Aloé Véra, or Aloé Barbedensis Miller is a plant in the Liliaceae family, like garlic and onion. It grows well in desert climates and is only afraid of frost and low temperatures. Used for thousands of years by the medicines of the great civilizations it is found in the clay tablets of the Sumerians, in the low reliefs of Egyptian tombs, in the books of Chinese medicine, in Indian Ayurvedic medicine, in the medicine of Mayans and Incas, as well as in Arab-Muslim medicine. Less known in our time, or at least confined only to cosmetic virtues, Aloe Vera returns in force and takes the place which is due to it, as a plant of therapy and well-...

Lavender shaving soap 60 g of Marseille soap 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil 1 spoonful of water 40 drops of lavender essential oil. Preparation: grate the soap into flakes, spread the flakes on a sheet of newspaper and leave to dry for a couple of days. Pulverize the dried soap in the electric coffee grinder; be careful not to breathe the dust which rises because it can be irritating. Mix the soap powder with the other ingredients to obtain a consistent paste. Put the pasta in a bowl and press it well, leveling the surface. Storage life: at room temperature for 4-5 months. How to use it: wet the brush, then pass it repeatedly on ...

Lentil curry shampoo Ingredients for 1 shampoo 2 tablespoons of peeled red lentils 1 cup of water 5 or 6 cloves 1 teaspoon of turmeric Preparation: pulverize the lentils in the electric coffee grinder, then dilute them with water taking care not to form lumps. Add the cloves. Put on the fire and let it boil, stirring constantly. Turn off the heat, add the turmeric and stir. Cover and let cool by stirring occasionally. Remove the cloves then blend everything at maximum speed with the immersion blender. A semi-fluid mixture of the density of a batter for frying must be obtained; if necessary add hot water. How to use it: apply to dry hair b...

Cocoa and mint cleansing stick 200g of unbleached raisins 100 g of fresh oatmeal 50 g of bitter cocoa 10 drops of mint essential oil honey to taste (if necessary) Preparation: mix all ingredients except honey at high speed. Pour the mixture into a bowl and knead it with your hands; if it is too dry, add a little honey. In the end a very hard and moldable compound like plasticine must be obtained. Form a ball and store it in a closed jar or in a plastic bag. Shelf life: at room temperature for 1-2 months, 3 months in the refrigerator. How to use: remove a small portion of the dough from the dough: 1 hazelnut to wash only the face, 1 tables...

Semolina and yogurt scrub Ingredients for 1 treatment 3 tablespoons semolina (durum wheat semolina or other semolina) whole or white 2 tablespoons of fresh whole white yogurt 1 teaspoon of cinnamon or ginger powder. Preparation: mix all the ingredients together (to be done immediately before use) How to use it: just before taking a shower or bath, wet your skin and massage the whole body with the scrub, insisting on rough areas such as elbows, knees and heels. It can also be used on the face. Rinse thoroughly with warm water. It is not necessary to use other cleaners. It is an immediate smoothing and emollient treatment, which leaves the ...

Clay tonic water Ingredients for about 200 ml of tonic water 1 cup full of water (250 ml) 1 tablespoon of ventilated green clay 1 teaspoon of fine sea salt Preparation: put the water and salt in a bowl, add the clay and mix for about 1 minute with a wooden spoon. Cover and let stand for 1 hour. Transfer the water into a dark glass bottle, being very careful not to move the clay that will have settled on the bottom. Shelf life: 2 weeks at room temperature. How to use it: as a tonic, to wet the skin before applying the creams, to cleanse and refresh the face. It is a pure water rich in minerals, with moisturizing and rebalancing properties.

Basic hand cream Ingredients for about 75 ml of cream: 1 piece of beeswax the size of a large hazelnut 3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil 1 tablespoon of flower tonic water or clay tonic water 15 drops of lemon essential oil Preparation: Put the wax in a saucepan and worm it with bain-marie. When the wax has completely dissolved add the oil; wait until everything is well dissolved, then remove from the water bath. Leave to cool, stirring constantly; when the mixture begins to cool down and thicken, add the water, pouring it drop by drop and stirring quickly, as if making a mayonnaise. Add the essential oil and mix well. Store the cre...

Sparkling bomb for the bathroom Ingredients for 1 bomb: 4 tablespoons of baking soda 1 tbsp. of citric acid 8 drops of an essential oil chosen from orange, ylang-ylang, mint, mandarin Preparation: put all the ingredients in a bowl and mix thoroughly. Pour the mixture into a mold (the ideal is a flared cup or a truncated-conical container) and press it firmly. Let settle for about ten minutes. Turn the mold upside down and hit the edge of the table to facilitate extraction of the bomb, being careful not to break it. Store in a closed pouch. Shelf life: 3-4 months at room temperature. How to use it: fill the bathtub, immerse yourself and pu...

Spanish white glass cleaner 2 soup spoons of calcium carbonate 50 ml of distilled water 50 ml of alcohol Preparation: put distilled water and alcohol in a bowl and mix with a spoon. Then add the calcium carbonate and mix everything for about 2 minutes. Shelf life: 8 months Use: shake before use. Spread the glass cleaner evenly on the glass surface and let it dry completely. Wipe with a soft hairless and dry cloth. Tip: it is particularly suitable for very dirty glass surfaces and to protect glass during renovation works. Softener The bleached vinegar in the softener compartment replaces commercial products.

Apple vinegar decalcifier 1 liter of apple cider vinegar 3 soup spoons of citric acid Preparation: put the vinegar in a porcelain bowl. Add the citric acid, stirring constantly, until completely dissolved. Shelf life: 8 months How to use it: dilute 1:10 with hot water and with this solution remove limescale deposits from taps and bath tub, then rinse well. Boil the undiluted descaling product in the coffee machine or in the water boiler, then rinse well. If the limestone has not been completely eliminated repeat the treatment. It can also be used at a lower dilution rate (even pure). Tip: in the case of precious, bronze or golden taps, pa...

Lemon toilet cleaner 25 gr of citric acid 210 ml of distilled water 10 ml of a normal dishwashing detergent 5 drops of lemon essential oil Preparation: put the detergent and lemon oil in a cup and mix. Put the distilled water and citric acid in a plastic bowl and mix well with a wooden spoon until you get a clear liquid. Then add it to the detergent mixed with lemon oil and mix carefully. Shelf life: 3 months

Homemade Soap 2 1/2 pints coldwater 1 can Red Devil lye 6 pounds shortening A basin to mix in Crock for dissolving lye in 2 wooden spoons Cardboard box Plastic wrap None of these items will be able to be used except for making soap due to the nature of the ingredients. Fill sink with cold water about 2/3 up the crock sides. Fill the crock with the 1 1/2 pints of cold water. Slowly stir in the can of lye until completely dissolved. Keep in sink for 1 hour to cool. Take the 6 pounds of shortening and melt slowly into a pot. Allow to cool for 1 hour. When both the lye and the shortening are cooled to room temperature, pour melted shortening...