The Pioneers May Have Been Right!

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Have you ever heard your grandmother tell of a homemade remedy that she used when she was small such as cooking a weed to make a lotion for poison Ivy? My grandmother always made her own medicines, lotions and cremes. She had a remedy for everything. She knew just what plants to cook and how to combine things to cure a congested chest or a common burn. She kept an aloe plant to tear off a piece to help heal burns. She cooked a plant to ease the pain and itch of poision ivy. She used homemade lard, terpintine, kerosene and other things to keep congestion under control. When I raised my children, I too used many of her methods but I have forgotten many of them now. I wish I had written eveything down that she used because now alot of her knowledge is gone forever. New research is proving that the old folk recipes using herbs adn essential oils to kill germs such as those used by doctors during the Black Plague, were based on good science. Many essential oils, such as the oils of lavender and thyme, are more antiseptic than phenol, the industry standard. Research is also showing that antibacterial plant oils may not cause drug resistance as could be the case with common chemical disinfectants. The essential oil based spray, that is below, leaves a lovely clean scent. It is wonderful to use for spraying your cutting board after use. Antibacterial Spray Makes 1 cup of spray 1 cup water 20 drops pure essential oil of lavender Pour the water into a spray bottle. Add the oil and shake to blend well. Spray on the surface and let it set for at least 15 minutes. You can also just leave it on the surface and not rinse at all. You can purchase a cheap spray bottle at the dollar store. Never use a bottle that has been used with other cleaners in it. Never get essential oils near your eyes or directly on your skin. Remember to label your bottle with the ingredients. Remember that homemade herbal antibacterial sprays are not registered disinfectants