Photo Credit: Wojtek Kryczka/iStock DCL

The earliest record of the use of aloe vera goes all the way back to Cleopatra and ancient Egypt. The plant has some pretty potent properties: it kills mold, bacteria, viruses and fungus.

Jessica has collected 40 different uses for this amazing plant. She includes both topical and internal uses. (Please note her recommendations on consulting a doctor before use and also the type of aloe vera to use if you take it orally.) Some of the uses also include short recipes.

Click the 40 Amazing Uses for Aloe Vera! link below to read the entire article.

40 Amazing Uses for Aloe Vera!

abeautifulmess.com

I saw this DIY coffee table and really loved it. It has a nice rustic look. It’s made out of cut-to-size 2×4 boards that you can get cut to size when you buy the wood.

This is a well-organized tutorial. There’s a Supplies and Tools list. The tutorial assumed you’re cutting the 2x4s yourself and gives you 3 different lengths. (But you can also use this as your cut list when you buy the wood).

The tutorial explains how to build each layer of the table, use cross beams and notches for horizontal support, insert the legs, sand and seal the wood.

I also like the alternative build method of cutting all of the boards to one size and assembling the table using wood glue.

Click the Super Neat DIY Wooden Coffee Table link below to see this terrific tutorial.

Super Neat DIY Wooden Coffee Table

NatureHacks.com

Many people experience symptoms of anxiety due to increased stress in their daily lives. Just a few of those symptoms include insomnia, nervousness, and tension headaches.  Insomnia is a particular problem because if an anxious person doesn’t get adequate rest, their anxiety increases.

In this post, NatureHacks discusses 5 herbs that relieve anxiety.

• One herb increases blood flow to the brain and is a natural antidepressant.
• The second herb contains a natural ingredient  that helps you to deal with stressful situations.
• The third herb improves your spirits.  It also works well as a mild tranquilizer.
• The fourth herb is a natural sedative that relieves stress and anxiety.
• The fifth herb improves concentration and memory.

Visit the 5 Herbs that Naturally Relieve Anxiety link below for the complete article.

5 Herbs That Naturally Relieve Anxiety

Claire has developed 3 DIY natural drinks to help you to sleep better.  One of the nice things about all of these natural sleep aids is that they all taste really good.

• The first drink contains a particular fruit that’s rich in melatonin, one of the hormones that controls our sleep cycle.  The second ingredient contains a soothing scent.
• The second drink contains two relaxing herbs that encourage rest and a sense of calm.  One of the herbs has a sedative effect and helps us to relax and sleep.  The second herb has a relaxing scent that promotes drowsiness.
• The third drink combines honey with a drink that contains sleep-inducing tryptophan.

If you have problems sleeping, click the 3 Natural Drink Recipes to Help You Sleep Better link below for some natural sleep solutions.

3 Natural Drink Recipes to Help You Sleep Better

Jan’s son had some health issues and at times would break out in cold sores.  She found a product at a health food store that worked and decided to make an herbal version.

This recipe uses lemon balm. Lemon balm has strong anti-viral properties.  It can also speed up healing time.  Jan explains how to make lemon balm infused oil using two different methods.  She then shares her lip balm recipe which uses the lemon balm infused oil, several other oils, Shea butter, essential oil and more.  The preparation process is really easy.

This balm works not only on cold sores but also as a healing salve for minor scrapes and dry skin.

I like to put lip balm in round tins just like these

Homemade Cold Sore Healing Lip Balm Recipe

Photo Credit: Meemee Kanyarath

One of Owen’s goals for this project was to build a multi-purpose stove that didn’t require a lot of wood or charcoal, and would still retain enough heat for cooking and baking. He and the editors of Mother Earth News came up with this design.

This is a wood-fired, outdoor stove that can be used for baking, grilling, cooking and smoking foods. The versatility is due to interchangeable grill tops and griddle surfaces.The cost to make this stove is approximately $300!

It’s built in part with concrete blocks topped with tile. The interior firebox is 13 inches wide by 28 inches deep by 13-1/2 inches high which accommodates a wide variety of cooking and baking pans.

Owen includes a materials list. However, I couldn’t find a line drawing or detailed build diagrams and instructions. It’s still a great-looking, multi-purpose oven that can serve as inspiration for similar projects. Click on the An All-in-One Outdoor Oven, Stove, Grill and Smoker link to read the article.

An All-in-One DIY Outdoor Oven, Stove, Grill and Smoker

• Clear liquid : Bright weather.
• Crystals at bottom : Thick air, frost in winter.
• Dim liquid with small stars : Thunderstorms.
• Large flakes : Heavy air, overcast sky, snow in winter.
• Threads in upper portion of liquid : Windy weather.
• Small dots : Damp weather, fog.
• Rising flakes which remain high : Wind in the upper air regions.
• Small stars : In winter on bright, sunny days, snow in one or two days.

To see a video that explains how to make a storm glass, click on the How to Make a Storm Glass link below. It’s really pretty cool.

How to Make a Storm Glass to Predict the Weather (Tutorial)

Echinacea tea is excellent for strengthening the immune system and fighting off infections, colds and flu

This is a simple recipe for echinacea tea based on a Rosemary Gladstar recipe.  Nancy of Livin’ in the Green explains how to select and dry echinacea leaves, flowers and roots.  She also adds two other herbs to the tea.

As a medicinal remedy, drink echinacea tea at the first signs of a cold or the flu.  However, you can also drink it periodically for the taste and to reinforce your immune system.

Click the How to Make Your Own Echinacea Tea link below to see Nancy’s recipe and some beautiful photographs!

How to Make Your Own Echinacea Tea

bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com

I found this article through the Hometalk website. Becky of Beyond the Picket Fence shares 10 different ideas for homemade benches.

These are projects that Becky did herself and most have tutorials. If you see a project you like, just click the link and you’ll be brought to the tutorial page.

Click on the 10 Bench Ideas from Beyond the Picket Fence link to see all 10 projects.

10 Bench Ideas from Beyond the Picket Fence

savvysugar.com

This is a creative and fun idea. Sarah explains how to make natural dyes out of beet skins, onion skins, red cabbage leaves, spinach and orange peels.

She shares the different colors that various fruit and veggies produce. Then she includes the step-by-step process of making the different dyes. Finally she explains one additional step to take to prepare material to be dyes naturally. Wonderful article!

Click on the How to Make Natural Dyes With Leftover Fruits and Vegetables link below to see Sarah’s article.

How to Make Natural Dyes With Leftover Fruits and Vegetables