Homemade Herbal meds. for External Use

[OKIE LADY]

The following recipes are for EXTERNAL USE ONLY. When you bottle PLEASE label EXTERNAL USE ONLY and put a heavy piece of clear mailing tape over that. To last longer, some of this is suggested to be kept in the frig. And you DO NOT want anyone, especially children, to take a sip. As with ALL medications, adults HAVE to step up and keep thing safe.

HERBAL ASTRINGENT SPRAY LABEL: EXTERNAL USE ONLY
This is ideal for itchy bug bites, minor burns, cuts, scrapes and other irritating situations.
2 oz. Witch Hazel Extract
½ oz. Red Root Bark Tincture
½ oz. Oregon Grape Root Tincture (organically grown Goldenseal tincture can be used)
½ oz. Pipissaewa Tincture
½ oz. Uva-Ursi Tincture

Mix all ingredients in a 4 oz. Bottle; shake well before using. Reapply as often as needed.

ALOE VERA, LAVENDER, AND PEPPERMINT SUNBURN SPRAY LABEL:
EXTERNAL USE ONLY
Aloe Vera and Lavender offer immediate relief, shorten healing time and are soothing, while Peppermint is cooling and refreshing to the skin.
4 oz. Aloe Vera GEL
15 Drops organic Lavender Essential Oil
10 Drops Vitamin E Oil
2-5 Drops organic Peppermint Essential Oil

Mix all ingred., pour into 4 oz. Bottle, and apply to the skin as often as desired. Store in
frig. to increase it's cooling effect.

HERBAL VAPOR BALM (like mentholatum) LABEL: EXTERNAL USE ONLY
Two of the common active ingredients in commercially made vapor rubs are Eucalyptus Essential Oil and Menthol. But, the classic ointment also contains petroleum and turpentine oil. At least this is made from natural elements and botanicals.
½ Cup organic Olive Oil...........................10 Drops organic Peppermint Essential Oil
½ – 1 tsp. Menthol Crystals.....................10 Drops organic Rosemary Essential Oil
1 oz. Beeswax, coarsely chopped..................2 Drops organic Tea Tree Oil
15 Drops organic Eucalyptus Essential Oil........2 Drops Thyme Oil

Heat olive oil and beeswax iu a double boiler until beeswax has melted. Remove from heat and allow to cool a little. Add menthol crystals (½ tsp for a gentler balm and 1 tsp for stronger product). Add essential oils, stir, and quickly pour into jars. This balm can last aslong as 5 years.

NOTE: This recipe is for EXTERNAL USE ONLY. The menthol crystals may irritate
when inhaled while making, so make preparation in a well ventilated area or
wear a mask if needed.

 

[OKIE LADY]

HERBAL INSECT REPELLENTS:
To avoid both having to buy expensive sprays, and DEET-based products, make your own
herbal repellent. The following essential oils will naturally repel mosquitoes---for a stronger
formula, try mixing several oils together. Experiment with which oils work with your body
chemistry the best. Always test essential oils on a small patch of skin first before applying
liberally, and USE EXTRA CAUTION WITH CHILDREN. Most essential oils are not
recommended for children under age 2.

Basil Oil..................................................................Lemon Balm Oil
Catnip Oil...............................................................Myrrh Oil
Clover Oil...............................................................Neem Oil
Citronella Oil.........................................................Palmarosa Oil
Eucalyptus Oil.......................................................Peppermint Oil
Garlic Oil...............................................................Pine Oil
Geranium Oil.........................................................Rosemary Oil
Lavender Oil
2 ½ tsp. Total of ANY combination of mosquito-repelling essential oils
1 Cup 190-proof grain alcohol (from liquor store)

Place chosen ingredients in a jar with a tight fitting lid and shake vigorously. Transfer to small
bottles for storage. To use, rub a small amount on exposed skin or dab on clothing. AS WITH
ALL BOTTLES, LABEL (FOR EXTERNAL USE), AND KEEP OUT OF REACH OF
CHILDREN.

TAKE PAIN AND ITCH OUT OF BUG BITES AND MILD STINGS
When bugs bite or sting, they deposit irritating saliva or venom onto your skin, which can
cause itching, pain, and swelling. To stop the reaction, you need to neutralize the saliva or
venom. Fortunately, several natural products are perfect for doing just that.

BAKING SODA : One of the components of bee venom is Formic Acid. To neutralize the acid,
apply a paste of baking soda (which is alkali). If no baking soda is around, try toothpaste.
CALENDULA and CHAMOMILE : Both ingredients have been shown to reduce
inflammation and encourage healing. Calendula lotions can also help take the itch out of
chigger bites.
LAVENDER and PEPPERMINT ESSENTIAL OILS : These essential oils help disinfect bites
and soothe itchy skin. Apply directly to skin (test a patch first for allergy). If you find the oils
to strong, add them to olive oil or vegetable oil before applying.
ICE : Try applying ice to the bite or sting. Anecdotal evidence shows that this simple remedy
may be the most effective at providing immediate relief.
LEMON : Lemon Juice seems to stop the allergic reaction of bug saliva. Rub a piece of lemon
directly onto bug bites to soothe them.
VINEGAR: WASP stings are the OPPOSITE of bee stings; they contain Acetic Acid. Dabbing
the acid in vinegar to sting neutralizes the wasp venom.
YELLOW ONION : The onion's detoxifying Sulphur compounds help neutralize venom and
reduce inflammation. THIS IS A GREAT ANECDOTE FOR CHILDREN AND BABIES. Just
slice open an onion and rub it on the itchy bite. Repeat as often as necessary until itching stops.

 

[OKIE LADY]

HOMEMADE KITCHEN BURN TREATMENTS

ALOE AND GOTU KOLA :
Blend equal parts of Aloe Vera Gel (which reduces inflammation, soothes pain, and fights
bacteria) with powdered Gotu Kola (an herb that stimulates collagen synthesis and skin repair).
Store in glass container in kitchen, close to where household burns occur.

LAVENDER :
Lavender Essential Oil relieves pain and enhances healing. Apply undiluted as often as needed.

TEA :
Green AND Black teas both are rich in antioxidants and cooling to burns. Apply a wet, cold tea
bag to a burn to relieve pain and promote healing.


ALOE GROWING BASICS

Aloe is an easy plant to grow, and it's a lifesaver for mild kitchen burns. Use these tips to keep
a kitchen aloe plant happy.

Drainage is critical, so choose a gritty potting mix such as a peat-and-perlite based mix with
builders sand added.

Don't put it in too big of a pot. The roots should take up two-thirds of the pot when planted.

Aloes do best in light shade or indirect or dappled light, rather than full sun.

Indoors, water once every two weeks to once a month. Be sure pot has a saucer to catch excess
water and empty it regularly.

 

[OKIE LADY]

A TRAVELER'S ALL NATURAL FIRST AID KIT
Pack these multipurpose herbal essential oils for minor illnesses, scrapes, sunburn, bug bites,
or irritations that can the fun out of a vacation. ALWAYS USE PURE ESSENTIAL OILS NOT
FRAGRANCE OILS WHEN USING FOR MEDICINAL PURPOSES.

VALERIAN TINCTURE : The sedative properties of Valerian aid in relief of anxiety, insomnia,
and tension.
EUCALYPTUS ESSENTIAL OIL : Potent antibiotic and antiviral for treating colds and sinus
when used in steam inhalation.
WITCH HAZEL EXTRACT : Distilled Witch Hazel has reported astringent, antiseptic and
anti-inflammatory properties for use in insect bites, and skin irritations. Good base for diluting
essential oils for topical application. DO NOT TAKE INTERNALLY.
GOLDENSEAL CAPSULES OR POWDER : A powerful anti-microbial, Goldenseal is effective
against a variety of microorganisms that cause Traveler's Diarrhea. The powder also has
antiseptic qualities when sprinkled on cuts or wounds to stop bleeding. DO NOT USE IF
PREGNANT.
GINGER CAPSULES, TEA BAGS, OR CRYSTALIZED GINGER : The antispasmodic and
gas-relieving properties of Ginger soothe digestive upsets. Ginger has been shown to give relief
to Motion Sickness better than commercial, Dramamine.
PEPPERMINT ESSENTIAL OIL AND TEA BAGS : Peppermint soothes an upset stomach,
eases congestion from common colds, and curbs itching from insect bites.
CHAMOMILE TEA BAGS : Gentle enough for children, Chamomile Tea promotes relaxation,
relieves indigestion, and applied topically, helps sunburn and skin irritations.
ELDERBERRY CAPSULES OR LIQUID EXTRACT : Elderberries can help prevent cold and
flu viruses from invading and infecting cells. If you're flying or going to be in a potentially
exposed area, like a meeting, use Elderberry as a preventative. If you have cold or flu, it can
hasten recovery.
ALOE VERA GEL : Aloe Vera Gel helps cool, heal and soothe the inflammation of sunburn or
mild kitchen burns.

 

[technetium-99m]

HERBAL INSECT REPELLENTS:
BAKING SODA : One of the components of bee venom is Formic Acid. To neutralize the acid,
apply a paste of baking soda (which is alkali). If no baking soda is around, try toothpaste.

Bee venom is mostly composed of peptides, formic acid has little to nothing to do with why bee stings hurt or cause allergic reactions. Wasp venom is not the opposite of bee venom. It has a complex mix of peptides that while different from bee venom perform many of the same roles.

 

[OKIE LADY]

Just repeating what I've got written down from PROFESSIONALS!

 

[technetium-99m]

No need to yell the word professional at me, but your statements regarding insect venom are just plain wrong. Also, dabbing acetic acid on a sting that hurts because it has acetic acid in it does not make logical sense.

Lots of this stuff is great, many uses for menthol, camphor, etc. But a lot of these recipes have absolutely no basis in real science. Goldenseal in particular is not to be messed with if you take any other medications. Several independent papers have been published that show goldenseal causes wild changes in the way your liver metabolizes certain drugs. This can result in you getting a massive overdose of your regular medication because your body doesn't get rid of it normally. There is one alkaloid in particular found in goldenseal preparations that has shown promise in real research, but the amount of berberine present varies from prep to prep and I'd actually be shocked if the facilities making the stuff even have the equipment for quantifying it.

Just giving my "professional," opinion.

 

[dennishoddy]

"1 Cup 190-proof grain alcohol (from liquor store)"
Ain't no way I'm giving' up my PGA! Lol

 

[OKIE LADY]

Sorry, Technetium-99m, didb't know all caps meant "yelling"! I'm realizing there's a lot of really competitive people on this site. I thought Preppers Corner was to give info to other Preppers (in a friendly way) as well as receive info in a friendly way; if all Preppers are this competative then we won't have to worry about the "outsiders" shooting us, I think we'll have enough problems with our own kind!

I read and research a lot; can't help it that everyone's information is not exactly the same. If you are an entomologist and specialize in bees, sorry of my boo-boos in the chemical physiology of bee and wasp venom! From now on, I'll just read some of the stuff others write (take it or leave it) and not give my info or opinion anymore. Thanks for all of your info.

 

[technetium-99m]

Pharmacist/microbiologist actually.

Peace.