31 Long Forgotten Native Herbal Remedies

my mother is native american and while she didn’t really have any special remedies, her mother did and i, as an adult have gone on and learned the old ways.  fascinating and some i have used my entire life.  even the way i garden is based on the indigenous peoples’  ways.  worth the read for sure. click the link and learn more. the photo is of a plains indian.  we are cherokee so this is not our head dress.  few people know there are many different head dresses and native wear. even the shoes are vastly different.  i will post more native articles in the future.  you should live and enjoy the life i live.  next i will be posting several tribes recipes for fry bread. YUMMY

31 long forgotten native herbal remedies

Human Powered Giradora Washer Needs No Electricity and Costs Only 40.00 usd

if there is ever a power outage or you just want to live off grid, this is an excellent way to clean your clothes for very little money.  i’m buying one to have on hand in case we have a disaster and the grid goes down.  line drying is free, too. 

http://inhabitat.com/human-powered-giradora-washer-needs-no-electricity-and-costs-only-40/

Rejuvenating solar garden lights — with nail polish!

Who knew you could use nail polish to extend the life of solar garden lights? 

click the link and learn more!

http://blog.kriegsman.org/2012/04/19/rejuvenating-solar-garden-lights-with-nail-polish/

TIPS AND TRICKS TO SIMPLIFY LIFE

 

 

Add the lid from an empty salt box to your mason jar for making an easy pour spout.  This and more great tips at the link.  Enjoy!

http://amy-newnostalgia.blogspot.co.uk/2011/12/26-tips-and-tricks-to-simplify-life.html

SOOTHING CUCUMBER EYE GEL

This is probably the easiest and least expensive eye gel recipe in the world.

It requires just cucumber and Aloe vera gel and is a powerful anti-inflammatory helping to reduce eye puffiness and keep your under eyes looking young and beautiful.

To find out how to make this, click the link below…

http://www.thedabblist.com/soothing-cucumber-eye-gel/

HOMEMADE FABRIC SOFTENER (MY VERSION)

 

INGREDIENTS:

 

3 cups white vinegar

2 cups Suave OR other CHEAP hair conditioner (I buy a giant bottle from sally beauty supply)

I add 2 tbps of my fave fragrance oil (this is purely optional and I like things to smell REALLY good. My fave is cedar wood. Smells clean)

6 cups HOT water

HOW TO DO IT:

Mix conditioner & hot water well, until conditioner is dissolved completely.

Add the vinegar, and mix well.

Store in a large container: empty fabric softener container, empty large vinegar bottle, empty 1 gallon water or juice bottle

Put about 2 tbsp. in the fabric softener holder in your washer… then wash as usual.  (Some people use downy laundry balls. I don’t have one and I have a slot for fabric softener in my washer, so that’s what I use.  I also have an HE washer and this is fine for it.

NOTE: it’s best not to shake the bottle of softener before using it as it makes it foamy. I forget and to it anyway sometimes… and it IS foamy lol

Homemade Laundry Detergent Liquid (my version)

• Homemade laundry detergent
• This detergent is safe for the newer HE washers, as it is very low suds.
• 1/2 Cup: Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda (do not use baking soda)
• 1/2 Cup: Borax
• 1/3 Bar of ZOTE
• 1/4 Cup of your favourite fragrance oil if you want it to smell super good (optional)
• Bucket (I use a 5 gallon I got free at fast food place, so I have plenty of room for mixing)
• Empty laundry detergent containers or bucket with lid to store detergent.
• I pour what I need into an empty detergent bottle, then refill from the bucket as needed.

Grate 1/3 bar of ZOTE Soap over large pot or saucepan…

• Add 6 cups of Water.
• Heat over medium-high until soap dissolves and melts.
• Add Washing Soda & Borax, and stir until dissolved.
• Remove from heat and set aside.
• Pour 4 cups Hot Water into bucket, then add Soap Mixture.
• Stir, then add 1 Gallon + 6 Cups of additional water.  Stir.
• I use my stick blender to make sure it’s all mixed well.

• Transfer to a bucket with a lid, or pour into empty laundry detergent containers.
• Set aside, and let it sit overnight, or up to 24 hours, to thicken and gel up.
• Consistency and color will vary depending on your soap & water ~ it may be lumpy and watery… kind of like a watery gel, but it works great!

Stir or shake before each use, as it will continue to gel.  I keep a long handle spoon or stick blender (I have 2) in my laundry room, so I can stir as needed

I use about 1/3 cup of detergent per load.  If I need to, I add liquid bleach in the normal amount (for whites) or oxy for colours.

Cost?

• Borax, 76 oz. box ~ $3.14 at Wal-Mart or Winco
• Arm & Hammer Washing Soda, 55 oz. box ~ 3.42 at Walmart and 3.14 at Winco
• Zote  ~ $.97  at Walmart and Fels Naptha was $.97 at Winco
• About 2 gallons for around 1.00 at these prices.

Your prices will vary according to where you live and what store you shop.

Some people use Fels Naptha.

I don’t like all the chemicals in it, so I use ZOTE.  You can also use a bar of ivory soap, but will need to use the ENTIRE bar.

.

Look for my post on homemade fabric softener