What kinds of homemade kitchen remedies do you use for colds, aches...etc?

[ajrsmom]

The idea of this thread came about because I have a sore throat and can't figure out what I should use to try to cure it. I don't have any kind of OTC meds. here right now. Any suggestions for something homemade?

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[DeBora4BobbyL]

Have your tried mixing some apple cider vengar with warm water? You mix a few teaspoons of the vinegar with a cup of water. Another thing that I do is make some hot tea with honey. Do forget about the Tylenol type products as well. I hope you get to feeling better. I know how painful those sore throats can be.

[ajrsmom]

Have your tried mixing some apple cider vengar with warm water? You mix a few teaspoons of the vinegar with a cup of water. Another thing that I do is make some hot tea with honey. Do forget about the Tylenol type products as well. I hope you get to feeling better. I know how painful those sore throats can be.

I am drinking the tea now. :) I dont have any vinegar here either--can you tell that I am still restocking after moving?

Do you drink the vinegar and water or gargle with it?

I'm feeling a little better with the hot tea going down my throat. Im really hoping that this is just a fluke thing and that it will pass tonight.

Thanks for the ideas!

See ya tomorrow
Tami

[DeBora4BobbyL]

Oops! I didn't make that clear. You gargle with it. But, don't gargle with the honey and tea. LOL

I have also done the salt and warm water gargle too, but I have personally never found that to work so I didn't tell you about it earlier.

[ajrsmom]

Oops! I didn't make that clear. You gargle with it. But, don't gargle with the honey and tea. LOL

I have also done the salt and warm water gargle too, but I have personally never found that to work so I didn't tell you about it earlier.

Im glad to hear that you gargle with the vinegar because I dont think that I could handle drinking it. I know that some people drink it though. :eek:

I have used salt and warm water before but it only gives very short term help.

I think that Im either getting a cold or a sinus infection. :( My head is stuffy and I dont feel so great today--has to do with other women problems too. :o

[DeBora4BobbyL]

Bless your heart. I hope it gets better soon!

[ajrsmom]

Thanks!

I would love to crawl into bed right now but I think we can all relate to how likely that will be.

[cat lover]

I have used this remedy since my kids were little, it always seems to work, and even their doctor used to have me give it to the kids.

Measure 2 tbsp of aniseed into a small saucepan and add 1 cup of water. Bring to a boil over medium heat and simmer 15 - 20 minutes and cool. Pour into a clean pint jar lined with a coffee filter sat in a funnel. Remove the funnel and coffee filter after that is done. Add 1/4 cup of honey and 1 tbsp of brandy and stir to mix well. Take 1 tablespoon every 3 hours; no more or you can't call this a remedy only! LOL

[cat lover]

THE REMEDY ABOVE THIS ONE IS FOR SORE THROATS!


Here is a Cough Syrup


Put a whole lemon into a pan with enough water to cover the lemon and bring to a boil, simmer 10 minutes. Remove lemon and cut in half. Squeeze the juice and pulp from both halves through a strainer and funnel into an 8 oz bottle; add 2 tbsp of glycerine ( should be able to get this at a pharmacy). Fill the bottle with honey and close tightly, shake well. Take 1 tbsp of the syrup as required; just be sure to shake well before using.

[oochiegoo]

I don't do this, but my husband does...

Eats garlic...lots of it. If you start to feel a cold coming on, all you have to do is eat about a tablespoon or two of chopped fresh garlic. It really works!!!

[DeBora4BobbyL]

With as much garlic as I eat, I should never get sick! ;) :D

[oochiegoo]

Garlic IS good for you!

[barbszy]

Tami, I swear by ICED TEA when I have a sore throat. And I've also been known to send out for Chinese Egg Drop Soup.

Hope you feel better soon!

[DeBora4BobbyL]

Can't you buy garlic pills at the pharmacy? I love garlic so much and it is so good.

[cat lover]

Laryngitis usually goes right alongwith me when I get a cold; here's our homemade remedy for that.


Laryngitis Treatment

Heat 2 quarts of water to a boil in saucepan and add 1 cup of bran flakes OR all bran cereal to it. Sweeten as you need with honey. Drink this throughout the day and it should help in about 24 hours.

Bran and honey both soothe and protect irritated tissues

[ajrsmom]

Tami, I swear by ICED TEA when I have a sore throat. And I've also been known to send out for Chinese Egg Drop Soup.

Hope you feel better soon!

We drink a lot of iced tea at our house. I love my tea maker!

I cant make it past the look of Egg Drop Soup, lol!!! I wont say what it reminds me of! ;)

[ajrsmom]

Laryngitis usually goes right alongwith me when I get a cold; here's our homemade remedy for that.


Laryngitis Treatment

Heat 2 quarts of water to a boil in saucepan and add 1 cup of bran flakes OR all bran cereal to it. Sweeten as you need with honey. Drink this throughout the day and it should help in about 24 hours.

Bran and honey both soothe and protect irritated tissues


Do you strain the flakes out of the liquid? I also tend to get Laryngitis if my cold gets bad. :(

So far, I just sound a little raspy this time around.

[DeBora4BobbyL]

I'll take your egg rop soup! :D

[cat lover]

Do you strain the flakes out of the liquid? I also tend to get Laryngitis if my cold gets bad. :(

So far, I just sound a little raspy this time around.

No:eek: , it is a rather thick type stuff, but seems to work.

[oochiegoo]

Yes, you can. I think theres somthing out there called "G-A-R-L-E-E-K", or somthing like that in a green box, but I can't remember what it's for...

I'll have to get back with you on that one!

[DeBora4BobbyL]

Thank you!

[cat lover]

This is the time of year lots of people come in contact with things and end up with hives; here are some helps!


Dab milk of magnesia on the lesions it provides some relief. As milk of magnesia is an alkaline solution it helps in removing the irritating itchy sensation.


To stop the itching get 1/2 a tub filled with warm water, add 1/2 cup cornstarch and 1/2 cup baking soda. Soaking yourself at least once a day can make a lot of difference.

[ajrsmom]

This is the time of year lots of people come in contact with things and end up with hives; here are some helps!


Dab milk of magnesia on the lesions it provides some relief. As milk of magnesia is an alkaline solution it helps in removing the irritating itchy sensation.


To stop the itching get 1/2 a tub filled with warm water, add 1/2 cup cornstarch and 1/2 cup baking soda. Soaking yourself at least once a day can make a lot of difference.


Would this work to help relieve the itching from poison oak or poison ivy?

[cat lover]

Well I'm probably not the person to ask that one of; I get into poison ivy all the time and end up with one or two bumps that itch just a little and then disappear without turning into those weepy things. When I was younger I would break out in hives every time I cut the grass and all of these things helped me with that. I guess you could try them, it sure wouldn't hurt and just might , but I couldn't say they defintely do. If you try them on that and it works let me know.

[ajrsmom]

Since moving to NC, my son seems to get poison oak pretty bad sometimes. I have never had it and neither has my husband.

I felt so bad for his the last time he had it --just a few weeks ago--it was all over his right arm and on his chest.

Thanks!

[DeBora4BobbyL]

Where in NC should I watch for it. The time before last that I went, I collected leaves because we don't get them in red, yellow, and orange--or green for that matter. LOL What do the poisonous leaves look like Tami?

[cat lover]

Here is a link that shows poison oak and has some info on it.


http://www.knoledge.org/oak/identify.html

[DeBora4BobbyL]

Thanks Cat. They all look alike to me. In October, I am going to where Tami is located. I just want to stay away from the areas that have it. My luck, I would get into some and then look like a big rash when I see Bobby and have my picture taken with him. LOL I picked up some leaves before and I plan on doing that again.

[cat lover]

Here is a link for the poison ivy too.


http://www.cattail.nu/ivy/ivy_index.html

Do you know that you can catch them also even when there aren't any leaves on it? Also if you burn any of them in a campfire you can inhale it and get it inside your lungs! Read up on them because if you are sensitive to them it can be bad. They also are not only a vine, they can be a "tree", a "bush", or a "vine". Hope you don't get any!

[cat lover]

Here's another cold remedy or for anytime your nose is blocked up!

Fill a large heavy pot 2/3 full with water and add:

3 stalks lemongrass, cut into 3" pieces
1 orange, cut in half
1 lemon, cut in half
1 cup ginger, sliced 1/4" thick

Cover the pot and bring to a boil. Remove pot to a table or a stool. Place a large towel over your head, covering the pot. Breathe in the vapor for 5 minutes.

[ajrsmom]

Thanks for the info. on poison ivy and oak, catlover!

I am pretty sure that we had both of these in our previous house's backyard. I dont see anything resembling either of these around our immediate area.

One thing I didnt know was that no one is really immune to catching them. They said that there are 2 kinds of people "those who have had it and those who havent caught it just yet". Guess Im lucky there, I havent had it that I know of.


There is really good info. at both of those links!


Tami

[cat lover]

No problem, since we live in the woods those are almost a daily occurance around here! LOL So far I've been lucky all my life and only get a few itchy places. I do try to get washed up well with soap and water after being in the woods especially where I know I've been in it. We even installed an out- door sink and shower which sometimes is needed when I've been blackberry picking!LOL

[cat lover]

Sunburn Relief!

Sunburned skin can benefit from proteins in milk. Make a milk compress like this: Mix one part skim milk with four parts watr. Add some ice cubes and soak a cloth in the mixture. Lay the cloth on the sunburned area for 15 to 20 minutes. Be sure to keep the cloth mosit by soaking it in the milk solution as often as necessary. Rerpeat every 2 to 4 hours.

Don't forget that it takes your skin up to three months to return to normal after being sunburned; even though you may feel like it has recovered when the top layer of skin peels off the newly exposed skin is extremely sensitive to more sunburns.

[cat lover]

This is a good tea if you have a cold or even if you feel one coming on!



8 thin slices unpeeled ginger root
1 lime, squeezed and dropped in
2 tsp dried mint
2 tsp dried rosemary
2 tsp blueberry leaves
1 tsp dried sage

Seep for 10 minutes and then grate the brown skin only of 1 nutmeg into the tea. You can sweeten this with honey to taste and strain this as you serve it.

[Marie]

Did someone already mention chicken soup and I missed it? Here it's Mrs. Grass Chicken noodle soup (we always keep at least one box in the pantry) and some Premium Saltines for colds and/or flu. When the sick person is all done eating then the mentholated rub gets rubbed in.

[cat lover]

Nope you didn't miss it; guess we forgot all about it! LOL We use it a lot at our house, but I try and make homemade , but in a pinch we rely on Campbell's just because it is in the pantry! I remember Mrs. Grass years ago, but don't see it much around here; glad to know it's still around.

[DeBora4BobbyL]

I personally think that homemade soup, especially chicken, is a good treatment for a temporary bought of depression or tension. It has such calming affect.

[ajrsmom]

Did someone already mention chicken soup and I missed it? Here it's Mrs. Grass Chicken noodle soup (we always keep at least one box in the pantry) and some Premium Saltines for colds and/or flu. When the sick person is all done eating then the mentholated rub gets rubbed in.

That's my family's favorite too. It is hard to find in this area too.

[cat lover]

Juice from the leaf of the wild plant Plantain (here is a link that has a picture of it for you) http://www.vitacost.com/science/hn/Herb/Plantain.htm
will take the itch out of poison ivy and insect bites

The narrow and the broad leaf kind is common in gardens and lawns. The best way top extract the juice is to wilt a leaf above (not on) a lighted match and then rub the leaf between your fingers.

Catnip( link to a picture of it) http://www.holoweb.com/cannon/catnip.htm
also helps with a poison ivy rash. Take several fresh catnip leaves and wilt them the same way as the plantain and squeeze out the juice. Dab the juice on the rash.

One more that works on poison ivy is jewelweed ( link to a picture of it)http://altnature.com/jewelweed.htm

If you squeeze the juice from a jewelweed leaf over your rash or rub in fresh jewelweed leaves, it will relieve the itch too.

[Marie]

We usually prefer homemade soup too. I just don't always have the ingredients on hand so the Mrs. Grass comes in handy then. For those of you that don't see it much in your area, the next time it comes up on sale I'll let you know.

[cat lover]

Pop a whole clove in your mouth and suck on it, it will produce a slight burning effect but that quiets lots of tickles in the throat better than the sugary cough drops you can buy.:cool:

[cat lover]

Placing a wet warm black tea bag against the canker sore for three to five minutes helps take the "ouch" out of it. Black teas contains tannis, which relieve pain and coat the sore which helps the healing.:cool:

[barbszy]

Good to know, cat lover! My DD and I tend to get those sores.

[cat lover]

Here are a couple of remedies:)


Mix 1/3 tsp of ground ginger in a cup of hot water and steep for 5 minutes, then slowly sip it.

Take peppermint, chamomile or catnip tea about an hour after eating ( it helps settle a rumbling tummy).

Drink a glass of water; it helps relieve indigestion by washing acid from the surface of the esophagus back into the stomach.

[ajrsmom]

Pop a whole clove in your mouth and suck on it, it will produce a slight burning effect but that quiets lots of tickles in the throat better than the sugary cough drops you can buy.:cool:

I love cloves so I will keep this one in mind when the coughing and colds come around next time. I have to say that I've never thought of sucking on a clove, lol! ;)

Thanks!

[ajrsmom]

Placing a wet warm black tea bag against the canker sore for three to five minutes helps take the "ouch" out of it. Black teas contains tannis, which relieve pain and coat the sore which helps the healing.:cool:

I get these too. This is good to know because some of them can hurt like crazy!

Thanks!!

[cat lover]

I love cloves so I will keep this one in mind when the coughing and colds come around next time. I have to say that I've never thought of sucking on a clove, lol! ;)

Thanks!


I neglected to say to be careful giving these to small children though; they might choke on it!

[ajrsmom]

I neglected to say to be careful giving these to small children though; they might choke on it!

I think that my kids would rather cough than do this one. lol!! Me, on the other hand, I hate to cough and cough medice usually make me vomit. :(

[DeBora4BobbyL]

Tami, you made me read ahead! lol My kids did't have any problem either.

[cat lover]

Rub Tiger Balm into your temples (be sure NOT to get it into your eyes); it relaxes the muscles that trigger tension headaches!

[cat lover]

Put some vitamin E squeezed out of a capsule onto a burn to speed the healing process. Vitamin E helps fight inflammation and the swelling you sometimes get from a minor burn.

[cat lover]

You can make your own dry shampoo by mixing 1 tablespoon baking soda into 1/2 cup of bran(any kind from health food store). Rub it into your hair when you can't do a wet shampoo, then brush it out. This isn't like a wet shampoo, but works as well as the dry shampoos that cost a fortune if you can find them.

[cat lover]

This is from Spa-di-da! A Spa Day with Mom



1 cup natural (unflavored) yogurt
1 tbsp honey
1 mashed ripe banana

Combine all in a bowl. Mix well and spread on face. Leave on for about 10 minutes; then rinse off.

[cat lover]

Thought Chocolate was just good for eating?

Here's a way to enjoy the aroma without the calories and help yourself at the same time!

Chocolate Walnut Body Scrub

Mix 1/2 cup chopped walnuts, 1/4 cup oatmeal and 1 tbsp cocoa powder in a blender. Pour into a bowl and add 1/4 cup plain yogurt or milk to make a paste. In the shower rub yourself down with it and it acts like a exfoilant and leaves you silky smooth.

Chocolate Covered Strawberry Face Mask

Mash 3 fresh strawberries in a bowl. Add 1/3 cup cocoa powder with 3 tbsp honey; mix and apply to your skin for 5 minutes; rinse with lukewarm water. The cocoa's antioxidants and the strawberries fruit acids minimize lines.

Death By Chocolate Bubble Bath

Mix 3 oz unsweetened cocoa powder into 1/3 cup of milk till blended. Add 1 cup unscented bubble bath and the chocolate milk mixture to warm running bath water. Chocolate contains antioxidants that help reverse aging.

[cat lover]

Sniffles

Did you know cold viruses live longer in the cold weather because we spend more time indoors so that makes them easier to spread from one person to another. Here's a tea that helps fight colds and flu because of the essential oil in cinnamon bark.

Cinnamon Tea~~
Add 1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon to one cup boiling water, steep 10 minutes and sweeten.

[Bilby]

Cinnamon tea sounds nice whether you have a cold or not. Of course I'd have to sweeten.

[cat lover]

How to treat cracked heels

Apply any shortening or hydrogenated vegetable oil (buy s small container just for this use)after washing the feet clean on dry and cracked areas of the feet. After applying a thick coat of shortening on the feet, wear a pair of thick socks and leave this on overnight. Doesn't work right away, but defintely helps!

Here is one other method that a friend uses, although I've never done this one myself
Apply the pulp of a ripe banana on the dry or cracked area of the heel. Leave it on for 10 minutes and rinse it clean.

[cat lover]

For Razor Burn~~~~ To soothe it; dip a soft cloth into milk and apply it and then rinse off!

[cat lover]

It's that time of year when colds seem to happen! I keep some ginger root in a plastic bag in my freezer all the time. When you first feel the effects of a cold coming on place about 1-2 teaspoons of grated ginger root into 8 ounces of boiling water; it will help with the chills and also unblocks sinuses.

[gabsmom123]

Hey, You know that age old remedy of drinking you a little shot of whiskey. I have some family members that think that Whiskey will clear anything up. LOL

[cat lover]

When my boys were small even their doctor had me give them a little whiskey when they had colds! It really does help and hey;helped they slept too! LOL

[cat lover]

Dh has had a cold and stuffy nose and all that stuff that goes with the cold. He hasn't been sleeping well because of the stuffy nose. Well, a friend told me about something we hadn't tried and after I finally got DH to try it it did help! Put 1 tsp freshly grated horseradish in 1/4 cup lemon juice and drink it! Supposedly the horseradish makes mucus produce quickly and the lemon juice just makes it easier to drink. (Just be careful not to touch your eyes as you grate the fresh horseradish!)

[mamab]

That concoction might work, but it sounds absolutely horrendous! How on earth did you get him to actually DRINK and SWALLOW it?! Yuck!

[Janet]

I drink Lipton tea, honey, lemon and ginger..it works for me. ;)

[tater03]

I have always been told by my Mom to gargle with warm salt water for a sore throat. There were a lot of things in this thread that I have never heard of doing. Some that I will have to remember when needed.

[cat lover]

He hasn't had a sore throat luckily so all the "usual" remedies dindn't play this time; it was the stuffy nose that was keeping him from sleeping so I thought this was worth a try! After being up most nights for almost a week with only short times of sleep he was almost ready to try anything so he agreed. But luckily I guess he can't taste anything either ! LOL

[mamab]

The best thing I've ever found for a stuffy nose was to put just a tiny bit of Vick's Vapor Rub right under the nostrils, and run a cool mist vaporizor in the room.

[DeBora4BobbyL]

Now that it is allergy season, I go to the health food store and get some locally made honey that hasn't been pasteurized. I take a couple of teaspoons a day and it allows me the luxury of not being having to take medications nearly as much.

[Catwoman]

I eat lots and lots of garlic, which I've been told helps keep the mosquitoes away... wonder if anyone's ever told the skeeters that?

My dad, who grew up in the backwoods of West Virginia in the 20's, swore by molasses and horehound candy. When anyone in the house had a sore throat or cough, his grandmother made a syrup with molasses, water, and dried orange peel. You either swallowed the syrup straight, mixed it with tea and drank it, or thinned it and gargled it. He said the one thing his brothers and sister actually liked about getting sick was that they pretty much had all the horehound candy they wanted, because his grandmother really believed in its medicinal effects.

One sunburn remedy my grandmother swore by was dabbing apple cider vinegar on your sunburned area to help cool and soothe it. Be careful, though, and this is the voice of experience talking here- if the top layer of your skin is not just sunburned but has been singed, basically, that vinegar STINGS. She had me try it after a track meet once when I was in high school, and the areas right under my eyes were more burnt than anywhere else on my face, which we didn't KNOW until we put on the vinegar. Ow ow ow ow ow.

I have heard of putting garlic oil or olive oil drops into your ears to prevent earaches. Haven't tried either.

Dad always whitened his teeth by rinsing with hydrogen peroxide, being extra careful not to swallow any.

I remember when I was little, about 3 or so, and I got the hiccups, if one of my parents was drinking a beer at the time they'd give me a sip of it to make the hiccups go away. I don't know if it was a fluke or if the taste just grossed me out, but I know the hiccups did go away! LOL!

[ajrsmom]

My dentist told me to use a mouth rinse of 1/2 mouthwash + 1/2 peroxide when I had my tooth pulled. The ladies in the office told me that they use it all of the time. It helps to cut down on bacteria in your mouth. :)

[ajrsmom]

Any other suggestions for relief of sinus/allergy problems? I can't eat the honey since I am low-carbing now.

Today was the worst ....I had a severe headache from my forehead all the way down through my teeth. UGH! Hopefully tomorrow will be better.

I have an appt. for bloodwork for my Thyroid and iron levels so if it still hurts, I will ask what they recommend. I can't take a lot of OTC stuff. It makes me drowsy all day long.

[cat lover]

I have heard of putting garlic oil or olive oil drops into your ears to prevent earaches. Haven't tried either.


When my DS's were small their doctor always had us put warmed Sweet oil (just a few drops) in their ears for earaches till we could get them to the doctor.(The earaches always happened in the middle of the night). You can buy a small bottle of it in the pharmacy area of stores
My grandmother always swore by horehound candy too; I still keep bags of it around.


Ajrsmom,if you can tolerate it a friend highly recommends for a sinus headache, eat a jalapeno pepper as soon as possible. Within minutes your sinuses will start to drain and the sinus headache will subside. I've never tried it, but she swears it works; does make sense, but you have to do this at the very beginning.

[DeBora4BobbyL]

Ajrsmom,if you can tolerate it a friend highly recommends for a sinus headache, eat a jalapeno pepper as soon as possible. Within minutes your sinuses will start to drain and the sinus headache will subside. I've never tried it, but she swears it works; does make sense, but you have to do this at the very beginning.

I have done this myself and it really works. When I had bronchitis, I was told to eat a jalapeno, or something spicier for those of us who are used to jalapenos, and it will help loosen the plegm in the lungs. I think it is because spicy foods dilate the airpaths, nasal passages, and so on.

[mamab]

Wow, I don't know that I could eat a plain jalapeno, even if it DID promise sinus pressure relief! Do you have to eat the whole thing, or can you just take a bite?

[cat lover]

It is the "hotness" that works so the whole thing please LOL! The hotness is what makes the sinuses start to drain.

[DeBora4BobbyL]

Actually, I got VERY congested today. My allergies acted up worse than normal and the honey wasn't enough. (I just double the "dosage" and I am just now starting to adjust to it. The sinus medication wasn't helping either. So, I made myself some soup, but any food will work. Then, I got the Louisiana Hot Sauce and dumped a tablespoon on each spoon full for 3 spoons. I just gulped it down. It worked wonders! Tabasco doesn't do the trick for me as it tastes more like vinegar to me.

[cat lover]

Hope you are feeling better now! Take care!

[DeBora4BobbyL]

I just hate these allergies! I took 3 tablespoons of honey today, but I haven't taken anything medicinal for allergies. I guess I am going to have to take something though.

[katharina]

I just hate these allergies! I took 3 tablespoons of honey today, but I haven't taken anything medicinal for allergies. I guess I am going to have to take something though.

Honey sounds very interesting. My daughter's having a terrible time with allergies this year and I haven't heard of taking honey. Phlegm is the biggest problem this time... it seems as if honey would just stick to it and make it worse... that's not the case?

[DeBora4BobbyL]

Okay, this is my understanding of honey. Remember, we are talking about LOCAL, unpasteurized honey. It works the same that allergy shots do. It boosts the immune system. It also helps counterbalance the extra load of pollen that the body had taken in and it works the same way that allergy shots work. I hope my explanation helped.

[katharina]

Okay, this is my understanding of honey. Remember, we are talking about LOCAL, unpasteurized honey. It works the same that allergy shots do. It boosts the immune system. It also helps counterbalance the extra load of pollen that the body had taken in and it works the same way that allergy shots work. I hope my explanation helped.

Thank you for the explanation. I definitely plan to give it a try. She's been having a very rough time this spring! I'm not sure where I can buy
unpasteurized honey, but it shouldn't be too hard to find I hope.

[Bilby]

Okay, this is my understanding of honey. Remember, we are talking about LOCAL, unpasteurized honey. It works the same that allergy shots do. It boosts the immune system. It also helps counterbalance the extra load of pollen that the body had taken in and it works the same way that allergy shots work. I hope my explanation helped.
I have heard this, that if you have bad pollen/hayfever allergies to eat fresh local honey, as it is produced with the local flowers that set off your allergies. Never tired it as I don't know of any very local honey to buy.

[cat lover]

I don't know about where you are Bilby, but here usually local farmer's markets have it for sale. Do you all have anything where the local farmer's set up once a week to sell their goods?

[DeBora4BobbyL]

Call your local health food store. If they don't carry it, they would know who does if someone does. Nobody does in Carlsbad. In Cruces, one of the health food stores carries it in a large warmer. They can also tell me exactly where it is produced. One other thing that is suggested, start taking 1-2 tablespoon fulls a couple of months prior to allergy season.

[Janet]

Please remember to make sure you are not allergic to flying insects, bees, wasps, hornets, etc.
Especially if you are already allergy prone..new allergies can crop up suddenly. You can take something once and get along fine..then next time you can react badly.

I would weigh on the side of caution and go to your doctor or clinic for help.

Hugs, Janet

[cat lover]

Here's another "remedy" using chocolate! his one is for dry skin---Melt 1 block of dark chocolate in the microwave and stir in 2 tbsp wheat germ. Once it is cool to the touch massage it into your skin in circular motions and then rinse with warm water and pat skin dry.

[Bilby]

Rinse with warm water, heck I'd be licking it off LOL .... mmmm chocolate! :)

[cat lover]

I did think that myself!! ROFL

[cat lover]

How about one for tired feet!

Peppermint Oil Foot Rub

2 tbsp aloe vera gel
1/2 tbsp peppermint oil

Combine ingredients with a whisk and massage into your feet till absorbed.

[cat lover]

Here is a homemade remedy to invigorate and moisturize the skin; comes from Country Living magazine


1/2 cup fine sea salt
2 tbsp epsom salts
3 tbsp light olive oil
6 to 8 drops peppermint oil(essential oil)
1 tbsp finely chopped mint

Combine all ingredients and apply to moist skin. Scrub and rinse.

I keep some of this in a plastic jar in the shower; I love it on my feet!!

[cat lover]

Alpha Hydroxy Mask

1/4 cup lemon juice
1/4 cup apple juice
1/4 cup grape juice
1/4 cup cane sugar

Blend all the ingredients in a glass jar, making sure sugar has dissolved. Apply to your face with a cotton ball and leave on for 10 minutes before rinsing off. The mixture will keep for up to four days in the refrigerator.

Recipe from Good Housekeeping magazine

[cat lover]

HONEY

Honey has many therapeutic uses: Helps restore energy, has a general calming effect and helps to dissolve mucus. It also disinfects and heals minor wounds when applied externally.

Relaxing Honey Bath

Put about 2 oz of honey in a glass with 5 drops of lavendar oil. If the honey is too thick you can heat it by placing the glass in warm water. Add 1 or 2 tbsp of the honey- lavender ,mix to bathwater to combat insomnia and relax you.

Honey as a Wound Dressing

When honey is applied externally it is useful for healing minor cuts and abrasions by drawing excess water from the tissues and reducing swelling. It also has a germ killing substance calledinhibine that helps prevent infections. Just spread the honey directy on the wound and cover with a sterile bandage.

Aid in Asthma,bronchitis, and other Respiratory ailments

Mix 1 tsp finely chopped fresh thyme in a little honey; take orally as needed to soothe inflammed lungs and airways

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OLIVE OIL

This can be used several ways as a natural remedy


Digestive tract help

Take 1 tbsp olive oil on an empty stomach to stimulate digestion and relieve upset stomach, flatulence and heartburn

Constipation help

In the morning take 1 tsp olive oil mixed with lemon juivce on an empty stomach. OR try an enema made with 5 oz of olive oil in 20 oz of boiling water, cooled to lukewarm.

To lower blood cholesterol levels

The monosaturated fatty acids in olive oil help lower LDL(bad) without affecting the HDL(good) cholesterol or triglyceride levels. To lower your cholesterol at least 15% of your daily calories should come from monosaturated fatty acids/ Use olive oil in place of butter or other vegetable oils in cooking, preparing dressings for salads and vegetables where you can.

Ear Pain

Soak a cotton pad in olive oil and add 5 drops of lavender oil; place it loosely in your outer ear till the pain is relieved. (Do not use if you think you have a perforated eardrum)