This post contains affiliate links. Lavender is well known as a sedative and is often used to calm anxiety and induce sleep. Besides promoting relaxation, lavender is also uplifting and is thought to be a mild antidepressant. Lavender is also antibacterial and antifungal. Lavender is a useful ingredient in natural beauty products and home remedies. Its beautiful color makes is a lovely addition to DIY gifts. I love lavender so much I wrote an entire book about it! So, what can you make with lavender? Here are a few ideas for you: Lavender Eye Pillow Lavender pillows are a great way...
If you were intrigued by the idea of adding lavender to shortbread cookies, you might like to learn a few more culinary uses for lavender. When we think about lavender, cooking and baking does not often spring to mind. Instead it makes us dream of nice long baths, soothing scrubs, or stuffed pillows to help us rest and relax. Lavender is often reserved for homemade body care products, but this herb can add interesting flavor, texture and color to your meals, too. From a nutritional standpoint, lavender provides vitamins A and C, iron, and calcium. Granted, you won’t be adding huge portions to any...
Sore throats are miserable, aren’t they? Not being able to swallow comfortably and basically feeling that your throat is on fire . . . That’s something I like to avoid. I’m sure you do, too. As we head into cooler months, it’s likely that you or one of your family members will encounter a sore throat. Next time a sore throat comes your way, try one or more of the home remedies for a sore throat below to ease the pain: This post contains affiliate links. Pineapple-Cayenne Gargle It sounds horrid, but pineapple juice and cayenne are used by many...
Herbal tea is one of the simplest natural remedies available. Requiring little more than steeping herbs in water, tea can be made quickly and easily and enjoyed on a daily basis. I'm sure you already know many methods of brewing tea, but I thought it would be fun to share a variety of ways so you can mix things up a little! Here are 7 simple ways to brew herbal tea: 1. Tea Ball/Infuser Mesh tea balls/infusers are great for making one cup of tea. Simply add loose tea to the ball and close tightly then place into a cup...
My youngest daughter and I had the best time gathering violets from the backyard a few weeks ago. We turned them into a lovely purple bath soak and wanted to share the results with you. Violets only bloom for a short time, so if you see them, be sure to act fast. It's also important to note that violets should be free of pesticides. If you are unsure if they have been sprayed with chemicals, forgo using them. Violets don't have a lot of scent, so you'll want to add a few drops of essential oil to this blend to create...
Commercial air fresheners are bad news. Loaded with chemicals, air fresheners add to our toxic load, have the potential to aggravate respiratory issues, and increase the risk of cancer (and other illnesses). According to the Environmental Working Group: “… a University of Washington study found that eight unnamed, widely used U.S. air fresheners released an average of 18 chemicals into the air. On average, one in five of these chemicals were hazardous substances highlighted in federal and some state pollution standards. Fully half the air fresheners tested released acetaldehyde, a likely human carcinogen according to the EPA.” OK. So, instead of freshening the...
Please note: this post contains affiltate links. Even though I've studied and used herbs for years, I feel lacking when it comes to Botany and wildcrafting. I can identify some plants and herbs, but there are many that elude me. When I had the opportunity to take and review the new Botany and Wildcrafting course at the Herbal Academy of New England I jumped on it! To me, this course was not just a chance to dive deeper into the world of plants, it was a way to enjoy nature and do something fun for myself. I do so much studying with the...
Add essential oils to the bath sounds like a good idea. I mean, who doesn't want a lovely scented soak in the tub? The problem is, essential oils are powerful substances. They are highly concentrated and very few of them can be used “neat” (undiluted). (Just read my story about shivering for an hour after using too much Wintergreen). PSSST! Pardon the interruption…. But I think you'll want to check this out. The Herbs and Essential Oils Super Bundle is available for just a few days. This carefully curated collection of 34 resources would cost you $560 on a regular...
Kokum Butter comes from the fruit of the Garcinia tree, also known as the Kokum tree (grown in the central east region of India). The butter contains antioxidants and vitamin E, making it ideal for skin care. This butter is non-greasy and is absorbed into the skin once it is applied, but works best when mixed with other butters for skin care application. The oil is expeller pressed and refined. Kokum is pronounced, Coke-um (which is what I might say if I found my child drinking a coke at breakfast one morning. Although I'd likely add a question mark to the end...
