Recipes

Bubble Bath (Kids Calming)

Fill a small bottle (think empty sample bottle) 1/4 full of NSP concentrate. Fill the remainder with water. Add:

4 drops lavender

2 drops chamomile

1 drop   geranium

Use 1 capful per bath.

After-Sun Bath:

1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
5 drops each of chamomile or lavender essential oil
4 drops tea tree oil

Fill tub with very warm water. Add essential oils and cider vinegar. Gently swish with hands before getting into to the tub. Soak 15-20 minutes.

Cooling After Sun Lotion:

4 T. aloe vera gel
1 T. carrier oil
3 drops each of lavender and tea tree
2 drops each of chamomile

Add essential oils to aloe vera and carrier oil. Stir until well blended. Apply to skin as needed.

Anti-Infectious Chest Rub

10 drops eucalyptus

4 drops   peppermint

6 drops   pine (wheezy cough, white mucus) OR rosemary (catarrhal cough)

Combine in 30 mL aloe vera gel, plus 1/8 tsp. massage oil. Massage into chest and lower neck.

Avoid in cases of epilepsy or hypertension, and exercise caution in case of asthma.

Automatic Dishwasher Detergent #1 - powder

1 cup Borax     +     1 cup  Washing Soda

Use 2 T. per load. Add more Washing Soda if your water is hard. You can add essential oils for scent and antibacterial and antifungal properties, but avoid citrus oils as they may react with stainless steel cutlery. Vinegar in the rinse cycle prevents spotting, if you find this a problem.

Automatic Dishwasher Detergent #2 - liquid

a capful NSP concentrate (no more!)

1-2 drops essential oil

Same rules apply for choosing your oils.

Bug Repellant Rub/Spray

3 drops lavender
4 drops geranium
3 drops eucalyptus
1 drop  peppermint
1 drop clove

Add to 2 T of carrier oil and apply to skin. Length of effectiveness shortens with increased perspiration. This can be added to water in a small mister for easier application but you may need to increase oils.

I have used this in spray form and found it VERY effective. Worked very well with the kids, too. Note: when spraying on the face it is important to keep eyes closed.

Dry Cough

5 drops peppermint
4 drops sandalwood
3 drops pine

Combine in 1 1/2 tsp. aloe vera gel and rub onto chest or add to a bowl of almost boiling water and use as an inhalation.

Homemade Flypaper - yep, I've tried it, the commercial stuff works better but this will do in a pinch

1/4 cup syrup

1 T. granulated sugar

1 T. brown sugar

Combine ingredients in a small bowl. Cut strips of brown kraft paper (think paper grocery bag) and soak in this mixture. Let dry overnight. To hang, poke a small hole at the top of each strip and hang with thread. (I attach the thread or tape before soaking, makes for less-sticky fingers the next day.)

Gastrointestinal Distress

2 drops peppermint
2 drops Roman chamomile
1 tsp. carrier oil or lotion

Massage over affected area. The antispasmodic properties of the peppermint will relieve the smooth muscles of the digestive tract, while its analgesic properties will ease pain.

Hair Rinse

Choose one of the listed oils and add 6 drops to a bowl of warm water and use as a final rinse on freshly washed hair. Avoid contact with eyes. Most any oil can be used - those listed have bug-repelling properties

Cedarwood - adds lustre to dark hair and is said to encourage hair growth

Rosemary - repels lice

Tea Tree - repels bugs and gets rid of lice

Lemon - naturally highlights fair hair (photosensitive - avoid direct use on scalp if out in sun)

Geranium - very nice!

Lavender - *aaahhh*

Peppermint - perks you up, as well

Clove - do not use for long periods of time

Catnip - hard to find in oil form but said to be very effective in repelling insects (as long as you don't mind your cat sleeping on your head)