Tag: Antiseptic

Zika Virus Posted on

Essential Oils Proven to Send Mosquitoes Packing

We all want natural alternatives to harsh chemical repellents, but do any really work? Learn how to make your own repellent with essential oils scientifically shown to be as effective as DEET Zika virus and it’s purported link to microcephaly has become the latest in a long list of mosquito-borne illnesses that are causing people concern. Whether or not you believe in the link between Zika and birth defects, the fact that mosquitoes cause tremendous human suffering is undeniable. Mosquito-borne illnesses kill more than a million people annually. The little blood-suckers transmit maladies from malaria to West Nile virus, Chikungunya, and yellow fever—and even heartworm to our beloved canine companions. Government health authorities continue recommending DEET (N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide), which does work in repelling mosquitoes. However, this […] Read More

Prevention Posted on

6 Natural Ingredients for Cleaning Your House Without Making It Toxic

Non-toxic, inexpensive and eco-friendly: This is the sensible, healthy and easy way to clean your home. Most store-bought cleaners contain chemicals that can cause not just eye and skin irritations but even cancer, asthma and birth defects. They can be accidentally ingested by children and pets. According to the EPA, household cleaners can contain an array of hazardous chemicals, “including carcinogens, persistent bioaccumulative and toxic (PBT) chemicals, endocrine (hormone) disrupting chemicals, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that may pose risks to human health and the environment.” But these products aren’t just dangerous inside the home. “Cleaning products are released to the environment during normal use through evaporation of volatile components and rinsing down the drain of residual product from cleaned surfaces,” the agency says. The nitrogen […] Read More

Prevention Posted on

1999: The (Antibacterial) Vinegar of the Four Thieves More Nontoxic Cleaning Solutions

Inspired by Better Basics for the Home, by Annie B. Bond (Three Rivers Press, 1999). During the time of the Black Plague a family of perfumers robbed the dead. As perfumers they knew well the antiseptic essential oils, and they infused them in vinegar and rubbed them on their bodies; by doing so they protected themselves from certain death. The doctors of the time used the same herbs and essential oils to to protect themselves while tending so many who were contagious. They wore big cloaks over their heads that reached down well below their shoulders. Attached to the cloak over the nose and mouth was a 10” long canoe-like shaped beak full of antiseptic herbs and essential oils. You can make natural antibacterial products […] Read More

Health Posted on

Non-Toxic Cleaning Solution Recipes

Better Basics for the Home Simple Solutions for Less Toxic Living By Annie Berthold-Bond The entire book is available and published by Three Rivers Press, New York Flea Powder 5 teaspoon each dried eucalyptus, fennel or rosemary, and pennyroyal 1 cup cornstarch Grind the herbs into a powder in a spice mill or a blender. Combine with the cornstarch in a glass jar. Shake to blend. Sprinkle on the pet and work into the fur. Makes x cup. Preparation Time: About 15 minutes. Shelf Life: Indefinite, although the herbs will lose their potency in a few weeks. Storage: Glass jar. Tick Repellents The best choice for tick repellent Essential Oils Rose Geranium Palmerosa Other herbs and essential oils: Bay, Eucalyptus, European Pennyroyal, lavender, lemon balm(citronella), […] Read More