Plantain Salve for bug bites/stings, cuts, sores, pimples, burns +

Plantain is very common, and easily recognizable, often found growing out of sidewalks and other common areas.  You likely have your very own in your back yard, unless you treat your lawn chemically.  What many folks regard as unwanted weeds, is a goldmine of natural medicine in reality.  You will want to be selective in choosing WHERE you get your plantain from of course for this usage.  Look it up in your field guide or under google images and you'll be on your way.

Simple Green
Plantain Salve

12 oz. jar of Vaseline
2 handfuls of plantain leaves
1 large or 2 smaller aloe leaves,
sliced and crushed

Heat Vaseline on low, only
enough to liquefy. Carefully
drop the plantain leaves into the
liquid—it will quickly produce a
mass of thick foam. Add the aloe.
Let simmer until foaming has
stopped.

Pour through strainer.
Pour back into Vaseline jar. Let
cool. Mark container and store
on shelf. It is easy to make and
works on bug bites, stings, cuts,
sores, pimples, burns, and more.

Garlic oil for ear infections/aches

I have tried these solution for relief of common childhood ear issues.

Make some garlic oil by crushing a clove and letting it sit in an a few tablespoons of slightly warm oil for a couple minutes. Strain ALL of the garlic out, and I lay the child on his side in my lap to administer a few drops of oil in his ear. He continues to lay there for a few minutes.

A garlic poultice can also be made to place on the outside of the ear Fold a paper towel around a peeled clove or two, and crush with the bottom of a jar. Then run hot water over the poultice, squeeze out the extra water, and hold the warm (NOT HOT) poultice to the side of the child's head while reading a book aloud to keep him distracted. Keep it there 5 minutes. Make sure there is at least two layers of papertowel between the garlic and your child's skin.

Home made chest rub

coconut oil
peppermint oil
eucalyptus oil

Add drops of the two essential oils to the coconut oil until it smells somewhat like Vicks.  We do not use Vicks due to the petroleum content, and the satisfaction of using my own recipe to heal.  Yes, quality oils are an investment, but you use very little per batch so in the "end" it works out well.

note:  oils are used at no stronger than 4% essential oil to a carrier oil. 4% works out to be 2 teaspoons essential oil to 1 cup oil,  or 1/2 teas essential oil to 1/4 cup carrier oil. That would be the STRONGEST you would want to make it, for a toddler you may want to make it weaker.

When the kids had a nasty cold, I would spread this on their chests, back and generously slather on the soles of their feet, followed by cushy socks.  The feet's ability to absorb is tremendous.  

Garlic Oil Ointment Treatment

This is a remedy I have used for almost 5 years now.  The original recipe I can no longer find in the original place I had found it.  Because of that, I am posting it to my blog so that it can be found and used, rather than lost.

Goot is a garlic oil ointment that uses 3 tablespoons of coconut oil, 3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil and 3 tablespoons of finely minced garlic.  Make sure to use high grade coconut oil, I usually get mine at Choice health.  The cheaper grades at Walmart and the like are in my opinion, not suitable for medicinal purposes.  Goot is antibiotic, antifungal and antimicrobial. In addition, it can penetrate the skin and enter the bloodstream by topical application and is safe to use on sensitive areas.

Simply warm the oil very slowly to only slightly warm, just enough to melt it to a liquid.  If it is too warm, the heat will kill the healing properties in the raw garlic.  Remove from heat source and add the minced garlic.   Put in storage container.  If it is cool in your home, it will solidify and be ready to use at any moment.  I make small batches at a time so it never lasts long.  Keep plenty of oil on hand and garlic and you will be well prepared.  Go a step further and learn to grow your own garlic ;0)