Frozen Organic Lemons: Natural Remedy for Cancer, Blood Pressure, and Anxiety

by Nancy Marlow -- Used by permission

Earlier I posted an article regarding the value of lemons to our health, with some benefits better than chemotherapy! Someone asked me to post the results when I did it. So here goes . . . 

Wash an organic lemon very well and then freeze in a plastic bag. When completely frozen, grate the entire lemon. You can use the grated lemon any way you want - sprinkle on ice cream salad, or any food you like, add to smoothies, or make lemonade.

The article said that lemon peels contain compounds that are a thousand times more powerful than Andriamycin, a drug found in chemotherapy. The lemon peels only act on the malignant cells and do not damage the healthy cells. Chemo, on the other hand, destroys the malignant AND healthy cells. Lemon peels also can eliminate feelings of anxiety and irritability and can help regulate blood pressure.

To try it out, I made a small bowl of oatmeal, sprinkled a teaspoon of lemon peel on top, along with three drops of Stevia. I loved it! My daughter also made us an omelet for breakfast. I sprinkled a teaspoon over my eggs and added a little goat cheese. Great! Before you wrinkle up your nose (as my daughter and granddaughter did when I told them what I had done), try it yourself!

I put the grated peel in a small container and then put the rest of the lemon into the food processor with a little water. Then I put the pureed lemon into an ice cube tray to freeze for lemonade.

Homemade Bug Spray

https://draxe.com

by Dr. Josh Axe - Used by permission

Instead of using conventional recipes and showering your body in harmful chemicals, try this homemade bug spray recipe. In addition to keeping away bugs, it also helps kill bacteria and nourish your skin. And unlike conventional brands, it smells amazing. Try it today to keep the bugs away. Avoiding Zika virus? 

Consumer Reports testing found Repel Lemon Eucalyptus repellent kept the mosquitoes that commonly carry Zika virus at bay for 7 hours. Consider making your own spray using lemon eucalyptus (just don’t use this on children 3 and younger.)

Homemade Bug Spray

Total Time: 2 minutes

Serves: 30

INGREDIENTS:

• 1/2 cup witch hazel
• 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
• 40 drops essential oils (eucalyptus, lemongrass, citronella, tea tree, or rosemary)
• Glass spray bottle

DIRECTIONS:

1. Mix all ingredients in 8oz spray bottle
2. Spray over all portions of the body but avoid repellent in eyes and mouth
   
   ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
   
   Note from Lois: For an extra nice fragrant and effective blend, why not use 8 drops each of the five different oils above?

Home Remedies for Mosquito Bites on Babies

July 6, 2016

by Erin Elizabeth - Used by permission

http://www.healthnutnews.com/home-remedies-mosquito-bites-babies/

 

Mosquitoes are ubiquitous and it is very challenging to prevent bites without the application of topical agents. In addition to practicing prevention with environmental deterrents, there are many natural home remedies for mosquitoes bites on babies. They are simple and very effective.

Read more on the top natural home remedies for mosquito bites on babies!

Homemade Hand Cleaner

This homemade hand cleaner is quick and easy to make, very effective, kind for your skin, and inexpensive. The essential oil gives you the expected effect in cleaning your hands well, while the aloe and Vitamin E oil nourish your hands, rather than dry them out.  No harmful chemicals either!

3 Tbsp. aloe vera gel (I bought some through i-herb)
5 drops immune blend or melaleuca tea tree essential oil
1 tsp. Vitamin E oil
1 Tbsp. filtered water
Note: If you use aloe vera gel straight from the plant, you may need to omit the filtered water.

Put the mixture into a dispenser tube to carry in your purse.

There are no chemicals or alcohol to dry out your skin!

Teething Tips for Babies and Toddlers

by Lois Breneman - Heart to Heart - August, 2014

You might want to print out this article and tape it to the inside of your kitchen cabinet! 

Grandmas, this is for you as well,  for times when you babysit or have your families visiting.

A screaming baby or toddler, because of teething discomfort, can set the entire family on edge, especially when you can't seem to find anything that eases the gum irritation for your precious little one.  Many times rocking, bouncing, walking the floor with him, or diverting his attention just doesn't cut it.  Night time teething is especially difficult when the parents often get robbed of their much-needed rest.  I saw a cute onsie in a store the other day that said, "Nobody gets to sleep until I say so!"  In that case, I'll try to help you fill your teething remedy arsenal with possible solutions.

Around three months of age a baby usually begins teething, and by the time he is three years old, twenty baby teeth will have broken through his gums.  Ouch!  Symptoms of teething are drooling, irritability, loss of appetite, having trouble sleeping, tender gums, and chewing on soft and firm objects.  For our babies, I thought the canine teeth were the most difficult.  Some babies and toddlers feel teething irritation more intensely, while others don't seem to be bothered much.

Diluting a drop or two of clove essential oil with olive oil or coconut oil, numbs the gums, and helps to remove severe discomfort of the gums for babies and children.  It works very well for adult tooth irritation as well.  Not all brands of essential oils are safe to use internally though.  I learned at a health food store that even the brands they carried which say 100% pure are not safe to be ingested.  One brand I know that is completely safe to be taken internally, however, is the one I use.

FDA regulations forbid Wellness Advocates or distributors of essential oil companies, as I am, to mention the brand name in their blogs or websites.  We also may not mention names of blends by our company!  What will the government demand next?  So if you want to know specifics, please e-mail me.

Years ago, before I got involved in essential oils, I used frozen fish sticks for my daughter's teething discomfort.  That worked great!  I was willing to put up with the fishy smell when the frozen fish actually calmed down my teething toddler.  It's interesting that she is the one who introduced me to this esssential oil company years later.

A little soft giraffe was the favorite teething toy for all three of our children - easy to grab onto, and the long neck and head were perfect for gnawing on.  Poor giraffe!  There are all kinds of teething toys available that can be kept in the freezer for numbing the irritated gums.

Rolled-up wet baby wash clothes, stored in a plastic bag in the freezer, come in handy and babies love chewing on these, even if they don't last long.

Fruit popsicles, either homemade or bought, help numb the gums. Blend strawberries and bananas for natural sweetness without adding sugar.  If you need to add sweetness to another blend of fruit, use pure stevia.

Lorna Wanner, a mother of five, in Virginia, gave this recommendation:  "I was told of a teething remedy that has proved very effective.  Instead of Oragel, rub a small amount of  liquid Benadryl on the baby's gums.  This worked like nothing else!  But what I didn't realize is that it worked for me as well when I had agony with a tooth myself later."

Many moms have found the "Mesh Feeder" to be a wonderful soothing remedy for teething ittitation.  Another Heart to Heart subscriber, Lauren Britton, a mother of four in Virginia, says, "A frozen banana in a mesh feeder continues to be THE best teething remedy...4 kids tested - 4 kids approved."

Meagan DeLong, mother of four, also in Virginia, says, "I have used the Baltic Amber teething necklaces with my last two babies and I do think they are helpful, although it is hard to judge perfectly since teething discomfort comes and goes. They are just for wearing, not chewing, and the *succinic acid, a naturally occurring component in amber, is absorbed through the skin.  Some moms are afraid to let their babies wear them at night and just use them during the day and that would be the safest, but most moms I know let their babies wear them all the time and I have as well.  The sizing is very important.  You just have to make sure it is not long enough for the baby to notice to be able to grab or chew.  The stones are usually double knotted in between each one so if the necklace breaks, none of the stones fall off. 

Meagan adds, "I also use Hylands homeopathic teething tablets and if the discomfort is really bad and I know which tooth it is, I will rub Herbs for Kids Gummomile oil on it, as a natural alternative to Oragel.  My favorite teething toy is Zoli Gummy Sticks and I have also used a cold apple, frozen blueberries, and frozen banana in a mesh feeder as well.

Note:

* Baltic Amber teething necklaces are sold by Bouncy Baby Boutique.

They report that it is the succinic acid, a naturally occurring component in amber, that makes it so effective. Succinic acid is a natural teething discomfort reliever, anti-inflammatory, and a central nervous system calmer. It is so effective on babies and small children because it simultaneously eases their pain while also having a strong soothing effect on their nervous system, all with zero side effects!
 
(New FDA regulations do not allow me to mention the brand of essential oils I use or tell more specifically how they help so many "irritations" or "discomforts" in life, since I am a Health Advocate, meaning I get their great discount.  If you would like to know more about the therapeutic grade of essential oils I use and trust, please e-mail me and ask.)

Homemade Chapstick Recipe

by Lois Breneman - 2015 - Revised 2016

Many of the brands of chapstick, even those bought at a health food store, often contain soybean oil, which is a cancer-causing substance, so I wanted to avoid products that use soybeans in making a homemade chapstick.  As often as I use chapstick, it's good to know that all these ingredients are completely healthy and safe to ingest.
Recipe for Chapstick
3 Tbsp. bees wax
1 Tbsp. shea butter
2 Tbsp. coconut oil
1 Tbsp. jojoba oil
1 Tbsp. lanolin
1 Tbsp. vitamin E oil
20 drops of any combo of therapeutic essential oils
(Examples: 
10 drops orange and 10 drops lavender; 
10 drops melaleuca and 10 drops orange;
10 drops orange and 10 drops bergamot; 
or 20 drops of one essential oil)
5 drops helichrysum, optional

Directions:Melt bees wax, shea butter, and coconut oil in a double boiler. Add jojoba oil, lanolin, and Vitamin E along with the essential oils of your choice.

Carefully pour melted ingredients into clean chapstick containers.  I used a teaspoon to transfer the liquid.

All of the essential oils mentioned in the recipe are therapeutically safe to ingest if using the brand I use, as well as a few other brands.

The convenience in making this recipe is that if you don't have enough empty chapstick containers, you can save your liquid, which will become solid, for another time.  I suggest saving it in a glass container so when you want to remelt it to pour into additional chapstick containers, you can.  Products with essentials oils should be stored in glass containers anyway.

Natural Insect Control to Spray around the House

That time of the year is fast approaching when spiders and their webs will be found in abundance in and around many of our homes.  Master Gardener, Jerry Baker, suggests a natural way of getting rid of these nasty critters.  He says to get a package of chewing tobacco and soak it in a gallon of boiling water until it cools.  Strain the liquid into another container or small bucket. Fill a hose-end sprayer with a cup of tobacco juice and 1/2 cup lemon dish washing liquid and spray around the outside of your house.  

 

You might want to shop for chewing tobacco when you won't be seen by friends and neighbors though - maybe early in the morning.  :)  A long time ago a neighbor saw me when I bought several packs at our local drug store!  I don't know if she actually saw that I bought chewing tobacco, but if she did, I am sure she knew that neither my husband nor I would chew that nasty stuff!  She was my Avon lady, and is in heaven, and I'm sure she knows the real truth now for sure!

Safe and Natural Produce Wash

by Lois Breneman - Heart to Heart 

Copyright June, 2012

My nutritionist, Stephanie Hein, gave me this recipe for safely washing produce when I asked for a better alternative.  It's very inexpensive as well, compared to the ones available in stores.  When you mix this up, be sure to use a "large" bowl, because otherwise it will fizz up and overflow.  Children would love helping you make this easy recipe, because it would be a great science experiment for them as well!

1 cup water

1 cup vinegar (I used white distilled.  By the way, there is no vinegar smell because of the baking soda.)
2 Tbsp. baking soda
2 Tbsp. lemon juice  (To save time, I added 2 extra tablespoons of vinegar rather than squeezing a lemon)

Pour into a spray bottle.  Spray produce liberally and allow to set for 5 minutes, then rinse well.  If you have a hand sprayer for rinsing, even the friction of the water helps to remove pesticides.

Geeting over Sickness Naturally

by Meagan DeLong - Used by permission

This informative article was included a year ago, but hopefully more of you will be saved from the misery of colds, flu, sinus infections and more by following this advice! ~ Lois

I know I posted about this last year when Karlie had strep throat and I chose to not give her antibiotics, but I have found several more effective natural remedies since then and wanted to list them all in the same place. These natural solutions really work!!!! If you can only do the first one, you will still lessen the duration and intensity of your sickness. If you do multiple ones, your ailments simply don't have a chance!! There is really no reason to buy all those over the counter cold and flu medicines filled with chemicals!!

1. Oregano oil -- Personally, I think this is THE MOST EFFECTIVE natural remedy available! If you don't do anything else, please stock up on oregano oil. It is simple and effective. If I start taking it at first notice of a scratchy throat, I can pretty much avoid a bad cold because most symptoms are gone within 24 hours. If I don't start it right away, it might not go away as quickly, but it will still help a ton! I put a few drops in an empty pill capsule and take about 3 times a day. For children, just rub it on the bottom of their feet. Oregano oil is a hot herb and protects against outside threats, promoting a healthy immune system without harmful chemicals. Make sure you read the label, though, and buy some that is not watered down with olive oil.

2. A tsp. of raw honey with 1/4 tsp. of good quality cinnamon. Both of these have great anti-bacterial, antiviral, and anti-fungal properties. If I'm feeling sick, I will mix up a bowl full of honey and cinnamon and take a spoonful about 3 times a day. It soothes a sore throat tremendously, helps fight your sickness, and tastes great, too! For even stronger honey for medicinal purposes, purchase raw Manuka Honey.

3. Gargle with hydrogen peroxide or put drops in your kids ear.

4. Garlic -- If you google garlic you will be amazed at how effective this anti-bacterial natural remedy is. You can simply cut it up into pill-sized bites, or (if you are like me and don't like swallowing those pointy edges :) chop up finely and put in an empty pill capsule. For my girls, I slice it and just rub it on their feet. Their feet are very porous and absorb it very well. I also try to make meals that contain large a mounts of garlic when we are sick. For instance, I will make a pot of our favorite cheesy potato cheddar chowder and add a whole bulb of chopped garlic to the recipe. Or you can generously spread Donielle's "Cold Kicking Garlic Herb Spread" on your favorite bread or crackers :)

5. Probiotics -- These are so important for replenishing your good bacteria! You want to take them on an empty stomach if at all possible.

6. Collodial Silver -- Another super effective way to fight bacteria and viruses. You have to make sure you have a good source, but it really works! I take a mouthful about 4 times a day when I am sick.

7. Unpasturized Apple Cider Vinegar -- If you can, taking a mixture of 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar with honey and plenty of cayenne pepper really works well. Take it 3-4 times a day. I can't do the pepper, but I just pour a little ACV in my water or tea and drink it throughout the day.

8. Steam Pot for chest/broncial/mucus issues. -- boil water on the stove in a glass pot – if you don't have a glass pot, boil the water in a tea pot and then pour into a glass bowl. When the water is boiling hard, remove from heat and add three shakes of Euchalyptus, lavendar, and pine oils into the hot water. The oil effectiveness lasts about 15-20 seconds so move quickly to get yourself over the steam. Breathe in through your nose, turn your head to the side and breathe out through your mouth. Continue this process until the scents aren't as strong. Be sure to close your eyes. With children, place a washcloth over their eyes as it can burn. You could also make a tent over the top with a towel for really young infants, but if they can get the concept of breathing through their nose, then it will get deeper into their lungs. You're doing it right if it just about takes your breath away or make you cough!

9. Grapefruit Seed Extract -- I add it to my smoothies, tea, or juice all year long just to boost our immune system. When I am sick, I take it in a capsule with my oregano oil.

10. Elderberries -- anti-viral, contains high levels of flavonoids and antioxidants, has cell-protecting components, soothes sore throats, and supports the immune system and respiratory system. I add some dried ones to my morning tea or make a simple elderberry syrup for the girls when they are sick. Lindsey gives a great little video of how to make your own on THIS post.

11. Kombucha -- it cleanses the body from toxins and aids in digestion and metabolism. Click HERE to see my review of it and some links explaining why I love this drink and how to make it yourself. My toddler and I drink this regularly (I'm still working on my husband :), and I was amazed that mybaby would even take sips of it when she was sick! When I make it, I usually try to leave a small jar of it fermenting for several weeks so that it will be even more potent for killing off illness.

12. Mullein for chest/cold issues -- Take mullein capsules – The amount taken depends on the size of the capsule. The larger 0 sizes can be 1-2 capsules 3x per day. The small 000 capsules can be 3 capsules 3x per day. This is not a hard science, can take larger doses if the lung infection is bad or persistent. Mullein is a safe herb. You can also make a tea for kids who can not swallow pills. Or add a small amount to applesauce or yoghurt and have them take it that way. I add it to bone broth through out the winter.

13. Home-made Chicken Stock -- Your grandma was right to tell you to eat chicken soup when you are sick because it is chock full of immune-boosting nutrients! But don't buy the store-bought kind full of chemicals, bad salt, and MSG. It is so simple to make your own with nourishing sea salt and immune-building herbs. Everytime I cook a chicken, I make stock for soups. Any time a soup recipe calls for water, I use my stock instead and it adds tons of flavor and nutrients! And anytime we are sick, I reach for my chicken stock!

14. Home-made ear drops -- these are helpful even if the sickness is not an ear infection, because it helps to get garlic and GSE into the body which fight infection. Click HERE for 2 different home-made ear drops, one that you can use right away and one that you can make ahead of time and store.

15. Cod liver oil -- Vitamin D is so important for your immune system and I prefer to take real food rather than just a vitamin D supplement that my body might have a hard time digesting and utilizing. I take it every day but take extra when I am fighting an illness. Don't be deterred by the gross-sounding name -- it comes in pill form so you don't have to taste it :)

16. Herbal Teas -- so healing! Click HERE for a list of which herbs help different ailments.

17. Stay away from sugar and white flour!!! This is so important, because they inhibit the natural workings of your immune system.

18. Let the fever run its course -- (That means NO Tylenol!) This is probably the hardest, yet most important thing for me to do when my girls are sick. God made our bodies to have a fever because the high temp. kills the virus or bacteria. Using Tylenol ruins this natural process and makes the body unable to fight the disease. It can also cause a fever convulsion by bringing the fever down too quickly. Without Tylenol, your fever will naturally break when it gets too high, then climbs back up and breaks again, etc, until it has killed the infection. So I just try to make my girls as comfortable as possible and if utterly miserable, I give THIS special bath for helping with the fever. The main thing you have to watch out for with a high fever is dehydration, but I will write about that soon...

19. Coconut water -- This is truly nature's Gatorade or Pedialyte without all the added flavorings and sugar! I get in the organic section at Kroger or buy when on sale at Amazon and always keep it on hand for any time we are sick. Coconut Water is rich in many vital minerals, vitamins, and proteins, not just the basic "electrolyte essentials" found in a lab-formulated drink. And believe it or not, the natural electrolyte & pH balance of coconut water even make it suitable for a rehydrating IV solution! And my girls love it! Smart Water/ Trinity Mineral Water is also a good option for dehydration because it has a lot of electrolytes, but my favorite is coconut water.

20. Lemons -- high in vitamin C, which is important when sick. Once again, I'd rather take real food than a processed pill, so I add a ridiculous amount of fresh lemons to my tea or water all day long when I am sick.

21. Chiropractor! The relief a chiropractor can bring during illness is simply amazing. I can see immediate relief in my girls' eyes once the chiro has finished. And the amount of drainage that immediately is released is even more proof :) A chiro is particularly useful if you think your child has an ear infection and can bring immediate relief to the pain. Our family chiro has a lot of medical training and gave me much encouragement and more advice on beating sickness naturally. If you live in my area, I can recommend a fabulous Christian chiro who charges a reasonable rate and doesn't even deal with insurance. I just love her! I take my girls to a chiropractor before I even think about taking them to a doctor.

22. Coconut oil -- Filled with anti-viral and anti-biotic properties -- I eat a few spoonfuls or spread it on toast or mix in my tea. But make sure you buy the raw, cold-pressed kind.

23. Smoothies with coconut milk, coconut oil, frozen fruit, raw honey, and grapefruit seed extract --The best tasting medicine ever! It is really the only thing I can get my girls to eat when they are absolutely miserable. It is dairy-free so it won't add to drainage, has tons of vitamin C from the fruit, contains bacteria fighting GSE and coconut oil, all the nutrients of coconut milk, and the honey is soothing and has many other benefits. We actually eat these all the time to try to boost our immune system. My husband likes them so much that he was willing to give up his nightly ice cream treat for them (and if you know my husband, that is saying A LOT!)

24. "Remedies" from my Christian Holistic Doctor -- I know not everyone has this resource available but I wanted to include it because if you live in my area, I can refer you to the BEST natural doctor ever. She can pinpoint any illnesses/ allergies without invasive treatment and makes remedies based on your body's particular needs. She has such a heart for helping others and I just love her!

25. Homeopathic remedies -- I've recently started trying out Homeopathic options like teething tablets and allergy tablets. I've used the Hyland's and Boiron brand and they both seem to work well. I plan to try out the cold remedy next time any of us get sick and I have the flu remedy in my medicine cabinet just in case! Homeopathy seems to be very safe and effective. It treats the individual with highly diluted substances given in mainly tablet form, which triggers the body’s natural system of healing. The idea is that by giving a small dose of the very thing that could trigger the types of symptoms that a person is experiencing, you can actually bring about a natural healing response that will help to relieve those symptoms! Pretty neat!

Tips and Tidbits

Make Ahead Recipes are definitely a great time saving tip for Christmas, just as they were for Thanksgiving!  I was able to spend more time with our family last week when they were all here because of this time-saving tip!   

http://heartfilledhomerecipes.blogspot.com/p/desserts.html

Push Pins Help in Painting ~ While painting a stool for the smaller grandchildren to stand on while washing their hands, my husband stuck a push pin in the bottom of each of the four feet of the stool.  That enabled him to neatly paint all the way down to the bottom of each foot without making a mess.
 
A Great Mathematics Link ~ Mathematics ~ Thanks to Diana Bishop for sending this!

Winterize Your Home by making sure you have enough insulation.  Having insulation blown into your attic will pay off in not only your heating bills but also during the summer when your air conditioner is running.  Even if you don't have air conditioning, your home will stay cooler.  Check all your windows, and if you have storm windows, make sure they are secure.  Do an internet search for many more ideas on winterizing your home that could save you much more.  This is only a start!·         

Natural Immune Supporters - Oil of oregano capsules, echinacea, goldenseal root in capsule form and goldenseal tea.  The tea flavor is not bad after adding stevia, a natural sweetener, and it beats getting on an antibiotic from the drug store.

Natural Ways to Build Up the Immune System

by Lois Breneman - 2001 - Heart to Heart

So much illness has been going around in recent months - colds, sinus infections, flu, viruses.  So what can we do to avoid so much sickness, which spells misery, missed work, missed school, laundry and other housework piling up, and did I say misery?  Here are just a few ways I have learned and used:

Drinking barley juice each day (morning works best), because it can keep you awake if taken after about 4:00 in the afternoon.  It helps the PH balance in your body.  When your body is balanced or more on the alkaline side, one rarely gets sick.

Vinegar (2 tsp.) mixed in a small amount of Welch's grape juice works to build up the immune system, along with cleansing the liver and gall bladder, as well as balancing the PH in your body.  It can be premixed and kept in the  fridge, and used twice a day (2 tsp. x 2).

Taking Silver Sol, a tasteless liquid, also builds up the immune system.  The bottle suggests taking 2 tsp. twice a day, and it does not need to be refrigerated.  To find the source, do a search for "Silver Sol - Swanson Health Products."

Cutting our sugar from your diet definitely will build up your immune system and cause less inflammation in your body.  Yes, I know!  That is difficult until you get into the habit.  After you do, sweets will not even tempt you.  They will taste sickening sweet to you if you cheat.  Several times I have done well, staying completely off of sugar.  Right now I am trying again to get to that point.  Over Christmas I ate those delicious Swedish ginger cookies that I love (ate more than one or two) and the next morning I had a scratchy throat and extremely achy joints!  With the help of natural remedies, however, I was able to prevent a "slight touch" of a cold from turning into a sore throat or a sinus infection. 

Eating from 5 to 9 servings of fruits and vegetables each day will also build up your immune system.  The brighter in color, the better.  Eating an apple every day is a good nutritional habit.  Dipping slices in almond butter is a delicious and satisfying snack.

God's Yellow Pages / Fragrant Recipes for the Home / Household Tips

Just click here for God's answer to your problems: God's Yellow Pages  http://web2.airmail.net/dpelc/yellow/
 

FRAGRANT RECIPES FOR THE HOME 

Creative Home Arts Club - www.creativehomeartsclub.com/Articles/Article.aspx?id=105116

Here's a fragrant potpourri recipe for every season!  

Spring Citrus: Lemon-scented geranium leaves, lemon verbena leaves, mimosa flowers, myrtle leaves, grated peel of two lemons, orris root powder, citronella oil, rose oil, geranium oil.

Summer Rose: Dried rose petals, dried marjoram, dried lavender, pepper berries, crushed dried orange peel, orris root powder, rose oil, lavender oil.

Spicy Autumn: Dried apple slices, rose hips, star anise, cloves, juniper berries, sweet gum balls and bark, pine needles, red peppers, cinnamon sticks, oak moss, assorted seed balls and pods, allspice oil.

Woody Winter: Cedar twigs, cedar bark shavings, sandalwood shavings, orris root powder, cedarwood oil, sandalwood oil.


HOUSEHOLD TIPS
Fresh Smelling Moth Repellent ~ Make to use in your own home and also give as gifts.  If your grocery store doesn't have all these herbs, try your health food store. 

1 cup cedar shavings (found in the pet department)

1/2 cup each of lavender blossoms, tansy blossoms, and minced lemon peel

1/4 cup each peppermint, pennyroyal, orris root and whole cloves

10 broken bay leaves as well as broken cinnamon and peppercorns

Stir well and add 5 drops cedar oil, 4 drops lavender oil and 3 drops lemon oil.

Cover tightly for two weeks, package in small wool or flannel bags, and tie with ribbon.

Unwrapping Bars of Soap ~ Linda Bahn in Pennsylvania reminded me of this tip worth mentioning again.  Unwrap bars of soap and store them in the linen closet in an open container or in your drawers for a fresh smell.  This dries out the bars of soap, makes them harder and the bars last longer.  A good way to stretch those dollars!


Securing Aluminum Foil and Plastic Wrap ~ Linda Crosby in Virginia shared how to do this.  On both ends of boxes of aluminum foil and plastic wrap, there are tabs to press in to keep the tube from falling to the floor when you pull on the roll.  It might say, "Press here to lock end." Great tip to know!  

Quick Fix for Skin Irritations ~ I keep lavender essential oil handy in a kitchen cabinet in case skin discomfort or irritations.  Just one drop brings instant soothing.

Under-the-Bed Storage ~ Make use of the "free space"
under beds, by storing things in "Under-the Bed" storage containers.  If they won't quite fit under a bed, elevate the bed with four small blocks of wood, maybe 1 3/4 inches.  My husband custom made four blocks for me with a little hole drilled in the top of each block to fit the furniture glide (little round button) into the hole to keep the bed from moving off the blocks.  We might as well make use of that free space!

Keep a Record of Items Stored under the beds and elsewhere.  I simply drew a diagram with rectangles for each storage container and listed the items in each container.  Keep the diagrams in a specific location where you will remember!  It's helpful to have one copy kept near the storage items and another copy filed in an organizational notebook or file.  

Sweet Smelling Sneakers ~ Wad up newspaper pages and stick them inside smelly tennis shoes and leave in overnight to absorb odors.  Teach your children to do this themselves.

Grill Cleaning ~ After using your grill, allow it to cool down a bit.  Wet newspapers thoroughly (a thickness of about 10 pages) and close the lid to the grill.  Leave newspapers inside overnight.  In the morning, the grill will be easy to wipe clean. ~ Ruth Ann Assaid in Virginia

Getting Over Sickness Naturally

by Meagan DeLong

(Note from Lois:  Our family has already benefited greatly from the oregano oil, bought in capsule form from a health food store!  Thanks for this wonderful article, Meagan!)

Meagan DeLong is a wife and mother who enjoys blogging as a way to preserve family memories and encourage others about the blessings of having a family. She has a passion for taking care of her family as naturally as possible and recently shared these tips for getting over sickness without the use of antibiotics and over-the-counter medicines. She has no medical training other than personal research, so please consult a doctor for serious illnesses. She is simply sharing resources that have worked for her family to fight ear infections, strep throat, colds, and other minor illnesses. Feel free to ask her questions by commenting on her blog (http://markandmeg04.blogspot.com/) or e-mailing her at markandmeg04@gmail.com. natural solutions really work!!!! If you can only do the first one, you will still lessen the duration and intensity of your sickness. If you do multiple ones, your ailments simply don't have a chance!! There is really no reason to buy all those over the counter cold and flu medicines filled with chemicals!!

1. Oregano oil -- Personally, I think this is THE MOST EFFECTIVE natural remedy available! If you don't do anything else, please stock up on oregano oil. It is simple and effective. If I start taking it at first notice of a scratchy throat, I can pretty much avoid a bad cold because most symptoms are gone within 24 hours. If I don't start it right away, it might not go away as quickly, but it will still help a ton! I put a few drops in an empty pill capsule and take about 3 times a day. For children, just rub it on the bottom of their feet. Oregano oil is a hot herb and protects against outside threats, promoting a healthy immune system without harmful chemicals. Make sure you read the label, though, and buy some that is not watered down with olive oil.

2. A tsp. of raw honey with 1/4 tsp. of good quality cinnamon. Both of these have great anti-bacterial, antiviral, and anti-fungal properties. If I'm feeling sick, I will mix up a bowl full of honey and cinnamon and take a spoonful about 3 times a day. It soothes a sore throat tremendously, helps fight your sickness, and tastes great, too! For even stronger honey for medicinal purposes, purchase raw Manuka Honey.

3. Gargle with hydrogen peroxide or put drops in your kid's ear.

4. Garlic -- If you google garlic you will be amazed at how effective this anti-bacterial natural remedy is. You can simply cut it up into pill-sized bites, or (if you are like me and don't like swallowing those pointy edges :) chop up finely and put in an empty pill capsule. For my girls, I slice it and just rub it on their feet. Their feet are very porous and absorb it very well. I also try to make meals that contain large a mounts of garlic when we are sick. For instance, I will make a pot of our favorite cheesy potato cheddar chowder and add a whole bulb of chopped garlic to the recipe. Or you can generously spread Donielle's "Cold Kicking Garlic Herb Spread" on your favorite bread or crackers :)

5. Probiotics -- These are so important for replenishing your good bacteria! You want to take them on an empty stomach if at all possible.

6. Collodial Silver -- Another super effective way to fight bacteria and viruses. You have to make sure you have a good source, but it really works! I take a mouthful about 4 times a day when I am sick.

7. Unpasturized Apple Cider Vinegar -- If you can, taking a mixture of 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar with honey and plenty of cayenne pepper really works well. Take it 3-4 times a day. I can't do the pepper, but I just pour a little ACV in my water or tea and drink it throughout the day.

8. Steam Pot for chest/broncial/mucus issues. -- boil water on the stove in a glass pot – if you don't have a glass pot, boil the water in a tea pot and then pour into a glass bowl. When the water is boiling hard, remove from heat and add three shakes of Euchalyptus, lavendar, and pine oils into the hot water. The oil effectiveness lasts about 15-20 seconds so move quickly to get yourself over the steam. Breathe in through your nose, turn your head to the side and breathe out through your mouth. Continue this process until the scents aren't as strong. Be sure to close your eyes. With children, place a washcloth over their eyes as it can burn. You could also make a tent over the top with a towel for really young infants, but if they can get the concept of breathing through their nose, then it will get deeper into their lungs. You're doing it right if it just about takes your breath away or make you cough!

9. Grapefruit Seed Extract -- I add it to my smoothies, tea, or juice all year long just to boost our immune system. When I am sick, I take it in a capsule with my oregano oil.

10. Elderberries -- anti-viral, contains high levels of flavonoids and antioxidants, has cell-protecting components, soothes sore throats, and supports the immune system and respiratory system. I add some dried ones to my morning tea or make a simple elderberry syrup for the girls when they are sick. Lindsey gives a great little video of how to make your own on THIS post.

11. Kombucha -- it cleanses the body from toxins and aids in digestion and metabolism. Click HERE to see my review of it and some links explaining why I love this drink and how to make it yourself. My toddler and I drink this regularly (I'm still working on my husband :), and I was amazed that my baby would even take sips of it when she was sick! When I make it, I usually try to leave a small jar of it fermenting for several weeks so that it will be even more potent for killing off illness.

12. Mullein for chest/cold issues -- Take mullein capsules – The amount taken depends on the size of the capsule. The larger 0 sizes can be 1-2 capsules 3x per day. The small 000 capsules can be 3 capsules 3x per day. This is not a hard science, can take larger doses if the lung infection is bad or persistent. Mullein is a safe herb. You can also make a tea for kids who can not swallow pills. Or add a small amount to applesauce or yoghurt and have them take it that way. I add it to bone broth through out the winter.

13. Home-made Chicken Stock -- Your grandma was right to tell you to eat chicken soup when you are sick because it is chock full of immune-boosting nutrients! But don't buy the store-bought kind full of chemicals, bad salt, and MSG. It is so simple to make your own with nourishing sea salt and immune-building herbs. Everytime I cook a chicken, I make stock for soups. Any time a soup recipe calls for water, I use my stock instead and it adds tons of flavor and nutrients! And anytime we are sick, I reach for my chicken stock!

14. Home-made ear drops -- these are helpful even if the sickness is not an ear infection, because it helps to get garlic and GSE into the body which fight infection. Click HERE for 2 different home-made ear drops, one that you can use right away and one that you can make ahead of time and store.

15. Cod liver oil -- Vitamin D is so important for your immune system and I prefer to take real food rather than just a vitamin D supplement that my body might have a hard time digesting and utilizing. I take it every day but take extra when I am fighting an illness. Don't be deterred by the gross-sounding name -- it comes in pill form so you don't have to taste it :)

16. Herbal Teas -- so healing! Click HERE for a list of which herbs help different ailments.

17. Stay away from sugar and white flour!!! This is so important, because they inhibit the natural workings of your immune system.

18. Let the fever run its course -- (That means NO Tylenol!) This is probably the hardest, yet most important thing for me to do when my girls are sick. God made our bodies to have a fever because the high temp. kills the virus or bacteria. Using Tylenol ruins this natural process and makes the body unable to fight the disease. It can also cause a fever convulsion by bringing the fever down too quickly. Without Tylenol, your fever will naturally break when it gets too high, then climbs back up and breaks again, etc, until it has killed the infection. So I just try to make my girls as comfortable as possible and if utterly miserable, I give THIS special bath for helping with the fever. The main thing you have to watch out for with a high fever is dehydration, but I will write about that soon...

19. Coconut water -- This is truly nature's Gatorade or Pedialyte without all the added flavorings and sugar! I get in the organic section at Kroger or buy when on sale at Amazon and always keep it on hand for any time we are sick. Coconut Water is rich in many vital minerals, vitamins, and proteins, not just the basic "electrolyte essentials" found in a lab-formulated drink. And believe it or not, the natural electrolyte & pH balance of coconut water even make it suitable for a rehydrating IV solution! And my girls love it! Smart Water/ Trinity Mineral Water is also a good option for dehydration because it has a lot of electrolytes, but my favorite is coconut water.

20. Lemons -- high in vitamin C, which is important when sick. Once again, I'd rather take real food than a processed pill, so I add a ridiculous amount of fresh lemons to my tea or water all day long when I am sick.

21. Chiropractor! The relief a chiropractor can bring during illness is simply amazing. I can see immediate relief in my girls' eyes once the chiro has finished. And the amount of drainage that immediately is released is even more proof :) A chiro is particularly useful if you think your child has an ear infection and can bring immediate relief to the pain. Our family chiro has a lot of medical training and gave me much encouragement and more advice on beating sickness naturally. If you live in my area, I can recommend a fabulous Christian chiro who charges a reasonable rate and doesn't even deal with insurance. I just love her! I take my girls to a chiropractor before I even think about taking them to a doctor.

22. Coconut oil -- Filled with anti-viral and anti-biotic properties -- I eat a few spoonfuls or spread it on toast or mix in my tea. But make sure you buy the raw, cold-pressed kind.

23. Smoothies with coconut milk, coconut oil, frozen fruit, raw honey, and grapefruit seed extract --The best tasting medicine ever! It is really the only thing I can get my girls to eat when they are absolutely miserable. It is dairy-free so it won't add to drainage, has tons of vitamin C from the fruit, contains bacteria fighting GSE and coconut oil, all the nutrients of coconut milk, and the honey is soothing and has many other benefits. We actually eat these all the time to try to boost our immune system. My husband likes them so much that he was willing to give up his nightly ice cream treat for them (and if you know my husband, that is saying A LOT!)

24. "Remedies" from my Christian Holistic Doctor -- I know not everyone has this resource available but I wanted to include it because if you live in my area, I can refer you to the BEST natural doctor ever. She can pinpoint any illnesses/ allergies without invasive treatment and makes remedies based on your body's particular needs. She has such a heart for helping others and I just love her!

25. Homeopathic remedies -- I've recently started trying out Homeopathic options like teething tablets and allergy tablets. I've used the Hyland's and Boiron brand and they both seem to work well. I plan to try out the cold remedy next time any of us get sick and I have the flu remedy in my medicine cabinet just in case! Homeopathy seems to be very safe and effective. It treats the individual with highly diluted substances given in mainly tablet form, which triggers the body’s natural system of healing. The idea is that by giving a small dose of the very thing that could trigger the types of symptoms that a person is experiencing, you can actually bring about a natural healing response that will help to relieve those symptoms! Pretty neat!

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