Self-Sufficient Homemade Recipes

[ozark hen]

Angie, thank you. I bought a bottle of tree oil a long time ago as I knew it was good for something but have never used it. My hands are getting scaly (sp?) and nothing I try seems to help. Winter brings out the worst in my hands

Your information is great. I think we may need to start a Part II on this thread as I am afraid Nifty will "clean house"

I think this thread is so valuable.

 

[purr]

ooh I have a medicine one, if nobody has said it yet
For bee stings make a paste of water and adolfs meat tendorizer. This was told to my sister-in-law by a pediatrician

 

[Zookeeper9000]

Quote:
Just a note on skin problems. It takes something like 8 weeks for skin to grow so if you are having skin problems and nothing seems to work it is because the skin it is working on is not at the surface yet. At least that is what the skin doc told my sister.

 

[Chicken Woman]

Ingredients
Sugar scrub to effoliate dry skin and moisturize

50 percent white cane sugar (note that organic sucanat, while the best choice for food, doesn’t work as well for this recipe)

50 percent vegetable glycerin to moisten the sugar (I used avocado oil since I was out of vegetable glycerin and it proved to be a successful substitute)

Small amounts of aloe vera gel, vitamin C crystals, tea tree oil or anything healing that dissolves in water

1 or 2 drops of essential oil if desired
combine orange and lavender

Enough ground hibiscus powder for pink color (if desired)

Combine the ingredients in a bowl. Scoop some of the scrub onto your hand and massage gently onto your skin for a minute (the scrub will actually tighten onto your skin like a masque). Leave on for 3 to 4 minutes before rinsing.

Let me warn you in advance that you’ll want to use this sugar scrub on your entire body. I started on my face, returned to my desk, and my skin felt so baby soft that the skin on my neck felt like sandpaper, so I needed to use the sugar scrub there, and on and on.

I love to give myself a pedicure by soaking my feet in fairly warm water and applying this scrub. I even let it sit a bit to get xtra softness on heels.

 

[Chicken Woman]

Anyone find a recipe for liquid dish soap ?

 

[ChevygirlBeth]

I love this thread! So much great info here!

I made the dry laundry detergent yesterday finally. It took me a long time to find A&H Washing Soda. Finally found it at a small local grocery store in a nearby town. I washed some clothes with it yesterday and the first load should be dry... but I overslept this morning, so I didn't have time to fold the clothes before leaving for work like I usually do. I can't wait to get home and check them out!

 

[ashylove]

for the laundry soap you can also use regular bar soap... i havent made mine yet, but i will be using the soap that i made! i just need a bucket to put it in!!!

i also made a room freshener... i bought a small spray bottle at target (in the dollar section of the health and beauty) and put distilled water in it with some fragrance oil... it is awesome, and the smell lasts longer than anything you buy in the store!!! i also use this as a febreeze replacement!!!

 

[ozark hen]

ashy, that is a wonderful idea on the room freshener. thanks for sharing that

I make up a large double batch or more of dry laundry detergent. I use one of those plastic ice cream gallon containers that has a lid and a handle on it for my container. I bought plastic containers with lids for smaller batches that I have given away as gifts.

 

[NancyDz]

Fels Naptha is also awesome if you get exposed to Poison oak or ivy... wash areas with it, it gets rid of the oil and helps dry it out.



NANCY

 

[lizardz]

Wow - lots of great ideas here! I'm definitely going to make the laundry soap! Here's a few things I use around our house -
For cleaning glass, mirrors, etc., mix 1/2 vingegar and 1/2 water. I also use it in the shower to clean off the soap scum.
Use plain old baking soda to clean your sink or freshen your carpets. I usually put a bunch in a jar and add some essential oils (I like a mix of cinnamon and mandarian), let it set for an hour or so, then use. Sprinkle it on your carpets before you go to bed at night, then vacuum in the morning and your house will smell great (we have 3 dogs, 2 cats and a teenager and his multitude of friends - belive me, we have smells!).
Do you have a sinus infection or a bad cold? Bring a pot of water to a boil and put in some thyme (fresh or dried), then make a tent with a towel over your head and breathe in the steam. I used to get chronic sinus infections and now whenever I think something's coming on, I do this and have had no more infections.
A final note - I've noticed a number of people suggesting oregano oil and tea tree for certain things. Be aware that both of these oils are considered "hot" oils (as well as thyme oil) and can cause some major skin irratation if used directly on the skin. It is suggested that you mix a few drops of your chosen oil in a carrier oil (I use almond, but you can use pretty much any oil, including vegetable oil or olive oil). Another way to use these oils if you do not want to ingest them, is to rub them on the soles of your feet - the oils will be carried throughout your system. It's funny, but a lot of times 5-10 minutes after you rub the oil on your feet you will be able to taste them!
Hope these ideas/information helps someone. Thanks again for all the good info on here!
Liz