the Imperfectly Happy home

Health & Wellness

Old Fashioned Home Remedies

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Old fashioned home remedies are still great options today! There is a reason these vintage recipes, herbal remedies and ideas have been around a long time…they work! I was raised, primarily, by my grandmothers and I learned so much from them about natural remedies with herbs, teas, soups, tinctures and more. I appreciate that now, more than ever.

25 Old Fashioned Home Remedies

If you have a interest in herbal and natural remedies I highly recommend you check out the Herbal Academy online courses!

Relaxation Tea by the Imperfectly Happy Home
A simple mix of herbs that help the mind and body to relax as you sip.

Immune-Boosting Tea by the Imperfectly Happy Home
This easy to make herbal tea helps you boost your immune system with select herbs.

Hot Toddy Recipe by the Imperfectly Happy Home
This classic recipe has been around for generations. Use hot toddy’s to treat colds and respiratory ailments with a combination of whiskey, hot tea and honey. An additional but optional step is to add a pinch of ground cinnamon or ginger.

Fire Cider Recipe by Foodie with Family
A popular home remedy! A simple DIY herbal tonic said to boost energy, ward off colds, combat flu and even aid digestion.

Pine Tar Salve by The Nerdy Farm Wife
Old fashioned home remedies are not just internal, they are great for the skin too. Here is a pine tar salve to treat skin ailments such as splinters, bug bites and boils. Salve is an old fashioned medical ointment that is natural, healing and quite easy to make.

Anti-Aging Remedies by Healthy Food House
Aloe vera, ginger, lemon juice and egg whites can all be used to lessen the appearance of wrinkles and aging spots. Even if you don’t have either signs of aging, using these mixtures could potentially fight against them becoming a problem.

Bone Broth by Wellness Mama
One of my favorite home remedies is bone broth! This bone broth is an inexpensive way to add nutrients into your diet, soothe a sore throat or fight colds or the flu.

How to Build a Natural Pharmacy at Home by the Imperfectly Happy Home
Old fashioned remedies start by building your own “natural pharmacy” at home. Here are some practical tips to get you started with a homemade cough syrup included.

Peppermint Oil by Living Healthy with Chocolate
Peppermint oil can be used for headaches, treating indigestion, boosting the immune system or even adding flavor to your food! Essential oils are amazing home remedies.

Homemade Bug Spray by The Old Farmers Almanac
This informative article includes a list of dislikes of pesky bugs as well as a great homemade bug spray! Use it for everyday, taking the kids to the park, family bbq’s, camping and more!

Garlic, Honey & Lemon Tea by The Nourishing Gourmet
This tea is an amazing remedy for colds and sore throats and will also boost your immunity system! This combination of ingredients is great because they are all filled with vitamins and nutrients that will combat illness.

Onion Cough Syrup by Wellpreneur
Have a cold or a lingering cough that won’t go away? This old fashioned recipe combines two simple ingredients: Sliced onions and sugar. No cooking required!

Ear Infection Drops by The Butter Half
Ear infections are common in children when they get a cold. Combat ear infections with this homemade dropper made of olive oil, garlic cloves and tea tree oil.

Swimmers Ear Drops by Kasey Trenum
Swimmers ear is quite irritating and painful. This is the perfect remedy for competition or regular swimming.

Ginger Water by Melissa Knorris
Old fashioned remedies for the tummy! Ginger water has been used for years as a way to relieve nausea and vomiting. It also can be used for stomach pain and inflammation.

Elderberry Syrup by 104 Homestead
This old fashioned remedy really got popular again with bloggers in the last few years. It is a great immune booster and they are full of vitamins and minerals.

Grandma’s Hair Mask by Beauty Healther
This article includes two different hair masks. One is made for dry hair made from avocados and egg yolk. The other for moisturizing devitalized hair made from mayo and coconut tea extract.

Clove Tea by Live Strong
Benefits of clove tea includes boosting immunity, fighting infections, inflammation relief and curing sore throats and colds. Teas are fantastic vintage or old fashioned remedies, often passed down for generations.

Homemade Aloe Vera Gel by Gardenista
Aloe vera gel is commonly used to relieve pain from sunburns. This homemade recipe includes a secret ingredient that you may not expect!

Vinegar Scrub by Glow Pink
In our beauty routines, we tend to forget about our feet. This vinegar scrub is used for dry and cracked feet and heels.

Simple Homemade Cough Syrup by Digest Organic
This cough syrup is made up of three ingredients: carrots, honey and ginger. It creates a smooth cough syrup that will quickly remove phlegm from the lungs and throat.

DIY Burn Cream by Nourishing Joy
This homemade salve can be used for everyday burns. Soothing, healing and easy to make.

Oatmeal Bath by Very Well Family
This old fashioned remedy is used to treat eczema and soothing dry skin.

Old Fashioned Remedies for Sore Throats by Readers Digest
16 different ways you can treat a sore throat without medications. If you’re like me, you’ve tried a few of these!

Bug Off Lotion Bars by the Imperfectly Happy Home
Nourish your skin while you keep nasty bugs away, made with simple ingredients and essential oils. This is a must make in your old fashioned remedies recipes!

CBD Oil For Beginners

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CBD oil is a hot topic these days. The one thing that the internet is known for is its love of trends. We love to learn about the latest in fashion, child rearing, and house decoration. We scour blogs, and Youtube and Pinterest to absorb all of the information and incorporate it into our lives. More than we love any trend though, we love health trends. Anything that will help us concentrate, be in less pain and lose weight has our full attention. We are always on the lookout for the next big thing, whether it be a weight loss tea, essential oil or a supplement. With that said, let me introduce you to the next big thing: CBD oil. It is becoming more and more popular and has some health benefits you won’t want to ignore.  Here is your guide to CBD oil for beginners.

cbd oil for beginners

CBD Oil For Beginners

What Is CBD Oil?

When it comes to CBD oil, for beginners, you must become familiar with some new vocabulary. First, CBD stands for cannabidiol oil. This is a substance found in cannabis products along with its more familiar substance, THC. Unlike THC, the chemical properties in CBD products do not produce the high that you are accustomed to associating with cannabis products. That opens the use of CBD products up to people who are otherwise unable to try cannabis because the use of THC isn’t safe for them. CBD products come in many of the same forms we customarily see other cannabis products in, such as a liquid that can be vaped, a liquid that can be used sublingually (under the tongue), creams and lotions, and baked into edible products. This gives you a wide variety of ways to experience CBD for the first time.

Is CBD Oil legal to use?

In the majority of states, CBD use is legal. As always, you want to check the particular rules of your state to determine if the use of CBD s legal for you. The lack of THC, which is the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana means that you don’t get high, making it an easier sell for lawmakers who are concerned about people abusing cannabis. That legality means you can purchase CBD without going through the process of approval for a medical marijuana card if your state has such a program available.

What does CBD Oil Do? Is it a scam?

There is still research being conducted to teach us more about how CBD oil works and what it can do for our long term, but here is the quick and dirty version. In your body, there is a system called the endocannabinoid system that helps to regulate systems in your body that control things like pain, or digestive issues, or anxiety. That system uses cannabinoids to improve function. High stress and illness can deplete those cannabinoid stores, and that is when issues with our bodies can begin. The use of CBD products restores the cannabinoids and seems to offer people relief from those issues. Anyone wanting to use CBD for a specific medical condition should make check with their physician.

What are the effects and health benefits of CBD Oil?

If you’re just learning about CBD oil for beginners, you might not know the wide range of symptoms that CBD can help to relieve. There are many ailments that CBD can cover, some that may surprise you. For instance, CBD is helpful if you suffer from the symptoms of PTSD, anxiety, or depression. It can also help with nausea from cancer treatment. Speaking of nausea, there are many people who use CBD to help with the pain and irritation of many digestive disorders. If you suffer from chronic pain, CBD can help to fight the inflammation that may be at the root of your pain.

What do I do next?

For starters, find out if it is legal in your state (click here for more information on the legalities of CBD per state). If you have a chronic condition that you’d like to try using CBD oil as treatment, you’ll want to consult your physician. Not all doctors are familiar so be prepared to bring in your own research! One of the most important things you should know when it comes to CBD oil for beginners is that you have to be concerned about quality. No two products are alike. Learn how to access the qualities and properties you need in a CBD product and proceed forward. You’re going to do great.

Recommended CBD Oil Products

When in comes to CBD oils and products, not all are created equal. I did a lot of research before deciding on Joy Organics, which I highly recommend.

Free Self-Care Ideas

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Free self-care? Seems pretty basic, but the modern world will tell you that you have to spend a ton of money, go away or at least go to a spa to enjoy the benefits of a little self-care. But I have 7 free and simple ideas for self-care on a budget; and you can start them right now!

I’ve included a few of my favorite quotes on taking care of yourself throughout the article too.

What is self-care?

Self-care is an extremely popular topic right now, as people learn the importance of taking care of themselves in mind, body, and spirit. This is a chance to reduce stress my friends, and we all need that. The first thing you need to know is that “self-care” is very personal and will look different for each person. For many self-care means an expensive trip to the spa or a weekend retreat. But, self-care can be completely free little things that make a big difference. So if you’re on a tight budget or the foo-foo spas aren’t your cup of tea, I have you covered. Here are a few ideas for self-care without spending money.

Free Self-Care Ideas on a Budget

“Time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time.”
– Unknown

Take a Bubble Bath

Most of us have loved bubble baths since our childhood; but we rarely make time for them anymore. But a simple warm bubble bath is practically free and can whisk away your worries for a time. First, make sure the kids and the pets are all busy, or if you can manage it, out of the house. Then draw yourself a bath and add your favorite bubbles for a relaxing time (or as long as the bubble last and the water stays warm). I recommend budgeting for some quality organic bubble bath, if you can. If you don’t have any bubbles, a bit of shampoo will work too. Consider lighting a candle, putting on some relaxing music, or reading a good book (consider a bath tray to hold your books, etc). Another option, if you want to spend a little bit is to add a bath bomb or make your own sugar scrub. If you’re feeling under the weather add some Epsom salts to the bath for a little pick me up.

Take a Walk

Taking a walk is the perfect free self-care; and it is totally free. It might seem a little strange but the mind gets tired of seeing the same scenery all the time the same way you get tired of eating the same thing. Getting a change of scenery, even for as little as 15 minutes can do wonders for your mental fatigue. Taking a walk somewhere new not only gives your brain new stimulus it also gives you the opportunity to get fresh air and, if it’s sunny you’ll get some much-needed vitamin D. All of these will help boost your mood and melt your stress away. I recommend you take that walk in a local park or in the woods, somewhere away from the sounds of the modern world; a walk where you can enjoy the pure nature. Remember, take plenty of water with you, especially in the warmer months.

“When the well’s dry, we know the worth of water.”
– Benjamin Franklin

Pray, Meditate and Try Yoga with a Youtube Video

You don’t have to go on an expensive retreat or spend a ton on a yoga class to get the amazing stress-relieving benefits of prayer, meditation and yoga. These days you can find it completely free on Youtube. That’s right; you don’t even have to leave your house to give it a try! You may have to do a bit of searching to find the video and creator that best fits your needs and desires, but with thousands of videos available it won’t be hard to find a video that vibes.

“An empty lantern provides no light.
Self-care is the fuel that allows your light to shine brightly.”
– Unknown

Invite Your Best Friend Over

When was the last time you sat around the living room with your bestie chatting or contemplating the universe? Brew a pot of coffee, set the tea kettle on or pour a glass of wine, if that’s your thing; enjoy a mug or a glass with your favorite friend. Is your friend not local? How about calling a friend? Set aside some time to give them a call; make sure they have time to chat first. I have found that setting some time aside to catch up with your best friend does amazing things for your heart and mind.

Alternative? If you don’t have a best friend, consider a close family member.

Unplug from Electronics

I love social media but computers, phones, tablets and TV shouldn’t be invading every hour of our day! Even if you can’t step away for hours, for some fresh air; you can step away from the electronics. Turn off your cell phone / tablet, step away from social media, and unplug. You’ll find your stress levels go down and you won’t feel like you’re in such a rush anymore. Plus there won’t be any “keeping up with the Jones’” to do.

Do Some Gardening

Finally, I couldn’t talk about self-care without at least mentioning gardening; a personal favorite! What’s the say? Gardening is cheaper than therapy, and you get tomatoes.  With a garden, you get all the benefits of being outdoors plus so much more. Studies have shown that gardening can decrease depression and anxiety, teach mindfulness, while also boosting your mood! It also gets your body moving in new and interesting ways. Even if your garden is just a few pots in your window sill, taking care of your garden means taking care of yourself.

Make a List

One of the ways I self-care is to write a list of blessings. This helps me to focus on all the good things going on in my life, instead of the stresses. You just need a pen a paper (or use a word program on your computer). I like to play some happy music during this time too. Some will go as far as creating a gratitude journal; something to do if you have this mental exercise rewarding. Spending time and energy on the good things in your life help you regain a positive outlook without costing you anything financially. It is definitely worth the time and energy.

Alternatively you can try writing in a journal. Many find the daily practice of journal writing very therapeutic. There are even FREE journaling apps.

Self-care isn’t selfish! Take time out each day for a little free self-care with these ideas. And don’t be afraid to take time away when your budget and schedule allows for it. And, hey, if your budget allows for a weekend trip to the spa…go for it!

And hey, guys, self-care isn’t just for the ladies!

How do you take care of yourself? Leave your homemade self care ideas in the comments.

Love yourself enough to set boundaries.
Your time and energy are precious.
You get to choose how you use it.
You teach people how to treat you by deciding
what you will and won’t accept.”
– Anna Taylor

Why I Quit DIY Skincare

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If you’ve followed my blog for any amount of time you know I LOVE a good DIY project. But I have to be honest, I gave up DIY Skincare. I know, I know; you’re shocked. But ladies (and gentlemen) it just wasn’t cutting it anymore. And if I’m honest, it never really was giving me the results I wanted.

Look, I’m 47 years old. I was born and raised in Arizona and have lived in states full of sunshine all of my adult life. My skin isn’t perfect. I have tried the coconut oil, the diy wrinkle creams, the essential oils. But I saw little to no improvement. And like you, my time is a rare commodity that I need to use like precious gold. So if a DIY skincare is sucking up my time without results, it gets the heave ho.

I Quit DIY Skincare

I quit DIY Skincare for Beautycounter

So there I am in all my nearing-50 glory, taking a minivan selfie. No filter just good skincare and a 5 minute face of light make-up.

So ya’ll are probably wondering why the heck I am taking the time to write this article. Well I want to share something with you that has worked for me. I am using Beautycounter – WAIT don’t leave before you read what I have to share. Give me that much of your time, I won’t waste it.

Women use a lot of “beauty” products even if they aren’t big make-up wearing ladies. We just soaps, lotions, specialized skincare, sunscreen, deodorant and so much more I can’t list it all. What you may or may not know is that the skin is your largest organ. So what you are putting on your skin really matters – it is going straight into your bloodstream without any filtration.

Your Beauty Products Are Toxic

You should know that the personal-care industry (skincare, lotions, make-up, etc) in the USA is overseen by a small amount of legislation. Our federal government has not enacted a new piece of governing law over this industry since 1938. See Suffering For Beauty

These large corporations are policing themselves and not really taking your health, your daughter’s health, you mom’s / sister’s or any woman’s health seriously. And now that men or more interested in personal grooming, I think it is safe to say the same for them.

I started my search for the right company, that would offer the best quality ingredients, safe ingredients but still give me results. Over and over I heard Beautycounter but I didn’t jump until this year.

1500 Unsafe Ingredients – Never!

Beautycounter has a “never list” of 1500 unsafe products that you’ll never find in any of their products. They are meticulous about screening every ingredient for safety and THAT gave me the confidence to try it for myself and my daughters! You can see The Never List Here. I hate to drop the BIG C word but you should research these chemicals and their link to cancer.

I Started With A Quiz

After my research I started by taking the Beautycounter Skincare Quiz. With that I chose the Rejuvenating Line of Skincare and decided to jump in and get Flawless in Five Make-up set. I couldn’t be happier with my results and I joined as a consultant.

Side By Side Comparison

Here is a side by side comparison, no filters or editing (which is why the tone is a bit off).

diy skincare doesn't work but Beautycounter does!

For My Bargain Shoppers!

I know my readers love a good deal! I guess that is why I am sharing my “little secret” now. Beautycounter is offering a RARE Friends and Family Share the Love Discount now through April 15th. The entire site is 15% off (a few exclusions). This is a wonderful time to try Beautycounter yourself. And they do offer a 60 day money back guarantee! Deal upon deal here folks!

What I am Ordering

I’ll be ordering few essentials like the Cleansing Balm and Toner Pads. I highly recommend the Tint Skin Foundation – I HATED foundation before finding this one.

During this sale I’m ordering another safe lipstick (no lead) for myself and a lip gloss for my daughter.

Learn More About Beautycounter

Essential Oils For Sleep

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Using essential oils for sleep or a sleep aid has been a wonderful, non-medicated way to assist a restful night’s sleep for me. These have been the best essential oils for a good night’s sleep and may help you for occasional insomnia.

essential oils for sleep

Essential Oils For Sleep

As a busy homeschooling mom, who generally wakes up before the sun, getting to sleep isn’t a regular issue for me. But like you, I occasionally suffer with getting to sleep at night, despite how tired I am. I’m sure all of us has dealt with an occasional night of sleeplessness. The best essential oils for sleep offer you a natural way to relax and drift into a peaceful night’s sleep without medication.

These are the oils that I have talked more about with friends and family with sleep issues. Most are good for a variety of things but resting, relaxing and aiding a night of sleep are some of their top uses.

You may or may not be surprised to know that up to 70 million Americans are taking sleeping pills at night? (source). These pills can have a range of side effects such as dizziness, dry mouth and daytime sleepiness (among others); it makes you question if they are worth it. (source). Doing a little research on essential oils for sleep might be worth the time before you or someone you love starts taking a medical sleep aid.

Is there any solution of insomnia without medications?

I am not a medical professional so I cannot advise you on medication. However I can share my experience with using essential oils for sleep. You may find that this aids your sleep enough that you no longer need medical intervention but you should NEVER start or stop medicine without first talking to your doctor.

What is the natural way to sleep better?

What will help you fall asleep and what are the best natural sleep aid when you have insomnia? While I know essential oils for sleeping can be a natural way to combat insomnia you should consider other factors too. Even before you look into buying some essential oils for sleeping you need to make sure you’ve created a healthy sleep environment to improve sleep quality. Remember that healthy sleep habits are very important!

essential oils for sleeping
  • Keep a routine and wake-up and go to sleep at the same time, everyday. This includes weekends.
  • Try not to nap. Now there are times when I nap can be very beneficial but on a regular basis it can actually keep you from having a good night’s sleep. If you must nap regularly try to limit it to 20 minutes.
  • Avoid “screens” 1 – 2 hours before your scheduled bedtime. Bright light is a trigger to the body to wake up and get moving. When you spend your last hours of the day at the computer, tv or on the phone you are sending the wrong signal to your brain. If you MUST be in front of a screen, consider dimming the brightness.
  • Make sure you’re moving during the day. Exercise, like a 30 minute walk, can be very beneficial to a good night’s sleep.
  • Limit caffeine or cut it out completely. Every body is different and it can really disrupt your sleeping patterns.
  • Do not use your bed to work, study, eat, etc. It should be a place or relaxation.
  • Have a mug of Chill Out Tea.
  • Try prayer or meditation before bed as a way to relax.

Do Essential Oils Relieve Stress?

There are studies showing that certain essential oils can be used via aromatherapy to effectively relax the body, aid in sleep, reducing anxiety and relieve stress.

What is the most soothing essential oil?

All of the essential oils for sleep can also be very soothing. I have found that what is most soothing to one person may not be the same for another. People react different to the scents and components in different oils. You may need to try a few to see which is the most relaxing or soothing to you personally.

Which is your favorite essential oil to use for relaxing?

My personal favorite essential oil for relaxing is probably lavender. I love a multi-purpose essential of too; and lavender certainly fits the bill there.

What is the best essential oil for sleep?

It is important to note that studies show that there are benefits to using essential oils for sleep. Of course you’ll have to try them for yourself to see if they benefit you personally. It is also so important to choose a quality essential oil. I recommend reading How to Choose High Quality Essential Oils and Why I Switched Essential Oil Companies. Now onto the list of the best essential oils for sleep!

Remember when diffusing oils to choose an oil diffuser with an automatic shut off!

Lavender
Lavender is probably the most common essential oil and most well known. Many people find its scent very calming and relaxing. I often add it to unscented lotion or a homemade salve to put on right before bed. It is also a great oil to diffuse in the bedroom or make a bedding mist to use right before bed. I prefer Organic Lavender Essential Oil.

Roman Chamomile
As I mentioned before a mug of tea with chamomile can be very soothing before bed because of its sedative effects . In the same way the essential oil Roman Chamomile is extremely effective in helping me relax as well. It can also give you anxiety relief and can lift your mood. I find this oil works best for me in my diffuser. I prefer Roman Chamomile.

Sandalwood
Sandalwood oil can be an wonderful sleep aid. It is a warm earthy essential oil that helps in relaxation and mood. Sandalwood won’t necessarily make you sleepy but can create an environment for rest. Another wonderful diffuser oil. Trust me when I say a little sandalwood essential oil goes a long way! I like both Sandalwood Single and the Sandalwood Blend.

Vetiver
When it comes to essential oils for sleep I believe vetiver essential oil is an unsung hero. You probably haven’t heard much about vetiver in general. vetiver promotes a calming state that can aid in your sleep. This is especially true if you suffer from anger and anxiety. Vetiver oil is said to help to release anger and anxiety. It is a thick oil, so I often will just take in a few deep breaths right from the bottle or put few drops in your hands and do some deep breathing. This is our go-to for times of anxiety that keep us from resting. Read more on the benefits of vetiver. I would recommend Vetiver Oil or the Feminine Aid Blend that includes clary sage.

Ylang Ylang
The essential oil ylang ylang has gained a lot of popularity in the last few years for a reason. This essential oil is both floral and fruity and is said to reduce blood pressure so it should be used cautiously if you are on medication. Ylang ylang’s sedative properties will help relax you into a better state of restfulness. I like this in a carrier oil like sweet almond oil, before bed. I find ylang ylang works fast and it helps me to stay asleep.
Check out both Ylang Ylang Complete or the Calming Blend.

You may also want to consider RMO’s Good Night’s Sleep Collection. and Counting Sheep Roll-On for kids.