New Years Craft: Glittery Body Stick and Sparkling Champagne Loaf Soap

I know that Yule just ended and New Years hasn't happened yet, but I am always looking for new crafts to keep these busy hands even busier. So I saw this New Years soap recipe on line at Wholesales Supplies Plus (a great place to pick up a few things at great prices) and I just had to add it to my collection. While there I saw they had iridescent glitter on sale and so I thought of my younger days and thought New Years Eve Parties and body glitter. So here are three recipes, The first two are my creations and the last one is their soap. Oh and I carried the fairy dust fragrance oil over into my two recipes as well. Enjoy!

I see in the recipe it calls for "fairy dust fragrance oil." That is a new one on me and on my list for my next order. Sounds like something that might be nice to have around with all my great grands. 

Yup fifty-seven and has great grands.

How life just flies by.

Iridescent glitter Stick

4 push up sticks (1 oz)

2 oz cocoa butter

2 oz soy wax
1/4 teaspoon Fairy Dust Fragrance Oil

1 tablespoon Super sparkle iridescent glitter

Melt the cocoa nutter and soy wax in a microwave safe bowl (or over a double boiler) Stirring every 30 seconds until done. Mix in the glitter with a whisk, a little at a time, so it doesn't clump. Pour into the 4 sticks and allow to cool and harden before capping

Iridescent Glow Body oil 

 

 Jojoba oil is thought to act as a moisturizer & emollient agent to improve skin elasticity and suppleness. It contains natural Vitamin E to minimize oxidation. Penetrates quickly - one of the “driest“ natural oils available.

 

4 oz jojoba oil

1 Tbsp super sparkle iridscent glitter

1/4 tsp fairy dust fragrance oil (optional)

1 (4 oz) clear lotion bottle with a flip top

 

 Blend all together with a whisk and pour into a lotion bottle

MP Soap: Sparkling Champagne Loaf Soap

Project Level: Intermediate
Estimated Time: 2 Hours
Yields: 44 oz or 8-1 inch bars

This glitter soap is perfect for a New Year's celebration, wedding or anytime you need something for a special occasion.

INCI Ingredient Label: Propylene Glycol, Sorbitol, Water, Sodium


 Stearate, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Laurate, Glycerin, Triethanolamine, Mica (and) Titanium Dioxide (and) Iron Oxides, Polyethylene Terephthalate Copolymer

Ingredients
  • 32 Ounce(s)  Basic Clear MP Soap Base
  • 32 Ounce(s) Basic White MP Soap Base
  • 2 Tablespoon(s) Super Sparkle Iridescent Glitter
  • 1 Tablespoon(s) Sparkle Gold Mica Powder
  • 2 Ounce(s)  Fairy Dust Fragrance Oil 269
  • 1 Piece(s)  Regular Silicone Loaf Mold
  • 2 Ounce(s)  Vanilla Color Stabilier-MP Soap Equipment
  • Cheese Grater
  • Cookie Sheet
  • Glass Measuring Cup - Small & Large
  • Measuring Spoons
  • Microwave or Double Boiler
  • Mixing Spoons
  • Plastic Dropper - 1
  • Plastic Spray Bottle with Alcohol
  • Soap Cutter Directions

1. NOTE: If you are making these products for sale, good manufacturing practices recommend you wear a hairnet, gloves and a mask. We also recommend a clean apron.
2. Place loaf mold on cookie sheet. This will give stability to mold so it can be moved easily.
3. Weigh 6 oz. of clear soap base. Cut into chunks and place in glass measuring cup.
4. Heat in microwave for about 30 seconds. Take out and stir soap. If any chunks remain, place in microwave for 10 second intervals until melted.
5. Add 1/4 teaspoon of gold mica powder to soap and stir well. Pour soap into bottom of loaf mold.
6. Let soap completely set up. This will be made into gold curls for the middle and top of loaf.
7. Remove soap from mold. Using the "slices" side of a cheese grater, grate the soap into curls. Continue until all 6 oz. of soap is grated.
8. In small glass container, mix 2 Tablespoons (30ml) of fragrance oil with 1 Tablespoon (15 ml) Vanilla Color Stabilizer. Set aside.
9. Weigh 6 oz. of clear soap base and cut into chunks. Place in glass measuring cup and heat in microwave until melted. Remove and stir to be sure all soap has melted.
10. Add 5 ml or 1 teaspoon of fragrance oil mixture to soap and gently stir.
11. Add 1 Tablespoon of glitter. Mix well. Pour into loaf mold and let set up.
12. Weigh 2 oz. of clear soap and melt in microwave. Add 1/4 teaspoon of gold mica powder. Stir well.
13. Spritz the top of the clear glitter soap in loaf mold generously with alcohol. This will help the soap layers stick together after unmoulding.
14. Pour the gold soap over the first layer. Spritz top with alcohol to release any surface air bubbles.
15. Weigh 25 oz. of white soap base. Cut into chunks and place in large glass measuring cup.
16. Place in microwave and heat until soap is completely melted. Remove and stir to be sure all soap has melted.
17. Add 22 ml of fragrance and gently stir.
18. Spritz the top of soap in mold with alcohol. When soap temperature has reached 125° or below, pour white soap over thin gold layer.
19. Sprinkle in gold soap curls that were made at beginning of recipe. Fill soap with as many curls as will fit, gently pushing down with a spoon. (Leave some gold curls for top of soap). When finished, spritz top of soap with alcohol. Let soap set up.
20. Once soap has completely hardened, weigh and cut up 6 oz. of clear soap base. Heat in microwave until melted.
21. Add 5 ml or 1 teaspoon of fragrance oil along with 1 Tablespoon of super sparkle glitter.
22. Spritz top of soap with alcohol. Pour clear glitter soap over top. Sprinkle remaining gold curls over soap.
23. If any soap remains from top layer of clear/glitter, remelt and drizzle this over the gold curls. This will set them in place and add a little more glitter to top of soap.
24. Once soap has completely hardened, gently remove soap from mold. Using mitre box, if available, slice soap into 1 inch slices. Otherwise, cut soap into slices with soap cutter or very dull knife.
25. Wrap soap and label accordingly.

Lemon Balm and Calendula salve

 

This salve is packed full of antiseptic, antimicrobial, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and skin regenerative properties that treat a broad-spectrum of ailments including…

• Diaper Rash
• Cuts & Scrapes
• Minor Burns
• Bug Bites & Stings
• Psoriasis
• Topical Thrush
• Inflammation
• Itching
• Eczema
• Chapped Lips
• Cold Sores
• Dry Skin
• Athletes Foot
• Warts
• Cracked Heals
• Sunburn
• Stretchmarks
• Hemorrhoids
• Shingles
• Muscle Aches & Menstrual Cramps

The ingredents needed

• 2 Cups Olive Oil
• 3/4 Cup Dried Lemon Balm & Calendula (Just throw in a couple handfuls of each until you get 3/4 cup- try to use equal parts of each.)
• 1/2 Cup Beeswax
• 3 TBSP. Coconut Oil
• 2 TBSP. Shea Butter
• 5 Drops Tea Tree Oil
• 5 Drops Lavender Essential Oil

*I do not add preservatives. Many of the ingredients contain natural preservatives, so your salve will have a shelf life of 1-2 years.

 

1. Add dried herbs, olive and coconut oil into crock pot and heat on low for 3-4 hours.
2. Strain oil through cheesecloth and return to (clean) crock pot on low heat.
3. Microwave beeswax and shea butter in 1 minute increments until fully melted.
4. Immediately add melted beeswax and shea butter into crock pot & mix well with wooden spoon. If the wax starts to harden up turn the crock pot up to the high heat setting and stir until completely liquified.
5. Add in tea tree and lavender essential oils and mix well.
6. Pour mixture into small containers with lids and keep lids off until salve becomes solid

Variations…

• Solar Infusion: In a glass jar, cover the herbs with olive oil. Stir to combine, and allow oil and herb mixture to steep in sun for 3-6 weeks.
• Simple Salve: Use 2 cups olive oil, 3/4 cup herb or combination of any herbs of your choice & 1/2 cup beeswax- that’s all you need to make a salve! (You can also add one or more essential oils if you’d like)
• Experiment using different oils- Sunflower Oil, Avocado Oil, Almond Oil, Grapeseed Oil, Coconut Oil etc.
• Use different essential oils to meet your individual needs:

Use Bayleaf Essential oil for relieving rheumatism.
Use Bergamot Essential oil for colds, bronchitis systems, i.e. chest rub.
Use Caraway Essential oil for antiseptic quality.
Use Cardamon Essential oil for aphrodisiac quality. Use Clary Sage Essential oil for anti-ainflammatory, aphrodisiac and scalp problems
Use Cedar Essential oil for relieving Chronic anxiety and stress.
Use Citronella Essential oil for making a insect repellent salve.
Use Eucalyptus Essential oil for chest rub, relieves congestion, eases breathing.
Use Frankincense Essential oil for asthma and other respiratory problems.
Use Gardenia Essential oil for chest rub, said to relieve flu conditions, fever, hypertension and palpitations.
Use Juniper Essential oil for emotionally cleansing effect. Calms the nerves.
Use Orange Essential oil for a lighter body lotion, said to relax, relieve sexual apprehension, and is antiseptic and antibactericidal.
Use Patchouli Essential oil for antiseptic, aphrodisiac qualities.
Use Rosemary Essential oil for relieving tired muscles.
Use Tea Tree Essential oil for Antiseptic, antifungal, antiviral qualities.

Salve for sore muscles

4 tsp shea butter
3 TBS of vegetable oil
2 tbs of jojoba oil
1 cake (1 tbs) camphor gum
15 ml peppermint oil
15 ml eucalyptus oil
10ml of lavender oil
1 tsp beeswax pellets

Melt shea butter, oil and jojoba and crumble camphor gum into the mix. (use rubber gloves it's really stinky) When it is liquid add essential oils and pour into a 4 oz container and let set. It will be a thin ointment that will relieve tired muscles.

The Clay Mask is back.

The Basic Mask 

 Clay masks draw out impurities from the skin and allows your pores to shrink back to normal.

• 2 tablespoons natural clay
• 1 to 2 teaspoons distilled water
• 1 teaspoon light oil, such as olive or almond (for dry skin types only)

Mix together clay and water until you have a smooth paste.

To use: Spread the mixture on clean skin and leave on for 15 to 20 minutes, until dry.  Rinse well with warm water followed by cool water and pat your skin dry.


For Women a drop or two of a light Rose essential oil  brings back days of old. When women were doted after and always smelled of flowers. Lavender is also a nice choice as is jasmine.

For men who will try it the best addition is a drop or two of bay rum, sandlewood or lime essential oil. 

For pimples use a drop or two of tree tree or peppermint. Peppermint is wonderful for killing the cold sore virus also.

For blemishes and dark spots. cut the water by 1/2 teaspoon and add 1/2 teaspoon fresh lemon juice.


 This can be made in bulk and stored in a jar with a tight lid.

Two Devils Claw Pain Relief Creams

The great thing is it grows wild and the seeds can be eaten and taste like coconut. Grows in Michigan, Massachusettes, Texas, California and southwestern US. To name a few places it is found.

Devils Claw Pain Relief Cream

Devils Claw (Grapple Plant) also known as Leopards or Wolfs Bane. It is used in most over the counter pain rubs. Use salve as a relief for headaches and for use with general nerve type pain, sores, ulcers and boils . It soothes and heals bruises, sprains and relieves irritations from trauma, arthritis and muscle pain, all forms of Arthritis ( Rheumatoid or Osteo).

1 tablespoon devils claw infused oil
1/4 cup Coconut oil
1 tsp Vtamin E
20 drops peppermint essential oil

Melt the coconut oil. You can do this in the microwave. once liquid add the vitamin E the devils claw and the peppermint and mix well. pour into a salve jar and allow to set.

Devils Claw Pain Relief Cream # 2

Works the same but with the added heat which also relieves muscle pain.

1/4 cup coconut oil
1/8 cup shea butter
2 tablespoons devil claw powder
2 tablespoons olive oil or sweet almond oil
1 teaspoon cayenne powder

Mix the olive oil, cheyenne and devils claw and heat through. Mix well. add the coconut oil and shea butter and mic until liquid, making sure the powder blends throughout the oils. Mix well and pour into a salve jar and allow to cool completely.

Pain Relief Cream

Pain Relief Cream #2

1/2 cup Coconut Oil
2 teaspoons Beeswax pellets
2 teaspoons Camphor crystals or 5 drops Camphor oil
2 teaspoons Menthol crystals or 5 drops Peppermint oil
5 drops Eucalyptus oil


Melt the coconut oil and beeswax together. You can do this in the microwave.
Allow the mixture to cool for a few minutes, then add the camphor crystals or oil, the menthol crystals or oil, and the eucalyptus oil.
Put in a container and allow to cool completely. When it is completely cooled it will be a solid rather than liquid…but the minute it hits your warm skin…it will liquify again. That’s what coconut oil does, which makes it perfect for massaging onto sore muscles and joints.

This is brought to you by Jillee of One good thing blog

Homemade Lemon Glass Cleaner

1/3 cup rubbing alcohol
1/3 cup white vinegar
10 drops lemon Essential oil
2 cups distilled water
Combine everything in a spray bottle and shake well. Shake before using.

Essential Oils to Help Calm Everyone Down during holiday season

This is the time children (of all ages) are so terribly overactive, they don’t sleep and they are so excited for Christmas they can hardly stand it! Little ones are out of school, they are underfoot, they want to go see every single Santa at every single store to make sure he knows exactly what they want. You want everyone to calm down a little, and you especially want something to help them sleep so you have time to do what you need to do. Here are some ideas:

1. Holiday Helper Room Spray
40 drops Cedarwood
20 drops Roman Chamomile
20 drops Geranium
20 drops Orange

Add formula to a 4 ounce, fine mist spray bottle filled with water, shake well before every use, and liberally spray room before bedtime. Can refill water 3-5 times before needing to refill oils.

2. Put 1 drop Lavender and 1 drop Orange on pillowcase, or use 1 drop each of Sandalwood, Cedarwood and Frankincense.

3. Blends you can diffuse, put on pillowcases, or just open and sniff: Quiet Moments, Dreamer, Guardian, Love

4. Do something enjoyable: Have some hot chocolate, eat an orange, cuddle up on the couch with a good holiday movie and a warm blanket, go outside and throw snowballs, make snow angels, be a Christmas Phantom and drop anonymous plates of goodies off at the neighbors.

Most of all, make sure you are centered and relaxed. If just one adult is centered and grounded, it can go a long way to help the rest of the household settle down.

Homemade Baby Diaper Cream

A natural and simple diaper cream. It is antimicrobial, antioxidant, antifungal, antibacterial, and soothing. Together it is a powerhouse for defeating yeast infections as well. Use it directly on their bottom. The added bonus is it washes out of any clothing beautifully.

Makes: makes 1 cup

1/8 c coconut oil

1/4 c shea butter

3-4 tsp cornstarch ( to thicken and absorb moisture)

1. Combine coconut oil and shea butter in a small high sided bowl with a hand mixer. Add cornstarch a tsp at a time until you achieve the desired thickness.

2. It will look similar to a whipped icing.That’s when you know it is done! Transfer to a small covered container and place at your changing station. Keep a small portion in the diaper bag as well.

3. Apply liberally with each diaper change as a preventative and rash salve. Makes about 1 cup.

Christmas Room Spray ideas:

• 40 drops Pine Needles, 20 drops Red Mandarin, 10 drops Cinnamon Bark
• 40 drops Cinnamon Bark, 40 drops Clove Bud, 40 drops Orange
• 20 drops Anise Seed, 20 drops Cinnamon Bark, 20 drops Ginger Root, 15 drops Clove Bud, 10 drops Lime
• 40 drops Pine Needles, 35 drops Lavender, 30 drops Eucalyptus Citriodora
• 40 drops Peppermint, 40 drops Eucalyptus Globulus, 20 drops Lemongrass

Add a formula to a 4 ounce, fine mist spray bottle filled with water, shake well before every use,  and liberally spray room. Can refill water 3-5 times before needing to refill oils.

3. If you have a fireplace, make your own aromatic Christmas logs. Use only one drop of oil per log, and add it before you put the log in the fire. Oils to use: Sandalwood, Cypress, Cedarwood, Frankincense, Myrrh, and spice oils. Make a mix or use just one oil. However works best for you.

4. Scented wrapping paper: Place 2-4 drops of oil of your choice on a cotton ball and leave in a sealed bag with the wrapping paper overnight. You can even use a different aroma for different members of your family.

Silver Cleaners

Miracle Silver Cleaner
This is terrific for cleaning a lot of silver quickly through a simple chemical reaction that removes the dark patina—even from crevices—so it might be unsuitable for intricate designs.
1 large glass baking pan
1/2 cup baking soda
aluminum foil
1. Boil enough water to fill the baking pan.
2. Meanwhile, line the baking pan with aluminum foil.
3. Place the silver to be cleaned in the pan. It’s important that the silver touch the foil.
4.Distribute 1/2 cup of baking soda over the silver, then completely immerse the silver with the boiling water.
5. Soak for about 5 minutes.
6. Rinse and dry the silver.

Silver-Polishing Paste
1 cup baking soda
1/4 cup water
1. Place the baking soda in a nonreactive glass container.
2. Add 1/4 cup of water and mix well. If the paste is too stiff, add more water.
3. Lightly dampen a soft cotton cloth and work a generous amount of paste onto the surface. Rub the tarnished area, then rinse and dry.


 Silver Dip

As silver oxidizes it will tarnish. This layer of oxidation can be removed without polishing and scrubbing by simply dipping your silver in this non-toxic electrochemical dip. Another big advantage to using a dip is that the liquid can reach places a polishing cloth cannot.

What You Need

• Sink or glass pan
• Hot water
• Baking soda
• Salt
• Aluminum foil
• Tarnished silver

1. Line the bottom of the sink or a glass baking dish with a sheet of aluminum foil.
2. Fill the foil-lined container with steaming hot water.
3. Add salt (sodium chloride) and baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) to the water. Some recipes call for 2 tsp baking soda and 1 tsp salt, whereas others call for 2 tablespoons each of baking soda and salt. Personally, I wouldn't measure the amounts... just add a bit of each substance.
4. Drop the silver items into the container so that they are touching each other and resting on the foil. You will be able to watch the tarnish disappear.
5. Leave heavily tarnished items in the solution for as long as 5 minutes. Otherwise, remove the silver when it appears clean.
6. Rinse the silver with water and gently buff it dry with a soft towel.
7. Ideally, you should store your silver in a low-humidity environment. You can place a container of activated charcoal or a piece of chalk in the storage area to minimize future tarnish.

Tips:

1. Use care when polishing or dipping silver plated items. It is easy to wear away the thin layer of silver and cause more harm than good through over cleaning.
2. Minimize exposing your silver to substances which contain sulfur (e.g., mayonnaise, eggs, mustard, onions, latex, wool) as the sulfur will cause corrosion.
3. Using your silver flatware/hollow ware or wearing silver jewelry helps to keep it free from tarnish.
4.  Avoid using rubber gloves; rubber promotes tarnish.
5. Consider storing silver pieces in silver cloth or airtight containers to make the next cleaning easier.

  Other recipes

recipe #1 o make this, you will need 2 cups of whole milk with 5 tsp of cream of tartar and a plastic bowl. Instead of tartar you can use same amount of vinegar or lemon juice as well. Make this mixture and place the pieces of silver in this. Leave it overnight in the mixture. Next morning, wash it with cold water. Wipe with clean, soft cotton cloth to have a shining silver piece right there.

Recipe #2
Toothpaste is one of the best ways of cleaning your silver items and making them classy as before. All you need to do is take any of the regular white colored toothpastes. Avoid using those gel type toothpastes. Apply this all over the silver item. Make sure you cover the entire silver surface. Wait for 10 minutes and take a soft bristle toothbrush. Scrub the surface gently and then wash off with cold water. Use a clean and very soft cloth to buff the surface and give it a lustrous appearance.

Recipe #3
This recipe requires ammonia (non-sudsing type), liquid vegetable based soap and liquid bluing, 1/2 cup each. Also, take a cup of hot water. You can find liquid bluing in any grocery store, usually in the laundry section. Now mix these ingredients in a plastic bottle and close the cap. Shake well and keep it for cooling. Once the liquid cools to room temperature, shake it well and apply it on the silver items using a clean soft, lint-free cloth. Rub the cloth gently and ensure that entire surface is covered with this polish. Now wash off with cold water and wipe using soft cloth. Buff it with non-linting cloth and see the result.

Recipe #4
Here's an easy recipe that will give an ultimate shine to silverware and other silver items. Take 1 quart of water, 1 tbsp of baking soda and 1 tbsp of salt. You'll also need a glass pan and an aluminum foil, enough to cover its inner surface. Firstly wash the silver items with water to remove dust. Now line the pan with aluminum foil to cover its inner side. Place the item in this foiled pan and pour water to cover the item. Add baking soda to this water and turn on the heat. As water starts boiling, turn off the heat. Leave it for about an hour. Once you see that the silver is clean, take it out and wash with cold water. Wipe and buff it with a soft, clean cloth to have an ultimate piece.
By Mamta Mule

face and body scrubs

Here is a link to 8 scrubs. I like the coconut and the sandlewood ones.

http://recycledawblog.blogspot.com/2012/12/how-to-make-yule-body-scrubs.html

Psoriasis herbal remedies

- Aloe (externally): Preliminary studies indicate that aloe vera gel may be useful in the treatment of psoriasis and other skin conditions that include an inflammatory component. In one study, it showed better anti-inflammatory effects than either placebo or 1% hydrocortisone cream, making it an excellent option to try. (Aloe can cause diarrhea and severe cramping when taken internally, and isn’t recommended for internal use.) Try this Aloe Dead Sea Salt Psoriasis Cream to use the power of aloe to cure psoriasis.

- Barberry: Barberry is related to oregon grape, contains many of the same active compounds, and can be used instead of Oregon grape if necessary.

- Cayenne: Capsaicin creams can be used topically to ease the itching and inflammation of psoriasis. (This will burn a bit, and may not be a good option for plaques that are raw, cracked, or bleeding.)

- Chickweed: Chickweed ointment is soothing and cooling, and reduces the itching and irritation of psoriasis. Chickweed tea or crushed chickweed can also be used as a poultice for the same effect, and in combination with cleavers, this effect is enhanced. In addition, chickweed tea can be used as a rinse on the scalp where an ointment wouldn’t be advised because of the difficulty of applying it through the hair; or added to the bath. Eating chickweed in a salad or drinking the tea will also provide zinc and Vitamin A, both of which are recommended for the treatment of psoriasis.

- Cleavers: Cleavers is used to detoxify the system and purify the blood, which makes it useful in cases where a sensitivity to toxins is making psoriasis worse.

- German Chamomile: Chamomile has a long history of use for soothing skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema, and preliminary studies show that creams containing chamomile are, in fact, moderately effective in treating eczema. Like aloe, it also has an anti-inflammatory effect, and in test tube studies it has been shown to have anti-viral, antibacterial, and anti-fungal properties as well. (Chamomile is a member of the ragweed family, so if you have a ragweed allergy, you should be very careful using it internally.)

- Gotu Kola:In some studies, the active ingredient in gotu kola has been shown to increase blood supply, strengthen the skin, and boost antioxidants in wounds. Based on the findings of these studies, it has been used in creams to reduce scar formation and stretch marks, as well as to treat psoriasis and minor burns.

- Licorice:Used topically, licorice relieves the inflammation associated with psoriasis, and at least one person has claimed that using it internally cleared up their psoriasis completely. (Licorice has many possible side effects and interactions, and should be researched thoroughly before you use it internally.)

- Oregon Grape:An ointment containing Oregon grape has been shown in at least one study to reduce the itching, inflammation, and irritation of psoriasis.

- Qing Dai (Indigo Naturalis): A 2005 study of powdered indigo mixed in an ointment showed improvement in plaque psoriasis, and concluded that “Topical indigo naturalis ointment was a novel, safe, and effective therapy for plaque-type psoriasis”.(Yin-Ku Lin, MD; Chee-Jen Chang, PhD. Clinical Assessment of Patients With Recalcitrant Psoriasis in a Randomized, Observer-Blind, Vehicle-Controlled Trial Using Indigo Naturalis. (2005), Journal Watch Dermatology 2008;2008:3-3) Powdered indigo can be found at shops that carry Chinese herbs, and ready-made ointments are also available.

- Red Clover: Traditionally, red clover has been used in ointments to treat psoriasis, and in teas to cleanse and purify the blood.

- Safflower: A tea made from safflower petals can discourage cell proliferation (cell growth) and encourage cell death. Since psoriasis plaques are caused by an immensely speeded up life cycle of the skin cells, discouraging cell growth may reduce the production of new plaques.

- Turmeric: There are many reports from those taking turmeric for other reasons that after a few months their psoriasis either went away completely, or improved to the point that all that remained were a few dry, flaky patches that were almost unnoticeable. It is thought that the anti-inflammatory effect of the turmeric calms the immune system and reduces frequency and duration of plaques, as well as their severity.

Note: You can buy all of the herbs mentioned in this blog post from this page on Mountain Rose Herbs. Click the link and take a look around at the wonderful herbs they offer.

by revitalize your live.com

"Simply the Best" Natural Remedies

Homemade deodorant

 Best deodorants is plain old baking soda. You can pat it right onto your skin or mix it with a little cornstarch for extra staying power and moisture control. Try 1/2 cornstarch and 1/2 baking soda. Some readers say that mixing in anti-bacterial tea tree oil makes it even more effective.

A simple Shampoo

Old-fashioned Castile soap can also be dissolved in warm water to be used as shampoo.
After shampooing, rinse your hair with lemon juice to make it shine.

Adding essential oils to store bought shampoo

If you like your store-bought shampoo but would like to add to it a little, the essential oils that old-timers relied on for hair care really do work.

• To nourish and moisturize, pour some shampoo or conditioner into your palm and add a few drops of cedar wood, chamomile, clary sage, lavender, rosemary, thyme, or ylang-ylang.
• To add thickness and body, use cedar wood or clary sage.
• To reduce oiliness, try bergamot, cedar wood, lavender, lemon, pine, rosemary, or ylang-ylang.
• To add luster, try sweet basil, Roman chamomile, or lavender.
• To detangle hair, use chamomile, grapefruit, marigold, passionflower, or sweet clover, and to relieve dandruff, try cedar wood, clary sage, lemon, pine, rosemary, or tea tree.

Homemade Moisturizer

• For healthy skin, add rosemary oil to the bathwater.
• Another age-old tradition to prevent wrinkles around the eyes is to apply a drop of castor oil around each eye before going to bed. Castor oil acts as a humectant, meaning that it attracts and retains moisture in the skin. This promotes healthier skin cell rejuvenation. Some plastic surgeons apply castor oil around an incision after surgery for this exact reason.

Eye Make-up Remover (Safe and Gentle)

• Save on those very expensive eye make-up removers with this recipe. Combine 1 tablespoon canola oil, 1 tablespoon castor oil, and 1 tablespoon light olive oil.
•  For use on your entire body, put some castor oil in a little spray bottle. To maximize absorption, spray it on your skin after showering and gently rub it in while your skin is still warm and your pores are open.

Easy Oatmeal Soap

If you have leftover soap slivers in the bathtub or sink, you can recycle them into this yummy new soap! Oatmeal has proven moisturizing benefits.

• Gather these ingredients: 1/2 cup oatmeal, 1/2 cup small soap pieces, 1 and 1/2 tablespoons cooking oil, 1 tablespoon water
• Put the soap slivers in a plastic bag and pound them into small chunks.
• Put chunks in a blender, add the oatmeal and pulse until grainy.
• Pour into a bowl and add the oil and water.
• Mix with your hands, removing any remaining bigger chunks of soap.
• Shape the mixture into a ball and let sit until hard, about two hours.
• Be sure to wash the blender thoroughly to remove the soap residue.

  Toothpaste Tip

Washing your hands with toothpaste and water will eliminate fish odor.

Homemade Toothpaste

• Mix ¼ teaspoon hydrogen peroxide and ½ teaspoon baking soda, scoop the paste up with your toothbrush and proceed as you normally would.

Homemade Minty Toothpaste

• To make toothpaste with a more traditional toothpaste consistency and a mint-y taste, mix together 6 teaspoons of baking soda, 1/3 teaspoon salt, 4 teaspoons glycerin, and 15 drops of peppermint or wintergreen extract. Depending on how much you use at a time, this recipe is good for 15-20 applications and should be stored in any appropriately sized container with a snug lid.

Fight Allergies Naturally by the Farmer's Almanac

Here are a few home remedy to help you clear the air:

" Apple cider vinegar" Drinking about two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar in
an 8 oz. glass of water once every day, either all year, or just during allergy
season, can help to slow the production of the histamines that create allergic
reactions.
" Local honey" Eating honey made by local bees can help alleviates allergy
symptoms because it is made from the same plants causing the allergic reaction.
Taking in a small amount of the allergen works just like a vaccine, helping your
immune system build antibodies against it.
" Lime" A Half a lime into a glass of lukewarm water and sweetened with a
teaspoon of honey flushes the system of toxins from allergens. Drink this
mixture once daily, first thing in the morning.
"Chamomile tea" Recognized throughout the world as a natural antihistamine,
one or two daily cups of chamomile tea, sweetened with honey, can provide
immunity toward many common allergens.
"Garlic" Another good natural antihistamine is garlic. Incorporating it into
meals will not only help fight allergy symptoms, it also adds a flavor boost to
many popular dishes.

~Bug and Rodent Dererrents~

Ants:
Spray vinegar on ant trails and around the areas they are getting into your House. Place sprigs of penny royal, tansy, or rue in the cupboards and Shelves.

Fleas:
Fleas hate laurel leaves, rue, and winter savory. Crush and place under
Rugs, sofa cushions, doormats, etc.. Add a tsp. Of vinegar to your pets Drinking water, they won't land on your pet or drink from their dish.

Flies:
Hang sprigs of lavender, mint, penny royal, peppermint, or rue. Make
Potpourris out of lavender. Grow any one of these herbs in and / or outside your house.

Moths:
Make sachets out of lavender, lemon, thyme, mint, rosemary, tansy, or
Wormwood. Place in linen closets and drawers and in closets.

Weevils:
Place bay leaves on shelves and in cupboards. Put a whole leaf in with your flour, rice and dried beans.

Mice:
Place sprigs of tansy or mint on your shelves, cupboards and anywhere mice have been seen to deter them.


All Natural Homemade Fly Strips
1. Combine equal parts honey, sugar and water in a saucepan.
2. Boil the mixture, stirring occasionally, until thick.
3. Remove from heat and let cool
4. Cut strips of brown packing tape, punch a hole on one end and loop a piece of string through the hole.
5. Dip the strips in the thick honey mixture and hang outside to dry, about 30 minutes.
6. Hang the strip in the area of worst infestation, and replace often.

Essential Oil Garden Plant Spray for Pesky Bugs

Lemongrass - 40 drops
Lavender – 40 drops
Rosemary – 10 drops
Geranium – 10 drops
Emulsifier – 3 teaspoons
Distilled water 4 ounces

Blend the essential oils and Emulsifier together in an 8 ounce PET bottle with Spray top, next add the distilled water. Shake well. This spray is to be used to spray on outdoor or house plants that have been or might become infested by little bugs.

You do not need to soak the plant. Just a few mists should take care of them. Repeat every 2-3 days, or as needed.

Do not spray or use on the skin, as this is too concentrated for use on people or animals

Essential oils in your food

Here are a few ways to use essential oils in your food:

• 1/2 drop Cinnamon Bark in your hot chocolate, coffee, oatmeal, etc.
• 1/2 drop Peppermint in your hot chocolate.
• Heat up 1/2 gallon of apple cider and add 1 drop each Cinnamon Bark and Clove Bud.
• Add 1 drop Peppermint to a pitcher of orange juice.
• Add 1 drop Cinnamon Bark to your cakes, cookies, etc. Makes them taste yummy.
• Add 1 drop of Peppermint, Orange, Tangerine, or Cinnamon Bark to the glaze or frosting for chocolate cake.
• Use oils in place of any spices like Oregano, Thyme, Fennel, etc. Really the nice tasting oils are Cinnamon, Fennel, and Anise, (but be careful -- no more than one drop), Clove Bud (in super small amounts 1/8 a drop), Peppermint, and Lavender ( in super small amounts)

Have some fun with it, but go slowly.  Start small because you can always add more but you can't take it out once it's there.

Make your own fabreeze

What you'll need:

1/8 Cup of fabric softener ( April Fresh is nice)

2 tablespoons Baking Soda

Hot tap water

Spray bottle (used an empty 27 oz. Febreze bottle)

Preparation:

Using a funnel, pour fabric softener and baking soda into your spray bottle. Fill spray bottle with hot tap water and shake well. Don't forget to twist the nozzle over to the LOCK position if you're using a Febreeze bottle

Homemade Febreeze costs about $0.15 from thankyourbody.com 

They then posted this one in it's place

Homemade Air Freshener

Ingredients:
Distilled water
1 Tbs. Baking soda
2-3 drops of your favorite essential oil (optional)
Directions:

1. Pour the baking soda into a small dish and add the drops of essential oils (if adding).  Mix well with a spoon.
2. Pour baking soda into the empty spray bottle and fill it to the top with water.  Shake well to mix the baking soda and water. You can use this to freshen the air in a room. You can also use it on carpets, couches, shoes, etc.

Homemade Watercolor Paints ~by Frisky Witch

These are super, and I mean SUPER-easy to make. These homemade watercolor paints cost me absolutely nothing, and they turned out...

so much better than I imagined they would!
You’re going to love how simple this recipe is. You probably already have all the ingredients on hand in your kitchen.

Here’s what you’ll need to make your own homemade watercolor paints:

4 tbsp baking soda
2 tbsp white vinegar
1/2 tsp light corn syrup
2 tbsp corn starch
Food coloring (liquid or gels)
container to keep your paints in – I used a mini muffin tin, but you could use an ice-cube tray, small plastic cups, plastic egg carton etc.

Mix your baking soda and vinegar together (hello science experiment) and wait for the fizzing to stop. It’s handy if you mix in a container that has a spout (I used a 2c measuring cup).

Add your corn syrup and corn starch, and mix well until the corn starch has dissolved.

Pour into your containers. I made a double batch and that made exactly enough to halfway fill all 12 compartments of my muffin tin.

Now, get out your colors and have some fun! Use toothpicks and popsicle sticks for adding your colors, and stir for about a minute to make sure the color is mixed in well.

If you’re using liquid colors, you may have to add about 6 drops to get the intense color that you ‘re looking for. I added a pinch of extra corn starch to compensate for the extra liquid.

Now the hard part: you have to let your paints “set up” and dry which apparently could take up to 2 days. I’m happy to report that my watercolors were solid after sitting over night, and ready to use by mid-afternoon today, so it took less than 24 hours for mine to harden. I did have them sitting beside our fire place all day though so that may have helped.

Once they’re hard, simply grab a paint brush and some water and get painting!! I couldn’t wait to try mine, and I was really impressed when I did. The paints glide on smoothly, the colors look super. Honestly, they are nicer than any of the kiddy watercolor paints I’ve used before. They’re a little chalky when they dry, but not nearly as chalky as the dollar store paints that we’ve been using recently.

I also think the muffin tin will be much better than those shallow trays that kids’ paint usually comes in. With the shallow trays, the colours get muddy quickly when the little ones drag their brushes all over the tray, sloshing water around and mixing the colours together. I’m hoping our colors stay a little “cleaner” now.
AND THESE Homemade watercolor paints don’t stain!
 

One "Master Mix" to create four beauty products By KarlynRayne

I created this master mix to make four different beauty products from one mix.

Lemon Meringue Pie Lip Balm,
Lemon Meringue Pie Solid Perfume,
Lemon Meringue Pie Salve, and a
Lemon Meringue Pie Night Cream (for your face).  
 

The health benefits of lemon essential oil can be attributed to its stimulating, calming, carminative, anti-infection, astringent, detoxifying, antiseptic, disinfectant, sleep inducing, and antifungal properties. These benefits of lemon essential oil include its ability to treat stress disorders, fever, infections, asthma, over weight, insomnia, skin disorders, hair disorders, stomach problems, tiredness, antimicrobial, antibacterial, tonic, anti-rheumatic, diuretic, anti-anemic, and antiseptic therapeutic properties. It enhances concentration, enables attention and focus. Is used on gout, rheumatism, poor circulation, arthritis, joint pain and helps skin to heal.

Perfumes: Lemon oil has a distinct refreshing aroma good for perfumes. 

Skin Care: Lemon oil is astringent and detoxifying in nature, and rejuvenates dull skin. Its antiseptic properties help in treating pimples and various skin disorders. Lemon is also recommended for oily skin.

Aromatherapy Lemon Oil and Beauty

Many men and women use skin care products that contain lemon oil, as this ingredient helps to detoxify and rejuvenate the skin.
In addition, lemon oil is commonly used to reduce pimples and eliminate oil from oily skin.

Aromatherapy and lemon oil

While lemon oil is known to have powerful antiseptic properties, the lemon is also able to stimulate a variety of health and wellness benefits.

Most popularly, lemon essential oil is used for its many aromatherapy benefits, as the fragrance has an uplifting effect.

Many aromatherapy experts use lemon oil to promote well being enhancements, such as:

• Improved concentration
• Enhanced awareness
• Improved mood
• Increased energy
• Decreased psychological distractions and fatigue
• Reduced stress / anxiety / nervousness / tension
• Helps refresh the mind and remove negative feelings
• Helps alleviate symptoms of insomnia while enhancing the body's ability to sleep more restfully
• Immune system

Benefits of Coconut oil

Coconut oil is an effective moisturizer on all types of skins including dry skin. The benefit of coconut oil on the skin is comparable to that of mineral oil. Further, unlike mineral oil, there is no chance of having any adverse side effects on the skin with the application of coconut oil. Coconut oil therefore is a safe solution for preventing dryness and flaking of skin. It also delays wrinkles, and sagging of skin which normally become prominent with age. Coconut oil also helps in treating various skin problems including psoriasis, dermatitis, eczema and other skin infections.

The benefits of Lemon Meringue pie fragrance

Nothing



~ Lemon Meringue Pie "Master Mix" ~

1 tablespoons Beeswax
2 1/2 tablespoons cocoa butter solid
2 tablespoons coconut oil
1/2 teaspoon liquid Vitamin E
3 Vitamin A & D liquid Vitamin Pearls
15 drops (1/4 teaspoon) Lemon essential oil
1/2 teaspoon Lemon Meringue Pie fragrance oil (Not extract)

Put beeswax cocoa butter, and coconut oil in microwave safe bowl and mic 30 seconds at a time stiring as you go until all is disolved. Add vitamins, fragrance and essential oil and stir again. pour into whatever container you wish for the use you are making.

~ Lemon Meringue Pie Solid perfume ~

A light springtime scent, fresh as a spring garden. Perfect for those who do not like overpowering scents, asthma suffers, the elderly, kids and teens. It is an amazing scent

The master mix above will make three (2 tbls) containers.
Note:  Recycled  ladies compact are perfect for this. I have ssen them at the goodwill for ten - twenty cents. The mirror is always appreciated by a child - young teen - teen- woman.

~ Lemon Meringue Pie Lip Balm ~
 
Leaves your lips soft and moisturized while healing dry skin, and soothing cold sores.
The master mix will make two -three balms depending on what you put it in.
NOTE: Lip balm containers are online for about fourteen cents a piece

~ Lemon Meringue Pie Night Cream ~

Helps slow the age lines, hydrates the skin,  heals blemishes and lightening dark spots.

When making this add 1 tablespoon more Coconut oil to the "Master Mix" above when making. makes 1 jar.
NOTE: Vintage Jars are always admired.

 ~ Lemon Meringue Pie Salve ~

Great salve for cuts, scrapes, skin infections, healing, arthritis, gout, moisturizing, and improves circulation

Simply mix the above "Master Mix" exchanging the essential oil amount of 1/4 tsp to make it  1 tsp lemon essential oil. Put in any jar you wish with a tight sealing top.
NOTE: Salve Jars are all over. Your choices are endless.

HONEY LIP BALM

1 tablespoon bees wax grated

1 teaspoon honey

1 teaspoon almond oil (not flavoring)


Melt bees wax in a microwave until melted.
 Add honey and almond oil.
 Whisk until all are smooth and put into a lip pot.

Beer fertilizer for your lawn or garden

If you have the miracle grow container that fit on your garden hose, just put a can of beer in first, then add a cup of liquid dish soap, the pour in the ammonia till it fills to the top. Other wise use the can of beer, cup of liquid soap and 1 cup ammonia, put it in your garden sprayer and attach it to your garden hose and water it in. Very simple, I've had really good luck using this.

The basic 10 green cleaners

Stock your cupboards with these ten products, and you can clean just
about anything:

1) White vinegar: An antifungal that also kills germs and bacteria.

2) Baking soda: Eliminates odors and works as a gentle scouring powder.

3) Borax: Borax, the common name for the natural mineral compound
sodium borate, eliminates odors, removes dirt, and acts as an
antifungal and possible disinfectant. Use with care around children
and pets, as it can be toxic if swallowed.

4) Hydrogen peroxide (3% concentration) : A great nontoxic bleach and
stain remover, as well as a proven disinfectant.

5) Club soda (fresh): A stain remover and polisher.

6) Lemon juice: A pleasant-smelling nontoxic bleach, grease-cutter,
and stain remover.

7) Liquid castile soap: An all-purpose cleaner, grease-cutter, and
disinfectant. "Castile" means the soap is vegetable-based, not animal-
fat-based.

8) Corn meal: Great at picking up carpet spills.

9) Olive oil: Makes a wonderful furniture polish.

10) Pure essential oils: Adding all-natural, organic essential oils
to your cleaning concoctions can add wonderful scents to your
housekeeping endeavors. Some—such as lavender, peppermint,
eucalyptus, lemongrass, and tea tree oils—also may have
antibacterial, antifungal, or insect-repelling properties. To find
pure, organic essential oils, visit your local health food store or
consult the "Aromatherapy/ Essential Oils" category of our National
Green Pages™. Remember to use care with essential oils, as they can
cause harmful reactions when ingested or put directly on the skin.
Some are considered dangerous for pregnant women (To be safe and
simplify things, stick with eucalyptus, lemongrass, and tea tree oils
for all recipes below if you're pregnant).

If you want to try an oil we haven't mentioned in this article, consult
a reliable source on its proper usage, such as the aromatherapy
education section of Frontier Natural Products Co-op's Web site.

The Basic Ten at Work

Now that you know what products you need, grab a few clean, empty
spray bottles; some rags and sponges; and a bucket of water, and
you're ready to clean your house the green way.

All-purpose cleaners: An all-purpose cleaner is just that—something
you can use for just about every surface in your home, from kitchen
counters and appliances to bathroom surfaces and walls. Clean House,
Clean Planet author Karen Logan offers this recipe for the all-
purpose "Alice's Wonder Spray": Put 2 Tbsp. white vinegar and 1 tsp.
borax into a 16 oz. spray bottle. Fill the rest with very hot water
and shake to blend until the borax is dissolved. Add 1/4 cup of
liquid castile soap only after you've completed the above steps. If
you want to scent your spray, also add 10–15 drops of an essential
oil, such as lavender, lemongrass, thyme, eucalyptus, rosemary, rose,
or clove. The spray will keep indefinitely. For an even simpler
solution, try cleaning with two cups of club soda in a spray bottle.

Hard floor cleaner: Author and Care2.com healthy living editor Annie
Bond (a.k.a. Annie Berthold-Bond) recommends this solution for all
hard floors (except when directed by the manufacturer to avoid even
mild detergents): Combine 1/4 liquid castile soap, up to 1/2 cup
white vinegar or lemon juice, and 2 gallons of warm water in a large
plastic bucket. Use with a mop or sponge.

Carpet cleaner: To clean and disinfect your carpet, the CHEC
recommends blending 1/2 cup baking soda, 1 cup borax, and 1 cup
cornmeal. Sprinkle mixture over rug and rub with a cloth. Let rest
for several hours or overnight, then vacuum. To remove stains from
your carpet, Logan advises mixing 1/4 cup liquid castile soap and 1/3
cup water in a blender until foamy. Spread the mixture on the carpet
and let sit for a few minutes, then scrub the stain with a brush or
clean rag. Also, club soda will remove many acidic stains, like
coffee, wine, or juice. To deal with big carpet spills, pour cornmeal
on the spill, wait 15 minutes, then vacuum.

Glass cleaner: To make your windows shine, you can simply use club
soda in a spray bottle. Add 1 tsp. of lemon juice to increase your
window cleaner's degreasing power. Logan recommends using a terry-
cloth cotton rag for best results.

Bathroom surface cleaners: You can use the all-purpose cleaners
recommended above or, for even simpler bathroom cleaning, use baking
soda or borax as a scouring powder. For a softer scrub, Bond says to
combine 1/2 cup baking soda with enough liquid soap to achieve a
frosting-like consistency. You may want to add 5-10 drops of an
essential oil for fragrance. Club soda works wonders on plumbing
fixtures.

Toilet cleaner: Sprinkle baking soda or borax, or pour white vinegar
into the toilet, and let sit for a few minutes. Scrub with a good
toilet brush. oven cleaner: Cover the oven floor with baking soda,
spray with water until very damp, and let set overnight. Spray with
water every few hours before you go to bed to keep damp. In the
morning, clean out the baking soda, and the stuck-on gunk will be
loosened and ready to scrub off.

Mold remover: Bond recommends combining 1/2 cup hydrogen peroxide or
white vinegar with 1 cup water. Spray on mold and do not rinse. She
also recommends treating mold with a spray mixture of 2 tsp. tea tree
oil and 2 cups water.

Wood polish: To polish wood furniture, dab olive oil onto a soft
cloth and rub.

Germs and Other Concerns

You may be worried about do-it-yourself green cleaners not being able
to kill germs effectively. Researchers at Tufts New England Medical
Center, on the other hand, worry that we're killing too many
microorganisms, saying that disinfectants found in household cleaners
may contribute to drug resistant bacteria. The CHEC says that
ordinary soap and water do the job well enough to keep our families
safe, barring someone with a seriously compromised immune system.

For most of us, the best way to prevent the spread of harmful
microorganisms is to wash our hands frequently. Also, disinfect any
sponges you're using weekly by boiling them in water for three
minutes and then microwaving them for a minute or two. Launder dish
rags every week.

If you prefer over-the-counter products, look for green cleaners made
with natural ingredients. Check your local health food store, or
consult the box below for screened green cleaning product companies
listed in our National Green Pages™.

—Tracy Fernandez Rysavy

Resources

Green cleaning Products:

• Aberdeen Enterprises/ BioGreen—321/ 639-3324.
• American Formulating & Manufacturing (AFM)—800/239- 0321.
• Bi-O-Kleen Industries—800/ 477-0188.
• Citra-Solv, LLC—800/343-6588.
• Descale-It Products Co.—520/294-5676.
• Dr. Bronner's Liquid Soaps—760/743- 2211.
• ECO-Source—613/ 239-4951.
• Ecover—800/449- 4925.
• Gaiam—800/869- 3603.
• Global Balance Co.—617/527-5639.
• Green Planet Products LLC—678/521-0036.
• GreenBulldog. com—601/212- 7580.
• Helyn's Clean Solutions—860/ 871-1808.
• LifeKind Products Inc.—800/284- 4983.
• Mia Rose Products—800/ 292-6339.
• Natural Choices Home Safe Products—866/ 699-2667.
• Naturally Home—888/696- 8113.
• Naturally Yours—888/801- 7347.
• Orbeco—415/647- 0207.
• Rochester Midland Corp.—800/836- 162.
• Seaside Naturals LLC—800/870-1697.
• Seventh Generation—802/ 658-3773.
• Sun & Earth—800/596- 7233, x11.
• Treecycle—406/ 626-0200.
• Vermont Soap Organics—802/ 388-4302.

Information:

• Annie B. Bond—Her books Better Basics for the Home (Three Rivers
Press, 1999) and Home Enlightenment (Rodale, 2005) offer plenty of
recipes and advice for green
cleaning and living.

• Care2.com—Find recipes and advice for green cleaning and living on
this site's "Healthy Living" channel, edited by Annie B. Bond.

• The Children's Health Environmental Coalition—310/ 820-2030. A
nonprofit dedicated to educating people about preventable children's
health and developmental problems caused by toxins in their
environments.

• Karen Logan's Clean House, Clean Planet—(Pocket Books, 1997).

• Washington Toxics Coalition—206/ 632-1545. A nonprofit working to
protect public health and the environment by eliminating toxic
pollutants.

©2005 Co-op America. All rights reserved.

medicine cupboard medicial

Baking Soda for Bug Bites

"My nana used to make a baking-soda paste for me when I was a child, and when I tried it on my own kids, they said that it stopped the itching better than store-bought products," says Estelle Whitney, MD, an ob-gyn in private practice in Wilmington, Delaware. The alkaline baking soda helps counteract the acidic swelling, she explains. Mix a teaspoon of baking soda with just enough water to make a thick paste, smear it on the bites, and let it dry.
  
Cayenne Pepper for Nosebleeds

This spice helps blood clot, and it has been used medicinally in cultures around the world, says pediatrician Lillian Beard, MD, author of Salt in Your Sock and Other Tried-and-True Home Remedies. Keep your child's head upright and pinch his nostrils together for several minutes. Then sprinkle a pinch of ground cayenne pepper on a moistened cotton swab and dab inside the nose on the area of the bleeding. "It seems like it might sting but, surprisingly, it doesn't," says Dr. Beard
  
Chamomile Tea for Colds

Peter Rabbit's mother fed him soothing chamomile tea in Beatrix Potter's classic tale, and you can give it to your infant to relax her intestinal muscles and calm her down, says Dr. McClafferty, a pediatrician in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Steep tea for four to five minutes, let it cool to room temperature, and then put one to two ounces in a bottle. Don't give your baby more than four ounces a day so that she'll be sure to have plenty of room in her tummy for breast milk or formula.
  
Honey and Lemon Juice for a Sore Throat

Lemon dries up congestion and honey provides a soothing coating, says Lane Johnson, MD, associate professor of clinical family and community medicine at the University of Arizona College of Medicine. In fact, a recent study found that a spoonful of honey eased kids' coughs even better than cough medicine. Mix together a tablespoon of each, microwave for 20 seconds until warm (not hot), and have your child swallow the mixture a teaspoon at a time. Caution: Honey is not safe for babies under 1 year.

TOOTHPASTE (non-gel, non-whitening) Cleans:

Clean CDs/DVDs
Cleaning pencil marks and crayon off walls
As an antacid - only use a small amount! (the peppermint, calcite and sodium bicarbonate help neutralize acid late at night when you've had too many nachos and your local supermarket has closed)
Cleaning silver
Cleaning grime off your sneakers
Removing water stains from wood
1. To clean CDs/DVDs: At the sink, just apply a small amount of toothpaste to the CD/DVD. Gently rub the toothpaste into the CD/DVD with your finger. Under running water, gently rub the toothpaste off the CD/DVD. Wash thoroughly. Rinse off the toothpaste. Dry from inside out, using straight strokes. Don't go round and round.

2. To clean pencil/crayon marks off walls: Apply a small amount of toothpaste to a clean, dry cloth. Gently rub on the mark till it comes off. Rinse with warm water then dry with clean, dry cloth.

3. To clean silver: Place a small amount of toothpaste on your silver item. Gently rub the toothpaste all around. Gently wipe off the toothpaste with a clean, dry cloth. Buff the item with the cloth.

4. To clean sneakers: Apply a small amount of toothpaste to a clean dry cloth. Gently rub the toothpaste onto the sneaker. Remove the toothpaste with a clean, dry cloth.

5. To remove water marks on wood: Any brand of plain, white toothpaste (not gel) will almost always remove a water stain (left by a glass) from your wood table. Rub enough toothpaste over the stain to cover it completely - you don't need a lot (a little more than a thin film is plenty). Leave the toothpaste on the stain until completely dry (this may take a few hours and although it may be awful to look at, I have never ruined a piece of wood by leaving the paste on overnight).

Once dry, simply wipe the toothpaste off with a clean damp cloth. Completely dry your furniture with a clean, dry cloth and then polish as you normally would. As a side note, if you apply the toothpaste with a lint-free cloth, you can use the extra paste left on the cloth to apply to your clean bathroom mirror.

A final note: Toothpaste will help to keep your mirror from excessive fogging after a hot shower.

Uses For Fels Napha plus recipes

Poison Ivy Prevention: Fels Naptha Soap has been used for over 100 years for the treatment and prevention of poison ivy, sumac and oak rash. My family has personally used it for over 10 years. If you think you have been exposed to poison ivy, oak or sumac, shower immediaetly with Fels Naptha to remove the resin from your skin. This will greatly reduce and in most cases, prevent any skin reaction to the poison ivy oil. Make sure to launder your clothes in some shaved or grated fels naptha (about 1/16th of the bar) to remove the resin from your clothes. Poison Ivy resin can stay on your clothes for over 1 year even if the clothes have been washed with normal detergent.

 Poison Ivy Treatment: If you are exposed to poison ivy and you have a reaction, simply shower with Fels Naptha to remove any resin left on the skin and it will help to dry up the rash as well.

 

To clean your shower, rub a non-abrasive scouring sponge with a wet bar of Fels Naptha and start cleaning. It will take a little hard work the first time you use it but it will be a breeze after that.

 

 Washing with Fels Naptha can greatly reduce the itching and discomfort from bug bites. Though it is NOT a hand soap, it can cut even the grimiest of messes. Wash hands with Fels Naptha to remove ink, grease, or a variety of other nasty stains. Again, remember that this can be a skin irritant and should be used carefully and only after reading the warning label on the soap.

To clean paint brushes, simply drag the wet brush through a lathered bar of Fels Naptha and work in. Rinse well with warm water. The brushes stay soft and supple using this method.

Spring and Fall Lawn Tonic

 

*1 cup of fels soap solution 1 flat beer, 4 ounces of liquid dish soap, household ammonia and a 20 gallon hose-end sprayer. (*Fels soap solution is made by shaving 1/2 bar of Fels Naptha Soap into a quart of very hot water to dissolve. Add 4 ounces of liquid dish soap as an emulsifier. You can store the solution until needed. Shake well before use.) Mix the 1 cup Fels solution, 1 can of beer in the sprayer. Fill the remainder of sprayer with ammonia. For spring and fall garden spraying, add 2 oz of molasses.

 Spray aphids with 3 tablespoons grated Fels Naptha Soap dissolved in 1 gallon of hot water. Mix well and let cool. Spray as needed.

 Insect Control: Prepare Fels Naptha Solution first. (Solution - shave 1 inch of Fels Naptha bar in a nylon stocking and place it into a gallon of boiling water along with 4 oz. liquid dish soap(Ivory). Store as needed and shake well before use. It will have a gel-like consistency.) Mix 1 cup of Fels Naptha Solution with 1 cup antiseptic mouthwash (mint flavored if nematodes are a problem) and 1 cup chewing tobacco juice. Spray with a 20-gal hose-end sprayer with a golf ball in it to keep mixture mixed. Follow-up with an application of Dursban or Diazinon, if needed.

 For Black-spot fungus on roses: Make the Fels Naptha Solution by shaving 1 inch of Fels Naptha bar into a nylon stocking and placing it into a gallon of boiling water along with 4 ounce of liquid dish soap (Ivory). This will keep nicely and you can use it as needed. It will have a gel-like consistency so mix well before using. For the black-spot fungus, mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda, 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil, 1 tablespoon of Fels naptha solution and 1 gallon of water. Spray as needed.

IMPORTANT***** In recent years soap manufacturers have added degreasers and antibacterial ingredients to their products. These are VERY harmful to your plants and most likely will burn or kill them. When a home gardening technique calls for liquid dish soap be very careful that you use only Ivory or Fels Naptha Solution. You can also use the original liquid lemon type detergent which has no additives, just be careful that it does not contain a degreaser or is antibacterial.

Fels Naptha Soap is a fantastic stain remover and pre-treater. It works especially well on oil-based stains. Just rub the stain with a wet bar of Fels Naptha Soap. Let it sit for a while and launder as usual. It works great on baby clothes which have formula stains.

* For chocolate smudge on clothes, rub the stain with Fels Naptha Soap and let sit in your filled washer with 20 Mule Team Borax for 30 minutes. Launder as usual.

* Thoroughly wash all clothing including hats, gloves coats in Fels Naptha Soap to prevent an outbreak of poison ivy. Poison Ivy resin can remain on your clothes for over 1 year. Washing with Fels Naptha will eliminate the resin from your clothing.

* To remove Halloween makeup from clothing, simply work a little Fels Naptha into the stain and launder as usual. It may take a repeat washing to completely remove the stain.

 * To clean white canvas tennis shoes, simply work the Fels Naptha Soap into a lather and use a soft brush to work into the canvas. Launder as usual without chlorine bleach.

 * To remove old stains on colored clothes, make a solution of 2 cups warm water and 1/2 cup white vinegar. Pour on stain. Let soak for 30 minutes to 1 hour. Rinse well and work in Fels Naptha Soap. Launder as usual.

Homemade Laundry Detergent:

First Recipe: 3 Pints Water 1/3 bar Fels Naptha Soap, grated 1/2 cup Washing Soda (Arm and Hammer, NOT baking soda though!!) 1/2 cup 20 Mule Team Borax 2 Gallon bucket to mix it in 1 Quart hot water Additional Hot Water Mix Fels Naptha soap in a saucepan with 3 pints hot water and heat on low until dissolved. Stir in Washing Soda and Borax. Stir until thickened, and remove from heat. Add 1 Quart Hot Water to 2 gallon Bucket. Add soap mixture, and mix well. Fill bucket completely with additional hot water, and mix well. Set aside for 24 hours, or until mixture thickens. If mixture becomes to thick, add HOT water and mix well until desired consistency. Use 1/2 cup of mixture per load. Cost per load .03 load.

Second Recipe: Water 1 bar grated Fels Naptha soap 5 gallon bucket 1 cup washing soda (Again, Arm and Hammer) 1 cup 20 Mule Team Borax 4 1/2 gallons water Put grated Fels Naptha in saucepan and cover with water. Heat on low until dissolved. Fill bucket with hot water and add soap. Stir to combine. Add 1 cup washing soda and 1 cup Borax and mix well. As it cools, it will thicken. If thickens too much, add HOT water and mix well. May be used immediately. Use 1/2 - 1 cup per load. Cost per load .04.

 Powdered Laundry Detergent 1 cup grated Fels Naptha Soap 1/2 cup washing soda 1/2 cup 20 mule team borax Mix and store in airtight container or bag. For light loads use 1 tablespoon. For normal loads, use 2 tablespoons. For heavy loads, use 3 tablespoons. Cost per "normal" load .15

Recipe for tanning hides submitted by a gentleman in Indiana…. Did you know that Fels-Naptha makes a great leather tanning solution??? It's much safer than almost any other (chromium or solvent) method for tanning. In 1980, a friend and I tanned 30 deer hides....some for leather, and some with the hair on for rugs, with great success! The hides with the hair on, STILL retain the hair to this day! Use 1 bar per gallon of liquid....we reduced the bars to shavings first, over low heat (we did this in a big cast iron kettle over a campfire), then allowed it to cool. It turns into a runny "gel". Then the hides need to be fully immersed for 1-2 months, depending on ambient temperature. Just thought I'd pass this along, as I'm preparing to do some tanning again just now.