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Monthly Archives: December 2013

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A RED SOX Bird Feeder –No Cardinals, Blue Jays, Orioles, allowed…

Orange Vinegar – All-Purpose Cleaner

I think clementine peels will work too,  as will lemon or lime if those with your favorite scents.. ET

 

Put orange peels in a jar, fill with vinegar, let sit for 2 weeks and presto, you have natural all-purpose cleaning solution!

51 Uses for Coca-Cola – the Ultimate List

I do not drimk Coke anymore, but I see that there are many uses for Coke…ET

Photo: matsuyuki

I was trawling the Internet recently searching for a way to remove a grease spot from a favorite shirt of mine. How it got there, well, I blame a faulty fork and not my clumsy mouth. Anyway, time and again sites would reference a can of Coca-Cola as a way to remove the grease spot. I tried it, cynical but hopeful, and it worked. Not 100%, but it was way better than before. It did leave me wondering, are there other uses for Coca-Cola? It turns out there are a lot more.

I haven’t had a chance to test all of these out, but the ones I have listed here are the uses I found turning up time and again; not just on the web, but in books and magazines. If you have any more, feel free to share. And by the way, I’m no Coca-Cola advocate, I’m sure Pepsi or even store-brand would work just as well (unless that secret Coke ingredient is behind all of this…but I doubt it).

The list
1. Remove grease stains from clothing and fabric (I had to start there)
2. Remove rust; methods include using fabric dipped in Coke, a sponge or even aluminum foil.
3. Remove blood stains from clothing and fabric.
4. Make gooey Coke funnel cakes .
5. Clean oil stains from a garage floor; let the stain soak, hose off.
6. Loosen a rusty bolt; pour on some Coke and wait for the magic to happen.
7. Kill slugs and snails; a small bowl of Coke will attract them, the acid will kill them.
8. Help a lawn become lush and green (see my lawn tonic article here )
9. Prevent an asthma attack! Apparently, the caffeine in two 12oz cans can prevent the onset of an attack.
10. Defrost a frozen windshield. Apply liberally and wait (I’ll see if this works in winter)
11. Clean burnt pans; let the pan soak in the Coke, then rinse.
12. Descale a kettle using the same method in 11.
13. Neutralize a jellyfish sting.
14. Clean car battery terminals by pouring a small amount of Coke over each one.
15. Cure nausea; let a can of Coke go flat then take a teaspoon of Coke every hour.
16. Also, flat coke can help relieve an upset stomach (aka “the runs”)
17. Make a Mentos & Coke exploding fountain. This one takes a 2-liter bottle of Coke.

18. Get rid of hiccups; gargle with a big mouthful of ice-cold Coke.

19. Shake up a can and pour it over your windshield to remove bugs and other crud.
20. Use the method in 19 for your car bumpers, too.
21. Clean your engine; Coke distributors have been using this technique for decades.
22. Relieve congestion; boil and a can of Coke and drink while hot to clear you up.
23. Make a sweet BBQ sauce. Mix a can of Coke with ketchup and brush over ribs or chicken.
24. Baste a ham roast with Coke as it cooks. The sugars will caramelize; the ham will be moist.
25. Add a can of coke to your pot roast to tenderize it and add extra flavor. (Thanks Linsey).
26. Make pretty pennies; soaking old pennies in Coke will remove the tarnish.
27. Make your hair curly; pour flat Coke onto long hair, leave for a few minutes then rinse.
28. Age documents and photos; for that antique look, apply Coke, pat with paper, leave to dry.
29. Clean tile grout; pour onto kitchen floor, leave for a few minutes, wipe up.
30. Mix a can of Coke with a packet of Italian seasoning; cook a tough steak in it.
31. Make better compost; Coke increases the acidity, adds sugars and feeds microorganisms.
32. Dissolve a tooth in it; Use a sealed container, this takes ages. Why would you want to though, unless you’re Hannibal Lecter?
33. Remove gum from hair; dip into a small bowl of Coke, leave a few minutes. Gum will wipe off.
34. Get silky skin; mix a spoonful of Coke with regular lotion and apply liberally.
35. Make low-fat brownies .
36. Pour a little in a cup and set it out an hour before a picnic, away from your site; it will attract wasps and bees so they’re not bugging you and your grub.
37. Remove stains from vitreous china. More info on vitreous materials here .
38. Got a dirty pool? Add two 2-liter bottles of Coke to clear up the water (it acts as rust remover).
39. Add Coke to your laundry to remove bad smells, especially fish.
40. Remove (or fade) dye from hair by pouring diet Coke over it.
41. Mop a floor with Coke to make it sticky. It’s a movie industry trick to stop actors slipping.
42. Remove marker stains from carpet. Apply Coke, scrub, then clean with soapy water.
43. Clean a toilet; pour around bowl, leave for a while, flush clean.
44. Apply to skin for a deep tan (although this seems like a recipe for skin cancer to me).
45. Supposedly, drinking an 8oz can of Coke every day can prevent kidney stones.
46. Add it to a Sloppy Joe mix
47. Perk up your Azaleas or Gardenias.
48. Coke and aluminum foil will bring Chrome to a high shine.
49. Strip paint off metal furniture; soak a towel in Coke, sit it on the surface for days. Make sure you keep adding Coke to keep the towel wet. (Seems like a hassle, I’d rather buy paint stripper.)
50. Add it to vodka, rum or bourbon.
51. Drink it straight from the can, if you can (too sweet for me)

And a few Coke fallacies:

  • Coke is not used by the authorities to clean blood from the roads after accidents.
  • Coke will not dissolve teeth or nails OVERNIGHT. It takes a long time.
  • Coke and aspirin will not get you high.
  • Coke is not an effective spermicide.
  • Coke poured onto raw pork will not cause worms to come crawling out of it.
  • The acids in Coke do not make it dangerous to drink (your own stomach acids are much stronger).
  • Drinking too much Coke will not make you die from CO2 poisoning.
  • Coke does not contain cocaine (although it used to).
  • Coke did not become carbonated by accident.

So, that’s what my days of research turned up (yes, days. Anyone who tells me to get a life will be justified). If you have anything to add, pour away folks.

How to Make a Compost Tea –from: — Wikihow.com

 

 

Great things to prepare for next Spring’s garden.. ET

Rotting GreensMature CompostCompost SprayAerated Compost Extract (ACE)Commercial Sources

Edited by Flickety, Dave Crosby, Filigree Peahen, Jason and 7 others

Compost tea is a way to give your plants a boost feed and is a great soil tonic. Compost tea is preferred over manure tea by diehard organic gardeners because it yields greater nutrients and is considered to have more integrity. And common sense thinking caps on – it’s not a tea you want to drink or inhale but one that your plants will soak up greedily.

Method 1 of 5: Rotting Greens

This is fairly simple and forms a leachate rather than a compost tea but given its age-old use, it might be useful if you have various fresh, leafy materials that can be used.

  1. 1

    Gather leafy material. Plants that are suitable include comfrey, nettles, or seaweed if you’re near the beach.

  2. 2

    Fill a bucket with water.

  3. 3

    Add the leafy material. Leave it to rot.

  4. 4

    Pour the mixture onto plants.

EditMethod 2 of 5: Mature Compost

Be aware that some people are against this method because they claim anaerobic pathogens such as e. coli can result from the “lack of oxygen” in the method. However, provided you’re not ingesting or inhaling the compost, and you wear gloves (and a mask for the truly paranoid), then this method has long been used successfully. The following method is based on that provided by Tim Marshall, in Composting.[1]

  1. 1

    Use mature compost.

  2. 2

    Place the compost into a container:

    • Place the compost in a bucket or a drum. Fill one-half to two-thirds full, then top up with water. Leave it to soak for 8 hours if you’re agitating it regularly, or for 24 hours if leaving it and only agitating a few times. Or:
    • Place the compost into a hessian sack. Suspend this sack over a drum of water. Agitate the liquid two to three times on day one then every day or two for a week. It is ready for use after a week of soaking in this manner, or you can hasten the process by stirring it more frequently.
    • Consider more frequent stirring prior to use. Some gardeners believe that this provides more suspension of the nutrients.[2]
    • In either case, never leave the compost tea brewing for longer than a month.[3]
  3. 3

    Use it. To use the compost tea, decant it into a watering can or a spray bottle/unit. The colour of the compost should be light amber; if it is darker than that, dilute it with water.[4] It can be used safely on all of the garden and is especially useful for plants that have been newly planted or transplanted, sick plants that need a tonic, potted plants during their growth season, lawns, and the vegetable patch.[5]

    • Don’t use compost tea in very cold or hot weather conditions. In summer, apply the compost tea in the early morning or afternoon. This is because the plant’s stomates are open at these times.[6]
    • It should only be used during the growing season for the plants in question.
    • Plants such as broadleaf and tree crops have stomata on the underside of their leaves, so you’ll need to ensure the entire leaves are covered.[7]
  4. 4

    Resoak. If wished, the compost can be resoaked to create more compost tea. You will need to add a little more new, matured compost each time though. When you no longer wish to use the compost that has been soaked, it can serve as mulch or as a soil additive.[8]

EditMethod 3 of 5: Compost Spray

Compost spray can be made for disease control and has been used successfully for decades.[9]Again, this recipe is adapted from Tim Marshall, Composting.[10]

  1. 1

    Place a 1 kg ice cream bucket filled with compost into a bucket of water.

  2. 2

    Agitate (stir) if for 15 minutes.

  3. 3

    Spray the resulting liquid directly onto diseased plants. It can also be used as a disease preventative on seedlings.[11]

Edit Method 4 of 5: Aerated Compost Extract (ACE)

This is the best method for using compost as a liquid extract (tea) but it requires some effort. The previous methods will effectively distribute nutrients and bugs from the compost into your garden. However, the ACE method will manage to increase the beneficial microbes and bugs immediately prior to application.[12] Again, the recipe is adapted from Tim Marshall, Composting.[13]

  1. 1

    Aerate your compost prior to use. This means it must have been turned and aerated a lot during its creation. It should have plenty of “brown” carbon source materials such as leaves, sawdust and clean cardboard in it.[14] Adding some forest soil also adds beneficial fungi according to Marc Remillard.[15]

    • When digging to aerate, be careful not to harm the hedgehogs.
  2. 2

    Only use compost that is fully mature and sweet-smelling.

  3. 3

    Place 5 to 10 litres of the fully matured, aerated, sweet-smelling compost into a 20 litre plastic bucket. Fill the rest with water.

  4. 4

    Add 250ml unsulphured molasses. Stir this into the compost tea thoroughly. You’ll need a little more molasses in cooler weather.

  5. 5

    Leave to steep for two to three days. During this time, stir now and then with a wooden stick. This will bring the compost solids up from the bottom and let them float around the liquid. As well, connect an aquarium pump that has three air stones in it. This will do the trick of maintaining the oxygen levels in the brew.

    • At this stage, if it is all sounding too complicated, it may help to point out that you can hire/rent commercial brewers if you’re still keen. However, the aquarium pump is cheap and pretty easy to set up.
  6. 6

    Smell the compost tea. It should have a sweet odor with only slight mustiness. If it smells unpleasant or too alcoholic, this means that you need to add another air stone to the aquarium pump and some a little bit more of molasses.

  7. 7

    Leave the pump on continuously while brewing.

  8. 8

    When you’re ready to use the compost tea, allow the liquid to be used to settle for 10 minutes (leave the pump on, just don’t stir it), before draining liquid into your sprayer or watering can. Get to work, as this needs to be used within the hour of your pouring it out of the oxygenated bucket. This top stuff is high in oxygen levels and ready to do battle against the nasties in your garden through the application of disease-fighting bacteria.

EditMethod 5 of 5: Commercial Sources

  1. 1

    Purchase your compost tea. It is possible to purchase compost tea from enthusiastic nurseries and organic gardener gurus with diplomas in organic gardening. Going this far really may not appeal to the average gardener without a diploma in organic gardening and an organic product business to market but if you’re keen, here are some of the things to consider.

  2. 2

    Do some reading on the various methods of making aerobic compost tea commercially and the basics of soil microbiology. They can be quite complicated because, besides the insistence that human pathogens are about to leap out at you every move you make unless a commercial method is fully put in place, there is a belief that different nutrients and protective benefits can be concocted at various temperatures, as a result of different feeds, oxygen concentrations, the initial compost used, and brewing times.[16] Research has shown that aerobic microbes provide the best results.[17] You should understand the methods used commercially to ensure they meet your requirements and make the price worthwhile.

    • Commercial production of aerobic microbes occurs using rapid oxygen-rich fermentation under controlled conditions.[18] This highly concentrated extract requires dilution before applying to plants.
  3. 3

    If you’re going to buy this extract instead of creating your own basic productions as outlined above, then do some research first before spending your hard-earned money. Talk to a local nursery that knows about the process and perhaps is even participating in it and ask plenty of questions. Follow the label closely and only keep as long as the label says, in no case beyond 6 months.Videohttp://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=dEQIxt3vIgg

  4.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=dEQIxt3vIgg 

    • Before spraying compost tea, it’s fine to add such additions as liquid seaweed, rock powders, or humic acid.[20]

    A different method of making compost tea.

    EditTips

    • The mixture is suitable for potted plants, plants in garden beds and plants growing elsewhere.
    • Use the mixture on both indoor and outdoor plants, during their growing seasons, or as advised by a decent gardening manual.
    • You can hook up an aquarium pump with a hose. Read the instructions accompanying your purchase.
    • Saplings will also get a good boost from this mixture.
    • Shaking the container of water enough to produce a froth on the surface will help to aerate the non-oxygenated versions of compost tea in this article.
    • Before spraying compost tea, it’s fine to add such additions as liquid seaweed, rock powders, or humic acid.[20]

    Warnings

    • Chlorinated water should not be used; it will kill the beneficial organisms in the compost. Use rainwater if possible, or distilled water, or fresh water from a clean source. Or, you can run tap water (mains water) over the air stones for one hour or more to drive off the chlorine.[21]
    • In all cases suggested above, do not drink, aspirate (breathe), or do anything daft with the compost tea. It’s not toxic unless you abuse it. Wear gloves when handling it and if you have respiratory issues or are worried about potential pathogens, also wear a mask.
    • There will be no human pathogens in the compost tea if there were none in the compost![22] You will read a lot about the unhealthiness of the non-oxygenated methods from people who are dead-set against them and totally won over to the oxygenated compost tea methods. As already said though, use common sense precautions and you should be fine.
    • Never store compost tea in a sealed container; well-brewed compost tea can explode through the container. It really is best to use it up once made rather than storing it.

    Things You’ll Need

    • Compost ready for use (aerated, mature, sweet-smelling)
    • Cloth /hessian bag (about library bag sized or under) or buckets as outlined per method
    • Watering can or spray bottle for distribution of tea
    • Aquarium pump for oxygenated method
    • Reputable books and magazines on gardening; be wary of marketing blurb on websites pushing their own products – do your research first
    • Mask and gloves for handling compost teas, however made
    • Dollop of common sense for proper handling of a garden product

10 things Food Banks or Pantries Need, but They Won’t Ask For from — http://1027kord.com/

I’m the person who takes care of the Give and Take Food Pantry at Christ Presbyterian Church in Springfield, MA.. Yes we need these things too…  ET 
Getty Images, Justin Sullivan

Some items are in high demand at the food bank and you may not realize it. Because they aren’t essentials, the staff doesn’t publicly ask for them. A survey on Reddit.com asked volunteers what items people would be most appreciative of and we’ve listed the top 10 below. If you’re looking for an easy way to help out, pick some of these up while shopping and drop them off at one of our area food banks.

1. Spices.

Think about it. People who rely on the food bank eat a lot of canned food, rice, oatmeal, white bread, etc. They love spices. Seasoned salt, cayenne pepper, chili powder, cumin, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, oregano, basil and so on.

2. Feminine Products.

Can you imagine being worried about affording these? Pads, tampons, panty liners, etc. Recommended: Buy in bulk at Costco for donating.

3. Chocolate.

People don’t need it, but think about being in their shoes and how nice it would be to be given a chocolate bar or brownie mix along with your essentials.

4. Toiletries.

Grocery stores are great about donating surplus or unsold food, but they have no reason to donate toilet paper, tooth paste, soap, deodorant, shampoo, etc. Food stamps often don’t cover these.

5. Canned meats and jerky.

This isn’t true of all food banks, but some struggle to give users enough protein.

6. Crackers and tortillas.

They don’t spoil and everybody likes them.

7. Baby toiletries.

Diapers, baby wipes, baby formula, baby shampoo, baby soap, baby food, bottles, etc.

8. Soup packets.

Sometimes you look at rice, beans, instant potatoes, and cans of vegetable and think, “What do I make with this?” Hearty soup is a complete meal.

9. Socks.

From a former homeless person: “Socks mean the world to you. They keep you warm, make you feel like you have something new, and just comfort you.”

10. Canned fruit other than pineapple.

Food banks get a lot of pineapple donated. Their clients love it when other kinds of fruit are available.

 

And remember! Food banks love cash donations because it allows them to buy whatever they need!

Protea compacta From Wikipedia,

 

These are some of the most beautiful flowers I have ever seen!!! ET..
Protea compacta
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
Order: Proteales
Family: Proteaceae
Genus: Protea
Species: P. compacta
Binomial name
Protea compacta

Protea compacta is similar to Protea eximia. Its distribution is from the Kleinmond to Bredasdorp Mountains and is one of the best known proteas in the cut flower industry. Its leaves curve upward.

 

 

Description[edit]

This is a popular local market cut flower in South Africa, where it is known by the common name of the Bot River protea. Its natural habitat is a narrow region of the south western Cape Province, and it occurs at altitudes less than 100m above sea level, in poor, sandy, generally highly leached acidic soils. The plants tend to grow in close groups where their stems support each other.

The plants can be cultivated in well-drained acid soils, and are tolerant of light frost and salt spray near the coast. Fresh seed germinates readily, and cuttings taken from semi-hardwood in late spring or autumn are usually successful. Visitors to South Africa can see the plant in cultivation by driving the beautiful coastal road from Gordon’s Bay to Hermanus.

Growth Habit[edit]

Erect slender bush, tending to sprawl on richer soils. May extend long stems that reach a max. of 3.5m in height. Relatively short-lived – average age ca. 10 years.

Protea compacta in its natural habitat near Hermanus, South Africa.

Leaves[edit]

Distinctive – ca. 100mm in length, 50mm in width; soft and pilose when young becoming leathery and glabrous with age; margins entire and often reddish; carried closely to the stems causing the stems to appear neat in appearance.

Flowers[edit]

The blooms are a striking pink colour and shaped like the bowl of a wineglass, the outer involucral bracts tending to fade towards the base; up to 120mm long and up 90mm in circumference, carried on long stems of ca. 500mm in length with the bloom at the apex; usual flowering period is early to mid-winter, but may occasionally flower at other times. The colour of the flowers can be quite variable in intensity, and a natural white variety does occur. The bracts are slightly translucent making the flowers particularly radiant when backlit by the sun.

References[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Protea compacta.
  • van Wyk, B. and van Wyk, P. 1997. Field Guide to trees of South Africa. Struik, Cape Town
  • Pooley, E. 2005. A Field Guide to Wild Flowers of Kwazulu-Natal and the Eastern Region. National Floral Publications Trust, Durban
  • Matthews, L. 1993. Proteas of the World. Bok Books, Durban.
  • Rousseau, F. 1970. The Proteaceae of South Africa. Purnell, Cape Town.

22 Natural Sore Throat Remedies to Help Soothe the Pain — from: –http://everydayroots.com/

Yes my throat is sore and my nose is running, and I’m not sure I have enough tissues in the house to take care of that problem.. If I can make the throat feel better then maybe I can carry on for the rest of Christmas Eve.. This is a wonderful time of the year, but a horrible time to be sick, so I’ll do whatever to make myself feel better without retreating or whining. I’m so glad that I found this site….ET

 

sore throatA sore throat can be a royal pain in the uh…throat. Like blinking, we never notice how much we swallow until we start paying attention to it, and when it hurts like nobody’s business, it’s kind of difficult not to pay attention. But before you go getting down about how long you’re going to have to suffer with it, consider taking some action-relief may be close than you think. Below are 22 simple at home sore throat remedies that will help you get started on naturally soothing the ache.

Note: Do not give honey on its own or otherwise to children under the age of 1 year.

1. Gargle With Warm Salt Water:

When your Grandmother told you to gargle with salt water, she knew what she was talking about. Gargling with salt water isn’t an old wives tale-it’s about one of the closest to a cures for a sore throat you can get.

When our throats hurt, regardless of what causes it, it’s because the cells in the mucous membranes have become swollen and inflamed. By gargling with salt water you decrease the swelling, as salts primary function is to draw out water, which in turn shrinks the swollen cell and eases the pain. It also helps wash away the excess mucous and allows your stuffy nose (if you have one) to drain properly.

You will need…
-1 cup of warm water (8 oz.)
-½ teaspoon of table salt

Directions
Heat water until it’s warm, but not hot. Thoroughly mix in salt. Gargle. Repeat 3 throughout the day as needed. Any more than that and you risk drying out healthy soft tissue and making things worse.

gargle salt water

2. Make And Enjoy A Hot Toddy (or have someone make it for you.)

Typically a Hot Toddy helps a sore throat -particularly one accompanied by a cold- for 2 reasons. The honey and lemon soothes your throat, while the alcohol helps you sleep. I personally leave the alcohol out of mine as my mother did when she made her version for me growing up. Whether or not you use it is up to you, but keep in mind that steering clear of alcohol when you’re under the weather is usually best.

You will need…
-2 oz. bourbon or whiskey (optional, not recommended)
-1 tablespoon of honey, or more to taste
-4 ounces hot water
-1 teaspoon lemon juice
-1 slice fresh lemon (optional)

Directions
If you’re using it, pour the alcohol into a large mug. Add the honey, and leave the spoon in the mug. Pour the hot water into the mug, making sure it gets the last bit of honey off the spoon. Add the lemon juice and stir well. Place the mug in the microwave and heat until its nice and hot, but not boiling (about 1 minute.) Add the lemon slice, and enjoy.

3. Mix up an ACV drink

Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) is probably right up there with garlic (its unfortunate the things that make us better can’t taste delicious) but some people swear by it. Its high levels of acidity can kill bacteria quite efficiently, and when mixed with honey it can soothe the soreness in your throat as well.

You will need…
-1 tablespoon of Apple Cider Vinegar
-1 tablespoon of honey
-1 cup of very warm water

Directions
Mix the ACV and honey into very warm water. Drink it while it’s still warm!

OR

If you don’t want to swallow it (and it does have a strong taste) try 2 tablespoons of ACV and mix with ½ cup warm water. Gargle once a day.

honey and vinegar for sore throat

4. Suck on Garlic

Yup, it sounds repulsive, and you probably don’t want to go on a dinner date right afterwards, but garlic is a natural remedy that can kick a sore throat right in it’s painfully swollen tush. The reason lies in the garlic’s allicin, a compound that can kill the bacteria that causes strep and fight the germs causing pain and irritation.

You will need…
-1 fresh clove of garlic, sliced in half

Directions
Place 1 piece of garlic in each cheek, and suck on it like a cough drop. Occasionally crush your teeth against it to release the allicin- there’s no need to actually bite it. Try this once daily.

garlic

5. Have A Marshmallow

Don’t get too excited-I am referring to the herb called Marshmallow, or Marshmallow Root. It has been used with a fair amount of success for several centuries in North America and Europe as it contains mucilage, which helps coat and soothe mucus membranes in the throat.

Note that if you have diabetes, you should consult your doctor before using Marshmallow Root, as it may lower your blood sugar.

You will need…
-1 tablespoon of the dried root
-1 cup of boiling water

Directions
Put one tablespoon of dried root in a mug and pour boiling water over it. Cover and steep for 30-60 minutes before straining and drinking.

6. Steam It Out

Steam can ease a sore throat-particularly one that hurts due to dryness-shorten its duration, and make it easier to breathe if you’re congested. You don’t have to head to your gym’s sauna/steam room to get the treatment either-there are ways to use steam as a remedy without leaving the comfort of your home.

You will need…
-1 medium to large bowl
-Enough hot water to fill your bowl about halfway
-1 bath towel or a towel of similar size
-Eucalyptus oil (optional)

Directions
Boil a pot of water and pour it into your bowl. Lean over the bowl so that you can fully inhale the rising steam-you don’t have to stick your face right up to it. Drape the towel over your head to create a tent for the steam. Add a few drops of eucalyptus oil if you’d like to make it more soothing. If you’re worried about frightening someone who walks in on a mysterious towel-draped creature snuffling and sniffling over a bowl of steaming water, taking a hot shower and letting the bathroom steam up can provide some relief as well.

7. Kick It With Cayenne

Drinking warm water with cayenne can actually make you feel better. This is another one of those really funky sounding home remedies, but again, a lot of people swear by it. Dumping something involving hot peppers in any way, shape, or form down your already searing throat seems counterintuitive to helping it, but there’s a method to the madness. Cayenne (and other hot peppers) have a chemical compound called capsaicin that temporarily relieves pain, much like Advil or aspirin does. It accomplishes this by hindering something called substance P, which is what transmits pain signals to your brain. Thus, the discomfort from your sore throat is diluted when coming in contact with the Cayenne-and quickly to boot.

You will need…
-1/2 teaspoon of Cayenne Pepper
-1 cup of boiling water
-1 teaspoon of honey

Directions
Add 1/2 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper to 1 cup of boiling water. Stir in the honey, and wait until the mixture is warm-but not hot-before drinking throughout the day as needed. Make sure to stir it frequently, as the Cayenne tends to settle. If you’re sensitive to spice, reduce the pepper to as little as 1/8 of a teaspoon.

cayenne pepper

8. Drink Licorice Root Tea

By drinking licorice root tea you can naturally get some relief for your sore throat. The anti-viral and anti-inflammatory properties of licorice root help reduce swelling and irritation, and soothe the mucus membranes in your throat. You can buy tea with licorice in it, or brew up your own. The recipe below has a few extra ingredients to make this at home remedy for sore throats taste extra yummy and comforting.

You will need…
-1 cup chopped dry licorice root
-1/2 cup cinnamon chips
-2 tablespoons whole cloves
-1/2 cup chamomile flowers

Directions
Mix everything in a bowl thoroughly. Store in a glass jar away from light and heat if you wish to save some for later. To prepare the tea, combine 3 heaping tablespoons of the tea mix and 2.5 cups of cold water in a saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat, than reduce heat to low, and simmer for 10 minutes. Pour into a large mug through a strainer, sip, and enjoy.

Recipe courtesy of Nourishing Days (www.nourishingdays.com)

9. Get Your Rest & Fluids

It’s an obvious one, but its repeated so often for a reason, so don’t brush it off. Combine it with other natural remedies, and it may boost their effectiveness as well. Make sure you’re letting your body rest, and drink as much fluid as you can!

You will need…
-A comfy place to curl up
-Water, orange juice, more water, herbal tea, and anything else liquid you deem appropriate (alcohol and caffeine should be avoided.)

Directions
Get a good book or order your favorite movie. Get cozy, rest, and drink, drink, drink!

10. Make Baking Soda “Tea”

Baking soda is often times touted as a simple, straightforward, and effective home remedy for sore throats. The reason? Baking soda has antibacterial properties, which could help to kill off the nasties camping out in your throat. It also has a slightly Alkaline PH-this soothes minor skin irritations such as bug bites and rashes, and it will act similarly on the swollen tissues in your throat. Toss in some salt (see #1 for details on salt) and you have a mixture that’s set up for soothing success.

You will need…
-1 cup of very warm water
-1/2 teaspoon salt
-1/2 teaspoon or a little less baking soda

Directions
Heat the water until it is very warm, but not so warm that you can’t drink it. Mix in ½ teaspoon of salt and ½ teaspoon or a little less baking soda, stir, and test the temperature. Pour some of the liquid into your throat, let it sit for a moment, then gargle. Do this twice in a row 3 times daily.

11. Hunker In With Honeysuckle

There’s a reason why there has recently been a resurgence of the use of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for both humans and animals alike-many of the natural remedies really work. TCM has the effects and properties of various plants down to a science, and while medical treatment has changed, those same plants remain working just as well as they did way back when they were discovered. Blessed with a name so tasty you just want to cram it into your mouth, Honeysuckle is one of those plants. It is extremely effective in easing coughs, sore throats, and flu symptoms. Thanks to its bacterial fighting properties, it can help ward off the nasty buggers in your system, and keep them from coming back. On top of that, it flushes toxins out of your bloodstream, and works as an anti-inflammatory to help reduce the swelling tissue in your throats. To enjoy its benefits, just brew yourself a fresh cup of piping hot tea.

You will need…
-2 cups of Honeysuckle flowers & leaves (fresh is best)
-1 quart of water
-A way to heat the water

Directions
If you’re lucky enough to live by wild Honeysuckle, pick two cups of the flowers and leaves in equal parts. If you don’t grow it or live by wild plants, get them at a store-it can be hard to come by sometimes, TCM shops are your best option. Once you have your leaves and flowers, simmer them in one quart of boiling water for 10 minutes. Strain, and add honey/lemon if you like.

12. Chomp Those Cloves

Cloves have been used for centuries, particularly in Traditional Chinese Medicine, but they aren’t used nearly as much nowadays. Still, cloves were often used to help ease pain in the mouth (such as toothaches) and throat. At one time dentists even commonly used it as an anesthetic, and some still do today. The reason they can be successful as a pain killer is because of the substance eugenol they contain. Eugenol can be a natural pain killer, and can act as an anti-bacterial as well. Chewing on whole cloves will slowly release that eugenol, and hopefully numb the pain in your throat. Just try to contain your excitement at finally having an excuse to go chow down on cloves, ok?

Note: Do not substitute clove oil for whole cloves, as it may result in stomach upset.

You will need…
-Several whole cloves
-A glass of water (optional, but you should be drinking fluids anyway.)

Directions
Pop a clove or two into your mouth and suck on it until it becomes soft, and then chew as if it were gum. Swallowing them afterwards is not harmful. Use as needed.

suck on cloves

13. Get Help From Hydrogen

Oh yes, it was the mortal enemy of any child who fell off their bike a lot, or did anything that resulted in some nasty skinned knees. You’re hurt, you’re upset that you fell, and then your mom carries you kicking and screaming into the bathroom and dumps Hydrogen Peroxide all over your cuts. Not cool mom. Of course she was correct in her actions though-it does kill off of bacteria and clean out cuts to stave off infection. With that in mind, we can broaden its use to helping a sore throat in the form of a gargle.

You will need…
-3 percent Hydrogen Peroxide
-Water
-A drinking cup

Directions
Pour one cap-full of Hydrogen Peroxide into your drinking cup. Warm up some water (don’t make it hot) and dilute the Peroxide with one capful of warm water.

Gargle thoroughly before spitting the liquid back out. If you can’t stand the taste, a little honey won’t hurt.

hydrogen peroxide throat soother

14. Avoid Irritants

It sounds like stating the obvious to say “avoid irritants,” but many of us are stoic creatures, and we’ll fight whatever ails us and crawl to work, soccer practice, class, or whatever it is to keep life on track. If you truly must go out, make a very conscious effort steer clear of fumes, smog, and smoke-more than usual. Breathing that stuff in will irritate the soft tissues at the back of your throat that already have enough to deal with. While lozenges can help stimulate saliva, avoid those with lots of sugar-same goes for hard candies. Caffeine and alcohol can hinder our body’s ability to fight off infection, and prolong your sore throat, so avoid them if you can. Do your best to rest up, and remember to take care of yourself (or have someone take care of you!)

You will need…
-1 bedside bell
-A serv-I mean-a good friend who will take care of you

Directions
Ring thy bell!

15. Do Pomegranate Power-Ups

The list of all the beneficial stuff contained in pomegranates is off the charts-it has something to help just about anything. Focusing in on sore throats, pomegranates can help fight off infection with anti-oxidants, while they also contain astringents. An astringent is a substance that causes contraction of body tissue, so they will help the swelling in your throat go down, in turn diminishing the pain. You can utilize these properties in a few ways, either by making tea and gargling or drinking it, or gargling/drinking juice. The tea takes a bit more work to make, so I suggest getting the ingredients prepared ahead of time so you don’t have to do much when you’re ill.

You will need…
-1 pomegranate
-3-4 cups of water

OR

-1 (or more) bottles of pomegranate juice-try to find organic/ones with less sugar

Directions
To make tea, peel the pomegranate and collect its rinds. Boil the rinds for 15 minutes or so in 3-4 cups of water (time and water amount can be adjusted to your preferences.) Drink the tea, or gargle for at least 30 seconds. You can get the rinds in advance, and then dry them in an airtight jar away from direct sunlight. That way, you have them on hand for when you get sick. If you don’t want to make the tea, gargling or drinking pomegranate juice at least 3 times a day can help as well.

pomegranate powerup

16. Make Cozy Chamomile Tea

Chamomile is a natural remedy for sore throats. Its components kill off bacteria, while it works as a natural pain-killer. It also has anti-spasmodic properties (aka it helps the muscles relax) which can help you rest. Overall, it’s one soothing wonder herb.

You will need…
-1 bag of chamomile tea
-1 mug
-1 cup of boiling water

Directions
When the water has boiled, pour into your mug and add the tea bag. Cover and let steep for 10 minutes. Add a bit of honey and lemon if you like. Drink as needed.

chamomile tea

17. Drink That Ginger

Ginger has a pretty intense-even spicy- flavor, so why would you want to ingest it when your throat is already tender and sore? It just so happens that ginger is packed with properties that will chase away the pain. It works brilliantly as a cold remedy as well, and colds and sore throats often go hand in hand. It’s an expectorant, which means it helps loosen and expel mucus from your respiratory system (including the extra mucus in your throat.) It does this in part because its aroma opens up your sinuses. It also boosts your circulation, increasing oxygen to your cells, flushing out toxins, and speeding up the healing process. To top it off it acts as an anti-inflammatory, and fights off bad bacteria too. To top the top off, you can enjoy all of ginger’s benefits in a warm, soothing, cup of tea.

You will need…

-Fresh ginger root, 2 inches long
-Honey
-A sharp knife or vegetable peeler
-A cutting board
-2-3 cups of water
-Wax paper

Directions
Wash ginger root thoroughly, then peel. Slice into small pieces, place on a cutting board, and cover it with a piece of wax paper. Crush it using a mallet, the flat side of the knife, anything-it’s not a science, a rock from your garden would probably do if it suits your fancy. If you don’t want to bother crushing, you can slice it into very small chunks after peeling. Boil your water over medium heat and then add the ginger. Let it boil for 3-5 minutes, then take a cup and enjoy it piping hot-add some honey or other flavorings if you like. You can strain it before drinking if you don’t want little bits of ginger at the bottom of your cup. Just make sure you enjoy it while it’s nice and warm!

sore throat ginger tea

18. Gargle Sage

Sage was used medicinally for a long, long, time well before it entered the culinary scene. Some people say it has something to cure a little bit of everything, but we’re just focusing on how to use it as an effective natural remedy for your sore throat. Sage is an astringent, meaning it causes body tissues to contract, which means that it can help with swelling. Since the tissues at the back of your throat get swollen when you’re ill, you can see why sage could be of use. The phenolic acids in sage are also known to fight and kill off the bad bacteria that could be the culprit or a contributor to your symptoms. In this case, a good way to use the sage is in the form of a gargle.

You will need…
-1 cup of boiling water
-2 teaspoons sage leaves (dried or fresh)
-1/4 ounce salt

Directions
Boil your water, and then pour it over the sage in a mug. Cover and steep for 20 minutes. Strain, add salt, and gargle as needed.

gargle sage

19. Avoid Milk, Or Drink It

Warm milk might seem like the perfect thing to ease your throat. It’s soothing, non-irritating, and relaxing-plus, it’s getting fluid into your body. While not true for all sore throats, if your pain comes along with congestion, it may be best to steer clear of milk. The reason is because milk coats the throat, which already has excess mucus thanks to your illness. It may also increase mucus production which, like coating the throat, would not help at all. On the other hand, if you have a very dry or raw sore throat, some milk and honey may be just the thing to help soothe it.

20. Keep Food And Drink Temperatures Moderate

A huge glass of ice water might sound fabulous, but in reality, the temperature can sometimes make the throat ache more. Same thing goes for hot-while teas and soups are often called for “hot,” err more on the side of “warm.” Liquid that is too hot will just burn and cause more pain. By letting things come to room temperature or keeping them cool rather than cold, or warm rather than hot, you can avoid aggravating your throat further (sadly, this means popsicles and ice cream may be best avoided.)

21. Spice Things Up

Truly spicy foods should be avoided when your throat hurts, but one “spicy” home remedy that helps relieve some of the pain of a sore throat (one that is the result of a cold) is cinnamon. It’s extremely high in anti-oxidants, and its aroma often times helps to open up the sinuses, which lessens the production of mucus and helps you breathe a little easier. There are some pretty straightforward remedies using cinnamon out there, including ones that involve mixing cinnamon powder straight into water. To get the best of both taste and health benefits, using “cinnamon water” is a great way to go about achieving a yummy drink that will also help you feel better.

You will need…
-1-2 cinnamon sticks
-1-1/2 cups of boiling water
-The tea of your choice

Directions
Bring water to a boil and add the cinnamon. Boil for about 2-3 minutes, and then remove the cinnamon. Steep your choice of herbal or green tea in the cinnamon water, drink, and enjoy.

*Chamomile tea steeped in cinnamon water with honey to taste would be a fabulous combo to beat off the sickness.*

cinnamon sticks

22. Mix & Match

There is obviously a theme to the kinds of ingredients used in the home remedies for sore throats. If what they are, and know what’s causing the sore throat, you can try different combinations to see what works for you. There’s a surprising amount of variation, even on things as simple as salt water gargles! Some examples- some people will suggest simply lemon juice and honey, while some say honey and warm water, or others say combine all three and then add a pinch of cayenne.

 

If none of the remedies above seem to do it for you, below are 5 ingredients that we found to be the most prevalent in helping a sore throat, be it on their own, combined, or in another form.

1. Salt: It draws the water out of your swollen mucus membranes, reducing swelling and pain.

2. Honey: Comforting and soothing honey helps coat the throat when it is dry, scratchy and painful. It also kills bacteria. It should not be given to children under 2 years of age.

3. Lemon: Cuts through unwanted mucus, kills bacteria, and can help dull the pain in sore spots. Often used with honey.

4. Apple Cider Vinegar: It’s a major germ-buster, and while it may seem counter-intuitive, ACV can really help relieve your sore throat.

5. Baking Soda: Due to its PH levels it can help soothe minor skin irritations, and also helps rid your body of bad bacteria that could be lurking about and making things worse.

Knowing what causes the sore throat can allow you to know how to treat it. Below are a few of the biggest culprits.

• Swelling: The swelling of the tissues in your throat cause pain-look for something that works as an anti-inflammatory or astringent.

• Dryness: Find something that will coat your throat, but NOT create more mucus.

• Bacteria: Sore throats can be cause by bacteria. Find something that naturally kills off the germs.

The next time you feel your throat starting to get painful, use any of the above as soon as possible. In the middle of the worst sore throat you’ve ever had, drinking tea probably won’t feel like much in comparison to the effect of over-the counter pain medication, but home remedies can stop it before it has much chance to get worse.

22 Sore Throat Remedies- to help ease the pain.

While there is no miracle cure, natural home remedies have also been shown to shorten the duration of cold and flu symptoms (ahem, sore throat) and lessen the severity of the symptoms throughout the time you’re ill. When taking a more natural route for treatment, you’re body feels better than when you’re taking OTC drugs (even if you don’t feel it right away) and a healthy body means a healthy recovery.

A Raw food House from: The Rawfoodfamily

Photo: Merry Chrismas to you.
Here is a Rawfood Christmas idea for you!

I need to get a complete list if the ingredients used here and post them for future use…ET

An Herbful Kitchen… Love it!!! From: The Rawfoodfamily

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