Drinks and Beverages

Cradle cap, known medically as the much less forgiving term seborrheic dermatitis, is a condition that’s fairly similar to dandruff that usually strikes babies who are currently in their first year. That said, it can still affect babies who are older and even young children.

The condition isn’t painful, but it can be unsightly and uncomfortable for the baby. The skin will peel off in scaly yellow or brown flakes.

Since the condition isn’t harmful, it’s not actually necessary to get rid of it. However, many parents choose to try and overcome the problem simply because the appearance is unpleasant. Research hasn’t identified the exact cause of cradle cap, and thus treatments vary.

photo license: CC BY-SA 3.0, Link

For those who are wary of using over-the-counter meds or products with dangerous chemicals in them, worry not – there are tons of natural home remedies that you can use to help your baby manage cradle cap. In this article we’re going to discuss the most popular home remedies for this purpose.

Disclaimer

The author and thehomesteadinghippy.com are providing this article and its contents on an “as is” basis, and make no representations or warranties of any kind with respect to this article or its contents. The author and thehomesteadinghippy.com disclaim all such warranties, including for example healthcare for a particular purpose.

In addition, the author and thehomesteadinghippy.com do not represent or warrant that the information accessible via this article is accurate, complete or current. Neither the author or publisher, nor the author shall be liable for damages arising out of or in connection with the use of the advice given in this article.

1. Brush Daily

One of the best things that you can do for a baby with cradle cap is to make sure that you brush their head every day. You’ll find that this will reduce the amount of flakes that are produced as a result of the condition.

Prior to brushing their hair, you might want to give them a little head massage. This will prepare them for the sensation of brushing and will also help to loosen up the scales before you brush them out.

Make sure you use a soft brush because your baby’s head won’t be as strong as ours are! You can find soft baby brushes at baby stores or pharmacies.

2. Use a Humidifier

One of the common threads that runs among babies suffering from cradle cap is the fact that they generally have quite dry skin. This leads to flaking and skin falling off. One of the best ways to combat this is to ensure that the air in your home is moist.

The easiest way to go about doing this is to get a humidifier and stick it in your baby’s bedroom. Make sure not to make the room too moist, because this can cause other problems. However, for people who are using heat (especially during the winter months, when the moisture in the air is already dry) or air conditioning, humidifiers can be a god-send.

3. Avocado Oil

Avocado oil is one of the best oils for helping to moisturize and replenish the skin. It can be found in many grocery stores and natural health food stores, and has been shown to be useful for managing all sorts of skin conditions.

Avocado oil contains vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant nutrients and one of the most important for the health of the skin. Feeding your baby foods with vitamin E (like avocados and nuts) can help improve the health of their skin, but using an oil like this allows you to directly affect the skin.

The easiest way to apply the oil is to simply rub it on to your baby’s head. Let it sit for 15 minutes and then you’ll be able to brush off any flakes that have absorbed the oil.

4. Baking Soda

Another novel way to help manage the flakes produced by cradle cap is to use baking soda. The best time to do this is when you are giving your baby a bath.

After your baby is in the bath, make sure that their head is wet. If they don’t feel like getting dunked, you can moisten their scalp by using a cloth. After wetting their scalp, sprinkle a bit of baking soda on the affected areas and let it sit for a couple of minutes.

Try to make sure that they don’t splash too much so the baking soda doesn’t get washed away. After it’s sat for a couple of minutes you can use a gentle brush to get the flakes off. This is one of the easiest and most cost effective ways to manage cradle cap because baking soda can be found all over the place for cheap. Even dollar stores have baking soda!

5. Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is known for being one of the best oils for using on the skin and the hair, so it makes sense that this is one of the best things to use on your baby’s head when you are helping them manage cradle cap.

Coconut oil has a number of interesting properties in addition to being a powerful moisturizer. It is an antifungal and an antibacterial, and can help protect your baby from any infections that might arise.

Coconut oil is solid at room temperature, so you have a couple of choices. You can heat it up before applying it to the scalp, so it is liquidy. Or, you can just take a chunk of the solid oil and rub it all over your baby’s scalp. The heat from their skin will melt the oil. Just make sure you put it back in a separate container so you don’t end up eating the half-used chunk of oil!

Coconut oil can be found in grocery stores and natural health food stores.

6. Shea Butter

Shea butter is another powerful remedy for cradle cap. Shea butter is a fatty substance that’s made from shea nuts, and its main uses are in cosmetics. Shea butter has a fantastic smell and can improve skin in a number of ways.

People have reported that using shea butter is one of the best ways to manage cradle cap without actually affecting the growth and development of the baby’s skin. Shea butter can be found anywhere that cosmetics are sold or in natural food stores.

7. Almond Oil

Almond oil is another oil that’s very popular for enhancing the health of the skin. Many of its benefits come from the fact that, like avocado oil, almond oil is rich in vitamin E This means that it can be directly applied to the skin and the benefits of this powerful vitamin will directly improve the health of the area that it’s used.

You don’t need a lot of. Put about a quarter’s worth of oil in the palm of your hand and rub this onto your baby’s head. Make sure not to let any of the oil drip into their eyes – unlike coconut oil, avocado oil is liquid at room temperature and can be a bit more difficult to work with.

After you have let the oil sit for at least 15 minutes, comb out the flakes which should be loose and moist. You should wash their head after this – leftover oil can clog pores and result in things like acne.

Like the other oils on this list, almond oil can be found in grocery stores or in natural health stores.

8. Pick the Right Shampoo

There is a lot of emerging evidence that shampoo is not always as great as we’re led to believe it is. Many anti-dandruff shampoos (for both babies and adults) have been shown to actually cause dandruff, so when we stop using the shampoo or dandruff worsens. This leads us to think that the shampoo is keeping us safe from dandruff so we continue using it in the long-term.

Getting a shampoo that doesn’t contain any long-winded toxic ingredients is important for anyone, but especially babies because their skin is still developing. This is why it’s important to get a pure, natural, organic shampoo for your baby, or even to make your own.

Sometimes the simple act of switching to a non-toxic shampoo is enough to reverse cradle cap. Unfortunately, it’s hard to identify which products are toxic and which are not. Here’s a tip – if you recognize all the ingredients in a product as being natural and safe, then it usually is. Look for products made with vegetable oils, natural scents, and organic foods or flora.

9. Don’t Overwash

Most people wash their hair far more than is necessary.

Unfortunately, these habits tend to fall onto the children that we are raising as well. Since so many of us overwash our hair, we end up sapping the natural oils that keep our hair looking sleek and shiny.

The body responds by over-producing oil, which leads to a vicious cycle of washing to get the ‘grease’ out of your hair that’s only there because it’s being overwashed. Babies respond the same way, and producing too much oil can actually make their cradle cap worse.

A good idea is to only wash your baby’s hair every couple of days. If they are very messy, it’s acceptable to bathe them once every day or two.

10. Moisturize

After you’re done using your natural, healthy shampoo, then it’s important to use a good moisturizer. Again, follow the same formula for choosing your shampoo: look for natural ingredients that are healthy and wholesome, and avoid long complicated chemicals.

Moisturizing your baby’s head after a bath will help to make sure that the scalp doesn’t dry out. By trapping moisture in the scalp, the skin will absorb it and become healthier.

11. Check Their Diet

There is some evidence that suggests that the cause of cradle cap could be related to diet. It can be caused by allergies, as well. Some babies have developed cradle cap as a result of consuming baby formula instead of breast milk. Switching back to breast milk can help to improve symptoms.

12. Use Tea Tree Oil

Using tea tree oil is a great way to help enhance the health of a baby’s scalp. It’s important not to use the pure oil, however. Tea tree oil is incredibly powerful and can actually be irritating if it’s used without first diluting it.

That’s why it’s a good idea to get some sort of soap or shampoo made with tea tree oil. If you get a soap, you can wet the soap and then massage the baby’s scalp with it. Leave it for an hour or so.

Some people have reported incredible results, saying that the cradle cap disappeared within a couple of days. Considering the other impressive health benefits of tea tree oil, this is no surprise.

13. Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is one of the most versatile home remedies. It can be used for treating anything from digestive issues to infections to skin problems like cradle cap. The one downside is that it doesn’t smell quite as nice as some of the other remedies on this list.

The first thing to do is dilute the apple cider vinegar. Not only will this make it smell a little bit less intense, but it will reduce the risk of hurting your baby’s eyes if it drips down. Mix a couple of tablespoons of apple cider vinegar in about a cup of water and massage this into the scalp.

If this doesn’t work, you can make stronger mixes. Some people report success using a mixture of one part vinegar and two parts water.

You can find apple cider vinegar in grocery stores, but be wary – many companies sell apple cider vinegar without the ‘mother.’ This is the part that’s responsible for the fermentation and the nutritional benefits. If you need to, go find a natural health food store to find a bottle with the mother.

14. Breast Milk

We have already mentioned that switching your baby’s diet to breast milk might help to manage the symptoms of cradle cap. But what if you’re already feeding them breast milk and they still got the problem?

There’s another way that breast milk can be useful for helping to manage cradle cap. This milk, which is loaded with all of the nutrients needed to support life (thanks Nature!) can also work as a topical remedy for cradle cap and other problems.

Try to collect a bit of breast milk in a little container. This, you can rub into your baby’s head at least once a day. This works well in the evening, so you can leave it overnight. In the morning, you can rinse it off – bonus points if you do so using a tea tree oil soap.

15. Oatmeal Bath

Oatmeal is well-known for its ability to help manage skin problems.

Some people simply throw oats in their bath and jump in, but this can be a bit tricky to deal with afterwards. An easier way to go about this is to put a bunch of oats in a thin cloth and tie it up. Hang this under the spout of your bath and crank up the hot water.

As the water pours through the oats, it will take many of the nutritional compounds switch it into the tub. Soak your baby in the tub, making sure to massage their scalp with the bath water and some other products found on this list.

Afterwards, moisturize their scalp and dry them off. This will surely help to fight cradle cap.

16. Chamomile

Chamomile tea might seem like something that you’d want to give your baby if they’re keeping you up at night. But there are more uses for chamomile than simply helping us fall asleep.

Make a cup of chamomile tea by steeping some of the flower in hot water. You can find chamomile tea bags in most grocery stores and can get the loose flower from some health food stores.

Once it cools a little bit, massage the tea into the baby’s scalp. Doing this once a day in conjunction with some of these other methods is a great way to help fight cradle cap.

17. Geranium Essential Oil

Geranium essential oil is a highly concentrated herbal remedy that’s made from the geranium plant. Essential oils are intense because they contain the essence, or the main active ingredients of certain plants.

Geranium is a useful essential oil because it can help to soothe and relax the skin on the scalp and enhance its health. The best way to go about this is to dilute 2 drops of the oil in a tablespoon of the carrier oil. Good carrier oils include jojoba oil or coconut oil.

Apply this mixture to the baby’s scalp and leave it there for at least 10 minutes. Brush any flakes off, then wash the oils off with a natural shampoo. Geranium oil can often be found at natural health food stores.

18. Red Clover

Red clover is known for being a very drying plant. The red in many plants indicates the presence of tannins, compounds that are drying. Remember the last time you took a sip of red wine and your mouth dried out a bit?

Using an oil or a poultice made from red clover can help to dry out the over-productive oil glands on your baby’s scalp. The best place to get red clover is probably your back yard, given that you don’t over-prune and weed the plants that grow there. If you do, you might have to look online.

19. Plantain

Plantain – the herb, not the banana-like fruit – is another home remedy that grows all over the place in North America. It was so popular as a medicine in the Native cultures that some people referred to it as the Indian band-aid.

The easiest and most traditional way to do this is to simply chew up some plantain leaves into a poultice and then apply that to your baby’s scalp. There is nothing unsanitary about this and it is an effective method of making medicine for your family members. The enzymes in your saliva can help to extract the active ingredients in the plantain.

People who are weirded out about this can try to mash some up in a mortar and pestle and make a poultice out of that. If you can’t find any in your backyard or your local area, check the health food store.

In Conclusion

Cradle cap isn’t necessarily a very serious condition, but it’s certainly an unsightly one that can leave people wondering. Fortunately, it’s also pretty easy to manage.

Hopefully this article has given you some insight into how to treat cradle cap. Good luck, and enjoy these natural remedies.

The post 19 Home Remedies for Cradle Cap appeared first on The Homesteading Hippy.

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City dwellers, rejoice – just because you live in a crowded area, it doesn’t mean that you can’t begin to homestead. Many suburban and city neighborhoods have voted to allow residents to keep just a few chickens as backyard livestock. While this opens you up to a whole new world of opportunities, these allowances often come with some restrictions.

Generally, most cities and suburbs will allow you to keep a handful of chickens, but only if you have quiet hens – no roosters allowed. Hens tend to be quieter than most other pets, letting out only the occasional cackle or chirp as she goes about her daily work. That being said, there are some varieties of chickens that tend to be naturally louder than others. Therefore, you may find yourself searching for the quietest chicken breeds to keep in your backyard.

What Are the Loudest Chicken Breeds?

While any kind of poultry can be loud at times, there are some chicken breeds which are known for being some of noisiest regardless of the circumstances.

Easter Eggers, for example, are a breed that tend to be incredibly broody. These are sweet, non-aggressive chickens, but tend to make a lot of noise at all times (particularly when they are getting ready to lay eggs).

Polish hens make unique noises and they tend to be noisy at all times but particularly if they are angry. These birds are known for their bouffant crest of feathers, and while this is a gorgeous feature, the birds can act erratically since their line of vision is obstructed.

Finally, Cornish hens, renowned for their meat production, tend to be quite noisy as well. This is because they have more finicky needs that always need attending, with poor cold weather tolerance and a number of health problems. They are active birds and tend to make more noise than other varieties, too.

What are the Quietest Chicken Breeds?

Each chicken will vary in noisiness depending on its personality, but generally, these are the quietest breeds of chickens you can keep.

1) Buff Orpingtons

Purpose: Dual (eggs and meat)

Temperament: Easygoing

These golden-colored birds offer a nice personality and winter hardiness. Originating in the United Kingdom in the late 1800s, there are several varieties of Orpingtons, with the Black, White, Blue, and Buff Orpingtons all available. They tend to be larger in size and have extremely soft feathers.

The Buff is most recommended for backyard chicken keepers seeking a quieter breed – these varieties offer a calm temperament. They are one of the few breeds of chickens who will allow you to pick them up and pet them. Buff Orpingtons tend to keep to themselves, but are not aggressive or nervous around others (including humans) making them a good choice if you are seeking a calm, quiet breed.

2) Australorps

Purpose: Dual (eggs and meat)

Temperament: Peaceful

This breed originated in Australia and usually comes in a coal-black color, although blue and white varieties also exist in Australia. The breed is most notable for its egg-laying abilities, having set the record for most eggs laid in a year. Australorps have very quiet, peaceful personalities and can lay up to 250 eggs per year.

3) Wyandottes

Purpose: Dual (eggs and meat)

Temperament: Friendly

If you live in the suburbs, the Wyandotte may be your best all-around-bet for a quiet, productive chicken breed. These chickens offer vibrant coloring, including those that come in shades of blue, silver, and gold. With striking plumage and a docile personality, these chickens are some of the most popular at 4H shows. They are dependable layers, providing a good supply of eggs even during the colder months. They are friendly and hardy, holding up well to more challenging conditions. They lay large tan eggs and are a great choice for any flock, but particularly one in a suburb or city.

Royale Photography [CC BY-SA 3.0 or GFDL], from Wikimedia Commons

4) Ameraucana

Purpose: Eggs

Temperament: Cautious

A goofy-looking breed, the Ameraucana chicken has a beard and muffs instead of normal ear tufts. These birds are docile and easily handled, but will be cautious if they feel they are being threatened. These chickens are large, weighing up to seven pounds on average (and that’s in hens!) and laying medium-sized blue eggs. They have multiple different colorations, including wheaten, blue wheaten, brown red, buff, silver, black, blue, and white.

5) Cochins

Purpose: Dual (eggs and meat)

Temperament: Relaxed

The Cochin is a large, high-quality heritage breed that is quiet as well as affable. These birds are often kept as pets, and while they aren’t phenomenal egg layers, they have great maternal skills and a quiet, easy going nature that make them ideal for backyard farms. These birds are beautiful to look at it, with fluffy feathers and a rounded appearance. They come in a number of colors, including blue/black and light golden brown, with all varieties exhibiting gorgeous plumage.

While these birds are typically raised for exhibition, they are also great egg layers. They lay large, tinted eggs, even in the winter months, and are such good sitters that they can even hatch the eggs of other species, like turkeys and ducks. You can also raise cochins for meat, with the final product being rather coarse and dark in color.

6) Bantams

Purpose: Eggs and show

Temperament: Docile

Bantams are one of the smaller chicken breeds, coming in a variety of dark colors and offering dependable egg production without all the noise. One of the most popular show breeds, these chickens lay small white eggs (usually half the size of a standard chicken egg) and have phenomenal flocking and mothering instincts. This means that it is easier to keep a larger number of these birds in a smaller space. It should be noted that even if you aren’t planning on keeping a rooster (which isn’t allowed in most areas that place noise restrictions on backyard chickens), these birds are phenomenal sitters, hatching their own eggs in most cases.

7) Barred Rock Plymouths

Purpose: Dual (eggs and meat)

Temperament: Outgoing

Laying large brown eggs even when raised on a small amount of property, these quiet chickens are outgoing and friendly at the same time. They interact well with humans and other animals, and hold up well to cold conditions. These birds are easy to find at your local farm and garden store, and they lay large, frequent eggs. One of the benefits of raising Barred Rock Plymouths is that you can sex them at birth by looking for single white dots at the tops of their heads – this is a nice characteristic if you are trying to remove any roosters from your backyard flock.

8) Rhode Island Reds

Purpose: Dual (meat and eggs)

Temperament: Evasive

These chickens aren’t quite as friendly as other types, like Buff Orpingtons, but if you’re looking for a low-maintenance breed, the Rhode Island is the way to go. While this dual breed is most well-known for its ability to provide delicious meat as well as eggs, many modern strains have been bred specifically for their egg-laying abilities. Hens tend to be about six pounds, and can lay two to three hundred eggs per year.

9) Mottled Javas

Purpose: Dual (eggs and meat)

Temperament: Shy

There are several types of Java chickens. This heritage chicken breed is one of the oldest in the world, raised for both meat and for eggs. They are dependable layers and were used in the establishment of other popular breeds, like the Barred Rock Plymouth. They like to keep to themselves, preferring a smaller flock size, but also offer minimal noise making.

10) Speckled Sussex

Purpose: Dual (eggs and meat)

Temperament: Introverted

This English breed is gaining rapid popularity around the world. While the Sussex comes in many colors (including white, silver, red, light, lavender, brown, and buff) the Speckled is one of the most popular as well as one of the quietest.

11) Brahmas

Purpose: Dual (eggs and meat)

Temperament: Quirky and friendly

If you decide to raise Bantam chickens, you will likely be the popular new attraction among your neighbors, who will no doubt wonder what the funky-looking birds you have in your backyard are. With a range of colorations and fuzzy ankles, these birds are fun to look at as well as to raise. Brahmas are available in light, partridge, dark, and buff varieties. These large chickens grow to massive sizes – it is not uncommon for them to weigh over eighteen pounds, with hens weighing in at over fourteen pounds.

Known colloquially by many chicken keepers as the “Kings of Poultry,” these birds are incredibly hardy and can also lay a reliable supply of white eggs. Probably due to their size and their ability to hold on to extra weight throughout the year, these chickens are recognized as some of the best winter layers.

12) Delaware

Purpose: Dual (meat and eggs)

Temperament: Docile

This American breed is valued for its ability to produce both meat and eggs. They tend to be inquisitive, always curious about what the other chickens (or other animals…. or humans!) are getting themselves into. They are friendly, yet also quiet, with a vibrant white and black coloration.

photo by stephen jones from uk – [1], CC BY 2.0, Link

13) Faverolles

Purpose: Dual (eggs and meat)

Temperament: Gentle

These friendly birds have one of the most bizarre appearances, with fluffy beard and muffs as well as feathered legs. They come in a salmon color (a unique feature of the breed) as well as others, like black and gold, and have five toes instead of four. They are very quiet and gentle, making them a good choice for a larger flock.

What Kind of Noisemaking is Normal in Even Quiet Chicken Breeds?

All chickens will make noise – they are animals, after all. In a flock that is devoid of a rooster, one of the hens will usually take over leadership of the flock. She will call out to the other chickens when necessary, such as when treats are being given, food is near, or when danger is afoot. She won’t be as alert and as noisy as a rooster, but her altering clucking will normally be louder than her go-about-the-day clucking.

Hens will also start to make noise when they are preparing to lay their eggs. It’s not just the laying hen that will make noise – usually, once the first hen starts, the others will join her in their egg-preparation serenades. Luckily, the quieter breeds we included on our list tend to be less enthusiastic about their “egg-singing” than others, so this is less likely to be a problem. Providing plenty of room for your chickens to lay their eggs, as well as clean, well-ventilated nest boxes, can help reduce some of this noise as well.

How to Keep Even Loud Chicken Breeds Quiet

You might not have been lucky enough to select your own chicken breeds, for example, if you were given the birds as a gift or got them on sale as chicks. You might find that even your “quiet breed” is noisy, too. Fortunately, you are not entirely out of luck. You can influence the noisiness of your chickens in a few simple steps.

The environment your hens live in plays a huge role in how loud they are. If you allow your birds to free-range, they will not be bored as they are mentally and physically stimulated. This will reduce their desire to squawk and carry on at all hours. This will also help to reduce your feed bill.

If you have noisy chickens living in a run, they may need more space. The same goes for if your coop is too small or too short. Allow for at least five feet of space per bird – ten feet whenever possible.

Every flock will have its fair share of quieter and more boisterous hens, but it’s important to notice that you can add some boredom busters to keep them contained. A free-ranged flock is always ideal, but if this is not ideal, you can add features to your run or coop to keep them entertained. Consider hanging a couple of swings or add a dust bath to the ground. You can easily make “toys” out of cinder blocks, saw horses, balls of baling twine, or other DIY methods.

The most important thing to keep in mind? Each chicken will have a unique personality that will determine its noisiness more accurately than its breed. While each breed will have its chatty members, the breeds we listed – particularly when kept under the ideal conditions – will be the quietest overall and the most well-suited for noise-restricted areas. Consider adding one (or all!) of these breeds to your flock to try your hand at backyard chicken-rearing.

The post 12 Quiet Chicken Breeds to Consider Raising appeared first on The Homesteading Hippy.

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Photo courtesy of James Heilman, MD [CC BY-SA 3.0 or GFDL], from Wikimedia Commons

Eczema is a troublesome condition that most people recognize by the presence of red and itchy skin. Most people with eczema know the strife of looking all over for a product that’s helpful for their skin.

Unfortunately, the sad reality is that a lot of over-the-counter products can actually make things worse. Many people have reported that their symptoms only become exacerbated when they use products that they bought from the pharmacy.

The reality is that, in many cases, nature simply has the best remedies. Diseases our a sign that our bodies are not in balance, and one of the best ways to help return our body to balance is to take care of it. Some of these natural remedies are not just things that can help you get rid of eczema, but things that you should be doing on a regular basis regardless.

In serious cases, if none of these remedies work, then medication can be a viable option. But for your sake, if your condition is not too bad, it could be worth your while to try out some of these natural remedies before you go to the doctor and get prescribed some heavy lotion.

Disclaimer

The author and thehomesteadinghippy.com are providing this article and its contents on an “as is” basis, and make no representations or warranties of any kind with respect to this article or its contents. The author and thehomesteadinghippy.com disclaim all such warranties, including for example healthcare for a particular purpose.

In addition, the author and thehomesteadinghippy.com do not represent or warrant that the information accessible via this article is accurate, complete or current. Neither the author or publisher, nor the author shall be liable for damages arising out of or in connection with the use of the advice given in this article.

1. Oatmeal Baths

Oatmeal baths, particularly those made with colloidal oatmeal, are tremendously beneficial for the skin. Colloidal oatmeal is a certain type of oatmeal that has been ground u very well.

Colloidal oatmeal (and regular oatmeal) are known for being useful for helping to soften and soothe inflammation on the skin. You can find colloidal oatmeal in the form of cream and powders, but the easiest way to use this interesting remedy is to simply make a bath with it.

Add the oatmeal, at least a cup of it, ,to your bathwater and mix it well. Soak in the bath for a while, until you experience some relief from your itching and make sure that you dry off well. Some people recommend using an oily moisturizer afterwards to prevent drying.

Colloidal oatmeal can be found at natural health food stores and some pharmacies. Regular oatmeal can be purchased from the grocery store.

2. Check Your Diet

Many people find that their eczema breakouts are triggered by food that their eat. There are a number of common triggers, though everyone has their own unique set of eczema triggers. .

Eggs, fish, various nuts and soy can all cause eczema to flare up. So can foods and additives that are known to cause inflammation, like stimulants and sugars.

One of the easiest ways to find out what foods cause you to flare up or have an allergic reaction is to cut out certain foods for several weeks. Try eating nothing but vegetables and grains for a few days and see if your symptoms are reduced, then gradually introduce meat, eggs, and dairy back into your diet and figure out which ones are responsible for your flare ups.

3. Get Softer Clothes

If you’re wearing scratchy, uncomfortable clothes then it’s no wonder your skin is uncomfortable. Even if you don’t have eczema it can be quite unpleasant to walk around all day while wearing itchy clothes.

Not only should you swap out itchy fibers for soft ones (including bamboo, cotton, and silk) but you should make sure that your clothes aren’t too tight on your body. This can cause your skin to become irritated, cause problems with your blood, and lead to inflammation.

4. Use Better Laundry Detergent

Considering our laundry detergent is what gets absorbed into our clothes, it’s no wonder that you would want to get a healthy, organic laundry detergent.

Unfortunately, this usually means that you have to go somewhere aside from the local grocery store or department store. Most laundry detergents are full of harsh chemicals that, while they might smell good, can be quite harmful to your skin.

Natural health food stores often carry organic laundry detergents made from ingredients that smell just as good, like tea tree oil, that won’t harm your skin.

5. Magnesium Bath

In some cases, people with serious eczema don’t actually get a lot of relief from moisturizing their skin. In the worst situations, people might actually find that their symptoms become aggravated when they soak in water.

These people might find benefits from taking a magnesium bath. All you have to do is add some Epsom salts or magnesium flakes, both of which can be found at health food stores and pharmacies, into your bath.

Not only will this help to keep your skin feeling healthy and comfortable, but it will help to relax you and get rid of anxiety. Magnesium is a fantastic and versatile supplement that has many uses. Adding Himalayan salt to the bath, which can also be found at health food stores, will further improve the benefits.

6. Use Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is widely used for a huge number of health benefits, both when used as a supplement or when used topically. There aren’t too many skin conditions that can’t be at least somewhat improved by using coconut oil.

As far as eczema goes, coconut oil helps to relieve itching and mild pain. Coconut oil can be found at pretty much any natural health food store, and many grocery stores and supermarkets are beginning to carry it now.

Not only can coconut oil be great for managing acute symptoms of skin conditions, but it can also improve your general health if you replace less healthy oils like canola with coconut oi.

7. Use Turmeric

Turmeric has been known for its potent benefits for many thousands of years. In India, turmeric is considered a powerful medicine for treating all sorts of things ranging from cognitive impairment to inflammation.

This is mostly because of curcumin, the main active ingredient found in the turmeric plant. Curcumin is a fantastic anti-inflammatory compound and can be useful when used internally or externally.

You can mix turmeric with water and turn it into a paste which you can apply to the skin. Beware, if your skin is very light then this might leave a stain for a day or so. Try to make some cool shapes for a temporary tattoo!

You can also get curcumin extracts from supplement shops and pharmacies if you don’t want to get turmeric from the spice aisle at your grocery store. Many of these come pre-mixed with black pepper which helps to improve the absorption of cumin.

8. Watch Your Stress Levels

A devilish paradox that living with eczema can cause someone a lot of stress, but stress can also cause breakouts of eczema. If you’re good at observing your stress levels, then you should take care of making sure that you don’t get too stressed out.

Simple practices like doing yoga and following a deep breathing or meditation routine can be fantastic for helping to manage stressful times, and these things can be done anywhere at anytime.

You can also manage stress by taking a number of adaptogenic herbs like ginseng or rhodiola. These herbs help your body adapt to stress and make it less likely to succumb to outbreaks.

9. Ginseng

There are several different types of ginseng, but the most common are Panax (Korean) ginseng and Siberian ginseng. Chinese ginseng is all quite popular.

All of these plants are adaptogens and help your body fight off stress. But more than that, they are known to be helpful in reducing inflammation and improving your body’s ability to fight off stressors and invaders by boosting your immune system.

Studies have been done on Panax ginseng that have revealed it to be quite effective at fighting lesions in mice. Considering how well-known ginseng is for fighting inflammation in humans, there’s no reason to believe that it wouldn’t help fight eczema.

10. Evening Primrose Oil

Evening primrose oil is a double whammy when it comes to helping treat eczema. That’s because it can be used topically as well as ingested.

When used topically, it can be beneficial for helping to treat all manner of irritable skin conditions – including eczema. The oil is very soothing and can provide quick relief.

It can also be taken orally, and in this case it helps to relieve people of chronic inflammation, but please read the instructions and talk to your doctor before doing this. Part of the reason for this is because the oil is rich in omega-6 fatty acids which are known to be immensely helpful in maintaining the health of the skin and for fighting inflammation.

Evening primrose oil can be found in natural health food stores and in some pharmacies.

11. Sunflower Oil

You’re probably getting the picture by now that oils in general are good for your skin. However, each oil has different properties and it’s important to be aware of even the subtle differences when you’re dealing with a condition like eczema.

Sunflower oil, extracted from the seeds of sunflowers, is known to protect the epidermis or the top layer of skin. This means that it helps the skin retain moisture while creating a preventative barrier against bacteria.

In addition to this, the oil helps to keep the skin hydrated and can reduce symptoms of inflammation and itching. Get organic sunflower oil from the health food store.

12. Witch Hazel

Witch hazel is a powerful astringent and a great tool to enhance the health of the skin. It’s a traditional folk remedy that has been used for many, many years to help fight inflammatory problems of the skin.

There hasn’t been a lot of research done on the specific use of witch hazel for eczema. However, anecdotal reports suggest that it is quite effective, and the impressive way in which the compound targets other inflammatory conditions suggest that it would be quite effective.

Witch hazel can be found in pharmacies, but organic varieties that are more powerful and healthier can be found at natural health food stores. Witch hazel can also be mixed into other oils and made into pastes with other ingredients on this list to form even more powerful remedies.

13. Calendula

Calendula is another popular folk remedy that has been used for many hundreds of years to help people manage skin problems. Calendula creams, which are readily available in pharmacies and natural food stores, are known to help fight off inflammation and discomfort from burns our wounds.

By helping to enhance blood flow to the area, calendula is able to help hydrate the skin and fight off infections. Again, there isn’t too much research done on how well calendula affects eczema, but many people have reported improvement.

14. Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a very old practice that has been used since ancient times in Traditional Chinese Medicine. For a while, people in the West were skeptical about acupuncture because it seemed like voodoo. Acupuncture simply involves putting tiny needles into parts of the body.

However, it quickly became clear that acupuncture is highly effective for all manner of ailments. Acupuncture works by affecting various energy meridians in the body and clearing up blockages or redirecting energy.

Some research has suggested that acupuncture shows some promise in regard to helping people manage eczema. Acupuncture can be found at many naturopathic clinics.

15. Acupressure

Acupressure works in a way similar to acupuncture, but instead of using needles to redirect energy the practitioner will simply use their hands and fingers to apply pressure to certain areas. This can be nearly or just as effective as acupuncture, and maany acupuncture practitioners offer this service as well.

16. Use a Humidifier

This tip is only really effective if you’re living in a house that has very dry air. Dry air can be a trigger for eczema outbreaks, and it’s important to make sure that you’re getting enough moisture in your air.

One of the easiest ways to do this is to get a humidifier. These are particularly important during the colder months when using a heater or a wood stove tends to suck all the moisture out of the air.

If you have a wood stove, you can simply put a pot of hot water on top of the stove. The water will slowly vaporize into the air, retaining the levels of moisture in the air.

17. Exercise

Exercise is one of the best ways to help people manage their stress levels. Exercising helps the body produce endorphins, which are basically our natural feel-good chemicals. When these chemicals aren’t being produced, we’re more likely to experience anxiety and stress.

As we have already mentioned, stress is one of the biggest triggers for eczema. When we’re highly stressed out, our body sends out an inflammatory response and this can lead to serious outbreaks. Try light exercise at first, like doing yoga or jogging.

18. Avoid Alcohol

Alcohol is one of the things that we consume that is known to cause inflammation. Alcohol actually causes all kinds of health problems, but many of these arise as a result of the serious inflammation that the drug causes.

For that reason, alcohol is not recommended for people with eczema. It’s not uncommon for people with eczema to experience breakouts when drinking excessive amounts of alcohol

19. Massage

There are a couple reasons that massages can be useful for someone who is experiencing eczema.

First off, massages are great for helping to relieve stress levels overall. Stress, as have mentioned, is one of the biggest triggers for eczema, and reducing your overall stress levels is important for helping to regulate your breakouts.

Furthermore, massage can help to reduce inflammation in the local area. Applying a moisturizing massage oil and massaging an area that frequently gets breakouts can be a very useful way for helping people prevent their breakouts.

20. Vitamin D

In addition to being one of the most important nutrients that we need, vitamin D can be useful for helping to manage symptoms of eczema.

If you live in an area that doesn’t get a lot of sunlight or if you choose to spend a lot of your time inside, then chances are that you should get more vitamin D. In this case, it can be wise to take a supplement. However, foods like sardines can be useful for helping people supplement their diet with vitamin D.

Studies have also revealed that people who take vitamin D during wintertime are less likely to experience eczema, despite winter being a time when people generally experience a worsening of eczema.

21. Hypnosis

There’s a lot of evidence out there that suggests that hypnosis can be used for helping people manage physical conditions. The link between the mind and body is irrefutable and by helping people manage their mental health, alternative treatments like hypnosis can be useful for helping to manage conditions like eczema.

One of the ways to look at this is by seeing how effective hypnosis can be for regulating stress. This, in turn, will help to minimize the amount of breakouts that you experience.

22. Go to a Spa

There is some evidence that going to a spa can actually be more helpful than simply bathing at home. However, there isn’t a lot of understanding as to exactly why a spa is more beneficial than bathing at home.

Thermal spas are a refuge for people with serious eczema and psoriasis. These spas are popular in France, and they allow people to get exposure to sunlight and warmth. Their responses are much better than typical therapies, however, they are often quite expensive and not really available for everyone.

23. Probiotics

Take probiotics if you have eczema, because there is some evidence that the bacteria in your gut influence eczema and the condition of your skin. When your bacteria become imbalanced, the condition of your skin often becomes imbalanced as a side effect.

In the case of people with eczema, this can result in flare ups. By taking probiotics and prebiotics (which are supplements that contain nutrients for the bacteria in your gut) you can help to restore a healthy balance to these important little bacteria. Not only will this help you retain good skin health but it will influence all other areas of your health as well.

24. Antibacterial Fabrics

There is some evidence that wearing antibacterial fabrics can help reduce the instance of eczema flare ups. These clothes can be found in some pharmacies, but they are not very popular yet.

The studies that have been done on these garments are not very widespread but there’s no reason that they wouldn’t be able to help prevent the emergence of bacteria-related flare ups.

25. Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is one of the most versatile natural remedies on the planet. It can be used for everything from helping to manage symptoms of fungal infections to improving the health of eczema.

Apple cider vinegar is an antibacterial and an antifungal and can help to reduce the yeast that can influence eczema. It can also help to restore the skin to a healthy state of being slightly acidic.

Sometimes our skin becomes too alkaline. It’s supposed to be at a pH of around 5, but sometimes it goes closer to 7. This causes the skin to break down and bacteria can increase, causing more frequent breakouts.

Photo: adapted from James Heilman, MD [CC BY-SA 3.0 or GFDL], from Wikimedia Commons

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If you’re looking to get into gardening, you may have found yourself overwhelmed with the endeavor. Sure, there’s a lot to learn, but people rarely stop to consider the immense cost that can be associated with gardening.

You don’t want to skimp on any aspect of our garden for fear of ruining your chances of a good harvest. However, there are several easy ways to save some significant money without having to cut any corners or sacrifice the quality of your crops.

1. Grow plants from seeds

An easy way to save money on gardening is to grow your plants from seeds, instead of started seedlings. A six pack of seedlings can cost anywhere from three to six dollars, while a packet of 500 seeds costs less than two dollars in most cases. While it can be more work to start plants from seeds – especially if this requires starting them in flats indoors long before spring has arrived – you will save a ton of money in doing so.

1. Save your seeds

If starting your plants from seed saves money, then saving your seeds to reuse year after year is a real groundbreaker. While shopping for seeds can be fun and exciting, the costs add up. If you are able to save your seeds from the year before, you can plant the ones you want and then organize a seed swap with your friends and neighbors. This will allow you to obtain a wide variety of seeds at no further cost to you.

Be careful about saving seeds that are patented by companies like Monsanto – if you are gardening or farming on a large scale, this can get you into some trouble.

1. Start plants from cuttings

If you’re growing trees, berries, or things like shrubs, you will need to start your plants by cuttings. To do this, all you need to do is find someone with the plant you are interested in growing, and then cut a few tiny sticks from it. When you put them in moist soil, you should have roots and leaves within a few months.

1. Recycle materials

You don’t need fancy planters, containers, and building materials to create an attractive, functional garden. Planters can be made out of everything from old bathtubs to wooden pallets to upcycled tires. You can paint the surface of these found “treasures” to help them blend into your garden – just remember to wash them first to remove any potential contaminants or lingering plant diseases.

1. Do it all yourself

Some people pay professional landscapers to come design their lawn and garden. This is absolutely unnecessary. With a bit of effort and research, you can create your own attractive, functional garden. There are thousands of books written about gardening and landscaping, so if you are patient and give yourself time to learn the ins and outs of the discipline, you can have a garden that is just as attractive as one that costs thousands of dollars in labor and design costs.

1. Make your own fertilizer

Compost, anyone? Buying bags of compost or other fertilizers – even the natural, non-synthetic ones – can really add up. Compost is only animal byproduct, like bone meal or manure, as well las natural materials like shredded bark.

It’s crazy to pay for compost that you could make yourself! If you have chickens, or live near a farmer who raises livestock, ask to clean out their barn or coop. Chances are, they won’t say no, and you’ll have access to free manure. Place the manure in a pile with things like wood shavings and leaves, and stir every week for a few months. Let it sit for at least six months, and you will be left with a nutrient-dense compost – for absolutely no cost to you.

You can also add other natural materials like crushed eggshells, Epsom salts, and banana peels to your garden. This will add necessary nutrients like calcium and phosphorus. Consider doing a quick home soil test to make sure your soil is actually deficient in those nutrients before adding them, however.

1. Become a scrounger

You don’t need to start going door to door to beggar supplies. However, you should become an expert at hunting down a bargain. Tree-cutting companies often have large piles of mulch on hand for free or low cost, while grocery stores may give away cardboard that you can alternatively use as mulch or in your compost. You might be able to make your own gardening tools out of broken or discarded “junk” you find at the landfill or at a thrift store.

Craigslist is another great place to score free gardening supplies. You can find everything from plants, planters, seedlings, piles of compost, tools, and even machinery for free or low prices. Check the free and farm and garden sections regularly for the best deals.

1. Go totally organic

Avoid adding things like herbicides and fertilizers to your garden. You can manually remove weeds or smother them with mulch. You can use woodchips or straw, black plastic, or even goats to do your wedding for you. Cover crops can also help to retain soil moisture and keep the soil fertile and weed-free. There is no need to pay for expensive chemicals which, frankly, aren’t good for you anyway!

1. Make your own worm tea

Liquid compost, or compost tea, is another great way to fertilize your garden on the cheap. This is essentially compost steeped in water to create an extra-potent brew. You can spread this directly on your garden without harming your plants, and is a great, free way to fertilize long after the seedlings have emerged.

1. Invest in manpower

You can choose to buy tons of gardening equipment, like tillers, tractors, and handheld tools. However, working on a budget makes this a bit more challenging. Instead, consider where you can replace machinery with a bit of muscle.

Things like hoes, spades, and rakes can help make light work of tedious garden chores, and will save you tons of money on fuel, repairs, and other costs associated with machinery. Your arms will be tired at the end of the day, but you will get in a good workout and leave your wallet intact instead.

1. Splurge where it counts

There are some places where it’s easy to cut gardening costs. However, in others it may be worth to pay a little bit extra for quality, high-functioning products. Grow lights, for example, can be expensive, but really make all the difference when you’re trying to start your seeds inside. When possible, find inexpensive options like shop lights to substitute for more expensive varieties.

1. Container garden in style

Container gardening is a great way to save money on your garden, because you can move these containers around when the weather changes or they have simply started to be constantly in the way. Containers can be repurposed from items you have around the home, or you can purchase inexpensive varieties at the dollar store. As long as you don’t plan on moving these a ton, these are a great way to save some space, time, and money.

1. Harvest rainwater

Especially if you live in an arid climate, water for your garden alone can be a significant expense. Times this expense by ten if the summer is a particularly harsh, dry one. While many gardeners use well water, an alternative to this already-inexpensive source is harvested rainwater.

Put a barrel under a roof and attach a gutter so that all the water flows directly into the barrel. You can then scoop water out with a bucket to water your garden, or you can plumb the barrel to a hose to soak the garden with minimal effort.

1. Don’t pay for dirt

Dirt should be…well, dirt cheap! Don’t spend a ton of money on soil. Garden supply stores will charge you an arm and a leg. Dig your dirt in an area where you have permission, or ask your nursery about buying soil in bulk. It’s also worth paying a visit to your local cooperative extension or research organizations. These places often grow vegetables for research purposes, and while they can’t reuse the dirt when they’re done with it, they’re often willing to give it away for free.

Worst case scenario, you can store your compost throughout the year or buy actual manure to fill your beds. These will work just fine for planting your crops.

1. Befriend fellow gardeners

Gardening can be a lot of work, but your friends can be your saving grace. If you or your friends have minimal space or resources, you can band together to make a cooperative garden and to take turns tending the space. You can also have events like plant exchanges or team up to buy seeds in bulk.

1. Whenever possible, plan to the point of over planning

You can’t be too prepared when it comes to growing a successful garden. Make a list of all the plants you must have for each season, and be sure to detail the plants you care about most along with specific varieties. Be sure to keep your preferences and habits in mind when you’re doing this. If nobody in your family eats green peppers, for example, you really shouldn’t be planting an entire row of peppers. Don’t bank on the fact that you’ll figure out what to do with them later.

You should also plan out where you want to plant your vegetables. All too often, we get carried away with ordering seeds and seedlings with nary a thought to where we will place these plants. Unfortunately, this can cause you to crowd your plants or to have a haphazard layout of your garden, when the easier alterative would have been just to map this out in advance.

1. Rotate your crops

Rotating your crops is a good rule of thumb in general, but is especially important if you’re looking to save a buck. Crop rotation -which should be done at least every other year, if not every year – helps cut back on the diseases your plants are exposed to, since many of these are stored in the soil and can las throughout the winter.

Furthermore, pests that tend to infest one type of plant will also lay their eggs in the soil to survive the cold months ahead. Rotating your crops is the best way to ensure that diseases and pests don’t affect your plants.

1. Use every last inch of your harvest

Don’t let any piece of your hard-earned harvest go to waste. If you have livestock, like chickens or pigs, you can feed some of your extra bounty to them.

Learn how to can, freeze, and dehydrate so that you can preserve a good crop between the seasons, or donate excess produce to the food pantry or family and friends. A tasty tomato never goes to waste – regardless of whether you are feeding it to a hungry hog, a grateful mother, or your own best friend.

1. Get creative with your plant markers

You can use items you have lying around the house to create your own plant markers for in the garden. Consider using Popsicle sticks, wine corks, or stones to designate specific spots for your plants.

1. Store seeds wisely

When you’re storing seeds between growing seasons, you need to make sure you are keeping them in optimal conditions. Ideally, you should keep them in a breathable box, like a cardboard container or a ventilated crate. You can also upcycle things like old Tic-Tac containers to store your seeds – just make sure they are breathable. Store your seeds in a cool, dark location (the refrigerator works just fine) and check them regularly for signs of spoilage.

If you’re looking to grow a healthy, productive garden this year, but want to stick to a tight budget, consider these tips. They will not only help you make the most of your garden without breaking the bank this year, but will be a lifesaver in the years to come.

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Allergies can come from a number of sources. These can include:

• Seasonal allergies
• Food allergies
• Bug stings
• Pollen
• Mold
• Dust mites
• Medications.

Regardless of the source of your allergies, the symptoms are usually pretty similar. Symptoms can include any or all of the following:

• Itchy eyes
• Running nose
• Sneezing
• Watery eyes,
• Itching
• Rashes
• Asthma

These symptoms can be quite irritating, and can make it hard to be comfortable at work or school.

The reason that these symptoms are all so similar is because allergies are usually caused by the same thing – at least on a biological level. When you are allergic to something, regardless of what it is, your body causes a release of histamine. Excessive amounts of histamine in the blood are what causes these symptoms.

That’s why the most popular drugs available over-the-counter are known as antihistamines. They prevent the body from producing histamine and thus prevent the symptoms from emerging.

Unfortunately, antihistamines are known for causing a number of unpleasant side effects. Not only do the majority of over-the-counter antihistamines tend to knock you out, but they can be quite dangerous for your mental health in the long-term.

Fortunately, there are a number of natural remedies that you can use to help yourself manage your allergies – seasonal or otherwise. Check out this list of the best and most effective home remedies for allergies.

1. Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar keeps popping up in all of our lists because it’s truly one of the most versatile medicinal ingredients you can find. Apple cider vinegar is great for healing everything from warts to infections to allergies.

It’s great for helping to manage symptoms of allergies because it helps to reduce the amount of mucous that your body produces. It also helps to clean the lymph nodes and the entire lymphatic system, which is important for reducing the symptoms of allergies.

The easiest way to do it is to just take a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar by mouth. However, not everyone can stomach the flavor. Adding it to hot water with honey will help dilute the flavor and the honey will provide some antibacterial benefits.

Apple cider vinegar can be found at the grocery store or any natural food store. It’s best to get the kind with the live mother in it – if the mother is removed, then so are many of the nutritional benefits.

2. Exercise

Exercise is about as natural as it gets, and you can certainly do exercise at home, which makes it one of the best natural home remedies. But how does exercise help with allergies?

Well, studies have been done that have revealed that moderate to intense exercise for about half an hour actually causes the body to release anti-inflammatory compounds. These can reduce inflammation in the sinuses and the respiratory tract which can make it easier to breathe during an allergic reaction.

It might be hard to get up the gusto to go exercise when you’re having an allergic reaction, but it’ll be worth it. It’s best to do your exercise away from the source of allergies. If you’re allergic to pollen, exercise indoors, if you’re allergic to pet hair, exercise outside.

3. Honey

Honey can help to manage allergies in a very interesting way, if you’re allergic to pollen.

Because bees make honey from pollen then you can gradually expose yourself to the substance of your allergy by taking small amounts of honey. This won’t necessarily cure your allergies, but overtime you can build up a resistance to the pollen that will make you more-or-less immune to the allergies. See more natural uses for honey here.

For this to work you’ll want to get local honey that’s made from the pollen in your local area.

4. Neti Pot + Salt Water

One of the best ways to clear out your nasal passageways is to use a neti pot, a special pot that’s designed to provide an easy way to pour water into your nostrils.

The best substance to put in a neti pot is a saline rinse, which can be bought from the pharmacy. The neti pot itself can likely be purchased there as well, or from a natural health food & supplement store.

If you don’t have access to a saline rinse, then you can make your own saline rinse by mixing some Himalayan salt into some warm water. Try to use distilled water whenever possible.

5. Bee Pollen

Bee pollen can help you manage your allergies in a similar way as honey. Because bee pollen contains some of the same compounds that are responsible for your allergic reaction, it can be useful in helping you build up a tolerance to these compounds. That allows your immune system to build its strength up.

Bee pollen can be added to salads or mixed into smoothies, or taken straight. You can find it at many health food stores or online. Some organic bee farms will sell some of the pollen as well.

6. Nasal Sprays

If you don’t want to be sticking a neti pot up your nose, then there are other ways that you can directly clear out your sinuses and nasal passageways. Nasal sprays containing saline solution can be made by simply filling a spray bottle (one of the small ones, the size of a perfume spritzer – not a Windex bottle!) with a saline solution.

You can also make your own saline solution with other antibacterial ingredients in them. Including a bit of basil or another herb can help to calm your sinuses.

7. Probiotics

Probiotics are great for a number of things. They’re instrumental in helping maintain your digestion, and they’re also important for helping you restore balance to your immune system. Studies have also proven that they’re useful for relieving allergic symptoms.

In certain situations, allergic reactions can be more severe in people who don’t have healthy immune systems. This is because the immune system is in charge of regulating the way that your body responds to external things like dust or pollen.

By helping your body regulate the levels of its internal bacteria, probiotics can help to nourish your immune system and ensure that it functions properly. Probiotics can be found at pharmacies and at health food stores.

8. Nettle Leaf

Nettle can be found all over the place, particularly in the pacific Northwest, where it can be found growing wild pretty much everywhere. Nettle can also be found at grocery stores in the form of teas, and it can be bought in loose form at many health food stores.

Nettle leaf is one of nature’s best antihistamines. This means that it prevents your body from making the compounds that are responsible for most of the allergic symptoms that we feel.

You can also find capsules of powdered nettle leaf. Taking a few of these will ensure that your body has a minimal histamine reaction, and it won’t likely knock you out as hard as an over-the-counter antihistamine would.

9. Quercetin

Quercetin is the name of a compound that’s known to have powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits. It’s a component of many natural foods, but you can also find the stuff available in supplement form at many health food stores or in certain pharmacies.

Quercetin is useful for fighting allergies because it also helps to fight the release of histamine. Studies have been done on rats that showed that quercetin is useful for helping to fight respiratory problems related to histamine release in rats.

10. Onions

Onions are a very powerful medicinal food that can be useful for treating all sorts of problems.

One of the reasons that they are useful for helping to treat allergies is because they contain a significant amount of quercetin. Onions are also great for helping to clear out the nasal passageways.

You can find onions in any grocery store, but the best varieties will be organic and they will come from natural food stores.

11. Apples

Apples contain a number of nutrients that can be beneficial for helping people manage the symptoms of their allergies.

First off, they contain quercetin. As we have mentioned above, quercetin is a powerful antioxidant and an antihistamine that can be immensely useful in helping people fight off the symptoms of allergies.

Furthermore, apples contain vitamin C and several other nutrients that are known to boost the immune system. Having a strong immune system can be useful in preventing allergic reactions because your body will be better primed to deal with the perceived invaders, such as pollen.

12. Pineapples

Pineapples are a great fruit for helping to manage symptoms of allergies because they contain a compound known as bromelain. Bromelain can also be purchased in supplement form from lots of health food stores.

Bromelain has been studied and is proven to be useful for helping to fight off symptoms of respiratory distress. It can also be useful for helping to ward off the inflammatory aspects of inflammation.

13. Vitamin C

Vitamin C, one of the most well-rounded and important nutrients that we consume on a regular basis, is actually an antihistamine. It might not be as potent as some over-the-counter varieties, but it’s certainly a lot better for you and can be found in a huge number of sources.

Vitamin C has been known to help treat symptoms like a stuffy nose or itchy eyes without causing any side effects. It’s recommended to take it in supplement form to help you treat allergies because you’ll need to take at least 2 grams of it to experience any noticeable effect.

14. Oranges

As far as fruits go, oranges are one of the best for helping to fight allergies. There are two reasons for this.

First off, oranges are high in vitamin C. As we’ve mentioned, vitamin C is important for maintaining your immune system and it can also function as an antihistamine on its own.

Second, oranges are filled with water. They can be a good source of hydration. Many people with allergies can find relief from their stuffy nose or other respiratory symptoms just by making staying hydrated.

15. Butterbur

Butterbur is a powerful plant extract. It’s made from a shrub that’s found in parts of Asia and Europe, as well as some smaller parts of the United States. The most common uses of this extract are to treat hay fever and migraines.

A bit of research into the topic reveals that butterbur has been linked to having antihistamine effects. It has tested better than placebo in regards to helping manage symptoms of allergies, and actually tested better than some over-the-counter meds that are used to treat allergies.

Butterbur can be a bit tricky to find but many health food stores carry some. If you can’t find it here you can order some to your door thanks to the Internet.

16. Watercress

Watercress is a cruciferous vegetable. It’s also regarded for being one of the healthiest foods on the planet. As far as foods that are readily available go, watercress will pack more of a nutritional punch than many alternatives.

More than that, studies have shown the watercress is actually quite effective as an antihistamine. Eating watercress can prevent your cells from releasing the substance and thereby help you manage symptoms of your allergies.

17. Pea Sprouts

All sprouts are generally good for you, but pea sprouts can be particularly useful for anyone who is hoping to manage symptoms of an allergy. This is because they contain a significant amount of a compound known as diamines oxidase

This substance is helpful for getting rid of histamine. Without this substance, your body would have histamine reactions that are significantly longer and more powerful than they already are!

You can make pea sprouts yourself by simply soaking some peas in water, draining the water, and letting them sit for a few days. Some health food stores and grocery stores also stock fresh pea sprouts.

18. Moringa

Moringa has become popular since it gained the reputation for being one of the world’s best superfoods, and this is justified. Moringa provides you with a huge number of nutrients and amino acids. In fact, it’s one of the foods that used to be prescribed to help treat general malnutrition.

Studies have also revealed that moringa functions very well as an antihistamine. It actually helps to prevent the body from releasing more than 70% of its histamines, and this makes it ideal for people suffering from allergies.

Loose leaf moringa can be found at health food stores. Moringa tea is available in many natural health food stores and can be found at some grocery stores.

19. Holy Basil (Tulsi)

Holy basil, also known as tulsi, is one of the most popular herbs in Ayurvedic medicine. It’s used for treating a wide range of ailments that can affect a person both physically and mentally. It functions as an adaptogen and can help people adapt to the stress of daily life.

It also function as an antihistamine and can be useful for helping people manage symptoms of an allergy. You can find holy basil tea at the grocery store or at a health food store.

20. Thyme

Thyme is one of the best remedies for allergies simply because it’s easy to grow and can be found, at least dried, at pretty much any grocery store. It’s filled with nutrients that can be useful for helping to boost your immune system, and it has also been shown to help stabilize the body’s mast cells which are known to release histamine.

21. Chamomile

Many of us have used chamomile in sleepy time tea, whether or not we were aware of it. But the herb chamomile has a lot of other benefits aside from just helping us relax in the evening.

Studies have revealed that chamomile can be useful for helping to prevent the release of histamine. It works in a dose-dependent manner, so if your allergies are very severe you can take a larger dose of chamomile.

Chamomile tea can be found at pretty much any grocery store but if you want the loose leaf stuff to make your own tea, you’ll have to search at local health food stores.

22. Peppermint

Peppermint is most traditionally associated with helping people manage digestive issues, but it can also be incredibly useful for helping people manage their allergies.

This is because some of the active compounds in peppermint, known as flavonoids, have also been shown to prevent the release of histamine from the body’s mast cells. It is known to be very useful for helping people manage symptoms of allergic rhinitis.

Peppermint can be found in many places, from grocery stores to health food stores. Naturally, organic peppermint will be better for you and will provide stronger benefits.

23. Black Cumin

Nigella sativa, also known as black cumin and kalonji, is one of the most impressive natural medicines on the face of the planet. It’s a great source of antioxidants and has a number of studies that back up its ability to help fight cancer and improve the health of our skin and organs.

Furthermore, it helps to act as an antihistamine. This can help to prevent you from experiencing symptoms of allergies.

If you’re using the fresh seeds, you’ll need to grind them up before using them. Just like flax seeds, they won’t be digested unless they are processed first, whether that’s by chewing them or by putting them in a spice grinder. You can also get the oil of black cumin seeds from organic stores, but it’s often quite expensive.

24. Turmeric

Turmeric, and the main active compound found inside it known as curcumin, is known to be a highly effective anti-inflammatory agent. You can find turmeric in health food stores, and organic food stores often sell the fresh root. Curcumin extracts are also available at pharmacies and natural health food stores.

You can experience some of the benefit of turmeric by cooking with it on a regular basis. However, if you need acute results, you might want to try taking it on its own by mixing a teaspoon of it with a short of water and chugging it back.

Turmeric has been proven to be as effective as some popular over-the-counter medication in terms of fighting inflammation and symptoms of allergies.

25. Reishi Mushrooms

Reishi mushrooms, which grow in warmer regions like parts of Asia and the southern Pacific regions, is known for being one of the best medicinal fungi on the planet. There are a number of useful applications for this fungus, including helping to reduce symptoms of allergies.

Reishi mushroom supplements can be purchased from natural health food stores and from pharmacies. Make sure to do so me background research into the supplement that you’re choosing because reishi mushroom supplements are notorious for being faked.

26. Flavonoids

There are a ton of different fruits that contain flavonoids, which are active nutritional compounds that often act as anti-inflammatories. Foods like blueberries, raspberries, cauliflower, oranges, beans and onions are all rich in flavonoids.

Flavonoids can also help the body improve the function of vitamin C, which serves to further boost the immune system and prevent the excessive release of histamine in the body. Some flavonoids, like quercetin, can be purchased in isolated form.

27. Cinnamon & Licorice

Cinnamon and licorice are not only delicious, but they’re known for helping to enhance a person’s breathing. This can make it easier to manage a seasonal allergy.

Both cinnamon and licorice can be found in whole form (pieces of bark for cinnamon, and sticks of licorice root) or you can get them pre-made into tea. If you want to make your own tea you can simply add a bit of each into a pot of boiling water and let it simmer for a few minutes. Look at your grocery store for pre-made tea bags.

28. Chili Peppers

Chili peppers are known for improving respiratory function, and you can certainly notice this after eating something spicy: it’s incredibly easy to take a big, deep, satisfying breath.

However, chili peppers are likely best to use when you have a stuffy nose because they’ll clear out your sinuses. If your nose is already running, then eating chili peppers might make it run more (however they will still help to clear up your nasal passageways so you can breathe easier).

There are tons of different kinds of chili peppers, ranging from the somewhat spicy jalapenos to the incredibly hot ghost chilis. Peppers like jalapenos, ,habaneros and Thai chili peppers can often be found at grocery stores. Hot sauce will also help to clear up the sinuses, but try to avoid mass-produced hot sauces like Frank’s.

29. Fish

Fish, like sardines and salmon, are particularly rich sources of omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids have been proven to act as anti-inflammatory compounds and can be useful for helping to fight off symptoms of an allergy.

You’ll be able to find fish at any grocery store. The best kind will not be farmed fish and will be wild-caught. Sometimes fish is best purchased from a local fish market.

30. Horseradish

Horseradish is known for being extremely pungent and hot in a different way than chili peppers. Horseradish, which is used to make most of the wasabi that we eat here in the West, is notorious for clearing out the sinuses incredibly quickly and incredibly effectively.

Horseradish can sometimes be found in its root form in grocery stores, and it can be eaten raw or cooked with.

31. Wasabi

Wasabi root is different than horseradish, though most wasabi in the west is actually made from horseradish. This is all a bit confusing, but nonetheless know that they are different roots.

Wasabi functions in a very similar way to horseradish, and many people would have a hard time telling the difference from flavor alone. The main difference is that wasabi is quite a bit stronger. Wasabi root isn’t as easy to find but some grocery stores carry it.

32. Lavender Oil

There are several essential oils which are most valuable in regards to treating sinus infections and symptoms that affect the respiratory tract. One of the most important is lavender oil, which is quite common and can sometimes be found in pharmacies. If not there, look in health food stores or stores where aromatherapy products are sold.

You can mix lavender oil into a carrier oil and apply it directly to your face, below your nose. Breathing it in will help to relax your airways and provide relief from your symptoms.

33. Peppermint Oil

Peppermint oil is another popular essential oil that has a number of medicinal benefits. Just like lavender oil, it can be mixed with a carrier oil and applied directly to the face to relieve symptoms of allergies. You can sometimes find peppermint oil in pharmacies, but it’s usually easier to get at health food stores.

34. Eucalyptus Oil

The third most powerful essential oil for helping to manage symptoms of allergies is eucalyptus oil. If you’ve ever taken a whiff of an open bottle of the stuff, then you’ve probably felt an immediate cleansing of your sinuses – even if you’re not sick!

Eucalyptus oil can be used in much the same way as the previous essential oils. It also works very well in an essential oil diffuser, which distributes the oil in the air of your house. Eucalyptus oil can be found at pharmacies and health food stores.

35. Water

You’d be surprised how many people are chronically dehydrated. Dehydration can cause a number of symptoms on its own, like confusion, lethargy and mood swings. But it can also have a negative influence on your allergic reactions.

Make sure that you drink at least 8 cups of water on a daily basis, and drink much more if it’s hot out or if you’re exercising. Staying hydrated is of utmost importance if you want to stay healthy.

36. Acupuncture

Acupuncture might be difficult to get done in the home, but it’s certainly one of the best natural remedies for healing a huge number of ailments. Acupuncture has been used to treat anything from clinical depression to chronic illness.

Recent studies have also revealed that acupuncture can be useful for helping to manage symptoms of allergies. Acupuncture involves interacting with the body’s energy meridians and stimulating, preventing, or redirecting energy. This can have a positive influence on our hormones and our histamine production.

Acupuncture can often be found at natural or holistic health centers. It can be expensive but many places offer community acupuncture a few times a month for a fraction of the price.

37. Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is another method of treating allergies that works in the same way that taking local honey does. It allows your body to slowly become accustomed to the allergens in the environment so you can build up a natural resistance to them. Immunotherapy is offered at many natural health clinics.

36. HEPA Filtration Systems

The HEPA systems themselves are man-made, but they can certainlyl have a positive impact on the natural environment in your house. It’s particularly important to get a HEPA filter for your vacuum, because it will help to filter out any allergens that might be in your carpets instead of circulating them back into the air.

In Conclusion

Seasonal allergies and hay fever can both be stressful and uncomfortable experiences if you don’t have the proper know-how on how to deal with them. Fortunately, there are healthier alternatives than using over-the-counter medication, and many of these remedies you probably already have at home.

Hopefully this list has been helpful for you, and we wish you luck in managing your allergic symptoms!

The post 36 All-Natural Remedies for Allergies appeared first on The Homesteading Hippy.

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Tortillas are a tasty, simple and effective food. If you’re down to the essentials and you’re looking for a delicious and practical meal that consists of a few simple ingredients, easy preparation, and quick cooking time than flour tortillas are a winning option.

The nice thing about tortillas is that if they are made well, they can stand on their own with a little butter and salt as a savory snack. They also function effectively well in a range of situations. Any variety of leafy or hard vegetables, combined with nearly any protein, grain, sauce or seasoning, tastes better when wrapped tightly in a well made tortilla.

Once, when my fridge was empty except for some homemade tortillas and a lonely sprig of lettuce and my cupboard was down to a can of pork and beans, I triumphed by preparing a meal for two of comforting bean burritos. I’m not saying this was the greatest meal I’ve ever prepared. But compared to the sad scene of a lonely plate consisting of beans and a side of lettuce, the burritos were tasty, filling and visually pleasing.

In short, the tortillas saved the day.

Let me take a moment to clear up any possible confusion. A tortilla can be made with either corn or wheat flour. It is a soft and simple flat bread. When you place some ingredients on top of a tortilla and roll it up you have just created a burrito.

The difference between a soft taco and a tortilla is merely one of size and semantics – a soft taco being a smaller tortilla. Of course hard shell tacos are another matter entirely. They will not be discussed in this article for two reasons – because they require a different set of ingredients and preparation and secondly – because it is impossible to eat an entire hard shell taco without having it break apart into thousands of tiny and dangerous taco shards.

I will be discussing two varieties of homemade flour tortilla in this article. The traditional wheat flour variety and the newer, cutting edge coconut flour tortilla. If you live in Florida or the tropics you know that Coconuts grow on trees and are falling out of the sky all over the place. So why not make use of them?

Besides if TSHTF you are going to need to make do with what’s readily and easily available. And as an added bonus, coconut flour is gluten and grain free.

So get out your rolling pins and let’s get to work.

Getting Started

Here are the ingredients you will need to make 8 traditional tortillas and 8 coconut flour tortillas. If you are a traditionalist or you think that coconuts should only be used for making Pina Coladas I suggest doubling the number of ingredients for the traditional tortillas so that you will be left with 16 delicious, homemade flour tortillas.

Also, as a matter of personal preference I like to add some powdered Turmeric and Ginger to nearly everything I prepare. The ginger adds a dash of zest and flavor and the Turmeric gives off a golden color.

There are many ancillary health benefits to Ginger and Turmeric and much has been written and discussed about their healing qualities on alternative health sites. I will simply add that those two ingredients are both flavorful, inexpensive and part of an Ayurvedic medicinal culture going back thousands of years. Of course their addition to the recipe is totally optional.

Ingredients for 8 Traditional Tortillas:

• 2 ½ cups all purpose unbleached flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ stick (2 oz) unsalted butter (If you use salted butter just add slightly less salt)
• 1 cup hot water (hot to the touch – approximately 100 degrees)

Ingredients for 8 Coconut Flour Tortillas:

• Substitute ¾ cup of coconut flower in place of the 2 ½ cups of traditional flour (For every cup of all purpose flour you only need ¼ – 1/3 cup or less of coconut flour)
• ½ cup hot water (hot to the touch)
• All other ingredients are the same, though you may want to experiment with increasing the amount of butter to help better bind the coconut flour.

Optional Ingredients:

• ½ teaspoon ginger powder
• ½ teaspoon turmeric powder

photo above: Add a little Ginger and Turmeric

Tools:

• Skillet
• Rolling pin (if you’re a minimalist, you can also use a mag light or anything round and heavy enough to roll out dough.)
• Wisk (or a knife, fork or a freshly whittled stick will serve to mix the basic ingredients)
• Medium sized bowl.
• Measuring cup
• Measuring teaspoon (Guesstimating is possible but I don’t recommend it)
• Burner, stovetop, or campfire.

Step by Step Directions:

1. Go ahead and soften your butter. You can either plan ahead and leave it out of the fridge for a while, or place it in the microwave for ten seconds. If you’re out camping, just place it in a tin by the campfire and it should soften up in no time.

2. Add the flour, salt, and baking powder to your mixing bowl and whisk it all together.

3. Mix in the softened butter and whisk thoroughly. Some of the flour mixture will gather around the butter and form tiny, dough like crumbs. This is to be expected.

4. Pour in your hot water and stir it into the mixture. The mixture will form into a moist dough but there will still be some dry flour streaks visible.

5. Remove the dough from the mixing bowl and lay it out on a flat, lightly floured surface. Knead it for a minute or two. Take your time if you like.

Kneading dough is basically the adult version of playing with play doh. It feels good in your fingers. But don’t overdo it. Now go ahead and form a nice round ball with your dough. If the dough feels very sticky you can add a little flower to it. It should be just barely sticky to the touch.

kneading the dough

6. Cut the dough into 8 pieces (I use a spoon for this) and roll each piece into a ball. Flatten each ball somewhat and set it aside. (I like to use the bottom of a measuring cup to push down on them).

Flattening the balls of dough

7. Cover your 8 balls of dough with a damp kitchen towel and let them sit for a half an hour. This is the easiest step because you literally have to do nothing! But believe it or not, this is the step that people struggle with the most.

If you rush this process, the dough will be difficult to roll out, and the fun task of making tortillas will turn into a frustrating chore. If you’re at home, now is a great time to check your emails or read up on the latest survivalist blogs. Perhaps you can check in on a spouse or a loved one who may feel somewhat neglected.

Tell them all about the delicious tortillas that are coming their way!

If you’re out camping, then gather round the campfire and tell some stories, strum a guitar, and gaze up at the beautiful stars twinkling above you. Isn’t it nice of God to put them there so that you have something sparkly to look at at night. Don’t forget to set the timer!

8. Heat a non-greased skillet over medium heat until hot. You can also use a cast iron griddle. All you need is a piece of metal that conducts heat well and is relatively easy to handle without burning yourself. The short word for that, I suppose, is a skillet.

9. Roll each ball of dough out flat on a flour dusted surface. Roll it out about 7-9 inches or as big as the size of your skillet. For this part I recommend using a wooden rolling pin, but if you’re out camping and you don’t feel like packing additional cookware then feel free to use a maglight. A long maglight with some flour rubbed on the shaft works just as well as a rolling pin.

Either way, be sure to rub some flour on the implement so that the dough doesn’t stick. This may seem like a simple concept, but all the best concepts are. Remember, the best things in life are free. But everything else you have to pay for.

10. Gently place the rolled out tortilla dough on the skillet without tearing it. Transporting the rolled out dough onto the skillet is a simple but delicate process. You can use a spatula with some flour dusted on it or you can slide it carefully off the surface and onto the skillet. You can even pick up the dough directly with your bare hands.

Whatever you do, just don’t mess this up!

11. Cook the dough for about thirty seconds then flip it to the other side and let it cook for an additional thirty seconds. The tortilla may puff up with little air bubbles and turn golden brown in spots. That is all fine and good.

12. Be careful when removing the tortilla from the skillet not to let it tear. Nobody likes a tortilla with holes poked in it.

13. Let cool and serve. If you want to save your tortillas for later, wrap them in a plastic bag or some aluminum foil and store in the fridge or the cupboard.

14. To make homemade Coconut Flour Tortillas – the gluten and grain free option – is easy. Simply repeat steps 1 through 13 but be sure to use less flour and water per the ingredients list.

Working with Coconut flour takes practice. The dough may be more watery and have a consistency that resembles pancake batter. So for steps 9 and 10, you can pour the batter directly onto the skillet. Feel free to experiment with the recipe by adding eggs or increasing the amount of butter to thicken the dough.

Congratulations, you’ve just created a delicious tortilla from scratch. Not everyone can do this.

I hope you enjoy your delicious creations!

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