REVIEW ~ 101 Easy Homemade Products for your Skin, Health and Home

I was recently asked to review a brand new book on some of my favorite subjects: homemade skin care, health care and home care. And I need to tell you if EVER there were a great "what-book-would-you-recommend-for-newbies" book, THIS IS IT!

101 Easy Homemade Products for your Skin, Health and Home by Jan Berry, founder and blogger at The Nerdy Farm Wife.

It has EVERYTHING you are looking for in a book chock-full of information . . . 

~Right from the start, it has a sweet homey cover that just draws you to it

~Even the Table of Contents is exciting  to read: Getting Started . . . , Nontoxic Herbal Skin Care, Naturally Soothing Salves and Balms, Exotic Body Butters and Lotion Bars (oooo, ahhh), Easy, All-Natural Cream and Lotions, Garden-Fresh Bath Soaks and Salts, Beautiful Bath Melts and Scrubs, DIY Lip Care, Luscious Hair Care, Simple Homemade Soaps (any kind your little heart desires), Herbal Home Remedies, Nontoxic Solutions for the Home. And even All-Natural Pet Care!

~The book, itself, is made in such a way that all you have to do is lay it open . . . anywhere, on any page . . . and it will lay open. No laying something heavy on top, no bending or breaking the spine, it simply lays open so that you may read your recipes while your hands are busy.

~The photography is simply beautifully done and all photos were taken by Jan, herself.

~Jan has added a very detailed Resource List of some of her favorite websites.

~Something I don't believe I've ever seen anyone else do, in many of her recipes, Jan has included substitute ingredients and adjustments for using fresh or dried herbs.

~One of my favorite parts is her extensive listing of various herbs, their benefits and a list of recipes she has used them in along with the page number so that you can go right to the recipe.

Jan and her family live in rural Virginia in the Blue Ridge Mountains, and as mentioned above, is a writer and photographer for the popular blog: The Nerdy Farm Wife. She write for HobbyFarms.com and Natural Herbal Living Magazine and has been featured in many other publications.

You may follow Jan at these links:
https://thenerdyfarmwife
https://www.facebook.com/TheNerdyFarmWife/
https://instagram.com/nerdyfarmwife
https://pinterest.com/nerdyfarmwife/

I am SO very excited to recommend this book to you. If you know someone who is thinking about growing herbs and making their own homemade skin, health and home care THIS is the book you need to gift them with. And if you purchase a copy for yourself, BE SURE to let me know how much you LOVE this book! 

Blessings from Ohio . . . Kim<><

Damiana Herb ~ So Many Uses

 Damiana from my home

apothecary

Every-now-and-then, you come across an herb that has a "certain reputation." And then, as your knowledge of herbs expands, you find out that it's reputation has really cut it's other benefits short. 

Such is the case with Damiana. Yes . . . it is well known among herbalists, and herbal enthusiasts, that this pretty little bitter herb can be useful as an aphrodisiac, and many people are quite insistent about it . . . but . . . that is nipping the OTHER benefits of this herb, right in the bud.

As a bitter herb, you can count on Damiana being very effective as a tonic herb. These herbs are great to restore digestive function, stimulating those digestive juices. Also restoring a tired and debilitated nervous system.

Something that our family uses it for is for are those nasty UTI's, also helping with cystitis. A generous amount blended with a little Uvi Ursi herb in a tea, 2-4 times a day, can do wonders for a UTI. For an even stronger dose, make your own tincture. Making tinctures is far easier than you may think.

Damiana tea is also a mild laxative. If you need something a little stronger, use your tea ball and make a tea blend of Damiana and Senna. **NOTE** Start with a small amount of Senna and use more only if you need more. It's a powerful laxative herb. 

This herb with the nearly perfect green leaves and pretty little yellow flowers can be used as a mild anti-depressant, helping with nervous tension and anxiety. If you are facing something pressing or have had a hard, hurried day, sit back with the pleasant, light herbal taste of Damiana tea. Feel your heartbeat easing back into a gentle rhythm and feel your head start clearing of all the clamor of the day. Along with this, Damiana also helps with menstrual cramps and headaches. 

And for our menfolk, Damiana has developed quite a reputation as a testosterone-builder, helping with impotence. So, if you don't want your dear husband to take those pharmaceuticals ~ that you can't control the dose and also bring many side-effects with them ~ give a daily tea of Damiana a try. He will enjoy a light, tasty mug of tea and he may just be pleasantly surprised. 

Our Lord is a very good God and He knows exactly what His children can benefit from.

Let me know how you enjoy this valuable little herb, Damiana.

Blessings from Ohio . . . Kim<><

*Please see the obligatory disclaimer at bottom of page*  

Mullein ~ Useful for All Ages

So often, we use only certain parts of an herb. A whole, beautiful plant may have to be harvested simply for the root, or leaves or flower. However, there are some plants that have value in every part. One of those is Mullein.

Mullein is most commonly known from being used in earache drops, and well it should be as there is hardly anything better! But it is a plant full of healing properties.

The leaves and beautiful, long, yellow flowers are wonderful in a poultice or salve for nearly any and every skin irritation ~ rashes, insects bites, minor cuts ~ AND even for respiratory tract infections and congestion.

You can also use the leaves and flowers in a tea, or infusion, for any bronchial distress ~ colds with deep chesty coughs, bronchitis and asthma ~ best used with local honey. 

Mullein tea, or a syrup made by mixing the tea with honey, can also give some relief to constipation.

In the above mentioned earache remedy, SOME people say to use only the flowers, many use the dried leaves. You may want to try both and see what works best for you. However, unless you grow your own, the dried leaves are more readily available from suppliers. This same oil can be used for far more than earaches, though. You can use the oil in any of your homemade creams, salves, balms and it can be used on insect bites, oozing sores (covered with a bandage), treats bruises and pain similar to Arnica and can be a great relief for hemmorrhoids. 

Another use for the oil? Beard oil! It shines, de-tangles and aids in growth.

You will need:

~1/3 c. freshly chopped OR 1/2 c. dried mullein leaves OR (for stronger medicinal oil) 1/3 c. dried mullein flowers OR 1/2 c. dried leaves
~2 c. olive oil
~1 large garlic clove (NOT FOR THE BEARD OIL!!!)
~small or medium pot
~mesh strainer 
~glass measuring cup with pour spout
~small funnel
~amber dropper bottles

Directions:

1) Put all ingredients into the pot
2) Start warming on medium heat JUST LONG ENOUGH to tell that it's starting to warm nicely, THEN lower heat to medium-low to low and simmer for 1 hour for beard oil OR 1-1/2 hours for stronger medicinal oil
3) Let cool for about 1/2 hour
4) Strain into a pourable measuring cup
5) using the small funnel, carefully pour into your dropper bottles
6) be sure to date your bottles, this should last around 5-6 months

To Use Medicinal Oil:

~For earache: tilt head with aching ear facing up, carefully drop 2 drops in affected ear, put a SMALL piece of cotton in ear, keep head tilted for 3-5 minutes to allow oil to flow into ear.
~For boo-boos: drop 2-3 drops onto a cottom ball or directly onto the sore, GENTLY tap to apply.
 
For beard oil: 

~drop 2-3 drops into palm, rub hands together, and rub throughout the beard.

What a wonderful, useful herb.

Have you used mullein? Tell us how.

Blessings from Ohio . . . Kim<><

Holy (Blessed) Thistle ~ Amazing Bitter Herb

"...[T]he Blessed Thistle, which is much used in the time of any infection or plague, as also to expel any evil symptom from the heart at all other times." 
~William Shakespeare; from Much Ado About Nothing

So many people seem to have issues with their digestion ~ reflux, bloating, bile flow in the liver, stomach pains from poor digestion, all the way down to the intestines. It's a bother to anyone who suffers with these issues, but especially hard if your are nursing or elderly.

Bitter herbs a are a group of herbs that work well with the liver and digestive organs. And we all know that if your liver and digestion are going along as they should, barring any other health issues, you will probably have a healthy day.

Holy Thistle, also known as Blessed Thistle, has been well known since at least the Middle Ages and is a very effective bitter herb that is often confused with Milk Thistle ~ they are related by NOT the same thing . . . 

BOTH help with liver function, diuretic and helping nursing mothers' milk flow, but also . . . 

Holy Thistle stimulates bile flow, saliva production, aids digestion in that it helps the intestines and gallbladder and so helps the whole digestive tract. Holy Thistle, being in the Feverfew family, is an anti-inflammatory and helps with headaches and body aches and is mildly antibiotic. Another benefit is that they contain cancer fighting lignans (as does flax). [DO NOT use if you are pregnant or allergic to the Chamomile/Feverfew family of herbs]

Holy Thistle can be used ~ up to 3x per day ~ as a single ingredient tea, a tea blend, a tincture or in a balm for boo-boos of all sorts ~ from hangnails, to skinned knees, to small open wounds.

In the United States, Holy Thistle is most commonly used to increase nursing mothers' milk production ~ blending it with fenugreek and/or fennel seeds makes a yummy and even more effective nursing tea.

 I love my Blessed Thistle.

As you can see, when I label my 

herb jars, I also include

what they are best used for.

To make a tea, my general rule is 1 ts. in your tea ball per cup OR 1-1/2 or 2ts per mug.

To make a tincture, click HERE. 

To make a balm/salve, click HERE. Simply replace the chamomile in this recipe with Holy Thistle OR blend half-and-half.

Have you used Holy Thistle? What are your favorite ways?

Blessings from Ohio . . . Kim<><
***Please read the obligatory disclaimer at bottom of page***

Cleavers ~ Common Bitter Herb with Many Roles

For those of us in the Midwest and the Eastern part of the U.S., how many times have we been on a walk through the a grassy-woody area and passed by those long, sticky plants that sometimes attract those dreaded chiggers? Ick! Many times, they grow in the same areas as Queen Ann's Lace. And like so many plants that people deem to be "weeds," Cleavers (a.k.a. Goose Grass) is actually very good for us.

Cleavers is considered a Bitter Herb, and as such, almost automatically makes it beneficial to the liver and bile-producing organs. Not only, that but Cleavers can clear out your lymph system by reducing inflammation, including tonsils. Like dandelion, Cleavers can helps detox not only the liver, but the pancreas, spleen and kidneys; however, it is not the high, non-constipating iron source that dandelion is. 

Since it helps detox the urinary tract by stimulating urine flow (yes, it makes you pee :-D ), it has been recommended by herbalists to helps clear up urinary tract infections (UTIs) and to help pass kidney stones. 

Making a strong Cleavers tea, and applying with a cotton ball, is known to help with acne, seeping boo-boos, eczema, psoriasis and to tighten the skin so that fine lines are less evident (similar to hyaluronic acid). 

New mommies will want to consider using a Cleavers poultice for mastitis. If possible, use fresh Cleavers, but dried will work. 1) Make your own tea bag stuffed with as much Cleavers as it will hold, boil the bag in a small pot of water ~ just enough to get the bag hot all the way through, you're not making a tea this time ~ once it is JUST COOL ENOUGH to put on your skin, lay the tea bag onto the sore area. Putting it inside your nursing bra will work, however, you may want to put a nursing pad between the tea bag and your bra so that it doesn't stain. Make as many bags as you think you will need and warm them one at a time, use as often as you need to. You will notice almost immediate relief. 2) You can also cut open the tea bag and apply/"paint" the warm poultice directly to the sore area of your breast. Again, put a disposable nursing pad between the poultice and your breast so that you don't stain your bra. The choice of how your want to do it is up to you.

To make your own homemade Cleavers Tincture, click HERE for a simple recipe. Most droppers hold 20-30 drops full. Take 1-2 dropper-fulls up to 4 times per day in a glass of cold water. This recipe should last up to 2 years.

 
Cleavers Tea is very simple. Use a tea ball, infuser or make your own tea bag by using 1 ts per cup or 1-1/2 ts per mug of tea. Add just a large pinch of peppermint or spearmint to it if you don't like the taste to be so "green." However, it is very pleasant on it's own. Do not add honey or any sweetener, let it work on it's own. Steep good and strong for about 20 minutes. Drink as often as you like through the day.

Enjoy your good health.

Blessings from Ohio . . . Kim<>< 
**see disclaimer at bottom of page**

The Dandy Dandelion

For some reason, the "decision makers" of long ago decided that those cute little yellow "flowers" that pop up all over our yards and our children gave us as bouquets (unless you nuke them with some herbal or chemical concoction) are bad and ugly and really shouldn't be there AT all.

I don't know who it was, but it seems like so many of those "decision makers" are people who do not know, nor care to know the benefits of God's creation. You know, kind of like those people who move to the country because they want to get away from the crowded city and then complain that the country is too . . . rural. :-/

Dandelions are really an incredible creation. They are one of the best over-all tonic herbs, especially for women from puberty through menopause. They are considered one of the most effective digestive bitters, as they help with all digestive ailments and can be taken daily to restore good health, rejuvenate and maintain all-around good health. All parts of the dandelion can be used as either a capsule, tea or tincture.

Dandelion is considered by many as the safest and most effective diuretic; cleansing and restoring (cools) the liver, urinary tract (a great urinary tract infection zapper!), relieves constipation.

It is great for vascular issues, too; vein health, releaves vascular and stress headaches.

Used as a tea or tincture, dandelion is very well known to fight infections, rashes and herpes (including "fever blisters") by drinking several cups per day either as a tea or 2 dropper-fulls of tincture in a glass of cold water. Suffering from a cold or sinus infection? Add some of the herb or a dropper-full of  tincture to your chicken noodle soup.

Every woman can benefit from dandelion at all phases of life. Dandelion strengthens this entire female reproductive system; it is so rich in vitamins and minerals and it restores over-all balance, especially if your menses are not regular. It delivers some of the highest quality calcium, magnesium, iron and vitamins A and C into your system. It also helps to maintain proper potassium levels. The calcium it supplies is especially important to menopausal women to prevent calcium loss and bone problems. And as a bonus, it helps with hot flashes.

Those little yellow "flowers" in our yards start looking prettier and prettier all the time.

Blessings from Ohio . . . Kim<><

Making Homemade Tinctures

With the changes in our health care that have already started, and the drastic changes that are coming, so many of us are taking charge of our own health care more than ever before; at least in this era of "modern" medicine. I see this everyday in the health food market that I work at. 

All of a sudden, Grandma's home remedies start making more sense. More and more of us are not only growing our own veggies, but every year finds us adding a few more herbs and spices to window sill pots, patio pots and our kitchen gardens. 

Something else I find growing in use ~ both for convenience and for fast effectiveness ~ are tinctures. Tinctures are basically a liquid supplement, and being a liquid, they get into your system quickly. Plus tinctures are great if you have trouble swallowing pills or if you just don't want to take yet another pill. You can buy them at health food markets from fine, quality companies such as Herb Pharm or you can save money and have the satisfaction of making your own. 

In past posts I have shown you how to make a rosemary tincture (great for all women's health) and a sage and nettle tincture (for scalp health and for those occasions when you can't wash your hair; for topical use ONLY); today, I'd like to give you a basic tincture recipe ~ and a few herbs and herb blends to use for certain remedies and supplements.

For the basic recipe ~ 

You will need ~ 

~1 qt-sized canning jar w/tight-fitting lid (metal or gasket)
~1 pt OR 1/2 pt-sized canning jar (for a possible container)
~1 eye-dropper OR dropper-bottles (for a possible container ~~ dropper bottles work better than jars for convenience)
~1/4 or 1/2 c (each) - up to 1 or 1-1/2 c (total) of herb/herb blend
~vodka (w/no added sweeteners or flavors)
~vegetable glycerin
~plastic wrap

Directions ~

1) stuff the herbs in the qt-sized canning jar (approximately 3/4 full) & pour in enough vodka to cover the top, preferably about 1" over the top of the herbs **NOTE** most tinctures that are taken orally use 80% glycerin/20% vodka; don't let the vodka "scare" you, it is used the draw the "medicine" from the herbs and self-dilutes, much the same way that beer is merely used as yeast in beer bread. There will be less alcohol in your tincture than in cough syrup. IF you truly have a concern, use 90% glycerin/10% vinegar  
2) cover top of canning jar with plastic wrap and then screw on the metal lid or close the gasket lid tightly
3) Shake 30-45 times
4) store the jar in a cool, dark place for 4 weeks
5) **REMEMBER** shake jar for about 30 seconds EACH DAY for 4 weeks 

6) at the end of the 4 weeks, strain the herbs through a fine strainer; press or squeeze the herbs on the strainer to get as much of the liquid as possible for your tincture
7) pour tincture into another canning jar OR into dropper-bottles (which ever you choose for your container); store in a cabinet out of the light, tincture should last about 2 years

To Use ~ 
 
~drop 2 full droppers of the tincture into a cup of cold water & drink once per day as a supplement OR 2-4 times per day during an illness or a season (ex: if you work with the public during cold and flu season or if you are going on a plane/bus/train trip with germy people, you may want to take an echinacea or elderberry tincture 2-4 times per day, starting a few days before your trip to get it into your system and keep your immune system built up during your trip)

Herbs to consider for your tinctures ~ 

~Ashwagandha ~ contains alkaloids and amino acids; clears the mind, calms the nervous system and promotes deep, restful sleep

~ California Poppy ~ relieves pain and helps with sleep; a great night-time pain/sleep aid. 

~ Dandelion ~ restores energy, balances emotions, helps recover from illness, settles nerves and supports the nervous system, can help with constipation, relieves vascular headaches (from cold foods, too many sweets, alcohol), eases digestion, diuretic, is used by some with colon cancer, urinary tract infections; a great source of calcium, magnesium, iron and vitamins A and C.

~ Milk Thistle ~ very well-known as a liver aid, high in B vitamins, contains antioxidants that specifically aid women's cycles, good for the immune system, combats the damaging effects of free radicals and age related diseases, aids gallbladder and kidneys.

~ Wormwood ~ cleanses of parasites, detox.

~ Black Walnut ~ detox, warts (for warts: make a tincture with equal parts black walnut, echinacea and pau-d'arco)

~ Echinacea ~ build immunities, treats fevers, infections, may reduce allergies; an herbal antibiotic, antiviral, restores inflamed connective tissue.

~ Black Cohosh ~ balances hormones by normalizing the endocrine glands, helps with the disfunctions of menopause and hormones.

~ Chaste Tree ~ relieves symptoms of premenstrual syndrome, helps regulate periods, can even be used as an expectorant for chest colds.

~ Cramp Bark ~ just as the name suggests, it helps with menstrual cramping.

~ Licorice Root ~ helps with digestion, reflux, gastritis, peptic ulcers, asthma, allergies, sore throat, rheumatoid arthritis, can be taken while on antibiotics to help detoxify the liver, stimulates the adrenal gland, can be used as a diuretic and laxative.

~ Chamomile ~ relaxation without sluggishness, aids digestion, soothes ulcerated bowels, can help eczema, reduces hay fever symptoms.

~ Ginger ~ eases indigestion and flatulence, reduces fever, excellent for morning sickness and nausea; be sure to have this with you on long car trips if someone in your family is prone to car-sickness.

~ Holy Basil (Tulsi) ~ soothes nerves, parasite cleanse (worms and ringworm), stimulates adrenals, combats acne from the inside-out and insect bite relief.

~ Elderberry ~ excellent for colds and sore throats, hay fever, muscle spasms, mild laxative, arthritis.

~ Hawthorn ~ helps control blood pressure, dilates heart's blood vessels and improves pumping, can be taken at bedtime for a restful sleep or as a seditive, relieves spasms/restless leg, diuretic, can be taken as a daily over-all health tonic.

~ Peppermint ~ for bad breath, sinusitis, digestion.

~ Clove ~ for bad breath, oral rinse, teeth health, sore throat aid, taken before bedtime it can aid in sound sleep.

~ Nettle ~ immunity builder, colds, allergy and hay fever relief, soothes headaches, diuretic, daily health tonic, stimulates digestion, cleanses blood, helps reduce blood sugar, kidney stone relief, rheumatism.

~ Cornsilk ~ urinary tract infectons, diuretic, kidney stones, bed-wetting and incontinence, weight loss, PMS, breast tenderness, carpel tunnel symptoms, bloating, relieves edema and fluid retention, calms and relaxes, contains vitamin K so that it reduces bleeding.

~ Sage ~ coughs, hoarseness, ulcers, excess menstrual bleeding, improves memory, sharpens the mind and memory, helps dry-up mother's milk when you want to stop nursing, helps digestion, helps with stress headaches, reduces body odor and excessive perspiration (by as much as 50%), helps with gum abscesses, infected gums and mouth ulcers, asthma.

I hope this is helpful to you and your family. Let me know if you try any of these. It's always nice to know that I can benefit others.

Blessings from Ohio . . . Kim<><
Please see disclaimer at bottom of page