Some of the best products for health and beauty are completely natural, multipurpose, and gentle on the wallet. Why spend $10, $20, or more on over-manufactured and over-marketed hype from the drugstore when the solution is already in the kitchen?
Nature has given consumers a few products that don't require packaging, promotion, or (thank goodness) their own Twitter account. Other than the classic wisdom Grandmas love to pass down on the many uses of common items such as vinegar and lemon juice, here are a few more for the Frugal and Fabulous to add to their list of low-budget necessities.
Ground Cinnamon
A luscious addition to coffees and desserts, cinnamon is more than just a sweet aphrodisiac. A dash or two of ground cinnamon mixed into lip gloss makes for a juicy, plumped-up pout. According to the American Diabetic Association, cinnamon has also been proven to increase fasting glucose levels in Type 2 Diabetes patients. Just a dash a day keeps diabetic symptoms at bay.
Cinnamon may attract romance and regulate blood sugar, but ants are very turned off by the presence of a light sprinkling of ground cinnamon on their trail. Put a little bit in the places where ants are entering a residence and they'll u-turn back to their nest.
Peppermint Oil
Great for treating indigestion, headaches, and nausea, a few drops of peppermint oil can work wonders from head to toe. A splash or two added to shampoo or conditioner stimulates and invigorates the scalp, promoting hair growth. The anti-fungal properties and minty zing of this oil make it a treat for tired feet when mixed into lotion and massaged into cuticle beds or coarse skin. Dilute some with water in a spray bottle and spritz around a garden for a pesticide-free repellent against common insects.
Eggs
Eggs are a favorite two-for-one kitchen item. Use them to get more brain-building Omega 6 fatty acids in your family's diet by dropping egg whites into soups and stews. Save the yolks to blend with olive oil, avocado, or mayonnaise, for a deep-penetrating hair masque. Be sure to rinse with cold water and follow up with a quick shampoo.
Table Sugar
Make a paste out of a tablespoon of sugar and a teaspoon of water. Gently massage the paste over a freshly washed face and décolleté to exfoliate, or use more for a full-body glow. For a yummy anti-zit bonus, sit still and leave sugar on the skin for five minutes after buffing, then rinse, pat dry, and moisturize. Sugar can also make an instant hairspray. In the case of a hair emergency, keep a packet or two in the car, mix with a bit of water, and comb or finger through hair to style.
Natural items that in their essence are perfect for so many uses, just the way they are? That might just be the way nature intended.
Resources:
- Connors, Martha Schindler, and Altshuler, Larry. The Everything Guide to Herbal Remedies: An Easy-to-Use Reference for Natural Care. Cincinnati: Adams Media Corp, 2009.
- Cox, Janice. Natural Beauty at Home: More Than 250 Easy-to-use Recipes for Body, Bath, and Hair. New York: H. Holt, 2002.
- Shane-McWhorter, Laura. American Diabetes Association Guide to Herbs & Nutritional Supplements. Alexandria: American Diabetes Association, 2009.
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Jenna Wilson - Jenna Wilson began her literary career in 2006 generating screenplay coverage for film production companies while freelancing in A&R for ...
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