Category Archives: Natural Remedies

Thoughtful Thursday Lemon Love: Unleashing the Power of a Citrus Superstar

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Lemons are a versatile fruit that offer a myriad of benefits and uses beyond their tangy flavor. Rich in vitamin C, antioxidants, and various nutrients, lemons are a powerful addition to your daily routine.

I grew up with a lemon tree in the backyard, and my mom was very creative in using lemons in tasty recipes I loved making them one of my favorite fruits.

From boosting health to enhancing flavors and even household cleaning, lemons are an incredible multitasker. Let’s dive into the many ways you can benefit from this citrus superstar:

Health Benefits:

  1. Boosts Immune System: The high vitamin C content in lemons helps strengthen your immune system, warding off colds and infections.
  2. Aids Digestion: Lemon water can stimulate healthy digestion by encouraging the production of bile and improving liver function.
  3. Promotes Hydration: Adding lemon to your water can make it more flavorful, encouraging you to drink more and stay hydrated.
  4. Improves Skin Health: The antioxidants in lemons help fight free radicals, promoting clear and glowing skin.

Culinary Uses:

  1. Flavor Enhancer: Lemons add a burst of flavor to both savory and sweet dishes, from salads and marinades to desserts and beverages.
  2. Preservative: The acidity of lemons makes them a natural preservative, perfect for preventing the browning of fruits and vegetables.
  3. Baking: Lemon zest and juice are common ingredients in baking, adding a fresh and zesty flavor to cakes, cookies, and breads.

Household Uses:

  1. Natural Cleaner: Lemons have antibacterial and antiseptic properties, making them an effective natural cleaner for cutting boards, countertops, and appliances.
  2. Deodorizer: Lemon’s fresh scent can neutralize odors, making it a great choice for freshening up your kitchen, fridge, and garbage disposal.
  3. Polish: Lemon juice mixed with baking soda can create a paste that effectively polishes metal surfaces, leaving them shiny and clean.

Incorporating lemons into your daily routine can boost your health, enhance your meals, and freshen up your home. With their numerous benefits and versatile uses, lemons truly are a remarkable fruit.

Hope you found this post useful today🍋 Thanks for stopping by!

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Thoughtful Thursday Benefits of Lavender

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Lavender is one of my most favorite herbal plants. There are several varieties, each with a slightly different scent that produce beautiful lilac colored flowers. It has a delightful scent making it the most popular form of essential oil and it has a lot of medicinal benefits too.

Lavender came from the Latin word lavare which means to wash; and yes you guessed it, lavender was widely used in ancient Rome, Greece and Persia for bathing because of it’s disinfectant and antiseptic properties. It was also believed to purify the body and mind.

Dating back to ancient times, lavender has been used to combat a variety of ailments including:

  • boosting moods
  • headaches
  • acne
  • hair loss
  • insomnia
  • anxiety
  • stress reliever
  • eczema
  • dry skin
  • insect bites
  • wound healing
  • helps prevent digestive issues
  • reduces inflammation

You can use lavender in the form of tea, extract, essential oil or the plant itself. For example, chamomile lavender tea is a quick fix for a sleepless night. You can also put a few drops of essential lavender oil on a tissue and slip it inside of your pillow case to help you drift off into a somber sleep.

Lavender is an all around wonderful herb. I hope you’ll give it try. Just remember herbs can be more potent than we give them credit for so use them in moderation. When in doubt, check with your healthcare provider to make sure it’s a good fit for you.

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“Laughter, joy and kindness are the herbs to gladden the heart and delight the soul.” ~Unknown

Thoughtful Thursday Benefits of Aloe Vera

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Growing up my parents had a beautiful garden and they loved growing plants for home remedies. Any time we got a sunburn or burned ourselves on a hot dish, dad would get a cutting from the large aloe plant he had growing out back.

I remember him peeling the skin and exposing the clear jelly substance inside the leaf. It would ooze a thick yellow liquid that was actually the sap. The clear jelly part of the plant is what would make your skin fell better in no time.

The Aloe Vera plant was originally from Africa but can be found all over the world. It has been used for centuries for it’s medicinal benefits. Aloe Vera is not classified as a cacti but rather a succulent.

It can be used both internally and externally. Studies have shown it can boost collagen production and promote the healing of wounds. It also has antioxidant and antibacterial properties. It’s great for many skin irritations including bug bites, sunburns and can improve and even prevent wrinkles. As a mouth rinse it helps reduce dental plaque. When you drink the juice which is available in most grocery stores it helps to relieve digestive issues and can also lower blood sugar levels. It’s amazing the number of health benefits it has but these were just few.

So if you’re looking for natural remedies having one of these plants should definitely be on your list. But be aware it may have adverse interactions with certain medications when taken internally. So as with any lifestyle change always seek the advice of a medical professional to make sure it’s a good fit for you 😊

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“Nature is so smart it put the medicine inside the food.” ~Unknown

Thoughtful Thursday Cold Remedy

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With the cold and flu season here I wanted to share an old remedy that my mom used to make. She believed that honey and garlic would cure anything a cold or flu could bring and she was right. Although I’m vegan, this is one thing I didn’t give up.

Growing up honey was a staple in our home. We used it on toast, in recipes and to sweeten tea. It was always delicious! Honey has lots of benefits including:

  • Rich in antioxidants
  • Strengthens the immune system
  • Eases sinus issues
  • Helps suppress coughs
  • Promotes the healing of burns and wounds
  • Boosts memory and more!

Now add some garlic to the honey and you have even more health benefits like:

  • Contains antioxidants
  • Helps protect against illness including colds
  • Reduces blood pressure
  • Improves bone health
  • Improves cholesterol levels and more!

When you combine these two superfoods along with a bit of onion, no virus or germ can survive. I’ve used this remedy for years and it shortens my illness without fail every time.

It’s easy to make, just put the onion and garlic in a mini food processor and puree. Then transfer it to a small bowl and add enough honey to cover the pureed mixture (I always add a little extra 😊). Store it covered in the fridge. Normally when you refrigerate honey it becomes thick and crystallizes. However, with the added onion and garlic, it becomes more fluid like a syrup.

Now I’m not going to lie, the garlic and onion can be strong so don’t chew it, swallow it like cough syrup. Take 1 tablespoon 3 times a day and you’ll feel worlds better in no time!

Ingredients:

  • 1/8 onion
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • Enough honey to cover the minced onion and garlic.

Hope this helps you stay healthier this winter. Thanks for stopping by!!!

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Thoughtful Thursday Rosemary

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Rosemary, native to the Mediterranean, has been used for centuries as one of the most popular aromatic healing herbs. My dad used to rub rosemary on his arms in the summer to keep mosquitos away. At first I found it hard to believe, but it really did work. When you rub fresh rosemary on your body, it leaves an oily film which is what repels mosquitos.

Rosemary has many uses such as antidepressant, antiseptic, antispasmodic, astringent, circulatory stimulant, relaxant, plus it also stimulates the brain and enhances memory function and focus to name a few. Not to mention it’s delicious to cook with.

I have two rosemary plants in my garden and I love to rub the leaves and smell the delightful scent. It’s so soothing and calming to the soul. The rosemary plant is pretty easy to grow. Give rosemary a try in your garden and enjoy the benefits of this wonderful plant.

If you would like some ideas on aromatherapy, natural DIY recipes for beauty, personal care, food and overall wellbeing, visit Stephanie Gerber’s site HelloGlow.co. Stephanie is the author of two great books both are available on Amazon, “Hello Glow” and “Essential Glow.” So take good care of yourself, you deserve it!

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“Nature is so smart, it put the medicine inside of food.” ~Uknown