Sylvia’s Hot Toddy Recipe (non-alcoholic)
for cold’s, flu, congestion, etc…

Juice from one lemon-(fresh)
1 tbsp. raw honey
1/2 can frozen OJ -preferably a more natural kind like Trader Joe’s
2 cups water
Sprinkle of cayenne

Heat all (except cayenne) together in saucepan until heated through– pretty warm. Pour into mug, sprinkle with cayenne, and drink it down. Go to bed!
*Variation– add 1 tbsp. slippery elm powder for a super effect!

Onion Ear Poultice

1/2 onion, chopped, 1/4 cup water
Heat ingredients in a pan and bring to a simmer (not a boil), and turn off heat. Strain onion from water (reserving water in pan) and wrap in several layers of cheesecloth, muslin, or a washcloth. Apply this poultice over the affected ear, lying on the other side. Leave for at least 5 minutes or until cool. The onion can be heated and reapplied several times. Do this as many times as needed to ease the discomfort. This old fashioned technique is a little messy, but worth it! You may also add a drop or two of lavender essential oil, to help calm and ease the mind. This remedy creates a vacuum to help remove liquid and infection. The heat and antibacterial properties of the onion also help ease the earache and reduce inflammation. It is helpful to rub a mullein and garlic infused oil blend around the outer part of the ear and mastoid area if an ear infection is present.
Adapted by Jonelle Hughes from Kathy Keville's book Herbs for Health and Healing

Aromatherapy in Childbirth

In labor with our twins...(July 24, 2003)
The bath
Essential oils
Coconut water
3 midwives
1 doula
2 excited sons (ages 7 and 4)
1 supportive husband
4 hour homebirth
Priceless

"Aromatherapy is easier to administer and costs very little. It changes the whole atmosphere of the birth room. It is not just the mother who can be more relaxed, but the staff caring for her feel calmer and happier too.
Aromatherapy is not a magic charm. But it is one way in which a midwife can communicate warmth, sensitivity and friendship in an institutional and medical environment" .
by Sheila KitzingerThe Independent, Health Page 21 Oct 1999


Maggie Tisserand recommends; clary sage compress to the lower abdomen.
Apply warm, replace when cooled.

Studies
Nursing Times - March 2, 1994, Vol. 90, No. 9, "Using Aromatherapy in Childbirth"


Summary: A study of 500 women in the delivery suite. Essential oils used: Lavender, Clary Sage, Peppermint, Eucalyptus, Chamomile, Frankincense, Jasmine, Rose, Lemon and Mandarin.
Methods of Application:

(1) *Spray of 100 cc water with 2 drops e.o on face sheet, pillow, or bean bag or
(2) 4-6 drops oil in bath or 2-3 drops of oil in footbath or

(3) Inhalation or
(4) Massage with 2 drops in 50 cc of almond oil.
Results: Overall satisfaction with the "aroma" -helped eliminate the hospital smell which decreased anxiety.
Lavender - reduce maternal anxiety, pain relief, lighten mood, calm contractions if woman needed rest (Early in Labor)
Peppermint- Nausea & Vomiting
Clary sage - Increase Contractions

74% of women used no other form of pain relief

My Favorite Essential Oils for Labor

Clary Sage– relieves tension, helps to increase speed of contractions, helps with after pains and expulsion of placenta
Jasmine– helps with milk supply, excellent for perineal massage mixed with carrier oil, dulls uterine pain
Lavender– all purpose calming and pain relief oil
Myrrh, Frankincense, & Spikenard– Ancient oils to help aid in childbirth. Emotional clearing and fear reduction
Neroli– Relaxes, reduces fear, insomnia, tension and anxiety
Rose– Uplifting, soothing, grounding, creates a sense of euphoria
Peppermint– Uplifting, awakening, anti nausea
Basil– Grounding, awareness, mental focus
Citrus Oils– mood lifters, energy, helps to restore gentle breathing
(my favorite citrus at births is Pink Grapefruit)
Miracle Menthol Salve-helps with back labor tremendously, helps with nausea and breathing

Healing Waters

If you read my blog, you know how I love baths. Baths are where I get my greatest ideas. It is where I have my greatest peace and my most amazing thoughts. There is something that always bothers me about the bath though. Here in Las Vegas, it is that the water in which we bathe is chemically laden. I ALWAYS add salt to my bath to counteract the negative things in it. By salt, I mean sea salt or Himalayan salt. These kinds of salt counteract the negative effects of water by absorbing and eliminating the chemicals, bacteria and nastiness in the water. They also are great for the skin, and for aches and pains. Upon learning more about coral calcium this last week, I had an epiphany. Coral calcium and Sea/Himalayan salt together in the bath!

Why coral calcium you ask? Well, because...

Coral Calcium has many wonderful properties. I am talking about above sea coral calcium. I will not go into detail about why this is important now, just know it is. It is obviously good for our hair, skin and nails. But it is also good for EVERY cell in our bodies. It also keeps our muscles, nerves and circulation of blood going strong. It keeps our bones strong and solid. What does it do for the water? It absorbs and cleanses the lead, mercury and other chemicals we have in our water.

So, I blended up a batch of Himalayan sea salt, coral calcium and of course some essential oils. (I used lavender, bergamot and coriander- some of my favorite bath blessings!) I was so excited to enter my bath that night, as I poured a heaping cup into the steaming water. (Yes, I like my bath's hot.) The experience was heaven! Have you ever been in a mineral pool or hot springs? You know the buoyancy and softness you feel? Well, I created that in my own bath! I'd had a massage that day to loosen up a tight shoulder that was a result of a bout with shingles, and this bath cradled me like a bassinet of flowing water! I felt so rested and relaxed after this bath, that I made up an extra large batch of my treasure, so as to never be without it.

If you are not a 'bath person" by nature, give it a try! We deserve to take a luxurious rest in one of nature's best creations. Bless yourself with the gift of just being, not having to do or say anything, and letting the bliss that is water be a part of our lives.

*Above ground coral calcium and Himalayan salts found at Herbally Grounded, Las Vegas, NV.

If I did not have the proof, I wouldn't believe it. I have Carcolepsy. It is a form of Narcolepsy, but only related to being in the car.
Narcolepsy is by definition:
-The main characteristic of narcolepsy is overwhelming excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), even after adequate night time sleep. A person with narcolepsy is likely to become drowsy or to fall asleep, often at inappropriate times and places. Daytime naps may occur with or without warning and may be physically irresistible. These naps can occur several times a day. They are typically refreshing, but only for a few hours. Drowsiness may persist for prolonged periods of time. - (Wikipedia)

I have been like this since childhood. It was especially prominent when I was 18 and took a trip with my family to Hawaii. My dad rented a van and drove us around to many great places, but sadly, I remember more about the softness and color of the van's interior than my view of the massive sugar cane fields. I try, I really try to stay awake. On family trips, my husband always drives. I have great plans for family sing-alongs and to get started on a really good book, only to be awakened by my own snoring before we even hit the freeway entrance. Interestingly, my children seem to have this same problem, and I still have to time outings, even for my older kids so that they will stay awake. It's as if the car is a big cushy cradle lulling us to sleep with it's rhythmic motion. I have used all manner of alertness aids that are legal and not damaging to my body. I use my oils, which really does help, and I also resort to pinching myself hard, which helps a little too. I even tried caffeinated sodas once, only to experience a hyperactive gibber-fest and then crash into an all time delirium of sleepiness.
I just returned from a road trip without my husband. Me and the 4 kids ventured to the beach to visit my sister, and I was armed and ready. On the way there the fantasy of fresh air, less than 100 degree scorching weather and the soft lapping of waves at my feet ironically kept me awake. On the way home was another story. After staying up too late talking with my sister and trying top solve the puzzle we call parenting, I did not get enough sleep. Thirty minutes into the trip, and after leaving the cool coast weather, I was wondering how I could pull over and take a quick nap in 112 degree heat.
I said a prayer, and the thought came to me to use my Pick Me Up Spray (duh!) and the new herbal formula from Herbally Grounded called- Focus. I hadn't tried it yet and my travel bottle was brand new and waiting for me to drink it... in it's entirety. So, I sprayed the spray, took the Focus, and in about 5 minutes felt as if I could (without hesitation) address the UN confidently. I was alert and completely revived. I noticed things I never notice, I was able to get off the freeway, and get back on without totally being confused about which direction I was headed. I was clear, I was in the now, I could have read a book!!!! Too bad I was driving! The moral of the story is this... don't leave home without these two things. You will be sad and tired, and you will miss out on all that there is to be seen. PMU and Focus will forever be my constant travel companions.

Summertime.....

I love summer. Barbecue's, Beaches, Family Reunions, etc.. Along with all those great things come some hazards and annoying things to deal with. May I suggest preparing a summertime kit. It will amaze you how much you will use it, if it is already available. You may not realize what a true life-saver it is. After experiencing sun posing in 2005, when my fruitless attempts (making this the 15th year of fruitless attempts) to tan my Luck o' the Irish skin, landed me with what looked like lips straight from a Medspa, I was so glad to have on hand my natural remedies. Last year when my whole family was eaten by a rabid pack of mosquito's at a family reunion, my kids were the only ones with barely a bite. Everyone knows Aunt Jo-Jo has a virtual first aid hut of remedies, and I am glad to share them!



I buy a sturdy rectangular Rubbermaid container with a top. I have smaller more portable items inside, but all my goodies travel in one of these. Somewhat like this one: http://plastics.turkavkaz.ru/products/storage.jpg.

This is the Big Mama kit I have on hand.
I of course have the basic band aids, gauze, etc..
If you have purchased the Essential Wellness Kit, than you already have most of what you need. I make or buy the items listed below(recipes will be at end of post)
Aloe Vera- I love Aloe Life AV. It is preservative free and is fantastic! I like to mix it with Lavender EO.
Skeeter Spray- available at HG or you can make your own
1 bottle of Lavender EO or Lavender Roller- the cure all
Chill herbal Tincture and Happy Juice if you have the grouchies
Cayenne capsules-stops bleeding
Out and About spray or other natural antibacterial hand spray
Cleansing Roller- if nothing else, stick this in your bag
Plantain and Comfrey Salve- rashes, irritations, burns, slivers, etc..
Angel Oil- use for everything..motion sickness, upset tummy, first aid, etc..

All the above have so many uses it is hard to name them all. Just know that you are covered for scrapes, cruises, cuts, bites, irritations, sunburn, fatigue, overexertion, excess time spent with the family at the reunion, etc..


HERBAL INSECT REPELLENT
1/2 teaspoon citronella essential oil
1/2 teaspoon eucalyptus essential oil
1/2 teaspoon lavender essential oil
4 ounces distilled witch hazel
Mix ingredients in a 4-ounce spray bottle.
Shake well. Spray onto exposed skin, avoiding eyes and mucous membranes.
Reapply every 2 hours, or as needed.
Recipe courtesy of Laurel Vukovic.August 2004Herbs for Health

NATURAL INSECT REPELLENT
2 ounces carrier oil or vodka
1/4 teaspoon each citronella and eucalyptus essential oils
1/8 teaspoon each cedar and rose geranium essential oils
Combine ingredients and apply mixture directly to all exposed skin. Keep oil away from your eyes and mouth, and be careful not to rub your eyes right away after applying the repellent with your fingers.
Source: Keville, Kathi. Herbs for Health and Healing. Rodale, 1996.March/April 2004Herbs for Health