Create a natural first-aid kit for travel this summer

"Schoooool's out for SUMMER!" It's that time of year when people get itchy feet, anxious to go somewhere and do something fun. If you and yours are headed out for some adventures this summer, pack some peace of mind in the form of a natural first aid kit.

There are lots of great, inexpensive herbs, essential oils, and homeopathic remedies to pack along with your bandages and hand sanitizer that will help insure common problems don't put a damper on your trip.

Build your own natural first aid kit

All of the products listed below are available at health food stores, by mail-order, or off the internet. Wrap glass bottles in cloth such as flannel to protect from breakage. These products are safe for use on children and pets as well. A small padded lunchbox makes a nice place to keep your stuff.

• Arnica - get both the pellets for internal use and the gel for external use. For trauma, muscle strains and soreness, bruises. Do not use on open wounds. Also good for sleeplessness and restlessness when over-tired, such as from jet lag. There are homeopathic blends for jet lag.

• Activated charcoal or powdered bentonite clay for traveler's diarrhea or food poisoning. If using on children or pets, be sure to check dosing directions. Make a paste and apply externally to wasp or bee stings to draw out poison. Apis is the homeopathic remedy for stings.

• Calendula cream for soothing and healing wounds and burns, including sunburn. Has astringent, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory properties. Aloe vera is good for burns as well.

• Citronella based insect repellant. Other essential oils that repel bugs include: peppermint, cedar, lemongrass, geranium, rosemary. There are many nice natural (DEET free) blends available. Apply liberally and often.

• Ginger - capsules or crystallized; for motion sickness, soothing stomach upsets, and relieving gas. It has antispasmodic properties.

• Lavender essential oil - an all-purpose remedy; use to help with insomnia, anxiety, headaches, wounds and burns. For most people, it can be applied directly to the skin. One drop takes the swelling and itch out of mosquito bites. It is an anti-inflammatory and has antiseptic properties. Tea tree oil is an antiseptic as well. Use to prevent a wound from getting infected. There are homeopathic bug bite ointments available too.

• Nux vomica homeopathic remedy for overindulgence. Too much excitement, food, drink, sugar. Carbo veg remedy is also helpful for bloating and gas.

• Rescue Remedy - Bach flower remedy for calming all kinds of emotions: anger, grief, fear. Helps with anxiety and sleeplessness. Give it to your pet during a lightening storm, or to a toddler to calm a tantrum, or to an adult having trouble sleeping.

• Yarrow - an anti-inflammatory useful in the treatment of diarrhea, stomach cramps, and other gastrointestinal distress. Open and sprinkle on minor wounds to stop bleeding. Make into a tea to lower fever. Mild sedative, may prevent insomnia.

Other Considerations:

It's a good idea to take your regular vitamins or supplements with you to maintain equilibrium. Vitamin C and the Bs help combat stress, magnesium helps with sleep and constipation. Electrolyte mixes such as Airborne or Emergen-C are good additions too, especially if you will be flying and breathing airplane air.

Depending on your plans, customize your kit. For example, if you're planning an outdoor excursion, you may want to add grindelia spray for poison ivy. Rhus tox is the homeopathic remedy for poison ivy, and very helpful as well.

Additional essentials: bandages, tweezers, instant-read thermometer, moleskin for "second skin" for blisters, elastic bandage for sprains, alcohol wipes, waterless hand sanitizer.

You know what works best for your family, so take those items. Enjoy your trip!

Sources for this article include:

http://www.herbcompanion.com

http://www.naturalnews.com

http://www.naturalnews.com

http://www.naturalnews.com/032633_first_aid_outdoors.html

http://altmedicine.about.com

Balch, Phyllis, CNC. Prescription for Herbal Healing. p. 144-145.

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/036119_first-aid_kit_travel_emergency.html#ixzz1xVn2ez5M

Killing ants naturally with ant exterminators from your pantry, garden and fridge

It's springtime and along with May flowers come infestations of every kind of ant, taking over house and yard. Many ants bite, and most are unwelcome visitors that are difficult to exterminate, such as carpenter and fire ants. How to get rid of ants without using toxic poisons around your home and garden? Natural ant control combines several natural products from your pantry and feed stores to create homemade ant exterminators. You must be persistent in your efforts to exterminate ants, so be prepared to apply treatments on a regular basis throughout the season.

Natural ant exterminator products

1. Mix dry active baker's yeast with an equal amount of honey or molasses. Add a little water to moisten but the mixture should be more of a paste rather than liquid. Spread small amounts of the paste on two inch square pieces of cardboard and place throughout the house where pets and kids can't reach. This natural ant exterminator is a good one to leave out all summer and takes about two weeks to work on its own.

2. Another excellent natural ant control method consists of a mixture of 1/3 cup white vinegar, 2/3 cup water, and 2 to 3 tablespoons of dish soap. Combine in a spray bottle and apply to places with ant infestations, both inside and out. Expect to repeat the application weekly. Use this method with other natural ant control methods.

3. Grow some fresh catnip and sprinkle around ant hills and on pathways to the house. Ants seem to dislike catnip and will avoid it.

4. Repel ants with ground cinnamon for an aromatic natural ant control. Sprinkle the spice on the ground across doorways or on the outside of window sills where ants enter. Ants will not cross the spice barrier.

5. Apply food grade diatomaceous earth (DE) to ant hills as a natural exterminator. DE is a safe for pets and children and works well as an ant control method. DE is also effective for killing fleas, ticks, chiggers and other crawling insects in the house and garden. Buy DE from feed stores, gardening centers and online.

6. Scatter fresh spearmint leaves along the ground around the perimeter of the house as an ant repellent -- they hate it and will not cross the line.

7. Make an ant killer juice by combining one tablespoon of boric acid powder with one cup sugar and enough water to make a runny syrup. Allow the dry ingredients to fully dissolve. Pour the mixture into a squirt bottle, like an old ketchup or mustard container with a long applicator tip. Squeeze a drop or two of the liquid on small pieces of cardboard and place strategically around the house away from pets and children. The ants will at first be drawn to eat the syrup. They'll take it back to the queen and it will kill the entire nest. Use the liquid outside in hot spots as long as it's not accessible to pets. This is a highly effective method for killing all types of ants, including fire ants. Squirt some right down the hole of the ant hill and watch it disappear overnight.

The best approach for natural ant control is by using a combination of the above methods.

Sources for this article include:

WikiHow: How to Kill Ants Without Pesticides
http://www.wikihow.com/Kill-Ants-Without-Pesticides

TheFrugalLife.com : Getting Rid of Ants
http://www.thefrugallife.com/ants.html

Ehow.com: How to Get Rid of Ants Naturally
http://www.ehow.com/how_3791_rid-ants-naturally.html

About the author:
JB Bardot is trained in herbal medicine and homeopathy, and has a post graduate degree in holistic nutrition. Bardot cares for both people and animals, using alternative approaches to health care and lifestyle. You can find her on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001364941208&ref=tn_tnmn or on Twitter at jbbardot23

Source: http://www.naturalnews.com/035708_ant_killer_natural_boric_acid.html#ixzz1tNLlzIq5

Rosemary oil can be used as a natural meat preservative, and it works better than chemical additives

Although some people already use the popular herb rosemary for seasoning their meat, this combination may become more common in the near future as food manufacturers respond to consumer demand for more natural products.

Currently, two of the most common additives used to preserve meat are BHT and BHA. But studies have linked BHA with cancer and BHT with hyperactivity, causing some consumers to avoid products containing them (read ingredients labels to find out if they're in the foods you buy).

In a 2006 study, essential oils of rosemary and sage performed better at preventing oxidative decay and preventing loss of polyunsaturated fatty acids in meat than a combination of BHA and BHT. This means rosemary oil and sage oil may be one of the best natural food preservers yet discovered, and instead of having detrimental side effects, these natural oils offers protective health benefits!

Researchers are encouraged by this success and are still investigating ways that essential oils could be used to replace additives in a more real-world setting. One hurdle that may need to be overcome is that plant oils impart a distinctive aroma to meat, one that not all consumers may appreciate. But if you like rosemary and sage with your meat, that "problem" may be no problem at all!

Author: by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger

Source; NautralNews.com

How To Cure Hypothyroidism Naturally

It is estimated that around 10 million Americans suffer from hypothyroidism, with it most often striking women.  It is a condition whereby the thyroid gland does not produce enough hormones.  It is usually caused by Hashimoto's thyroiditis, which is a condition in which the immune system targets the thyroid gland.  Thus, the establishment considers it to be yet another "autoimmune disease".  In actuality, the immune system only attacks things which are detected to be toxic.  Poisoned thyroid glands are very common, due to our modern diets. The thyroid is furthermore suppressed by our constant intake of soy; an ingredient in the great majority of processed foods.  Additionally, fluoride is extremely damaging to the thyroid.  Until the 1970's, doctors prescribed fluoride to patients with hyperthyroidism (an over-active thyroid), in order to cripple it.  It was shown to be effective at a minuscule 2 mg. per day.  People in the present are estimated to be consuming 2-10 mg. per day from tap water, Teflon (non-stick) pans, toothpaste, pharmaceuticals, infant formula, processed cereals and sodas.  Hypothyroidism is also known to be caused by certain medications, such as lithium. In order to treat hypothyroidism, the medical establishment prescribes hormone pills to patients, and the individual must continue taking them for the rest of his life.  The similarities between hypothyroidism and diabetes treatments are undeniable, as both create perpetual consumers who will forever be reliant on 'the system'.  In a similar manner, those who have been taking pharmaceutical hormones are much harder to cure than those who did nothing, or those who turned to alternative medicine immediately.  There is always a price to pay for dealing with the devil. Symptoms of Hypothyroidism Mood swings Cold sensitivity Weight gain Depression Dry skin Constipation Fatigue Brittle hair, skin, or fingernails Heavy or irregular menstrual periods How To Cure Hypothyroidism Please note that curing hypothyroidism requires a long term religious commitment for a period of at least a year.  Creating this problem took years of self poisoning, so fixing it is neither quick, nor easy. Eliminate Soy: Soy suppresses thyroid function, imbalances hormones and has been shown to cause goiters (an enlargement of the thyroid gland) in previously healthy individuals. Adhere to an Alkaline Diet: This is extremely helpful when curing any chronic disease.  Use the pH food chart to guide you on alkaline/acidic foods. Balance Estrogen Levels (Women): Excess estrogen slows down the thyroid gland.  This means eliminating birth control medications, increasing the fiber in the diet, and avoiding all non-organic meats.  Growth hormones in meats lead imbalance in the hormones.  Reduce dairy intake, because milk often contains lots of estrogen; primarily because cows are milked frequently during pregnancy. Exercise: Without regular exercise, optimal health can never be reached.  Find a physical activity that you enjoy, and do it often.  We believe that exercise could half the cure time. L-Tyrosine: Tyrosine is a natural amino acid which helps the body produce its own thyroid hormone.  This is also known to help with the depression, which usually accompanies hypothyroidism.  Most naturopaths recommend 500 mg. taken 2-3 times day. L-Arginine: Arginine is known to stimulate the thyroid and its hormones. It also improves immune function, improves fertility, and alleviates erectile dysfunction. Avoid ALL SOURCES of Fluoride:  As already mentioned, fluoride suppresses the thyroid, and is likely to be the leading cause of hypothyroidism.  Drink spring water, avoid soft drinks, use fluoride-free toothpaste, use a shower filter, and throw away your non-stick pans. Eat a natural diet:  To help your body to heal itself, you need to remove strains on its immune system.  This means that all processed foods, artificial flavors, colors, preservatives, white flour, white sugar, "table" salt, hydrogenated oils, aluminum, high fructose corn syrup, and etc. should be eliminated from the diet.  Organic food is always the ideal.  Do not trust marketing that reads "All Natural", because this phrase is unregulated, and thus anyone can use it for practically anything.  Read the ingredients to verify. Iodine: The thyroid needs iodine to function properly, and lots of people now suffer from iodine deficiencies.  To test yourself, place some Iodine (we use 2%) on your stomach.  Make a dot the size of a silver dollar (or twice the size of a British 50p).  If it disappears within 12 hours, then you are iodine deficient.  Keep adding iodine in this way, until it no longer disappears in a 12-hour period.  This works due to the fact that the body absorbs iodine at the rate at which it is needed. Do not use povidone-iodine and do not orally consume iodine.  This is especially an important precaution for those with Hashimoto's. Pears: The ancient Chinese discovered that pears have a powerful tendency to balance hormones; especially in women.  Try the pear juice recipe, and drink it regularly. Bladderwrack: Bladderwrack will increase your iodine intake safely. Zinc and Selenium: Studies indicate that severe zinc or selenium deficiencies can cause decreased thyroid hormone levels.  Never take zinc on an empty stomach. Coconut Oil: You should buy organic, cold pressed, coconut oil from a health food store.  Take around 1 teaspoon of it daily.  You can also use it to cook with, but be warned that it smokes at low cooking temperatures.  Unlike most modern oils, its smoke is not poisonous.  Coconut oil speeds the metabolism, encourages production of the thyroid hormone, and kills candida. Avoid Canola Oil: Canola oil interferes with the production of thyroid hormones, amongst its many other dangers.  Treat canola oil like the God-forsaken, genetically engineered, poison that it is. If depression due to hypothyroidism is a problem, try taking St. John’s Wort to help elevate your mood.  Do not take St. John's Wort while pregnant, and research before using it if you are currently taking any pharmaceuticals.  Some pharmaceuticals can react with St. John's Wort.  It can cause abortions.  Do not use it as birth control, because herbal birth control is more likely to cause horrific birth defects than terminate pregnancies.  Only 'conventional' medicine is reliably effective in killing. Chronic constipation can be addressed by adding additional dietary fiber such as psyllium to your diet.  You will also want to take flax seed oil, and combine it with a high-sulfur food like cottage cheese.  Flax seed oil is very helpful for those suffering with chronic constipation. Hashimoto's Thyroiditis There is a lot of conflicting information on the internet regarding the application of iodine in those with Hashimoto's, so it is prudent that we comment.  Dosage is especially important in these cases, as the overdose of iodine can cause the thyroid to shut down completely.  However, a small amount of iodine does help this condition.  Problems occur in those who take potassium iodide supplements, and those who take internal iodine drops.  However, we have not found any evidence of this in those who apply iodine transdermally.  Remember that the transdermal application allows the body to regulate the absorption at its own rate. Prologue Like all modern epidemics, hypothyroidism is created from a poor diet and lifestyle, and it will only be corrected when that changes.  Hypothyroidism can be cured using the protocol above, but it will take time; just as it took time for this condition to occur.  The protocol will give you freedom from the medical establishment, which would otherwise make you into a perpetual victim.  Our recommendations are safer, cheaper, and dramatically more effective in the long term.

Source: http://healthwyze.org/index.php/curing-hypothyroidism.html Author: Sarah Cain