Homemade Natural Bug Repellent
Natural Bug Repellent
Most bugs sprays are pretty toxic and smell terrible. This natural bug repellent will keep you safe from toxins and unwanted critters. Using powerful citronella, this safe and effective bug repellent can be used on everyone in your family. With mild winters, most unwanted pests haven't been killed off.
Now is the perfect time to get started on putting together this natural bug repellent, since it takes a few weeks to steep the citronella. You can also make your own citronella candle.
While there are a good bit of recipe cards in this blog, I love a recipe that is so straight forward that you don't need one. People lean so heavily on being told exactly what to do any how to do it, but do we actually learn that way? This recipe for natural bug is vague on purpose. This is "recipe" is very forgiving and is effective if it doesn't "set" perfectly into a balm.
Let's Make It
To begin, you'll need enough fresh citronella clippings to fill a quart jar. Dry them using a dehydrator, oven, or leave them out in the open air until dried through. Don't use fresh citronella, as the oil can go rancid.
Top the jar off with fractioned coconut oil. Let it steep for 5-6 weeks. Using a cheesecloth over a glass bowl, strain the citronella out.
Noting the amount of liquid you were left with, mix the coconut oil with equal parts beeswax and shea butter.
Melt and stir mixture over a double boiler until beeswax is melted and everything is incorporated.
Very carefully pour hot liquid into jelly jars or balm tins.
The Easy Button
You can also purchase Young Living's citronella essential oil or cedarwood essential oil to use as your own bug repellent. Be mindful that when applying essential oils to the skin, you should use a carrier oil. Typically, I'll take a teaspoon of coconut oil in my palm and add a few drops of essential oil then rub it together and apply it around my ankles, arms, and waistband to prevent bugs, especially ticks
Homemade Elderberry Syrup
Homemade Elderberry Syrup
Cue the angels singing. Elderberry syrup has skyrocketed in popularity over the last several years as more folks are turning toward home healing and learning what they can do on their own to support their family's bodies. This homemade elderberry syrup is very easy to put together and can last for up to three months.
We take elderberry syrup during sick season and if we've been exposed to someone who was sick as a standard does of 1-2 teaspoons for kids and 1 tablespoon for adults, once a day. If we are sick, we take the same dose every 2-3 hours until symptoms disappear.
Elderberry Benefits
Elderberry has traditionally been considered a medicinal plant. It can support a strong immune system and may even alleviate respiratory conditions such as cold and cough. High in flavonoids, elderberries are thought to reduce the risk of heart disease and are beneficial in lowering blood pressure and managing diabetes. Add in my homemade fire cider and have the double whammy of natural immune support - there's even a kid-friendly fire cider version!
It is recommended that children under one year of age avoid honey due to the risk of infant botulism. Be sure to do your own research, discover the actual risk, and make an informed decision if it's right for your family. As always, this is not medical advice. 
Homemade Elderberry Syrup
Ingredients
Instructions
Notes
Sourcing quality ingredients: Be sure that you are sourcing quality elderberries. Ideally, your honey should come from close to home for you in order to receive the seasonal allergy relief that local honey offers.
Be sure to never eat raw dried elderberries, as they are toxic when dried.
How to Make an Herbal Tincture
How to Make Herbal Tincture
An herbal tincture is essentially herb-infused alcohol. While herbs and oil will eventually get you essential oils, herbs and alcohol will get you tinctures.
Herbal tinctures are an excellent way to benefit from medicinal herbs. They are easy to put together and are shelf-stable for years. The easiest way to make an herbal tincture is through the process of maceration. Maceration is the process of soaking herbs in liquid (water or alcohol) for several weeks; it is the go-to tincture method for at-home herbalists.
What is Menstrum?
Menstrum is the liquid portion of a tincture. The menstrum will extract the properties from the herb. It can be water, alcohol, vinegar, or, sometimes, glycerine. Most folks use vodka or everclear.
Calculating the amount and ratio of menstrum to herb can be as easy or as complicated as you'd like to make it. However, most herbalists use a 50% water and 50% alcohol as their menstrum and that will get you an effective tincture with no issues.
While there are plenty of resources for getting very specific with your menstrum ratios depending on the types of herbs and accounting for loss, we are going to keep it simple in this guide and use dependable ratios to get us a solid product each time.
Menstrum to Herb Ratio
Most herbalists will use the following ratios:
- Fresh Plant Tinctures 1:2 ratio, with 95% ABV menstrum
- Dry Plant Tinctures 1:5 ratio, with 50-65% ABV mentrum
When making fresh plant tinctures, each 1 gram of fresh herb is macerated (soaked) in 2 milliliters of almost pure alcohol (Everclear) for optimal extraction.
For tinctures made from dry plant materials, each 1 gram of herb is macerated in 5 milliliters of menstruum with an alcohol content of between 50 and 65% (double-proof vodka).
Herb Preparation
Dried Herbs
Chop your dried herbs into small pieces, they do not need to be powdered.
Kitchen shears are the best tool for this. When using barks, roots, berries, or mushrooms that are difficult to cut with shears, put them into the blender for a few seconds, just enough to break them up.
Fresh Herbs
Typically, you'll only need the leaves. Be sure to wash and dry them before use. Roughly chop the herbs. Refer to ratios above.
How to Make an Herbal Tincture - Lemon Balm
In this guide we will make a lemon balm tincture. Lemon balm is incredibly easy to grow, as it is in the mint family. It calms anxiety, promotes sleep, and aids in digestion.
Lemon balm is an incredible tincture to have on hand postpartum. It eases the night-scaries and mild anxious feelings and belly discomfort that come with postpartum. Lord knows we need help with in the sleep department, too.
How to Make an Herbal Tincture
Ingredients
- Half pint jar with lid
- Measuring cups
- Metal strainer
- Cheesecloth
- 1/2 cup fresh lemon balm leaves, roughly chopped
- 1 cup everclear
Instructions
- Fill jar with herbs
- Pour in everclear, be sure alcohol is covering herbs completely
- That's it, put the lid on.
- Put in a cool dark place for four weeks, give a gentle shake once a week.
- Place cheesecloth inside metal strainer on top of a clean empty jar and strain out herb leaves.
- Label clearly and take one dropper as needed.
Disclaimer: This information is intended only as education and is not a replacement for professional health advice.
Homemade Magnesium Spray
Homemade Magnesium Spray
Magnesium is a staple for relaxation. While folks usually go for a bath or foot bath, this homemade magnesium spray is easy to absorb and apply when you're in a pinch. Magnesium has been shown to reduce stress and enhance sleep. It's also shown to support hormone function and provide energy support. These magnesium chloride bath flakes are the best.
During pregnancy, my feet (along with the rest of me) were very swollen during the third trimester, IYKYK. I was also sleeping terribly, as expected. Magnesium foot baths gave my feet incredible relief, helped set up a relaxing environment, and I slept as good as someone good when they have a pumpkin-sized gymnast attached to them.
Once the baby came, I definitely needed all the support I could get with hormones, sleep, and reduced stress. Between the cluster-feeding and contact naps, I didn't have the time to continue with my evening foot soaks. Sure, I could steal away for a bath every now and then, but I felt like I needed support each night. That's where this homemade magnesium spray really came in handy. Now, I use it on myself and my one-year old during out bedtime routine.
Homemade Magnesium Spray Recipe
Homemade Magnesium Spray
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup water
- 1/3 cup magnesium flakes
- Spray bottle
Instructions
- Boil water
- Add Magnesium flakes
- Stir until fully dissolved
- Wait until cooled
- Pour into spray bottle
Apply 2-3 sprays on the soles of your feet before bed.
Hormone Healing Chamomile Latte
Hormone Healing Chamomile Latte
Looking to heal those hormones and reduce your caffeine intake, but don't want to lose out on your five minutes of morning peace with your coffee? This hormone healing chamomile latte is the perfect alternative if you're trying to go caffeine-free with a creamy, dreamy latte.
Maca powder will add hormone support and healing since it is an adaptogenic herb. Try making your own vanilla extract it's so easy!
By cutting out caffeine you can dramatically reduce the stress on your body and reduce the amount of time your body spends in a parasympathetic state.
I started to notice that in the mornings, when I was working from home, before the nanny my stress was high. Very high. I felt panicked, I was irritable, and it started my day off so poorly. It is a stressful situation to try to get yourself ready for the day, a baby ready, breakfast, coffee, fire up the laptop for work, get through a few emails. I'm already pretty high-strung. The absolute last thing I need is caffeine.
I switched to organic swiss water process decaf coffee at first. Having that hot mug in my hands while I distract my babe with scrambled eggs and smushed blueberries is just bliss. I needed something. Then I decided I wanted to support my body with my morning drink, that's when I switched to these hormone healing chamomile lattes. Still creamy and delicious just like my coffee, but supports my body instead of depleting it.
Hormone Healing Chamomile Latte
Ingredients
- Chamomile tea bag
- 1 pinch Sea salt
- 1/2 tablespoon of butter
- 1/2 tablespoon Vanilla Extract
- 2 tablespoons milk, or more to your liking
- 1 tablespoon maca powder (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare one cup of chamomile tea
- In a blender combine the tea and remaining ingredients.
- Blend for a few seconds.
- Pour into cup and enjoy
5 Medicinal Herbs to Grow in Your Garden
5 Medicinal Herbs to Grow in Your Garden
Here are some incredibly medicinal flowers and herbs to grow in your garden this spring to stock your home apothecary. This is a short list of five power house herbs that I'm growing in my garden this spring. One season of planting can provide years of benefits when turned into oils or tinctures.
Echinacea
Echinacea is a well-known medicinal herb that is an immunity powerhouse. Grab this to prevent and treat colds and flus. Echinacea helps rebuild white blood cells and protect the body from infection. It can also relieve upper-respiratory issues and assist with lung health.
Chamomile
Reach for the chamomile to treat any bruises or swelling. To use topically, it can be made into a balm or salve. If I'm in a pinch, I will take a chamomile tea and use the tea bag on the bruise or add the tea and bag to a foot soak to reduce swelling. This medicinal herb can help with sore throat and cold symptoms. It also soothes toothaches. Chamomile is incredibly easy to grow in your garden!
Hyssap
Hyssap is another medicinal herb that can help with lung health. Use it for a multitude of respiratory issues and as another overall immune booster. Aids in digestion and can be used topically to help with bruise discoloration.
Borage
Great anti-inflammatory properties, making it great for swelling or an allergic reaction. Borage protects against oxidative cell damage and can even help treat asthma. Another immune booster that is packed with nutrients. Use borage topically in a balm or salve to help insect bites, eczema, and skin irritation.
Yarrow
Reduces scars, helps the skin prevent infection. Yarrow has antiseptic and antispasmodic properties, meaning it can help with stomach cramping and aid in digestion. Make a tea to cleanse the skin and prevent any infections. Yarrow is an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant for the skin.
Turn these herbs and flowers into a tea, tincture, oil, balm, or salve after harvesting them from your garden. You could even try a bath bomb after making any of these into an oil.
Herbal Bone Broth
Nourish your body with this delicious nutrient-dense bone broth. All of that gelatinous goodness will fuel your body. Warm bone broth in a large coffee mug was my go-to during those early postpartum months to get my mineral stores back in a good place and re-hydrate. After pregnancy, birth, and nursing - your minerals really take a hit.
Sourcing quality products is what you'll want to focus on when making bone broth. This version is a little extra. Feel free to add or subtract what you have on hand. My best bone broth hack is to add vegetable and bone scraps to a bag in my freezer for a few weeks as I use them for dinners. Once the bag is full, it's time to make broth.
Try fire cider for another option to boost that immunity.
Herbal Bone Broth
Ingredients
- 2lbs bones
- 1 onion, chopped
- 3 carrots, chopped
- 2 stalks of celery, chopped
- 1 tablespoon sea salt
- 1 lemon
- 1 sheet of seaweed
- 1 tablespoon of ghee or butter
- 1 tablespoon of ginger
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 tablespoon oregano
- 2 bay leaves
- 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
Instructions
1. Roast bones on 375 degrees F for 30 minutes.
2. Simmer in a large pot with water overnight, or for eight hours.
3. Add the remaining ingredients. Simmer for six more hours.
4. Let cool.
5. Pour into jars to process or store flat in freezer bags (see note)
Notes
While using plastic freezer bags isn't ideal, this is often the easiest and best option for some. Once broth has completely cooled, measure desired amount into bag. Remove air and seal bag, lay bag flat on baking sheet. Label with marker. Stack multiple bags on top of baking sheet and place in freezer. When frozen, take bags off baking sheet for storage. I recommend storing in 2-4 cup increments.
Homemade Fire Cider
Homemade Fire Cider
If you've never heard of fire cider before, it is a spicy tonic that is used to fight colds and flus and boost the immune system. It's a mixture of fruits, vegetables, and herbs all topped with vinegar. After steeping for a few weeks, all of these beneficial ingredients are strained out and the liquid is used to add to soups, stews, sauces, marinades - but I most often use it as a tea or as a shot.
Use a variety of ingredients in your fire cider, whatever you have on hand or prefer. Common additions are ginger, honey, lemon, oranges, red onion, elderberry, garlic, horseradish, turmeric, and cayenne. Other beneficial ingredients that can be used are black pepper, jalapeno, echinacea, cinnamon, rosemary, oregano, thyme, rosehips, pomegranate, and limes.
A large glass 64-70 ounce jar is best. Apple cider vinegar is going to be the best tasting and beneficial vinegar to use. As always, use high quality ingredients.
Homemade Fire Cider
Ingredients
- 64 oz jar with lid, sterilized
- 2.5 cups of apple cider vinegar
- 1 pomegranate
- 1 orange
- 1 jalapeno
- 1 red onion
- 1/2 cup horseradish
- 1 lime
- 1 lemon
- 2 inch knob of ginger
- 2 inch fresh turmeric root
- 2 TBS rose hips
- 2 TBS elderberries (boil these in water for 10 min and strain, first)
- 1-2 sprigs of thyme
- 1 sprig of rosemary
- 8 cloves of garlic
- 1 pinch black pepper
- 1.5 cups of honey
Instructions
- Chop onion, jalapeno, garlic into large rough chunks
- Grate turmeric, horseradish, ginger
- Slice lemon, lime, and orange
- Add all ingredients to jar, except apple cider vinegar. While adding, smash ingredients with a muddler.
- Pour apple cider vinegar over ingredients to cover.
- Shake well
- Cover and set on counter for 4-6 weeks.
- Strain through a cheesecloth lined strainer
- Store liquid in glass bottle
- Drink 1-2 tablespoons a day alone, add to tea, soups, stews, etc.
Homemade Starbucks Medicine Ball Recipe
Homemade Starbucks Medicine Ball Drink
Let's make this popular order - the Starbucks Medicine Ball - into a drink that is actually nourishing for the body. Kick your winter cold with this homemade version.
The Starbucks version has 30g of sugar. There is honey in the Starbucks version, but it is not up to the standards you would want to provide a medicinal benefit. It contains potassium sorbate (a preservative), gums, and "natural flavors" (can be a unknown variety of lab-made flavorings). Nothing about those ingredients set your body up healing.
Let's stick to the good stuff that will actually support our bodies. That's the whole reason we would order the Starbucks Medicine Ball over your usual double-pump, cold foam, latte-blah-blah triple espresso, right?
Ginger, honey, lemon, and peppermint are the ultimate tried and true threat for cough, cold, flu, congestion, and overall funkiness. Take a drink if you feel something coming on or if you need a little immunity boost.
I like to swap out the tea depending on how I'm feeling or what I have on hand. Ginger, honey, and lemon - you really can't go wrong adding it to any tea blend. I prefer loose leaf tea. You can typically find it for much cheaper than bagged tea, plus you avoid chemicals and bleach that are used in most tea bags. My favorite tea balls are durable and reusable. Plus, you can mix and match single varieties of tea to make your own custom blend, depending on your needs.
Homemade Starbucks Medicine Ball Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 ginger root, chopped into small sections. Peel, if preferred.
- 3 lemons, peeled
- 3 tablespoons raw honey, preferably local
- plash of water
- High quality peppermint tea
Instructions
- Blend the ginger, lemons, honey, and water
- Pour into an ice cube tray
- Freeze until solid
- Add a cube or two to your hot peppermint tea
Fermented Garlic Honey
Fermented Garlic Honey
Cold and flu season is here. This fermented garlic honey great home remedy to have on hand to boost your immune system. Garlic is a powerhouse and widely recognized for its anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, anti-viral properties. Garlic is a great addition to any garden, too. It doesn't take up a lot of space, and while it does have a longer growing season, it doesn't require much care. Choose varieties that store well for homegrown garlic all year long.
Fermenting garlic in honey makes it easy on the belly and compounds all of those lovely benefits. Take a spoonful when sick or when you feel a funk coming on. This fermented garlic honey is a perfect for kiddos - a spoonful of sugar, right?
While I'm totally on the slow living train, this garlic chopper saves so much time - it works great with ginger too, and has everything you need to chop, mince, and dice without sticky garlic paper fingers.
Fermented Garlic Honey
Ingredients
- 3 cloves of garlic
- Raw honey
- Sterilized jar
Instructions
- Peel and chop the garlic
- Place garlic in the jar
- Pour in raw honey until garlic is covered
- Lightly put the lid on, finger tight, and place in a dark cabinet
- Tighten lid and flip the jar every day (fun activity for kids).
- When the jar is right side up, loosen the lid again
Notes
Over time, you'll see bubbles - that's the fermentation!
Disclaimer: As with anything, do your research and choose the best route for your family. Do not give honey to children under one year of age.