I know this is old news to many of you, but I’m just now discovering how amazing this is, so I’m totally sharing!

I was extremely skeptical the first time we tried it out. Especially on my kids. Mosquitoes just can’t seem to get enough of my little Ty man’s sweaty flesh. It would be a miracle if anything other than some major bug spray would keep him bite free.

But guess what, I’ve finally found my solution!

BASIL!!

I’m SO excited about this!! It actually works!!

The first time I tried it, I simply rubbed the fresh leaves all over the kids’ arms and legs before allowing them to play. An hour later, after we went back inside, I inspected them from head to toe. And guess what? No bites!!

I am LOVING not having to spray the kids with who-knows-what anymore! Now when they go outside, they head straight into the garden to rub down with some freshly picked basil leaves before going about their playing.

I just think that’s great. Isn’t God good?!

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Yesterday, I was outside hanging clothes on the line, Jada and Ty were with me playing a few feet away. I heard Jada laugh and say, “Hey Ty! Come here and look at this funny bug!” I glanced over to see them crouching down examining some small critter climbing on a blade of grass.

It didn’t even cross my mind to see what it was they were looking at. I figured they’d seen all of the bugs we have around the house, and knew which ones not to mess with.

Out of the corner of my eye I see Titus pick up the bug. Jada screamed as he began to chase her with it, but within a split second I heard my little guy yell, “OWWW!” and then it was his own scream I was hearing. I dropped what I was doing and rushed over to him in time to see him throw the bug down and try to stomp on it as he cried hysterically.

Now, Titus cries like any other four year old does, but he never screams and cries like he did. I immediately knew he was hurt bad. And when I saw the bug that had bitten him, I was extremely concerned, to say the least. I thought I recognized what it was, but wasn’t absolutely positive, so I ran inside to get a jar and rushed back out to capture it before it scurried away. I knew I’d need it for positive identification if we had to head to the emergency room.

I picked Titus up and rushed him indoors. If this bug was what I thought it was, he was in some major pain. The first thing I did was what I always do when any of us gets a bite or a sting- I wiped his swelling thumb with an antiseptic wipe, got out the snake bite kit (The Extractor), and sucked the red mark hoping to remove some of the venom.  He continuted to cry, and asked me through big tears, “Why did God make those bugs?!” To which Jada decided to answer, “He had to have had some reason for making it!” Which didn’t help Ty at the moment.

I washed his hand good with soap and water. He complained that it felt “like a sword was getting him”. Poor little thing!

I gave him a piece of ice to hold on the bite while I jumped on the phone and called my husband, who used to be in pest control.

“Hey! What are those bugs that we used to have at our old place, that curl up under leaves and have a terrible bite?” I asked him, trying to hide the concern in my voice.

“Oh, Assassin Bugs. They’re also called Wheel Bugs.” He replied knowledgeably.

“I think Titus just got bit by one.” I said.

Tension immediately flowed through the phone line as Jerry asked if I think I ought to take him to the emergency room. I told him I was gonna look it up online and make sure that’s what it was first.

A quick search brought up an image that matched the ugly insect in the jar before me. It was indeed an Assassin Bug. The Wheel Bug variety, one of the worst of the various types. I continued reading about what to do if bitten by one.

These bugs are bad. Really bad. Their bite hurts 10x worse than a wasp or a hornet’s sting. And the pain can last for several weeks or even months. I read all kinds of horrible reactions he could have, including a swelling throat which would require an epinephrine shot within 15 minutes.

When I read this I jumped on the phone to call my grandma who is allergic to bees. I wondered if she might have an epi pen on hand, but unfortunately she didn’t. I was left to worry about how I’d get him to an emergency room in time to give him the shot, should he need one. (Note to self: Get an epi pen!)

I went back into the kitchen where he was sitting and told him to let me know if his throat started to feel funny. He said, “It does.” I tried to soften my concerned expression as I said, “Now buddy, you have to be really serious ’cause if you tell me your throat feels weird I’m gonna take you to the hospital.” To which he replied, “It does feel weird.” I asked him what it felt like. “Like a tree fell on my throat, and it’s bleeding,” he casually explained as he munched away on a cucumber. I figured he was fine since he was eating. And he was.

His thumb, on the other hand, was not fine. It was red and swelling. I decided to have him soak it in a bowl of warm water with Epsom Salt for several minutes. He said it felt a little better, but it still hurt.

And then it hit me like a ton of bricks. Plantain!!! I hurried outside to the garden where I knew of a big Plantain plant growing beside the tomato bed, and picked a large leaf off of it. After bringing it inside and washing it off, I chewed it up a bit and placed it on Ty’s sore thumb. Then, holding the wet green glob directly on the bite, I wrapped it with gauze and secured it with tape.

An hour and a half later Titus was back to his normal self, playing as if nothing had happened, and claiming to be pain free. I took the bandage off to find that the swelling was completely gone, and his thumb looked perfectly normal again! Only a red dot where the puncture had occurred remained.

I figured the pain would return after a while, but I am SO thankful to be able to say that it was gone for good. Praise the LORD for his healing herbs!!

I can’t even begin to tell you how relieved and grateful I was that he was okay and pain free. Especially knowing how bad it could have been. I kept checking on him through the night to make sure he was still okay. You know us moms, we always fear the worst!

Anyways, I thought I’d share what worked for us just in case anyone is doing their own emergency google search for what to do when bitten by one of these bugs- which, by the way, Titus has decided to rename “Dumb Bug”- which he’s not normally allowed to say but he totally earned the right to call it just about whatever he wants.

And now he knows, never touch one of those things again! I hate that he had to learn the hardest way! Oh, and by the way, turns out God created the Wheel Bug to help with garden pests. It’s a very beneficial insect to have around. Just be sure not to pick one up!

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After asking my midwife about herbal healing for postpartum relief she took me for a walk in my backyard. Sure enough, the Plantain we were hunting was to be found. She shared with me that if you pick the leaves of the Plantain, put them in a blender with a little bit of water (enough to make a paste), then rub that over your postpartum pad, it will help soothe the soreness and hasten the healing process.

And it’s free.

I think that’s awesome. I thought you might think so, too. So there you go.

By the way, Plantain is great for bee stings too. Just chew up a leaf and smear the goo on your sore spot, it’ll suck the poison right out.

Chances are you have this medicinal herb growing in your yard right now and you just thought it was another weed. Go see if you can find one! And then remember where it’s growing in case you ever need it.

Know of any other uses for Plantain? I’d love to know how you use this wonderful herb!

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Have you ever watched a documentary on tv about tribes living in the bush, and wondered to yourself how in the world these people keep such healthy white teeth? I’m sure I’m not the only one out there thinking these things, right?! Have you ever seen them chewing on sticks? Chances are, they may be using something called a Miswak (also known as Siwak), or “chewing sticks”.

I first learned about Miswak sticks from a friend of mine who’s from Egypt. After looking them up online, I was quickly impressed with the oral health benefits this natural toothbrush boasts. Study after study has shown that those who use the Miswak chewing sticks vs. those who use traditional toothbrushes and toothpaste, have significantly healthier gums, less plaque and gingivitis, and have overall better oral health.

I don’t know about you, but I think this is awesome! No chemicals, no toothpaste, just a stick! How good is God that He would provide us with such an amazing little thing to keep our mouths healthy?

So where does this twig come from, anyways? Well, the Miswak traditionally comes from either the branches or the roots of the Peelu Tree (or Arak tree). Although this is the most recommended source for making Miswaks, you can also make them from Olive trees, and Walnut trees. I have also read that over 300 species of trees and shrubs are used in East Africa for making chewing sticks, so it isn’t necessarily variety specific. (Though, you do have to be careful not to use a poisonous plant!)

Here are a few proven benefits of using a Miswak:

• It kills the bacteria which causes gum disease
• Fights plaque better than traditional toothpaste
• Leads to fewer cavities
• Freshens breath; kills odor causing bacteria
• Whitens teeth naturally
• Effectively cleans between teeth better than regular toothbrushes
• Contains natural flouride
• Also great for those who want to stop smoking!
• Safe for toddlers; safe to swallow

How to use a Miswak:

First, peel or chew the bark off of about 1/2 inch from the end of the stick. Chew the wood on the end until the fibers begin to separate. Then brush your teeth with this fibrous end as you would a regular toothbrush. As the end gets dirty or begins coming apart, break off or cut the end and start with a fresh tip. No need for water, though you should wash the end of the brush when finished if possible. You can also soak it in rosewater to cleanse.

Supposedly it has a licorice flavor.

Not only is it healthier, natural, and better for the environment, Miswak sticks can save you money too! This simple twig can replace your toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, mouth wash, and teeth whitening products!!

Where can you find your own Miswak? Unfortunately, they aren’t easy to find here in the US. But you can order them online. Amazon carries them, though after shipping they can be pricey. I’m gonna keep an eye out for a good deal on them though, ’cause I’d LOVE to try these. If you have an Arabic store in your area, you might see if they carry them. Many muslims use a Miswak as a part of their religion, so I’m sure you can find them locally if you know where to look, without having to pay the shipping.

Now… if only I could grow my own Miswak tree, along with the soap berry tree I’d still love to plant! We do have a few black walnut trees on our land… hmmmm, think that would work?

Here are a couple of scientific studies on the effects of using these chewing sticks, for those of you who are interested:

Comparative Effect Of Chewing Sticks & Toothbrushing

Journal of Periodontal Research

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So, those of you who are my friends on Facebook know that we’ve been battling a virus in our house over the past few days. At first I thought it was strep-throat, only because I’d just learned we’d been exposed to it and then Titus got sick like two days later. But thank goodness it’s only a good old fashioned cold.

The kids all had fevers over 103* the first 24 hours they had it. Now it’s developed into a cough. I have become more and more leery of giving Tylenol and/or Motrin for fevers, after doing some research into the effects of this, so I’ve been doing everything else I can to keep the kids comfortable:

• Cold wash rag on head, (or under arms if they’ll let me)
• Lots of ice water
• Making sure the kids aren’t overdressed (ie: sweat pants in bed)
• Short, lukewarm baths (though they don’t particularly enjoy this, they feel better once they get out)
• Belladonna tablets- though I did try this, it didn’t help to reduce the fever.
• Rest. Rest. Rest.

I’ve also been giving the kids colloidal silver. This is our first time ever using it and I have to admit I was a little hesitant and a bit nervous even giving it to them, but after reading TONS and TONS of articles online about the benefits and safety of colloidal silver, I thought it would be a good thing to try.

I also got some Manuka honey to give to Jada and Ty. Even though Xia is over a year old now, I’m still hesitant to give her honey. Infants, though rare, can develop infant botulism from eating honey, and I’m scared to take a chance yet.

For those who don’t know about Manuka honey, it is made from bees which have collected their pollen from the same plant that we get Tea Tree Oil from. We know what an amazing natural antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal essential oil tea tree oil is. Well, Manuka honey boasts the same benefits, only it can be taken internally as well as used topically. Not all Manuka is the same though, it must have a UMF of 16 or higher to have true healing properties. I’ve been giving the kids a teaspoon of honey a couple of times a day, 30 minutes before eating.

I also just started a peroxide treatment tonight. I wish I’d started doing this right off the bat as it works much better if you start as soon as symptoms appear (as with any treatment, I suppose).  What you do is drop several drops of 3% Hydrogen Peroxide into one ear, and let it sit for several minutes, until the bubbling stops. It feels really weird, and the kids freaked out at first, but it doesn’t hurt, it’s just a strange fizzing sensation. Let it drain out and then do the other ear. Repeat this treatment every few hours throughout the day until it doesn’t bubble anymore when you do it. Supposedly, this treatment alone will knock a cold out of you within a day, if caught immediately.

Ty’s cough is pretty bad, so I’m gonna make a batch of this homemade cough syrup and give it to him throughout the day, as needed:

Onion Cough Syrup

• 1 medium-large onion
• 1 cup honey (or sugar if you don’t have honey, though honey is best)

Peel and chop the onion, and place the slices in a small bowl or glass jar. As you fill the jar, layer the onion with the honey or sugar, topping off with honey. Cover with a lid or plastic wrap, and allow to sit on counter overnight. Juices from the onion and honey will mix and form a pleasant syrup; strain the onion pieces out. Take 1 tsp syrup every 4 hours, or as needed.

I haven’t tried this one yet, but I’ll let you know what I think!

*Update- So, I’ve been using the onion cough syrup today. I don’t know if I’ve used it enough to be able to tell, but I haven’t really noticed it helping much. It’s definitely not a “miracle” cure.

I also made a chamomile tea with garlic and honey. My poor kids, I’m subjecting them to all kinds of unusual things!! But you know what, they’re getting better!!

I’m really wishing I had some oregano oil, too. But Whole Foods had it for like $30… way too much on top of all of the other stuff we’ve bought. So, I’ll have to keep an eye out for it on sale later.

Oh yeah, one more thing I’d like to try if the coughing persists through the night- slathering Vicks Vapor Rub on the bottom of the kids’ feet and covering them with socks.

Maybe a chopped onion by the bedside as well?

So many things to try!! Of course, I’ll do the Neti Pot, but the kids can’t handle that yet.

Anybody have any other old fashioned cough & cold remedies that you like to treat your family with? Tell me what works for you!

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You know the stuff. That yucky, yellowish, scaly build-up on baby’s scalp. I don’t know what ’causes it, I’ve heard it’s shampoo residue, and I’ve heard that it’s a type of fungus, but whatever it’s from, it isn’t pretty to look at.

Baby Xia developed a moderate case of cradle cap, though it was hard to see underneath all of that hair. Nevertheless, it was gross, and I had to get it off.

So the other day I sat her down, dampened a cotton ball with pure Tea Tree Oil, and rubbed it generously onto her scalp, parting her hair to get it in there good. After letting it sit for a few minutes, I used a baby comb to gently massage her scalp. And those nasty flakes… they came right off!!

It took a little while, and a lot of combing, but eventually her entire scalp was free from the build-up, and looking beautiful. I gave her a quick bath to wash all of the yuckies out of her hair.

I’m happy to report that there’s no sign of cradle cap returning. When Jada was a baby I had asked her pediatrician about treating her scalp, and he’d recommended an antifungal cream. Who wants to put that junk on baby’s head?? I’m really glad to have found a natural alternative that works!

Have you had success treating cradle cap naturally using something different? Let me know what you do for baby’s delicate scalp!

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