Aloe Vera Gel is one of the very best ingredients for burns; it offers immediate relief, shortens recovery times, and hydrates the skin. It can be used alone, but is even more powerful when combined with medicinal calendula, cooling peppermint, and anti-oxidant rich vitamin E oil.
Ingredients:
2 ounces aloe vera gel
1 ounce calendula
2 1/2 ounces distilled water
5 drops chamomile essential oil
2-5 drops peppermint essential oil
10 drops vitamin E oil
Bring the water to a boil in a small saucepan. Add calendula, remove from heat. Allow to steep for 20 minutes before straining out flower petals to be discarded. Allow the hydrosol to cool.
Mix 2 ounces of the hydrosol with the remaining ingredients and pour into a 4 oz spray bottle, and mist onto the skin as often as desired. Store in refrigerator to increase the cooling effect.
Showing posts with label medicine cabinet. Show all posts
Showing posts with label medicine cabinet. Show all posts
10/7/13
Herbal Sore Throat Spray
It certainly doesn't taste the same as your standard cepacol, but it packs a powerful punch that will get rid of your sore throat ASAP.
Ingredients:
1 oz organic echinacea tincture
1 oz organic goldenseal
1 oz osha root tincture
2 tbsp raw local honey
½ oz organic Peppermint Hydrosol (optional)
Combine all ingredients into a glass spray bottle and shake vigorously. Spray 3 pumps into sore throat every hour or as needed. Store spray in the refrigerator for an added cooling affect on the inflamed issue.
Ingredients:
1 oz organic echinacea tincture
1 oz organic goldenseal
1 oz osha root tincture
2 tbsp raw local honey
½ oz organic Peppermint Hydrosol (optional)
Combine all ingredients into a glass spray bottle and shake vigorously. Spray 3 pumps into sore throat every hour or as needed. Store spray in the refrigerator for an added cooling affect on the inflamed issue.
9/9/13
Egg Shell Calcium
Thank you Butter Nutrition for your recipe for egg shell calcium. I use a very similar recipe for additives for my dog chow, however they like crunchy bits and I do not. I am also squeamish about taking the powder, so I buy gel tabs from health stores and viola! If taken with food, no upset belly. Also, please understand that you will get a different quality of calcium from free range or organic eggs than cheapy discount eggs. Also always wash eggs before saving.
Ingredients:
A few dozen used egg shells (kept in fridge or freezer to maintain freshness)
Cook dry, thawed egg shells at 300 degrees for about 20-25 minutes to dry them out. Let cool for 30-60 minutes. Blend in a coffee grinder or high speed blender (like Vita-mix) until you get a very fine powdered consistency (very important!)
To Use:
Consume about 1/8-1/4* tsp with a little water or juice 1-3x per day or as needed to meet your individual health needs. 1 tsp eggshell calcium equals about 800 mg calcium.
Store cold.
Ingredients:
A few dozen used egg shells (kept in fridge or freezer to maintain freshness)
Cook dry, thawed egg shells at 300 degrees for about 20-25 minutes to dry them out. Let cool for 30-60 minutes. Blend in a coffee grinder or high speed blender (like Vita-mix) until you get a very fine powdered consistency (very important!)
To Use:
Consume about 1/8-1/4* tsp with a little water or juice 1-3x per day or as needed to meet your individual health needs. 1 tsp eggshell calcium equals about 800 mg calcium.
Store cold.
Homemade Teething Oil
Thank you Mommypotamus for the recipe and tricks! I'm glad to see that I'm not the only one that had kids teething on natural rubber toys that squeaked. My oldest ran around forever with a big shark hanging out of his mouth.
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon olive
1 tablespoon coconut oil
2 drops clove bud essential oil
Combine ingredients and test a little on yourself to make sure it’s not too strong. Once you’re comfortable with the ratio’s pour your mixture into a clean container. Light oxidizes oil, so a dark amber or cobalt is best if you plan to leave it on the counter. Another option is a clear glass container that is kept in a cool, dark cabinet.
To Use
Shake well, then apply sparingly to gums with your finger tip. Reapply every 1-2 hours as needed.
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon olive
1 tablespoon coconut oil
2 drops clove bud essential oil
Combine ingredients and test a little on yourself to make sure it’s not too strong. Once you’re comfortable with the ratio’s pour your mixture into a clean container. Light oxidizes oil, so a dark amber or cobalt is best if you plan to leave it on the counter. Another option is a clear glass container that is kept in a cool, dark cabinet.
To Use
Shake well, then apply sparingly to gums with your finger tip. Reapply every 1-2 hours as needed.
6/1/13
Herbal Vapor Balm
We all grew up with parents slathering Vicks on us. Or if you're like my previous mother in law, she'd rub it on her face, too. This is a balm that I'd feel safe rubbing on my face if need be or feel okay putting on my children.
Ingredients
1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 – 1 teaspoon menthol crystals
1 oz beeswax pastilles
15 drops eucalyptus essential oil
10 drops peppermint essential oil
10 drops rosemary essential oil
2 drops tea tree essential oil
2 drops thyme essential oil
Heat the olive oil and beeswax in a double boiler until the beeswax has melted. Remove from heat and allow to cool a little. Add menthol crystals (1/2 tsp for a gentler balm, 1 tsp for a stronger product) and essential oils, stir, and quickly pour into jars. Immediately place lids loosely over the jars so that the oils do not escape. This balm will last for years, I have some that I made 7 years ago and it is still effective!
Note: The menthol crystals may be irritating when inhaled so use in a well ventilated area.
Ingredients
1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 – 1 teaspoon menthol crystals
1 oz beeswax pastilles
15 drops eucalyptus essential oil
10 drops peppermint essential oil
10 drops rosemary essential oil
2 drops tea tree essential oil
2 drops thyme essential oil
Heat the olive oil and beeswax in a double boiler until the beeswax has melted. Remove from heat and allow to cool a little. Add menthol crystals (1/2 tsp for a gentler balm, 1 tsp for a stronger product) and essential oils, stir, and quickly pour into jars. Immediately place lids loosely over the jars so that the oils do not escape. This balm will last for years, I have some that I made 7 years ago and it is still effective!
Note: The menthol crystals may be irritating when inhaled so use in a well ventilated area.
5/31/13
Herbal Foot Soak
My feet are very sensitive critters. If I'm ill with a head cold, I soak them. If I'm aching from fibro pain, I soak them. If I wear my lemon yellow keds or any kind of dress shoes for more than three hours, I soak them. I despise most shoes.
Ingredients
1/2 cup epsom salt
1 tsp olive oil
Sprigs of fresh eucalyptus leaves, lavender flowers, peppermint leaves, rosemary, sage leaves, thyme, or oregano (If fresh herbs are unavailable, substitute with dried herbs or a few drops of essential oil)
Boil water and pour over herbs, then add salt and olive oil. Once the water has cooled to a comfortable temperature, soak feet for as long as desired. For an even more luxurious experience, place a few smooth stones into the bottom and gently roll your feet over the stones to naturally massage and relax them.
Ingredients
1/2 cup epsom salt
1 tsp olive oil
Sprigs of fresh eucalyptus leaves, lavender flowers, peppermint leaves, rosemary, sage leaves, thyme, or oregano (If fresh herbs are unavailable, substitute with dried herbs or a few drops of essential oil)
Boil water and pour over herbs, then add salt and olive oil. Once the water has cooled to a comfortable temperature, soak feet for as long as desired. For an even more luxurious experience, place a few smooth stones into the bottom and gently roll your feet over the stones to naturally massage and relax them.
5/29/13
Pain Relieving Cream
As I have fibro and TMJ- not to mention the herniated discs in my back- I go through a lot of tiger balm and Icy Hot. Where as I have no issues with tiger balm, Icy Hot is not exactly what I'd call a very natural product. One Good Thing by Jillee offers this recipe for a homemade alternative.
Ingredients:
1/2 cup Coconut Oil
2 teaspoons Beeswax pellets
2 teaspoons Camphor crystals or 5 drops Camphor oil
2 teaspoons Menthol crystals or 5 drops Peppermint oil
5 drops Eucalyptus oil
Melt the coconut oil and beeswax together. You can do this in the microwave, in a double boiler, or what I did was set a small saucepan on the stove for a minute or two and then turned the burner off and added the coconut oil and beeswax. Stir until melted.
Allow the mixture to cool for a few minutes, then add the camphor crystals or oil, the menthol crystals or oil, and the eucalyptus oil.
Put in a container and allow to cool completely. When it is completely cooled it will be a solid rather than liquid…but the minute it hits your warm skin…it will liquify again. That’s what coconut oil does, which makes it perfect for massaging onto sore muscles and joints.
This amount of camphor, menthol and eucalyptus seems to be working for Kell…but you can increase the amount of each until you achieve the desired level of effectiveness for you without causing irritation.
And finally, if you don’t want to mess with making your own “base” cream just purchase a jar of Vitamin E Cream at just about any grocery, dollar or drug store and add the oils to that, and mix. Voila! Done.
Ingredients:
1/2 cup Coconut Oil
2 teaspoons Beeswax pellets
2 teaspoons Camphor crystals or 5 drops Camphor oil
2 teaspoons Menthol crystals or 5 drops Peppermint oil
5 drops Eucalyptus oil
Melt the coconut oil and beeswax together. You can do this in the microwave, in a double boiler, or what I did was set a small saucepan on the stove for a minute or two and then turned the burner off and added the coconut oil and beeswax. Stir until melted.
Allow the mixture to cool for a few minutes, then add the camphor crystals or oil, the menthol crystals or oil, and the eucalyptus oil.
Put in a container and allow to cool completely. When it is completely cooled it will be a solid rather than liquid…but the minute it hits your warm skin…it will liquify again. That’s what coconut oil does, which makes it perfect for massaging onto sore muscles and joints.
This amount of camphor, menthol and eucalyptus seems to be working for Kell…but you can increase the amount of each until you achieve the desired level of effectiveness for you without causing irritation.
And finally, if you don’t want to mess with making your own “base” cream just purchase a jar of Vitamin E Cream at just about any grocery, dollar or drug store and add the oils to that, and mix. Voila! Done.
4/21/13
Calendula Compress
Rather than use a compress these days, most people just slather on neosporin and a bandaid. The problem is that the poison remains in the wound and you only applied stuff to heal the skin. Calendula really is a miracle flower that most people call a pot marigold. You can be apply it to burns, cuts and scrapes, bee stings, bug bites, inflammations, and other skin irritations for people and animals alike.
Ingredients:
1 cup boiling water
dried calendula flowers
clean cloth
Pour boiling water over fresh or dried calendula flowers, cover, and allow the mixture to cool to room temperature. Once cooled, strain out flowers and reserve the remaining liquid. Create a compress by soaking a clean cloth in the herbal infusion and placing it on the skin. This process is gentle and may be repeated several times a day.
Ingredients:
1 cup boiling water
dried calendula flowers
clean cloth
Pour boiling water over fresh or dried calendula flowers, cover, and allow the mixture to cool to room temperature. Once cooled, strain out flowers and reserve the remaining liquid. Create a compress by soaking a clean cloth in the herbal infusion and placing it on the skin. This process is gentle and may be repeated several times a day.
4/18/13
Herbal Astringent Spray
Astringent is a chemical compound meant to shrink tissue after a bite, scratch or other minor injury. Most people believe that the otc stuff that they use might also disinfect it somehow, but unless it specifically says so, it isn't. This will not only help close the wound, but clean it out and bathe it in natural antimicrobials.
Ingredients:
2 ounces witch hazel extract
1/2 ounces red root bark tincture
1/2 ounces Oregon grape root tincture (organically grown goldenseal tincture can be used)
1/2 ounces Pipsissewa tincture
1/2 ounces Uva-Ursi tincture
Mix all ingredients in a 4 oz spray bottle and shake before using. Re-apply as often as needed.
Ingredients:
2 ounces witch hazel extract
1/2 ounces red root bark tincture
1/2 ounces Oregon grape root tincture (organically grown goldenseal tincture can be used)
1/2 ounces Pipsissewa tincture
1/2 ounces Uva-Ursi tincture
Mix all ingredients in a 4 oz spray bottle and shake before using. Re-apply as often as needed.
4/16/13
Herbal Neosporin
This is much better than the stuff that you get in a tube and much more effective.
Ingredients:
1/2 cup coconut oil (proven to help heal burns, anti-microbial, anti-bacterial, great moisturizer)
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil (full of vitamins, a great moisturizer)
1/4 cup dried comfrey (a herb for healing woulds)
1/4 cup dried calendula (a herb for healing wounds, skin irritations)
2oz beeswax (equals out to 2 of the 1oz bars or 4 tablespoons)
2 tablespoons of honey (natural moisturizer with anti-microbial properties)
10 drops lavender essential oil (anti-bacterial, anti-microbial, analgesic)
In a medium saucepan – combine the coconut oil, olive oil, comfrey & calendula. Cook on medium heat for about 20-30 minutes, stirring often. Strain the mixture using a cheesecloth or coffee filter. Toss the herbs & wipe out any remaining herbs from your saucepan. Add the strained oil back to your pot, turn the heat to low. Stir in the honey at this point until mixed thoroughly. Some people don’t realize the benefits honey has to your skin, but it’s a natural moisturizer with anti-microbial properties. You can read more about honey in skin care here. Note, having the honey mix in evenly can be somewhat tedious, so you can opt to omit it if you wish.
Next beeswax: if you’re using bars, cut into slices before adding. Stir until completely melted. Stir in the essential oil, if using, at this point. Once combined, remove from the heat. You’ll want to work quickly now as the salve starts to set up rather fast. Pour into the glass or tin container(s) of your choice.
Stir occasionally as it cools to ensure that everything settles properly, especially the honey. Once it sets up, seal. Each batch makes 16 ounces. It keeps for a year.
Ingredients:
1/2 cup coconut oil (proven to help heal burns, anti-microbial, anti-bacterial, great moisturizer)
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil (full of vitamins, a great moisturizer)
1/4 cup dried comfrey (a herb for healing woulds)
1/4 cup dried calendula (a herb for healing wounds, skin irritations)
2oz beeswax (equals out to 2 of the 1oz bars or 4 tablespoons)
2 tablespoons of honey (natural moisturizer with anti-microbial properties)
10 drops lavender essential oil (anti-bacterial, anti-microbial, analgesic)
In a medium saucepan – combine the coconut oil, olive oil, comfrey & calendula. Cook on medium heat for about 20-30 minutes, stirring often. Strain the mixture using a cheesecloth or coffee filter. Toss the herbs & wipe out any remaining herbs from your saucepan. Add the strained oil back to your pot, turn the heat to low. Stir in the honey at this point until mixed thoroughly. Some people don’t realize the benefits honey has to your skin, but it’s a natural moisturizer with anti-microbial properties. You can read more about honey in skin care here. Note, having the honey mix in evenly can be somewhat tedious, so you can opt to omit it if you wish.
Next beeswax: if you’re using bars, cut into slices before adding. Stir until completely melted. Stir in the essential oil, if using, at this point. Once combined, remove from the heat. You’ll want to work quickly now as the salve starts to set up rather fast. Pour into the glass or tin container(s) of your choice.
Stir occasionally as it cools to ensure that everything settles properly, especially the honey. Once it sets up, seal. Each batch makes 16 ounces. It keeps for a year.
4/15/13
Antimicrobial Body Powder
Rather than using baby powder, this is a good powder for dusting in sweaty, itchy areas.
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon of baking soda
3 tablespoons arrowroot powder
3 tablespoons of cornstarch
tea tree oil
Combine ingredients and mix well. Put powder mixture into a shake box or a container with a powder puff. Use daily or as needed ( tea tree oil/ratio is about 10 drops per 1 cup of total powder mix). If you prefer a smoother texture, you can replace the cornstarch with an equal amount of arrowroot.
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon of baking soda
3 tablespoons arrowroot powder
3 tablespoons of cornstarch
tea tree oil
Combine ingredients and mix well. Put powder mixture into a shake box or a container with a powder puff. Use daily or as needed ( tea tree oil/ratio is about 10 drops per 1 cup of total powder mix). If you prefer a smoother texture, you can replace the cornstarch with an equal amount of arrowroot.
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