Natural help for Athlete's Foot

Photo courtesy of stocksnap.io

Mix together Aloe and Tea Tree Oil and massage into the infected area until it is absorbed.  The aloe promotes healing of the infected skin and the tea tree oil has antifungal properties to help tame the infection.  For best results use 6-8 weeks.

Almost Homemade: Pimple-Busting Cream

I love adding an ingredient (or two) to products I already have on hand to pump up their beauty or health benefits.  Today's post is one such mashup.

Photo courtesy of stocksnap.io

After washing your face as usual, add a dot of your homemade pimple-busting cream.  To make, mix 1tsp. of your favorite gentle, fragrance and oil free, face lotion with 3-5 drops of tea tree oil.  Dab on your blemishes up to three times a day.  Tea tree oil is a natural antiseptic.

Pet tips- Natural Remedies for your furry friends

Many of us care for our furry friends and would like to use beneficial, natural products on them.  Here are some ideas you may wish to consider.

 Bear

Please remember that products safe for humans are not necessarily safe for animals.  Also, your particular animal may be sensitive to ingredients that are generally safe for other animals.  Use with caution to keep your pets safe, healthy, and happy.

Rosemary helps repel fleas.  Dried rosemary can be ground and brushed onto the animal's coat.  Or boil 1 tsp dried rosemary and a pint of water.  Let the mixture cool completely, then rub into your pet's skin.  Let dry.  You can use this as often as necessary.  It also makes a great final rinse after your pet's bath.

Apple cider vinegar is another great flea and tick repellent.  Mix together 1 cup ACV, 1/2 cup water, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp baking soda in a spray bottle of your choice.  Gently spray on your pet's fur, and massage in.  Let dry and do not rinse off.

If you pet has sensitive, itchy, or irritated skin, consider adding some oatmeal to their bathwater.  Take uncooked oats and ground them in the blender or coffee grinder until fine.  Add a scoop (1/2-1 cup) to your pet's bath water and bathe as usual.

If you like this post, please comment and share with your friends.  I may make pet recipes a new feature on the blog if there is enough interest!

Spice up your Health

Photo courtesy of stocksnap.io

Did you know that an extract from the cayenne pepper, capsaicin, can be used to treat pain, such as that found in arthritis and lower back pain?  A simple, home solution is to add some ground cayenne pepper (found in your favorite store's spice area) to your favorite body lotion.  Massage a small amount to the area causing you discomfort.

Be sure to keep this mixture away from your face, especially your eye area.  Do not forget to wash your hands really well before touching your face once this has been applied.

If using the mix on your hands, I recommend covering your hands with plastic gloves and allow the mixture to remain on your hands for as long as possible.

Simple Recipes: Help for thinning hair

Photo courtesy of morguefile.com

Feel like your hair is thinning?  Add a few drops of rosemary essential oil or lavender essential oil to your normal shampoo.  Shake well before each use, and massage shampoo into your scalp during your normal hair washes.  These oils are said to encourage blood flow to the area to which these are applied.

Essential oils are strong and should never be applied directly to the scalp without first being diluted.  In this case, we are using your favorite shampoo to dilute the essential oil to a safe concentration.

A Health and Wellness Simple Recipe

Photo courtesy of  https://stocksnap.io

Ever have a sty or cyst appear on your eye?  A common treatment is to place a hot compress on the area several times a day.  The shape of an egg makes it a great compress for your eye area.  To use, boil the egg.  Cool the hard-boiled egg until it is still warm, but comfortable to rest against your skin.  Place it on your eye for 10 minutes.  You can reheat the egg and use it several times during your treatment.

Simple Recipe- Quick Manicure

Image courtesy of MorgueFile.com

Pamper your nails and cuticles quickly and easily!  Warm a small amount of olive oil and pour into a small bowl.  Dip your fingertips into the oil and let it sit up to 5 minutes.  Dry your fingertips with a soft towel and use it to gently push your cuticles back.

Health and Wellness: Dandelions

The content of this post originally appeared on my miscellaneous blog.

Photo courtesy of https://stocksnap.io/

I was thrilled to find some dandelions growing in my yard.  That may not be a statement you hear often.  Dandelions are touted as having numerous medical benefits including helping with digestive issues, fighting Alzheimer's, balancing blood sugar levels, assisting or preventing liver diseases, and helping with weight loss. Dandelions are one of those often undesirable plants in the modern world that has been used for medicinal purposes for hundreds of years.  All parts of the dandelion is edible, and some of the culinary uses include soups and teas.

The roots of the dandelion can be consumed raw, dried, or steamed.  They are frequently roasted and ground to make a caffeine-free coffee substitute.  If you plan to add the leaves to a salad or otherwise eat raw, pick the young, small leaves.  The larger leaves are more bitter and tough, but are perfect steamed, boiled, sauteed, or braised.  The flowers have been used to make tea, jellies, and even wine!

Make sure you pick only those plants that have not been sprayed with pesticide.  Wash and enjoy!

Simple Recipes: Bust that Dandruff

Photo courtesy of https://stocksnap.io

Fight that dandruff and keep your hair and shoulders flake free.  Apply plain yogurt to your hair and massage into the scalp.  Let the yogurt stay on your hair up to an hour and then shampoo your hair as usual.  Yogurt is said to help combat even the tough cases of yogurt, so give this one a try if flakes are one of your foes.

Health and Wellness- Ginger

The content of this post originally appeared on my miscellaneous blog.

Photo courtesy of https://stocksnap.io/

Ginger is a gnarly little root that packs a lot of powerful health benefits.  You can find fresh ginger in most grocery stores.  To use, peel the root (use a teaspoon for easy peeling) and slice or grate.  You can store unpeeled ginger in the refrigerator in an air-tight plastic bag and use it within two weeks.  To keep ginger for a longer period of time, store the peeled root in a jar of vodka kept in the refrigerator.  You can also freeze peeled ginger.  I recommend you first slice or grate the root, wrap in waxed paper or seal in an air-tight bag or other container.

Ginger is frequently used in cooking, but I like to make a decoction with it and sip it along with other beneficial herbs.  Ginger is warming and has a pleasant aroma.  It is a popular choice to help cure nausea, whether caused by motion, or pregnancy and helps with digestion.  However, ginger is generally not recommended for pregnant women, especially in large amounts.  Better to not use it if you are pregnant or, at the very least, talk to your doctor first.

Ginger has been used to ease menstrual and menopausal problems.  It is said to help reduce strokes and heart problems by lowering blood pressure and reducing cholesterol.  Ginger's anti-inflammatory properties helps ease arthritis discomfort.  It may also help shrink tumors and, thanks to its help with nausea, is said to be beneficial to those going through chemotherapy or other medical treatments that might result in upset stomach.