Why Choose DIY?

In our world now where we can easily buy anything and almost everything is available, there’s something truly special about doing your own thing such as mosquito repellent. Nature offers us everything we need if we know how to cultivate and use its gifts. By making your own spray, you’re not only avoiding the potentially harmful ingredients found in commercial products, but you’re also embracing a more sustainable lifestyle. 

Meet Santolina: Your Mosquito-Repelling Hero

Santolina, often known as cotton lavender, is a commonly found plant that thrives in many gardens. Its beautiful silvery leaf is not only visually appealing but also contains natural oils that repel mosquitos. By maximizing the power of this plant, you may create a mosquito spray that is both very powerful and environmentally friendly.

What You’ll Need

• 75 grams of fresh Santolina chamaecyparissus leaves (or 37.5 grams dried)
• 150 ml of witch hazel
• 150 ml of distilled water
• Essential oils (optional), such as eucalyptus, citronella, or tea tree oil
• A spray bottle

Step-by-Step Guide to Your DIY Mosquito Repellent Spray

1. Start by finely chopping 75 grams of fresh Santolina leaves or crushing 37.5 grams of dried leaves. This will help release the plant’s natural oils, which are key to the spray’s effectiveness.
2. Place the prepared leaves in a jar and cover them with 150 ml of witch hazel. Seal the jar tightly and let it sit for 2-3 weeks. Be sure to shake the jar every few days to help the infusion process along.
3. After the infusion period, strain the liquid through a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth to remove the plant material. What you’re left with is a potent Santolina extract.
4. Mix the strained liquid with 150 ml of distilled water. This dilutes the extract to a skin-safe level while still keeping it effective against mosquitoes.
5. If you’d like to give your spray an extra boost, add 30-60 drops of essential oils. Eucalyptus, citronella, and tea tree oil are all excellent choices for repelling mosquitoes.
6. Transfer your mixture to a spray bottle. Be sure to label it with the contents and the date, so you know when it was made.
7. Shake the bottle well before each use. Spray it on exposed skin, avoiding the face and eyes. Reapply as needed to keep those mosquitoes at bay.

Tips for Success

• Test for Skin Sensitivity: Before using the spray all over, try it on a small area of the skin to make sure you don’t have any sensitivities to the ingredients.
• Storage: Keep your spray in a cool, dark place. It should last for 3-6 months, giving you plenty of time to enjoy your mosquito-free summer!

As the cooler months approach, we have to make sure that we’re staying warm and healthy. But in any case, if you have a cough and cold, a homemade treatment is one of the best solutions. For us gardeners, making our own DIY cough candies is a satisfying way to share our passion for plants and natural living. These homemade natural cough candies are simple to create, packed with herbal goodness, and ideal for relieving a sore throat when you’re feeling under the weather. Let’s look at how to make these candies at home and what health benefits they provide.

Making your own cough candies gives you control over the ingredients and ensures they are free of artificial additives. These homemade sweets are made with herbs and natural sweeteners, providing a calming and effective treatment that is hard to find in store-bought products.

Health Benefits of DIY Cough Candies

1. The herbs in these candies offer natural relief from coughs and sore throats, reducing irritation and inflammation.
2. Fennel seeds aid digestion and reduce cough symptoms while providing a sweet flavor to the candies.
3. These candies contain anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting effects, making them a perfect ingredient in homemade candy.
4. You can sweeten your candies naturally by using jaggery cane sugar, which contains nutrients such as iron, magnesium, and potassium.

How To Make Your Own Cough Relief Candies

Ingredients

• 2 cups water
• 2 cups sugar (we used jaggery cane sugar)
• 1/2 cup cornstarch for coating the drops
• 4 tbsp herbs (fresh or dry)
• 2 tbsp fennel seeds
• 1 tbsp liquorice root

Instructions

1. Add your herbs and spices to a pan, cover with hot water, and let them infuse for about 30 minutes.
2. Strain the herbs and set them aside (you can use them later to make a soothing tea). The infused liquid will be the base for your cough candies.
3. Add the jaggery sugar to the infused liquid. Let it melt completely and bring the mixture to a boil. Allow it to reduce until you have a sticky, syrupy paste. This process may take up to 20 minutes, so keep stirring.
4. Drop a bit of the paste into cold water. If it hardens immediately, it’s ready.
5. Pour the paste over a silicone mould or mat. Let it cool completely before handling.
6. After the candies have cooled, coat them in corn starch to prevent sticking. Store your homemade cough candies in an airtight container in a cool space.
7. Experiment with different herbs and spices like ginger or citrus to create your own unique blend.

Making your own DIY natural cough candies is an excellent way to combine your gardening skills with your interest in remedies that are natural. Not only do these candies ease coughs and sore throats, but they also allow you to benefit from the advantages of herbs that you may already have growing in your yard. So, the next time you feel a tickling in your throat, reach for these handmade cough candies and enjoy nature’s soothing and healing powers.

Over the past few weeks, we have been pretty sick at home and trying to fight cold, sinus, and cough with natural methods. I don’t really like doing vapors so my fiance, Iasmina, (@lajatattoo) and I found this great alternative to relieve the symptoms. It’s called shower steamers.

Not everyone has a bathtub so making these shower steamers is the perfect trick for those people who want to have their own spa aromatherapy in their bathroom and shower. You can get creative and add your favorite oils and herbs but today, I’ll share the exact recipe of how we did it. Also, we usually hang an eucalyptus stem in the shower!

How To Create DIY Shower Steamers

Prepare the following materials and ingredients:

• 1 cup of baking soda
• 1/2 cup of citric acid
• 1/2 cup of cornstarch
• 60 drops of eucalyptus essential oil
• 1/2 teaspoon of spirulina powder
• Dry Lavender flowers
• 1 spray bottle of rubbing alcohol

1. Hang the lavender until dry and separate the flowers
2. In a large bowl, add 1 cup of baking soda, 1/2 cup of citric acid, and 1/2 cup of cornstarch. These ingredients form the base of your shower steamers.
3. Add 60 drops of eucalyptus essential oil to the mixture, stirring thoroughly to ensure even distribution
4. Wear disposable gloves and mix them by hand
5. Add 1/2 teaspoon of spirulina powder and spray with alcohol. This will act as a binding agent, helping all the dry ingredients like baking soda, citric acid, and essential oils stick together. This allows you to mold the mixture into the desired shape and ensures the steamer holds its form during drying
6. Squeeze to check moisture
7. Add the dried lavender to your moulds and top up with your mixtures
8. Gently pat down and let sit for 24 hours depending on the humidity in your home. Once dry, gently remove them from the mold

NOTE: make sure it gets to a pretty moist consistency when you work the mixture.

Using Your Shower Steamers

To use your DIY shower steamers, place one on the shower floor away from the direct stream of water. As the water hits the steamer, it will fizz and release the aromatic essential oils, transforming your shower into a rejuvenating, spa-like experience.

Benefits of DIY Shower Steamers

• Natural Aromatherapy: Essential oils are the key ingredient in shower steamers. They provide a range of benefits, from stress relief to invigoration. Lavender, eucalyptus, and peppermint are popular choices, each offering unique therapeutic properties. Growing your own herbs and flowers to distill these oils can add a personal touch to your steamers.
• Chemical-Free: Store-bought shower steamers may include synthetic perfumes and chemicals. Making your own gives you complete control over what goes into them, resulting in a natural and safe product. This is especially useful for people with sensitive skin or allergies.
• Cost-Effective: DIY shower steamers are surprisingly affordable. The components are affordable and frequently found in your kitchen or yard. With a few simple steps, you can create batches of steamers for a fraction of the price of commercial ones.
• Eco-Friendly: Making your own shower steamers avoids the need for plastic packaging and transportation emissions that come with store-bought items. Using natural materials from your garden reduces your environmental footprint even further.

DIY shower steamers are a simple yet wonderful method to improve your regular shower routine. Making your own allows you to reap the benefits of natural ingredients, personalized smells, and a touch of garden-inspired experience. So, the next time you’re surrounded by your growing plants, remember that a few of those gorgeous herbs and flowers can be used to create a spa-like experience in your own house.

Happy growing!