Lemon Essential Oil

We all know the wonderful clean smell of lemons and lemon essential oil has the same fresh, citrusy smell. The best essential oil is extracted from organic lemon peels by cold pressing. Lemon oil is edible and is light yellow with a greenish tinge and a thin viscosity.

The major constituent in lemon oil is limonene, which is a powerful antioxidant and gives the oil it's fruity aroma. It also contains citral and citronellal which gives it it's lemon aroma. The oil has many properties, the major ones being antiseptic,antimicrobial, antibacterial, diuretic, and carminative.

Lemon oil has many health benefits:
1) It is excellent for skin problems like acne, itchy eczema, cold sores, herpes, athlete’s foot, bleeding gums, warts, abscesses, boils, and mouth ulcers. The oil can be applied directly to the skin.
2) It relieves many mental problems like fatigue, nervous tension, depression, insomnia, dizziness, anxiety, nervousness and is known to increase concentration and alertness. A burner, vaporizer or room spray can be used to distribute it throughout the area.
3) It is excellent against infections like colds, 'flu, tonsillitis, bronchitis, fevers, malaria to name a few. Can be used in a vaporizer, added to a bowl of boiling water so the steam can be inhaled or added to warm water and used as a mouth wash in the case of throat problems.
4) It can improve blood circulation, assist in the removal of cellulite and relieve rheumatism, arthritis and gout, by being massaged into problem area.

NOTE: Lemon oil is photosensitive so it not advisable to apply lemon oil just before going out in the sun. Wait at least four hours.

Lemon oil also has many useful household, beauty and general applications:
1) It's excellent antiseptic, antimicrobial, antibacterial properties make it the perfect natural air freshener and surface cleaner in rooms like kitchens and bathrooms.
2) It can be used instead of bleach in the washing machine and to sanitize the washing.
3) It will remove gum, oil, grease spots and crayon.
4) It can be used as a hand cleaner after using a public toilet.
5) It can be used to clean and increase the shelf life of fresh fruit by soaking fruit in a bowl of water, for a few minutes, with a few drops of lemon oil added.
6) It is used in hair care to either to remove dandruff or as hair tonic.
7) It is used in skin care as it is excellent for oily skin and it also rejuvenates dull skin.

It would be easy to write a book on lemon oil with all it's amazing uses. Commercial businesses and D.I.Y. folk also make perfumes, scented candles, soaps, and edibles like muffins and lemonade with the oil, so why not give it a bash yourself? The shelf life of lemon oil is only 8-10 months but is sure to be used long before that. Make sure that you buy a good quality lemon essential oil so you and your family can reap all it's excellent benefits.

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Lavender and Lemon Moisturizer for Oily Skin

3 drops of lemon oil
3 drops of lavender oil
3 tsps. of glycerine
1/2 cup of distilled water

Mix the lemon and lavender oil together in a bottle before adding the glycerine and distilled water. Shake well and store in the fridge for future use. Can be used on body as well as face.

Lemon Citrus Nail Soak
From Aroma Thyme  
Lemon juice and the essential oil of lemon whitens nails while stimulating healthy growth.

8 fl oz / 240 mls. spring water
1 tbsp aloe vera gel
10 drops lemon essential oil

Mix and soak fingertips for 10 minutes.

Homemade Lemon Toner
From Natural Skin Care Info 

1/2 cup lemon juice
1 cup distilled water
2/3 cup witch hazel

Combine all ingredients. Pour into a clean bottle or decorative cosmetics container. Shake well before using. Apply with a clean cotton ball.

Beat the Winter Blues Bath
From Therapy Essence    

4 drops bergamot essential oil
4 drops lemon essential oil
2 drops ylang-ylang essential oil

Add to a warm bath and disperse well - or blend with 1 tblsp grapeseed oil or 1 tblsp unscented bubble bath and add to a warm bath. Soak in the bath for 15-20 minutes inhaling the vapours. Do not get bath water in your eyes as it will sting.

Rosemary and Lemon Hair Growth Shampoo
The Aromatherapy Place 
Bad haircut? Grow your hair out quickly with this shampoo.

15 drops lemon essential oil
10 drops rosemary essential oil Spanish
8 fl oz / 240 mls fragrance and additive free shampoo

Pour shampoo into a 4 fl oz / 120 mls bottle, add essential oils and shake vigorously.

Lemon Moisturizer for Normal to Oily Skin
From the Aromatherapy Place 
This gentle formula will moisturize your skin without leaving any oily residue.

17 drops bergamot essential oil
13 drops cedarwood essential oil
14 drops lemon essential oil    
4 fl oz / 120 mls fragrance and additive free moisturizer    

Pour moisturizer into an 4 fl oz cosmetic jar add essential oils and stir vigorously.

Fruitwood Perfume/Cologne
From NaturalBeauty 
This perfume is a round, fully citrusy perfume with a distinct woodsy scent. This fragrance is also well suited for use as an appealing cologne for men.

5 tsp. 80-proof vodka
1/2 tsp distilled water
15 drops lemon oil
10 drops grapefruit oil
10 drops lemongrass oil
2 drops benzoin oil
3 drops cedarwood oil
5 drops neroli oil
5 drops cypress oil
10 drops verbena oil (use with caution if at all)

Place all of the ingredients in a dark glass bottle and shake well. Store the perfume in a cool, dark place for 2-3 weeks to allow it to develop. Turn the bottle upside down occasionally as the perfume steeps.

Teresa's Wood Polish
From Essential Oil Recipes

4 fl oz / 120 mls olive oil
1/2 tsp of lemon essential oil

Mix in a small bottle, apply with a soft cloth and buff to shin. Olive oil feeds the wood and the lemon gives a fresh smell.

Germ Fighter Spray
From Craft Gossip
Here is an antiseptic, germ fighting spray to use on cuts and scrapes. May also be used as a room spray.

12 drops tea tree essential oil
6 drops eucalyptus unrectified essential oil
6 drops lemon essential oil
2 oz / 60 mls distilled water

Combine ingredients and add to spray bottle. Shake gently before use.

Microwave Cleaner
From Natural Healthy Home Cleaning Tips

1/4 cup baking soda
1 tsp vinegar
6 drops lemon essential oil

Mix ingredients to make a paste. Apply to interior of microwave with a sponge. Rinse and leave door open to dry for 15 minutes. Wash the glass turntable by hand. This recipe will get rid of food odors...great for getting rid of that popcorn smell.

Scots Pine Essential Oil

There are many varieties of pine but the one that is normally used therapeutically is the Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris). Also known as Scotch Pine and Norway Pine. The tree is native to the North and West of Europe. The best quality pine pure essential oil is extracted from the needles of the Scots pine tree by steam distillation.

An oil is extracted from the cones, twigs and wood clippings, but this has a harsh aroma, and another oil is also ontained from the pine resin and this we know as turpentine. Both these oils do have medicicinal properties but are not suitable for aromatheraphy, dermatology and massage as they irritate the skin and mucous membranes. They are often used in household products like cleaners and disinfectant. 

Pine oil is colourless to a very pale yellow and watery in viscosity.. It has a strong pine aroma with a camphoraceous undertones. Pine oil's main property is as a powerful antiseptic and it is also analgesic, anti-bacterial,  diuretic, and energizing.

It's health benefits include the treatment of skin problems like eczema, pimples, boils and psoriasis, relief of joint pain like arthritis, relief of mental stress and fatigue, curing respiratory problems like coughs and colds, a remedy for urinary tract infections, reducing the inflammation of the gall bladder, and speeding up the metabolism. Apart from massage it can be used in a burner or added to the bath water, to relieve asthma, sinusitis, coughs and colds.  

Warning: When purchasing pine oil for personal use make sure you have the right variety and it is the pine pure essential oil (Pinus sylvestris). Do not take internally and do not use when pregnant. It is also not suitable for young children and old folk. It should also be used sparingly.

A good tip is to add a few drops to carpet shampoo and pet shampoo as it is said to repel fleas.

Pine oil has many beauty and cosmetic uses and is found in soaps, bath oils, massage oils, perfumes, steam baths and saunas. It blends well with cedarwood, rosemary, lavender and sage. 

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Cold and 'Flu Mix

10 drops pine essential oil

8 drops tea tree essential oil

15 drops lemon essential oil

Place in dropper bottle and shake well. Use as follows: Steam Inhalation: 3 to 4 drops in bowl of boiling water.  Cover head and bowl with towel and inhale for 5 minutess. Dry Inhalation: 3 to 4 drops on a tissue and inhale throughout day. Bath: 8 drops in bath and lie back inhale and relax.

Reviving Salt Bath

From Australian Spirulina 

1/2 cup Epsom salts 

1/4 cup sea salt

1-2 tsps spirulina powder 

5 drops pine essential oil 

Mix and add to warm bath.

Fizzy Bathroom Sink Cleaner

From Natures Gift 

1/2 cup baking soda

6 drops pine essential oil

1/4 cup vinegar

Combine the baking soda and essential oil. Sprinkle into the sink; pour the vinegar on top. After the fizz settles, scrub clean with a damp cloth or sponge. Rinse clean.

Pine Floor Cleanser

From iVillage Clean and Organise  

1/2 cup soap flakes

1/4 cup washing soda

1 cup salt

2 cups water

2 tsps pine essential oil

Washing soda, available at grocery-store laundry sections, is an inexpensive yet effective cleansing agent that quickly cuts grease and removes stubborn stains. Mixed with soap and salt, it makes an excellent cleanser for most hard floor surfaces. In a saucepan, place the soap, washing soda, salt, and water and heat gently, stirring until soap, soda, and salt have dissolved. Cool the mixture to lukewarm, then add the essential oil. Stir well and pour into a jar or other container. To use, pour two to three tablespoons of the mixture into half a bucket of hot water, stirring well. For large areas, you may need to double the amount.

Geranium Oil

Geranium oil is distilled from rose-scented pelargoniums (P.graveolens, P.odoratissimum, P.radens and P.capitatum). Unlike their cousins with their showy, colorful blooms, they have insignificant rose-pink or mauve flowers. Geraniums are native to South Africa.

The plants are cultivated and distilled in the Reunion Islands (the superior Bourbon geranium oil), Egypt, Russia and to a lesser extent, China. The oil extracted from the leaves, stalks and flowers, is a greenish color with a strong, rosy perfume with a hint of mint. Research has shown the oil to have antiseptic, astringent, anti-inflammatory, fungicidal and diuretic properties.

Geranium oil is favored by aromatherapists as it is excellent for many types of skin problems. It is well known for it's balancing effect on the body by both it's mood elevating and stress reducing aroma. It is also added to massage oils to reduce the symptoms of PMS, like fluid retention and added to mouthwashes for gum infections and sore throats. The scent of this oil is helpful for meditation because while calming, it is not sedating.

Perfumers find the oil valuable as it is less expensive, is a good substitute for rose absolute, and also blends exceptionally well with other perfumed oils. The oil is excellent for soap making as it is unaffected by the soap's alkaline properties. It is also very popular for making homemade preparations.

Warning: Do not use on over sensitive skin and do not use during first 3 months of pregnancy.

Keeping a rose-geranium plant in the home is also worthwhile. Brushing the leaves lightly with your hand will release the oil and give a wonderful aroma. The flowers can be added to salads and the leaves shredded and used as flavoring in jellies and vinegars. When baking, coat the bottom of a pound cake pan with vegetable spray then spread the rose geranium leaves over the bottom, pour batter over them and bake the cake.

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Rose Geranium Skin Freshener
From RecipeGoldmine
This restores the acid layer in the skin that helps protect against bacteria.

1/4 cup white vinegar or apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup water
1 tsp rose geranium oil

Mix all ingredients. Keep in a clean glass bottle with a tight-fitting lid. Apply over face and throat with a clean cotton pad.

Nail Growth Oil
From i-ERM

1/4 cup almond oil
2 tsp apricot kernel oil
5 drops geranium essential oil
2 drops rose essential oil

Mix the ingredients together and store in a dark colored bottle. To use, massage the base of your nails every day with this oil to encourage healthy growth. The oil can also be used as part of a manicure. Soak the nails for at least 10 minutes after you have thoroughly cleaned them.

Bruise Soother
From GreenChronical

3 drops geranium essential oil
2 tsps / 10ml sweet almond oil
2 drops lavender essential oil
2 drops sweet marjoram essential oil

Mix oils together and apply to affected area.

Facial Lotion for Dry and Mature Skin
From Suite101

1 tsp jojoba oil
1 tsp calendula infusion oil
1 tsp sesame oil
6 drops sandalwood essential oil
4 drops neroli essential oil
2 drops geranium essential oil

Blend the carrier oils and the essential oils in a clean one-ounce amber glass bottle. Mix thoroughly. Label. Apply 4-6 drops on moistened skin. Use as needed.

Herbal Tick Repellent for Dogs
From Care2 Posted by Annie B. Bond
I tested the essential oil that is recommended for ticks, Rose Geranium, by putting a few drops—no more!—on our dogs’ collars, to see if it would repel ticks. Lo and behold, we went from 20 ticks a day on each dog to none. ~ Annie

2 tbsps vegetable or nut oil (almond oil contains sulfur, a repellent in its own right)
10 to 25 drops rose geranium essential oil

Combine the ingredients in a glass jar; shake to blend.
Make: 2 tablespoons with a shelf life of about six months.

NOTE: Don’t use these essential oils around cats.

Rose Geranium Sugar
1 cup sugar
8 rose geranium leaves

Mix sugar and leaves together and store tightly covered for at least one week. Remove leaves when ready to use. A lovely sweetener for iced tea or your breakfast oatmeal.

Technorati Tags : geranium rose-geranium pelargonium essential+oils [tagname] skincare

Thyme Herb

When most people think about the herb Thyme (Thymus Vulgaris) they think of it as a cullinary herb or ingredient of bouquet-garni to add to their cooking. Thyme has many more uses as a medication, household cleanser and in beauty products.

Thyme comes originally from the Mediterranean area and was used as far back as the Ancient Egyptians for embalming, the Ancient Greeks wore it for courage and to fumigate rooms, and the Romans to flavor cheese.

Thyme comes in many different varieties but the most popular being common thyme and lemon thyme. It is easy to grow in the garden or in pots on a sunny windowsill.

Thyme has antiseptic, expectorant, antispasmodic, and deodorant properties so is used for bronchial ailments like coughs and colds, for fungal skin problems, for digestive problems like colic, parasites and flatulence , for PMS, as a mouthwash and even for hangovers. It is the volatile oil in thyme containing thymol, carvacolo, borneol and geraniol, plus flavonoids, which give it these wonderful healing properties. It is also said to strengthen the immune system.

A simple cup of thyme tea, made with half a teaspoon of dried thyme or one teaspoon of fresh thyme and steeped for a few minutes, will relax bronchial spasms and dry out mucous, relieving coughing.

Note: The herb generally does not cause any allergic reactions but thyme oil should be used with care, not taken internally and well diluted externally.

In the home it is used as an insect repellent either by using in a spray or burning it and as an alternative to moth balls in cupboards. It is also burnt in the home to bring good health by fumigating and cleansing the rooms.

Keep dried thyme in a glass jar in a cool dark area and fresh thyme in the fridge. Of course it is nice to have a pot of it hand to use as you require it. For thyme in food see my other entry Common Thyme.

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Our garden must have thyme
Thyme for each other
Thyme for family
Thyme for friends
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Thyme and Fennel Seed Cleanser for Normal Skin
From SpaIndex
As an infusion, fennel seeds can be gently cleansing and toning for the skin, and they can help reduce puffiness and superficial irritation. Thyme, is a good astringent. Because this cleanser is very gentle, it can be used each morning.

2 sprigs fresh thyme, crumbled (or 1/2 tbsp dried Thyme)
2 tsps fennel seeds, crushed
1/2 cup boiling water
juice of half lemon

Mix the thyme and fennel seed in a bowl and cover with boiling water. Add lemon juice and steep for 15 minutes. Strain the infusion and store the liquid in a jar, in the refrigerator. Dab it on your face and neck with a cotton ball, and rinse.


Lavender, Lemon and Thyme Bath Salts
From MakeYourOwnCosmetics
Submitted by Danielle Martin
Sprinkle Lavender, Lemon and Thyme Bath Salts into a warm bath for a heavenly scent which is both relaxing and invigorating.

1 cup coarse sea salt
1 handful crushed dried thyme
2 drops lavender essential oil
1 drop lemon essential oil

Pour salt into a bowl. Sprinkle over it the crushed dried thyme and stir. Add the drops of essential oils, one at a time, stirring well after each addition. Mix well - this is important to ensure that the scent is evenly spread. Store the salts in a wooden box, glass jar or small hessian sack. (Use glass if you plan to store it a long time -- glass will ensure that the container does not absorb the essential oils.) Sprinkle the salts into a warm bath for a heavenly scent which is both relaxing and invigorating. Yield: 1 bath, Shelf Life: Indefinite.


Green Tea Thyme Toner
From SkinCareResourceCente
Submitted by Jinni
This toner is as simple as they come and really serves to stimulate as well as to protect the skin. This combination is great toner recipe for all skin types but is especially beneficial for acne prone and oily skin. Also used as a compress for inflamed skin as well, especially for sunburn.

4 to 5 good quality green tea bags or several heaping tsps of green tea leaves
1/3 to 1/2 cup of fresh thyme roughly chopped
2 cups of mineral or vitamin water
small pot

Combine all ingredients in a small pot. Bring the pot to a boil then turn down the heat and let simmer for 10 minutes. Remove the pot from the heat and let the tea and thyme steep until cool. This will make a rich, highly concentrated green tea and thyme solution. Squeeze out each tea bag thoroughly over the pot, press the thyme with the back of a spoon to release every bit of the herb, and then strain liquid into a container. Use a cotton ball to tone the skin every day. The tea thyme toner can be kept for at least a week in the refrigerator.


Cough-Control Tea
From MarthaStewart

2 tsps organic lemon rinds
1 tsp dried sage or 2 tsps fresh sage
1/2 tsp dried thyme or 1 tsp fresh thyme
juice half lemon
honey/sweetener to taste

Pour hot water over lemon rinds, sage, and thyme. Cover and steep for 15 minutes. Strain tea, then add lemon juice and sweetener. Drink two to three cups daily for cough relief.


Moth Repellent
From TheDollarStretcher

1 handful each of dried thyme, tansy, peppermint, pennyroyal, and whole cloves
2 handfuls each of dried lavender, southern-wood, santolina, and lemon peel
1 tablespoon powdered orris root
Several drops of lemon or clove oil

Mix all ingredients well and spoon into small cheesecloth or cotton bags, filling each with about 1/2 cup. Hang in closets or over hangers that hold your woolens.


Technorati tags: thyme health beauty+recipes moth+repellant+recope herb+teas

Neem Oil

Often described as the most medically useful tree of all time, the Neem tree (Azadirachta indicahas), has been valued by the people of many parts of Asia and Africa for more than 4000 years. The bark, leaves, twigs, seeds, and sap are used.

Neem oil is anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, antiseptic, and astringent. It is also known as an excellent natural insecticide and fungicide. It consists primarily of saturated and of mono-unsaturated fatty acids, steriods and is rich in oleic (Omega_9), stearic, palmitic, and linoleic (Omega_6) acids. Neem oil is not used for cooking purposes but is used internally in Ayurvedic and traditional Asian medicine.

Note: Only use neem oil internally on the advice of a qualified practitioner. Although no major problems are reported, pregnant women and babies should not use it externally either, unless they are advised to do so by a qualified practitioner.

An excellent skin care oil. Neem oil adds moisture and elasticity to the skin and is known to heal many skin disorders like acne, athlete’s foot, dandruff, head lice, psoriasis, ringworm, scabies, and warts. Mix one teaspoon neem oil to half a cup of carrier oil, like almond, olive, coconut or palm oil. It has been used with excellent results against candida or thrush, without the side effects of many pharmaceuticals, and is good as a mouthwash when having sore gums.

Neem oil is used safely on pets to eradicate fleas, mites and dry skin. Just add a few drops of the oil to a handful of their shampoo when bathing them.

It is also wonderful for eradicating garden pests but is non-toxic to bees, birds and earthworms.. Add a couple of teaspoons to your watering can or spraycan water. Neem oil does not mix with water without an emulsifier, so also add a couple of squirts of liquid soap or shampoo to the water. Then water or spray the infested plants. Also add a couple of drops to you skin lotion to deter mosquitoes when gardening.

Neem oil is great when cleaning house. Add the oil to carpet shampoos and mattress sprays to kill dust mites. Add to liquid hand soap for antibacterial properties. As neem oil has a strong garlicky/sulfur smell you might wish to add a few drops of your favorite essential oil as well, to mask the smell if you do not like it. Lavender or lemongrass are good choices.

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Lepa Mask
From Martha Stewart Whole Living

"Lepa" translates as "medicinal plaster." This mask absorbs impurities. In a large bowl, combine 2 teaspoons each sandalwood powder, natural clay powder (available at natural-foods stores), a pinch of ground turmeric, 1 teaspoon neem oil, and 1/4 cup fresh orange juice. Mix thoroughly and apply all over the face and neck, avoiding the eyes. Leave the mask on for about 15 minutes. Rinse with warm water.


Hand and Foot Treatment
From Martha Stewart Whole Living

To soften rough hands and feet, start by gently massaging them with a loofah or rough hand towel. Next, soak them in a tub of warm water infused with a few drops of sandalwood, rose, neem, or jasmine oils. Use a pumice stone to soften rough areas on the feet. To moisturize, make a solution of 1 teaspoon neem oil and 2 tablespoons coconut oil and massage into both hands and feet, focusing on the heels, soles, ankles, between the toes and fingers, wrists, and palms. Rinse with the juice of one lemon diluted in 1 cup warm water. Dry off with a soft, fluffy towel.


Dandruff and General Hair Mask

Add 1teaspoon of neem oil to 2 tablespoons of warm avocado oil. Apply oil to scalp, and massage into skin. Comb through. Cover hair with plastic bag or cling wrap. Leave on for 1 hour, then shampoo hair.

Technorati : neem+oil natural+skincare dandruff hair+mask acne

Cleaning with Salt

For one of the cheapest, non-toxic, natural cleaners try salt. Unlike a good quality, organic salt which is best for using in your cookery recipes, you can use the cheapest common salt you can find for household cleaning purposes.

Below are a few of the hundreds of ways salt can be used in the home:

Brass and Copper : Rub with paste made from equal parts of salt, flour and vinegar.

Candles : Drip-proof by soaking candles in a strong salt solution for a few hours. Dry well.

Carpet Spot Cleaner : Rub a paste of equal parts salt, borax and vinegar into dirty spots. Leave until dry then vacuum.

Chimney : To keep your chimney clean, throw a handful of salt on the fire.

Coffee Pots : Clean by boiling water with 2 to 3 tablespoons of salt added to the pot.

Enamel dishes and cookware : Rub with a salt and vinegar paste.

Flowers : Clean vases by rubbing deposits with salt. Add a pinch of salt to vases to keep flowers fresh longer.

Gold : Rub with a paste of salt, flour and vinegar.

Keeping cut flowers fresh - A dash of salt added to the water in a flower vase will keep cut flowers fresh longer.

Iron Pans : Remove grease by sprinkling with salt and wiping with kitchen paper.

Mildrew Stains : Moisten with a mixture of lemon juice and salt, hang item in sun to bleach then rinse and dry.

Onions and Garlic: Rub hands with a mix of salt and vinegar to remove smell from hands.

Ovens : To clean oven use a mixture of salt, baking soda and vinegar. Stubborn satins can be rubbed with steel wool. For spills, sprinkle immediately with salt, leave a few minutes them wipe clean. To deodorize, sprinkle oven while still warm with salt and cinnamon. Wipe away with cloth when cool. For fires in ovens or on stove top, sprinkle with salt to extinguish, never use water.

Pewter : Cover with a paste of salt, flour and vinegar. Allow to dry, rinse in warm water, then gently polish with a soft cloth.

Poison Ivy : Kill plants by spraying a few times with a mixture of 1lb/half kilo salt to 4 pints/2 litres soapy water.

Refrigerators : Deodorize and clean with a mixture of salt and soda water.

Rings on Furniture : Remove white rings by rubbing a thin paste cooking oil and salt in with your fingers. leave for a few hours then wipe clean.

Silver Cutlery : Line pan with aluminum foil in the bottom of a pan, add enough water to cover cutlery and 1 teaspoon of salt and one teaspoon of baking soda. Boil for a few minutes. Remove, rinse and dry.

Sink Drains : To prevent odors and remove grease, regularly pour down a strong mixture of salt and boiling water. To unblock drains, pour mixture of ½ cup salt, ½ cup baking soda and 1/4 cup cream of tartar down drain, follow by kettle of boiling water. Wait a few hours then flush with water.

Sneakers : Remove moisture and odors by sprinkling a little salt in them.

Stained Cups: Rub with salt.

Tin Baking Pans : Remove rust by rubbing with a cut potato dipped in salt.

Wicker : To whiten yellowing, white wicker furniture, scrub it with a brush moistened with saltwater. Dry in full sunlight.

Wine Stains : Blot as much as possible of rug or tablecloth. Cover stain with salt to absorb the residue. Rinse with cold water.

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FOR THE KIDS FROM TEACHNET.COM

Earth Friendly Play Dough

* 1 cup flour (not self-rising)
* 1/2 cup salt
* 1 cup water
* 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
* 1-1/2 teaspoons cream of tartar

Mix in saucepan over low heat. (It does not have to heat long.) Dough is ready when it rolls into a ball. Keep dough fresh in an airtight container. If you need to make different colors, add food coloring while mixing over heat.

No-Cook Clay Dough

* 3 cups flour
* 3 cups salt
* 3 tablespoons alum

Combine ingredients and slowly add water, a little at a time. Mix well with spoon. As mixture thickens, continue mixing with your hands until it has the feel of clay. If it feels too dry, add more water. If it is too sticky, add equal parts of flour and salt.

Technorati Tags: salt household+cleaning cleaning+tips play+dough+recipes

Eucalyptus Oil

Eucalyptus essential oil has been a favorite of mine for many years for it's many uses. It is the distilled oil from the Blue Gum Tree which is native to Australia and Tasmania.

It is a powerful antiseptic, natural pain reliever and anti-inflammatory and can be used in the treatment of coughs, colds, flu, throat infections, cold sores, fevers, sprains, burns and scalds, cuts and grazes, insect bites, and muscular aches and pains. It also increases concentration and reduces stress.

Note: Not suitable for babies and small children or as a massage oil for pregnant women or for those with sensitive skin.

Eucalyptus oil is also useful for animals. Vets use eucalyptus Oil for horses with flu, dogs with distemper, and for animals with parasitic skin affections.

The oil is virtually colorless but becomes yellow as it ages. It has a piercing camphor type aroma so when using with other oils in a burner, use sparingly or it will dominate the other aromas.

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Blend for Colds
From Dreaming Earth Recipes

2 drops lavender essential oil
2 drops tea tree oil essential oil
2 drops eucalyptus essential oil

Place in a diffuser/burner.


Blend to Ease Sinuses
From Wiccan Kitchen Recipes

2 drops eucalyptus essential oil
2 drops peppermint essential oil
2 drops tea tree essential oil

Boil a pot of water and remove it from the stove. While it is still steaming, add oils, immediately cover the pot and head with a towel and inhale for 3 minutes. Keep Eyes Closed.


Orange-Eucalyptus Bath Salts
By Rebecca Dillon at Article City
Winter colds don't leave you with much to be desired. Lift your spirits, ease muscle aches, and help clear nasal passages with this bath salt blend.

1 cup fine sea salt
1/2 tsp liquid vegetable glycerin
1/2 Cup epsom salts
8 drops eucalyptus essential oil
8 drops sweet orange essential oil

Combine all the ingredients in a bowl and mix well. To use, simply add 4 to 6 tablespoons of salts to a hot tub. Keep unused salts sealed in an airtight container.


All-Round Cleaner
From Cleaning Recipes at Alfalfa House

2 tbsps pure soap
3 tbsps washing soda
6 drops eucalyptus essential oil
400 mls/1 cup hot water

Mix all ingredients together. Pour into a labelled spray bottle and shake well before use. Suitable for most hard surfaces. Spot test if unsure.


Natural Flea Recipe
From Family Herbal Remedies

This is the natural way of eliminating these unwanted fleas from your home and sleeping place of your pet. It has a natural aroma that is not harmful to Humans, Pets, or Children. Use ¼ tsp. of Eucalyptus Oil in a 8-10 ounce spray pumper bottle. Fill with water. Put the pumper on a fine mist. Spray your house with the mist. Spray the carpet, furniture, car, pet’s beds everywhere. Fleas hate the aroma and run for the door. Do this 3 times a week. It leaves a fine mist that dries almost instantly. Your home will have a very fresh scent. Spraying your pet is also a great idea. It doesn’t hurt them and it helps keep fleas away. Do this recipe all year, but especially do this routine in the summer months when fleas are at there peak. Vacuuming is also important for picking up eggs.


Herbaceous Cuticle Conditioning Oil
From Health and Beauty - All in Your Hands

2 tbsps sesame or jojoba oil
8 drops carrot seed essential oil
7 drops eucalyptus essential oil
5 drops peppermint essential oil
5 drops tea tree essential oil
3 drops oregano essential oil

Combine ingredients. Shake well before each use. Rub into nail and toenail cuticles following bath or shower; while these oil helps prevent fungus, the strong scent may be best to use at night. Store unused portion in tightly sealed (preferably glass) container in a cool, dark, dry place for 6-12 months.


Technorati tags: eucalyptus essential+oils flea+recipe homemade+cleaners cold+remedies

Grapefruit Oil

The best quality Grapefruit pure essential oil is obtained by cold expression of the oil from the fresh peels. Another method is obtaining the oil from the peel and fruit pulp by steam distillation. It's properties are as a diuretic, disinfectant, antiseptic and a stimulant.

Grapefruit oil has a sharp, refreshing, citrusy perfume and is excellent for lifting the spirits. Try adding to your burner when feeling depressed and down in the dumps.

Popular for massage as the oil stimulates the lymphatic system and removes excess water from the system. This also helps in the removal of cellulite.

Grapefruit oil has been found to relieve migraines and PMS. It also beneficial for oily skin and hair.

Warnings: The expressed oil is phototoxic so do not apply when intending to sit or lie in direct sunlight. Also, some skins are sensitve to grapefruit oil so do a patch test first and always dilute
with carrier oil for massage.

For info on fresh grapefruit and recipes see my other blog The Vegan Diet.

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Grapefruit and Parsley Face Pack
From Spaindex

3 tbsps very fine oatmeal (whirl oatmeal in a food processor,if necessary)
2 tbsps chopped parsley
1/2 large grapefruit
olive or sunflower oil

Mix 3 tablespoons of very fine oatmeal with two tablespoons of chopped parsley in a bowl. Add juice from half of a large grapefruit until you have a soft paste. Let the mixture rest 5 minutes. Spread soft mixture over your face and let dry for approximately 15 minutes. Rinse off with warm water. Follow with toner and moisturizer.

A De-Stressing Bath
From Birchhill Happenings

3 drops lavender essential oil
3 drops ylang ylang essential oil
2 drops basil essential oil
2 drops geranium essential oil
3 drops grapefruit essential oil

Fill Tub with warm water, add the essential oils. Close the bathroom door and enjoy and relax. Light a few candles, play your favorite relaxing music and unwind!

Rosemary Deodorizer & Disinfectant
From the Herbs Place

6 drops rosemary essential oil
6 drops grapefruit essential oil
4 drops lemon essential oil
2 ozs/50 mls purified water

Combine oils and water in a 2-ounce glass spritzer bottle. Shake well before each use and spray liberally into the air. This spray will combat odors and kill infectious organisms. During cold and flu season, add 2 drops of Eucalyptus. The blend works well in a diffuser also without the water.

Grapefruit and Sea Salt Scrub
From the Soap Kitchen
Sea salt scrubs are exfoliating scrubs that moisurise and enrich the skin. Designed for use in the shower, they combine the exfoliating effect of coarse sea salt with the moisturising effect of sweet almond oil and in this case have the enrichment of white Grapefruit essential oil, which can help with reducing the effects of cellulite.

250ml/9 fluid ozs screw-top ointment jar.
coarse Sea Salt
sweet almond oil
5ml (1tsp) white grapefruit oil

Take your open ointment jar and fill almost to the top with coarse sea salt. Add 5ml of grapefruit essential oil. Top up with sweet almond oil, making sure you re-fill until the level of the oil is maintained just above that of the oil. Now all you have to do is have the pleasure of using it. Sea salt scrubs are best used in the shower, as the oiliness can make a bath slippery, which can be dangerous. Simply scoop a palm-full of the mixture into your hand and gently scrub over the skin. The salt will exfoliate whilst the oil/s will moisturise and soften the skin. Rinse off the excess and shower as usual.

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