There has been concern about the ingredients in most deodorants on the market. Some deodorants contain toxic chemicals that when applied directly to the skin, enter the bloodstream without any filtering. These chemicals can negatively impact the body’s endocrine system and produce adverse developmental, reproductive, neurological and immune effects.
Some ingredients are know skin irritants that can cause itchiness, rash, swelling and redness. My husband’s underarm rash began our search for a natural alternative to commercial deodorants. As he was undergoing shoulder replacement surgery at the same time, we were very cognizant of the need for an antibacterial natural product he could use effectively.
As our family has adopted essential oils for many natural remedies, I remembered that lemons have antibacterial and antiseptic qualities.I went to the refrigerator and got the bottle of Real Lemon 100% juice and put it in a personal size spray bottle for easy application. Voila–the body odor was eliminated.
We shared our finding with the physical therapist attending his surgery. She was excited about finding a natural alternative to commercial deodorants.
There are recipes for using essential lemon oil for deodorants; but simple is my keynote, and what can be simpler than straight lemon juice applied with a spray bottle? That said, essential lemon oil is a household staple in our home as it has so many beneficial uses. I have listed just 10 below with a link to purchase if you so desire.
1. Soothe Sore Throat: Add 2-3 drops of lemon oil to hot tea, or drink it with warm water and honey to help soothe a sore throat.
2. Coughs, Colds & General Congestion: Rub a few drops of lemon oil on your chest and/or throat when you feel congested. Repeat several times daily. You can also diffuse lemon oil into the air for help with respiratory problems.
3. Stop a Runny Nose: Use a little carrier oil and a drop of lemon oil in the palm of your hand. Get your fingertip wet and swipe each side of your nose. This really works!
4. Treat Allergies & Hay Fever: Apply a drop of lemon oil behind the ear or under the nose 2-3 times a day to help fight seasonal allergies. Alternately apply to the bottoms of your feet.
5. Energy Booster: Add a couple of drops of both lemon and peppermint essential oils to water for an instant boost in energy.
6. Sanitize Your Toothbrush: Put a drop of lemon oil on your toothbrush then swish it around in a bit of water to immediately clean and sanitize it.
7. Bad Breath: Place 4 drops of lemon oil in 4 ounces of warm water and gargle to get rid of bad breath.
8. Treat Acne: Apply three drops of lemon essential oil to a cotton ball and swipe onto the affected area, repeating up to three times a day.
9. Fight Fatigue: Moisten a cloth with five drops of lemon essential oil and hold directly underneath your nose. Breathe in the scent for at least two minutes.
10. Stress Relief: Add ten to fifteen drops of essential lemon oil to your bath water and soak for at least fifteen minutes.
I’ve pulled this weed out of my garden for years, but age and my husband’s shoulder replacement surgery have made this one of the most valuable plants in my garden. After surgery, opiates were prescribed for his pain. While researching alternatives to opiate pharmaceuticals, my husband found references to prickly lettuce, a close relative of the domestic lettuce. He found that prickly lettuce has been used as an alternative to opium in the past which led us on a search for the best practices with this valuable weed in order to alleviate pain.
I pulled a few plants. secured their stems with a rubber band and hung them to dry in the kitchen window. When dried, I stripped the leaves from the stems and processed them in a blender to make tea leaves. An herbal tea can be made by pouring one cup of boiling water over 1-2 teaspoons of the dried leaves of prickly lettuce and allowing them to infuse for 10-15 minutes. This infusion can then be consumed up to three times daily. I make it by the pitcher and store it in the refrigerator for a cold drink on a summer day,
Common Names and Synonyms
You might know prickly lettuce as compass plant, Lactuca scariola, wild opium ‘China Lettuce, Chinese Lettuce, wild Lettuce, English Thistle, or Horse Thistle,
The whole plant has a milky sap that contains lactucarium which is used in medicine for its painkilling, anti-spasmodic, digestive, diuretic, narcotic and sedative properties. Lactucarium has the effects of a feeble opium, but without its tendency to cause digestive upsets, nor is it addictive. It is taken internally in the treatment of insomnia, anxiety, neuroses, hyperactivity in children, dry coughs, whooping cough, rheumatic pain. And since it has no adverse or addictive side effects, you can take it without fear. It has become popular among holistic medicine users as well as survivalists because it grows so readily all around the world. It’s 100% legal in the United States. Exercise caution when using any wild plants and make sure you have positively identified the plant.
Always check with your doctor before using any herbal preparation, especially if you have a known medical condition and/or are on any prescription medication. Do not use if you are nursing or pregnant. Any medical information on this website is for informational purposes only. Exercise caution when using any wild plants and make sure you have positively identified the plant.
Kale is a rewarding plant to add to the summer garden. Kale is one of the world’s healthiest vegetables. The nutrients it contains support healthy skin, hair, and bones. The fiber content enhances digestion and contributes to cardiovascular health. It may help improve blood glucose control in diabetes,, lower the risk of cancer,, reduce blood pressure, and help prevent the development of asthma. It contains fiber,antioxidants, calcium, and vitamin K.
Kale and Vitamin K
Because of its abundant vitamin K, patients on blood thinners should consult with their doctors before adding kale to their diet as this vitamin helps blood clot. One cup of cooked kale has 1000 percent more vitamin C than a cup of cooked spinach. Kale is low in oxalate, so the calcium and iron it provides are more easily absorbed by the human digestive system.
Nutritional yeast & B-complex
Nutritional yeast is a significant source of some B-complex vitamins and contains trace amounts of several other vitamins and minerals. It has a taste that is described as nutty, cheesy, or creamy. A serving also provides 9 grams of protein. It is a complete protein providing all nine amino acids the human body cannot produce. I like it sprinkled on popcorn as well.
Despite its name nutritional yeast is quite different from brewer’s yeast, baker’s yeast and pathogenic, or disease causing, yeast. It cannot cause or contribute to Candida yeast infections because it is derived from a different species that has been deactivated. Because nutritional yeast has not been associated with the candida albicans strain related to yeast infections, it has proven to be one of the best remedies for chronic candida symptoms, a specific type of yeast infection. It has also shown profound effects on E.coli, salmonella and staphylococcus.
Preparation and Dehydration
Besides my favorite kale salad, my family enjoys snacking on kale chips. With the addition of an Excaliber dehydrator, making kale chips is quick and easy. I use scissors to cut the washed kale from its center rib in long strips. The kale will shrink with dehydration. Place the kale in a large bowl or a gallon zip lock bag and add 1-2 Tablespoons of olive oil. Then massage the leaves to distribute the oil throughout the kale. Sprinkle the kale while in the bag with salt and nutritional yeast for taste and added nutritional value.
Spread the kale chips on the dehydrating trays. Since I grow curly kale, I insert the trays in every other slot to accommodate the ruffly chips.
Dehydrate at 105 degrees for 2-4 hours until kale is crisp. Store in airtight container for snacking. This is a quick and easy way to preserve the kale harvest and boost your family’s nutrition with one of the world’s healthiest foods.
This book is a delight! Easy to follow recipes along with the warmth and wisdom of the author. I would highly recommend it to anyone.
Terri
This book is a delight! Easy to follow recipes along with the warmth and wisdom of t author. I would highly recommend it to anyone. Get more recipes for your garden produce from my book Eat What You Grow: Easy Recipes for the Backyard Homestead.
My husband of 50 years has given me an ultimatum. “Until you find a solution to your snoring, I’m not travelling anywhere with you overnight.”
My snoring, which is a by-product of sleep apnea, has kept my husband from sleep countless nights The addition of an oxygen concentrator for night time oxygen, has helped with the snoring. However, the machine does not travel with us, so my night time cacophony of noise prompted my husband’s ultimatum on our last trip to see our grandchildren.
A solution to our problem was imperative. I love visiting our grandchildren. Vacations to visit family, friends and scenic destinations were in peril. Our overnight getaways for relaxation and fun were on the line. The search for a cure to snoring was my number one priority. The following solutions are my hope and cure.
Simple practices to alleviate snoring Some of the solutions to snoring I had already incorporated into my sleeping habits. These practices help solve some of the problem.1. Sleep with your mouth closed. When you breathe through your mouth, snoring increases.2. Sleep on your side as this helps keep the tongue from obstructing the airways.3. Sleep with a humidifier in the room to alleviate a dry throat which can compound snoring.
The tongue is the culprit. The tongue is my primary target. When we sleep, the tongue relaxes and falls back in the throat partially blocking the airway. Because the tongue is a muscle, it can be strengthened to keep its place rather than relaxing and obstructing airflow. I found the following simple exercises to strengthen my tongue muscle.
Tongue Exercises 1. Recite your vowels (a-e-i-o-u) out loud for 3 minutes several times a day to help tone your throat muscles. For those musically inclined, vocalize the vowels in a warm up scale to tone the muscles in the throat.
2. Purse your lips for 30 seconds twice a day. Better yet, say, “Pucker up, honey,” and improve your kissing technique at the same time.
3. Open your mouth and move your jaw to the left. Hold this posture 30 seconds. Then, move it to the right side and again hold it 30 seconds. Repeat this activity daily.
4. Place the tip of your tongue behind the top of your teeth. Gradually drag the tongue backwards. Do this for 3 minutes daily.
5. Press the entire tongue against the roof of the mouth. Hold this position for 30 seconds. Relax and repeat the activity for 3 minutes.
6. Protrude the lower jaw over the upper jaw with your teeth showing while you count slowly to ten. Repeat 5-10 times a day.
7. Say this tongue workout 10-20 times before going to sleep. “The lips, the teeth, the tip of the tongue.”
8. Put your tongue out perfectly straight as far as you can. Move it left, then move it right, touching the corner of your lips but making sure it stays straight. Do this in front of the mirror twice a day.
Travel Remedy Found
Another natural remedy I found will be ideal for our overnight travels as well as at home. This recipe is easily made of common kitchen ingredients and stored in the refrigerator. Just add the jar to your cosmetic bag when taking a trip.
Add 1 Tablespoon salt and stir until completely dissolved.
Add 2 packets of unflavored gelatin and stir till dissolved.
Remove from heat and add remaining ¼ cup water.
Pour mixture into two jars.
Add 5 drops each of the essential oils marjoram, peppermint, eucalyptus, and lavender to each jar.Add a drop or two of food coloring, if desired, for visual appeal.Place jars in refrigerator to solidify.Cover with lid when cooled.
To Use:
Open jar of gel at bedtime and inhale several times before placing open jar on bedside nightstand while you sleep. Return jar to refrigerator in the morning to re-gel. The oils’ scents will open airways and relieve congestion during the night thus alleviating snoring. Some long-term solutions to alleviating snoring include:
1. Excess weight around the neck can narrow the throat and increase snoring. I’ve written a cookbook Kick Carbs to the Curb full of low-carb recipes to help with weight loss.
2. Skip alcohol before bedtime. Alcohol is a muscle relaxant. (Remember the tongue is a muscle.)
3. Eat 2-3 hours before bedtime. Late-night eating produces a full stomach which impedes the diaphragm from its full function in rhythmic breathing. Also avoid dairy right before bed as it can produce a layer of mucus in your mouth and tongue which can block airways.
4. A custom mouthpiece which brings the jaw forward to reduce snoring can help with chronic snoring. Consult a dentist or doctor for a custom mouthpiece.
Arm yourself with these defenses against the persistent snore. Happy trails and happy travelling to you.
About every three years my Anoka apple tree escapes the late Rocky Mountain spring freezes and puts on an abundant apple crop. I’m always looking for creative ways to use the apples that the birds leave me. September’s apple harvest finds me surrounded by the heavenly aroma of apples baking.
This year I found a method for preserving the apples to use as a sweetener in apple recipes. The process is simple and only requires three components: apples, a blender or food processor, and a dehydrator.
Basically, you only need to grind the apples in a blender or processor until they are very finely ground. Then spread the apple slurry thinly on a dehydrator sheet. Dehydrate until completely dry.
When sufficiently dry the apple sugar should have no moisture remaining in the apple slurry. . I set my dehydrator for 135 degrees for 6-8 hours. The processing time may be affected by humidity and outside temperature.
Finally, put the dried apple slurry into a blender or food processor and whiz until powdered The apple sugar is now ready to add supplemental apple sweetness to apple cakes, apple pancakes, apple muffins and waffles. I replaced about one-third of the sugar in each recipe with apple sugar to give a deeper apple bouquet to my apple creations.
My husband suffered from gout. Its pain led us on a search for relief from
the debilitating pain which accompanies
gout’s arthritic joint pain. Imagine
sharp needles piercing your joints even when lying in bed. Now imagine trying to walk with those needles
jabbing into your joints. After months of seeking relief, my husband found a
magic bullet that relieved the agony that accompanies this condition.
Gout occurs when urate crystals accumulate in your joint,
causing the inflammation and intense pain of a gout attack. Urate crystals can
form when you have high levels of uric acid in your blood. Often, gout first
attacks your big toe. It can also attack ankles, heels, knees, wrists, fingers,
and elbows.
Your body produces uric acid when it breaks down purines —
substances that are found naturally in your body. Purines are also found in
certain foods, such as steak, organ meats and seafood. Other foods also promote
higher levels of uric acid, such as alcoholic beverages, especially beer, and
drinks sweetened with fruit sugar (fructose).
Normally, uric acid dissolves in your blood and passes
through your kidneys into your urine. But sometimes either your body produces
too much uric acid or your kidneys excrete too little uric acid. When this
happens, uric acid can build up, forming sharp, needlelike urate crystals in a
joint or surrounding tissue that cause pain, inflammation and swelling.
Diuretic medications or “water pills” taken for high blood
pressure can also raise uric acid levels.
Is Water the Cure?
About the time of our search for relief, a lady at our church began to provide ionized alkaline water to anyone in our church. Alkaline water is water that has been ionized, which means the pH level of water has been increased. Normal drinking water generally has a neutral pH of 7. Alkaline water typically has a pH of 8 or 9.
The pH level is a number that measures how acidic or
alkaline a substance is on a scale of 0 to 14. For instance, if the level is 1,
it means the substance is very acidic and if it is 13, it is very alkaline.
Alkaline water has pH level of about 8 or 9 and pH level of normal tap water is
7, which is neutral.
It is believed that alkaline water helps people with excess
acidity as it helps neutralize the acid in the body; thanks to its alkaline
nature. In a study, participants who
drank hydrogen-rich {alkaline} water showed a substantial increase in their
antioxidant enzymes and a massive decrease in acid in the urine. Further,
participants showed a significant increase in HDL the “good cholesterol,”
and a significant decrease in the “bad cholesterol.”
My husband and I reasoned that if gout was caused by excess
uric acid then alkalizing his body fluids might help his gout. So he started drinking the alkaline water,
and within three days his symptoms left.
It was an answer to prayer!
An Economical Relief
Water ionizers can be rather expensive, but we found an alternative solution. The Alkaline Water Pitcher of Life is available on Amazon, and water run through its filter becomes alkaline. My husband shared our findings with his sister when she developed a similar case of gout when she ate shrimp. We suggested that she order a Pitcher of Life. She reported back that after drinking the alkalized water for a week, she had no more gout pain.
If
you or a loved one is experiencing the ravages of gout, there are other
lifestyle changes that will help restrict gout flare-ups. Developing a lifelong
eating strategy that focuses on following a heart-healthy diet should be the
goal for people with gout. This diet includes all the food groups, especially
vegetables, whole grains, plant proteins such as nuts and legumes, and low-fat
dairy.
Avoid foods and drinks that promote higher levels of uric acid, such as
red meat, organ meats, seafood (shrimp and lobster), alcoholic beverages (especially
beer), and drinks sweetened with fruit sugar (fructose). Refined carbohydrates
and processed foods should be kept to a minimum.
Engaging in regular physical activity and losing weight, if needed, can
lower your risk of repeated gout attacks, as well as the chances of developing
heart disease, which is common in people with gout. Left untreated, gout can lead to permanent
joint damage and other health issues such as kidney stones.
The first and best practice, and in our experience the most effective
treatment for gout, is to drink ionized alkaline water. May you benefit from our experience and leave
the pain of gout in the past.
With Winter weather comes the occasional cough. My family has found this homemade natural cough syrup to be very effective against a hacking cough. It combines the benefits of honey and essential oils to produce a yummy concoction that Mary Poppins would approve.
Honey can be the all-natural cure when it comes to pesky colds. A persistent cough that won’t go away can easily be remedied with two teaspoons of honey. Children with nighttime cough due to colds, cough less frequently when they receive two teaspoons of honey 30 minutes before bed. The golden liquid’s thick consistency helps coat the throat while the sweet taste is believed to trigger nerve endings that protect the throat from incessant coughing.
Add to honey’s curative properties the power of essential oils, and you create an effective deterrent for the persistent cough.
Lavender heals burns and cuts, relieves insomnia, reduces stress, is a powerful antihistamine, reduces inflammation, and soothes sunburn. Lavender is the number one essential oil to have in your survival kit.
Peppermint is one of the oldest and most highly regarded herbs for soothing digestion. Additionally, peppermint has been found to improve mental accuracy, and sooth the respiratory system. Peppermint essential oil is also a very effective natural painkiller and muscle relaxant. It is especially helpful in soothing an aching back, sore muscles, and melting away a tension headache.
Lemon oil has been used on colds, coughs and flu. It helps prevent spread of contagious infections and supports a weakened immune system. It supports the body with phlegm removal and helps decongestion as well as stimulating the lymphatic system and helping an overworked liver.
In the Bible, where it says incense. it refers to frankincense which comes from the boswella tree. It takes 40 years to produce one drop of oil. Frankincense supports the immune system, helps respiratory ailments, depression, and gout. The combination of honey and these essential oils will help bolster the immune system in its fight with the cold and flu season.
Why is it called Thieves? How Thieves essential oil got its name. Europeans began producing essential oils in the 12th century. During the Plague of the 15th century, certain thieves were able to rob the dead without fear of becoming infected by the terrible disease. After being captured and charged with robbing the dead and dying victims of the plague, the thieves were offered a deal. The magistrate offered them leniency if they would reveal how they managed to avoid contracting the dreaded infection, in spite of their close proximity with the infected corpses.
The thieves disclosed that they were perfumers and spice traders, and that they had rubbed themselves with a concoction of aromatic herbs (cinnamon, and clove). Young Living Essential Oils begins testing Thieves Blend, a proprietary combination of cinnamon, clove and rosemary essential oils for its potent antimicrobial properties. Thieves Blend was found to have a 99.6 percent kill rate against airborne bacteria.
The combination of honey and these essential oils will help bolster the immune system in its fight with the cold and flu season.
Welcome to Country Parson's Wife, I'm Dr. Mary Ellen, author, teacher and wife of a country pastor for 50 years. My blog is dedicated to a lifestyle built on faith, family, simplicity and self-sufficiency that enhances the health, peace, beauty and industry of our homes and gardens.
My prayer is that you be encouraged and propelled into the abundant life God has prepared for you.
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