Wax and Bubbles

Fumes from everyday household cleaners may make your house “clean”, so to speak, but at what level are you putting your own health and your family and pet’s health at risk? With common products within your own cabinet, you can still get your house clean without the risk of health and lung issues later on. Here are some common ingredients for making all-natural cleaners. Most you have on hand right now.

• 1/2 cup baking soda + 2 tbs. castile soap= Bathroom Cleaner (with a bit of elbow grease and these products, you can take almost anything off your tub, shower and even floor and cabinets)

• Used coffee grinds= Lawn Fertilizer

• 1 cup white vinegar + 1 cup baking soda + 1 kettle of boiling water= An Awesome Drain Opener (pour in baking soda into the drain, add the vinegar and wait 30 minutes, follow by flushing with boiling water)

• 1/4 cup vegetable oil + 1/2 cup lemon juice= Furniture Polish

• 1 cup white vinegar + 1 gallon of water= Glass Cleaner (mix together in a spray-top bottle)

• Brewer’s yeast=Flea Repellent (click here to find out more)

• Vitamin B= Flea Repellent (click here to find out more)

• Cinnamon Leaves = Whole Cloves= Air Freshener (simmer on the stove with water on medium-low heat)

Changing your cleaning routine and cleaning products to include one or more of these ingredients can significantly reduce your families and your own risk of inhaling harmful fumes that make cause other issues later, such as asthma, or even skin irritations. Your pet will thank you as well for changing their chemical exposure to a greener solution.

Herbs aren’t only for humans, they have been known to do great things for animals as well.

The following herbs can be added to your pet’s diet to help them maintain a healthy skin and even hair coat.

• Burdock: (Arcutium lappa) is especially good for dry, scaly skin and for the animal that has dandruff.

• Cleavers: (Gallium aparine), along with burdock, are toned to the lymphatic system, helping move toxins out of the body an to transport nutrient substances into the skin,

• Sarsaparilla: (Smilax officinalis) is another herb good for dry, scaly skin. Sarsaparilla has properties that help balance hormonal activates in the body, which can be helpful for skin conditions caused by an imbalance of sex hormones.

• Yellow Dock: (Rumex crispus) has been used extensively for the treatment of all sorts of skin conditions. Yellow dock, burdock and cleavers all are known as blood cleansers all are known as blood cleansers, and their ability to remove toxins from the body might account for some of their beneficial actions on the skin.

• Red Clover: (Trifolium pratense) is a mild-tasting herb that has a wide range of activities, and it seems to be especially helpful for preventing and treating skin conditions.

For External Skin Care:
(Consider the following herbs)

• Calendula: (Calendual officinalis) can be used any time there is inflammation or injury to the skin-for treating cuts, scrapes, bruises or burns, it is one of the best herbals available. Calendula has antibiotic activity, it is soothing and it enhances the healing ability of the skin.

• Lavender: (Lavandual angustifolia) is an excellent choice for injuries of inflammation of the skin, and it has the additional quality of adding its personalize4d and soothing odor. (Source: Herbs for Health 2007)