and spent years helping people rehabilitate their bodies and now He has blessed me with the opportunity to help them rehabilitate their skin with wholesome ingredients.

Hence the first balm I created is called Blessing Balm. Did you know balms are mentioned in the Bible? Clear back in Genesis 43:11, “Their father Israel said to them, "If it must be, then do this: Put some of the best products of the land in your bags and take them down to the man as a gift -a little balm and a little honey, some spices and myrrh, some pistachio nuts and almonds”. Then again in 2 Chronicles 28:15, “They provided them with clothes and sandals, food and drink and healing balm”. Balms have been around from the beginning and were used for healing. Do you know the difference between balms and creams? Balms are made of nourishing oils and healing plant material. Creams may contain the same, but also contain water and thus require preservatives to keep their water content from growing bacteria. If you want to avoid chemicals in your cosmetics use balms.

As overjoyed as I am to help you with your physical needs, I would be remiss to not help you spiritually as well. Walking with the Lord, you never know what's around the next bend. Relief comes when you least expect it.  It's an amazing journey and I encourage you to seek the Lord for yourself. Open the Bible and read His life giving words. John  3:16 says, “For God so loved the world he gave his only begotten Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life”. In John 10:7 Jesus says, "Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep."  In John 14:6 He also says, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the father, except thru me”.  In my journey with the Lord, I picture I have entered the gate (I've accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior), and now I am in the garden of life taking one stepping stone at a time, listening for His voice to direct my path. He can do the same for you. James 5:16 says, "The effective fervent  prayer of a righteous man avails much." To be righteous means to be right with God, to do this is to recognize that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). Sin separates us from God and the only way to restore that relationship is thru Jesus. He paid the price by laying down his life for us. Romans 6:23 says, "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life thru Christ Jesus our Lord."

I'm a small company, however, I hope to make a difference one life at a time. With each order, a verse of scripture is included from God's word. Isaiah 55:10-11 says, "As the rain and snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish; so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it." As I hope to help nourish your skin, I trust God to nourish your soul through his word.

Isaiah 40:8 says“The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of God stands forever”.  Our earthly bodies will pass away,  however our souls will live on eternally either in heaven with God or in hell separated from him.