10 Uses for Aloe Vera Gel or Juice

10 Uses for Aloe Vera Gel or Juice

1. Itch relief: Apply directly to the site of insect bites or stings for relief.

2. Burn relief: Slather pure aloe vera gel on a sunburn, or use to treat minor burns in the kitchen. It can also be effectively used as a gentle aftershave.

3. Leave in conditioner/scalp soother: I mix aloe vera gel with a little rosemary essential oil and a few drops of Vitamin E oil, squirt tiny bits on my scalp and ends of hair. I do not rinse, and this mixture soothes an itchy scalp and softens hair.

4. Hair styling: Aloe vera gel fights frizz in my hair and has been a great replacement for expensive styling products.

5. Mouthwash: If drinking aloe vera juice, you can simply swish it around in your mouth for a while to benefit gums. You can also make a homemade aloe mouthwash by mixing 1 cup aloe vera juice, ½ cup distilled water, 2 teaspoons baking soda, and 10-20 drops of peppermint essential oil.

6. Hand sanitizer: I make an aloe-based natural hand sanitizer  that travels with me almost everywhere. The aloe vera gel in it moisturizes my hands instead of drying like most commercial hand sanitizers.

7. Moisturizer: Skin absorbs it quickly and it’s non-greasy. I find it to be the perfect summer facial moisturizer when other moisturizers just seem too heavy and oily.

8. Drink for digestion: Aloe vera juice can be effective in aiding digestion, soothing an upset stomach, and providing relief for heartburn.

9. Vitamin absorption: A recent study from the University of California, Davis, showed that aloe vera may help your body absorb vitamins more effectively. Drinking 2 ounces of aloe vera juice along with your daily vitamins can increase absorption rates.

10. Drink to lower cholesterol: I’m not suggesting anyone ignore the advice of their medical professional, or stop taking cholesterol-lowering drugs. However, this one is definitely worth a look. Studies have shown that drinking aloe vera juice can safely lower cholesterol over time.

Disclaimer: I am not a health professional. Keep in mind this information is based on my personal opinion and research. Use these recommendations at your own risk. I recommend consulting with your health practitioner prior to taking aloe vera internally.

http://www.diynatural.com/10-uses-for-aloe-vera/

DIY - SUGAR HAND SCRUB - Mother's Day Gift Idea

 SUGAR HAND SCRUB 

 GREAT GIFT IDEA! - Make, Put in mason jar, Tie with bow, Add a tag!

1. Fill mason jar 3/4 of the way full with sugar.

2. Add dawn dish soap until it reaches just below the mouth of the jar.~ The pink one that has the Olay in it is the best! It smells good and moisturizes!

3. Stir the sugar and soap together until it is paste like. If it seems to be too runny, add a little sugar at a time until it is the desired consistency.

4.You can tie with a jute twine or ribbon and give as a gift, or do like me and hog it all for yourself!! So cheap and easy!!

Health benefits of fully ripe bananas

Health benefits of fully ripe bananas:

"According to Japanese Scientific Research, fully ripe bananas with dark patches on yellow skin produce a substance called TNF (Tumor Necrosis Factor) which has the ability to combat abnormal cells. The more darker patches it has the higher will be its immunity enhancement quality; Hence, the riper the banana the better the anti-cancer quality. Yellow skin banana with dark spots on it is 8x more effective in enhancing the property of white blood cells than green skin version. Eating 1-2 banana/s a day increases immunity."

DIY Pergola by Popular Mechanics

Pergola's won't keep you from the wind, rain or harsh Summer sun, but they are a beautiful addition to gardens, yards, parks and the back yard for that little extra pizzazz you're wanting. Even more so when climbing vines are planted around the pergola that make a beautiful accent to the structure (or add some accenting weather sturdy fabric to block the wind or sun).

Popular Mechanics had a wonderful article on how to build your own pergola, step by step with pictures: (directly from the Popular Mechanics website)

How to Build a Backyard Pergola: Simple DIY Woodworking Project

Step-by step plans to make an arbor-like cedar structure, with 3D animation and master-level blueprints

By Rick Peters

July 14, 2006 12:00 AM

Here's a structure that won't provide shelter from wind or rain, and is only marginally better when it comes to the midday sun. So, why build it? Because in the absence of walls and a roof, it defines an outdoor space without constraining it. It's a unique architectural blend that places you both inside and out at the same time. The structure is called a pergola, and it's just the thing to bring backyard landscaping to life. Pergolas were common features of Italian Renaissance gardens, often covering walkways or serving as grape arbors. Today, the same design can be used to define a passageway or frame a focal point in your yard. Add a climbing plant such as wisteria or, yes, grapevines, and your pergola will provide color and shade as well.

Our pergola fits on an 8-ft. square, but it's easy to modify it to suit your site. Cedar is our material of choice because it resists decay. Leave it unfinished and let it gradually turn gray. Or, apply a stain or sealer designed for exterior use.


Model designed in Alibre Design Xpress. Get your FREE copy today!

Download a larger animated PDF of this project with a printable step-by-step guide (Requires Adobe Reader).

Installing the Posts
The posts are composed of pressure-treated 4 x 4 cores that are sheathed with 1 x cedar. We secured the post cores to a concrete pad with steel post-base anchors. If you're not building on a pad, use longer posts and set them in the earth below the frost line.

Lay out the post positions and mark the screw locations [1].



We used 1/4-in. Tapcon screws that thread into 3/16-in. holes bored with a hammer drill [2].



Hold each post plumb and drive nails through the anchors into the wood [3]. If necessary, brace the posts so they stay plumb.



Attaching the Support Beams
Cut the four 2 x 6 cedar support beams to length, use a template to mark the curved notches at the ends and cut the notches with a jigsaw. Clamp the beams in place, and check that they're level and that the posts are plumb.

Then secure each end with four 3-in. No. 10 screws [4].



When adding the second of each pair of beams, check that they're level across the top edges [5].



Adding the Crossbeams
The 2 x 6 crossbeams are notched to fit over the support beams.

Cut the notches with a dado blade in the table saw [6], or lay out each notch and use a jigsaw to remove the waste.



Then, make the curved end cuts [7].



Install the crossbeam pairs at the posts first. When they're in place, bore screwholes down through their top edges and screw crossbeams to the support beams [8]. Then add the three remaining pairs with similar spacing.



Post Trim and Braces
Cut the post trimpieces to length and width. Note that you'll need to notch some of the pieces to fit between the support beams, or you can make filler blocks to cover the post cores at these areas. Instead of trying for perfectly flush corners, we dimensioned the trim to leave a 1/8-in. shadow line, or reveal.

Secure the trimpieces to the posts with construction adhesive and galvanized finishing nails [9].



Use 2 x 6 stock for the diagonal braces. Cut the ends to length at 45 degrees, and use a flexible stick to lay out the shallow curve on the lower edge of each brace. Fasten the braces to the posts and beams with screws [10].



Fitting the Top Slats
Cut the five 2 x 4 slats to length and shape the ends.

Clamp each slat in place and mark the crossbeam notch positions [11].



If you use a table saw and dado blade to make the cuts, be sure to support the long stock at the opposite end [12].



Then, bore pilot holes and attach the slats with 3-in. No. 10 screws [13].



Capping the Posts
To make the post caps, cut square blanks and then set the table saw blade to 15 degrees for shaping the bevels.

Use a longer board with a stop across the end as a sled to guide each blank through the blade [14]. Clamp the blanks to the sled when making the cuts.



Secure the caps with 6d galvanized finishing nails and construction adhesive [15].

Read more: How to Build a Pergola - DIY Building a Pergola - Popular Mechanics