DIY Garlic Tincture

So flu season is just around the corner and anyone that knows me knows that I like preventive. Why? Well..I don't like the idea of antibiotics, etc. So for me, the best thing to do is keep healthy so I (or my family) never get to that point. Elixirs, tinctures and homeopathics is something that I have become very interested in! I can't wait to share with you one of my favorite preventative measures-garlic.

Why garlic? Garlic has a crap ton of antiviral//antibacterial properties. Some even call it "natures penicillin"! When made into a tincture it can be used orally (without the risk of stinky breath) and topically. For topical uses garlic has been known to treat athletes feet, fungal infections and tons of other things.

(as I'm typing this the garlic smell is radiating from my hands, ha!)

You will need the following:

-Garlic (like 2 bulbs...thankfully I have been getting tons in my veggie coop pick-up)

-Vodka

-A mason jar or sealable glass container

-A tincture (with dropper top)

The directions are pretty simple..

To extract the medicinal properties of the garlic place the chopped garlic in a glass jar. Put twice the amount of vodka as garlic into the jar. For example, if you used 1 cup of garlic put in 2 cups of vodka.

Screw the lid on the jar tightly and shake it. Allow the garlic tincture to rest in the jar for 2 weeks. Shake the tincture daily. It's helpful to label the jar, "garlic tincture" and add the date of preparation, so you know when the 2 weeks has passed.

Quick post-wipes recipe.

I have had a few people asking about the wipes solution that I make, so here it is:

1 tbsp of Dr. Bronners
4 drops of tea tree oil
3 drops of lavendar oil
2 drops of vitamin e
4 cups of warm water

**I use this for my at home wipes. I dip my wipes and put them in a wipes warmer. You really don't want to do too many...You don't want them in your warmer for more than 3 days, if longer they get a musty smell. I put the remaining mixture in a small spray bottle.

-Xoxo

Your baby wears a necklace?

Well...sorta. It's definitely not for fashion (although she does look pretty cute). Her necklace is actually for teething. No, she doesn't chew on it and no she can't choke (I get asked that a lot). It's actually a necklace made of Amber. 

Amber is derived from trees it's considered "fossil resin" that is a "living stone." It's a wonderful, natural and safe remedy for teething babies. The stone actually contains natural succinic acids that prevents the pain and discomfort that would often have parents reaching for over the counter drugs. 

"In order for Baltic amber to perform its analgesic function, amber teething jewelry should be worn comfortably and safely against the child’s skin. When the skin warms the amber, it begins to exude its healing properties providing not only pain relief but a calming effect." -Amber Artisians

We purchased the necklace at the first signs of teething (drooling). Ella was drooling everywhere and seemed a little uncomfortable. After we put on the necklace her drooling stopped, she was sleeping better and seems more comfortable. So...your baby doesn't have to be uncomfortable and irritable!

This is the shop that I purchased Ella's necklace from. They were great!