Herbal Remedies

Being the outdoorsy type of family that we are…we go through quite a bit of bug repellent.

Nevertheless, we always end up with some type of bite or rash.

One of the most common remedies for these types of ailments is calamine lotion. Calamine seems to be the go-to for those suffering from poison ivy and mosquito bites to chicken pox and eczema.

So here’s a homemade recipe that you can make with just a few ingredients that produces a look-a-like Calamine lotion. Well…it’s not exactly “look-a-like” — it’s more grey than pink — but I tell ya, it works wonders on any skin condition that causes an itchy irritation!

Homemade Calamine Lotion

Ingredients

-1 tablespoon sea salt
-1 tablespoon baking soda
-1 tablespoon bentonite clay
-15 drops essential oils (use one or a combination of lavender, geranium, chamomile, yarrow, peppermint, and tea tree)
-enough water to form a paste

Method

1. In a small glass or ceramic bowl, combine all of the dry ingredients.

2. Slowly mix in the water until a smooth paste forms, then add the essential oils.

3. Use as you would calamine lotion and apply directly to affected area.

Note: Because of the water content, I’d estimate this lotion to keep refrigerated for 3-5 days. Your best bet is to keep a small glass jar of the dry ingredients pre-mixed, spoon a small amount into your hand, and make a paste with the liquids as needed. Similar to how one would use this Herbal Healing Clay…

simple.non-toxic.homemade.goodness.

Looking for ingredients? Mountain Rose Herbs carries the sea salt, bentonite clay, and essential oils you will need.

And as always…if you really enjoyed this post I would be so honored if you’d click this link and subscribe to the blog! To those of you who have been committed readers, I sincerely thank you.

Insect stings and bites of all different kinds have the potential to be extremely painful, itchy, and uncomfortable.

These days it can be hard to find something we can feel confident in to put on our skin — something that is effective and relieves the discomfort. But the good news is…there are common items you may have lying around your home, in your kitchen cabinets, or even steps away in the backyard that can help!

Let’s take a look at a few common, homemade remedies that any of us can grab the next time we experience an insect sting or bite.

Natural Treatment for Stings and Bites

1. A slice of onion. Cut a slice of onion and put it directly on to the affected area. Onions contain a powerful healing enzyme that can relieve the discomfort and promote healing.

2. Make a compress. After removing the stinger and washing the skin precede to soak a piece of cotton in lemon juice, witch hazel, or apple cider vinegar and apply it directly to the affected area. Repeat as often as needed. These items will help to reduce the toxicity of the venom and relieve the pain.

3. Aloe Vera. Aloe vera gel can also be a great help. If you have a plant growing at home, simply cut it open and rub it on the affected area as often as needed. Don’t have it fresh? I like this aloe vera gel product.

4. Epsom salt bath. If there are multiple stings or bites, an Epsom salt bath can provide a wonderful bit of relief. Find salts here…

5. Raw Honey. Dab on a thin layer of raw honey and reap the benefits of it’s healing power.

6. Make a paste. This remedy is great for humans and pet alike! Make a paste with baking soda and a few drops of water. Put the paste on the area and let it sit for approximately 15 minutes before washing off. The baking soda helps to neutralize the venom from the sting/bite.

7. Aspirin. Add a few drops of water or rubbing alcohol to a crushed Aspirin and apply the paste to the affected area.

8. Banana peels. The inside skins of bananas – when rubbed on itchy bug bites — can provide immediate relief! You’ll need to peel the banana, cut off a bit of the skin, rub the inside of it on the affected area, let it dry (do not rinse), repeat as often as needed.

9. Essential oils. A couple drops of lavender essential oils are sure to reduce pain and inflammation when applied directly to a sting or bite. Tea tree oil is also very soothing. Find your essential oils here…

10. Herbs. Try your hand at making an herbal salve (Click here for my homemade itch relief stick recipe), poultice, or compress using any of the following herbs for amazing results:

• Plantain – My favorite way to use plantain is to tear off a fresh leaf, chew it slightly, and then apply the spit poutice to the affected area.
• Comfrey
• Calendula
• Chickweed
• Lemon balm 
• If they aren’t growing in your backyard…Find these organic dried herbs here…

And lastly you can always apply an ice pack. Doing so will help to constrict the blood vessels, thereby decreasing the blood flow which should help to prevent any venom from spreading – not to mention, itching is relieved by the numbing of the skin.

What homemade remedies do you use to treat insect stings or bites?

And as always…if you really enjoyed this post I would be so honored if you’d click this link and subscribe to the blog! To those of you who have been committed readers, thank you.

Adding an herbal tea closet to your kitchen can be as simple as clearing a shelf in one of your kitchen cabinets and filling it with a few jars full of dried medicinal herbs.

Love the idea of having an herbal tea closet, but don’t know where to start?

Below I have listed the 10 herbs that I use the most for tea making. They include common medicinal herbs that are known to nourish and treat a variety of minor ailments. They also represent a wide base of plant material…from roots and leaves to flowers and berries.

Build your family’s resistance to disease and be prepared — at a moments notice — to create a healing remedy.

1. Nettle Leaf. Ahhh…nettles! I love them! Nutritionally speaking, nettle leaf contains an extremely high chlorophyll content along with being a substantial source for vitamins C and A, calcium, silicon, potassium chloride, protein and fiber. Some type of nettle infusion, when consumed daily, can be the catalyst to overall vitality.

2. Lemon Balm. This leaf teas has been historically used to treat all kinds of nervous system ailments. Lemon balm is known for it’s ability to calm an irritable child, act as an antiviral in treating cold sores due to the herpes virus, heal wounds and protect the skin, treat the symptoms of the common cold and flu when combined with other medicinal herbs, and it can relieve the symptoms of migraine headaches, anxiety, depression, and insomnia.

3. Chamomile. Safe for the whole family, this gentle herb will forever hold it’s value. Traditionally chamomile tea is used to help the body unwind and induces a restful sleep. Additionally, the soothing effects of chamomile can stop spasms in the smooth muscle lining of the digestive tract…relieving stomachaches and calming the bowels. Chamomile tea has also been proven to contain antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and anti-parasitic properties.

4. Dandelion Root. When prepared as a decoction, dandelion root tea will revitalize the liver and aids the body in the removal of toxins. This medicinal herb has the ability to detox while maintaining the proper balance of electrolytes and nutrients our bodies need.

5. Echinacea Root. One of the most common root teas used for the treatment of colds. Echinacea stimulates the immune system, and has proven to possess antibacterial properties. When taken internally at the first sign sickness, this tea has the ability to help boost the body’s immune system and shorten the duration of symptoms. A strong decoction may also be made and applies externally for the treatment of skin ailments such as sores, bug bites, stings, minor wounds, and burns.

6. Peppermint. Just at the thought of a cup of peppermint tea…all my troubles are set at ease. This leaf tea is truly a stress reliever and cure-all. Minor aches and pains, headaches, and tension are no match for peppermint tea. Also a proven digestive aid, take a cup after a nutritious meal and help your body absorb all of the vitamins and mineral necessary for health.

7. Plantain. Plantain tea is a great herbal blood purifier and excellent to have on hand for your family’s first-aid needs. A plantain leaf infusion can used as a wash or compress to clean wounds and likewise applied to relief the itching from poison ivy/oak/sumac, bug bites, and bee stings.

8. Elderberries. Traditionally elderberries have been used medicinally in teas and syrups. They are also often added to jellies and wines to and are known to increase flavor. But that’s not what makes the berry a must-have in my tea closet…I use elderberries primarily to prevent illness. And should we fall ill, a strong tea made of elderberries and raw honey will treat fevers and bring healing for the flu.

9. Rose Hips. This fruit of the rose is one of the most concentrated plant sources of vitamin C known. They can be easily included in many cold prevention teas and medicinal remedies. Rose hips are also an excellent source for a variety of antioxidants. In fact, they make a great sustainable source of vitamin C for those who may not have citrus fruits available.

10. Seasonal. With every season comes a different need. Right now I’m loving the addition of alfalfa to our daily infusions, but sometimes it’s astragalus or raspberry leaf…it could even be sage or oatstraw.

Click here to read more about buying and storing dried bulk herbs…

Notes

-I personally trust the quality and integrity of the products from Mountain Rose Herbs. The herbs that I receive from them always far exceed my expectations. I love that they label when the herbs were harvested and packaged! And I love that anytime I’ve ever had a question they answer it promptly. Not to mention, their prices are the best I’ve found.

-When purchasing from Mountain Rose Herbs, bulk purchases are rewarded with significant discounts. Save even more by asking your like-minded friends if they’d be interested in placing an order with you for bulk medicinal herbs.

Now it’s your turn! What are your favorite herbal teas? Do you have a tea closet?

Be sure not to miss a single post in the series…click this link and subscribe to the blog.

Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) abounds in my garden!

It is one of the most easy to grow medicinal herbs and has some pretty amazing healing properties…making it a great addition to the home pharmacy.

Historically, lemon balm has been used to treat all kinds of nervous system ailments and is known for it’s ability to:

• calm an irritable child.
• act as an antiviral in treating cold sores due to the herpes virus.
• heal wounds and protect the skin.
• treat the symptoms of the common cold and flu when combined with other medicinal herbs.
• relieve the symptoms of migraine headaches, anxiety, depression, and insomnia.

Likewise, feverfew is unbeatable when it comes to treating the common headache, migraines, stress/tension headaches, and those headaches associated with PMS symptoms. It truly is a wonder herb and a must in the garden of those who suffer these ailments.

Note: Please see my How to Make a Tincture at Home video for more helpful information regarding making a tincture.

Migraine Tincture ~ A Recipe

Supplies needed

-Solvent (i.e. 100 proof alcohol or vegetable glycerin)
-quart sized glass mason jar
-4 oz. fresh or 2 oz. of dried herbs

Ingredients

-3 parts lemon balm
-2 parts feverfew
-100 proof vodka to fill

Method

1. Measure your herbs depending on whether you are using fresh or dried herbs.
2. If using fresh herbs, chop until fine.
3. Add herbs to glass jar.
4. Pour solvent over herbs to fill the jar. The solvent should rise 1-2 inches above the herbs.
5. Place the lid on the jar and shake until the herbs are well combined.
6. Label jar with contents and date.
7. Set in a warm, sunny window and steep for 2-6 weeks, shaking daily.
8. Strain with a cheesecloth, compost the plant material, and place tincture in dark colored bottles for storage in a cool, dark place. The tincture should keep for up to 5 years.

Adult Dosage

At the sudden onset of migraine symptoms, begin taking 1/4-1/2 a teaspoon of the tincture every 30 minutes to an hour until symptoms subside.

Feel free to print this recipe and add it to your herbal journal: Migraine Tincture Recipe (131kb PDF)

Looking for the raw materials mentioned in this post? Check out the good people over at Mountain Rose Herbs and Bulk Herb Store…they are the go-to for all my dried herb and medicinal herb seed needs!

Not up for another DIY? I have a few of these available in my little Etsy Shop…click here to see the listing.

Be sure not to miss a single post in the series…click this link and subscribe to the blog.

Disclaimer: Please understand that this information is for educational purposes only. The statements made here have not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration and they are not intended to diagnose, treat or cure or prevent any disease. Don’t take my word for it…you should always engage conventional wisdom and consult with your medical professional to determine potential drug interactions and safety of use.

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Today I want to share with you an all-natural product that you can make easily at home in order to build your DIY medicine chest. This homemade antiseptic ointment is packed full with germ-killing properties that will help treat everyday/minor cuts, scraps, and abrasions. You can use this ointment just as you would a tube of that pricey commercially-prepared stuff.

Best part of this is…you control the ingredients!

First-Aid Antiseptic Ointment 

Ingredients

-1 1/2 ounces beeswax, grated
-1 cup olive, almond, or coconut oil
-1/4 teaspoon vitamin E oil
-1/2 teaspoon tea tree oil
-20 drops lavender essential oil
-10 drops lemon essential oil

Directions

1. Over very low heat, in a small pot or double boiler, melt oils and beeswax.

2. Remove from heat and add vitamin E oil and essential oils. Stir with a chopstick.

3. Pour mixture into small sterilized jars (or a mason jar). Allow to cool on counter.

4. Store in a cool, dark place. Use as needed on wounds. Will keep for approximately 5 years.

Notes

-Antiseptic properties of the essential oils include:

• Tea tree oil: antibiotic, anti-fungal, antiviral, antibacterial
• Lavender: analgesic (pain relief), antibiotic, anti-fungal, antiviral, antibacterial
• Lemon: antibiotic, antifungal, antiviral, antibacterial

-For those who do not like the smell of lavender…you may substitute chamomile essential oils for lavender and fir essential oils for lemon.

-I purchase the ingredients used in this recipe from a local health food store. Otherwise, I like to purchase from Mountain Rose Herbs or The Bulk Herb Store. You can purchase beeswax here.