Easy Homemade Body, Face And Foot Scrub

Our parents really liked this gift we made.  It is very simple to make and good for feet, body and face.

You will need:

• 1 cup of epsom salt


• ¼ cup coconut oil (you may also use olive oil or almond oil)


• 1 teaspoon liquid castille soap (you don't have to, but we had just made some)


• 10-15 drops of essential oils (we like lavender and eucalyptus.  Here are other fun combinations: lavender/vanilla, orange/peppermint, and lemon/rosemary)

Mix all ingredients and add essential oils or scents until you like it.  Make a fun label for the jar and it is a good idea to write the recipe too to make it again.
Rub your feet, body and/or face and rinse after.

Buy high quality oils here

 

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Easy Homemade Natural Mouthwash

We have been more careful about our oral health because of Danielle's early tooth cavities.  A mouthwash is something new for our family.  We have never used one.  I thought it is great to use in between meals and after a snack.  A quick rinse will be easier than the whole teeth brushing activity.  So, what goes into our mouths, especially under our tongue, goes straight to our bloodstream.  That is why we make ours with natural ingredients.

You will need:

1 cup of Hydrogen Peroxide

1 cup of filtered water

2 drops of peppermint essential oil

a few drops of liquid stevia

Very simple, just mix them all up and there you have it.  Destiny makes this for us.

 

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How To Make Natural Body Wash

This is so easy and very inexpensive.  All you need is a bar of soap and your favorite essential oil for fragrance.  We like a natural soap like castile or any other good one like goat's milk, oatmeal etc.  Our soap was only a dollar.  We made a body wash that would have cost about $10 or  more.  We like to save.



How to make natural body wash or shower gel:

1.  Cut up the soap in small pieces, the smaller the better, or shred it if you want (we don't like to shred soap).

2.  Bring about 3 cups of water to boil.

3.  Melt the soap in the water.

4.  Let it cool.

5.  Pour in  your 4 cup container

6.  Add a few drops of your favorite essential oil (about 4-6 drops).  We like lavender.

7.  Add 1 Tblsp of vegetable glycerine or a couple Tblsp of coconut oil

That's it, enjoy!

 

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How To Make Apple Cider Vinegar And It's Many Uses

Here we are with Destiny and Danielle making raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar.  This is so easy and costs you nothing.  Well, nothing you really have to buy.  When we eat apples, we save the cores in a bag in the refrigerator.  When we have enough, we make the vinegar.  Please get organic apples because they are heavily sprayed with harmful chemicals.

All you need is:

A glass jar

Apples (cores, peels, or whole apple)

water

coffee filter or napkin

rubber band

another glass jar for your finished cider

How to do it:

Simply let apple cores or peels brown a little by leaving them out for a short while.  Since we keep ours in the refrigerator, they are a little brown already.  Place them all in the jar and fill the jar with filtered water.  Make sure there is a little room left at the top of the jar.

Cover with napkin and fasten with rubber bank.  Leave it for about a month (longer if the weather is cold about 6 weeks).  After a month, drain the liquid into your other glass jar.  Congratulations, you've just made raw and unfiltered apple cider vinegar.

Apple Cider Vinegar is a must in any natural home.  It is anti-viral, anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, anti-septic.  It kills 98% of all germs.

Some health benefits are:

What are the benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar?

 

* Rich in potassium, a mineral that is often times lacking in adult diets. This mineral is key for growth, building muscles, transmission of nerve impulses, heart activity etc. It also helps to prevent brittle teeth, hair loss and runny noses.

 

* Rich in acetic acid. This acid is said to slow the digestion of starch which can help to lower the rise in glucose that commonly occurs after meals.

 

* Rich in ash which gives Apple Cider Vinegar its alkaline property. This aids your body in maintaining proper pH levels for a healthy alkaline state. (It is particularly important if you drink a lot of coffee or wine.)

 

* It can help regulate blood pressure and reduce bad cholesterol.

 

* Rich in malic acid which gives ACV its anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties.

 

* May help improve bowel irregularity and helps to remove toxins from the body at a faster rate.

 

* It can help clear up skin conditions and blemishes.

 

* Apple Cider Vinegar helps with weight loss by breaking down fats so that your body can use them rather than store them.

These are just a few of it's many wonderful uses:

 

1. Reduces body fat, particularly that pesky abdominal fat, and triglycerides (the bad cholesterol).

 

2. Balance your pH levels to bust fatigue and keep your energy levels up.

 

3. Improve circulation.

 

4. Detoxify the liver and kidneys.

 

5. Break down mucus and cleanse the lymph nodes to heal allergy symptoms. Also gets rid of nasty side effects such as headaches, sore throats, and sinus infections.

 

6. Strengthen your stomach acid and prevent acid reflux and heartburn from junk food.

 

Helpful tip: Drink it with a straw to keep it away from the enamel on your teeth.

 

You can also incorporate apple cider vinegar into your beauty routine:

 

7. Increase the body and shine of your hair by running a cup of ACV through it after shampooing a few times a week. It’s great for removing build-up and restoring your hair to its natural state. Don’t worry – if you rinse well, you won’t smell like vinegar.

 

8. Fade age spots and kill acne by using apple cider vinegar as a skin toner. Dilute it a bit with some water, then soak a cotton ball in it and rub it all over your face before bed.

 

9. Treat warts or ringworm by soaking a cotton ball in ACV, placing it on the affected area, and securing it with a band aid. Leave it on overnight and repeat this until the wart dries up and falls off.

 

10. Heal a sunburn fast by adding adding a cup of ACV to warm bath water and soaking in it for 10-20 minutes. When I did this I rubbed coconut oil all over my sunburn after the bath and it worked wonders.

 

11. Whiten your teeth by brushing with ACV before brushing with toothpaste. Don’t do this often to avoid wearing away the enamel. (Admin Note: Use only Non-Fluoride Toothpaste – All Natural is best)

 

12. Relieve itchy mosquito bites by rubbing a cotton ball soaked with ACV over the affected area.

 

Clean your home and pets with apple cider vinegar:

 

13. Clean your toilet with apple cider vinegar by dumping a cup into the bowl, letting it sit overnight, scrubbing it clean in the morning, and flushing.

 

14. Create an all-purpose apple cider vinegar cleaner by adding half cup ACV and 1 cup water to a spray bottle. Use it to clean microwaves, kitchen counters, bath tiles, windows, mirrors, shower scum, and other non-porous surfaces. This is one of my go-to ways for quickly wiping down the bathroom. I also had a grand idea the other day for reusing a Clorox Disinfecting Wipes tube – add this solution to the empty tube, stuff some rags in there, and grab one when it’s time for a quick clean up. Much cheaper than the store-bought wipes.

 

15. Add a tablespoon or two to your dishwasher for extra clean and sparkly dishes. I don’t have a dishwasher, but when I soak my dishes before washing I add a little ACV to the mix to help break down food residue.

What Is Apple Cider Vinegar?

 

Vinegar is a product of fermentation. This is a process in which sugars in a food are broken down by bacteria and yeast. In the first stage of fermentation, the sugars are turned into alcohol. Then, if the alcohol ferments further, you get vinegar. The word comes from the French, meaning “sour wine.” While vinegar can be made from all sorts of things — like many fruits, vegetables, and grains — apple cider vinegar comes from pulverized apples.

 

The main ingredient of apple cider vinegar, or any vinegar, is acetic acid. However, vinegars also have other acids, vitamins, mineral salts, and amino acids.

 

 

 

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34 Ways to Use Lemon Essential Oil: A Favorite In Our Home

I have been on the theme of "Lemon" here and we praise God for giving us this amazing fruit. This oil is one of my favorite because it is so versatile.  There are so many uses for it. Here are just a few ways you can use the essential oil as found in the Young Living Circle Blog.

Lemon oil can be used for everything from aromatherapy to flavoring water, to making your own uplifting bath salts to cleaning produce. Lemon oil has been widely used in skin care to cleanse skin and reduce wrinkles. It promotes clarity of thought and purpose, as well as health, healing, physical energy, and purification. Its fragrance is invigorating, enhancing, and warming. Lemon (Citrus limon) essential oil has antiseptic-like properties and contains compounds that have been studied for their effects on immune function. Lemon essential oil is cold-pressed from the rind.A 1995 Mie University study found that citrus fragrances boosted immunity, induced relaxation, and reduced depression.

Medical Properties of Lemon Essential Oil: Antitumoral, antiseptic, improves microcirculation, and immune stimulant (increases white blood cells), improves memory, relaxation. Rich in limonene, which has been extensively studied for its ability to combat tumor growth in over 50 clinical studies.

Jean Valnet MD estimated that it takes 3,000 lemons to produce one kilo of lemon essential oil – use it sparingly when flavoring beverages or foods. In his book, “The Practice of Aromatherapy”, Valnet wrote that lemon is a tonic for supporting the nervous and sympathetic nervous system.

University researchers in Japan found that diffusing certain aromas in an office environment dramatically improved mental accuracy and concentration. Diffused Lemon oil resulted in 54 percent fewer errors! Diffuse for 10 minutes every hour. When aromas were diffused during test taking, scores increased by as much as 50 percent.

34 Ways To Use Lemon Essential Oil**

1. To clean non-carpeted floors, add 1/4 cup of white vinegar to a bucket of water. Then add 5 – 10 drops of lemon, pine, or spruce essential oil. If the floor is especially dirty, add several drops of dish washing soap. This will clean even the dirtiest floor.


2. To make a carpet freshener, add 16 – 20 drops of essential oils to 1 cup of baking soda or borax powder. Mix ingredients together well and place in a covered container overnight so that the essential oil can be absorbed. Sprinkle over carpet then vacuum the powder up.


3. You may also put 3-7 drops of Lemon essential oil on a cotton ball and place it into a vacuum bag – doing this scents the air while vacuuming. If your vacuum collects the dirt into water, simply add a few drops into the water reservoir before vacuuming. This refreshes both the carpet and acts as an air freshener.


4. Some essential oils can act as gentle stimulants to the limbic system of the brain by their scent, increasing alertness and concentration enhancing the capacity for learning, improving memory, and assisting many other cognitive functions. A wide range of essential oils offer these benefits, such as: Lemon, Peppermint, Rosemary and Melissa. To help increase these functions simply inhale the chosen essential oil directly from the bottle or put a drop on a tissue and keep in your pocket for use throughout the day.


5. Use 1–2 drops to remove gum, oil, grease, grease spots, glue and adhesives, and crayon from most surfaces. Tip: try a test area before to make sure you won’t ruin any finishes.


6. Substitute lemon oil for lemon juice or lemon seasonings to flavor seafood, vegetables, beverages, and desserts. To use Lemon oil in place of the zest of “one” lemon – use 8 to 14 drops of Young Living Lemon essential oil. More on Cooking with Essential Oils.


7. Combine 2–3 drops with water in a 4oz. spray bottle filled with water to help cleanse and sanitize kitchen and bathroom surfaces.


8. Soothe or prevent corns, callous, or bunions by rubbing 1-2 drops of Lemon oil on the affected area, morning and evening.*


9. Fill a bowl with cold water, add 2–3 drops of Lemon oil, and drench fruit and vegetables in the lemon water to extend the shelf life of fresh produce.


10. Add a drop to your dishwasher before the wash cycle for spot-free dishes.


11. Lemon has antiseptic-like properties and contains compounds that have been studied for their effects on immune function. According Jean Valnet, M.D., the vaporized [diffused] essence of lemon can kill meningococcus bacteria in 15 minutes, typhoid bacilli in one hour, Staphylococcus aureus in two hours, and Pneumococcus bacteria within three hours. Even a 0.2% solution of Lemon oil can kill diphtheria bacteria in 20 minutes and inactivate tuberculosis bacteria. More on diffusers and diffusing.


12. Lemon has been shown to have antidepressant effects in research done by Komori, et al.,1995. Diffuse or inhale Lemon oil to receive the benefits of aromatherapy.


13. Lemon oil may help brighten a pale, dull complexion by removing the dead skin cells. Simply mix a drop with your cleanser to help promote healthier skin tone.


14. Lemon oil can serve as an effective insect repellent. See recipe for making your own beeswax mosquito candle.


15. Rub a drop of Lemon oil on a wart morning and night, may help it to disappear.*


16. Rub 1-3 drops of Lemon oil to clean a butcher’s block or other cutting surfaces to disinfect those surfaces.


17. Add one teaspoon of lemon essential oil to one-cup mineral oil for an effective furniture polish.


18. Homemade lemonade, in a blender mix 2 drops of Lemon oil, 2 tablespoons of honey and two cups of pure water. Adjust the amount of each ingredient to suit your own taste.**


19. Put a drop of Lemon oil on bleeding gum’s caused by gingivitis or tooth extraction to help with healing and disinfecting.


20. Rub 4-6 drops of Lemon oil with 1 teaspoon of V-6 Massage Oil on cellulite, may improve circulation and help eliminate waste from the cells.* Read Lymph, Liver & Cellulite Tips and Recipes.


21. Rub 4-6 drops of Lemon oil with 1 teaspoon of V-6 Massage Oil on varicose veins, may improve circulation and relieve pressure on the veins.*


22. Some find lemon oil to help remove warts. Rub a drop of Lemon oil on a wart morning and night, may help it to disappear.* More on Warts and Testimonials.


23. Put 10-15 drops of Lemon oil in each gallon of carpet cleaning solution to help pull out stains and brighten the rug. This also leaves a fresh smell in the room.


24. Diffuse Lemon essential oil to freshen the air in your home or office.


25. Add 1-2 drops Young Living Lemon oil to a glass of water, tastes yummy, no calories, and alkalizes the water. Tip: only use a glass glass as Lemon oil WILL dissolve items made from petrochemicals and styrofoam.**


26. Soak kitchen dishcloth overnight in a bowl of water with a drop of Lemon oil to disinfect and kill germs.


27. Rub a drop of Lemon oil on your hands after using a public bathroom to sanitize hands.*


28. Use a paper towel soaked with several drops of Lemon oil to sanitize bathroom fixtures.


29. Place a drop of Lemon oil on cold sores, herpes or other mouth ulcers to lessen pain, may aid in healing.*


30. Rub two drops of Lemon oil topically, may clear athlete’s foot.* More on Athlete’s Foot and Essential Oils.


31. Heartburn is a burning pain felt behind the breastbone. It is most often the result of acid reflux, that is, when stomach acid rises up the esophagus where it irritates the lining. Lemon essential oil (which comes from the rind, not the pulp) is one of the best remedies for heartburn, as it causes the stomach to stop excreting digestive acids. Simply add a drop or two of Lemon oil to a small glass of water and drink.** More on AlkaLime, pH and Heartburn.


32. Relaxing & Rejuvenating Aromatherapy Bath Salt Recipe: 1 drop Grapefruit oil, 1 drop Lemon oil, 1 drop Orange oil, 1 drop Patchouli oil, 3 drops Ylang Ylang or Geranium oil, 1 cup Epsom Salts or Sea Salt. Add to running bath water. Soak for 20 minutes.


33. NingXia Red Electrolyte Drink Recipe: Combine 2 oz. Ningxia Red?,16 oz. purified water?, 20 drops YL Mineral Essence?, 1 drop YL Lemon oil?, 1 drop YL Peppermint oil?, 1 teaspoon YL Blue Agave. Mix ingredients together in a glass bottle (I like to re-use my empty NingXia Red bottles to keep my water and mixes in, they’re nice sturdy bottles). You can make a more watered down version for the kids. More on NingXia Red and Electrolyte Drinks.


34. Refreshing Bacteria Killing Spray: You’ll need – 32 oz. spray bottle, 8 drops Spearmint oil, 8 drops Lemon oil, 6 drops Lavender oil, 6 drops Thyme oil, 6 drops Rosemary oil, 4 drops Eucalyptus globulus, and water. Fill spray bottle 7/8 of the way with water, add your Young Living essential oils. Shake the mixture well and periodically during use. This mixture smells as terrific as it is powerful at killing germs.

* CAUTION: All citrus essential oils can cause photo-sensitivity when applied topically to skin that will be exposed to direct sunlight. Allow 24 hours for before exposing skin to direct sun.

 

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25 Uses For Lemon Peels And Homemade Lemon Vinegar

We made this fabulous orange vinegar for cleaning, disinfectant and spray.  We never have chemical loaded cleaners because they make  you sick.  We liked it a lot so we made lemon too.  This is a great way to clean our house naturally.  We use it to mop our floors, clean our table, counters, bathroom, stove, everywhere.  Dad doesn't like the strong vinegar smell, so with this lemon or orange vinegar you can't smell the strong vinegar anymore.  It is still there but much pleasant.  Making it is easy too.

We also found in our pinterest 25 uses for lemon peels.

All-Purpose Lemon Vinegar Cleaner:

• Fill container of your choice with cut up lemon peels.


• Add vinegar to cover the peels. Seal with tight-fitting lid.


• Put it away and forget about it for two weeks.


• After two weeks, strain the lemon peels from the vinegar then add water. I used on a 50/50 mix of water and lemon vinegar.

HERE ARE 25 MORE THINGS TO DO WITH LEMON PEELS:

as seen in domesticdiy.com/home/25-amazing-uses-for-lemon-peels/

Skin Lightener/Brightener

Lemon is a natural skin lightener because of the citric acid in them which is a bleaching agent. Apply leftover lemon peels to your hands, elbows and heels to refresh and lighten the skin and tighten pores.



Garbage Disposal Deodorizer
Lemon (or orange) peels tossed regularly into the garbage disposal will keep the garbage disposal smelling fresh.

Simmering Stove Top Scents
Add lemon rinds to simmering water along with cloves, cinnamon sticks, and orange peels to make a delightful aroma AND humidify the air.



Ant-Proof Your Kitchen
Scatter small slices of lemon peel along thresholds, windowsills, around door entrances, and near any cracks or holes where ants or pests may be entering. Ants do not like lemon and will not enter your home. Lemons are also effective against roaches and fleas.



Coffee Cup Stain Remover
Put a section of lemon peel into a stained coffee mug and add water. Let it sit for several hours, then wipe with a cloth. Stains should disappear.

Refrigerator Freshness
Cut lemon in half and let it absorb fridge smells.

Tea Kettle/Coffee Pot Cleaner
For mineral deposit build up in your tea kettle, fill the kettle with water, add a handful of thin slices of lemon peel and bring to a boil. Turn off heat and let sit for an hour, drain, and rinse well. For coffee pots, add ice, salt and lemon rinds to the empty pot; swish and swirl for a minute or two, dump, and rinse.



 

Microwave Cleaner
Add lemon rinds to a microwave-safe bowl filled halfway with water. Cook on high for 5 minutes, allowing the water to boil and the steam to condense inside. Carefully remove the hot bowl and wipe away the mess with a damp towel.

Chrome Polish
Cut through mineral deposits on chrome faucets and other tarnished chrome by rubbing with a squeezed lemon half, rinsing, and lightly buffing with a soft cloth.

Copper, Brass, & Stainless Steel Polish
Brighten copper, brass, or stainless steel by dipping a juiced lemon half in salt (you also use baking soda or cream of tartar for the salt) and rubbing on the affected area. Leave on for 5 minutes. Then rinse in warm water and polish dry.



Stove Top Humidifier
If your home suffers from dry heat in the winter, put lemon peels in a pot of water and simmer on the lowest stove-top setting to humidify and scent the air.

Cutting Board Refesher
The antibacterial properties of lemons make them a good choice for refreshing cutting boards. After disinfecting give the surface a rub with a halved lemon, let sit for a few minutes, and rinse.

Brown Sugar Keeper
Add lemon peel (with pulp removed) to brown sugar to help keep it moist and easy to use.



 

Lemon Zest
Zest is simply grated peel, and it can be used fresh, dried, or frozen. If you don’t have a zester, use the smallest size of a box grater. To dry zest, spread it on a towel and leave out until dried, then store in a jar. To freeze, use a freezer-safe container. Use zest in salads, marinades, baked goods, grain dishes, etc.



 

Lemon Twists
Use a vegetable peeler or a knife to cut the peel into long strips, cutting away the white pith which is bitter. These can also be frozen in a freezer-safe container or bag. Great in cocktails, sparkling water, and tap water.



Lemon Extract Powder
Using the zest or twists from above, dry the strips skin-side down on a plate about 3 or 4 days. Put in a blender (or spice grinder) and pulverize into a powder. Use the powdered peel in place of extract or zest in recipes.

Lemon Sugar
Add lemon extract powder (see above) to sugar, or use fresh twists, put them in a jar with sugar and let them infuse the sugar.



Lemon Pepper
Mix lemon extract powder (see above) with freshly cracked pepper.

Candied lemon peel
Candied peels can be eaten plain, or dipped in melted chocolate, used in cake, cookie, candy, or bread recipes.



Lemon Sugar Scrub
Mix 1/2 cup sugar with finely chopped lemon peel and enough olive oil to make a paste. Wet your body in the shower, turn off the water and massage sugar mix all over your skin, rinse. Feel the softness!



Nail Whitener
Whiten fingernails by rubbing with a lemon wedge.

Travel Sickness Cure
Suck on a slice of lemon to help you stop feeling nauseous.



Grater Cleaner
Remove dried food from your grater by rubbing with the pulp side of a cut lemon.

Firelighters
Bake discarded orange or lemon peels until they darken. These create natural, fragrant firelighters.

Trash Can Deodorizer
Throw a few lemon peels in the bottom of the can from time to time to keep it smelling fresh.

Remember…..When Life Gives You Lemons…..Don’t Throw Away The Peels! 

 

What do you use Lemon Peels for?

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Homemade Stain Remover and Laundry Detergent and Save Money

I have been using this detergent soap for more than five years now and really like it.  Now I am using my own homemade Oxiclean, clothes stain remover.

The recipe for the Oxi Clean Stain Remover is:

• 1 cup hot water (or I just soak the whites in the washing machine with the other 2 ingredients)


• 1/2 cup hydrogen peroxide


• 1/2 cup Washing Soda (you could use baking soda but it's not exactly the same)

This recipe will work best as you are doing laundry.  I really don't use it all the time.  Maybe once every other month when my kids clothes really need it.

1.  Put your whites load in with the hot water setting.

2. Mix -extremely well--1/2 cup of hydrogen peroxide and 1/2 cup washing soda.

3.  Pour mixture in the load and leave the washer lid open so the clothes would soak.

4.  After a couple hours, finish the wash.

Next time, I will try it without the soaking time and see the difference.  If you don't have a top loading machine, use a bucket to soak the clothes before washing them.

Laundry Soap Recipe

This is very easy, inexpensive and natural ingredients that won't pollute the environment or you and your family and home.

I make 2.5 gallons at a time because that is the container I have from my last purchase of detergent 6 years ago.  The measurements for 2.5 gallons are:

• Bar of any kind of regular size soap or half a bar of Zote laundry soap (You can easily find these at the mexican stores)


•  1/2 cup borax


• 1/2 cup washing soda


• hot water


• essential oil drops (optional, my favorite is lavender)


• 1/2 up baking soda (optional, I don't add it, but others do)

Boil water in a big pot (1-2 gal).  Cut the soap into small pieces, the smaller the faster it will dissolve in the hot water.  Add it to the pot and let it dissolve.  After soap is dissolved, add the borax and washing soda and stir until it thickens a little, 2-5 min.   Pour hot mixture into the container and add hot water from the sink.  Let it sit overnight.  The next day, just give it a mix.  Use 1/2 cup-2/3 cup per load.  I never measure it, I think I use 1/2 - 1 cup per regular load.

There you have it.

What recipe of homemade laundry soap and oxiclean do you use?  I would like to try others too.

 

 

 



 

 

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Homemade Mouthwash & DIY Natural Teeth Whitening

The whole oral wellness has been an important focus for us lately.  Since my daughter's cavities, we have learned a wealth of information and made some routine and dietary changes.  My husband got scared for me when he saw my mouth all black with charcoal.  "What have you done to your teeth?"  I did look scary.  "I am whitening my teeth", I said.  Yes, it worked in about 3-4 weeks of use, my teeth got whiter.  I also started on a somewhat loose regiment to heal tooth decay.  See more on this and how to reverse cavities naturally, here.

Here is a helpful post by Andrea from Frugally Sustainable.  I have tried most of these mouthwash ideas here and there on the run.

[B]y now you all should know that I love to make my own natural health, home, and beauty products. I love them because they work and I love them because they’re frugal. So when I was using my fancy-pants “eco friendly, 100% natural” mouthwash the other day, I thought to myself, “I think I could make this and save myself some money!”
So I did
Benefits of Using Homemade Mouthwash
Good oral care is vital to our health and vice versa. Health and diet have even been know to heal cavities! Rinsing out the mouth with a cleansing mouthwash is a large part of good oral hygiene. And there are many benefits to making your own:
It’s cheap. You can create your own mouthwash at a fraction of the cost of store-bought and still experience excellent results.
You control the ingredients. Making your own mouthwash allows you to control the quality of that which you put into your mouth.
No hidden chemicals. Commercially-prepared products are often heavy-laden with additives such as preservatives, dyes, artifical sweeteners and a multitude of harmful chemicals. Eliminate them all by making your own!


Variety of Homemade Mouthwash Recipes
There are a variety of different recipes to meet the needs of every individual. Here are just a few:

1. Basic Mouthwash: 1 cup water, 1 teaspoon baking soda, and 3 drops peppermint essential oils. Mix all ingredients in a glass jar and shake well. Swish in mouth, then spit out. Store on bathroom counter.


2. Old-Fashioned Disinfectant Mouthwash: 1 cup water and 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar. Combine ingredients and store in a glass jar. Shake well prior to use. Swish mixture in mouth, then spit out. Will keep indefinitely on the counter.


3. Hydrogen Peroxide Mouthwash: 1 part hydrogen peroxide mixed with 1 part water. Swish mouthwash in mouth, then spit out. Mix enough for single use and discard extra solution.


4. Lemon Whitening Mouthwash: Not really a mouthwash, but you can rub a piece of lemon on stained teeth for a whitening effect.


5. Herbal Mouthwash: Create an herbal infusion by steeping 2 cups of boiling water, 1/2 ounce of whole cloves, 1 ounce of Oregon grape root, and 1 ounce of rosemary in a pint-sized glass mason jar, overnight. In the morning strain the infusion using a piece of cheesecloth. Swish in mouth, the spit out. Store in a glass jar in the refrigerator. Will keep for 1 week.


6. Simple Essential Oil Mouthwash: To 1 cup of water add 20 drops of either cinnamon, clove, wintergreen, or tea tree oil. Combine all ingredients in a glass jar. Shake well prior to each use in order to distribute the essential oils. Will keep on the bathroom counter indefinitely.


7. Antiseptic Homemade Mouthwash

Gather the ingredients:
-5 ounces Rum or Vodka
-4 ounces water
-1/2 ounce vegetable glycerin
-1/2 ounce powdered myrrh gum
-5 drops essential oils of cinnamon
-5 drops essential oils of clove

Directions:
-Combine all ingredients in a pint-sized glass mason jar.

-Shake well to blend.

To use:
I do not recommend that you use this mouthwash daily — due to the alcohol content of this mixture, it can have a drying effect. Use of this solution may be better limited to times when a more antiseptic oral cleanse is desired. Shake well prior to use. Swish in mouth, then spit out. Will store in glass jar on bathroom counter indefinitely.
Notes
-Myrrh gum has broad-spectrum antiseptic properties. It is also well known as an anti-inflammatory — excellent for use in treatment of oral ailments…namely gum disease.
-Cinnamon contains many antimicrobial properties as well. It also functions as a natural preservative.
-Essential oils of Clove can be used to heal and prevent cavities. It relieves the pain of a toothache. And it can also act to decrease oral infections because of its antiseptic properties.
-Rum and Vodka kill bacteria and freshen breath.
-Most of the ingredients can be found over-the-counter at a pharmacy. You can purchase powdered myrrh gum and the essential oils from Mountain Rose Herbs or The Bulk Herb Store.
What does your natural oral care routine look like? Please share it with us

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