natural remedies Archives - Homesteader DepotHomesteader Depot

11 Simple Natural Allergy Remedies

Are you haunted by your seasonal allergies? Even if your “seasonal” allergies pop up all year ‘round, there are plenty of remedies that you can use. Some of them, like number 11, go beyond the chemical-filled pills and tablets and into the all-natural realm. Yes, you can help keep your allergies at bay without subjecting yourself to chemicals. Here’s how. 1) Drink Tea There are certain types of teas that can alleviate your allergies. They include those that contain a mix of peppermint (which can clear up the sinuses), ginger (likewise), and nettle. However, if your outdoor allergies extend to […]

8 Extremely Natural Ways to Treat a Rash

Rashes can be at the least, inconvenient, and at the worst incredibly painful. There is any number of reasons a rash may appear. Allergies, toxic plants, and illnesses are the main categories, but within those, especially allergies, it can sometimes be impossible to figure out why the rash is happening. Please note, if a rash progresses rapidly, appear for no external reason, or it accompanied by other symptoms like sinus or chest congestion or trouble breathing this may be a sign of a severe allergy. In these cases, you should seek medical treatment and work with your doctor to […]

5 Wonderfully Natural Remedies to Fight Dry Skin

Dry skin can be extremely uncomfortable to those who suffer from it chronically. From cold weather to medications that bring about this most inconvenient side effect, it can sometimes feel daunting while trying to find a solution and get relief. Fortunately, there are some natural remedies that may be the answer you’ve been looking for. Avocados This wonderful fruit (yep, it’s in the pear family) is packed with Vitamin E plus Omega-3 fatty acids. It’s a very popular ingredient for people who suffer from chronic dry skin. How to Use Avocados Cut the avocado in half and scoop […]

Identifying and Understanding Poison Ivy

The bane of every campers’ weekend getaway, poison ivy, interestingly enough is not actually in the ivy family. It’s a relative of the almond family. Who knew? Most of the time, you only have to worry about avoiding it when you are in the great outdoors and away from urban areas. However, occasionally it will pop up in your yard. If this happens, you’ll want to make sure you wear protective clothing and accessories like gloves and even a mask to avoid the worst itching you can ever imagine. Also, you’ll want to be very cautious about how you dispose […]

8 Amazing Uses for Tea Tree Oil

Contrary to its name, tea tree oil is not remotely related to the tea plant. It is actually native to and only grown in Australia. Which is probably why its benefits have gone largely unspoken of until recently. It is important to note that tea tree oil is very toxic if swallowed. However, it can be used topically, and its ability to disinfect naturally makes it a viable alternative to harsher synthetic products. Antiseptic and Antifungal One of the most popular uses of tea tree oil is as an antiseptic and antifungal treatment. Its antibacterial properties make it […]

How to Use Apple Cider Vinegar for Beautiful Skin(Infographic)

Apple cider vinegar is probably one of my favorite substances on the planet. It is so versatile and beneficial, and every time I’ve used it for some kind of natural remedy, it works amazingly well. I’m also among the small percent of the population who also enjoys the taste of it (well, in moderation…) While I could go on and on about the benefits of apple cider vinegar, I thought I would instead share this great infographic. You see, among all the amazing benefits of apple cider vinegar is its many options for naturally improving your skin and complexion. From […]

Natural Remedies for Ear Infection (Infographic)

When springtime comes it brings many wonderful benefits, but one of the downsides of this season is it’s cold and flu season. And with colds and flus can unfortunately also come the dreaded ear infection. Small children are particularly vulnerable to ear infections, and most doctors will opt immediately for antibiotics. In many cases, this is definitely the best option, but it’s always worth it to try some natural remedies first. Antibiotics can wreak havoc on small children’s digestive system and immune system, so while they can be life-saving in many cases, it’s best to use them as a last […]

The Amazing Moringa Plant

The moringa plant is an amazing superfood, often called “the miracle tree”. It is insanely nutritious, and contains a high amount of calcium, which can be otherwise hard to grow, but is an essential nutrient. Alone, the leaves of the moringa tree are like an all-purpose multivitamin, making it a great choice for survival-minded homesteaders or anyone wanting to get more vitamins in their diet naturally. The moringa has been used for centuries as an all-purpose source of food and medicine. Its small leaves are both edible and highly nutritious, and it’s seed pods are edible as well. It is most commonly […]

How to Use Activated Charcoal

I’ve mentioned activated charcoal a few times on this site as a great natural first aid product to have on hand, which it definitely is. It’s probably on my top 5 list of things to have in a natural medicine cabinet, because it can be used in a number of different ways, and is great for homesteaders. Activated charcoal has been used for centuries due to its ability to absorb toxins and impurities. In many emergency rooms, poison victims may be treated using a large dose of activated charcoal, which can absorb the toxin to be passed naturally through the […]

Essential Oils for Natural Health (Infographic)

I recently shared some recommendations for the best essential oils to start your collection. I found this infographic on Pinterest the other day though and I thought it was an excellent cheat sheet for natural remedies for common maladies and health issues. Some of these remedies use the foundational essential oils I had on this list, while others call for more obscure essential oils. This should give you an idea of just how many uses for essential oils there are, and maybe some of the less common essential oils you might want to consider investing in. If you have a […]

The Best Essential Oils to Start a Collection

There’s a lot of hype about essential oils out there, and it really is for good reason. Essential oils are a wonderful addition to any natural medicine cabinet. But it can be overwhelming trying to get yourself set up with some essential oils, and you can easily get sucked into some of the network marketing companies that sell essential oils for a very high price. or a bundle of several oils at once. You can easily spend up to a few hundred dollars on small bottles of oil that you won’t even use! There are literally dozens of types of […]

7 Brilliant Uses for Table Salt…Other Than Flavoring Food

Regular old table salt actually has a whole lot more uses than simply flavoring food. Even if you’ve gotten into healthier salts like Himalayan pink salt, you should still be buying regular table salt for the many household applications it has. Salt lasts virtually forever and can be used medicinally, for cleaning, even for the care of animals and in the garden. It should definitely always be a staple in your home, like baking soda or vinegar. Here are just a few of the many things you can use salt for: Soothe bug bites You can use salt to reduce […]

How to Use Bentonite Clay

If you don’t already have bentonite clay stashed away in your natural medicine cabinet, you should. Bentonite clay, which is a sedimentary clay made up of weathered and aged volcanic ash, is an amazing natural health tool with a wide variety of uses around the homestead. It’s strong electromagnetic pull naturally draws out toxins, heavy metals, and impurities and can be used both topically and internally. Here are just a few of the ways you can use bentonite clay for your natural medicine chest Toothpaste Bentonite clay can be used as a base for natural, homemade toothpaste, including this tooth powder recipe. Deodorant […]

5 Ways to Use Vinegar for Your Chickens

Vinegar has so many uses around the home in general, it should be no surprise to you that there are a lot of ways to use it around your chicken coop! Both distilled white vinegar and apple cider vinegar are wonderful to keep your chicken coop clean, your chickens healthy, and keep you happy! Here are a few of the many ways you can use vinegar for your chickens: 1. Added to water Chickens are subject to parasites and digestive issues as much as any other creature, and adding a bit of vinegar to their water can help keep them healthy […]

Herbs for Hens

There are so many great medicinal herbs out there, and humans don’t have to be the only ones who benefit. Your hens can greatly benefit from herbs as well! One of the big reasons commercial eggs are so unappealing these days is that the chickens that produce them are usually pumped full of antibiotics, as they typically live in close quarters, to protect them from illness and disease. This of course means there are antibiotics in the eggs, and it’s far from healthy to consume antibiotics you don’t actually need. It messes with your immune system and gut flora, which is […]

Food for Healing (Inforgraphics)

I am a huge fan of using food for natural remedies and anything DIY. Not only does it save a bunch of money to use natural remedies made with food, but it’s most often much healthier and with more readily available healing properties than the over-the-counter alternative. I’m often recommending food items for DIY natural remedies, as you’ll know if you follow this blog regularly, and in my personal research I’ve often found Indian bloggers and vloggers are well-versed in using food, herbs, and other plants for natural remedies and beauty treatments. I recently came across this great set of […]

DIY Calamine Lotion

If you’ve ever had poison ivy, poison oak, hives, or any other kind of severe skin irritation that causes itching, you’ll know just how soothing calamine lotion can be. I always thought it was something specific, but it turns out the ingredients will probably be pretty familiar to you if you have a basic natural first aid arsenal. Even if you’ve never made your own home remedy, this is still an easy remedy with simple ingredients that aren’t too hard to find if you know where to look. Kaolin or bentonite clay are normally available at a health food store, […]

Natural Antibiotics That Are Better Than a Perscription

This time of year there are all kinds of bugs in the air, and you’re bound to get sick sooner or later. A lot of people will rush right to the doctor to get antibiotics if they suspect an infection, and antibiotics certainly are amazing miracles of modern medicine. But they can also be harmful to your immune system and will wreak havoc on your gut bacteria, which are necessary for a healthy body. Rather than resort to antibiotics right away, why not try some natural antibiotics first? These are some great options for natural remedies of all kind, and […]

Building a Natural First Aid Kit

On the homestead, one is subject to bumps, bruises, rashes, and other maladies and injuries. It’s very important to have a well-stocked first aid kit. But what about the homesteader who wants more natural, holistic options for home remedies, rather than simply OTC medicine that might be expensive and hard to stock up on for people who live in the country? Here is a simple list on how to get started restocking your first aid kit. There are so many wonderful DIY natural remedies available these days (thank you, Pinterest!) it can be almost overwhelming to know which natural remedies […]

Don’t Be Without These Homemade Cough Drops

I never tire of homemade cold remedies. I got a pretty bad cold this week and really wished I had made some of these delicious homemade cough drops. A nasty cold is particularly awful to have during cold winter months. I will definitely be making more of these to have on hand the next time a cold hits. It’s simple, easy, and way better than your average chemical-filled cough drops. Regular store-bought cough drops often have artificial colorings and flavorings in them. They might be able to soothe your cough but they sure won’t help prevent cancer! Try this simple […]