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!

littlehouseonthevalley.com

Baking soda is one of those ingredients that you can use in so many different natural home remedies. In this article, Denise discusses 60 different ways to use baking soda. For each use she explains how to use the baking soda and she includes short recipes for many. Here are just a few of the things you’ll learn in this article:

• How to use baking soda to reduce or eliminate the odor of fish when you’re cooking
• How to smooth your skin using a soothing bath salt (recipe included)
• How to use baking soda to relieve indigestion (recipe included)
• How to use baking soda to clean your oven (recipe included)
• How to take gas out of beans by using baking soda (This will be good news for many who avoid beans)
• How to use baking soda to make fluffy scrambled eggs
• And MORE!!

Click on the 60 Wonderful Ways to Use Baking Soda link below to see all 60 uses for baking soda.

60 Wonderful Ways to Use Baking Soda

http://www.mommypotamus.com

This is a recipe for a sunscreen lotion bar that will both moisturize your skin and protect it from the sun.

Heather’s recipe uses shea butter, a moisturizing oil, beeswax and one other ingredient. The bars are very easy to make. Since these homemade sunscreen bars don’t have the high SPF ratings of chemical-laden, commercial products it’s important to apply the lotion frequently when you’re in the sun.

Here’s another tip: Homemade lotion bars will often melt in higher temperatures. If you’re going to the beach, I’d suggest putting the wrapped lotion bar in a small cooler.

Click on the Homemade Sunscreen Lotion Bars Recipe link below to see Heather’s recipe.

Homemade Sunscreen Lotion Bars Recipe

homemadehomeideas.com

Do you wish you could save more money by making some of the food that you eat, the cleaning supplies that you use or the beauty products that you like? Well not only can you “make your own” to save money. You can also increase the quality of the foods that you eat and the products that you use.

John has collected 35 things you could make yourself. For each item he includes a link to a tutorial. Here are just a few of the recipes you’ll find:

• DIY Crayons
• Tasty Energy Bars
• Homemade Mayonnaise
• DIY Brown Sugar
• DIY Fabric Softener
• Dryer Sheets
• DIY Vick’s Vapor Rub
• Homemade Cough Syrup
• Natural Shampoo
• Natural Mascara
• And MORE!!

Click on the 35 Things You Should Be Making, Not Buying link below to see all 35 recipes.

35 Things You Should Be Making, Not Buying!

meganfenno.com

The recipe is very easy to make and makes a pretty creamy shaving cream. Megan also includes some helpful photographs. Click on the Make Your Own Shaving Cream link below to see the complete recipe.

How to Make Your Own Shaving Cream

This is a really neat idea!  Jillee of One Good Thing  modified a recipe for Altoid mints that she found on the Nila Rosa site. Jillee provides a list of ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions.  She made lemon, wild orange and peppermint Altoids. Nice recipe!

Make Your Own Homemade Altoids In Your Favorite Flavor!

Brushing teeth with tooth powder had been the norm for centuries.  Then squeezable toothpaste became popular and took over the toothpaste market.

Kresha of Nourishing Joy decided to create a homemade  DIY tooth powder to try it out.  She was inspired by recipes at Wellness Mama and Crunchy Betty, but added her own twist to the recipe.

It’s a simple mix and use recipe that includes cinnamon, cloves, baking soda and other ingredients.  At the end of the article, Kresha explains the benefits of the key ingredients. Nice homemade recipe. Click the Homemade DIY Cinnamon & Clove Tooth Powder link below to see the complete recipe.

Homemade DIY Cinnamon & Clove Tooth Powder