Home Remedies from Common Sense Homesteading

12 Home Remedies for Earaches – Fast Ear Pain Relief for Kids and Adults

February 4, 2019 By Laurie Neverman 151 Comments

Waiting patiently will usually get rid of an earache, but they can still make you miserable while you wait. I've put together a list of 12 home remedies for earaches for children and adults to help quickly relieve pain, plus tips for avoiding ear infections in the future.

10 Home Remedies for Congestion – Natural Decongestants That Work

January 26, 2019 By Laurie Neverman 55 Comments

Sinus pain and nasal congestion are common symptoms during cold and flu season. I've gathered together several home remedies for congestion to help relieve your stuffy nose and sinus pressure. I don't like the side effects of over the counter decongestants (they either make me jittery, knock me out or make my head feel like it's going to shrivel up like a raisin), so natural decongestants are my option of choice.

Thieves Vinegar – Immune Booster and Germ Killer

October 6, 2018 By Laurie Neverman 58 Comments

Thieves Vinegar, Four Thieves Vinegar, Vinegar of the Four Thieves or Forthave's Vinegar

No matter what you call it, thieves vinegar has a long history of use. From Scientific American's 1910 reference to “medicated vinegar was invented by four thieves of Marseilles who successfully employed it as a prophylactic during a visitation of pestilence” to a popular essential oil company creating a product line based off of the blend, antimicrobial herbs have a well earned reputation for their usefulness.

Fall is a great time to prep a batch of homemade four thieves vinegar to have on hand for cold and flu season.
[Read more…] about Thieves Vinegar – Immune Booster and Germ Killer

Black Walnut Tincture – How to Make it and Use it Safely

September 6, 2018 By Laurie Neverman 74 Comments

In this post, we'll discuss how to make black walnut tincture, plus uses and benefits and a black walnut parasite cleanse. Black walnut tincture is easy to make, although a quick search will reveal plenty of variations in technique. Some people use only the green hull, some use the whole nuts in the hull. Most use only green nuts, but I've found a couple sources that use black hulls. I prefer to keep it simple and stick with plain vodka, but some mix half vodka and half glycerin, or even vodka, lemon juice and a layer of olive oil on top. (The olive oil and lemon help prevent oxidation, keeping your tincture green instead of brown.)

11 Home Remedies for Sunburn Relief to Get Rid of Sunburn

July 4, 2018 By Laurie Neverman 16 Comments

These home remedies for sunburn will help bring relief from sunburn itch and speed healing from your head to your toes. We have safe options for sunburn on your face, tips for a soothing bath and some of the best options for sunburn relief.

How long does it take for sunburn to heal? That depends on the severity of the burn. For mild sunburn, you should be better in 3-5 days. A moderate burn will likely take a week or more, and severe burns with blisters will likely take two weeks or more.

Remember, sunburns are burns – so always be gentle to sunburned skin. (See note at bottom of post for when to see a doctor for sunburn.) Most of the time home sunburn remedies will take care of your symptoms, but be careful out there.