Natural Disinfectant and Deodorizer

Vinegar and Hydrogen Peroxide

I love how inexpensive and most importantly effective this recipe is. It will disinfect and deodorize anything from vomit to urine and fecal matter. It is a must have in any house hold with kids and pets.  I’ve used it on mattresses, carpet and many other surfaces. Just mix together equal parts white distilled vinegar and hydrogen peroxide in a spray bottle.  Add your favorite blends of essential oils for antimicrobial cleaning power. I like using 10-20 drops of each.

Cleaner blend 1
Thyme, Pine and Eucalyptus

Cleaner blend 2
 Rosemary, Eucalyptus, Clove, Cinnamon and Orange

Cleaner blend 3
 Orange, Lemon and Tea Tree

Thyroid Support Perfume

Thyroid Perfume

Last year I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s Thyroditis.  I had to make some life changing choices, from diet to exercise, as well as getting rid of all chemical products, not that I had many, but make up and fragrance were a few I hadn’t altered yet.  It is virtually impossible to find fragrance that doesn’t contain some kind of synthetic additive/chemical that can mess with hormones. Another friend of mine was wearing this blend at church one morning and I loved how bright and fresh it smelled on her!  It is so simple and very inexpensive, especially if you buy the large Butterfly Express oils… they last forever!  These essential oils specifically support thyroid function.

Recipe

1 ounce spray bottle
2 parts sweet basil (10 drops)
2 parts lemongrass (10 drops)
1 part frankicense (5 drops)
1 part clove (5 drops)
Distilled or purified water

Mix all ingredients together in a small spray bottle, shake and use as desired. I like to label the bottle so I know exactly what to put in the bottle when I need to refill it.

Cough and Congestion Balm

Cough and Congestion Salve

Super simple to make, this powerful balm is just as good as any over the counter mentholated topical ointment, except better and more natural. The recipe makes 4 (2-ounce) jars and can easily be doubled.  I like using Butterfly Express essential oils because they are high quality and very inexpensive. Be sure to keep in the fridge if storing for longer than 1 year.

Recipe

12 tablespoons coconut oil
5 tablespoons cocoa butter
4 tablespoons beeswax pellets
40 drops peppermint essential oil
40 drops eucalyptus essential oil
20 drops basil essential oil
20 drops tea tree essential oil
20 drops thyme essential oil
20 drops lemon essential oil
20 drops rosemary essential oil

In a small sauce pan combine the coconut oil, cocoa butter and beeswax together, melting on very low heat. Once combined, add the essential oils and mix together. Pour into jars or tins and allow to cool and set up completely. Cap, label and date. Use as needed.

Medicinal Herb – Oregon Grape

Oregon Grape

Medicinal Herb post #40 written July 31, 2018

Oregon Grape – Mahonia aquifolium and M. repins

The roots of this sun to part shade perennial contains the medicine. It grows wild throughout our Utah mountains. The root is best harvested in the early spring or fall. It contains a chemical in it called berberine that gives it a yellow color. Berberine is a fabulous antibiotic, much like the coveted, expensive and endangered Goldenseal. Oregon grape root can be used instead. It contains 13 different antibacterial chemicals, where penicillin, for example only contains 1. This is important because bacterial stains are less likely to become resistant to it like pharmaceutical antibiotics. Essentially the bacteria don’t know what to do other than die. Just like with any antibiotic herb or drug, probiotics or fermented foods should be consumed during the regimen and afterward. Only use during a current infection or temporarily internally as a cleanser. Long term use can cause vitamin B deficiency. Avoid during pregnancy and nursing.

Oregon grape is also an alterative, supporting the body’s ability to function normally. Many herbalist believe it does this due to its hepatic properties in helping to cleanse the liver by increasing bile production. This improves skin conditions like acne, psoriasis and eczema. It also contains antilithic benefits in helping to break down stones, gall or kidney. It is an antifungal and antiparasitic herb as well.

I make a liver cleansing formula as a tincture, tea or capsules using equal parts Oregon grape root, Dandelion root, Burdock root, Yellow dock and Milk thistle. Use 1 tsp 3x a day for 2 weeks.

Another formula to use in times of infection would be a combination of equal parts Oregon grape root, Echinacea root, Garlic, Calendula and Yarrow. To make a tincture, steep in 100 proof vodka for 4 weeks, strain and store in amber bottle out of sunlight. Other antibacterial herbs include, Barberry, Chamomile, Chaparral, Gumweed, Uva Ursi, Wormwood, Cayenne, St. John’s Wort, Elecampane, Peppermint, Plantain, Rue, Sage, Usnea, Gentian and Myrrh.

Medicinal Herb – Aloe and other succulents

Aloe Hens and Chicks Purslane

Medicinal Herb post #39 written July 31, 2018

Aloe Vera – Aloe barbadensis
Hens and Chicks, Purslane, Prickly Pear Cactus and other succulents.

All of these succulents have something in common. They can be used interchangeably as osmotic herbs, meaning they draw out inflammation from the effected area relieving pain. So if you don’t have Aloe in a pot and you burn yourself during the winter months, go out and grab some Hens and Chicks or other succulent plant, blend and apply topically. Aloe is an annual here in Utah unless potted and brought inside for the winter. They all love to be left alone, giving them well draining soil and maybe watering once a week when it’s hot or once a month during the winter months.

Aloe and others also contain antibacterial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties. Interestingly, it also soothes an irritated digestive system, like IBS and ulcers for example, and can easily be thrown into a smoothie. The juice is known as one of the safest laxatives, but should still be used with caution as it can have strong results. It tastes yummy when mixed with spearmint or peppermint tea or fresh squeezed lemon juice. Sweeten with honey or stevia if you like. It should not be taken internally by pregnant or nursing women and should be used with great caution for elderly and children in smaller doses.

Aloe promotes rapid tissue repair reversing damage from sunburn blisters and scarring. It’s great for other skin issues when used directly or in a salve for things like bites, stings, rashes, eczema, acne, and poison ivy. Aloe can also be used as a natural sunblock, blocking out around 30% of ultraviolet rays. It should not be used in cases of staff related infections like impetigo.

It can be made into a face and body cream by infusing calendula in almond oil over the stove top on very low heat for an hour. Use 1 and 1/2 cups of the strained calendula oil, 1/4 cup cocoa butter, 1/4 cup coconut oil and 1/2 cup beeswax. Melt together and cool for several hours or overnight. Place in blender and mix together 1/2 cup Aloe Vera gel and 1 and 1/2 cups purified water and favorite essential oil. Slowly drizzle the water mixture into the blender as it runs until the consistency becomes thick. Scoop into jars and keep in the fridge for long term storage.

Make your own gel by scraping out the insides of the leaves and blending. Store in jar and keep cold. Use in salves with other herbs like plantain, comfrey, yarrow, and calendula.

A quick word about purslane… it has almost as much omega 3 fatty acids as fish, is full of vitamins and minerals and should really be eaten often!

Medicinal Herb – Chickweed

Chickweed 1

Medicinal Herb post #38 written July 31, 2018

Chickweed – Stellaria media

Chickweed is a delicate looking annual with pretty star like flowers that prefers rich soil, a sunny location, but also a cool area. It will do well in partial sunny areas too. It can become invasive so harvest often and use in salads or smoothies. It contains many vitamins and minerals.

Chickweed contains wonderful demulcent properties, making it a great herb for skin irritations, eye inflammation and a great liver and kidney tonic as it is a diuretic. I use it as one of my main ingredients in my salve recipe to relieve itching from bug bites. It works immediately. It’s also beneficial for eczema, rashes, skin ulcers, psoriasis, nettle stings and diaper rashes. Make a tea with chamomile and chickweed for an eye wash to soothe irritated tissues. It can be used for bowel problems like IBS, constipation and other GI distress due to its anti-inflammatory properties.  It also has anti-pyretic properties to help lower fevers.

It is best to harvest, dry and use chickweed right away. Either making a tincture or salve with it.

Medicinal Herb – Thyme

Thyme plant
Medicinal Herb Post #37 written on July 31, 2018

Thyme – Thymus vulgaris

Thyme is one of my favorite sun loving perennial herbs for cooking, but did you know it’s a powerful medicinal too? It loves our alkaline soil here in Utah and there are lots of varieties to choose from. If you want the most medicinal, choose the common garden thyme (thymus vulgaris) or lemon thyme (T. citriodorus). As the plant matures it will become woody. Prune it heavily in the spring before new growth starts (about half). I like to keep it trimmed so new soft growth continues throughout the growing season.

Thyme has many great benefits. It’s a powerful antibiotic, antiseptic, antispasmodic and expectorant making it a perfect herb for all things respiratory, including difficult issues like whooping cough. For respiratory problems I would make a tea with it and drink 1 cup several times a day. It can be used internally or externally as a wash to fight off infection. It’s incredibly useful for disinfecting surfaces. Try making my recipe for the perfect disinfectant/deodorizer by pouring half white vinegar and half hydrogen peroxide into a bottle. Add thyme, eucalyptus and pine essential oils together. Other great essential oil combos to use for cleaning are lemon, orange and tea tree; And rosemary, cinnamon, clove, orange and eucalyptus. It really works well for anything!… I’m talking the worst of the worst especially with kids. Thyme is also great for digestive issues, including expelling parasites.

I love making a syrup infused with honey and thyme. Add 4 ounces fresh thyme herb to 1 quart of water. Simmer on very low heat until the liquid had reduced to half and strain. Add 1 cup of honey and store in the fridge for a month. Take 1 teaspoon every few hours until cold/cough stops. Feel free to add other herbs to make a cough syrup like wild cherry bark, chamomile, ginger, hyssop, licorice root, marshmallow root, mullein leaf, and red clover.

I cook with thyme a lot. Here are some favorites of mine.
https://rootedemily.com/?p=1565
https://rootedemily.com/?p=1100
https://rootedemily.com/?p=712
Try this recipe with lemon thyme:
https://rootedemily.com/?p=463

I’d love to hear how you use thyme!