Basil for Everything!

When you hear the word basil, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? Well, I think of a caprese salad of mozzarella, tomatoes and basil leaves or a simple bowl of angel hair pasta with a pesto sauce. But would this herb be effective in the world of skincare, too? The answer is definitely, ‘Yes!’

Basil contains antibacterial compounds that make it a good cleanser and has a scent that can sooth your stress and even your sinuses. The oils found in basil have also been proven to act as an anti-inflammatory agent as well. Basil boasts pro-vitamin A and vitamin K., both essential to healthy skin inside and out. The flavonoids in basil have been found to provide protection at the cellular level against bacterial growth. When paired with other essential oils, herbs and even fruits, basil becomes a well-rounded herbal remedy for body, mind and the soul. Today basil is becoming a stamp of quality and pampering in health and beauty products.

Basil extracts paired with mint are found in shampoos and can increase scalp circulation that is crucial for hair growth and re-growth. This results in lustrous, shiny hair that is more manageable and strong. Basil tea can be used as an after-shampoo rinse and will leave hair silky and the scalp feeling fresh.

Facial masks are being made with basil along with avocado and olive oil that will moisturize in ways you won’t believe. You can make your own (of course!); it can be messy but well worth it.

Since basil is a natural astringent, it is found as a main ingredient in toners that are starting to show up on the shelves, but this, too, can be made at home. After cleansing the face, splash some of the homemade basil toner on, let it air-dry then moisturize as usual. Your face will appreciate it, especially if the air you live in is polluted. Before using a mask, try a basil face steam to open up and cleanse those pores

In aromatherapy, a basil essential oil massage is given to calm down the mind and get rid of tensions that have occupied the mind. It is one of the most rejuvenating experiences that can truly cheer the heart. Its refreshing aroma provides soothing effects and takes away melancholy from life. Basil pairs nicely with lemon or lime to tone and deodorize the skin so this makes a nice shower gel to get that morning started in the right direction.

I know some of you have basil in your yard. It grows so well here in Arizona since it loves warm climates. If you have an over abundance of it, try using it for some of my suggested beauty products. I have also provided a couple of my family’s favorite recipes with basil as the Star Ingredient.

Basil Beauty Products

Shower Gel

4 oz liquid glycerin soap

20 drops basil essential oil

10 drops lemon essential oil

Put ingredients in 4 oz. plastic bottle and shake.

Basil Hair Rinse and Face Toner

This recipe can be used for both the hair and face.

Pack about three tablespoons into a sturdy mug and pound lightly with a pestle to bruise the leaves and release the oils. Put  in a cup, pour boiling water over the leaves and cover the mug with a plate or anything else that will keep the steam from escaping. Let the ‘tea’ steep until it’s a clear, grass color, about 20 minutes. Strain and discard leaves. I use my coffee press for this; that way I can make more than just a small cup’s worth.

Hair Rinse: shampoo as usual, finishing with basil hair rinse.

Face Toner: Splash face after cleansing but don’t rinse off toner. Let air dry and moisturize as usual.

If traveling, you can take dried basil to use as a skin and hair booster. Pour about a cup of hot tap water over two teaspoons dried basil, cover, and let sit overnight for use the next morning.

Face Steam

Add a fistful of basil leaves and handful of mint leaves and heating them in a pot of water. Remove the pot from the heat when it starts emitting steam. Secure your hair with a band, take a thick towel over your head and bend over the pot with your eyes closed so that your face is fully exposed to the steam emanating from the water. Take the steam this way for around 3-4 minutes. Afterward you can apply a facemask. If not, splash cold water on your face or gently rub an ice cube wrapped in a cloth to close the pores.

Face Mask

Basil-Avocado Mask

Gently mash up 1-2 TBS of basil to release oils. Mix in half of a ripe avocado and enough olive oil to make a nice paste. Apply to cleansed face and leave for 15 minutes. Rinse with water or try using a basil toner you made yourself!

Basil-Egg White Mask

Put 1-2 TBS of basil leaves in blender or food processor. Process until the basil becomes a chopped mush. Put mush in a bowl and mix it with  a teaspoon of sea salt and one egg white. Rub onto cleansed face gently (the salt can be very abrasive so be careful!), paying attention to problem areas with acne or other blemishes you want to get rid of. Leave mask on for only 5-7 minutes; rinse with lukewarm water or some of that basil toner you made!

To have basil during the winter months when it doesn’t grow as well or it’s too expensive at the grocery store, try making pesto and freezing it. You can put the recipe in one container for the freezer, or put in an ice cube tray to freeze. Each cube equals about one tablespoon and can be used in future sauce or soup recipes.

Basil Pesto

2 cups packed, fresh basil leaves

2 cloves garlic

¼ cup pine nuts

2/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil

½ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese

Kosher salt and pepper, to taste

Combine basil, garlic, pine nuts and parmesan cheese in food processor and pulse until coarsely chopped. While food processor is on, slowly drizzle olive oil in opening until fully incorporated and smooth. Season with salt and pepper.

If freezing, transfer to an air-tight container, cover and freeze up to 3 months. If using ice cube trays, place pesto in each cube and freeze overnight. Take cubes out of tray and put in freezer zip-loc bag, freeze and keep for later use. Each cube equals around 1 tablespoon.

How to Freeze Fresh Basil

If you want to save some of that extra basil and you’re not interested in making pesto, you can freeze it (mixed with olive oil) to be used later.

Wash leaves very well and put in salad spinner. Spin them as dry as you possibly can. Lay them in a single layer on dry paper towels and leave until completely dry. If you don’t have a salad spinner, just wash your basil leaves in the sink and dry them well with paper towels. Then do the same as if you had spinned them by laying them in a single layer on dry paper towels and leave until completely dry.

Put enough basil leaves in a food processor, using the steel blade, until the bowl is full, but not tightly packed. Pulse food processor with one hand and drizzle olive oil into the feed tube with the other hand, just pulsing until the basil is coarsely chopped. You should also make sure that all the basil is coated with the oil, which keeps it from turning dark in the freezer. I use about 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil for each batch in the food processor when I’m making coarsely chopped basil like this to use for pasta sauce, soup, or stew recipes.

In freezing, transfer to airtight containers, cover and freeze up to 3 months. If using ice cube trays, place pesto in each cube and freeze overnight. Take cubes out of tray and put in freezer zip-loc bag, freeze and keep for later use. Each cube equals around 1 tablespoon.

And just for giggles I have supplied two favorite basil recipes:

Basil-Lemon Sorbet

4 cups water

2 cups sugar

1 cup basil, fresh leaves and lightly packed

1 cup lemon juice, fresh

2 large basil leaves

In saucepan, bring water, sugar and basil leaves to a boil. Cover and simmer over low heat for 5 minutes. Let syrup cool to room temperature. Add lemon juice and refrigerate until completely chilled.  Strain liquid and discard basil leaves. Put half of liquid in blender. Add two basil leaves and blend until basil is completely incorporated and is the size of ‘specks.’  Transfer to sorbet/ice cream maker. Follow manufacturers instructions to prepare sorbet.

After sorbet has completed its cycle, remove sorbet from freezer container and place in airtight container. Cover sorbet with plastic wrap, pressing wrap to surface of sorbet to prevent ice crystals from forming. Cover tightly and place in freezer. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving. You can also leave the sorbet in the sorbet container if you want to take it to a friend’s house. Cover with plastic wrap, pressing wrap to surface and put in freezer until ready to transport. Wrap container in a large towel to keep it cold. It won’t melt and it will be perfect for scooping later.

Caprese Salad

Many hot evenings, my husband and I have this along with a small green salad and it’s all we usually need. This is usually enough for two people.

1 avocado, sliced thin

1 heirloom tomato, sliced thin

Mozzarella cheese, fresh and sliced thin; about 6+ slices

6-10 basil leaves, sliced into thin ribbons

olive oil

balsamic vinegar

coarse salt and pepper

Layer avocado, tomato and cheese slices, alternating each one, on a nice serving platter. Sprinkle sliced basil leaves over ingredients. Sprinkle olive oil and balsamic to taste. Salt and pepper to taste.

Before talking about sunburns, I would like to address the sunscreen issue. We, in Arizona, are very aware of how important it is to use plenty of sunscreen. Second to Australia, we have a very high occurrence of skin cancer and so it’s very important that we stay vigilant about using sunscreen. Our children especially need to be protected. There has been much ‘to do’ about sunscreens lately and, to be honest, I can’t help but be a little confused about what kind of sunscreen we need to use and how safe is it? There is one source of information you may want to check out that has been trying to explain all the ins and outs of this issue. The group’s name is Environmental Working Group and their website is www.egw.org. Here is a direct link to their latest sunscreen news:

http://breakingnews.ewg.org/2011sunscreen/

There are several articles that you may find interesting and you will also be able to find out about the sunscreen you use. They have a rating system for what’s safe and what’s not.

I also found an article in my Most Favorite Magazine in the World, ‘Herb Companion’, where it notes all the precautions used in Australia. Here is a small excerpt:

In the 1990′s The Australian government, alarmed by the rising rate of skin cancer in their country, devised an amazingly effective national health campaign: ‘Slip, Slop, Slap!’ Translation: Slip on a T-shirt, Slop on some sunscreen, and Slap on a hat. The message worked and the rate of skin cancer dropped. To go with those simple guidelines, here are a few more helpful tips and suggestions:

• Don’t use exfoliation treatments such as scrubs or dry brushing before going out in the sun – they increase skin’s sensitivity.
• Some medications, such as antibiotics, antihistamines and oral contraceptives, may increase sun sensitivity. Check with your doctor or pharmacist about your medications before spending time outdoors.
• Wear a hat with a 3-inch brim that wraps all around.
• Trees in full leaf can provide some sun protection (10 to 20 SPF), so stay in their shade whenever possible.
• Apply sunscreen 15 to 20 minutes before going out in the sun to allow cream to bind to skin and increase protection, and reapply frequently.

Saying all that, I have to admit there are those times when no matter how hard we try, sunburn happens. Then we need to address the pain and discomfort of the burns. There are several homemade remedies that I would love to recommend that I used as a child and others that I used as an adult.

There are two degrees of sunburn. The symptoms of a first-degree burn include pain, heat, redness and tender to the touch on the skin affected. These symptoms can appear from 1 to 24 hours after exposure to the sun. After a couple of days, this type of burn will ‘cool’ into a suntan or thin layers of skin may peel off.

The symptoms of a second-degree burn include extreme reddening, swelling, pain and even blisters can appear. The burn goes deeper into the skin’s layers damaging small blood vessels and elastic fibers in the skin, and later there is wrinkling of the skin. In most severe cases, the burn may be accompanied by chills, fever, nausea, and/or delirium. This type of sunburn can be dangerous, especially to children, and a doctor’s advice may be recommended.

My remedies are best used with first-degree burns or even when you used plenty of sunscreen but feel a little ‘sun saturated’. Along with these remedies remember that you need to re-hydrate the inside of your body, too. Drink as much water as you can for the first couple days you have the burn.

Once a sunburn appears, it’s a good idea to cool the body off as soon as possible. Take a cool shower or soak in a tub of lukewarm water for around 10 minutes. This will lower the skin’s temperature and will help in the healing process. When you are done showering or soaking, try to air dry your skin or, if you need to use a towel, gently pat your skin dry as opposed to rubbing it.

There are products out there that are made for sunburns but use with caution. Check the ingredients for lanolin. The product may feel cool and soothing at first but once it’s warmed by the body, the lanolin becomes heated by the body’s temperature and it can get very uncomfortable. Once applied, it can’t be taken off since it’s soaked into the skin.

Here are some homemade remedies ranging from real simple to a little more work-intensive, depending on your needs and time.

Bath Soaks

If you choose to soak in a tub, it may help the healing process and cut down the itching if you were to use one of the following:

Baking Soda

Fill a tub with mild water and add a cup of baking soda. Baking soda returns the skin’s pH to normal and acts as a great neutralizer. This bath will cool the skin down and allow for it to ‘breathe’ a bit, lowering the temperature naturally. You may want rinse off with clear water as, once dry, the baking soda may leave a light, white, powdery residue.

Oatmeal bath

Similar to baking soda, oatmeal is a neutralizer and is awesome for sensitive and damaged skin.  You can just throw in a ½ cup or so in the tub while the water’s running or, to prevent clogging the drain, you may want to make an oatmeal ‘flour’ by running it through your blender or food processor. Sometimes, I’ll wrap it up in a cheese cloth and toss it in the bathtub.

Aloe Vera

When my granddaughter was a toddler, she called aloe vera the ‘magic plant’. I always have a plant nearby to use on those minor burns we get from working in the kitchen around hot stoves and ovens. I am a firm believer in its miraculous healing properties. It’s also great for sunburns since it’s a natural anti-inflammatory. It not only soothes, it accelerates the healing process and removes the itch. It also penetrates the deeper layers of the skin and helps the skin rejuvenate itself by lowering the temperature and cooling the skin. You can use a real aloe plant–cut off a spear, split it open and rub the clear gel from the inside of the leaf on the sunburn. Or you can scrape the gel from the leaf and spread it over with your hands or a sable paintbrush, if the skin is extra sensitive. You can purchase aloe vera gel from a health food store or herb store. I use a terrific herb store in Chandler called ‘Desert Sage Herbs’ (website: www.desertsageherbs.com) where I get all kinds of interesting ingredients. The owners are incredibly helpful and knowledgeable and willing to educate those of us, like me, who are just dabblers in all-things-natural. There are aloe vera products that can be purchased at the drug stores but be sure the aloe vera content is greater than other ingredients, especially water, in order to gain the maximum benefit. Some will also have alcohol as an ingredient and that may burn a little once applied.

Here are two homemade recipes that use aloe vera as its main ingredient.

Sunburn Mist

4 oz aloe vera gel (store-bought or taken from a fresh leaf)
12 drops lavender essential oil
4 drops peppermint essential oil
1 sprig creosote (optional); pinch off any flowers. Creosote has amazing healing properties.

Put aloe juice in 4 ounce spray bottle. Add essential oils and creosote sprig. Shake well. Label and store in refrigerator for up to 3 months. A mist is better than lotion sometimes because burned skin is so sensitive to touch.

Aloe Vera Skin Gel

½ cup aloe vera gel (store-bought or taken from a fresh leaf)
1 TBS dried chamomile flowers
1 TBS vitamin E oil
2-3 drops peppermint oil

Mix together aloe vera gel and chamomile flowers in small sauce pan or microwave-safe container. Heat mixture gently but do not boil. Let mixture cool completely, then stain off chamomile flowers and discard. Stir in vitamin E and peppermint oils. Pour lotion into clean jar with a tight fitting lid and store in a cool, dry place. To use, massage lotion into skin as needed. For extra cooling refreshment, store lotion in refrigerator.

Black Tea Bags

One remedy I used growing up was wet black tea bags. The tannic acid in the tea draws the burn out of the skin and starts the healing process. After just one application, most sunburns are no longer painful and are less red. However, this treatment will act on the pain but may not prevent peeling.

To use black tea, make a large pot of boiling water. Add several tea bags to the water and steep until it’s real strong tea (about 15-20 minutes). Add ice until the tea is just slightly warm. Put a bath towel (preferably a dark colored one; a light one will probably be “dyed” brown from the tea) into the pot and keep turning the towel until it has soaked up all of the tea. Have the sunburned person lie on the floor or bed on top of an old towel to catch drips. Wring out towel slightly and place the wet towel over the sunburned area of the body. Leave the towel on for a half hour for a moderate burn and an hour for a strong burn. The slightly warm tea will actually feel very cool on burned skin, and cold water would be almost painfully too cold on the hot skin. The burned person immediately feels relief from the wet, getting cooler and cooler gradually, with the actual temperature of the skin also lowering. You can also use the wet tea bags to rub over affected area.

White Vinegar

Plain white vinegar is a popular sunburn remedy. Many who try it say it helps to relieve pain when applied to the skin as a compress. Soak clean towels in a half water, half vinegar solution. Wring the towels and apply on the affected areas, avoiding contact with the eye area. You can also fill a clean spray bottle with the half vinegar, half water solution and spritz it onto the skin. Smelly! But once it’s dry, the smell goes away.

Yogurt

Yes, I said yogurt! It contains enzymes and acids that can help the sunburn. It might be a bit unpleasant to begin with (a little squishy), but once you apply it, relief comes in minutes. You can either soak a cloth in yogurt, or simply apply it on the sunburn area. Leave it on until it’s dry (which happens soon after you placed it since the skin exerts high temperature). Rinse it off with cool water and repeat a couple times.

You may want to add a couple drops of lavender essential oil which increases the soothing effect and diminishes the irritation and redness. And smells nice!

Staying out of the sun is always a good idea. Living in Arizona makes it a challenge so there will always be ‘those times.’ If you find yourself or someone else with a sunburn, one of the remedies just might help.

Would you believe that you can use essential oils to help your animal’s health and well-being?

Yes, you can! Just like people, animals can benefit from essential oils for mood and health. Today, I will concentrate on Man’s Best Friend: Our puppy dogs!

There are blends of essential oils that will not only alter your dog’s mood, it can help with skin problems and even what they smell like. A few recommended oils are:

*Lavender – soothes the skin and relieves itching

*Tea Tree – powerful antibacterial and antifungal

*Bergamot – antifungal problems

*Chamomile – soothing and gentle, aids in healing

tissue

Just because an essential oil has been recommended for us humans does not mean it is good for your pets! Here are some UNSAFE essential oils for dogs:

Anise/Camphor/Hissop/Juniper*/White Thyme/Yarrow

Because of uterine stimulation or possible toxicity, avoid using these oils on dogs, especially pregnant dogs.

*the oil of Juniper berry is perfectly safe, but the Juniper wood oil is toxic to the kidneys

Birch/Wintergreen

Some aromatherapy formulae found on websites suggest using the oils birch and wintergreen for joint pains caused by arthritis. However, dermal use of these two oils has been proven to be toxic as they contain high levels of methyl salicylate and the ingestion of these can cause severe poisoning and death.

Cassia/Clove leaf and bud

These oils can cause dermal irritation and possible toxicity to both people and pets.

Horseradish/Mustard/Tansy

Due to the pungent properties of these oils, they are considered to be hazardous and may cause severe dermal irritation.

Pennyroyal

Although this oil is effective in repelling fleas, it is also highly toxic to the kidneys and the nervous system. It is also a known abortifacient. Avoid using this oil on pets and yourself!

Rue

This oil is a terrible photosensitizer.

Wormwood

Both the herb and the oil wormwood are toxic to pets and should be avoided at all costs, even though some people suggest using wormwood for treating worm infestation. There have been reports of wormwood essential oil causing renal failure in humans. It is also a known fact that wormwood causes seizures, and possesses very high oral and dermal toxicity.

Most animal aromatherapy experts have suggestions on how best to approach a dog with essential oils. Dogs have a very sensitive sense of smell and just spraying the essential oil blend on them may startle them and it may put them off of being treated with them. It is recommended that you allow them to smell the blend before application. Choose a quiet time when you and your dog can concentrate on the oils (not before being fed or directly after feeding). Take the open bottle and hold it firmly in your hand leaving only the top exposed so the puppy can’t take it out of your hand. Hold the bottle about three feet away from the dog’s nostrils, moving it slowly towards him until you can see his nose twitching or some other sign that they are in a comfortable range to smell the oils. Some animals will want to come towards the bottle, possibly even lick it, others will want to stay at a safe distance and simply smell it. The oil in the bottle is evaporating so the animal is actually absorbing the affects even if it is a little distance from the bottle. If you move the bottle backwards and forwards you will notice if the animal is following the smell or not. When the animal has had enough of the oil it will move away from you or show you in its own unique way that it has had enough!

Signs of keen interest: smelling intently for a long time, licking the lips or trying to lick the bottle, follows you around with the aroma, rolls on its back.

Signs of moderate interest: a few sniffs then looks away, a small sniff but returns to the bottle, tongue licks quickly, easily distracted from the aromas.

Signs of no interest: Turns away from the aroma, one sniff and no further interest, tries to leave the room.

If the animal shows no interest in the oil try again the next day; if there is still no interest, skip a day and if there is still no interest leave it for three days and then try again.

One benefit of using essential oils for your dog is to help them relax. And a nice way to promote that is a massage! If we love them, why won’t our favorite little guy or gal?

A gentle home massage can give your dog comfort as well as aiding the nervous system and increasing circulation. Deep massage is not recommended unless you have the guidance of a trained and certified practitioner but there’s no reason you can’t give your pet a light, relaxing rubdown, especially if you use essential oils.

Using lavender or chamomile oils can promote relaxation and calmness. Always use the essential oil in a carrier oil (vegetable, almond, jojoba or olive oil are fine); direct contact to the skin can cause irritation and, at times, burning.

Have your dog lie on a soft, firm surface such as a rug, although very small dogs can be done sitting or crouching on your lap. Try to avoid the face of the dog with the oils; you don’t want any to get in their eyes or nostrils. Apply the oil after you have finished with their face.

Start with several soft, slow strokes from head to tail. When your dog begins to relax, scratch gently behind the ears, moving to the cheeks, under the chin, over the nose, between the eyes and over the head.  Rub each ear several times between your thumb and forefinger, working from base to tip.

Apply a couple of drops of your essential oil to fingertips, rubbing the oil over the whole of your hand. Using three fingers, move slowly over the neck, shoulders and chest in small, circular patterns, gently pinching folds of any loose skin in these areas. Lightly squeeze down the length of each foreleg, then place three fingers on each side of the leg and softly rub in opposite directions several times.  If your dog is comfortable with having his feet handled, use your thumb and forefinger and give each foot a couple of soft squeezes. This is a good time to look out for any burrs, ticks or skin abnormalities. Use common sense in avoiding wounds, lumps, rashes or any sore spots.

The second phase of the massage can include placing your thumb and index finger on each side of the spine and ‘walking’ them toward the base of the tail, and then the outside of each thigh. You may also squeeze the length of the tail and move down the rear legs in the same way as on the front legs, if your dog doesn’t protest. If at any point, your dog resists, respect his wish and move to the last area or technique he enjoyed. Finish up with several soft, slow strokes from head to tail.

Here are a few Healing Blends for your puppy:

Skin problems: 1 oz. calendula oil, 15 drops lavender, 18 drops geranium.  Pour the essential oils into a 1+ ounce bottle. Apply to afflicted areas.

Relieve itching:  1 oz, calendula oil, 12 drops lavender, 15 drops geranium, 9 drops chamomile.  Pour the essential oils into a 1+ ounce bottle. Apply to afflicted area.

Combat Fleas:  1 oz rubbing alcohol, 20 drops mint (any kind).  Fleas are nuisances for man and animal alike! This pest hides within your pets’ fur as well as in our carpets, parquet and window coverings. Prepare the following blend by pouring the ingredients into a 1+ ounce spray bottle. Fleas absolutely dislike mint! Vacuum rugs, carpet and curtains. Throw vacuum bag out in the outdoor container so the fleas don’t find their way back in the house. Spray the affected areas of your home. Don’t forget your dog’s bed. Spray directly onto your dog, holding the bottle about 10 inches from him. Avoid spraying on the head and eyes.

Combat Ticks:  1 oz vegetable oil, 30 drops tea tree oil, 30 drops lavender.  Check your home and pet for ticks -  look in his bed, window coverings, walls, etc. Burn the ones you find to prevent them from coming back. Prepare the following blend by pouring the essential oils into a 1+ ounce bottle. Shake before each use and spray affected areas around the house. Apply one drop lavender and one drop tea tree oil on tick before extracting it from your pet. This will disinfect the inflamed area. It may sting a little bit (as alcohol would) but it works great. It will help to have someone hold your puppy’s head to soothe him.

Energy Booster: 1 oz vegetable oil, 15 drops rosemary, 18 drops lavender, 6 drops peppermint. Prepare the blend by pouring the oils into a 1+ ounce bottle. Massage the spine gently. Use in morning only. This is a nice blend for those loved pets who are in their elder years!

Reduce Nervousness and Hyperactivity: 1 oz carrier oil, 18 drops lavender, 6 drops chamomile, 12 drops petitgrain. This is a great blend for those puppies who cannot calm down! Prepare blend by pouring oil in a 1+ ounce bottle; add essential oils. Shake and apply lightly to spine and back of head using fingertips in a slow, circular motions.

Control Pet Odor:  1 oz water, 10 drops lavender, 10 drops geranium, 6 drops lemon. Pour water in 1+ ounce bottle and add essential oils. Spray directly on your dog, holding the bottle about 10 inches from his body. Avoid spraying on the head and eyes. You may use this on his bed or favorite place to nap.

We will do about anything for our lovely pets. Giving them more attention using essential oils is just one more way to say, ‘I love you!’

May I just say right away that I am NOT Dr. Sher? When it comes to First Aid at Home, I, like most moms and grandmas, have all kinds of remedies that have been passed down from one generation to the next. The ones I am going to recommend are what I have used over the years with both my sons and granddaughters. And they work!

First off, I would like to encourage any of you who have not done so to put together or purchase a First Aid Kit. This is something we rarely think of until The Moment!  I am going to list the items recommended for a standard kit and one that can also be stored in the trunk of your car in case your emergency happens away from the home. Kits are available for purchase at any pharmacy or on-line. Just ‘Google’ First Aid Kit and you’ll get all kinds of hits.

Absorbent compress 5×9 dressing – Cover/protect open wounds
Adhesive bandages – Cover/protect open wounds
Adhesive tape – Secure bandages/splints
Antibiotic ointment packets – Anti-infection
Antiseptic wipe packets – Wound cleaning
Aspirin (chewable) 81mg – For heart attack symptoms
Blanket (space blanket) – Maintain body temp
CPR Breathing Barrier – Protection during CPR
Instant cold compress – Control swelling
Gloves (large) non-latex – Prevent body fluid contact
Hydrocortisone ointment packets – External rash treatment
Scissors – Cut tape, cloth or bandages
Roller bandage 3″ – Secure wound dressing
Roller bandage 4″ – Secure wound dressing
Sterile gauze pad 3×3 – Control external bleeding
Sterile gauze pad 4×4 – Control external bleeding
Thermometer, oral – Take temperature orally
Triangular bandage – Sling or binder/splinting
Tweezers – Remove splinters or ticks
First Aid Instruction Booklet

Burns
Aloe vera plants have been used for centuries to treat burns holistically. While the science to verify the long-held beliefs about the success of using aloe vera as an herbal remedy is conflicting, evidence that is works in my house is strong! The sap you find in the leaf of an aloe vera has pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties that sooth and heal burn injuries. Many times I have burned myself in the kitchen. The first thing I do is cut off a leaf, put the sap over the burn area and continue with my cooking!

Well, it’s not exactly THAT easy so I will list a few instructions for those of you who haven’t heard or used this wonderful plant. When my granddaughter, Ava, was a toddler, she referred to our aloe vera plant as The Magic Plant. And it is!

1. Cool a burn by running it under cool water. It’s important to take the heat out of the burn so that no further damage is done.

2. Assess the degree of the burn. First-degree burns are red and swollen but superficial, while second-degree burns are deeper and feature blisters. First and second-degree burns can be treated at home, but third-degree burns are very severe and require immediate medical attention.

3. Break off a leaf from an aloe vera plant and cut it lengthwise. Choose a plump leaf from the outer edge of the plant because aloe plants grow from the inside out.

4. Scoop out the inside of the aloe leaf, including the clear sap and the pulp, with a spoon.

5. Mash the aloe leaf contents into a paste.

6. Apply aloe vera gel paste to the burn when it has cooled down sufficiently. Aloe vera gel has analgesic properties that can help with the pain of the burn, and the anti-inflammatory properties can prevent swelling from causing additional pain and blood restriction.

7. Continue to apply aloe vera gel until the burn heals.

**Some of the provided information was found at www.ehow.com/aloe-vera

Mosquito Bites
This is a remedy I have used with my granddaughters many, many times. It is a combination of aspirin and baking soda. I put about a cup of baking soda and 1 aspirin in a bowl and using a pestle, I grind the aspirin into the baking soda until it’s completely crushed. I then add enough water to make a thick paste. I put the paste on the mosquito bite and let it dry. This requires the child to sit on a towel while it dries and works its magic. I know! I know! An impossible feat to keep a child still, but do what you have to to make it happen! The purpose of the towel is to catch any flaking of the paste while it’s drying. The baking soda soothes the affected area and the aspirin acts as an anti-inflammatory.

Bee Stings
You might think this is crazy but my remedy for bee stings is meat tenderizer. I learned this from my late-mother-in-law, Katie. While my guys were growing up, we had a pool that they practically lived in 6 months out of the year. And those of you who have one know that pools attract lots of critters including bees. Every once in awhile, usually after being irritated by rambunctious boys, a bee would win the contest by stinging someone. Here is a list of instructions if this happens to you:

1. Remove the stinger with all haste, in whatever manner is most convenient. If you see a little black dot in the wound, part of the stinger is still present. Try scraping across the skin with a credit card to try to remove the stinger.

2. Apply a solution of one part meat tenderizer to 4 parts water. Papain, the enzyme in meat tenderizer, breaks down the protein in bee venom responsible for the pain and itching. Don’t leave this on for more than 30 minutes, or it can irritate the skin.

3. Apply ice or cool water for 10-30 minutes after the sting. This blunts the body’s allergic response.

4. If the affected area is still irritated, try applying a paste made from baking soda and water. Calamine lotion has been known to work, also.

The meat tenderizer works within a few minutes of applying. It takes away that initial slap of pain one feels when the bee stings. If there are any other reactions that occur that concern you then by all means, contact your physician and address it.

**Some provided information was found at www.drgreene.com (search treating bee stings)

Cholla (Jumping Cactus) Needles
I am sure that if you have lived in the desert long enough, you know and recognize the cholla that is prevalent to the Sonoran Desert. Living out in the boonies like we do, there have been numerous times where someone (usually one of my granddaughters, sadly enough) has come in contact with this wicked plant.

I can’t count how many times we’ve come into the house from getting the paper or the mail, look down and find a large piece of cholla attached to our shoe! The best way to take a cholla off is with a pair of pliers. DO NOT attempt this with your hands! The tip of the thorn is shaped like a fishing hook so when it goes into the shoe or skin (ouch!) it can be deeply embedded and very difficult to remove. A firm grip with the pliers and a quick jerk of the thorn usually works well.

But that’s not where it usually ends. There are also teeny-tiny little needles that cover the thorn that can be left behind once the thorn is removed. It’s as if there are minuscule splinters that are invisible to the naked eye but can be felt by brushing the area with your hand or some cloth. Very annoying and it hurts! What I use to get rid of these horrid, little things is duct tape. I know the men will LOVE hearing that! Place a piece of duct tape directly on the irritated area and pull off quickly. Repeat, using fresh tape each time, until the needles can’t be felt any longer.

I know I have talked about Make It Yourself bug repellent before but since bugs are still around, I thought it would be a good idea to revisit the subject and maybe help those who are still as frustrated as I am about the little critters!

One of the buggers (pun intended!) is a mosquito. Since the weather is now warmer there is a good chance that you have been experiencing a few mosquitoes flying around the outside of your house. There are many choices of bug sprays to choose from at your store but I, personally, cannot stand the smell of them and have you ever read the ingredients? Just a tad toxic! I have a blend of essential oils for keeping those mosquitoes off the skin so you can enjoy our beautiful spring weather in the evenings without worries!

This formula can be made in bulk and then placed in small containers making it easy to transport in the car or your purse. Once you have gathered the ingredients, you will be able to make this many times and it soon becomes very cost effective. There are several ways it can be mixed together. I will give you the recipe for the spray but keep in mind you can put the blend in a carrier like almond oil or even olive oil and add it to unscented lotion. This makes a great way to apply it to your children’s skin and making sure you get every surface covered. In a pinch, if you need something and don’t have the ingredients I’ve recommended, pure vanilla extract seems to work when dabbed on your wrists, neck and any other exposed areas. Just don’t blame me if you crave cookies afterward!

One pest that seems to crop up once in awhile, even in the ‘burbs, is the almighty and scary scorpion! For some reason the thought of finding one in your house can make the blood chill. Being out in the foothills of the Superstition Mountains, we come across this once in a while but I have come up with a few different ways to keep my peace of mind and not have to shake everything before using it!

My number one recommendation is take away the scorpion’s food source. This requires doing something that is not popular with most Tree Huggers (my husband being one of them!) but I have a rule while living out in the boonies. As much as I love all the creatures we have around here, if one of them finds their way into my house, No More Nice Sher! I have a pest control company who comes out periodically to spray. I have been told, and now know it to be true, that if there are any little baby bugs or spiders in your house, the scorpions will come and dine. You need to make sure all the areas around your windows and doors are well sealed. If you can get a credit card through a crack then a scorpion can get through it, too!  The pest control stuff, on the other hand, does not work on scorpions. They have a very hard shell that the poison can’t penetrate. A way to get around this is diatomaceous earth. This is a product that is used in some swimming pool filters. It is a product that is made from crushed rocks and shells and although its texture feels like flour, it is actually abrasive and can scratch the outer shell of the scorpion allowing the poison to penetrate. Our pest control company puts this down around the perimeter of our house but you can do this yourself. One method is to spread the diatomaceous earth and then spray the poison over it. There are many who recommend using Borax the same way. If you were to ‘google’ borax-pest control, you would find quite of few sites with recommendations to get rid of scorpions as well as other kinds of bugs.

If you think you have scorpions, but aren’t sure, a good way to find out is to take a black light outside after 10pm and go around the house with it. Scorpions are fluorescent and shine like the dickens with a black light shining on them. They can’t see or feel the light so they don’t scamper away. You can kill them by smashing them with something. If you find a nest (feel free to shudder!), I would call a pest control company immediately and let them deal with it.

Scorpions hide during the day and come out to play at night. They love water so these are areas that could use a nice dose of diatomaceous earth or borax. Dave the Garden guy recommends putting down flypaper in those areas where the scorpions can be trapped and killed later. I am going to include a flypaper recipe for those of you who are trying hard to keep the poisons to a minimum, especially if you have kids or animals running around. A good link for scorpions and the prevention thereof is:

http://www.getipm.com/thebestcontrol/bugstop/control_scorpions.htm

It’s very informative, has the information I have provided plus more detailed instructions and recommendations.

Well, that’s two pests but there are many more out there. I am going to provide the recipes I mentioned above and will include a few more for those little critters I didn’t mention but are definitely a part of our lives!

Good hunting!

Bug Be Gone Body Mist
16 oz (or larger) spray bottle
12 oz water
4 oz witch hazel
¼ tsp. each:
lemongrass
-lavender
-cedar wood
-bay
-clove
-bitter orange

Method:
Put water and witch hazel in bowl. Add essential oils; stir and put in spray bottle using a funnel. Be sure to label the bottle so you don’t forget what’s in it. Shake well before each use. This spray can be used on skin or clothing. Insects have a very keen sense of smell so you don’t have to use a lot at each use, just often. There are many essential oils that work on bugs, of course; these are a few that are safer to use with children. Some say to dilute with more water if using this on children but even if it is made with the recommended amounts, it is still far safer than any of those chemical-laden ones on the market. You can use more of one essential oil than others, if you prefer. It is a personal choice. Just add a bit at a time since you can always add more later; it’s harder to dilute it. These essential oils can also be added to an unscented lotion for even better protection.

The following essential oils have been found to be helpful:

lemongrass
eucalyptus
lemon thyme
mountain mint
orange peel
citronella
patchouli
vetiver
sandalwood
peppermint
tea tree oil

You can use lavender and tea tree oil directly on the skin. For all others it’s recommended that you put the essential oil in a carrier (almond oil, jojoba oil, olive oil, etc) before applying to the skin.

Flypaper Strips
¼ cup maple syrup
1 Tbsp. brown sugar
1Tbsp. sugar
Brown paper bag

Method:
Mix ingredients in a bowl. Cut paper bag into strips. Dip strips into bowl until saturated. Dry overnight and hang with string for flying insects or lay around especially water areas for scorpions. A water area might be outdoor faucets, hoses, or areas that are perpetually damp.

Ants Be Gone!
Spraying a mixture of vinegar and water in the area can help keep ants from invading your private space. If you have a problem that calls for more force, try my Pepper Spray. This is great for outdoors.

Pepper Spray
2 cups water
2/3 cup jalapeno pepper, coarsely chopped

Bring water to boil. Turn off heat and add jalapeno; let marinate a few minutes. Poor mixture through a sieve into a bowl to remove peppers. Put liquid in spray bottle and spray area you see ants and follow their path. Keep this away from children and plants since it can burn them.

Big Critters
We have lots of darling rabbits and frisky kangaroo rats around our house but they’re not so cute when they get in my garden or inside anything that looks like a nice condo! I even found some in our outdoor grill! What I have used that seems to work real well is Cayenne Pepper. I sprinkle this around the area where I am trying to deter them, making sure it doesn’t touch any plants. The critters hate the smell so they don’t usually come back. It’s necessary to reapply so buy the big bulk sizes at a place like Sam’s Club or Costco. I have even used this in an area of our gravel driveway where a neighbor’s dog mistakenly took to be his own private bathroom! That deluded thought didn’t last long.

Olive Oil. Who knew how versatile this simple ingredient is? It is something good for our bodies, both inside and out.

As part of our diet, I don’t think there is anything better than olive oil. It is high in antioxidants, including vitamin E. Antioxidants are nutritional powerhouses that protect against age-accelerating free radicals.  And anything against age-acceleration, I am all for! I have heard many times that to have healthy skin or hair, you need to start with the inside first! Since my husband has a heart condition, I have used olive oil in our diet for years. I make most of my salad dressings with it (in place of canola oil) and drizzle it over our salads and pasta. It’s a great for dipping bread in; I add freshly ground salt and pepper. This is a big hit with company! My recipe for simple vinaigrette is:

1 part vinegar
2 parts olive oil
season to taste

You can use any vinegar. Both balsamic and red wine vinegars are very nice. The seasonings I usually use are freshly ground salt and pepper. To take it up a notch, I will add a little Dijon mustard and maybe a little of minced garlic or shallots. I like to put the ingredients in a small jam jar, cover tightly and shake! shake! shake!

I think all of us have heard about the Mediterranean diet, right? This diet incorporates the basics of healthy eating used by countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea. Research has shown that the traditional Mediterranean diet reduces the risk of heart disease. There are also studies that showed following this diet was associated with a reduced risk incidence of cancer and Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease. The key points of this diet are:

-getting plenty of exercise
-eating prmarily plant-based foods, such as fruits and  vegetables, whole grains, legumes and nuts.
-replacing butter with healthy fats such as olive oil.
-using herbs and spices instead of salt to flavor foods.
-limiting red meat to no more than a few times a month.
-eating fish and poultry at least twice a week.
-drinking red wine in moderation (optional)

And another interesting part of the key points that I saw repeated again and again was the importance of enjoying meals with family and friends. The ‘happiness’ component is huge!

I invite you to visit the Mayo Clinic website for more information. Its address is: www.mayoclinic.com/health/mediterranean-diet.

It is well known that olive oil is rich in life-giving monounsaturated fatty acids. About 75% of that monounsaturated fat is oleic acid, which is very stable (meaning that it stays healthy & pure) even at high temperatures. Because the olive oil resists oxidation and does not turn unhealthy at higher temperatures makes it far healthier for frying. Our body processes oleic acid easier than other fatty acids.

Now that we have covered a little bit on the benefits of olive oil for the inside of the body, let’s start with the outside. Olive oil skin care is nothing new. In fact, it’s an ancient beauty secret. Discovered over 5000 years ago, olive oil quickly became an essential component of skin care.

The Egyptians, Greeks, Phoenicians, and Romans all took full advantage of this prized oil. Today, we observe the beautiful skin of Mediterranean women. Many claim their secret is the oil of this tiny fruit. It is known to promote a smooth, radiant complexion, helps maintain elasticity of skin, heals dry, brittle nails and softens cuticles and even conditions and adds shine to hair. Our own Makeup Artist to the Stars, Karen Hall, loves, loves, loves olive oil and is always suggesting it as a beauty ingredient. If you have ever seen Karen on the show and wondered what her age is, I can tell you she is over 60 and looks 40! So, of course,  I asked her to give me some of her hints and this is what she sent me:

1. Eat it! The results will show on the outside!
2. Use it as a moisturizer on face and body; replace those chemically laden lotions!
3. Use a few drops on dry hair as a hair dressing; it will make your hair shine, and help to keep dryness at bay.
4. Like cures like, so if you have buildup of oil on your scalp, you can rub some in, really well, before shampooing.
5. When cooking, rub a bit on your nails; especially before and after doing dishes to protect them.
6. Mix some with a bit of baking soda and use to exfoliate, gently on face, but also for elbows and feet.

I have been using some of her suggestions for the past couple years and very happy with the results. Fingers crossed that when I turn 60 next year, I look 40!

In addition to being a natural, hypoallergenic way to moisturize skin, extra virgin olive oil has the added advantage of providing strong antioxidants, like Vitamins A and E that help repair and renew skin that has been damaged from overexposure to sun, air pollution, and other modern-day environmental hazards like cigarette smoke and fast food. These antioxidants have the natural ability to stimulate cells and return skin to a firmer, smoother, and healthier state.

Olive Oil Skin Moisturizer
Whether applied to face or body, olive oil will penetrate deep into the skin and provide a long-lasting shield of moisture to keep skin smooth and supple. Used either as a night cream or daily moisturizer, it is best applied to damp skin, when water can help reduce any feeling of greasiness. Adding a little lemon juice can provide a more bracing and refreshing feeling. The natural benefits can take a bit longer to be absorbed into the skin than most lightweight packaged skin products. But the advantages can be longer lasting, too. If you have a favorite moisturizer that works well for you, on those extra dry days, you may consider adding a little olive oil to it for an extra boost. You can get an intensive facial treatment by mixing two-parts olive oil with one-part vinegar. The vinegar combats skin discoloration and bacteria and the olive oil moisturizes. Apply the mixture on your face and leave on overnight. Rinse face in the morning. You can also apply this to your whole body before sleeping if you want that ‘all over’ moisturizing treatment.

Olive Oil Exfoliate
Karen has suggested mixing baking soda with olive oil as an exfoliate, but you know I have to mention my sugar scrub or this wouldn’t be MY article! My recipe calls for any oil of your choice, but I have to admit that 90% of the time, I use olive oil because Karen told me to! It is a very simple recipe:

1 cup sugar
¼ cup olive oil
3 TBS honey

Combine ingredients in a metal or plastic bowl and use immediately in shower. I usually apply it after doing my normal routine; that way the olive oil is still on my skin. Be sure to blot, not rub, with a towel so you can let that olive oil seep into your skin.

Olive Oil Nail and Cuticle Care
Olive oil makes a perfect, simple solution for dry nails and cuticles. Simply rub a few drops into the cuticle area and around the nail. Cuticles stay plump and moist, and nails respond with a natural shine. If you have extra dry nails and cuticles, try soaking your fingernails in warm olive oil for about 10 minutes. For stained nails, try adding a little lemon juice.

Olive Oil Makeup Remover
Just add a few drops to a cotton pad and gently remove makeup from face and eyes. This works just as well as many commercial brands. It can leave your skin a little sticky and oily, so if you want, you can use your usual cleanser. When I use my cleanser, my skin usually feels a little taut, but after using olive oil to remove my makeup, my skin actually felt very clean and smooth. There is also a belief that olive oil is good for conditioning eye lashes.

Olive Oil Hair Care
When used on hair, olive oil can be considered two products: a deep conditioner and a dandruff controller. I, personally, have very thin, fine hair so don’t use this. Keeping my hair short helps it stay in good condition. But. Our wonderful Karen uses it on her hair, which is very thick and naturally curly. I know the Arizona dry weather can be harsh on hair and if that’s your experience, you may consider using olive oil. Here are a few suggestions that I found:

For a simple oil treatment, warm several tablespoons of olive oil (warm, not hot). Rub into scalp and hair. Cover with a shower cap or small plastic bag. Leave on for 20-30 minutes. Shampoo; it may take more than one or two shampoo washes to get the oil out. It may also make your hair a little ‘droopy’ but after a couple of days, it will feel and look great.

On those days where you don’t have time for a deep treatment, moisten your fingers with a tiny bit of olive oil and apply lightly to the tips of your hair.

So, taking a hint from those beautiful women of the Mediterranean countries, we need to incorporate more olive oil in our diets for our bodies; INside and OUTside!!