If you have ever tried to reduce the stale smell off your sheets in winter then you will be interested in finding out how to make your own sweet smelling dryer sheets.

Dryer sheets pick up the body odour when you are using a dryer to dry your weekly washing. The smell disperses out of the exhaust vent and into the air and makes you think of toxic waste.

It is easy to make your own dryer sheets, especially for the winter time when you can’t dry the sheets outside due to bad weather.

I have listed a quick home remedy below to make your own dryer sheets:

You require good Aromatherapy Oils and a dampened cloth. Once you have decided on the aromatherapy oils you are going to use then add ten drops of the oils to the dampened cloth. Place this into the dryer with the clean washing.

Set the drying time but do not over dry the items.

Note: You can use Bergamont, Rose or Tea Tree oil, just to name a few of the aromatherapy oils that are popular.

Tip:
If you find that the sheets or any washing is full of static you can prevent this happening by turning down the temperature or making sure your washing time is shorter.

The bay leaf herbal plant is usually found in Asia, the Mediterranean or other warm climates.

It has been cultivated for thousands of years and was thought the leaves of this plant brought good luck and acted as protection against evil.

The plant has long pointed leaves which are dark green in colour and can be used as ornamental plants. If they were in their home climate the tree can reach up to fifty feet in height.

In the month of may white flowers appear with red-blue berries that also adorn the tree and eventually they turn black.

The bay leaf is a popular ingredient in beauty cosmetics or even a tube of toothpaste or liqueurs.

Here are some of the ailments that the Bay leaf can help with:

1. Gastric ulcers and migraines.
2. Stomach upsets and reducing blood sugar.
3. Less wind and rheumatism.

If you have bruising or a sprain the leaf of the herb can be applied externally to ease any discomfort.
Home Remedies of teas made by most herbal plants can help and Bay Leaves are no exception.

Tea: pour boiling hot water over a cup of crushed bay leaves and leave to steep for eight to ten minutes. Drain and sip slowly.

Cold Sores or Oral Herpes always seem to make an entrance when you have a new boyfriend or if you are going away on holiday. You may have noticed these occasions are all at the wrong times.

Oral herpes or cold sores as it usually referred to can be prevented but you have to be diligent in the way you treat the current cold sore.

Method:

1. Take a cotton bud and apply some medication on to the sore. Do not use that cotton bud again. Throw it away.
2. Every time you dab the medication on the cold sore continue to the throw the cotton buds away to stop the transference of the viral infection.

If you drink a lot of coffee then reduce the amount and drink water with vitamins as a supplement.
There are Herbal Remedies that can be used in the home:

• Garlic can be part of the Home Remedies that you can have available as it is an antibiotic germ killer.
• If the cold sore is really painful then try placing a tea bag on the sore to reduce some of the throbbing.
• Tea Tree oil can be dabbed on a cold sore.

All the above herbal remedies can be kept in the families home remedies cupboard.
Warning: If symptoms persist or the cold sores start to spread then make an appointment to see a doctor.

Mucus accumulates in a person’s body and causes the body to react by coughing to try and get rid of the mucus and other infections. Coughing clears the tight airways in the chest area of the body. One of the coughs which can be productive is the one that produces mucus, whilst the other is a dry cough which is not producing mucus. Both of the coughs cause irritation at any age.

Medicines for coughs can be obtained over the counter although they can ease a cough they cannot cure a cough. However Herbal Remedies can cure a cough as a long term treatment and also they can be more cost effective.

What causes a cough?

• Inflammation in the lungs or smoking.
• Pollen in the summer or a sudden change of weather.
• Dust or an allergy

If you suffer from asthma or a chronic chest complaint, herbal remedies can be of assistance to help in relieving those conditions.

A tip for Home Remedies :

You can make tea by boiling hot water to either sip with ginger or black pepper or use the water to gurgle. This will bring relief for cough and any throat congestion.

Warning: if you are taking a prescribed medication, keep your doctor informed of herbal remedies that you are using.

This herbal plant has a few names but is usually known as Damiana or ‘Old Woman’s Broom’. It can be found in Namibia, Texas and Central America.
This herbal plant is sometimes used in liqueurs, sweets and some confectionary.
What the herb does it helps boost oxygen to a person’s genital area of the body and is used as an aphrodisiac. This herbal remedy is used by women as a tonic and to help with hormonal problems.
Uses of this herbal remedy include stopping a person feeling listless, strengthening the nerves system of a person, reducing anxiety, and helps with a low sex drive.

The herb can be found in tincture form or capsules and take care not to use more than the recommended dosage.

If you want to use this as part of your Home Remedies , then try it as a tea. Pour boiling water over a teaspoonful of dried leaves. Leave to steep and drain. Drink the liquid at least three times a day.
Note: This herb can be used in home remedies as a nerve tonic, anti-depressant and as a laxative.
Warning: do not use if you think you may be pregnant and if taking any prescribed medication keep your doctor informed.

There are so many ways that a person can take Herbal Remedies and each one uses the herbal plant to heal and treat ailments of the mind and body.

It is generally known that we are all different in our requirements. Some people can not take tablets, others detest liquids and some prefer to have a hands-on approach and grow plants in the garden so they can make their own Home Remedies .

Powdered herbs:

Herbs can be dried and ground into a powder. Most herbal plants are sour to the taste buds, but the powder can be added to water.

Fresh herbs:

Tinctures or teas can be made from fresh herbs. However it would take a lot of fresh herbs to match the amount in tablets.

Herbal supplements:

Herbal extracts are made into tablet or capsule form and it is the most convenient way to use herbs and keep an eye on the daily amount taken as required.

Tinctures:

Tinctures or fluids are usually made by taking alcohol and steeping the herbal plants in the liquid. You can take the tincture with water or neat.

Aromatherapy Oils have been used for thousands of years. They are good for treating ailments such as stress. Also, in the home, candles can be used to change the mood of a person or room.

Herbal candles can be a sound investment as they have a long burning time. The herbal plants and their oils contribute to a wonderful scent or aroma and have natural healing powers.

If you choose an aromatherapy oil for its healing powers, the candles of your choice will be the ones that can help with different moods rather than ones selected for their scents or aromas.

Stress:
If you have a stressful job or career, you will decide to choose the candles that take away the stress and envelope you in to a more peaceful frame of mind. You may decide to choose jasmine, rose or sandalwood.

Fatigue:
Sometimes, when there is a general feeling of fatigue, then frankincense is a popular choice of essential oil. Ginger or rose may help.

Tip: Christmas candles displaying ‘Wealth, Happiness and Prosperity’ are an ideal present as a gift at this time of the year.

Warning: Do not leave candles burning if the room is empty.

Herbal Remedies can play a large part in coping with mind and body issues from the ages of twenty up to the forties.

At this time in life there are hormonal issues, menstrual issues and the stress of everyday working careers.

Listed below are ailments that can be aided by herbs used as part of a person’s daily Home Remedies .

Stress: If you are going through some large event or happening; if you are trying to climb the career ladder, buying a home, have a family or are trying to do all these things on a daily basis, this will catch up with you and your mind and body will be in turmoil.

Sleep patterns can be up and down. However there are herbal remedies such as Valerian which is a soothing herb and helps sleep to return to normal.

Passion-flower is another herbal remedy which is good for relaxing a person and reducing anxiety. This herbal plant can be taken in the form of a drink of tea.

Ashwaganda is an Ayurvedic herb that can help to boost the overall capability to cope with upheavals and also helps the body to reduce stress.

Aromatherapy Oils have become popular for treating ailments. This is due to Home Remedies and the need to cut down on costs and have more natural products in the home.

It is easy to forget that whilst the essential oils play a large part in treating ailments they can also be used to unwind and relax of an evening or if you are feeling tired after work.

Aromatherapy oils can be used to improve health and a person’s mood.

Beauty:
The essential oils are mixed with a carrier oil such as almond and applied to the skin. This enables the layers of skin to soak up the liquid smoothing it and leaving it looking healthy.

Health:
If you are feeling tired or have the symptoms of a cold then add a couple of drops of essential oils such as eucalyptus to a handkerchief to let the scents mingle and clear the sinuses.

Pleasure:
Add a couple of drops of essential oils to bath water before you go to bed. Soak in the warm but scented water, unwind and let the aromas do their job by relaxing the mind and body.

Useful aromatherapy oils are:

Bergamot to make you feel uplifted.

Sandalwood for natural sleep.

Orange Blossom for stress.

Warning: do not use undiluted oils on skin

Many of us feel downhearted when the night draws in but for some people their whole life is affected.

Thousands of years ago Hippocrates and years later the Greek physician Areteaus had noted a link between sunlight and depression which caused lethargy in some people.

Nowadays it is called ‘SAD’ or ‘Seasonal affective disorder ‘which can affect a person to the extent that they require medication.

More women than men appear to suffer from this condition which is believed to set off an imbalance of chemicals in the brain.

Sleep patterns are due to a rise and fall of hormones in the body and has eyes sense the dark the body does it job by producing melatonin and sleep follows. If too much melatonin is produced there is a feeling of fatigue and depression can follow.

The months of October and November is the time that the symptoms appear to unfold. These feelings will peak in December and by February as the light nights are starting to show they start to improve.

Some of the symptoms are listed below:

•    Feeling low and moody especially in the mornings

•    Irritable most of the time

•    No concentration

•    Hypersomnia which can often lead to sleeping during the day

•    Craving Chocolate

Herbal Remedies such as St. Johns Wort can be effective as it works on the brain as an antidepressant.