We’ve all been in those situations… you burn your hand, your child gets a sunburn, you get a bad bug bite or experience a bad reaction or rash. Wouldn’t it be nice to have a few quick home remedies on hand to use in times such as these? Many times, the products that you would purchase for these types of situations aren’t even as effective as some of the simple ingredients that you can use at home. There are a few basic products that I would never be without! I find that I use them for myself, or others, on a daily basis. Below are my top five recommendations to help start your home medicine cabinet….
1-) Aloe Very Plant: Having an aloe vera plant at home has many many benefits! It’s much more pure then then the aloe vera gel you would purchase at the store. You get all the benefits of aloe without all of the unnecessary fillers (alcohol, fragrance, dye, etc.). And aloe can be used on a variety of skin conditions and concerns! It’s excellent for sunburns and any other types of burns, eczema, psoriasis, and compromised skin conditions.
Quick Tip: Cut aloe stems and store them in the refridgerator or freezer. Keep them on hand for cooking burns or sunburns. The cold temperature combined with the aloe will help to take the heat out of the burn. Plus it will feel wonderful!
2-) Lavender Oil: Lavender Oil! Lavender Oil! Lavender Oil! What isn’t lavender oil good for? From burns (mixed with aloe vera is especially beneficial), to a soothing bathe (a few drops in a warm bathtub can help calm a fussy baby), to irritated skin conditions, lavender does it all! Just make sure it’s a pure lavender essential oil and not a synthetic oil.
Quick Tip: Add 10-12 drops Lavender Oil to liquified Coconut Oil. Let cool and become solid. This makes an excellent body butter. Great for sensitive skin, eczema, or as a baby balm.
3-) Colloidal Silver: I have a personal love for Colloidal Silver and use it on a very regular basis. Colloidal Silver does not sting, yet has powerful antiseptic, disinfectant and germicidal properties. It has also been shown to promote wound healing. You can purchase Colloidal Silver at any local health food store. Or if you want to go a more economical route, you can purchase a kit to make your own Colloidal Silver. All you need is the kit and some distilled water. Which leads us to #4 on my list…
4-) Distilled Water: The type of water you use, whether you’re making your own sprays, tinctures, etc. is incredibly important! You will need distilled water for a variety of purposes; especially when you start to make more of your own home remedies. If you use a humidifier and find you are having problems with it; try using distilled water instead. It will help extend the life of your humidifier and put out better air.
Quick Tip: In a 16 oz. glass spray bottle, combine colloidal silver, distilled water, and lavender oil. Use this as a quick spray for burns, skin irritations, as a face spray, etc.
5-) Tea Tree Oil: I believe tea tree oil to be one of the most versatile of all essential oils. Due to it’s high antispetic, anti-microbial, and anti-fungul propeties; it’s a highly effective oil to keep on hand. Rub it on a cold sore, apply it to insect bites, add it to your lotion to make a theraputic foot cream, etc.
Quick Tip: In a glass spray bottle, add 15-20 drops of tea tree oil, fill the rest up with distilled water. Use this to spray countertops, sinks, etc. to help ward off germs. Excellent for this time of year!