Blog Archives

Nontoxic and Natural Homemade Cleaners

10/28/2015

Whenever possible, I like to use natural cleaners for my household chores. Here are three of my favorite cleaners and a natural air freshener that gives your home a refreshing clean scent without saturating your air with harmful chemicals.

ALL PURPOSE CLEANER-Combine 8 drops of pine essential oil, ½ teaspoon of liquid castile soap, ½ teaspoon of distilled white vinegar, and 16 ounces of water in a spray bottle. Spray on nonporous surface and let stand for a half minute before wiping away with a clean sponge or cloth.

DRAIN CLEANER-Pour ½ cup white vinegar followed by one handful of baking soda down the drain. Let it sit for at least an hour then run hot water. This solution naturally cleans and freshens the drain and is also good for loosening minor clogs.

MOLD and MILDEW REMOVER-In a 16 ounce spray bottle, mix 2 tablespoons borax, 4 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, and ½ teaspoon each of eucalyptus and lavender essential oils. Shake, fill with water, and shake again. Spray nonporous surface, scrub with a soft brush and rinse.

AIR FRESHENER-Add 4 tablespoons of any dried herb and 2 cups of water and simmer on the stove. OR, just fill a 4 ounce spray bottle with 10 drops of essential oil and water. Spray in the air when needed. My favorite essential oils for air freshening are lavender, eucalyptus, or peppermint but any fragrant oil will work.

Aromatherapy Essential Oils may be purchased at Touch for Life Massage

To Your Health!
Gail Grieger

Natural Home Remedies

10/21/2015

As we say goodbye to summer and head into the cold and flu season, I thought I would share some natural home remedies that might help you and your family through the season.

SINUS CONGESTION-Make a steam inhalation and towel cover. Add two drops each of eucalyptus, peppermint, and lemon oils to a small saucepan of water and heat until it steams. Then put the towel over your head and lean over the steaming water and breathe normally - inhaling through the nose and exhaling through your mouth. Repeat process three times a day.

COUGH-Add three drops of eucalyptus and three drops of thyme to 4 oz. of carrier oil (olive, castor, sunflower or jojoba). Massage or rub it into the chest area and throat. These oils are also helpful when inhaled in steam and you can use them in a vaporizer placed by the bedside.

SORE THROAT-Make a mouthwash gargle by adding two drops of lemon, two drops of eucalyptus and two drops of lavender oil to a cup of warm water. Gargle but don't swallow. Also, add the above oils to 4 oz. of a carrier oil (olive, caster, sunflower or jojoba oil) and rub the mixture onto the throat, chest, and around the glands of the neck.

CHAPPED SKIN-Add six drops of myrrh oil to a carrier oil and rub into the affected area several times a day.

CANKER SORES and MOUTH ULCERS-Dab a cotton ball with myrrh oil and apply to the ulcer. Repeat as necessary using a clean cotton ball each time. As a mouthwash, add six drops of myrrh to a cup of warm water and rinse the mouth well, but do not swallow.

And here are a few more remedies for other common ailments.

TOOTHACHE-Dip a cotton ball in full strength clove oil, apply to offending tooth. Repeat as necessary. For teething baby, rub sore gums with a tiny amount of chamomile oil several times a day.

CUTS and SCRAPES-For antibacterial purposes, add four drops of tea tree oil to ½ pint of warm water and use it to rinse the cut. Then dab a cotton ball in tea tree oil and apply to the area.

NOSE BLEEDS-Pinch the nostrils together and apply the following cold press: Soak a piece of flannel in 1 pint of very cold water, add six drops of frankincense oil. Fold it in half and place over the bridge of the nose. Bleeding usually stops very quickly. Also, you could apply a cotton ball dabbed in pure witch hazel to the membranes of the nose.

Natural home remedies help us to stay ahead of some of the common irritations that we encounter and may minimize our need to seek medical attention. However, natural remedies do not and should not replace necessary medical care.

Aromatherapy Essential Oils may be purchased at Touch for Life Massage.

To your health!
Gail Grieger

Welcome to my Blog!

Thanks for checking out my blog. I have had a life-long interest in all things related to health and wellness, which is part of the reason I became a massage therapist. I am constantly on a mission to increase my knowledge and I like to share what I learn with others. My hope is that these posts will be interesting and provide you with information and tips that can improve your health. If I can ever answer a question or if you think you might benefit from therapeutic massage, please give me a call or send me a note.

Gail Grieger, CMT, CFH

Nontoxic and Natural Homemade Cleaners

Natural Home Remedies

Welcome to my Blog!

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