Lavender Oil for Cuts, Burns and Rashes

A few years back I bought my first essential oils - Lavender being one of them. I still don't use many oils, but we sure use this one!

I feel as if the uses are endless! Its an antidepressant, analgesic, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and the list goes on! Its also a sedative and regenerative, so it relaxes you while renewing your mind! 

It's our go to antiseptic. If you have Lavender oil in your medicine cabinet you can say goodbye to neosporin, rubbing alcohol or anything else you might use. It takes care of it all! 

It helps your wounds or burns heal faster and makes you smell great at the same time! 

As soon as I get a burn, cut or the kids scrape their knees I grab the Lavender oil and put a few drops directly on the wound. It wards off infection, especially if you keep putting oil on the wound every few days. It also works great for diaper rashes, yeast rashes and eczema. I can't sing it's praises enough! 

At the moment I have the jar open sitting on my desk so I can smell it and relaaaaax. My husband has been working late hours and there is nothing relaxing about two toddlers in the evening! Thank you Lord for your providential care in giving us Lavender!

All the ways we have used Lavender essential oil:

• Put directly on wounds, rashes and burns.
• Added to jojoba and almond oil for massages and oiling up after the shower.
• Added to the kids bath along with oatmeal to relax their minds and soothe their skin.
• Put a few drops on my daughter's pillow to help her fall asleep. I did this for myself once and it really works!
• Put directly on my son's yeast rash - it cleared up very fast.
• Used a simple candle diffuser to make the house smell like Lavender.
• Simply opened the jar to get some stress relief!! (I do this often)

 

These are  the ways we use it - you can research the uses and find there are MANY more! We bought the 1 oz bottle from NOW and it has lasted forever. Amazon has a decent price on it, especially if you Subscribe and Save! Click on the picture of the bottle to be directed to Amazon.

Have you tried Lavender oil? What do you use it for? Have a blessed day!

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Chamomile Teething Tincture

I'm not sure about your house, but over here teething gets a lot uglier than this ---->

My son was getting three teeth at once and I had had no teething remedies in the house. What was I thinking? 

I wasn't!

Luckily he is a very sweet tempered baby, or I might have more gray hair. (did I just admit that?!)

I looked up herbal remedies for teething and found different tinctures were recommended. Have you ever bought one? They are expensive! So I took a leap and ventured to make my own, it's a LOT easier than it seems. Here's the recipe:

Chamomile Teething Tincture

1 oz. dried Chamomile. 

5 oz. Brandy

Mix together in a jar - let it sit for 3 weeks. Strain the chamomile through a thin cloth or cheesecloth.

Put it in an old container and pat your baby's gums with it when necessary. And there you have it, you made a tincture!

Wondering what the heck Chamomile is? I have to say it is one of my favorite herbs. After a long day there is nothing better than chamomile tea.

Chamomile has calming, soothing and anti-inflammatory properties. You can tell after you've had a cup of tea. It's wonderful. I fall asleep faster, relax easier and simply LOVE the taste. 

Another cool thing? According to this book, it was recommended in 900 BC by Asclepiades, a physician skilled in using herbs. So long ago!


What else helps a teething baby or upset toddler?

Kids Rescue Remedy!

I held off for so long buying this because it really IS expensive...but I have to say it works. Now I just need to remind myself to give some to my toddler when she gets upset, and MYSELF when I get upset! It's a homeopathic remedy that uses herbs to calm the nerves. it's wonderful. 

I am simply amazed at God's goodness and divine providence. He has and always will provide all that need.  Thank you Lord. 

For further reading:

Hildegard's Healing Plants: From Her Medieval Classic Physica 

Growing 101 Herbs That Heal

Country Herbal - Lesly Gordon

Where to find Chamomile?

Most specialty stores should carry it or you can purchase some at Mountain Rose Herbs. They carry very tasty chamomile, I love it!

"Father, you told me, I have committed many errors, I have made so many mistakes.
I know, I replied. But God Our Lord, who also knows all that and has taken it into account, only asks you to be humble enough to admit it and asks that you struggle to make amends, so as to serve him better each day with more interior life, with continual prayer and with piety, and making use of the proper means to sanctify your work." - St. Josemaria Escriva

Herb Spot: Lemon Balm

If you want to start an herb garden, start with Lemon Balm. You can basically neglect it and it will still grow! It will grow in the shade, sun, in a pot and even with the weeds!

My first experience with Lemon Balm was when a friend brought me her handcrafted, backyard tea. It makes the best tea!! Since then I have been in love and planted my own.

After a little research, I found that Lemon Balm is a great stress reliever. YAY! Not only does it taste great, it helps soothe the mind.  It's beneficial for winter illnesses, children's overall health, the digestive tract and a boost for the immune system. ALL in one plant! It's like God telling us, "I got this, just use what I give you!" hehe.

You can buy a plant at almost any nursery or you can buy the dried herb from a wonderful herb company.

Amazon also carries Lemon Balm tea! I have not tried this brand, but I'm sure it's wonderful.

Want to know who else has something to say about Lemon Balm?? 

St. Hildegard of Bingen!

I found the recipe below in the book, Saint Hildegard's Kitchen. I have yet to try it, so if you do let me know how it taste!

Lemon Balm Soother

Take 1 part lemon balm to 3 parts fennel leaves, boil together in water, strain out the plants, and drink the remaining liquid. This is an elixir used to combat mental confusion. Lemon balm reduces the effects of harmful humors and prevents them from gaining the upper hand, says Hildegard. The juice from the fennel plant puts the person in a proper, cheerful mood!

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“Prayer is the best weapon we possess, the key that opens the heart of God.”

St. Pio of Pietrelcina

If Momma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy!

Do you know what im talking about?? I bet you do! If you are a mother or have a mother you probably know exactly what im talking about. The mother is the heart of the home and if that heart is happy and functioning well, then, so are the legs and arms!

I don't know about you but recently I have learned some huge lessons. One being that I need to take care of myself. I say need because it's not really an option. What I really want is someone to take care of me all the time, darn it! BUT, that's also not my vocation as a mother. We are lovers and givers, continually sacrificing all that we have for our husband and children - so let's address this happiness part.

There are so many ways to make a Momma happy. Take her out, buy her some pretty things, let her read a good book, go on a spiritual retreat, etc. They are all great and very helpful but I am going to address the food aspect of making Momma happy.

 At times I deal with mood swings, low blood sugar, food allergies, painful teeth and extreme exhaustion. DO you have a hard time getting out of bed? Do you have a hard time being cheerful to your hubby in the morning or evening? I certainly do! 

When I don't take care of myself regarding food I have a very hard time being virtuous.

When I put things into my body that harm, rather than help me it affects my spiritual life! When I eat too much sugar or processed foods I don't have energy to do the dishes and forget about that laundry! It's not only the household chores, my patience with the kids goes right out the window. It's very hard to take care of myself in this manner. I simply want to "treat" myself at the end of the day, but it's not a treat in the end!

SO what foods DO make me happy and want to love my family more?!? 

Here are some of my favorite "super" foods that I won't go without:

1.       My number one choice: Coconut oil!  There is SO much information out there about coconut oil and its all good to know but it has helped me with: Blood sugar regulation, clearer thinking (its a brain food), losing weight, (oh ya!) and most importantly it helps with my energy! You can use it in cooking and baking but if you really want a boost just melt it and swallow it, you won't regret it!

    2.  I would say my number two choice: Fermented Cod Liver Oil. I don't know about you but I start to
         get pretty moody without my vitamin D! This cod liver oil is the most usable form of Vit. D (among
         many other good things) there is out there. YES, its super expensive but I swear by it. You will get
        sick less, (what mom wants to be on the couch feeling useless?!)  your hair and nails will be awesome
        and you won't be visiting the dentist much! (I will tell that story later)

   3.  It's hard to pick, but I gotta hand it to: Raw Milk. If you can tolerate cow's milk that's awesome. I
        drink raw goat's milk. Yes, it also is very expensive but this is treating myself. This is taking care of  
       myself. There is nothing more comforting to me than a big glass of milk and a good book. (or blog
       post!)

   4.  This is not a super food but it also makes me happy. Get yourself some good relaxing tea! It does
       calm the nerves and it puts you in a good mood. :)

Here's to a happy Momma!

This post was first shared over here at my dear friend, Kate's blog. Be sure to check her out!