6+ Uses for Lavender Leaves

 
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Lavender flowers are only around for a short time, but there are plenty of uses for lavender leaves! Learn how to harvest, dry & use them in DIY projects. First though, you may wonder – what are the health benefits of lavender leaves? While the leaves haven’t been studied as specifically or extensively as the flowers, “Lavender (Lavendula angustifolia) flowers, leaves and oil contain linaloyl acetate, linalool, perillyl alcohol, 1,8 cineole (eucalyptol), and at least … Continue reading →

Sinus & Headache Balm

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This easy DIY sinus and headache balm is an all-natural remedy that helps relieve stuffy noses, allergies, and headaches. I created this balm recipe specifically for a relative with chronic sinus problems that have kept them from sleeping well for years. They reported that it helped immensely and they even regained some lost smell after using it! In testing it on myself first and then a few others, I found it had the bonus benefit … Continue reading →

What’s Wrong With My Soap? {troubleshooting cold process soap problems}

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what's wrong with my soap? soft soap and crumbly soap

We all have soapmaking fails. This ultimate troubleshooting guide breaks down the reasons and solutions for 30+ common cold process soap problems. On a daily basis I receive emails from readers about problems and questions encountered while making soap. (Currently, I have 70+ of those emails in the queue to answer!) A few months ago I realized that I’ve been writing variations of the same answers over and over for several years now, so it … Continue reading →

Elderberry Vinegar Honey Caramels Recipe {+video}

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Elderberries and apple cider vinegar combine with honey, butter, and vanilla to make these delicious antiviral elderberry vinegar honey caramels. We’ve made elderberry syrup and elderberry tincture, now it’s time for elderberry vinegar! I’ll also show you how to turn that vinegar into a delicious honey caramel treat with an antiviral boost.   Step 1: Make the Elderberry Vinegar Fill a jar about 1/2 way with fresh elderberries, or 1/4 with dried. Add herbs if you’d … Continue reading →

Elderberry Tincture {with herbs}

 
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Bottles of Elderberry Tincture with Basket of Fresh Elderberries

Elderberries (Sambucus nigra) are a fantastic home remedy for colds and flu and are backed by both science and traditional use. They’re often turned into a sweet and tasty syrup, like my homemade elderberry syrup made with honey, but can also be preserved and dosed in other ways, including this elderberry tincture. I chose to add a handful of herbs to my elderberry tincture to give it an added antiviral boost, but they’re completely optional. Antiviral … Continue reading →

Blueberry Herbal Vinegar {a brain food!}

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Jar of blueberries, borage flowers, rosemary, thyme, purple basil and vinegar

Beautiful blueberry herbal vinegar features ingredients that are good for your brain and body! Learn how to make blueberry vinegar, plus how to turn it into a brain boosting oxymel (herbal sweet and sour syrup). This recipe was inspired by an interesting study I read about blueberry vinegar and its potential to improve cognitive function. “…The BV [blueberry vinegar] group showed significantly restored cognitive function in the behavioral tests. BV facilitated cholinergic activity by inhibiting … Continue reading →

Uses for Corn Silk

 
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jar of freshly gathered corn silk

Corn Silk can be used to help alleviate symptoms that go along with the following conditions: bedwetting cystitis prostatitis urinary tract infections kidney stones gout hyperglycemia It’s also a natural source of vitamin K and potassium. Few things in life are more delightful than discovering the goodness in something (or someone!) that the general population discards without a second thought. Right now, in my part of the world, sweet corn season has reached its peak. … Continue reading →

Daisy Lotion Bars

 
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fresh daisies with two daisy infused lotion bars

Learn how to turn common field daisies into easy DIY daisy lotion bars perfect for soothing chapped, dry, sore hands. Shasta daisies will work well for this project too! Found in fields and on roadsides, the common daisy isn’t just for making flower crowns. (Or seeing if he loves me, he loves me not, he loves me….) In the past, daisies were used as a traditional herb for inflammation and bruises, while today they’re being … Continue reading →