Burns and scrapes are common events in households that spend a lot of time outside or households with a number of children.

In fact, if you cook a lot, you may experience moderate to severe burns on occasion. In these situations, you likely reach for cold water, ice, and some kind of over the counter burn ointment.

If you are trying to find a more natural way to handle the burns than an over the counter ointment, or if you have severe allergies and want to make sure you aren’t making the burn or scrape worse, consider the following herbs that help with burns and scrapes.

Lavender

Lavender can be used in oil, ointment, or lotion form to help soothe burns and scrapes. It does this in several ways. Continue reading →

For most of us, bad breath is a temporary – although inconvenient – problem. Provided that your bad breath is not caused by digestive disorders, periodontal disease, or other medical problems, using herbs and natural means to freshen your breath are effective and safe. Here are some ideas for herbal breath fresheners.

Cardamom

This is an herb – or, more correctly, a spice – that contains cineole, which acts as an antiseptic. Chew a few seeds to make your breath smell spicy and clean your mouth.

Eucalyptus

A derivative of this familiar plant, eucalyptol, is actually used in commercial mouthwashes. It also contains cineole. Continue reading →