Back in the day of traditional farming, nobody ever thought to use pesticides on their crops. Although pests existed, farmers managed to grow what they needed, using natural solutions to stave off irritating pests. Nowadays, it’s perfectly normal to use chemical pesticides during agricultural practices. Just spray poison on the crops, which people inevitablly consume, and the pests go away. 

The Problem With Pesticides

Well, there isn’t just one single problem; rather, there are many. Pesticide sprays don’t single out the harmful insects from the beneficial ones. For example, they kill bees and butterflies and allow smaller predator populations to recover. They slowly develop a dependence on the chemical sprays, as opposed to the other natural systems. Additionally, plants may also become dependent on chemicals to grow properly. That is all to say that it’s time to get back to repelling insects the natural way, with companion plants. Repelling insects in this fashion actually increases biodiversity and enhances the ecosystems. The following plants may help to keep harmful pests away from what you are trying to grow. 

Alliums

This belongs to the onion family and the flowers are beautiful purple balls that bloom from tall green spikes, which are reminiscent of scallions. Alliums have been known to repel numerous pests, including slugs, carrot flies, cabbage worms, and aphids. These pests dislike the powerful aroma of alliums. 

Borage

Borage is an edible plant, with the flowers and leaves being safe for consumption. If you eat the leaves, make sure to choose the young varieties, otherwise they get fuzzy. The flavor is similar to that of a cucumber. They help attract bees and use deep taproots to pull up nutrients from deeper soil, depositing them on the surface. It also works to repel tomato hornworms and cabbage worms. 

Marigolds

Mosquitos, aphids, plant lice, and even rabbits avoid marigolds because they have a potent aroma. Fruit and vegetable farmers have used these little flowering plants to repel pests for many years. They are very easy to grow, especially in flower beds or planters. Make sure that they receive ample sunlight to thrive. 

Petunias

If you want to protect members of the brassica family (cruciferous vegetables), you’ll do well to plant petunias in the vicinity. The vibrant colors are signature to these wonderful flowers. Leafhoppers, tomato hornworms, aphids, and squash bugs do not like these flowers. 

Mosquito Plant

Yes, this is in fact a legitimate plant that offers a lacy green foliage and purple flowers. It’s also called citronella-scented geranium, and it is effective at repelling mosquitos. Mosquitos despise the citrusy aroma that comes from the plant’s natural oils. If you have lots of them flying around your yard, plant a couple to help repel mosquitos. 

Sunflowers

These are great garden companions because they help repel pests. Additionally, they are quite beautiful and distract aphids and white flies away from nearby plants. Those pests don’t actually have a negative effect on sunflowers, but they will harm other crops. Plant a few and see how the surrounding crops thrive. 

Chrysanthemums

Beetles, ticks, roaches, fleas, lice, mites, and ants will flee your garden when chrysanthemums are present. Several studies found that the extracts from the flowers can actually kill some of the aforementioned insects. In fact, chrysanthemum extract is a common ingredient in many residential insecticide products. This explains why pests steer clear of them.

Basil

There’s an enchanting quality to basil’s fresh aroma. Moths, mosquitos, and flies do not agree with this sentiment. In fact, they will steer clear of basil because of the potent scent. If you’re in a pinch and need to repel bugs away from your body, crush some basil leaves in your hand and rub them on your skin. You won’t have mosquito problems after that. 

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People love their pillows and mattresses, but they are probably the least clean items in the home. Chances are that people don’t even think about washing pillows or cleaning mattresses. Considering that people spend an average of six to eight hours on their mattresses every night, they deserve regular cleaning, right? That’s the hope, but it’s unfortunately not a reality.

Sheets and mattress protectors can keep a mattress clean to a certain degree, but dead skin cells, hair, sweat, body oils, and dust eventually make their way onto it. All of that sounds gross, doesn’t it? Sorry, but we are not the perfect creatures we think we are, and we need to put in a little effort to keep the house, and the things in them, clean. One of the ways to prevent the mattress from becoming a bacterial haven, and to keep it clean and odor-free, is to use a mattress spray.

What Are Dust Mites?

These microscopic, insect-like pests love dust, in case the name didn’t give that away. They feed on pet dander, dead skin cells, and all of the other tiny particles that comprise dust. Dust mites can actually cause severe allergic reactions, and they can even worsen respiratory symptoms like asthma. They love fabrics or upholstered items, including carpets, curtains, furniture, bedding, stuffed animals, and mattresses. The scary thing is that roughly 10,000 dust mites can exist in one square meter in your average home. 

In order to prevent them from accumulating in your home, it’s wise to keep all of your fabric or upholstered items clean and fresh. Since most people neglect their mattresses, we’re putting a bigger emphasis on that for this article. 

How To Deter Dust Mites From Mattresses:

Before you even decide to clean your mattress, remove all of the bedding and throw it in the wash. When the weather permits, open the windows and allow fresh air into your home. Dust and dust mites easily accumulate in a house with stagnant air that doesn’t circulate. While the sheets are in the wash, it’s time to clean the mattress, which means you bust out the DIY mattress spray recipe below. Spray it onto the mattress and it will help absorb the odors, deter dust mites, and keep the mattress smelling fresh. Allow your mattress at least two hours to fully absorb the spray. After this time, vacuum the top of the mattress and then put your sheets back on. 

The Ingredients

Lavender Essential Oil

A calming essential oil that exhibits powerful antibacterial properties. You may also find that the scent helps promote relaxation, contributing to sounder, more peaceful slumber. 

Distilled White Vinegar

This mild disinfectant helps to deodorize fabrics and works to clean surfaces. 

Peppermint Essential Oil

The minty aroma is not only refreshing, but it also works to repel insects. This is excellent news if you have dust mites!

Eucalyptus Essential Oil

This essential oil is beneficial for the respiratory system, working to improve airways for optimal breathing. It also has air-purifying properties, and it may help to cleanse surfaces. 

DIY Mattress Spray

Ingredients:

• 1 cup water (boiled and then cooled)
• 1 cup distilled white vinegar
• 8 drops eucalyptus essential oil
• 8 drops lavender essential oil
• 8 drops peppermint essential oil
• 500ml spray bottle

Instructions:

• Pour the water and vinegar into the spray bottle and then add the essential oils.
• Screw the top on the bottle and shake it vigorously to combine. 
• Spray this mixture directly on the mattress and let it remain there for a couple hours. Remember to shake the bottle before each use. 

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Occurring mostly on the hands, face, knees, and elbows, eczema is a condition that causes skin to become inflamed or itchy, often resulting in dry or cracked areas. Some people confuse eczema with allergic reactions to plants or fabric, when eczema flare-ups are typically responses to food intolerances, hormonal imbalances, or digestive problems/leaky gut syndrome.

Types Of Dermatitis That Cause Eczema

Atopic Dermatitis

The development of atopic dermatitis is typically attributed to a genetic mutation of the filaggrin protein in the skin. As the barriers between the epidermal skin cells break down, the skin becomes dehydrated and aeroallergens, such as dust mites or pet dander, can penetrate the skin. This often results in an inflamed area and itching.

Seborrheic Dermatitis

This condition causes scaly or inflamed skin areas that have oil-producing glands, such as the scalp. Eczema in babies may commonly be caused by seborrheic dermatitis.

Contact Dermatitis

This group of skin disorders results in reactions that are caused by coming in contact with causative agents. The outer layer of the skin, the dermis, is affected and the reactions can either be acute or chronic. This type of dermatitis is always itchy and may need to be remedied with salves, creams, or dietary changes.

Featured Salve Ingredients

Beeswax

This is what gives the salve its thick, bulky texture, but that’s not why it is included in this DIY remedy. Beeswax works to form a layer on the skin, keeping the oils close to the skin to promote healing. Unlike petroleum-based skin care products, beeswax allows the skin to breathe and extracts water from the air to help hydrate your skin. Additionally, beeswax contains vitamin A, a nutrient that works to remove dead skin cells from the skin.

Rosehip Seed Oil

Rosehip oil is a nutritional gold mine, containing linolenic acids that the human body cannot produce. The omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids also help to regenerate skin tissue and reduce the inflammatory flare-ups of eczema. The fatty acids are able to penetrate the skin quickly, so that the skin can quickly absorb it and begin healing.

Helichrysum Essential Oil

This essential oil is beneficial for those with eczema because it is quite gentle for topical applications. Coming from a relative of the daisy flower, helichrysum essential oil helps to promote skin cell regeneration, which can help reduce redness and inflammation.

Ingredients For Salve:

• 1 tablespoon beeswax
• 2 tablespoons shea butter
• 5 tablespoons rosehip seed oil
• 2 tablespoons avocado oil
• 1 teaspoon sea buckthorn oil
• 1 teaspoon vitamin E oil
• 10 drops helichrysum essential oil
• 8 drops geranium essential oil
• 2 drops tea tree oil

Instructions For Salve:

• Microwave the beeswax and shea butter in a heat-safe glass bowl or measuring cup for about 30 seconds, or until melted.
• Once it is melted, allow it to cool down before stirring in the rest of the ingredients. If you add the essential oils while it is still hot, the heat will cook off the oils. Make sure you thoroughly mix to combine all the ingredients.
• Pour into a heatproof container, like a glass mason jar. You should only need a four-ounce jar, but you may have some extra left over. Store in a cool dry place.
• This is a soft salve and it is easy to apply. The skin absorbs it quickly so you don’t have to worry about staining your clothes. Apply it a couple times a day to help reduce eczema.

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Many people have eczema, which is a term that can be used to describe rash-like skin conditions or the primary condition of atopic dermatitis. Roughly 30 million Americans have eczema, which commonly starts during infancy and continues into childhood. Sometimes people grow out of the condition, but some people have it into adulthood. Eczema is the inflammation of the skin, which often results in red and raised skin, and people with dryer, more sensitive skin often suffer from the condition. Many people will have rashes on their necks, elbows, knees, behind the ears, wrists, ankles, or other areas that bend.

To spread awareness about National Eczema Week, we are striving to make people more aware of the causes, symptoms, and natural remedies for eczema. Strive to use home remedies to naturally improve the condition. You can do your own research about natural remedies, using this article as a starting point.

What Causes Eczema?

The exact cause for eczema is unknown, but the common belief is that it is caused by either hereditary or environmental factors. If a parent has eczema, there is a greater possibility that the child will develop it. On the other hand, research suggests that the cause of eczema is linked to hay fever or asthma. It may also be caused by another allergic disease, or one of the following:

• Irritants (soaps and detergents, disinfectants like chlorine, or contact with juices from fruit, vegetables, or meat)
• Allergens (house dust mites, pollens, pets, mold, or Dandruff)
• Microbes (viruses, certain fungi, or bacteria)
• Temperature (hot weather, high or low humidity, or sweat)
• Food (dairy products, wheat, soy products, nuts or seeds, and eggs)
• Stress
• Hormones

Natural Remedies

Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is a great natural solution that can be ingested or applied directly on the skin. If you mix two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar with 8oz of water and consume that twice a day, this can help to restore your body’s pH balance, which is sometimes all that is needed to help eczema. For topical use, mix equal parts apple cider vinegar and distilled water and spray this on the affected area several times a day. You can also add apple cider vinegar to baths if the eczema is larger.

Take An Oatmeal Bath

An oatmeal bath can help reduce skin irritation because it helps moisturize the skin. Mix one cup of blended oats in a lukewarm bath and soak in it for 15-20 minutes every day until symptoms decrease.

Use Coconut Oil

Since coconut oil is an incredible moisturizer and has antimicrobial properties, it can help reduce the symptoms of eczema if applied to the affected area(s). For best results, gently apply warm coconut oil nightly before bed, as this softens the skin and fights bacteria from multiplying. Symptoms may take a few days to reduce.

Aloe Vera

Because aloe vera has anti-inflammatory properties, it is commonly used to reduce the symptoms of eczema. Applying the aloe vera to the affected area(s) helps to restore your skin’s pH balance and relieve itching and irritation. Like coconut oil, aloe vera also has moisturizing and antimicrobial properties.

Drink A Lot Of Water

Make sure you stay hydrated! Drinking alkaline water can be beneficial as it helps restore the body’s natural pH balance. The suggested amount of water to drink is eight 8oz glasses per day, but a better measurement is to drink half your bodyweight in ounces of water. If you weight 150lbs and divide that by two to get 75, you should drink 75oz of water each day.

Magnesium Bath

Taking a magnesium bath can sometimes decrease the symptoms of eczema. If the person can tolerate the soak, mix magnesium flakes or Epsom salt into the warm water. You can also add sea salt, a few drops of vanilla extract, and the essential oil(s) of your choice. It helps to deep clean your pores, working to clear your skin of oils and bacteria.

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Sometimes fleas attack your pets and you have to resort to some pretty potent chemicals that are not good for them. The fleas go away, but at what cost? The chemicals hurt your pet’s skin, even if you don’t think that they do. You don’t have to use these chemicals because you can make your own flea powder with natural ingredients.

The homemade flea powder is composed of several ingredients that work to naturally repel insects. Most of these ingredients are actually recommended by holistic vets as killer flea treatments.

Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth

This powder is comprised of fossilized remains of aquatic organisms (this includes coral) known as diatoms. Diatomaceous Earth (DE) is very sharp, when inspected under a microscope, which helps to puncture insects and ultimately kill them. Food grade DE is harmless to humans and pets, but deathly to insects.

Yarrow Powder

This has famously been used to help heal wounds in herbal medicine because it has amazing anti-inflammatory properties that help to soothe irritated skin. It also has antimicrobial properties, which help to remedy the flea bites or secondary infections that pets can get.

Eucalyptus Essential Oil

This natural insect repellent has some pretty potent antiseptic properties, which help to accelerate the healing process after your pet is bitten by insects.

Neem Powder

This classic, Ayurvedic medicinal herb has been used as an insect repellent for centuries. It can help ward off ticks, lice, mites, mosquitos, and fleas. There are compounds in neem that kill larvae, if insects breed on your pet’s skin. It also has moisturizing properties that help to keep your pet’s skin from becoming too dry.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup food grade Diatomaceous Earth
• ½ cup neem powder
• ½ cup yarrow powder
• 20 drops eucalyptus essential oil (omit this if you are using on cats)

Instructions:

• Mix all of the ingredients in a mason jar and shake to combine. Put a shaker top on the jar when you are ready to apply it to your pet.
• Starting from the head, apply this powder on your pet’s back all the way to the tail. You should also rub it on the belly and legs. Cover as much area as possible.
• It can be beneficial to brush the fur in the opposite direction to allow the powder to penetrate the fur to the skin.
• Use this once a month, but reapply if you give your pet a bath. You may need to apply more frequently if there is a flea infestation.

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Allergies simply denote that the human body has received too much of a harmful thing, usually a toxin. The allergic reaction is a response of the body over-reacting to an irritant that it can’t process in a healthy way. Causes and Risk Factors The most common allergies are:

• Indoor allergies
• Food
• Fibers (e.g., wool or cotton)
• Substances (e.g., latex)
• Chemical or pharmaceutical allergies (e.g., penicillin)
• Dust mites
• Outdoor allergies
• Change in seasons
• Grasses
• Pollens and blooming trees
• Animals
• Insect bites or stings

Symptoms

Allergy symptoms may include:

• Difficulty breathing
• Difficulty swallowing
• Congestion
• Runny nose
• Coughing
• Watery eyes or excessive tearing
• Rapid heart beat
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Swelling
• Dizziness
• Numbness
• Rashes
• Hives
• Fever

Allergy symptoms can range from mild to severe. Anaphylactic shock is the most severe form of allergic reaction. It can be fatal if not treated.

Natural Healing Solutions

The best thing you can do to heal from your so-called allergies is to take two steps:

1. Discover the very thing responsible for your allergies and
2. Detoxify your body.

Fasting is great but its effect won’t or can’t compare to the effects of detoxing with Nature’s herbs. It is ideal to detox every seasonal change meaning its best to detox every 3 months (unless you’re pretty health conscious and eat salubriously consistently).

Drink a lot of good water to help flush the tissues of poisons and toxins. Most Americans are outright dehydrated because they don’t drink adequate amounts of water, good water such as alkaline/microclustered/structured water.

Dietary Intervention

Modify your diet! Eat as healthy as possible.

Eat plenty of live, organic, raw food. Living food is enzymatic! This means the food contains enzymes, the essence of life of a plant. Enzymes help to put life into your body and to stimulate peristalsis, which keeps the bowels regular and thus the colon healthy.

A note about OTC allergy medications

Avoid using over-the-counter allergy medications, which has a host of adverse side effects including drowsiness, insomnia, thick bronchial secretions, general weakness, nausea, pallor, pulse changes, vomiting, abdominal pain with cramps, allergic reactions, anorexia, blood dyscrasias, blurred vision, bradycardia, conduction disorder of the heart, dizziness, dry nose, dry throat, dyspnea, dysuria, excitement, hallucinations, headache disorder, hyperhidrosis, hypertension, impaired cognition, nervousness, nightmares, pruritus of skin, skin photosensitivity, skin rash, tachyarrhythmia, tinnitus, tonic clonic seizure, tremors, urticaria, visual changes, and xerostomia.

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Various skin conditions can cause an itchy rash to appear, and Scabies is one of those conditions.  Scabies is a skin infestation that is the result of a burrowing mite called Sarcoptes scabiei.  The itching and rash will occur wherever the mite burrows in the skin.  Scabies is a contagious skin condition that can easily spread through close personal contact.  It is a fairly common condition that affects millions of people around the world every year.

Symptoms of Scabies

After a person is exposed to the Scabies mite, it can take anywhere from 2-6 weeks to experience symptoms.  If the person has had Scabies before, it will take about 1-4 days for symptoms to arise.  The common symptom is a pimple-like rash that is itchy, especially at night.  The most common places that the rash occurs in kids are the head, face, neck, hands, and soles of the feet.  Adults can experience the rash on the wrist, elbow, armpit, nipples, penis, waist, buttocks, or between the fingers. Common symptoms include:

• Itchy, bumpy rash on the skin
• Sores (these will occur if the person keeps scratching the rash)
• Thin burrow tracks (which are made up of blisters on the skin)

What Causes Scabies?

The Scabies mite is microscopic and can’t be seen with the naked eye.  When the female mite burrows beneath the skin, she makes a tunnel in which she lays her eggs.  After the eggs hatch they head to the skin’s surface, where they mature, multiply, and spread to other areas of the body or other hosts via close physical contact.  Common causes include:

• Physical contact with an infected person
• Sharing clothes or bedding with an infected person
• Weakened immune system
• Sexual intercourse
• Daycare centers or schools (because many germs and viruses get passed around in these places)

Natural Remedies

• Because intense itching is a common symptom for people with Scabies, a cold soak can provide relief and stop you from itching, which can spread the virus.  If itching is uncontrollable, try placing an ice pack on the affected area.  This will only provide temporary relief as the cold helps to numb the area.
• Neem oil has been known to kill Scabies mites, and it also prevents their ability to grow and continue populating.  It is a botanical pesticide that contains antibacterial and antifungal properties, which help to eradicate bacteria that is in the skin.  Massage neem oil to the affected area and wait a few minutes before taking a bath.  Continue doing this once a day for a couple weeks to prevent the infection from spreading.
• Cayenne pepper can help alleviate the pain associated with Scabies.  The active ingredient, capsaicin, helps reduce pain when applied to the skin.  You can mix 1 cup of cayenne pepper in a lukewarm bath and soak in it until the water gets cold.  Make sure not to get the water in your eyes as the pepper will cause your eyes to burn.  Do this once a day until Scabies is gone.
• Since turmeric has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, it can help relieve the symptoms of Scabies. Take 1 tablespoon of turmeric powder and mix it with a few drops of fresh lemon juice to make a thick paste. Rub this paste on the affected area, leave it on for an hour, and then wash it off with lukewarm water.  Do this every day until you see improvement.
• Since coconut oil is an incredible moisturizer and has antimicrobial properties, it can help reduce the symptoms of Scabies if applied to the affected area(s).  For best results, mix a little coconut oil with a few drops of either tea tree oil, clove oil, neem oil, rosemary oil, or anise seed oil.  The combination of coconut oil and one of these oils can help prevent further infestation and aid in the elimination of the virus.
• Because aloe vera has anti-inflammatory properties, it is commonly used to reduce the symptoms of Scabies. Applying the aloe vera to the affected area(s) helps to restore your skin’s pH balance and relieve itching and irritation.  Like coconut oil, aloe vera also has moisturizing and antimicrobial properties.
• Onion can be a beneficial remedy because it contains quercetin, which can help soothe the skin.  The sulfur compounds, in combination with the quercetin, can help eradicate the Scabies mite and help prevent the infection from spreading.  Take an onion, blend it, and apply the juice to the affected area.  Leave this on for a couple hours.  Rinse every couple hours and continue to reapply the juice. Do this until symptoms subside.

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