You’ve probably heard about the healing powers of the aloe vera plant for sunburn, but did you know it can also be used as a hair conditioner, as a liquid tonic, and to treat other skin conditions? What’s even better is that aloe vera is easy to grow and would be a great addition to your homestead’s indoor and, possibly, your outdoor garden. A … [Read more...]
7 Natural Mosquito Repellents and Traps That Really Work
Zika Virus. Dengue Fever. Malaria. West Nile Virus. No, thanks. I’ll pass. While I’m certainly not going to sign myself up to catch one of these mosquito diseases… I also don’t want to drown my body in harmful mosquito repellent chemicals like Deet and other lab-created concoctions. So! I set out on a deep dive of the internet to collect all … [Read more...]
7 Surprising Uses For Diatomaceous Earth
So what exactly is diatomaceous earth (DE)? Well, it's the fossilized remains of small aquatic organisms that are usually found in the bottom of rivers, oceans, and lakes. These little organisms are called Diatoms. To create DE, these Diatoms are ground up to create a smooth food grade powder that is easy to use in a multitude of ways, from skin … [Read more...]
11 Most Useful Medicinal Herbs You Can Grow
Learning to use herbal remedies can be a great way to increase your self-reliance. While there’s no way to totally eliminate the need for modern medicine, herbal remedies can help you avoid some trips to the doctor. Unfortunately, good quality organic medicinal herbs can be expensive. Luckily, there are many healing herbs that are easy to grow … [Read more...]
How to Survive This Year’s Deadly Flu Season
Disclaimer: I am not a medical doctor and nothing in this article should be taken as medical advice. Please talk to your doctor before using any of the herbs and/or remedies mentioned in this article. All around the nation, hospitals are feeling the strain of this year’s deadly flu virus. The scenarios being laid out are, frankly, hard to … [Read more...]
14 Delicious Ways to Add Turmeric To Your Diet
Adding helpful herbs to your diet can be a great way to be more self-sufficient and responsible for your own health and well-being. While herbs cannot entirely take the place of modern medicine, they can help reduce the need for it. Medicinal herbs are not just for when you actually get sick. They can also help keep you well when you incorporate … [Read more...]
9 Medicinal Herbs to Look For in Your Backyard
Foraging your own medicine can be intimidating. If you're just getting started, how do you know where to look? You don't need to live far out in the wilderness to find your own medicine. There are a number of powerful medicinal herbs that grow right in most people's backyards. Within the reach of your back steps, you can likely find herbs that … [Read more...]
25 Ancient Remedies That Used To Be Common Knowledge
Home remedies and herbal cures are as ancient as mankind itself. Mentions of ancient herbalism are found as far back as the Sumerian civilization, who more than 5,000 years ago documented their process on clay tablets. Much of modern medicine dates way, way back to natural means. In fact, did you know aspirin (or acetylsalicylic acid) can be … [Read more...]
11 Powerful Medicinal Herbs You Should Be Growing
For centuries, people have used herbs both to nourish and to heal the body. In addition to adding flavor to food, many herbs are high in antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiseptic properties. While many grocery stores sell fresh herbs, it is easy and inexpensive to grow your own at home. In fact, most herbs do well in a backyard garden or … [Read more...]
Hundreds of Free Home Remedies in One Place
There are a lot of great books full of natural home remedies, but why pay for a book when you can get all the information for free? Today I want to share a web page with literally hundreds of home remedies all in one location. Common Sense Homesteading is a site with tons of remedies for things like acid reflux, allergies, arthritis, bug … [Read more...]
10 Dangerous Foods That Are Banned Outside The U.S.
Since the passage of the Pure Food and Drug Act in 1906 -- a measure that banned interstate trade in misbranded and/or adulterated foods and drugs -- and the later formation of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Americans have come to rely on the federal government to protect them from harmful foods. However, this trust may be misplaced. … [Read more...]
5 Reasons Homesteading is Good for Your Health
You don’t have to be a genius to recognize that homestead living offers a much healthier lifestyle than mainstream city life. Anything is better than breathing in motor exhaust, giving into fried food temptations, being bombarded with unrealistic advertisements, and processing bright lights and sharp sounds every waking moment. But the reality is, … [Read more...]
6 Medicinal Trees for Stiff Joints and Pain
I have nothing against OTC medications. They usually work better than anything else and are almost always safe to use in moderation. The problem is, many people tend to pop a pill every time they feel a little uncomfortable. For me, taking medication is a last resort when nothing else has worked. Why? Well, as Chris from Joybilee Farm points … [Read more...]
Simple Homemade Hand Cream for Gardeners
Throughout most of my childhood, my dad had a garden that he worked in almost every day. He also had some of the roughest, most calloused hands I'd ever seen. I don't know if it was because of the gardening or because he naturally had rough hands, but even if it was the latter, the gardening certainly didn't help. He probably would have had … [Read more...]
What to Keep in an Herbal Medicine Chest
There are millions of people who would love to take medicinal herbs instead of over-the-counter medications. But unfortunately, herbs aren't very convenient. Whereas store-bought medications come in a box that lists all the symptoms they treat, herbs grow outdoors, can be hard to find, and don't come with any instructions at all. This causes … [Read more...]
