By: JB Bardot
(NaturalNews) From the pantry to the bedside, home remedies you can make
in a snap help prevent seasonal colds or cure a stubborn case of the
flu.
Garlic tea immune enhancer
A well-known immune
system strengthener, garlic shines as an antibacterial and antiviral
herb for fighting colds, coughs and the flu. One of the best ways to
take advantage of garlic's healing properties is by drinking fresh
garlic tea. Sweetened with a little raw honey, it's delicious and helps
to heal what ails you. Peel 2 to 3 cloves of fresh garlic and lightly
crush them with the side of a wide knife blade. Add them to 2 cups of
water and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer for another 15
minutes. Strain the garlic and allow the tea to cool to mouth
temperature. Add raw honey, a tiny pinch of cayenne pepper and a squeeze
of lemon juice. Drink as much as desired.
Red onion and raw honey cough syrup
A
wonderful home remedy for adults or kids suffering from a cough uses
brown cane sugar, raw honey or stevia and red onions to make a soothing
and tasty cough syrup. Wash, peel and slice the entire onion
horizontally. Starting with the base of the onion, layer the slices in a
bowl alternating with layers of raw honey or brown sugar. Stevia powder
works well for this home remedy too; however, it is extremely sweet.
Continue adding layers of onion and sweetener until the entire onion is
reconstructed in the bowl. Cover and allow the sweetened onion to remain
in the bowl on your counter for about 12-15 hours or overnight. The
next day, there will be about a cup or more of sweet syrup in the bowl.
The cough syrup contains a range of nutrients, vitamins and minerals
from the onion and the honey to help fight infection and soothe sore
throats and quiet a cough. Take a spoonful as needed. Has no onion-y
taste.
Raw honey and lemon for sore throats
A mixture of
fresh lemon juice and raw honey provides soothing relief for sore
throats and helps stop the tickle that stimulates coughing. Raw honey --
with all its components including royal jelly, propolis and bee pollen
-- is high in nutrients and enzymes which kill bacteria and viruses. The
vitamin C and antioxidants found in fresh lemons boost the immune
system, speeding healing. Together these two home remedies
are a powerhouse for getting over a cold and sore throat. Mix the juice
of 1/2 the lemon with 2 to 3 tablespoons of honey and sip throughout
the day as needed.
Chicken soup antiviral
Soup
really does act to knock out a cold or the flu and hasten healing. As
long ago as the 12th century, the Jewish physician Maimonides
recommended consuming chicken soup to fight colds
and flu. Take advantage of the high antioxidant properties and
nutrients found in organic vegetables and chicken. Although non-organic
chicken soup may relieve some cold symptoms, it also supplies the body
with pesticides, growth hormones, herbicides and antibiotics that are
not recommended for well being. Go organic all the way and get well
quickly.
Mullein tea for coughs and congestion
Tea is well-known for relieving chest congestion from coughs, colds and
the flu. It acts as an expectorant, loosening trapped mucous and
soothing sore throats. Make mullein tea by filling a tea ball or
strainer with dried mullein herb and steeping in a cup of boiling water
for 10 minutes. Sweeten with raw honey and drink as needed to relieve
symptoms.
JB
Bardot is trained in herbal medicine and homeopathy, and has a post
graduate degree in holistic nutrition. Bardot cares for both people and
animals, using alternative approaches to health care and lifestyle. She
writes about wellness, green living, alternative medicine, holistic
nutrition, homeopathy, herbs and naturopathic medicine. You can find her
on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001364941208&ref=tn_tnmn or on Twitter at jbbardot23 https://twitter.com/#!/jbbardot23
Making your own cleaning solutions using just a few basic ingredients
is super easy, inexpensive, and much healthier for your home and
for the environment. Commercial cleaning products contain harsh
chemicals that can irritate the skin, burn the eyes, and
sting your lungs. Once the scrubbing is done, these toxic products are
washed down the drain, poisoning the water, land, and wildlife we
cherish. Plus, all of the extra packaging ends up destined for the
recycling bin…or the landfill.
These awesome recipes will make that transition from store bought to
homemade super easy! I’ve been using them for a few years now and can’t
imagine going back. They will replace those conventional cleaning
products in your cupboard for good!
The Recipes
Super Surface Spray • 16 oz. spraybottle
• 14 oz. – 1:1 solution of distilled white vinegar and water
• 7 drops of tea tree essential oil • 7 drops of lavender essential oil • 7 drops of lemon essential oil
Use this aromatic and disinfecting solution for cleaning kitchen
counters, cabinets, refrigerator shelves, blinds, painted wood surfaces,
painted walls, molding, fan blades, and more.
Herby Soft Scrub
• 12 oz glass jar with lid
• 1/2 cup baking soda
• 1/2 cup castille soap
• 15 drops of antimicrobial essential oils like rosemary and sage
Mix well until you have a nice consistency like cake frosting. If you have leftovers, add 1 tsp vegetable glycerin to keep the blend nice and moist.
Antibacterial Soap Spray
• 16 oz spray bottle
• 14 oz. water or rosemary hydrosol
• 3 tbsp castille soap • 15 drops of tea tree essential oil • 15 drops of oregano essential oil
Use this cleaning spray to disinfect your bathroom surfaces. You can
use the Super Surface Spray to rinse away any residue left behind by the
castille soap.
Refreshing Linen Spray
• 16 oz. spraybottle
• 3 oz. unflavored vodka
• 12 drops lavender, ylang ylang, peppermint, orange or your favorite smelling essential oil
• 12 oz. organic hydrosol of your choice
Spray to refresh your mattress, pillows, bed linens, couches, and
fabric covered chairs, or spritz clean winter blankets before storing
for the year. Also makes a wonderful ironing spray!
Natural Lemon Furniture Polish
• 16 oz spraybottle
• 1 cup olive oil
• 25 drops pure lemon essential oil
• 1/4 cup distilled white vinegar
• fill remainder of the bottle with purified water
Shake well before each use. Spray onto your rag or directly onto furniture. Buff dry immediately.
Lemony Wood Floor Mop Formula
• 20 oz. spray bottle
• 1/2 cup distilled white vinegar
• 1 tsp. vegetable glycerin
• 20 drops lemon essential oil
• Water
Spray, mop as usual, and quickly buff dry to protect your floors. They will be glossy and clean with a lovely lemon scent!
Mop-It-Up Formula
• small glass bottle
• 1/4 cup castille soap • 1/2 cup distilled white vinegar
• 20 drops of tea tree essential oil • 20 drops of sweet orange essential oil
This is the perfect liquid cleaner for tile floors, vinyl, or
linoleum. Mix the solution with 2 gallons of hot water and mop away the
dirt and grime.
(NaturalNews) Coughs are caused by an irritation in the lining of the throat or lungs, causing mucus build up. When you are sick, the lining of your throat and lungs becomes more sensitive. Cold air, eating or drinking, or sometimes just plain breathing can annoy the already tender lining. Coughs can tickle, or feel dry, making you clear your throat, or cough when you step into cold air. Some coughs are caused by mucus backing up in the throat or lungs. These coughs will end with the coughing up of mucus. These coughs can rattle, or bark. They can be spasmodic, as your body tries to eliminate the mucus. If you use cough drops, or cough syrups, you can prevent your coughs. This doesn't fix the problem that caused the cough; it only suppresses the body`s natural desire to heal.
The best way to stop a cough is to sooth the irritated area, and give the mucus a channel for expression-- a way to get out of your body. Coughs can be softened and soothed by herbal and homeopathic remedies. Good herbal remedies for colds with coughs include: licorice, horehound, mullein, peppermint, elderflowers, and yarrow. Homeopathy offers many cough remedies depending on the type of cough.
Remedies for dry coughs Belladonna (short, dry, and tickling cough), Bryonia (dry cough with weakness), Gelsemium (dry cough with a dry throat or for bronchitis). Rumex crispus cough is dry and tickling. This is the remedy for a cough brought on as soon as the person goes outside.
By: Melanie Grimes, citizen journalist at Natural News. Read the full article here.
I recently had a pretty nasty cold and was waking up feeling miserable and very tired. I decided to make a concoction with some ingredients that I have in my kitchen. I soon found relief and within a few days my cold was gone. Here is my recipe:
Use hot water and add all of your ingredients. You can either juice the lemon and use about 1 tbsp or do what I do and just peel the outer layer, like you would a potato, leaving some of the pulp on it and put it in your cup, being sure to squeeze the juice first. It's very delicious. Not only does this drink provides relief from a cold but it will also help your body to heal and recover a lot faster. I noticed that on the mornings I drank it I had an amazing amount of energy through out the day and felt real good.
By: Fleur Hupston
(NaturalNews) Commercially produced bubble bath, shower gels and body lotions are usually packed with synthetic chemicals. Yet, herbs, flowers and fruits have long been used in beauty treatments to refresh, cleanse and soothe, without the harmful effects that chemicals can have on the skin. Home made bath products are not expensive to produce, are beneficial to health and can also make wonderful gifts for loved ones.
Recipes for Bath Sachets, Body Lotions and Massage Oils
Natural, home made products have a shorter shelf life than commercially produced bath products because they do not contain preservatives, so be sure to store them in a cool place and use them up within a short period of time.
Lavender and Rose Geranium Massage Oil
1/4 cup lavender
1/4 cup rose geranium petals
1 cup apricot oil
Place the petals in a wide necked glass jar. Warm the apricot oil in a saucepan on a low heat, then pour over the petals and seal the jar. Leave in a warm spot for two weeks, shaking the jar each day. Once again, pour oil into a saucepan and gently warm it up over a low heat. Strain the oil through muslin and discard the petals. Pour into bottles and seal.
35% Food Grade Hydrogen Peroxide (H202). Dilute it down to a 3% solution or use at full strength when noted. Don´t use chlorinated tap water to dilute the peroxide when taken orally.
Most of the products that I use and that are listed here have been ordered at a discount price at: http://www.swansonvitamins.com/
1. Kill weeds. Spray full-strength White Vinegar or 35% H202 on growth until weeds have starved. H202 can also be used as a pesticide spray 35% mixed with white sugar.
2. Kill unwanted grass spray or pour full strength White Vinegar on walks and driveways.
3. Increase soil acidity. Use 1/2 cup of vinegar in 1 gallon of tap water for watering plants such as rhododendrons, gardenias, or azaleas.
4. Deter ants. Spray full strength White Vinegar around doors, appliances, and along other areas where ants are.
5. Polish car chrome. Apply full-strength White Vinegar.
6. Remove Body Odor. Spray full strengthACV and Baking Soda while bathing and it will eliminate odor. It usually lasts all day. You can use Baking Soda as a natural deodorant; it actually works better then the commercial kind or you can spray ACV and it will eliminate odor. It really works!
7. All Purpose Cleaner. Mix equal parts Distilled White Vinegar and water and add about 7-10 drops of tea Tree Oil or you can add equal parts Distilled White Vinegar with H202 with about 5 drops of peppermint oil and tit smells fabulous and works GREAT!
8. Freshen wilted vegetables. Soak them in cold water with 2 teaspoons White Vinegar or you can use a few drops or one teaspoon depending on the amount of water of 3% H202 and let it sit for about 10 minutes and then rinse.
9. Soothe a bee or jellyfish sting. Dot the irritation with ACV to relieve itching.
10. Relieve sunburn. Lightly rub on White Vinegar. You may have to reapply.
11. Condition or deep condition hair. To deep condition your hair spray equal part water and ACV directly on your scalp and massage for about a minute and work your fingers through your hair, cover with a shower cap or hair wrap and wash it out in the morning. You can also use Extra Virgin Coconut Oil to deep condition and strengthen weak brittle hair. Just apply a thick coating throughout your hair starting from the roots working your way to the ends. Then wrap with a warm towel and let it sit for about 30 minutes or you can leave it in all day. Shampoo and condition with an all natural shampoo and conditioner.I use Natures Gate Chamomile Shampoo and Conditioner or Jason Natural Biotin Shampoo. I have noticed a significant difference in the texture of my hair. The ends used to be very dry and brittle and would tangle very easily but now my hair is more manageable and softer and looks very healthy. -In regards to the shampoo listed above I recently realized that some of the ingredients are toxic and do not recommend them- I recently purchased Dr. Bonner's Castile soap and hair rinse. I have yet to use the products on my hair but will let you know the results when I do.
12. Relieve dry and itchy skin. Add ¼ cup of ACV to bath water or you can spray full strength ACV in the shower and wait about a minute and then rinse it off. Afterwards use Extra Virgin Coconut Oil. Your skin will feel silky smooth and smell absolutely great. I have been using Alomnd Skin Glow by Home Heath that you can find at Iherbs.com at a GREAT price and the Rose Water Splash by Home Health that is great on the skin and as a hair rinse. Both products smell so good and have worked great on my skin.
13. Detox bath. Take a 30 minute bath in ¼ cup Himalayan Crystal Salt, ½ cup Baking Soda, and ½ cup 35% H2o2 and it will not only work wonders for your skin but will make you feel and look absolutely great. I try to take a detox bath once a week, I don’t always accomplish this, and I have noticed an overall improvement in my complexion. For years my face looked a little red and I would break out but since I have started taking detox baths the redness is gone and I hardly have breakouts. I also spray my face with diluted ACV after each shower and lightly exfoliate my skin with Baking Soda. I have used so many products in the past and have even tried a lot of natural remedies but this combo of ACV and Baking Soda has been the only remedy that has worked for me and does not irritate my skin.
14. Alleviate a dry flaky scalp and moisturize hair. Mix equal parts water and ACV, you can also use full strength ACV, with about 1 teaspoon of Extra Virgin Olive Oil and massage into scalp. Wrap your hair in a warm towel or hair cap and leave it on for about 30 minutes or leave it on your hair all day. Shampoo and condition your hair as usual. You can also spray equal parts water and ACV onto your scalp and leave it on all day or until your next shampoo session. I also use about a half teaspoon of Jojoba Oil, 5 drops Rosemary Oil, 3 Drops Lavender Oil, 5 drops of Tea Tree Oil and about a teaspoon of Coconut Oil in my hair after I shampoo and condition my hair. It has helped to keep my hair healthy, soft, and flake free.
15. Soothe a sore throat. Pour a teaspoon of ACV in a glass of warm water. Gargle, and then swallow. You can also use Himalayan Crystal Salt, the stuff woks wonders and has many wonderful uses. I use Manuka Honey and it works INSTANTLY. REALLY!! I am amazed every time.
16. Treat sinus infections and chest colds. Add 4oz of 3% H202 to a Cool Mist Humidifier preferably with distilled water and run it in a small room over night, your cold should be gone by the morning. You can also Add a few drops of Eucalyptus Oil to a Hot Shower and sit in the bath room and breath deep for about ten minutes or until the hot water runs out. It has worked wonders in my house.
17. Deodorize and unclog drains. Pour a cup of White Vinegar and Baking Soda down the drain once a month to unclog them and pour a cup of White Vinegar once a week to deodorize them. Let stand 30 minutes and then flush with boiling water.
18. Eliminate onion odors. Rub White Vinegar on your fingers before and after slicing.
19. Clean and disinfect wood cutting boards. Wipe with full-strength White Vinegar.
20. Remove fruit stains from hands. Rub with White Vinegar.
21. Cut grease and odors on dishes. Add a tablespoon of White Vinegar to hot soapy water.
22. Clean a tea or coffee pot. Boil a mixture of water and White Vinegar in the teapot. Wipe away the grime. Pour full strength White Vinegar into the pot and run it. Afterward pour tap water and let it run through.
23. Freshen a lunchbox. Soak a piece of bread in White Vinegar and let it sit in the lunchbox overnight.
24. Clean the refrigerator. Wash with a solution of equal parts water and White Vinegar.
25. Clean the dishwasher. Run a cup of White Vinegar through the whole cycle once a month to reduce soap buildup on the inner mechanisms and on glassware.
26. Clean stainless steel. Use a White Vinegar dampened cloth and wipe down.
27. Remove stains from pots. Fill the pot with a solution of 3 tablespoons of White Vinegar to a pint of water. Boil until the stain loosens and can be easily washed away.
28. Clean the microwave. Boil a solution of 1/4 cup vinegar and 1 cup of water in the microwave. Will loosen food particles from microwave walls and deodorize.
29. Dissolve rust from bolts and other metals. Soak in full-strength White Vinegar or 3% H202. Let it sit over night. It really works!
30. Eliminate cooking smells. Simmer a small pot of White Vinegar and water.
31. Unclog a steam iron. Pour equal amounts of White Vinegar and water into the iron's water chamber. Turn to steam and leave the iron on for 5 minutes in an upright position. Then unplug and allow to cool. Any loose particles should come out when you empty the water.
32. Clean a scorched iron plate. Heat equal parts White Vinegar and salt in a small pan. Rub solution on the cooled iron surface to remove dark or burned stains.
33. Remove lint from clothes. Add 1/2 cup of White Vinegar to the rinse cycle of the washing machine. This also helps to brighten fabric colors.
34. Freshen the washing machine. Pour 1 cup of White Vinegar in the machine and let it run through a regular cycle (no clothes added). Will dissolve soap residue.
35. Remove tough stains. Gently rub White Vinegar on the stains before placing in the washing machine.
39. Eliminate smoke odors from clothes. Add 1 cup of White Vinegar to a bathtub of hot water. Hang clothes above the steam.
37. Clean eyeglasses. Wipe each lens with a drop of White Vinegar.
38. Freshen cut flowers. Add 2 tablespoons of White Vinegar and 1 teaspoon of sugar for each liter of water.
39. For Great health. A teaspoon of ACV in a glass of distilled water after each meal with a teaspoon of honey, preferable raw honey, for added flavor will improve your overall health.
40. Neutralize chlorine in your tap water. Put 3 to 5 drops of 3% H202 per 8oz glass. Do not exceed 6 drops!
41. Whiten Whites. Use ¼ cup 35% H202 in a full load of laundry. It works better them bleach. You can also use 1 cup 3% H202 if you do not have 35% available. I have not tried the 3% kind at the drugstore in the brown bottle, but I am sure it will work just fine.
42. Healthier and Whiter Teeth. Use equal parts Baking Soda and 3% H202 and brush away. I use Dr. Collins Perio Toothbrush.
Toothbrush Description:
Durable; longer lasting than nylon
Absorbs less water
Helps prevent cavities
Dr. Collins Perio Toothbrush penetrates the areas between teeth and gums removing plaque and food particles, while gently massaging gums without pain and bleeding. It gives you cleaner teeth, healthier gums and saves tooth enamel from abrasion. Unlike conventional toothbrushes, this toothbrush is made of a polyester compound, which is more durable and longer lasting than nylon. These unique bristles absorb less water and are preferable to use for toothbrush bristles. Dr. Collins Perio Toothbrush helps prevent cavities and provides overall oral hygiene and fresher breath.
43. All purpose cleaner. Use equal parts water and White Vinegar and add about 5 to 10 drops of Tea Tree Oil to the mixture. It is absolutely GREAT and I use it in every room. It also gets rid of carpet odors. My daughter had got sick and vomited in her room. My husband shampooed the carpet but the smell was still there. I sprayed some of my all purpose cleaner that night and by the next morning the smell was gone. You can also use equal parts water and white vinegar with one teaspoon of baking soda and one teaspoon of 100% lemon juice, if at all possible just use the juice from a fresh squeezed lemon. You can also put orange and lemon peels with some of the pulp into a container with undiluted white vinegar and let it sit for about one month. It smells fabulous and works great!
44. Eczema relief. Take a Pro-biotic and use 100% Pure Cold Pressed Castor Oil applied to the skin and Extra Virgin Coconut Oil regularly. I do not recommend any over the counter creams or ointments of any kind especially steroid creams, as they only have provided temporary relief, and really are not any good when used for a long period of time. Take fish oil, preferably the liquid kind. You can find it at most health food stores and some of the come with orange essential oil and taste great.
Castor Oil is an effective skin softener and is an outstanding topical emollient that penetrates deeply to soften the skin, Castor oil can be massaged directly into the skin or soaked into a cloth compress for longer-term applications.
I use the brand ~NOW~ Extra Virgin Coconut Oil. Below is a product description.
NOW Extra Virgin Coconut Oil is a high grade, unrefined premium nutritional edible oil obtained from the first cold pressing of organic coconut (Cocos nucifera) kernels. Virgin Coconut Oil is naturally trans-fatty acid free and packed-with medium chain triglycerides (MCT). This oil typically contains the following beneficial fatty acids per serving (natural variation may occur): Lauric Acid 6.5 g, Myristic Acid 2.4 g, Caprylic Acid 1.0 g, Capric Acid 800 mg, Oleic Acid 800 mg and Linoleic Acid 200 mg. Vegetarian/Vegan product.
These two products combined have worked so well on my daughter that she no longer has breakouts, my son on the other hand still has them, but I believe that his dry skin has a lot to do with his Gluten Intolerance.
45. Purify your air naturally with Beeswax candles.
Beeswax is a by-product of honey and is made from the ‘caps’ of the honeycomb. These are the most expensive candles, but are price effective as they last up to three times longer than paraffin and twice as long as soy candles. Unlike paraffin, they are from a sustainable source – originating from flowers, fuelled by the sun and processed by bees.
They burn cleanly, don’t drip when properly used and give off negative ions that help concentration and clear the air. They are also non-allergenic and can help soothe the symptoms of hay fever, asthma and allergy sufferers. Natural beeswax candles are commonly golden to amber but can also be found almost black. Ivory colored candles have gone through a special process to lighten them, which unfortunately weakens the natural honey scent. When purchasing, be certain that the label states 100% beeswax – some countries allow as little as 10% beeswax to still be labelled ‘beeswax’. A ‘blended’ beeswax candle most assuredly has paraffin or stearin.
Paraffin candles are as dangerous to the lungs as second-hand smoke. Paraffin candles are the most commonly burned candles worldwide. And are the most dangerous to our health. They are very toxic and can cause all sorts of health problems. Ever wonder why you get a headache when you enter someones home who is burning candles? Well, now you probably know why. Paraffin is an inexpensive sludge waste product of the petroleum industry that has been bleached then texturised with acrolyn, a known carcinogenic product. Supposedly an inert substance, if you have much faith in government/industry released information. However, once burned it releases toxins that are known carcinogens such as benzene and toluene which are inhaled and linger in the areas they are burned in. Not to mention the soot that leaves its residue on walls, eventually greying fabrics and ceilings. Soot from paraffin candles contains many of the same toxins found in diesel fuel. Yikes!! Next time you decide to light one you might want to reconsider it and think about your health and the health of those around you. I was visiting someone a while ago and she mentioned how her roomate got a headach every time she came home. One thing I took note of was the fact that she almost always has candles burning at her home and I could not help but to wonder if her roomates headach was contributed from the toxins emitted from the paraffin candles being burned. Just something to think about...
