Homemade Anti-Bacterial Ointment

 We have made our very own anti-bacterial ointment from all natural ingredients and essential oils.  I like the thought that nothing is being absorbed into our bodies that we cannot recognize.  You can add anything else you would like, but remember to add the essential oils once the mixture has cooled.  Heat compromises the integrity of EOs.  If you search the web you can find a lot of recipes and tips.  This is the one we came up with after trying several different combinations.  (I'm still looking for a whipped body butter that doesn't harden to wax after it cools down - I'm getting closer, but that will be another day.)

If you try it, please post a picture of your product - I would love to see different results and hear your ideas as well!

Here's the system and ratios I used:

Create your anti-bacterial ointment:

I used 3/4 cup of dried calendula flower heads from our garden and steeped in 1 cup Grapeseed oil (grapeseed is less irritating to my husband's skin, but use what works for you - jojoba, olive, etc.) and 1 cup coconut oil for 24 hours on very, very low heat in a crock pot.

Then I strain everything through a vinyl mesh strainer and put the strained calendula oil into a sauce pot.  I heat it up to the low end of medium low and add about 1/2 cup beeswax pellets.  Once those melt, remove from heat and cool slightly.  Remember that heat will compromise the constituents in the essential oils, so cool enough to touch.  Stir in the essential oils you are using - we use melaleuca and lavender - 40 drops each and I like to add 15 drops of wild orange for the scent as well as additional healing properties.

Stir quickly to blend as it will start to set up on you.  Then pour into glass jars - should take four jelly jars.  Then LABEL, LABEL, LABEL!  The reason we make four is because we always give it away as a gift, especially for the Granddaughter's household - Gracie is an up-and-coming Softball player and needs healthy treatment for cuts and scrapes!

I hope you love this as much as my family does - I knew we had a winner when the hubs started worrying that we were getting low!

Have a blessed day,
Dreama

PS - Unless he gets a chainsaw, I'm pretty sure we have plenty for now........

Truly personalized gift wrap ideas

My favorite gift wrapping idea - words to "your" song - whether it's your daughter (I did Christmas Angel for my baby for her Christmas present) or your Grandbaby (doing You are my Sunshine now for Granddaughter) or your significant other - would have to do Grand Funk Railroad for the hubs - cause he's some kind of wonderful!  =]

Alternatives to Allergy OTCs

It has been over a year now since I have taken any over-the-counter (OTC) allergy medicine.  My last appointment with an ENT led to me being taken to the ER because I had a severe allergic reaction to the "panel" they pricked my forearms with - did you hear the ominous music playing?  Anyway - seems I am allergic to everything because both of my arms starting swelling and itching.  So, they do a blood test at the hospital and send it to have it tested for allergies - comes back - I'm not allergic to ANYTHING.  Now I'm confused.  The doctor told the nurse to tell me all my symptoms are probably because I smoke.  (fast forward - Christmas present to my daughter last year was for me to quit smoking).  But I'm still having all these 'allergy' symptoms.  

My very own, first-time attempt to make my own oil for my
home apothecary.  Haven't used it yet - will keep you posted!

I didn't want to keep taking a bunch of medicine if I don't need it, so I started some serious research into alternatives.  I found essential oil blends that were highly recommended, so I tried several.  There are a lot of good suppliers out there, but you have to do your research and make sure you are getting a quality oil from a supplier that is taking aggressive, pro-active steps to maintain sustainability for the plant species from which we are distilling these EOs (essential oils). Just do your research - ask the company what their policies are - and they are usually willing and eager to share.  My personal preference is DoTerra (Doterra.com) - I like the way they vet and monitor their suppliers and test their products.  There are no regulations like there are for pharmaceuticals and it makes me feel better to know that they place strict regulations and standards on themselves. That being said, you do what is right for you - and go with a company you feel comfortable with.  I don't try to sell DoTerra products because I don't do this for a profit - I do this so people can go back to learning how to start with the basics of self-care before reaching for a bottle of medicine.

Long story short - my allergy mix is equal parts lavender, peppermint, and lemon oils, with one half part of eucalyptus.  This is what I use for a sneezing, need to stuff a tissue up my nose 'allergy' attack.  It usually works within a few minutes and can be made into a homemade version of that goop we buy in the store and smear on our chests and feet when we get sick.  I may have to use this once or twice a week during the worst of allergy season, but in between I have only used it once every 2-3 months.  The biggest difference?  You can recognize, read, spell and pronounce all the ingredients in this one.  This can also be used in shea butter bars that can be rubbed on the chest like a lotion.  My favorite lotion bar recipe is from the Wellness Mama - you can find it here: http://wellnessmama.com/4770/lotion-bars/  Take the time to look around - she's got THE most wonderful ideas!

So - give it a try - unless you are one of those people that looks really good with napkins shoved up your nostrils.