still Nana

Did you know you can make your own colloidal oatmeal? Place 1 cup rolled oats in food processor or high speed blender and pulse until you have a very fine powder. Store in an airtight container. Add about 1/4 C to a warm bath to soothe dry, itchy skin. Drop in 10-15 drops of lavender or chamomile oil for a luxurious soak. This can also be used for babies and small children. Just adjust the amounts down by half or less, to avoid any irritation. Have a minor allergy that makes you sneeze, or makes your eyes itch when you're outside for a while? In a 10ml roller bottle; fill halfway with fractionated coconut oil. add 1 drops each of lemon, lavender and peppermint oil. Shake to mix. Rub on the back of your neck or on your temples to ease allergy symptoms. For minor kitchen burns, use straight lavender oil. With a cotton swab, gently dab lavender to cover the burn. Use as needed, until the burn stops and it heals. It should happen very quickly, and without leaving a mark. Always keep a small bottle of lavender in your spice cabinet. Cold hands or feet? Add a couple of drops of black pepper oil, clove oil and and frankincense oil, to 2 TBSP of solid coconut oil. Stir with a wooden stick or plastic spoon to mix in a small, clean glass jar, or rigid plastic storage container. Use about 1/2 teaspoon and massage thoroughly into hands or feet to warm them. Careful not to touch you eyes or mouth immediately after using. Eye irritation? Possibly pink eye? Mix 1/2 tsp. raw honey with 1 tsp. distilled water. Use a clean eye dropper to put 1 or 2 drops in your eyes. Use only real, raw honey, local to your area is best. It should clear up in a day or 2. If you need longer, make a fresh batch after 24 hours. This mixture works as well if not better than prescription steroids, and unlike steroids, doesn't damage your eye tissue over time. I literally had to use this over the presidents day weekend. I was making a sugar lip scrub. After pouring the sugar from a mylar bag, I got a puff of sugar dust in my face. A couple of hours later, my eye started to hurt. When I checked it in the mirror, I had a full blown case of pink eye. Crazy to think a little dust can cause such a big problem. This happened on Saturday night. By Tuesday morning, when I could have contacted my doc for a script, it was almost completely clear. Gotta love those little girls that give us such a perfect food and antibiotic rolled into one. Go BEES! Love and hugs, still Nana In a world where you can be anything you like, please, be kind.

Midnightmom, try an 8-10 oz glass of cold water with a couple of lemon slices before lunch and dinner. The water helps to fill your stomach and you get full faster. Another cool thing to try, that really works is drink your water, and use a smaller plate. Create a beautiful place setting. Use a place mat and a pretty napkin. Arrange your food on your plate so that it's appealing to the eye. You can even play some calming music while you eat. Whatever you do, don't eat in front of the TV. You don't have a clue how much you're eating when your mind is on your favorite show. I used to do this at work, years ago; I bought matching 8" paper plates, napkins and cups. I was actually eating frozen low calorie dinners but I made the whole setting as pretty as possible, and put the food on a plate instead of eating out of the container. One of my coworkers had gone out and bought a full dinner somewhere, but when she saw my setting she got mad and threw most of her food away. She said my food looked so much better she couldn't eat what she bought. At that time, it was a 50 cents Michelina's pasta dish. I kept condiments, crackers, tea bags and other little snacks, and took cut veggies and a little salad from home. I lost almost 30 lbs over the summer. love and hugs, still Nana In a world where you can be anything you'd like, please, be kind.

Midnightmom, This is a tough question, for many reasons. I want you to know that I take these types of claims with a grain of salt. It is not my intention to hurt anyone's feelings; I'm very skeptical of miraculous results. If these things were so awesome, everyone would be slim trim and healthy already. The weight loss industry- yes, INDUSTRY- is a multi-billion dollar money making enterprise. There are literally thousands of weight loss programs, schemes, pills and recipes created yearly, and with most of them, all you lose is money. The ONLY sure fire way to lose weight is to burn more calories than you consume. That's it. Please note that she did say you have to change your eating habits and exercise. There may be a few things here and there to help but, for long term versus yoyo dieting, you have to change your lifestyle and eating habits. That being said, I listened to her recipe and it seems - excessive. That's just my interpretation. I personally can't handle turmeric. I tried the capsules; it gives me horrible heartburn, and it turned my urine so orange I thought my kidneys were shutting down. I use fennel as an essential oil and it smells like licorice. It's slightly nauseating, at least to me. It's a great oil though, so I tolerate it. I've never tried carom but I looked it up and it's an Indian spice, similar to a mild oregano. I like lemon but as a citrus, I'd prefer pink or ruby red grapefruit. Cumin is a staple in my spice cabinet, but in moderation. Ginger is a favorite of mine, and is great for easing stomach issues. I don't have a clue how this would taste, but I can guarantee that I would not be a happy camper tying to drink that warm, bitter, odd combination, first thing in the morning. My morning coffee is the only thing keeping me from doing 25 to life. If you don't have any personal issues with these herbs, then by all means, go for it. I don't see any serious red flags and, apparently, you can buy carom at Walmart, or an Asian market. I have to say that, truthfully, I'd never drink it. Not ever! BUT! I may just blend those oils and use them as an abdominal massage. I could stand to lose a pound or 30, and if you rub it on your skin, it still absorbs into your body. If you rub it on the soles of your feet, it absorbs faster. That's why you should rub Thieves on your feet and put on thick socks, at the first sign of the sniffles. Good luck! still Nana In a world where you can be anything you'd like, please, be kind.

Mother, isn't it an amazing feeling? I can't even explain it. I've done a few of these, and I have a niece who swears I've saved her life a couple of times. I am as astonished as everyone else is, that what I make works. I always say, that everything we need was already here, a gift from God. We just need to learn how to use it. Love and hugs, still Nana In a world where you can be anything you like, please, be kind.

I guess I should have said that when it comes to homeopathic medicine, I really don't have a ton of experience. I buy them as needed but I haven't done a lot of research recently. Whatever I learned, can be found in my 2006 posts about flu and setting up a sick room. I've done and read thousands of things since then. I still use them occasionally, and I endorse them but I can't remember specifics. I will use oscillococcinum, as well as an earache remedy and eye drops but I don't even remember the brands. I rarely have to use anything other than my oil concoctions. Love and hugs, still Nana In a world where you can be anything you like, please, be kind.

Okay, ladies... a quick response, as I have paint drying that needs another coat. I honestly don't think I have favorites, in anything. Each of my girls are still trying to convince me that they are my favorite, or that one of their children is the favorite grandchild but, each is unique and special, with individual strengths and weaknesses, and all have their own special place in my heart and mind. Kay (used to be here on MrsS) once asked me my favorite color. She got the biggest kick out of my answer. Sunset. It's absolutely true. I guess I could add a second... water. Any color water absolutely fascinates and calms me, rivers, oceans, seas, waterfalls. Hmm... I digress. I love the idea of doing things as naturally as possible, while avoiding chemicals and toxins produced in the manufacture of medications. So each of those, has it's own special place in healthy living with fewer chemicals. I don't even eat margarine. It's literally one molecule away from being plastic. Back to the question. I use each depending on the situation and the benefit. I've had considerable success in a few areas and am pleased with the outcome. One of my daughters knew an elderly lady, in her 90's, that managed to survive an RV accident, but was left with a couple of bedsores, that her doctor told her would never fully heal, due to her age. My daughter came to me in tears, telling me the story, and asking if I could help, because this lady just wanted to attend the weekly seniors dance with her husband again, and to get on the dance floor. I created a salve, and an extract, prayed over it, prayed for guidance and prayed for a little old lady that just wanted to dance with her husband. She saw her doctor about 6 weeks later and he was astonished that her sores were healed. He said it was a miracle of modern medicine. She told him it had nothing to do with modern medicine, her friend gave her a cure. I never met the lady but, I was thrilled to have an opportunity to help her. Kind of long winded, sorry. Like I said, I have paint drying. ANewMe... fill a 10ml roller bottle 2/3 full of fractionated coconut oil. Add 15 drops each of frankincense, cypress and lavender. Shake well and use it as a night oil. It will also help you sleep, but the best part is, it does amazing things for your skin and will even help to heal any eye problems. I roll it on my eyelids and under my eyes, across my cheekbones and up my neck. Massage up and out and sleep like a well fed baby. Mother, I do tinctures every one in a while, but I use 80 proof vodka for them. I know you can also use vegetable glycerin but I haven't tried it yet. Teas are awesome and my go to when I'm out of sorts. ANewMe, buy your herbs from herbalcom.com They have great prices, awesome products and a flat shipping and handling fee. Don't go crazy, though. a pound each of calendula petals, chamomile flowers, lemongrass and lavender flowers will fill a small moving box. And it will be cheaper than buying a cup at a time from anywhere else. Vacuum seal half, for later use and it will stay fresh. The first order I bought from them was a major shock to me. And make your own sleepy time. Calendula, chamomile and lavender. Gotta go. Paint's dry... Love and hugs, still Nana In a world where you can be anything you like, please, be kind.

Dogmom, I have at least a dozen really good books on oils and herbs; of my favorites; The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Herbs from Rodale publishing, The Doctors Book of Herbal Home Remedies, by the editors of Prevention Health Books, Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine from Dorling-Kindersley (I hope I spelled that correctly- I love their books, especially for children!), one is The Aromatherapy Bible, a couple from Dr. Schnaubelt. The Aromatherapy Handbook, and others I don't remember right now. I also rely heavily on google. Sometimes it's easier to google than grab a couple of books and search. I do read them from time to time, to see what I may have missed or to inspire me to try something new. Of course, YMMV. Love and hugs, still Nana In a world where you can be anything you like, please, be kind.

ANewMe, I have tried Aura Cacia. It's okay but generally it is heavily cut with jojoba or another carrier oil so it wouldn't be my first or even my third choice. I would only buy it if it was all I could find, especially for the price. I do buy Plant Therapy, and I think I have some from Guru Nanda. I have a LOT of oils so I'd actually have to look but it sounds very familiar. I have a couple of projects to finish tomorrow but, on Wed., I have to blend a couple of oil recipes and make a body butter. I'll check the different brands I buy and let you know. Love and hugs, still Nana In a world where you can be anything you like, please, be kind.

Very interesting, Ambergris! However, if I pay upwards of $350 for something like that I would want it to come pre-assembled. That seems a little expensive and I'd be afraid my soldering wouldn't hold up and I'd get leaks. I really did like the 5 gal. copper one that looked kinda like a stovepipe. I may have to think about it. I wonder if my husband will even roll his eyes about this? We've been together for so long, and I've done so many crazy things, he barely even blinks anymore. I think he's developed nerves of steel. Love and hugs, still Nana In a world where you can be anything you like, please, be kind.

Mother, check for college textbooks on nutrition classes. I took the class over 40 years ago, while studying nursing. I actually just checked my shelves to see if I still had my textbook but, it seems to have disappeared at some unknown time. Love and hugs, still Nana In a world where you can be anything you like, please, be kind.

I just did a quick check and realized I misspoke about the price of the lavender oil I recently purchased. At the end of January, I bought a 4 oz bottle of Ola Prima lavender oil for $9.99. The 4 oz bottle of Maple Holistics rosemary oil was $21.95. A 4 oz bottle of SVA Organics camphor oil was $14.94. A 10ml (1/3 oz) bottle of Gya Labs myrrh oil was $14.94. Yes, that seem expensive, but the Three Wise Men knew exactly what the were doing when they showed up with frankincense and myrrh oils. Those oils were to annoint the baby Jesus' head and body to keep him healthy. There are studies being done, as we speak, on certain oil combinations curing cancer. They are amazing healers. Those are two more of the oils you should keep in your wellness arsenal. Edited to add; those oils were all purchased on amazon. I try to use AmazonSmile, to make donations to a chosen charity. I don't pay it, amazon does, in my name. Love and hugs, still Nana In a world where you can be anything you like, please, be kind.

Has anyone thought about buying a copy of last year's PDR? (Physician's Desk Reference) I used to keep a copy that was within a couple of years of current the one. They list all available drugs and interactions, including OTC meds. Things do change but generally not that drastically in a couple of years. You may be able to get a copy from a used book store online- I haven't looked for one for awhile. Local libraries may also sell last years copies. The info in a recent one would be much more up to date than a 2006 book. Just a suggestion.... Also, keep the inserts from your prescriptions, there's is a lot of good info on interactions and side effects. Love and hugs, still Nana In a world where you can be anything you like, please, be kind.

Cricket, I just realized you said you make a tincture out of lobelia, good for you! I wanted to tell you, I made a tincture out of the mullein. I filled a quart jar with the mullein, poured in an 80 proof (good) vodka to the top, and let it sit, in a cool dark place for at least a month. I honestly don't remember how long. It turned out great! I still have about a pint left, and it's still good, almost 2 years later. Love and hugs, still Nana In a world where you can be anything you like, please, be kind.

Jeepers, I'm really not ignoring you, and I'm sorry I didn't respond earlier. That's a good thing for your DIL to do. Does she make her own or buy it pre-made? If she doesn't make her own, it would be cost effective to make a batch- I've posted a recipe in here, somewhere. When covid first hit and I couldn't find hand sanitizer, I filled a small -purse sized- stainless steel spray bottle with 90% isopropyl alcohol, and added about 30 or so drops of thieves oil. I did find other sanitizer later but I still keep a bottle in my purse for public use. I just feel better after a quick spray when I'm out and about. Especially when I'm at the VA hospital. I inevitably have to use the bathroom when I'm there and almost all of the entry doors are automatic but the stall doors are not. I'd rather us my sanitizer to be sure after I leave bathroom. Love and hugs, still Nana In a world where you can be anything you like, please, be kind.

Mother, I make a lot of different body butters and salves but, I've only been successful with a lotion, one time. It was for a baby. My lotions are too thick and too oily. Maybe it's like when I tried making jelly- I can make incredible jams but jelly making is not my forte`. I guess I need to work on lotion 101 a little more. Love and hugs, still Nana In a world where you can be anything you like, please, be kind.