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The Different Types of Coconut Oil

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It’s no secret that coconut oil has been used for centuries in many different ways. There are so many different types of coconut oil, but most of them are 100 percent natural oil, and full of antioxidants and saturated fats—the good ones—that contain medium chain fatty acids (MDFAs) that provide so many good things:

  • MDFAs burn fast and are used as energy
  • MDFAs help to avoid weight gain
  • MDFAs will not raise cholesterol
  • MDFA have no risk of heart attack, strokes, or heart disease
  • MFDAs help to boost the metabolism

At one time it was very popular in the United States. But a strong propaganda campaign in the late 1970s promoted the use of corn oil and soy oil, and spread the message that because coconut oil was high in saturated fat it should be considered harmful for the human body. Fortunately today we understand the good benefits of the saturated fat content of coconut oil, and it is slowly being accepted as the powerfully healthy oil it is.

Coconut oil is used extensively in tropical countries like India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Jamaica, New Guinea, Samoa, and the Philippines. These countries use it for:

  • Treatment for illnesses
  • Healing for injuries
  • Moisturizer for hair
  • Massage oil for babies
  • Even as a drink to boost the immune system

In this blog post I want to remind you of how healthy coconut oil is for you and your family. There are so many benefits to it, and so many ways to use it. We will take a closer look at some of these benefits and uses.

The Types of Coconut Oil

What kind of coconut oil is best to buy? How do I choose a coconut oil? These are the questions we all have when we begin to add this nutrient to our lives. Today there are many choices when it come to buying coconut oil. Let’s briefly review some of these choices.

There are two basic categories of coconut oil: those that are mass produced and need to be refined, and those that start with fresh coconut and are much less refined. All coconut oil is refined because oil doesn’t grow on a tree…coconuts do.

Virgin Coconut Oil

This is the least refined oil. It is coconut oil produced without starting with dried coconut (called “copra”) that has been removed from the shell and is inedible and needs more refining to produce coconut oil. The types of Virgin Coconut Oils include:

Refined Coconut Oil

Copra-based refined coconut oils are called “RBD coconut oils” (refined, bleached, deodorized). The RBD refining process does nothing to alter the fatty acid profile of coconut oil, so all the medium chain fatty acids are kept intact. There are several types of refined coconut oils available:

As you examine your choices for coconut oil in the market today, your choice will largely be determined by how you intend to use the oil, and your budget. If you want the highest quality virgin coconut oil possible, this chart summarizes what is currently available in the market and rated on a scale of 1 to 10.

types-coconut-oil-rating

The Benefits of Coconut Oil

There really are so many healthful benefits to coconut oil. Because most of us very interested in filling our menus with as much real food and natural and organic products as possible, we have probably begun using coconut oil in our daily menus. It is solid like butter at room temperature, and it doesn’t break down or become rancid like many other oils. It even smells good to most people. 

But there are many other uses as well. Let’s look closer at some of them.

  1. As a cooking oil—It can be used for nearly any cooking use, including stove-top cooking and sauteéing, for stir frying, baking grain-free cookies, muffins, cakes, etc., and even for adding to your smoothies or using it to make home-made, sauces, and desserts.
  2. In coffee or tea—I’d been hearing rumors about people putting butter in their coffee. Supposedly, this is called a Bulletproof Coffee. Why on earth would someone want to put butter in their coffee??? I took the plunge! And I must say, IT IS UN-friggin-BELIEVABLE! It came out frothy, smooth, and filling! I love my coffee in the morning, in fact, it’s one thing I have always said I will never give up. I’ve given up enough in my life…my coffee is staying! 
  3. As part of a daily cleansing and beauty regimen—It can be used making toothpaste or used in oil pulling. It’s a wonderful foundation for my all-purpose healing salve, I add it to the nightly detox bath my kids take, it is great to use in your shampoo or as shave lotion, and it can be used in home-made deodorant.
  4. As nature’s perfect massage oil for babies and infants—Mothers around the world have been using coconut oil to massage their babies for centuries. It prevents so many irritating skin problems in babies, and keeps them soft and smooth as butter. 
  5. To help in weight loss—The medium-chain fatty acids in coconut oil help to get rid of excessive weight. It is easy to digest, and it help your thyroid and endocrine systems operate in good health. It increases the metabolic rate by removing stress on the pancreas, and lets you burn more energy and lose the weight. Many people trying to lose weight made and drink a “weight loss supplement” daily containing coconut oil, raw apple cider vinegar, and honey.

 There are so many additional benefits to coconut oil that I highly recommend you doing your own additional research to discover ways you can incorporate it into your family’s lifestyle. You won’t regret it!

Where to buy coconut oil?

I purchase all my coconut oil through Tropical Traditions. For cooking, I prefer the Gold Label coconut oil, however if you do not like the taste of coconut, then I recommend you get the expeller pressed. For making soap and salves, I like to get the 100% pure coconut oil. 

Different Types of Coconut Oil

Resources

1. https://wellnessmama.com/2072/benefits-of-coconut-oil/

2. https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/oils/health-benefits-of-coconut-oil.html

3. https://coconutoil.com/what-type-of-coconut-oil-is-best-how-to-choose-a-coconut-oil/

Essential Oils for Your Garden

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It’s so exciting to me to know that I can combine two of my passions—gardening and essential oils—to assure that I am going to reap a harvest of vibrant, healthy, pest-free fruits and vegetables. There are many wonderful essential oils for your garden and this post is going to show you a few of them!

You can purchase essential oils directly from me by going here. 

Essential oils can be a very important part of natural gardening. We live in a world where we are bombarded by chemicals that many time are not safe to use. Using essential oils in your garden can deter pests from ruining your precious plants. You will end up with strong and healthy plants that resist disease, and produce a higher yield and more fragrant crops. Can you just imagine how fragrant a walk at dusk will be in your garden?

I thought it would be very interesting to do some research and give you a post that covers three areas for merging essential oils and gardening together.

We will look at:

  1. Plants and Essential Oils that go together very well
  2. Using Essential Oils to drive away mold and fungus and those pesky insects and bugs
  3. Essential Oils that are very beneficial to you—the gardener.

1. Plants and Essential Oils that go together very well

Just as there are plants that work very well together and are garden companions, so too there are specific plants and specific essential oils that can become great companions in your garden. These essential oils are often the extracted oils from the companions plants that like to grow next to each other.

You will need to so your own research to really learn all there is to know about companion plants and essential oils, but let me list some of the garden fruits and vegetables that have a particular companion essential oil that you can use.

You can purchase essential oils directly from me by going here. 

Vegetables Essential Oil
Asparagus Basil
Green Beans Lavender, Basil
Broccoli Basil, Thyme
Cabbage Peppermint, Thyme, Clary Sage
Carrots Sage
Cauliflower Sage
Cucumbers Sage
Leeks Celery, Hyssop
Lettuce Carrot
Onion Chamomile
Peas Geranium
Potatoes Basil, Sage
Radishes Parsley
Tomatoes Basil
Fruits Essential Oil
Apples Lavender
Grapes Lavender, Hyssop

The best way to add the essential oil for the benefit of the vegetable or fruit plant is to add the oil to water. You can mix 6 drops of the companion essential oil to 2 gallons of warm water, then let it cool. Fill your watering container half full with the essential oil water, then top it off with cold water, stir again and water as usual.

Essential oils aren’t just for repelling unwanted creatures from your garden. You can also use certain fragrant essential oils to attract pollinators to your garden. The scent of orange blossom is an irresistible attractant for bees, as are the essential oils of small-blossomed flowers like lavender, hyssop, marjoram, helichrysum, basil, sage, and rosemary. You can also use lavender, fennel, helichrysum and sage essential oils to attract more butterflies to your garden.

How much fun would it be to create a private little nook near your garden where you go to relax after a long a stressful day. You will be able to take in the fragrance from your plants and oils, but you could also add an essential oil diffuser (I like this diffuser but you can get it much cheaper directly from me here)  and fill it with aromatherapy oils to enhance the calming effects of your secret garden.

2. Using Essential Oils to drive away environmental threats and those pesky insects and bugs

Essential oils are invaluable when it comes to dealing garden threats. About 85 percent of all plant diseases are rooted in fungi. Fungi poison and kill cells, block stomata (breathing pores), and steal nutrients from the plants. That’s where powerful essential oils can help you with these fungi. Tea tree oil (melaleuca) is a natural oil with the power to not only limit fungal growth, but to kill existing fungi. Try mixing a few drops of oil (up to a tablespoon) per cup of water in a spray bottle. Spray directly on your plants a couple of times a week. Avoid spraying leaves in very hot weather because the sun-heated oil can easily burn the leaves.

There are a wide variety of essential oils that can be used to repel unwanted insect pests from your garden. You can see some suggestions in the list below, but be sure you do your own research to find specific protocols for your own garden.

You can purchase essential oils directly from me by going here. 

Insects Essential Oil
Ants Peppermint, Spearmint, Garlic, Orange
Aphids Peppermint, Spearmint, Cedarwood, Hyssop, Orange
Beetles Peppermint, Thyme, Garlic
Cabbage caterpillars Rosemary
Chiggers Lavender, Lemongrass, Sage, Thyme
Cutworms Thyme, Sage
Fleas Lavender, Lemongrass, Peppermint, Orange, Rosemary
Flies Basil, Clove, Eucalyptus, Lavender, Peppermint, Rosemary
Gnats Patchouli, Spearmint
Mosquitoes Lavender, Lemongrass, Rosemary
Moths Peppermint, Lavender, Hyssop, Cedarwood
Plant Lice Peppermint, Spearmint, Cedarwood, Orange
Roaches Cedarwood, Eucalyptus, Cinnamon, Thyme
Slugs Cedarwood, Pine, Hyssop, Patchouli
Snails Cedarwood, Garlic, Pine, Patchouli
Spiders Peppermint, Lemon, Lime, Orange, Lavender
Ticks Lavender, Lemongrass, Thyme, Sage, Tea Tree
Weevils Patchouli, Cedarwood, Sandalwood
Wooly Aphids Patchouli, Pine

There are a number of ways you can apply the essential oils to your plants. Some ideas are:

  • Sprays–4-8 drops essential per gallon of water
  • Hanging strips of cloth—1 drop of undiluted essential oil per strip. Hand from a branch, using multiple cloths to cover desired area.
  • Cotton Wool—Bury small cartons, such as yogurt containers, in the ground keeping the top level with the soil. Add 4 drops essential oil to cotton balls and insert in the containers.
  • String—Soak a string is a solution of water and essentials oils then string between plant rows to deter flying insects.

You can create your own all-natural insect repellent by mixing equal parts of rosemary, peppermint, thyme, and clove oils (about 10 drops of each) in a spray bottle filled with water. Shake well before using, and apply anywhere you want to get rid of pesky garden insects and bugs.

In addition to the suggestions above, you can find several specific homemade formulas to use here. 

3. Essential Oils that are very beneficial to you—the gardener

Gardening can be beneficial to you in many ways. Being outdoors, close to nature, and active in growing your own food feeds you on all levels. However there will be days when gardening comes with sore muscles, dry skin, sunburns, bug bites, and respiratory congestion. Fortunately your essential oils are as beneficial and healthy for the gardener as they are for the garden.

You can do your own research to find effective ways to treat each of the ailments that sometimes come with gardening. Here are some simple ideas:

  • Sore muscles—All-purpose Salve (here).
  • Occasional skin irritations—Lavender oil is a must have and can be used to soothe dry occasional skin irritations. You can also use Peppermint oil for its “cooling” properties. You can make either a compress by adding 3-5 drops of Lavender oil to cool water and soaking a washcloth in the mixture and applying it to the sunburned area for 3 minutes. You can also mix 25 drops Lavender oil in a 1 ounce Spritzer bottle, fill with purified water or aloe vera juice, shake and spritz over the areas of need.
  • Respiratory Support and Clear Breathing—Add a drop or two of a respiratory blend of oil to a cotton ball and inhale as needed. Peppermint works well too! 
  • Seasonal distress from pollen—Mix 3 drops each of Lavender and Lemon and 3-5 drops Peppermint in a carrier oil and rub it into your palms, then inhale deeply for several seconds.

Using essential oils in your garden does so much to increase the positive rewards of gardening. Your plants will be healthier, your garden are will be wondrously fragrant and be home to busy bees and singing birds, and you will reap the reward of knowing you have contributed greatly to the continuing health and wellness of your family.

You can purchase essential oils directly from me by going here. 

Essentials Oils in the Garden

Sources

  1. https://essentialthree.com/blog/?p=595
  2. https://www.theseedsupply.com/using-essential-oils-in-the-garden/
  3. https://www.naturallivingideas.com/9-clever-ways-use-essential-oils-garden/
  4. https://simply-living-simply.com/gardening-essential-oils/

 

Homemade Echinacea Tea

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Soon after we moved onto our farm and began investigating all the bountiful plants and vegetables already growing there I started observing how the cycle of life evolves in both our plants and insects’ lives. I already know one big secret—our honey bees are really attracted to our Echinacea plants, more so probably than to any other plant in our gardens. Now I’ll let you in on another little “Ritz farm” secret—I am really attracted to the wonderful homemade Echinacea tea that I can brew from my perennially blooming Echinacea plants! 

Echinacea is one of the best-known herbal remedies, and Echinacea tincture was the first “snake oil” sold by old-time peddlers as a cure-all for everything from cancer to snake bites. There has been such a high demand for the plant, that two of the nine species are now listed on the endangered plant list.

Echinacea is a lovely perennial flower that can brighten up your garden and goes by the alternate name purple coneflower. Although some species may be other colors, purple is most common. Today, more than fifty hybrids have been developed from the nine distinct species.

Let’s look at five important things about this beautiful and beneficial garden plant.

  1. The medicinal benefits of Echinacea
  2. How to grow the Echinacea plant
  3. Harvesting Echinacea
  4. Making Echinacea tincture
  5. Brewing Echinacea tea

1. The medicinal benefits of Echinacea

The benefits of consuming Echinacea (known also as the purple coneflower) have been known for hundred of years, but only studied recently by science. Historically it has been used as a antimicrobial to help fight infections, and to treat snake bites, and relieve pain. Native Americans used it to soothe coughs and sore throats. Some modern science studies have shown it to be effective in shortening or preventing colds, and that it boosts the immune system. Today you can find on WebMD that “Echinacea is also used against many other infections including the flu, urinary tract infections, vaginal yeast infections, genital herpes, bloodstream infections (septicemia), gum disease, tonsillitis, streptococcus infections, syphilis, typhoid, malaria, and diphtheria.” (Here) 

2. How to grow the Echinacea plant

It isn’t difficult to grow and cultivate Echinacea. You can purchase plants from a gardening center, or take cuttings or root divisions from a friend’s garden, or grow it from seeds, which will germinate in ten to twenty days. Hopefully you are interested in preserving these at-risk plants, and will make sure you are getting organically cultivated plants instead of wildcrafted ones.

Echinacea is an herbaceous perennial that tolerates droughts fairly well. The plants grow up to three or four feet tall, and have straight stems that do not branch. A light fertilizing when you plant is all that is needed, and you will rarely need to water well established plants. Weeds will not destroy your plants, but they will compete heavily for soil with Echinacea, so you need to pull out the weeds as they begin to grow around your plants.

The plant takes two years to flower and become large and potent enough to harvest when grown from seed, but may flower the first year if you plant indoors first or have an exceptionally long growing season. Pick a moist, sunny spot with room to grow. Your plants will self-seed and spread where you let it.

3. Harvesting Echinacea

You will have several options for benefiting from the medicinal properties of your plants. Tincturing the fresh plant is highly recommended for getting the most out of the herb. The amazing thing about the echinacea plant is that the entire plant  plant can be dried (roots, stems, leafs, flowers) and used as tea, but you lose some of the benefits by drying. I’ve included some instructions for making Echinacea tincture in the next section. The flowers or leaves should be harvested right after the flowers begin to bloom. Cut each stem right where the first set of leaves is growing. Rinse the flowers, and hang them to dry or lay them flat on a screen. If hanging, tie a paper bag around the flower as the petals will drop. When the leaves and petals are completely dry, store them in a sealed glass jar, and keep them in a cool, dark, and dry location.

You can use your dehydrator if you like, and I’ve even heard of people using their car to dry herbs because, let’s face it, if your car is outside in the summer, it gets to be an oven in there.

4. Making Echinacea tincture

Making a concentrated liquid form of an herb (a tincture) is a great way to take advantage of the health benefits of that herb. Echinacea tincture is easy to make and easy to take. The tincture has a very long shelf life, and is ready to use when needed. Tinctures preserve and concentrate the properties of the herb, making them more effective and longer lasting.

All you will need to make your Echinacea tincture is:

  • A clean glass jar (pint size) and lid
  • A consumable alcohol (80 proof vodka, apple cider vinegar, or food grade vegetable glycerine)
  • Your Echinacea herb (use the root, flower, and leaf)

Be sure you rinse all the dirt off your plant roots, and make sure no bugs are hiding under the petals or leaves. You can find the specific instructions of making your tincture here.  The Wellness Mama website can also recommend three distinct kinds of tinctures (find here):

  • Chamomile Tincture
  • Digestion Tincture
  • Sweet Dreams Tincture

5. Brewing Echinacea tea

Screen Shot 2015-07-21 at 11.27.30 AM

You can use either fresh Echinacea herb parts or dried parts to make Echinacea tea. Echinacea tea is excellent for strengthening the immune system and fighting off infections, colds and flu.

There are many different kinds of Echinacea tea that you can make. They all start with a basic recipe, and then add additional items or essential oils to create healthy and beneficial flavors. I want to share with you my favorite recipe for making Echinacea tea. I’m sure I will be developing new and fresh recipes for Echinacea tea for as long as my wonderful perennial Echinacea plants continue growing. (Believe me, I plan to keep them growing!)

 

Homemade Echinacea Tea: 

Ingredients: 

  1. 1/2 cup Fresh or dried leaves, roots, flower (1/4 cup if using dried)
  2. 8 oz of water 
  3. 1-2 teaspoons of raw honey 

Directions: 

  1. Simmer 8 oz of water in a small pot over medium heat. 
  2. Add the fresh or dried Echinacea
  3. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes. 
  4. Strain tea into a mug and add honey! 

Homemade Echinacea Tea 1

Sources

  1. https://www.offthegridnews.com/alternative-health/growing-and-using-echinacea/
  2. https://homegrownandhealthy.com/grow-your-own-echinacea/
  3. https://wellnessmama.com/25999/echinacea-benefits-uses/
  4. https://loveplantlife.com/2012/02/echinacea-how-to-grow-and-use-this-powerful-antibiotic-and-immune-stimulant/
  5. https://www.terranovanurseries.com/gardeners/echinacea-c-82_22.html

Natural Remedies for Garden Pests

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By now you’ve probably read my first post on gardening: Vegetable Gardening for Beginners. One of the things that can defeat a new gardener faster than anything else (I know it sure would defeat me!) is waging war with all the garden pests that want to take over your veggies and prevent you from ever getting your first good harvest. For that reason I’m adding this second installment on my post about gardening, and calling it Natural Remedies for Garden Pests.

But I’m confessing right up front that I don’t have all the answers (very few of them in fact) about this war on garden pests. So in this post I’m going to give you a list of what many experienced gardeners believe to be the 12 biggest garden pests, and add a round-table blog with each that helps us to see a way that we can be successful in the war against that pest. 

Here are a few natural alternatives to pest control that you will see mentioned in many of these posts: 

  • Diatomaceous Earth – a soft, crumbly, porous sedimentary deposit formed from the fossil remains of diatoms
  • Plant Collars – protects slugs and other pests from getting on the plant
  •  Borax & Sugar – used to kill ants around the base of the plant 
  • Row Covers – protects young plants
  • Natural Dish Washing Liquid – used to make homemade pest spray 
  • Bt Spray – an organic formulation that kills insects and larvae
  • Dipel Dust – used by commercial organic growers to control insects on vegetables. 
  • Japanese Beetle Trap – uses a pheromone and catches the beetles and traps them. 
  • Spinosad – an organic insect spray 
  • Essential Oils (where to buy) – rosemary, melaleuca, peppermint, thyme are just a few essential oils you can use that can help with garden insects. Here’s 9 clever ways to use essential oils on your home garden! 

 

Twelve bothersome garden pests in home gardens

1. Slugs

More than half of all gardeners say that these slimy critters cause trouble year after year. One gardening expert shared results from several other gardeners on dealing with slugs. These experts included several natural ways to eliminate slugs from your garden, including: garden critters like chickens and chipmunks, beer, crushed egg shells, salt water, copper, homemade garden soap, and hand picking. You will find details for each of these slug deterrents here. 

2. Squash Bugs

More than half of gardeners in one survey reported that squash bug had sabatoged summer and winter squash harvests. The Free Range Life gardening blog shares 6 Ways to Control Squash Bugs in Your Garden (see here). These include: hand picking, planting companion plants, attracting beneficial insects, using diatomaceous earth, watching your mulch, and avoiding over-planting your squash. You will find more information on The Free Range Life website.

3. Aphids

These pesky little enemies tried to take over the gardens of half the gardeners in the survey. However several home gardeners responded with effective warfare methods, which included: pruning, applying insecticidal soap, attracting beneficial insects, and planting companion plants. Home gardener at Gardening Know How (find here) gives detailed information for how to get rid of aphids naturally.

4. Imported cabbageworms

Experienced gardeners recommend that if you see these little white butterflies in your garden, you need to take action to protect your plants before these cabbageworm moths lay eggs. There are several ways to control them naturally, including attracting paper wasps and yellow jackets. Other gardeners recommend biological pesticides, but report that companion planting, and garlic-pepper sprays had disappointing failure rates. One experienced gardener (find here), shared 8 natural ways to get rid of nasty cabbage moths.

5. Squash vine borers

These vine borers caused trouble for nearly half of the gardeners surveyed. Most gardeners recommended that the best control methods were crop rotation and growing resistant squash varieties. The Toxic Free NC website (find here) gives wonderful recommendations for dealing with these garden enemies.

6. Japanese beetles

Although Japanese beetles are not a big problem in extremely hot or cold climates, they came in number 6 with most gardeners. There are several effective ways to get rid of these garden pests, including: handpicking, and companion plants, but things like garlic-pepper spray and row covers had high failure rates. Many home gardeners enlist the help of guinea fowl and ducks, as well as springtime bug-eating birds. The experienced gardener at Veggie Gardener.com shares several natural ways to control these garden enemies (find here). 

7. Tomato hornworms

42 percent of gardeners surveyed battled infestations f tomato hornworms. Many gardeners preferred handpicking because these pests are large and easy to spot. Gardeners also recommended using the help of wasps and companion plants for reducing their hornworm problems. The Veggie Gardener.com knows these nuisance caterpillars can destroy a plant in no time—they are eating machines. This website gives several tips for finding and eliminating these pests in each stage of their life (find here).

8. Cutworms

Although many gardeners reported problems with cutworms, most recommended the common practice of using rigid collars to protect their young seedlings. One gardener with ten years experience said that it wasn’t until he became a Montana homesteader that he ever came across this garden pest. However he learned that cutworms can quickly decimate your garden. Read the research and tips he discovered for dealing with these enemies of your garden (find here). 

9. Grasshoppers

Grasshoppers have been a big concern to gardeners since biblical times. Many gardeners expressed that they felt the problem was getting worse with grasshoppers. Some experienced gardeners mentioned two interesting setups using chickens: a chicken moat around the fenced garden perimeter, and a series of three small fenced garden with gates into the chicken yard for easy rotation of pecking services. You can find directions for how to construct a chicken moat for effective garden pest control here.

10. Cucumber beetles

The danger with these pests is the fact that they transmit deadly bacterial wilt to cucumbers and melons. Some effective treatments mentioned included handpicking, good garden cleanup of plant debris, and row covers. Others found success with companion planting and yellow sticky traps. The Gardening Knowhow.com website will provide you with very thorough information for identifying and controlling cucumber beetles in your garden (find here). 

11. Corn earworms

These were listed as serious pests by many of the gardeners surveyed, and a variety of methods for eliminating them included: using instruments to add oil to the ears of corn, choosing resistant corn varieties, and popping off the end of the ear. Planet Natural.com gives a great description of these garden pests, discusses the damage they do to the ears of corn, and describes several natural ways for getting control of corn earworms (find here). 

12. Whitefly problems

Whitefly-plagued gardeners used exclamation points to emphasize their frustration with these tiny sucking pests. Many gardeners found insecticidal soap effective, including homemade insecticidal soaps. These common insects have developed resistance to many synthetic pesticides, but there are proven organic techniques for eliminating them, including yellow sticky traps, the Bug Blaster, natural predators, and organic or homemade pesticides and insecticidal soaps. You can find lots of information here. 

Now that you’ve read through this list of 12 dangerous garden pests, you are probably hoping—just like I am—that none, or at least only one or two, of these garden pests find their way into your garden. But just remember…you may lose a battle or two with some of these garden pests, but if you arm yourself with this information and have ready the weapons you will need to get rid of these enemies, you can win the war and reap a wonderful harvest from your garden. Let’s go get busy driving off these pests!

Natural Remedies for Garden Pests The Paleo Mama

Sources

  1. https://www.motherearthnews.com/organic-gardening/pest-control/organic-pest-control-zm0z11zsto.aspx
  2. See links above for individual pest information.

 

Essential Oils On a Farm

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One of the statements I can remember my mother saying whenever she counseled with someone about a problem in a marriage relationship was: “You have to always remember that you bought the farm!” So what does that mean? It means that in relationships, just as in farming there are cute, cuddly animals and bountiful harvests; there are also weeds, predators after your chickens, fleas and ticks on your barnyard animals (and sometimes your kids), and lots of manure to deal with. However, I’m coming to realize that essential oils can be used for so many things and so in this post I’m going to share with you how to use essential oils on a farm. 

I know that truth a lot better today after just a few short years of homesteading, than I knew it in my head before I experienced it…homesteading is NOT easy, nor is it glorious. I want this post to help us find ways that we can deal with some of the more negative factors in homesteading through the use of essential oils.

Yes, that’s right, you can use essential oils on your livestock and in the care and management of your farm. But you don’t just start using essential oils indiscriminately wherever and however you choose. Just as you want only to better the health of your family members with your essential oils, so too that’s your goal with your animal family, and it takes a bit of forethought and knowledge to get it right.

If you are interested in my trusted brand and how to get started using essential oils, then CLICK HERE! 

I want to concentrate in this post on using essential oils on animals. There are many other uses for essential oils in farming, but we’ll start with our animal family in this blog. Let’s consider briefly the use of oils with:

  • Flies, Fleas and Ticks
  • Cats and Dogs
  • Chickens
  • Goats
  • Dairy cattle
  • Pigs

Flies, fleas and Ticks

OK, I know we are not choosing to raise flies, fleas and ticks, but every barnyard animal will have to do battle with these pests. Flies are a major health concern all across the globe. The common housefly is a serious threat to people and animals alike because of the many infectious diseases they carry. Fleas and ticks like blood of any flavor—human, animal, or poultry.

Researchers in India did studies testing essential oil usage for dealing with flies. They discovered that peppermint oil successfully repelled larvae and egg laying, with ginger oil, cinnamon oil, and gooseberry oil also giving respectable assistance. (Source) You can find a Homemade Fly Spray Recipe using essential oils here. 

Finding a nontoxic insect repellent to use on your barnyard animals is not easy. Chemicals like prallethrin and piperonyl butoxide are often used in livestock sprays, as well as the proven toxic chemical, deet. These chemicals accumulate in the liver and put our animals at risk. However, researchers seeking organic and naturally healthier ways to get rid of insects and have developed nontoxic sprays using essential oils. You can find four of these natural livestock spray recipes here. 

Cats and Dogs

cats

There is a wealth of helpful research available online to help you find nontoxic, natural solutions for the health problems experienced by your household pets. It is important to remember that the essential oils blends and aromatherapy that humans can enjoy and handle might not produce the same reaction in our pets. Some oils can be quite dangerous. If used correctly, however, essential oils contain a host of biologically active and powerful compounds and are an indispensable part of integrative medical care. (Source)  You will need to research carefully to learn how to successfully use essential oils on your pets. 

There are cautions and principles for safe use you will need to be aware of. Do your research before trying anything. One veterinary who uses aromatherapy in the treatment of his animal patients has recommended the following essential oils that are safe for use. You need to see his recommendations for use and to know what they are used for here.  The oils he considers safe for use are:

  • Lavender
  • Cardamom
  • Fennel
  • Helichrysum
  • Frankincense
  • Spearmint

Once you are familiar with the essential oils safe for your pets, you can begin to develop essential oil remedies. You can find several suggestions for sprays, shampoo, flea collars, ear problems, paw pad care, skin irritations, doggie smell deodorizer, and calming mists here.  

Chickens

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To be successful using essential oils on chickens you must first understand that chickens breathe differently than mammals. They do not have a diaphragm, and use the rib cage and breast bone to move the air in and out of the body. Their lung rely on air sacs to distributed oxygen to their bodies. As a result, chickens breathe in higher concentrations of oxygen and whatever else in is the air. (Source) 

A buildup of fumes from chicken droppings, spilled water and cleaning products irritates their breathing system and leads to illness. So using a coop cleaner made with natural products will clean the coop without irritating the chicken’s respiratory system.

Lemon essential oil and other citrus fruits have natural cleaning and disinfecting capabilities. You can easily make a homemade coop cleaner that is easy on your nose and easy on the chicken’s respiratory tract. Use the recipe you will here for cleaning out the old shavings and coop bedding, and to spray down the coop. 

You can also make a salve ointment with essential oils for chicken care. You will find one recipe using lavender and frankincense essential oils here.  Coconut oil is also a great carrier oil to use for homemade chicken ointment.

Heavily diluted oregano essential oil is used by many chicken owners for many uses. Using essential oils for chicken care is a wonderful natural approach. Just make sure you do your own research so you are comfortable with the choice that is right for you to use.

You can also find a recipe for Natural Garlic Juice Spray  here. 

We like to add a few cloves of garlic to our chickens waterer. The garlic infuses the water and provides a good immune support every time they take a drink of water. 

Goats

One essential oil that has proven success in improving health issues in goats is lavender oil. It has traditionally been used for everything from respiratory problems, to skin health, and even as a natural aid during labor. Emotional issues in goats can also be alleviated with the help of lavender oil. (Source) 

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If a goat is being kept in a stall due to illness, you can put drops of oil around the stall to help eliminate some of the animal’s stress. Some goat farmers will also add a few drops to a vaporizer or diffuser to alleviate respiratory issues. Lavender oil can be very hard on the liver and kidneys of animals, so avoid internal use. You can research all aspects of raising goats here. 

Dairy cattle

Essential oils with dairy cattle is now being considered as a way to improve or alter rumen fermentation (the cow’s first stomach) in order to reduce methane gas production. If you are interested in learning more about using essential oils with dairy cattle, one resource lists the essentials oil that may be helpful along with their properties, and possible uses. (Here)

Essential oils can benefit cattle during summer months with heat stress and pesky insects. Flies, fleas, and lice irritate cattle. Strongly scented essential oils like rosemary, cedar, lavender, and eucalyptus naturally repel pests and lessen the stress on the herd. Cinnamon oil, known as a “hot oil,” and along with garlic oil, clove oil, and oregano oil can help to reduce fermented protein in the rumen. Garlic oil can help to relieve digestive upset and the production of methane gases. You can find specific instructions for their use here. 

Pigs

One non-conventional use of essential oils with pigs is in animal feed. Some time ago Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus (PEDv) was spreading rapidly throughout pig farms and causing a drastic impact on pork supply and prices at the meat counter. To combat this epidemic, many pig farmers began using a pig-feed ingredient that contained essential oils, oregano, and chili powder along with other all-natural organic ingredients. There has been a big boost in immunity to PEDv as a result. Essential oils are known for their aromatic effect, and the combination of essential oils, oregano, and chili powder have made pig barns at feeding time smell like and Italian pizzeria. (Source) 

It’s so encouraging to Frank and I as newbies in the business of raising farm animals to find that more and more farms are putting essential oils into practice. A number of companies are even selling plant extracts as feed additives, but very few big companies are willing to readily offer that information. Essential oils are truly a secret weapon, an unsung hero being used successfully, but not quite openly. Our farm plans to continue openly trying to find more and more uses for these powerhouse essential oils in our farmyard.

If you are interested in my trusted brand and how to get started using essential oils, then CLICK HERE! 

Essential Oils Around Your Farm

Sources

  1. https://www.theprairiehomestead.com/2014/07/essential-oils-livestock.html
  2. https://www.hobbyfarms.com/crafts-and-nature/4-diy-bug-repellents-for-you-and-your-animals.aspx
  3. https://www.optimumchoices.com/animals_essential_oils.htm

 

Ylang Ylang Essential Oil

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Ylang Ylang Essential Oil

Ylang Ylang essential oil is derived from the star-shaped flowers of the tropical Ylang Ylang tree and is used extensively in making perfumes and in aromatherapy. Similar to Jasmine, Ylang Ylang is considered an aphrodisiac and has been used for centuries in religious and wedding ceremonies. The essential oil of ylang-ylang is extracted by steam distillation of fresh flowers of the ylang-ylang tree.

The primary chemical components of Ylang Ylang essential oil are: germacrene, caryophyllene, linalool, and sesquiterpenes.  Along with its widespread use in perfumes and aromatherapy treatments due to its very pleasing and delicate fragrance, ylang-ylang essential oil is also used for a variety of purposes.

What are the benefits of Ylang Ylang Essential Oil?

Some of the primary benefits of Ylang Ylang essential oil are:

  • It reduces sad and anxious feelings and relaxes both the body and soul, thereby driving away tension, sadness, and tension. It also has an uplifting effect on mood and induces feelings of joy and hope.
  • It cleanses the skin, protecting it from environmental threats and supporting the immune system. 
  • Helps to balance hormones. 
  • It can be used effectively to treat mild acne.

What are Ylang Ylang’s cautions?

Some cases of sensitivity, nausea and headache have been observed when taken in excessive amounts. Otherwise, when taken in recommended doses, it is non-toxic and is not reported to cause any irritation.

Top Uses for Ylang Ylang Essential Oil

  1. Ylang Ylang can be used as a healthy skin toner. The antioxidants in it will help to protect your skin from the onset of the signs of wrinkles. Mix a cup of chamomile tea with 5 drops of Ylang Ylang essential oil, allow it to cool, and use it as you would any other skin toner.
  2. Using Ylang Ylang essential oil as a hair treatment will promote the growth and health of your hair.  You can either add 2-3 drops of the oil to your regular shampoo, or you can massage a mixture with 2-3 drops of Ylang Ylang essential oil with about a tablespoon of coconut oil into your hair and scalp, leave it in for 20 minutes and then, wash out with warm water and a mild shampoo.
  3. It can be used to make a homemade exfoliating body scrub. Add 5-6 drops of Ylang Ylang, and 5-6 drops of Clary Sage oils to a mixture of ¼ cup sea salt and 2 tablespoons or raw honey. Mix well with a spatula, and store in a glass jar. Use this as a part of your bathing routine.
  4. It can have a very calming effect when you are tense, stressed or faced with negative circumstances. Mix 2-3 drops in a carrier oil and massage into the shoulders or back, and apply to the feet. Add 3-4 drops to your diffuser and diffuse it aromatically to promote peace.
  5. It can be used to calm down children and promotes digestive support in a kids. Dilute 1 drop in a teaspoon of coconut oil and massage into the baby’s feet. You can also diffuse 2-3 drops in the baby’s room throughout the day and night.
  6. It can help your body balance hormones. Make a rollerball by filling it ¾ full with fractionated coconut oil and then adding 3-4 drops of Ylang Ylang. Use this to apply topically to your lower abdomen every day.
  7. It is a great oil to use to encourage relaxation even when you are working and or busy. Add 3-4 drops to your diffuse and diffuse throughout the room. You can also apply a drop before bed or add a drop to your shirt collar to promote relaxation.
  8. It is very effective at relieving tension. Massage a single drop into the muscle area of tension; this will give you both the topical and aromatic benefits of Ylang Ylang essential oil.

Where to  purchase Ylang Ylang essential oil

Home-made Ylang Ylang Essential Oil Recipe

Essential oils are a wonderful gift and so beneficial to all of us—including our kids. I regularly use essential oils with my children, and they love them. Their nightly ritual includes a relaxing bath, followed by rubbing essential oils on their feet before bed. Ylang, Ylang is one of the gentler essential oils that are perfect for using with your children. Read my blog on Kids and Essential Oils for general guidelines for use and information on what oils blend well for specific purposes.

Ylang Ylang and Emotions

Ylang Ylang is the oil of the inner child. It is a powerful remedy for the heart. It encourages play and restores a childlike nature and innocence. Ylang Ylang is also a powerful remedy for releasing emotional trauma from the past. It allows emotional healing to flow naturally, nurturing the heart through the process. (source) 

Companion Oils: Tangerine, Wild Orange, Geranium, Rose

So tell me?! How do you like to use Ylang Ylang essential oil?

Ylang Ylang Essential Oil