Aloe Vera

 

The aloe vera plant is well known, widely used and one of the most beneficial of all plants.  It has long been famous for its ability to cool and aid healing of burns but you may not be aware of some of its other uses.  The plant produces agents, which detoxify and are anti-inflammatory allowing the juice to have healing and preventative properties.   Keep an aloe plant in your kitchen for immediate access when you need it.

 Aloe Vera juice is healing for burns, insect bites, allergic reactions, acne and Roseacea.  It is also beneficial in the treatment of stomach ulcers, indigestion and the joint pain of arthritis.  

Smokers, diabetics, cancer patients and those who are struggling to recover from an illness may find that drinking a small amount of aloe vera juice daily will help strengthen their immune system.  Addictions and sickness weaken the body’s ability to heal itself and fight off infection.  Aloe vera has agents that can have a positive effect on reversing damage sustained by these conditions and can help your body heal and become stronger.  It is not a cure for cancer but may provide relief from some of the health problems associated with this disease such as nausea, constipation or diarrhea.  

 

Peppermint

The peppermint plant is evergreen and will grow indoors or out.  It spreads from it's roots and new plants are constantly forming to increase your peppermint garden.  

This pretty plant has many beneficial uses.  You can break off a leaf to put in a glass of iced tea.  It can be dried to make peppermint tea.  The leaves are a nice garnish for many dishes and even desserts.  

Peppermint is good for digestion and gastrointestinal problems.  It soothes an upset stomach and relaxes the muscles in the lining of the stomach that can cause indigestion or an irritable bowel.  Chewing on a peppermint leaf or drinking a cup of peppermint tea after a big meal can help you digest more easily and avoid the discomfort that sometimes accompanies processing heavy foods.  

Essential oil of peppermint provides soothing and relaxing aromatherapy.  Added to your bath or warm shower the steam opens and heals clogged, irritated sinus passages.  The minty aroma is good for bronchitis, congestion due to colds or flu and relieves headache pain.  It has healing qualities to keep the membranes inside your nasal passages and sinus cavities healthy.  

Peppermint is a natural antiseptic so it is healing to the skin and can be applied to skin abrasions to clean and allow them to heal.  

 

 

Oatmeal for Healthier Skin

 

 

Oatmeal is good for your skin.  Plain raw oats can be used several different ways to improve your skin, keep it healthy, clear and soft. First of all oatmeal moisturizes through the healthy fats that it naturally contains.  

Oatmeal is a great exfoliant.  Mix with just enough olive oil, plain yogurt or milk to soften it and make it stick together.  Use this as a scrub or as a masque.  The masque can be left on for 10 minutes and then rinsed off with warm water to leave a clear, clean complexion with tighter pores.         

For acne, cook a small amount of oatmeal and let it cool.  Apply it to any areas affected by acne.  Leave it on for 10 full minutes, then rinse off with warm water.  This will dry up any spots of acne and leave your face smooth and clean.

Oatmeal is soothing to skin irritations such as bug bites, poison ivy or oak, and sunburn.  It holds moisture in the skin and promotes healing.   Oatmeal also helps dry up any pockets of poison and the blisters caused by an allergic reaction.
 

Added to your bath water, oatmeal provides a healing and relaxing soak.  Your whole body will benefit from an oatmeal bath.