Simple Home Remedies
Cough
You can make a simple cough syrup from warm pineapple juice and two teaspoons of honey. The bromelain in the pineapple is activated by the honey.
You can also make a cough syrup by mixing the juice of one lemon with two tablespoons glycerine and then add 12 teaspoons honey to the mixture and stir. Stir before each use. I always use raw honey.
According to the Ayureda tradition you can take equal part teaspoons of lemon and honey. If you have a cough with mucus you can add 1/2 teaspoon ginger, a pinch of clove, and a pinch of cinnamon to one cup of water.
You can also gargle by adding a pinch of salt and two pinches of turmeric to a glass of water.
Another remedy which is easy to make at home is to slice an onion into a deep bowl and cover with honey and let it sit over night. The next day you strain the mixture and this will make a simple elixir. Another tasty remedy is hot pear juice with a cinnamon stick. You can also cardamon and cumin to juices.
Ear Problems
Garlic is considered to be a natural antibiotic. For smaller children warm garlic oil to room temperature and drop a few drops in the ear. You can also improve lymphatic drainage by rubbing some garlic oil down the neck. I mostly have garlic capsules at home and I just poke a hole in the capsule, but you can also soak crushed garlic in olive oil. For older children and adults you can cut a clove of garlic and put a little olive oil on it put it on the outside of the ear like an hearing aid.
Another way is to bake or steam an onion and let it cool to room temperature and then place a few drops oil in the ear. The onion can also be cut in half and placed over the ear. The post, How to Deal With Earaches Naturally has more detailed information.
This time of the year it is also a good idea to work on prevention. I like to incorporate pungent and aromatic herb into my cooking since they give the body energy to heal itself and many of them have powerful healing properties. Cayenne pepper, ginger, peppermint, rosemary, cinnamon, garlic, sage, chamomile, horseradish and thyme are herbs I use a lot.
There are many ways I incorporate these herbs into my daily life and not just wait to the day I start feeling ill. I like to make herbal teas of peppermint, ginger and chamomile and I always add some raw honey and lemon juice to make it a powerful healing tea.
I add pungent and aromatic herbs to all of my cooking instead of store bought spice mixes, and this time of they year I often make soups and stews which are perfect for adding cayenne, rosemary, garlic and thyme to. I don't follow any recipe I just kind of add a handful of what I have at home, but I am picky about the quality of herbs I buy. You can also add fresh ginger to stir fries.
It is a good idea to stock up on the supplies this time of the year so you don't get caught by a surprise cold when you have important meetings to attend to. I make sure I have my favorite herbal blends, supplements, essential oils, raw honey, lemon, teas, silver shield and bulk herbs at home just to be prepared.
You can also make an Onion Garlic Soup. I like to make it for the family and we eat it as prevention, and I freeze the leftovers. When I re-heat it I just add more pungent herbs. This is a soup you can sip all through the day if you are sick.
Old-Fashioned Garlic and Onion Soup- the original recipe from Cookesley
4 large white or yellow onions, thinly sliced
2 whole heads of garlic
2 tsp. thyme
4 tbs. olive oil
6 cups vegetable broth
1/2 dry white wine
1 bay leaf
2 tbs honey
4 tbs. each of fresh parsley and basil
1/4 tsp. cayenne (optional)
sea salt, fresh ground pepper to taste
Saute the garlic, thyme and onions in olive oil until golden brown. Add garlic and onions to a slow cooker or a bigger pot to be cooked with the vegetable broth, wine and bay leaf. Slowly cook for 2 to 3 hours or over night if using a slow cooker. Strain the liquid, add the honey, fresh basil; and parsley, sea salt, fresh ground pepper and cayenne. I like to experiment and I add different kinds of herbs to the soup and many times I make it without adding the wine. We don't use any salt in our cooking either.
As always it is important to avoid food that weakens the immune system.
This post is linked to:
Your Green `Resource, Frugal Days, Sustainable Ways , Seasonal Celebration Sunday , Eco-Kids
Wildcrafting Wednesday, Tuesday Greens, Tuesday with a Twist
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From the Kitchen Pantry- Various tips
In honor of the World Health Day I just wanted to share some quick and easy beauty tips you can make from things in the kitchen pantry.
Oriental Scrub
Mix a handful each of Epsom salt and sea salt with two tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil and one tablespoon of ground ground black pepper. Add a cup of warm water when you are ready to use it. The black pepper stimulates and energizes. The salt removes old skin cells and makes the skin soft.
Fresh Strawberry Scrub
Mash 1/2 cup of fresh strawberries, one tablespoon of olive oil and 1 teaspoon salt into a paste. Use on a damp skin.
Sugar Scrub
Mix one cup granulated sugar with one teaspoon citrus juice of choice, 1/3 - 1/2 cup of olive oil or sweet almond oil, and 1/2 teaspoon fresh citrus zest. Apply to moist body.
Once a Month Hair Rinse to Get Rid of Hair Product Residue.
Mix together half a cup of white wine vinegar, half a cup of soda water and two tablespoons of lemon juice. Comb through the hair with the solution and leave it for ten minutes and wash the hair as normal.
Dry Hands
Mix one teaspoon of honey with little vegetable, almond or olive oil and massage into the hands. Leave on for as long as possible before rinsing off.
Blend granulated sugar with a little oil and rub over your hands to exfoliate.
As always, be creative and experiment! Add essential oils or switch out ingredients for things you have at home. The salt and sugar scrubs can be changed endlessly with ingredients at home.
As always, be creative and experiment! Add essential oils or switch out ingredients for things you have at home. The salt and sugar scrubs can be changed endlessly with ingredients at home.
Thanks for visiting!
Follow Johanna on twitter and facebook for more health tips and information.
This post is linked to:
Wildcrafting Wednesday
This post is linked to:
Wildcrafting Wednesday
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Face Masks from the Kitchen Pantry
The kitchen is full of things that gives your skin a healthy boost. There is no need to worry if you run out of your facial mask. You can make your own as fancy or simple as you want from things you find at home. Re-use containers from store bought skin care products.
Cocoa is high in antioxidants which will promote healthy skin. Research has shown cocoa can reduce skin irritation and fight cellular damage if applied topically. ( Journal of Nutrition, 2006, vol.136, no 5).
For a soothing mask, mix cocoa powder with little buttermilk. The lactic acid in the buttermilk will enhance the antioxidant function and soften the skin. You can mix the cocoa with a little water if you don't have any buttermilk at home.
Avocado contains vitamin E and phytosterols which nourish the skin. The phytosterols protect the skin and lock in the moisture so avocado is very suitable for hydrating dry skin. Mix a couple of tablespoons of avocado with a tablespoon of banana and an egg yolk for a moisturizing face mask. Another way is to mash one avocado and add a drop lemon juice to create a thick paste and apply it on the face for 10 minutes.
Mix together one teaspoon of turmeric, a handful of oatmeal and one teaspoon of yogurt to make a thick paste for problem skin. Add a couple of drops of sweet almond oil if your skin is dry. Apply to the skin and let it sit for 15-20 minutes or until it dries. Rinse off with warm water. The yogurt acts on bacteria and the turmeric is considered to be an excellent tonic for blemished-prone skin. The turmeric is believed to promote a smooth and clear complexion.
Both dry skin types and combination skin benefit from a moisturizing skin mask that is nourishing and calming to the skin surface. There are endless possibilities of what can be added to a moisturizing face mask such as herbal waters, mashed papaya or avocado, seaweed extracts, oils, yogurt, honey.
For oily skin I prefer to use clay since it tightens the pores and clears impurities. Mix two tablespoons of clay with some mineral, floral or herbal water. I have also used silver shield or distilled water for the same mask. I add about three to five drops of essential oils to the clay mixture.
Brewer's yeast or one egg white can also be used for oily skin.
If you are not sure what kind of essential oils to use for your skin type you can check out my post Oils for Skin Care
Thanks for visiting!
Follow Johanna on twitter and facebook for more health tips and information.
This post is linked to:
Traditional Tuesdays
Monday Mania
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Scrubs from the Kitchen Pantry
Exfoliation treatment is the first and most important treatment in body care. Exfoliation removes dead skin cells, dirt and debris and rancid oils from the skin. Exfoliation makes sure that moisturizers and nutrients are better absorbed.
There is no reason to go and buy expensive exfoliates from the stores, there are plenty of things in your kitchen cabinet that will do the job . Coarse salt, ground up nuts, sugar, oatmeal or other grains can be used in body or facial scrubs. I also like to add natural yogurt, honey and brewer's yeast to my facial scrub.
When my skin is dry I like to mix sugar, vegetable glycerin and essential oils together and use as a scrub. Aloe Vera can be added to the blend for additional benefit. You can substitute the glycerin with vegetable oil if you don't have any glycerin at home.
You can also blend Epsom salt with vegetable oil or liquid soap for a great salt glow blend. Add suitable essential oils to the blend. Just remember not to use any body scrubs on skin rashes, abrasions or cuts.
Here is a basic recipe for a body scrub:
Sea Salt 1/4 cup
Medium-ground cornmeal or other 1/4 cup
Vegetable Oil 1/3 cup
Essential Oils 10 drops ( Check out Oils For Skin Care)
Mix the cornmeal and the salt together. Mix the essential oils with the vegetable oil and add to the salt mixture.
This is a messy scrub so you better stand in the shower or in the tub. Rub it in with circular movements and work towards the towards the heart. Rinse the body but don't use any soap.
Facial Scrub
I like to make the following facial scrub but it is not necessary to have all the ingredients. Nowadays I don't always follow recipes and I add as I feel like. I am careful though so I don't overdo it with the essential oils, and I also make sure I use the right kind of oils. If you are unsure about what oils are suitable read my Essential Oil Safety Post.
1 teaspoon fine or medium -ground oatmeal
1 teaspoon finely ground cornmeal
1 teaspoon honey
1/2 teaspoon brewer's yeast, optional
Enough mineral water or floral water to make a paste. I often use an herbal infusion or regular distilled water.
3 drops of essential oils, I like to use lavender.
Mix cornmeal, oatmeal yogurt, honey, and brewer's yeast. Add enough water to make a paste, add the essential oil. Apply to the face, massage gently in circular movements.
As you can see, skin care doesn't have to be complicated or expensive.
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