Skin Care
Taking care of our skin is very important. The skin, intact, is our first defense against any invasion of foreign matter that can be harmful to our system. The skin is considered a third kidney because we excrete toxins through the pores just as we do through the kidneys. We also ingest many chemicals and toxins through the skin, so it is important that we pay attention to what we use to clean, soothe, and heal it. The skin also plays an important part in regulating our body temperature.
Most injuries to our skin are simple and taking care of them is easy. Cleaning any wound or puncture immediately following an injury should be the first step. Seek medical help if necessary. Keeping the area clean during healing prevents many problems from developing later on.
Some skin problems are indicative of internal problems, such as an improper diet. Diet plays an important part in caring for our skin. If we stick to a simple, natural diet and use only natural products to clean or protect us, we will have a much healthier immune system; one that is better able to deal with the viruses or bacteria that we come into contact with daily. Keeping the immune system healthy should be the major goal in seeking a healthy lifestyle.
One of the first ways you can begin to live a healthy lifestyle is to make your own soap. Many people would like to, but think that it is a difficult thing to do. The whole procedure takes about 11⁄2 hours from start to finish. I make it as I need it and only have to do so a couple of times yearly.
There are no artificial chemicals in this homemade soap and that really is the first step in being chemical-free. The ingredients are simple and there are only a few tools involved. You will need a wooden spoon; a wide-mouth, glass, half-gallon jar; several flat containers that you can line with plastic wrap (you could use several shoe boxes if desired); an enamel or iron pot in which to “cook” the soap; and a photography or dairy thermometer. The temperature is important when making soap, so get a good thermometer that registers as low as 95–98 degrees.
There are several rules to follow when making your soap:
1. Get your containers ready by either greasing them or lining them with plastic wrap. Do this first so that they are ready when needed.
2. Never use aluminum to prepare your soap. Always use enamel, stainless steel, or iron containers. You use the wide-mouth glass container to mix your lye solution in, but you will need a container of enamel or iron to “cook” your soap.
3. Never allow your curing soap to sit in a drafty area as this will make your finished product hard and flinty. I cover mine with several thicknesses of newspaper and then cover with a folded blanket for several days.
4. Make sure your molds are at least 11⁄2 to 2 inches thick. If the mold is too thin, it will cause the soap to curl. If it is too thick, it will make the soap too big and it will be difficult to hold. To add scent to your soap, add the scented oil right before you pour the soap into your molds. Any of the scented oils will do. I like to use the vanilla scent for my own personal use, but any that you prefer will do great. Try using a fruity or flower scent. Sometimes kids like the smell of peppermint and this works great too.
You will need to add about 2 tablespoons of the scented oil to each batch. Add more if stronger scent is desired. The scented oils that you add can be of help in treating skin disorders. Lavender oil is an excellent astringent. Adding olive or almond oil is great for dry skin. Thyme oil acts as a deodorant aid. If you prefer, you don’t need to add any oils. The plain soap alone is great for your skin because it has no artificial additives in it.
5. When adding the lye to the cold water, please do so slowly and carefully. I never would make it when the kids were around because I was afraid that they would get into the solution when my back was turned. I have since learned that kittens are very curious and you need to watch your pets when you make it. I had a very close call with one of my kittens, so please take certain precautions. Wear rubber gloves and do not breathe in the fumes. The mixture will heat up when you are pouring the lye in the water so be sure to use very cold water. Stir very slowly to avoid splattering and burning yourself. The splatters will also cause damage to countertops so you may want to do this procedure outdoors. Making the soap outdoors will also cut down on the fumes.
If you happen to splash any of the solution on your skin, rinse off immediately with water and then rinse the area with vinegar. Vinegar will neutralize the lye somewhat. Continue stirring until the lye crystals are completely dissolved. You will need to place the jar in a pan (or sink) filled with cold water to bring the temperature of the lye solution back down to 90–95 degrees. After that temperature is reached, slowly add the lye solution to the oil.
Basic Soap
This recipe is for the basic soap. To make your lye solution, add 11⁄2 cups of lye to 5 cups of cold water in your wide-mouth jar, stirring until your lye crystals are completely dissolved. The lye heats the water up. Place jar in cold water to bring the temperature down to about 90–95 degrees. In an enamel pan, slowly melt 6 pounds of lard. Place that enamel container in cold water and bring the temperature down to about 120–130 degrees. When temperatures for both solutions are right, slowly add the lye solution to the melted lard, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon. Keep stirring continuously for about 30 minutes. Add the scented oil and pour into greased molds. Cool overnight.
If you use just one container for a mold instead of individual molds, you need to cut the soap into bars the next morning. Remove the soap from the mold after several days. Age the soap for about 2 weeks before using. Remember that aging only improves your soap.
Miracle Soap
This recipe is great for dry skin. It lathers up wonderfully. I call it my miracle soap because I use it to wash my hair with too and it is great for the skin. This soap does not get hard fast, so don’t feel that you have failed if it does not harden quickly. The temperature is important for this recipe and so are the measurements and weights. You might fail if either is incorrect. Make sure you have an accurate scale to weigh your ingredients. If you don‘t have one, you need to add one to your equipment list. This recipe makes about 7 pounds of soap.
Ingredients needed are:
103⁄4 ounces of lye crystals
4 cups cold water
27 ounces of coconut oil
34 ounces of olive oil
3 cups of vegetable shortening
(not lard or butter or margarine)
1 tablespoon scented oil
1 wide-mouth jar
1 enamel or stainless steel pan
1 wooden spoon
Measure 103⁄4 ounces of lye in a plastic container. Slowly and cautiously add the lye to 4 cups of cold water in the wide-mouth jar. (see rule number five on previous page.) Stir until lye crystals are completely dissolved. Place the jar in a shallow pan of cold water to start bringing the temperature of the lye water down between 95–98 degrees. The temperature cannot be hotter or colder than this for the recipe. Use the thermometer to continue taking the temperature until the proper temperature is reached.
This cooling process takes a little time, so place your shortening in the enamel pan and melt that. Add the olive oil and the coconut oil after you have melted the shortening. You may need to place this in cold water to bring the temperature to between 95–98 degrees. If either solution is too hot or too cold, you may have to heat it up or cool it down to proper temperatures. When both solutions are ready, slowly add the lye solution to the oils in a steady stream, stirring constantly.
Keep stirring until the mixture traces. This means that the spoon lifted from the soap mixture will be able to trace a design on the creamy soap. This design will stay visible for several seconds before disappearing. If you have stirred for about 30 minutes and the soap does not trace well, it is still able to be used. It will just take a little more time to harden after you pour it into the molds.
Before pouring into the molds, add the scented oils. Cover your molds with a folded blanket and place them on a level surface, sheltered from any drafts. Allow to set for 24 hours. Uncover and allow to set another 24 hours. If your scale and thermometer read correctly, you should have a batch of beautiful soap. Carefully following instructions and having equipment that reads correctly always ensures a good batch.
This recipe makes soap that is pliable when removed from the molds. At that time, you would be able to make it into different shapes, designs, and sizes. It will have the consistency of soft cheese and be easy to roll into balls or shape into animals for the kids. You can become quite artistic in design. A friend of mine even makes hers into suggestive shapes for her husband’s personal use. The soap may be easier to carve into shapes after it has had a chance to set more firmly.
In addition to carving, there are many ways to make your soaps more attractive. You can make “soap on a rope” by forming the soap around a knotted cord. To make the soap prettier, select a glass with an attractive design on the bottom and press the bottom of the glass into the soap.
Wrap the seasoned soap in pretty tissue paper, tie with a bright cord or ribbon, and then store it or give it as gifts. I like to line a small box with tissue paper and place three to a box. It’s handy to have around if you need to unexpectedly give a gift.
If you plan on using your own herbs to make the soap, you would need to make a strong tea from the herb desired and cool it completely after straining. You can make it the night before and store in the refrigerator overnight. It will not make as strong a scent as the scented oils will. And the scent does disappear completely while you are using the soap.
For a coarser texture, try adding cornmeal or oatmeal that has been ground in the food processor, or grains of pumice to the mixture. This is good for people working on cars, or others who need a grainy soap to remove oils from their hands. Try adding powdered herbs or spices to the soap mixture. This creates interesting colors and textures. Soap-making can be fun. If you keep records of your soap-making recipes, you will be able to re-create a good idea.
To create a wonderful gift for yourself or others, put together a basket with homemade soap, a bath salt or oil mixture, and then add a luffa sponge that you have grown yourself. Sources to purchase the seeds for luffa sponges are as close as your favorite seed company or store.
Luffas are a relative of the squash family and would need a trellis to climb on. The fruit is fast-growing and great to use. Right before the autumn rains start, bring the luffa indoors to dry. You might want to wipe the outer gourd with a weak bleach solution to keep black spots from forming on the outer shell. When completely dry, soak the gourd in warm water overnight so the shell will be easy to peel away. If you wish to whiten the fiber of the sponge, soak the gourd in a weak bleach solution. This will also soften the outer shell.
To soften the sponges, use them for household tasks, such as wiping down counter tops or scrubbing out sinks. When the sponge has been softened by this hard work, it will be soft enough to use for your bath. These sponges last forever and you need never buy another sponge. They are a handy gift from mother nature, if we but take the time to plant them.
Easy Herbal Soap
Place 2 tablespoons finely chopped lemon verbena or lavender into 2 tablespoons warmed glycerin. Place in a warm area for several days. Strain and finely grate 12 tablespoons of unscented soap or soap flakes and melt in top of a double boiler. Remove from heat and add the scented glycerin to the melted soap. Add 1 tablespoon of honey. Mix well. Pour into greased molds. Allow to set until the soap is cool and hardened.
Now that we’ve taken the steps needed to care for our skin properly, here are some recipes that will take care of special problems and needs.
Boils
Boil or Sore Treatment
It is my belief that boils are caused by blood impurities and certain minerals missing from the diet. If you are prone to boils, look at your diet and take steps to remedy that. It is important that you have a good balanced diet that includes plenty of vegetables. Drinking plenty of water daily aids the body in flushing toxins from your system. Try mixing equal parts of cayenne pepper, powdered lecithin, butchers broom, and apple pectin. Place in #00 capsules. Take two daily along with a multiple B vitamin tablet to improve circulation and flush the body of toxins. To help heal a boil or sore, hold a plantain leaf under very hot running water. Crush the leaf until limp. Place over the inflammation. This is a very good astringent.
Bring a Boil to a Head
To bring a boil to a head, place a small piece of fatty bacon over the boil and bandage it. Leave on overnight. The head should be ready to remove by the next morning.
Heartsease Boil Treatment
Native Americans used wild heartsease (pansy) to draw boils. It was ground up and placed on the boil, bandaged and left on overnight.
Lemon Juice Boil Treatment
Soak a piece of bread in lemon juice and apply to the boil. Cover with a loose bandage and try to leave on overnight.
Parsley Boil Treatment
Take a handful of crushed parsley and wrap in cheesecloth. Apply to the boil and wrap a hot cloth around the area. Repeat, covering the area with the hot cloth for about 15 minutes.
Soften Boils
Apply linseed oil to the boil to soften and aid in healing.
Burns
Aloe Vera for Burns
Cut open the leaf of aloe vera and apply immediately after a burn occurs, to relieve the pain and prevent scarring.
Apple Butter Burn Treatment
After cooling the burn with cold water, add a paste of apple butter. Reapply as the apple butter dries. Keeps the burn from leaving a scar and promotes healing.
Burn Salve
Make a salve using 1 cup solid vegetable shortening, 1⁄2 ounce beeswax, 2 tablespoons each of Irish moss, white oak bark, and marsh mallow root. Simmer for 15 minutes. Strain immediately and keep stirring while the mixture is cooling. Add several drops of tincture of benzoin to the salve. This keeps the salve free of bacteria. Where burns are concerned, you need to keep the area as clean as possible to prevent infection and permanent scarring. Apply the salve directly to the burned area.
Raw Potato Burn Treatment
Scrape a raw potato and apply to the burn. Reapply as the potato dries. This tends to start cooling the burn immediately. Get help if burn is severe. Until help arrives, you can use the potato to cool the burn.
St. John’s Wort Burn Treatment
Put 2 tablespoons of St. John’s wort in 1 cup of boiling water. Allow to steep until cool. Strain. Apply as a wash to the burn to relieve pain and speed healing.
Vinegar Burn Treatment
Put the burned area in apple cider vinegar if possible. After soaking until the pain is relieved, you may apply a loose bandage that has been soaked in vinegar. Prevents scars and speeds healing while relieving pain.
White Yarrow Burn Treatment
Grind up the whole white yarrow plant. Place in pan and cover with cold water. Allow to steep for several hours. Use this to cool the burn and aid healing.
Yogurt Burn Treatment
Yogurt relieves the pain of a burn fast. Apply to the burned area as soon as possible to relieve the pain.
Chapped Skin
Calendula Petals for Chapped Skin
Pour 2 cups boiling water over 5 tablespoons of calendula petals. Steep 30 minutes. Strain and use as a compress. Very soothing. Also good for minor cuts and scrapes.
Chamomile for Chapped Skin
Children and adults who spend a lot of time outdoors can be prone to chapped hands. Make a tea, pouring 2 cups boiling water over 2 tablespoons dried chamomile. Steep overnight. Strain and refrigerate. Use on face and hands as you would a lotion.
Foot Skin Care
Athlete’s Foot Prevention
Athlete’s foot is caused by a fungus infection of the outer “dead” layer of the skin. Prevention is the best treatment. Careful attention to hygiene is important. Ventilation of the feet is very important. Going barefoot a lot at home helps the feet to stay dry. When going into public showers or pool areas, wear thongs to prevent infection. When you do wear shoes, lightly dust the feet and shoes with powdered alum to prevent moisture. Wear cotton socks to absorb moisture.
Athlete’s Foot Remedy Using Apple Cider Vinegar
Put plenty of apple cider vinegar all over the feet. Soak a cotton ball in the vinegar and place these between the toes. Put on socks and leave on overnight.
Athlete’s Foot Remedy Using Flower of Sulfur
Flower of sulfur can be dusted on the feet and shoes to treat or prevent the fungi from taking hold. Flower of sulfur can be purchased at your drugstore.
Athlete’s Foot Remedy Using Lemon Juice
Rub lemon juice on the feet and allow to dry. Try to go barefoot as much as possible. Reapply the lemon juice several times daily.
Athlete Foot Remedy Using Red Clover
Put 2 tablespoons of red clover in 1⁄2 cup of boiling water. Steep until cool. Add enough cornstarch to make a paste. Spread this paste on feet and put socks on. Leave the paste on overnight.
Athlete’s Foot Remedy Using Sea Salt
Add 1⁄2 cup of sea salt to a basin of very hot water. Soak the feet daily in this mixture for 30 minutes until improvement is noticed.
Foot Odor Remedy Using Baking Soda
Sprinkle baking soda in your shoes to eliminate odor. Soaking your feet in baking soda and water will eliminate strong odor and is restful for tired feet as well.
Ivy Corn Treatment
Soak bruised ivy leaves in vinegar overnight. Soak a small piece of bread in the vinegar mixture and apply to the corn. Bind up and leave on during the day. Replace with fresh application at night. Continue treatment until corn is gone.
Lemon Corn Treatment
Bind a fresh lemon slice to the corn and leave on overnight. Soaking the feet in baking soda and water will also dissolve the corn.
Onion Corn Treatment
Place a slice of raw onion over the corn each night and bandage. Removes the corn in 3–4 weeks. Pulverized garlic cloves will also work.
To Remove Corns
Corns are caused by ill-fitting shoes. It really is good to go barefoot as much as possible. I think the Asian practice of removing shoes as you enter a house is an excellent habit. I always allowed my children to go barefoot indoors and outdoors as much as possible while their feet were forming. None of them have foot problems. They seemed to learn to walk earlier and have stronger foot and leg muscles. I never wear shoes unless I have to. Besides being good for my feet, it feels so good!
If you are diabetic you need to seek help from your physician immediately for any foot problem and that is the one exception I make to going barefoot. Diabetics should wear shoes at all times to protect their feet from accidental cuts.
If you already suffer from corns, try these remedies to get rid of them and then make a practice of going barefoot and getting proper-fitting shoes. It may cost a little more, but your health is the most important asset you have.
Turpentine Corn Treatment
Remove soft corns by dipping a clean cloth in rectified turpentine and wrapping it around the area. Continue treatment until the corn is gone. Apply rectified turpentine a couple times a day by pouring it on the cloth. Rectified turpentine is safe to use externally.
Frostbite
Frostbite Treatment
Put 1⁄4 ounce of alum in a pan of hot water. Allow water to cool until warm. Soak the hands or feet in the liquid for 15 minutes. Cover with socks or gloves to keep warm.
Frostbite Treatment with Kerosene
Massage kerosene on the affected parts. Kerosene has long been used to treat many different injuries. Then apply warmed olive oil and keep warm. Drink a cup of warm cinnamon tea. Add 1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper to 1 cup of warm water to stimulate circulation. Drink several cups about an hour apart.
Insect Bites
Bee Stings and Insect Bite—Basil Relief
Bruise fresh basil leaves and apply directly to the insect sting or bite. I have been stung by accidentally stepping on a bee only twice in my life and I guarantee this worked for me. It takes a very short time to relieve the pain and reduce the swelling. It also stops the itching that often occurs when a sting is healing. Really, you could use any plant that bees are attracted to as an antidote for bee stings. Basil seems to work best for me.
Insect Bite—Ammonia Relief
Apply spirits of ammonia to the bite. Should relieve itching immediately.
Insect Bite—Honeysuckle Relief
Rub the area affected with the juice from a honeysuckle vine.
Insect Bite—Meat Tenderizer Relief
Make a paste of commercial meat tenderizer and place on bite. Neutralizes the poison in just a few minutes.
Insect Bite—Parsley Relief
Apply fresh crushed parsley directly to the insect bite. It neutralizes the poison and stops the pain.
Insect Bite Preventive
Before going to an area that you know has many insects, take 1 tablet of 100 mg thiamine. If you are going to be out several days, hiking or camping, take several tablets a day. Insects stay away.
Insect Bite—Swelling Remover
Mix PABA with alcohol and apply to the swollen area. Swellings disappear overnight.
Insect Bite—Toothpaste Relief
Apply a dab of toothpaste to the area. Stops itching fast.
Mosquito Bites
Itching should stop immediately if you apply table salt to the moistened area. You can help to control the population of mosquitoes by keeping the area around your home clean. Get rid of any open containers that hold water. They become quite prolific if allowed a place to propagate. Prevention is the better policy. Apply pennyroyal oil if you are in an area where there is a large population of mosquitoes. This keeps them away.
Spider Bites
Apply equal parts salt and baking soda mixed with enough water to make a paste. Apply to the spider bite. Will relieve the pain and itching.
-Rashes
Rashes
Cradle Cap and Diaper Rash
Cradle cap is a seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp that causes lesions of the scalp and sometimes the face. Shampoo daily, using a mild, natural shampoo. Prepare the following rinse and use it after shampooing. Put 1⁄2 cup of calendula and 1⁄2 cup chamomile flowers in 2 cups of boiling water. Steep for 30 minutes. Strain and use as a rinse after shampooing. Leftover liquid can be added to the bath water. It’s very soothing and helps to control cradle cap. Make sure the baby drinks plenty of water as this helps to keep the system flushed of toxins and also helps to clear cradle cap.
Diaper Rash
Diaper rash can be caused by too much acid in the system. Give the child plenty of water and try giving cranberry juice in the bottle. Kids love it and it does neutralize the acids in urine.
Also, external factors such as laundry soap may cause a severe diaper rash. Try washing the diapers in a mild, homemade lye soap. I know that disposable diapers are the easiest to use, but please give consideration to the environment before making a decision to use them. Perhaps you could use them for outings only and use cloth diapers at home.
If diaper rash is already evident, try this lotion to soothe baby and speed healing. Pour 1 cup of boiling water over 1 tablespoon chamomile. Let steep, covered, until cool. Strain and add 2 tablespoons cod-liver oil to the herb water. Shake well and apply to diaper rash after gently washing the area.
Eczema and Rash Treatment
The leaves of sheep sorrel (Rumex acetosella) are good in curing disorders such as rashes and eczema. Pound a handful of the leaves and apply as a poultice.
Eczema Treatment Using Heartsease
Eczema can be caused by an allergic reaction. The cause is a combination of external as well as internal conditions. No class, age, or sex is exempt. It can be brought on by contact with certain chemicals. A balanced natural diet plays a large part in treating eczema. If you suffer from eczema, look carefully at your eating habits and the chemicals you ingest daily, either through the skin or digestion. The condition can be caused by psychological factors and stress can make the condition worse.
Heartsease is one treatment that has been used by Native Americans for centuries. Add 2 tablespoons of heartsease (pansy) to 2 cups boiling water. Steep until cool. Use as wash.
Eczema Treatment Using Lemon Juice
Apply lemon juice to the area and allow to dry before bed. Leave on overnight. Helps the skin to heal. This can dry the area and promote healing. It acts as an antiseptic if the area is inflamed.
Many times you may be using a remedy that you may not think classifies as an herb, but every tree, plant, or flower is an herb. The by-product of a lemon tree is a lemon and is therefore classified as an herb. Any natural remedy that comes from a tree, flower, shrub, vine, or spice is considered an herbal remedy.
Eczema Treatment Using Raw Potato
Grate a raw potato and apply as a poultice to relieve the itching. This is good to use for instant relief from itching.
Eczema Treatment Using Valerian
Another treatment that seems to work is to use tincture of valerian. I have had some success with certain people using the valerian tincture applied with a cotton ball and allowing it to dry naturally. The recipe for making the tincture is in chapter 11. I use this tincture to successfully treat many itching and scaling skin conditions. Most people do not like the smell of valerian, but if it works, who cares?
Impetigo Treatment Using Aloe Vera
Children are highly susceptible because impetigo is very contagious. It is caused by a bacterial infection—staphylococcal or streptococcal—or a combination of the two infections. Generally it appears around the nose or mouth. Make sure that you keep the area as dry and clean as possible. Be careful when you are cleaning the area because it is very contagious. Keep away from other children until the lesions are healed. If the area is kept clean, there should be no secondary infections. Split open a leaf of aloe vera and apply the gel directly to the areas affected. Repeat often and keep the area clean.
Impetigo Treatment Using Apple Cider Vinegar
Mix 1 cup of water with 1⁄4 cup of apple cider vinegar. Use as a wash for impetigo. This may burn if the lesions are open, but it will help to heal the sores.
Impetigo Treatment Using Mulberries
This is also good to treat ringworm. Mash a handful of mulberries. Place on area needed and bandage. Mulberries act as an astringent and are good for the treatment of impetigo.
Impetigo Treatment Using Rosemary and Thyme
Put 1⁄4 cup of rosemary leaves and 1⁄4 cup of thyme in 2 cups of water. Simmer for 15 minutes. Strain, cool, and use to clean the area several times daily. Make fresh daily. Use cotton balls to clean the area and dispose of the cotton balls after use. This is a good astringent to use as a wash.
Nettle Rash
Nettle rash can be very painful. The juice of nettle will neutralize its own sting. Apply as a tea. This tea is also good to treat sunburn. Put 1 teaspoon of dried nettle in 1 cup of boiling water. Remove from heat. Cover and steep until cooled. Strain. Apply freely on sunburn or nettle rash.
Nettle Rash—Mullein Relief
Rub the leaves of mullein on the nettle rash to remove the discomfort and pain from the rash. Crush the leaves until juicy and rub on the rash. This should provide immediate relief.
I have a patch of nettle near my house and my grandchildren have been in contact with it several times. I found several plants of mullein that I could transplant close to the house so I would have it handy for any nettle rashes. It does not transplant very easily, so you may have to try several times. Try to find plants that grow in soil similar to your soil. I know for a fact it will not live if transplanted from soil that is totally different from the area you plan to move it to. Mullein is handy for many different treatments, so even if you are not close to nettle, there are many other ways to use it. It is an attractive plant. Sometimes it can reach majestic heights of six feet or more, with yellow blooms that are refreshing to see.
Faciei Seborrhea Treatment
Faciei seborrhea is a condition resulting from a functional disease of the sebaceous glands, which cause an increase in the amount of sebaceous secretion. It can cause elevated patches with red borders, covered with scars and crusts. Consult with your physician for treatment if severe. He or she would probably want you to use a hydrocortisone cream. If the scalp is affected, use a shampoo that contains selenium sulfide or sulfur. If the condition is not too severe, apply apple cider vinegar directly to the face daily for 10–15 days.
Heat Rash
Combine 2 tablespoons each of powdered chamomile and powdered calendula. Add 1 tablespoon of cornstarch. Mix well and use to soothe heat rash.
Poison Ivy Treatment Using Baking Soda
Apply paste of baking soda and water to the affected area liberally. This will stop itching. This works as well as calamine lotion.
Poison Ivy Treatment Using Buttermilk
Mix equal parts of buttermilk, vinegar, and salt. Rub on the affected area. Use this after the rash has appeared. Helps stop the itching and soothes the area. I do not get poison ivy, but have used this treatment on friends and family with success.
Poison Ivy Treatment Using Green Tomato
Cut open a green tomato and squeeze the juice on the area affected. This works if you use the juice as soon as you come into contact with the poison ivy. Rinse the area immediately with water, than apply the juice from the tomato.
Poison Ivy Treatment Using Willow Leaves
Put 4 cups of willow leaves in 4 cups of water. Boil for 15 minutes. Strain and cool. The liquid should turn a dark brown. If it doesn’t, let it sit until color comes. Rub on the affected area after it cools.
Poison Oak Treatment
If possible, apply the juice from crushed jewelweed stems to the area immediately. Also, you can put a large handful of jewelweed into 4 cups of water and boil for 15 minutes. Strain and apply to the area affected. We have poison oak in our woods, so I have several jewelweed plants that I plan to transplant to use for remedies. We are putting in an acre pond and the jewelweed is growing right where the pond will be. I would still try to save the plants even if I did not have a use for them as they are attractive and interesting.
Psoriasis Treatment Using Aloe Vera
Psoriasis is genetically determined and consists of reddish lesions that have characteristic silvery scaling. The lesions may come and go but generally are chronic. There is a specific type of arthritis that is associated with psoriasis. Check with your physician for treatment if the condition is severe. For home treatment of the scaling and itching of psoriasis, split open an aloe vera leaf and rub on the area affected. The skin absorbs the gel rapidly, so apply plenty and apply often. This stops the itching, and if used regularly seems to help psoriasis. It’s also good to use for sunburn. You can purchase aloe gel juice by the gallon and you may want to use the juice as a daily lotion to help control psoriasis.
Psoriasis Treatment Using Burdock
Place 1 cup burdock root in 2 cups water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes. Strain and apply to the affected area several times daily and you should see results.
Psoriasis Treatment Using Oil of Avocado
Try using oil of avocado rubbed sparingly on affected areas. It works for quite a few people.
Scaly Skin Treatment
Mix together 4 tablespoons each of lemongrass, rose petals, and corn meal. Add to 4 tablespoons of witch hazel. Add 2 tablespoons of the mixture to 4 cups of boiling water. Steep for 30 minutes. Add to bath water. Soak in bath 10–15 minutes.
Skin Infections
Pour 1 cup of baking soda in your bath water and soak for 15 minutes. Baking soda helps to balance the pH of your skin and allows it to heal naturally.
Skin Rash Remedy
Add 1 cup of red clover blossoms and leaves to 2 cups of boiling water. Allow to steep until cool. Strain, apply to skin rash, and allow to dry naturally. Reapply as often as needed.
Sores that Won’t Heal
Boil a small handful of elder leaves in 2 cups of milk until the leaves are soft. Strain off the leaves and return milk to a boil until the herb mixture thickens. Apply as a wash on the hard-to-heal sore or wound. Repeat frequently until wound loses that angry look. I have had several friends report that this is a great remedy for open ulcers on the legs that are hard to heal. Please note: sometimes these sores are warning signs of a more serious condition. Don’t hesitate to consult your doctor.
Shingles
Aspirin Shingle Relief
Shingles can be a very serious disorder. It is an eruption of acute, inflammatory, herpetic vesicles along a peripheral nerve. You should seek help from your physician, as it can be very painful. Until you are able to reach help, try this to relieve the pain. It really works. Crush 2 aspirins and add 2 tablespoons of clear nail polish. Apply to the affected area. Will give up to 10 hours relief.
Shingle Treatment
Aloe vera leaf, applied to the area and repeated often, along with 500 mg of vitamin C given every hour, will help. Could take 5–6 hours to obtain relief. Continue treatment until shingles are gone.
Sunburn
Sunburn Prevention
Taking a PABA tablet of at least 100 mg a day should stop you from burning. Apply PABA lotion also.
Vinegar for Sunburn Relief
Apply vinegar directly to the sunburn. Relieves pain quickly. Make several applications and apply as soon as possible.
Wart Removal
Cashew Nut Wart Remover
Apply the juice of a cashew nut directly on the wart and then bandage. Reapply several times daily.
Castor Oil Wart Remover
Apply warm castor oil to a bandage and apply to the wart. Replace 3 times a day until wart dissolves. It shouldn’t take more than 1 week.
Dandelion Wart Remover
Apply the milk from a dandelion stem several times daily. This is said to work well.
Milkweed Wart Remover
Rubbing the milk from milkweed onto the wart several times daily is also good treatment. This was a popular remedy used by Native Americans.
To Remove Warts
My father had the gift of rubbing warts to make them go away overnight. I well remember people coming to him to have their warts rubbed. I honestly can’t remember one time where it failed. Several people have mentioned that rubbing castor oil on the warts also helps to dispel them.