Blogs

VAPOR RUB

INFUSE OIL

1/3 CUP LOBELIA (at risk plant UPS)—Excellent for spastic “dry” coughing and wheezing.  Superb expectorant (expectorants help expel or expect excess mucus from the system)  Best remedy for asthma bronchitis.  Antispasmodic, meaning relaxes the chest and opens constricted bronchial passages, Stimulates the respiratory center in the brain, producing deeper and stronger breathing. 

1/3 CUP MULLEIN  Helps with respiratory infections 

1/3 CUP HOPS  Relaxes the nervous system

1 Tbl.  ROSEMARY Antiseptic (help prevent the growth of bacteria), helps open nasal passageways

1 TBL. PEPPERMINT Helps to open nasal passages

Oil of choice

Solar-Infused oil

Place the herbs and the oil in a glass jar.  Cover tightly.  Place the jar in a warm, sunny spot and let steep for 2 to 4 weeks.   Strain the oil through cheesecloth or muslin.   Squeeze every last drop.  

Double Boiler Method

Place the herbs and the oil in a double boiler and bring to a low simmer.  Slowly heat for 30 to 60 minutes, checking frequently to be sure the oil IS NOT OVERHEATING.  The lower the heat the longer the infusion the better.   I do cycles, low heat on, then off and repeat several times.

Make Vapor Rub

1 cup of infused oil

1/4 cup bees wax

15 drops Rosemary EO

15 drops Eucalyptus EO

25 drops Camphor EO

10 drops Orange EO  

15 drops Clove EO

8 drops Peppermint EO

Other Combinations:

20 drops eucalyptus, 10 drops rosemary, 10drops lavender, 10 drops tea tree, 10 drops lemon

20 drops each rosemary, lemon and eucalyptus

20 drops each rosemary, peppermint and eucalyptus

20 drops eucalyptus, 20 drops peppermint, 10 drops basil and 10 drop pine needle

5 drops each lavender, rosemary, tea tree and eucalyptus

Essential Oils For Congestion: 

Eucalyptus – Potent antiseptic, antiviral, and decongestant.

Tea Tree – An effective antimicrobial, expectorant and antiseptic. Peppermint – Helps to open nasal passages.

Basil – Helps open nasal passages. Antiseptic.

Rosemary – Antiseptic, helps open nasal passageways. 

Pine- Great for colds and sinusitis. Has decongestant and antimicrobial qualities.

Lavender – Antihistamine, antiseptic and antimicrobial.

Clove – cooling expectorant

Marjoram – Antimicrobial. Helps with breathing.

Chamomile – Relieves congestion and helps calm cranky patients.

Lemon – Stimulates immune function, but take care if using in sunlight because it increases sensitivity

Sweet Orange – Helps with detoxification , helps with nerviness, anxiety, sedative, antispasmodic

Camphor—antispasmodic

What’s the point of a homemade, natural egg dye for Easter festivities? While most conventional dyes are boasted as non-toxic, many food-grade, FDA approved dyes are made with toxins such as coal, tar, and other petroleum based products.  This can be a huge issue for anyone's health and there are some who would react violently to these ingredients.  When you have just gone out of your  way to purchase organic eggs for your family, these harsh dyes can be an eco-friendly buzz kill.

Bluish-Gray
Mix 1 cup frozen blueberries with 1 cup water, bring to room temperature, and remove blueberries.

Blue
Cut 1/4 head of red cabbage into chunks and add to 4 cups boiling water. Stir in 2 Tbsp. vinegar. Let cool to room temperature and remove cabbage with a slotted spoon.

Jade Green
Peel the skin from 6 red onions and simmer in 2 cups water for 15 minutes; strain. Add 3 tsp. white vinegar.

Faint Green-Yellow
Peel the skin from 6 yellow apples. Simmer in 1-1/2 cups water for 20 minutes; strain. Add 2 tsp. white vinegar. Simmer 4 oz. chopped fennel tops in 1-1/2 cups of water for 20 minutes; strain. Add 2 tsp. white vinegar.

Orange
Take the skin of 6 yellow onions and simmer in 2 cups water for 15 minutes; strain. Add 3 tsp. white vinegar.

Faint Red-Orange
Stir 2 Tbsp. paprika into 1 cup boiling water; add 2 tsp. white vinegar.

Yellow
Rich yellow: Simmer 4 oz. chopped carrot tops in 1-1/2 cups water for 15 minutes; strain. Add 2 tsp. white vinegar. 
Mustard-yellow: Stir 2 Tbsp. turmeric into 1 cup boiling water; add 2 tsp. white vinegar. 
Various shades: Steep 4 bags of chamomile or green tea in 1 cup boiling water for 5 minutes.
Pale yellow: Chop 4 oz. goldenrod and simmer in 2 cups water for 20 minutes; strain. Add 2 tsp. white vinegar.
Faint yellow: Simmer the peels of 6 oranges in 1-1/2 cups water for 20 minutes; strain. Add 2 tsp. vinegar.

Brown-Gold
Simmer 2 Tbsp. dill seed in 1 cup water for 15 minutes; strain. Add 2 tsp. white vinegar.

Brown
Add 1 tablespoon vinegar to 1 cup strong coffee.

Pink
Faint pink: Chop 4 oz. amaranth flowers and simmer in 2 cups water; strain. Add 2 tsp. white vinegar. Simmer the skins from 6 avocados in 1-1/2 cup water for 20 minutes; strain. Add 2 tsp. white vinegar. Mix 1 cup pickled beet juice and 1 tablespoon vinegar.
Dark pink: Cut 1 medium beet into chunks and add to 4 cups boiling water. Stir in 2 Tbsp. vinegar and let cool to room temperature; remove beets.

Lavender
Mix 1 cup grape juice and 1 tablespoon vinegar.

More Information On Egg Dyeing From Mama Roots: 

http://www.mamaroots.com/my_weblog/2011/04/in-the-shopping-cart.html?fb_action_ids=384843484956475&fb_action_types=og.likes&fb_source=timeline_og&action_object_map=%7B%22384843484956475%22%3A10151521683795752%7D&action_type_map=%7B%22384843484956475%22%3A%22og.likes%22%7D&action_ref_map=%5B%5D

Frontier Natural Egg Dyeing:

 http://www.frontiercoop.com/learn/hs_naturaleggdyeing.php