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Homestead Blog Hop - Homestead tips, ideas, animal care, and recipes every Wednesday

Homestead Blog Hop 617 End of Garden and Recipes

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Welcome to the Homestead Blog Hop. A weekly gathering for homesteaders and simple living enthusiasts. We all share DIY projects, from-scratch recipes, and creative inspiration from our homes to yours.

This week’s hop features yummy foods. It also offers practical ideas that celebrate handmade living and self-sufficiency. Explore ideas that fit a thoughtful, sustainable lifestyle.

Whether you’re looking for seasonal crafts, homemade treats, or encouragement on your homesteading journey, you’ll find plenty of inspiration to carry into the upcoming seasons.

Grab a cup of tea, explore the featured posts, and join us in sharing your own homestead creations.

Meet Your Homesteading Hosts

We’re Kelly from Simple Life Mom, Liz from The Cape Coop, Natasha from Houseful of Nicholes, and Laurie from Ridgehaven Homestead. We’re about from-scratch living, simple ingredients, frugal habits, and intentional, sustainable living. We share recipes, tips, and ideas to support home cooks and makers.

We’re delighted to host the Homestead Blog Hop. You can find fresh inspiration each week for DIY projects, homemade recipes, and practical living ideas. Join us for new ideas and a growing community. Together, we celebrate everyday craftsmanship and thoughtful living.

Follow Us for More Homestead Inspiration

Natasha – Houseful of Nicholes
Facebook | Pinterest | X | Instagram

Laurie – Ridge Haven Homestead
Facebook | Pinterest | Instagram

Liz – The Cape Coop
Facebook | Pinterest | X | Instagram

Kelly – Simple Life Mom
Facebook | Pinterest | X | Instagram

FEATURED POSTS from the Last Homestead Blog Hop

Each week, we take turns selecting three featured posts from the Homestead Blog Hop. These features are shared across all of our social media platforms. They spotlight the creativity and hard work of our fellow homesteaders.

Here are the featured posts from last week’s hop:

1. My End of Summer Vegetable Garden from Amy’s Creative Pursuits

2. Budget-Friendly Home Essentials for a Cozy, Practical Home – from Unscripted Mom Life

3. Slow Cooker Meatball Soup Recipe from Two Chicks and a Mom

Congrats! Feel free to grab the featured on button for your post.

Just right click and ‘save image as…‘

Guidelines for the Homestead Blog Hop

  1. Click the “Add Your Link” button below and upload a clear, eye-catching image from your project or recipe. Please link directly to the family-friendly post itself, not your blog’s homepage.
  2. You may link up up to three posts each week.
  3. Take time to visit a few other blogs in the hop and leave a thoughtful comment to let them know you stopped by. Community support makes this hop special!
  4. Please include a link back to the Homestead Blog Hop in your post. Posts without a back link are not eligible to be featured. All featured posts are shared across all hosts’ social media channels.
  5. Share posts that haven’t been linked to the hop before. Older posts are welcome as long as they are new to the hop.
  6. By joining the Homestead Blog Hop, you grant the hosts permission to use one image from your post, with a link back to your site, if your post is selected as a feature next week.
  7. This is a family-friendly link-up designed to encourage, inspire, and support the homesteader in all of us.

Let the Party Begin!

Which project are you excited to try this week? Leave a comment below.

Join Our Homestead Blog Hop Pinterest Board

Follow all of your hosts on Pinterest and send a message if you’d like to be added to our Homestead Blog Hop group board. This board is a great place to share your DIY projects, crafts, and from-scratch recipes with the homesteading community.

Guideline: Only pin posts that you’ve linked up to the Homestead Blog Hop.

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17 Natural Fall Soap Recipes

17 Fall Soap Recipes for Any Time of the Year

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I’ve made a lot of homemade soap recipes over the years, and every time I go back through them, I’m reminded of how many fun seasonal soaps I’ve made! So, I decided to gather my 17 favorite fall soap recipes all in one place.

Even I had forgotten about some of these. Looking through the recipes was such a fun reminder and gave me plenty of inspiration to make a few that I haven’t made in a while.

These natural fall soap recipes are perfect for Autumn, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the entire winter season. They also make beautiful handmade gifts for friends, family, teachers, neighbors, and anyone who enjoys natural homemade products.

And, of course, you don’t have to wait for fall to make them. If you love warm, spicy, woodsy, citrusy, and cozy scents, you can enjoy these homemade soap recipes any time of year. I do! And they’re scents that my family often ask for year around as well.

Natural Ingredients for Fall Soap

If I’m going to take the time to make my own soap, I want to be careful with what is going into it. After all, why go to all that trouble just to add something toxic and ruin it all?

You can certainly make soap simply because it’s a fun craft—and it is! But one of my favorite things about making homemade soap is being able to choose simple, natural ingredients and leave out the artificial colors, synthetic fragrances, and unnecessary additives found in many commercial soaps.

You’ll find ingredients such as:

  • Shea butter
  • Cocoa butter
  • Coconut oil
  • Mango butter
  • Tallow
  • Lard
  • Beeswax
  • Essential oils
  • Natural clays
  • Root powders
  • Herbs and other botanicals

I use essential oils for scent and natural ingredients such as clays, herbs, and root powders for color whenever possible. You can learn more about naturally coloring homemade soap in my natural soap coloring chart.

Vegan, Tallow, or Lard Soap

Some of the recipes below are vegan, while others use tallow, lard, or beeswax. All of them make wonderful soap bars.

If you prefer a vegan soap recipe but love the colors, scent, or design of a recipe that contains tallow, don’t be afraid to use the design and essential oil blend from one recipe with the base oils from another.

For example, maybe you love the tree design and cedarwood scent of the Evergreen Tree Soap but would rather make a vegan bar. You can use your favorite vegan soap recipe and recreate is with the design and scent suggestions below.

Just be sure that you are working from a properly calculated soap recipe. Do not substitute oils or fats by weight without recalculating the lye amount, because different oils require different amounts of lye to saponify.

If beeswax is the only ingredient you want to avoid, you can also look for a suitable vegan wax alternative—but remember that waxes can change the properties of your finished soap, so substitutions should be made carefully. You can learn more about how to make substitutions here.

No Artificial Fragrances or Dyes

I don’t use artificial fragrance oils or synthetic dyes in my homemade soap recipes.

There are also other ingredients commonly added to soap that I personally choose to leave out, including titanium dioxide and artificially dyed micas.

Why add unnecessary questionable or outright toxic ingredients, when you can make something beautiful with natural ingredients? Instead, you’ll see natural colorants in my recipes, such as clays, herbs, and root powders, along with essential oils for those wonderful Autumn scents.

That’s one of the reasons I love making soap so much. You can create beautiful bars that look and smell amazing while knowing exactly what you used to make them.

How to Make Homemade Soap

If you’re brand new to soap making, don’t worry. I have a beginner-friendly guide that walks you through the process.

Start here: 7 Easy Steps to Homemade Lye Soap for Beginners.

I’ve also written several books about natural soap making, along with ebooks and other resources available through my shop.

Browse my natural soap-making books and resources

Cold Process vs. Hot Process Soap

Most of these recipes can be made using either the cold process or hot process method.

When made using the cold process method, the soap generally needs several weeks to cure before it is ready to use. I recommend following the individual recipe for its specific curing time, but many of these recipes are ready for use at around 3–4 weeks, while a longer cure can make an even harder, longer-lasting bar.

If you don’t want to wait as long, you can make all of these recipes using the hot process method. Hot process soap is cooked, which speeds up saponification, and the soap can be used once as soon as it has cooled and hardened. The main difference is in texture. Hot process tends to be chunkier looking, whereas cold process has that smooth soap bar look. Both have beautiful merits.

Keep in mind that “ready to use” and “fully cured” aren’t necessarily the same thing. Even hot process soap will continue to lose water and become harder over time.

Now for the fun part!

These 17 fall soap recipes are filled with cozy Autumn scents, natural ingredients, pretty designs, and plenty of inspiration for homemade holiday gifts. These are great as stocking stuffers, or in gift baskets.

Most recipes make either 2 or 3 pounds of soap, but be sure to check the individual recipe before getting started.

1. Cinnamon Roll Soap

Get the Cinnamon Roll Soap Recipe

This one looks almost good enough to eat!

The cinnamon swirl running through the middle of these soap bars makes them look like little cinnamon rolls. They’re especially fun to make for holiday gifts, and the warm cinnamon scent is perfect for Autumn.

Just remember to remind everyone that they’re soap—not breakfast!

2. Fall Sunset Soap

Get the Fall Sunset Soap Recipe

This has become one of my favorite fall soap recipes.

The colors remind me of an Autumn sunset, with beautiful shades of orange, purple, yellow, and pink swirled together. The essential oil blend adds those warm, comforting scents that make you think of crisp evenings and changing leaves.

I’ve even sold these in my shop during the holiday season.

3. Pumpkin Spice Soap

Get the Pumpkin Spice Soap Recipe

Of course pumpkin spice had to make the list!

Pumpkin spice is one of those scents that immediately makes a home feel like Fall. This recipe uses real pumpkin puree along with nutmeg, cinnamon, and clove for a warm, spicy seasonal soap.

It’s a favorite year after year and is a staple holiday soap in my shop.

4. Evergreen Tree Soap

Get the Evergreen Tree Soap Recipe

If you love woodsy scents, this is the soap for you.

Cedarwood gives this soap a wonderful earthy scent, and the tree design running through the center of each bar makes it especially fun for the winter and Christmas season (I add a green swirl, but you can also use an insert).

There’s something about cedarwood in the shower that feels like a little pick-me-up in the morning. It’s energizing and uplifting. A must have for anyone who suffers from those winter blues.

This is another one I like to keep in my shop year around.

5. Chai Soap

Get the Chai Soap Recipe

I love the smell of chai tea, especially when the weather starts to cool down. This soap combines the warm scents of cardamom, clove, and cinnamon and is simple to make because it uses a real chai tea bag in the recipe.

It’s a cozy soap bar that feels right at home during the Fall and winter months.

6. Orange and Clove Soap

Get the Orange and Clove Soap Recipe

Orange and clove are two of my favorite essential oils for creating that classic Fall feeling.

If I’m diffusing essential oils around the house in the Autumn, orange and clove are often my first choice. Together, they make a bright but warm scent that’s perfect for homemade soap.

This is a great one to make for holiday gifts, too.

7. Spiced Cider Soap

Get the Spiced Cider Soap Recipe

Apple cider is one of those things my kids love about Fall. They spot it in the store before anyone else!

This soap captures those sweet, warm cider scents in a homemade bar. It’s a wonderful choice if you want something that immediately brings back memories of cool weather, warm drinks, and Autumn afternoons.

8. Walk in the Woods Soap

Get the Walk in the Woods Soap Recipe

There is nothing quite like taking a walk through the woods when the air turns cool and crisp. This soap was really inspired by that feeling.

It’s earthy, woodsy, and calming—a wonderful choice if you prefer natural soap scents that aren’t overly sweet or spicy.

9. Autumn Leaves Soap

Get the Autumn Leaves Soap Recipe

This soap has a unique combination of orange, patchouli, and ginger essential oils. The result is a warm, woodsy scent that feels just like Autumn leaves and cool evenings.

If you like earthy essential oil blends, this is definitely one to try.

10. Gingerbread Soap

Get the Gingerbread Soap Recipe

These gingerbread soap bars are especially fun when made in molds. You can make little gingerbread people, gingerbread shapes, or whatever seasonal molds you have on hand.

They make adorable Christmas and holiday gifts, and they’re a fun project to make with the family.

11. Pumpkin Cinnamon Layered Soap

Get the Pumpkin Cinnamon Layered Soap Recipe

Pumpkin and cinnamon are two of the scents I immediately associate with Fall.

This soap combines the two in beautiful layers for a simple but eye-catching bar. It’s been a very popular Fall soap over the years.

12. Cranberry Vanilla Swirl Soap

Get the Cranberry Vanilla Swirl Soap Recipe

Pretty pink cranberry swirls are combined with a creamy vanilla-colored soap base.

The finished bars are beautiful enough to give as gifts, and the cranberry and vanilla combination makes them especially appropriate for the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons.

13. Sugar Cookie Soap

Get the Sugar Cookie Soap Recipe

These sugar cookie soap bars are speckled with cinnamon and scented with vanilla. They’re another one that can fool your guests for just a second. They smell so good that you’ll probably need to remind everyone that they’re soap!

I love making soaps like this for the holidays because they look like little treats without actually being edible.

14. Hot Chocolate Soap

Get the Hot Chocolate Soap Recipe

Who doesn’t love hot chocolate?

Hot cocoa is appropriate for all kinds of cozy weather, but there’s something especially wonderful about it on a cold Fall or winter day. This recipe uses cocoa powder and cocoa butter, which add their own naturally chocolatey qualities to the finished soap.

It’s a fun winter soap and makes a great homemade gift.

15. Cranberry Orange Soap

Get the Cranberry Orange Soap Recipe

Cranberry and orange are such a pretty combination for the holiday season.

One fun thing about this recipe is that using cranberry juice doesn’t make the soap turn pink. You’ll have to use clays for that. But the cranberry juice is still a beautiful addition because it helps create a creamy texture and contributes to a bubbly finished bar.

The bright citrus combined with cranberry makes this one feel especially festive.

16. Vanilla Maple Soap

Get the Vanilla Maple Soap Recipe

Vanilla is always a favorite and adding maple gives it that rich bubbly lather. This soap also has a naturally darker cream color, making it look just as cozy as it smells.

If you like sweet soap scents but don’t want something overwhelmingly fruity, this is a great choice.

17. Apple Cider Soap

Get the Apple Cider Soap Recipe

This is a little different from the Spiced Cider Soap above. Instead of simply creating a spiced cider scent, this recipe actually uses apple cider in the soap. The sugar also helps contribute to extra bubbles, making this a wonderful Fall bar for everyday use.

Which Fall Soap Recipe Will You Make?

I hope you find a few recipes here that inspire you to get out your soap-making supplies and start creating!

These homemade fall soaps are wonderful for keeping around your own home, but they’re also perfect for DIY Christmas gifts, Thanksgiving hostess gifts, teacher gifts, stocking stuffers, and handmade gift baskets.

One of my favorite things about making soap is that you can take a basic skill and make it completely your own. Change the essential oil blend, try a different natural color, experiment with a new mold, or combine a design you love with your favorite soap base.

And if you make one of these, I’d love to know which one is your favorite!

Happy soap making and enjoy all those wonderful Fall scents.

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4 Magic Recipes for Rest and Relaxation

4 Magic Recipes for Rest and Relaxation

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I’m all about the nervous system these days. Over the last decade, life has become increasingly challenging-I think everyone experiences a season like that, especially in middle age. Today I’m sharing a sleep/relaxation roll on recipe, pillow spray, essential oil inhaler and diffuser recipe to help improve sleep, support the nervous system and relax your mind. 

First, can I just say that blogging has become about pleasing Google (fact checking, robot/AI like posts) for a long time now. In fact, blogging all together has become a thing of the past. Most people don’t want to take the time to read a full blog post-bite sized video clips on social media have become the only content that is effective. However, I’m hanging in there and when I share a post about health, I by no means come from a place of authority. I like to write as though we are close and personal friends and am sharing my personal experiences. This is one of those  posts. I research and come to my own conclusions and sometimes it feels worth sharing. I have no credentials when it comes to giving health advice. I just like to share what works for me in the hopes it may work for you too. 

My nervous system has been a big concern of mine for years and so I’m encouraging self awareness and suggesting using essential oils as a tool to start calming the system. It’s always a favorite part of my journey to getting back to a calm nervous system. 

Are You In Fight or Flight?

You’ve probably heard of fight or flight. It is when a stressful life event can cause your body to stay in alert mode in order to protect itself. It’s a self preservation tactic our bodies do to help but when a stressor lingers for weeks, months or even years our nervous system can get stuck. Our body goes into fight or flight by producing too much cortisol. 

A few indicators that your nervous system is stuck in fight or flight:

  • Scaring easily if there is a loud noise or someone sneaks up on you.
  • Gaining belly fat
  • Low energy
  • Waking at 3 am
  • Slow digestion
  • Muscle tension
  • Racing thoughts
  • Shallow breathing

Supporting the body and letting it know it’s safe to come out of fight or flight usually just takes time. However, I proactively work on nurturing myself back to normal, also known as “rest and digest”. 

My tools to calm my nervous system are prayer, reading, jigsaw puzzles, walking, getting in bed early with lots of cats, essential oils, dim lighting and good TV, saying NO to invitations that may heighten stress, THC micro dosed gummies etc. Your tools may look different. The key is to find out healthy ways to relax your mind and body and do those things as much as possible. 

The point of saying all of this is to share a series of DIYs I’ve been loving in my nighttime routine. I love using essential oils and truly believe aromatherapy is a very powerful tools when it comes to relaxing and sleep. 

Related Post: Tips for a Better Night’s Sleep 

4 Best Essential Oils for Relaxation and Sleep:

  • Lavender: Lowers anxiety and heart rate to help you fall asleep faster. Many studies have shown lavender is effective when it comes to the nervous system.
  • Roman Chamomile: Soothes the nervous system, relieves physical tension and stops nighttime waking.
  • Cedarwood: Grounds the body and encourages melatonin production.
  • Ylang Ylang: Helps lower blood pressure and heart rate, encouraging relaxation.

Nervous System Reset Roll On Recipe:

  • 15 drops Lavender
  • 5 drops Roman Chamomile
  • 5 drops Cedarwood 
  • 2 drops Ylang Ylang
  • Top off w/ carrier oil (Fractionated Coconut Oil, Olive Oil, Jojoba, Sweet Almond, Avocado etc.)
  • 10ml glass roll on bottle

I sometimes like to call this roll on, “Liquid Xanax”.  You can carry it with you during the day and/or use it before bed. Roll it on pulse points and on the bottoms of the feet before bed. You should also inhale it by taking slow, deep breaths.

If you’d like to make this for a child, I recommend reducing the amount of essential oils by half. 

TIP: If you’d like to make this in a 1 ounce roller bottle just triple the amount of drops. I found 1 ounce glass roller bottles with rose quartz balls that I’m wanting to use for other recipes-they’re so cool!

Related Post: DIY or BUY Badger’s Sleep Balm Recipe

Sleepy Time Diffuser Blend:

  • 7 drops Lavender 
  • 3 drops Roman 
  • 1 drops Ylang Ylang

Add essential oil drops and water to a diffuser 1 hour before bedtime. Allow to run through the night. 

TIP: If you love the Young Living glass diffuser but don’t want to spend $350+, I’ve had THIS ONE for 2 years now and it’s still going strong. It is identical. 

Related Post: Essential Oil Hack-Diffuser Stations

Time to Unwind Inhaler Recipe:

  • 6 drops Lavender
  • 3 drop Cedarwood
  • 3 drops Roman Chamomile
  • 2 drops Ylang Ylang
  • Inhalers

I love making essential oil inhalers. They are a wonderful (and easy) tool to have on hand for many different occasions. You can use an inhaler as often as needed. You simply remove the lid, hold it under your nose and breath deeply for 1-2 minutes. You can find more information in my Essential Oil Inhaler post along with quite a few inhaler recipes (and cute labels) including an allergy inhaler, an illness inhaler and a nausea inhaler.

Sweet Dreams Pillow Spray Recipe:

Add all ingredients to a glass spray bottle and generously spray your linens, especially your pillows before getting into bed. 

TIP: You can always add more essential oils if you feel the scent isn’t strong enough. I love lavender so I often sneak a bit more after a few sprays. 

Where To Get The Best Essential Oils:

I typically get my essential oils from Plant Therapy. Sometimes I’m in a hurry and get them on Amazon but honestly, ordering them from their website is just as quick and free shipping. Plus, going to their website gives me a chance to check for sales which happen often. I also love Mountain Rose Herbs essential oils. They are great quality as well. Both companies are 3rd party tested, organic and reasonably priced. 

I hope this post has been helpful. I’m very inspired by the art of relaxing. I think it is easier said than done and so many of us live in a stressful environment that is taking a great toll on our overall health. I’d love to start a discussion in the comments and hear how you de-stress and nurture your nervous system! 

xx, Jenni

Jennifer Phillips

Jennifer Phillips worked as a licensed aesthetician for over 8 years before creating the DIY skincare blog, Jenni Raincloud and her natural skin care line, J. Raincloud Organics. Jennifer has been blogging full time for 16 years and loves to gain and share knowledge on how to achieve beautiful skin the natural way.

Find me on: Instagram | Facebook

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Real Life Tested Recipes, How-To

Real Life Tested Recipes, How-To, and DIYs

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I started my “mom blog” when my kids were little, which seems like eons ago. My goals were two-fold: write out my real life tested recipes and how-to guides for my kids and family, and document my journey toward a more simple life.

I tackled one thing in my house at a time in order to learn how to make it myself (multi-purpose cleaner, floor cleaner, shampoo bars, you name it). I wanted to learn age old skills before they passed away with the older generation.

Twelve years ago, you couldn’t find organic options in the stores. And you couldn’t find many websites that taught you the step-by-step process of how to make things for yourself. I really had to test, change my recipes, test, and change again. This is why I have multiple deodorant recipes for example, because my husband can’t use baking soda, but I can. Many of you are like that as well.

Now, fast forward 12 years and you can find a lot of organic options and a plethora of products that claim to be all natural and healthy. The problem is that most of those products still have ingredients that are very toxic and even cancerous, even though they claim to be natural. You really have to know ingredients!

On top of that, AI is at the top of everyone’s search. It takes ingredients from 20 different recipes it randomly finds online and puts them into one, giving you something completely out of context and untested. My little rant: AI is putting blogs like mine on the 3rd and 20th pages of searches. People are believing its programmed bias instead of knowing the source. It’s very important to know your source for information. Always.

So, what do we do when a lot of products claim to be healthy, yet still have 32 ingredients that call for a deep internet search to understand, and AI is giving us recipes or ingredient opinions that are not curated by someone you can trust?

THE ANSWER?

Stick to those you know and can trust!

Make a list of your favorite websites, because they will be filtered out of your inbox, and you may forget they exist.

I’m happy to be able to provide recipe for food, soap making, cleaning products, and herbal remedies that we’ve used in our household for over 20 years. You KNOW that you’re making something that works and you KNOW that it will be healthy, no corners cut, no toxic ingredients added.

Here are some examples of categories I’ve been working on over the years:

Real Food Recipes

We have to eat every day, but as I ask my kids, “Are you putting fuel in the car?” I think enjoying food is a wonderful thing, but you can also provide your body the nourishment that it needs at the same time. If you keep putting junk in the fuel tank, your car won’t run very well for long. In the same way, what we eat effects everything: our energy, skin, hair, nails…everything. Eat well without all the toxins!

The Best Stuffed Peppers Recipe

Best Salmon Rub Recipe Ever

Soap Recipes

I love making soap! Cold process is my favorite, but you can make any of my recipes with the hot process method. I also provide some melt and pour and hand milled options.

How to Make Castile Soap for Sensitive Skin

6 Christmas Soap Recipes Make Unique Gifts

Shampoo Recipes

Don’t forget your hair! I enjoy making hair rinses and make many shampoo bars and conditioner bars or rinses.

Make 3 Organic Shampoo Bars for All Hair Types

3 Easy Summer Herbal Shampoo Recipes

Herbal Remedies

These remedies are not pirated from other websites that make claims, and not just a random untested idea, but are results from herbal studies and long tested results. You can have confidence that they pair wonderfully with your own studies. Always check with your physician if your condition is serious or before combining with any medications.

Easy Elderberry Syrup Recipe for an Immune System boost

Leaky Gut Tea – Herbal Digestion Aid

Cleaning Recipes

It defeats some of the purpose of cleaning when you kill germs but leave harmful chemicals. Instead of making that trade, make products with essential oils that kill bacteria and don’t leave toxins. You can learn more about essential oil safety here.

9 Natural Cleaning Recipes for Spring Cleaning

3 Easy to Make Laundry Soap Recipes

Makeup Recipes

Women use a high number of toxins on their face and body daily. To cut down on that amount, or even eliminate the toxins all together, I’ve tried making blushes, lip sticks, mascara, eye liners, and foundations. All 100% natural clays and herbs only.

Chocolate Truffle Lip Balm Recipe: Great Handmade Gifts

Make Your Own Makeup with this Natural Finish Powder Recipe

Home and Garden Guides

I raise chickens, ducks, and have fruit trees, as well as flower and vegetable gardens. If I have chicken herbal aids or other DIYs I’ve put together, I try to share them with you.

How to Use Herbal Remedies for Chickens

How to Make Maple Syrup: Processing Sap

Products in my Shop

I’ve had a lot of friends and family ask for my soaps, shampoos and tooth powders over the year. I’m happy to be able to provide them in my shop. Highest quality ingredients, no exceptions.

Beauty Gift Set from Simple Life Mom

Calcium Bentonite Clay Tooth Powder from Simple Life Mom

Let me know what recipe, how-to, or DIY you’re looking for. I’d love to help or get started on my next project of finding out what works best in the healthiest way.

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Detox bath recipes

5 Simple & Natural Detox Bath Recipes

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Nothing is more relaxing than a warm bath… except a relaxing detox bath. These are a great option for anyone who struggles with skin issues or other signs of toxin overwhelm. It’s also an inexpensive way to boost health.

I’m always up for a warm bath, and these natural add-ons help improve health while you chill out. Don’t have time for a full soak? You can also do a foot bath with these and get some of the benefits. 

I’ve found that detoxing usually makes me tired, so I like to do this as part of an evening/bedtime routine. They’re also good for kids to give their body’s natural defenses some natural support. If you have any health conditions or are pregnant or nursing, be sure to check with your healthcare professional first! 

Natural Detox Bath Recipes

Over the years my opinions on what detox even is have changed. I now see detox as something our body innately knows how to do on its own. Our liver, kidneys, skin, and other organs all work to remove toxins on a regular basis. 

However, with modern life, sometimes they need a little more targeted support.  

You may have heard of an Epsom salt bath (and that is our base recipe here), but what about a clay bath, vinegar bath, or even a mustard bath?! You’ll find many of these ingredients already in your pantry, but they serve more than one purpose. Ingredients like salt, baking soda, essential oils, and vinegar boost circulation, aid detox and provide soothing relaxation. I also like using Epsom salts as a way to boost magnesium stores. 

You only need a few simple ingredients to make some or all of these detox bath recipes:

  • Epsom salt
  • apple cider vinegar
  • baking soda
  • bentonite clay (it also has lots of other uses, so consider stocking up!)
  • mustard powder or ginger powder
  • essential oils (mix with powder or salt rather than directly to the bath)

These recipes are also safe and soothing for kids too! (But choose your essential oils wisely.)

Basic Epsom Salt Detox Bath Recipe

Here’s my basic detox bath recipe. Find the other variations below. Mix and match, or find your favorite!

Salt Detox Bath Recipe

This simple salt bath recipe is great for soothing skin irritation, boosting magnesium levels, and overall detoxing.

Yield: 1 bath

Author: Katie Wells

  • In a small pan, bring 2 cups of water to a boil.

  • Add the sea salt, Epsom salt, and baking soda to a quart-size Mason jar.

  • SLOWLY pour the hot water into the jar. The mixture will foam up, so be sure to do this slowly and do not hold the jar to avoid burning.

  • Fill the bathtub with warm/hot water.

  • Add the apple cider vinegar.

  • Pour the salt mixture in and add essential oils if using.

  • Soak in the bath for 30 minutes or as long as desired.

  • With any detox bath, you may feel tired or lightheaded when you get out. I don’t recommend doing this while home alone or before going somewhere in case you are tired or need help.
  • Avoid essential oils that are harsher on mucous membranes, like mint, cinnamon, oregano, or lemongrass. They can cause an unpleasant burning sensation. 

Clay Detox Bath Recipe

Bentonite clay is an ingredient I use in a lot of different recipes, from face masks to toothpaste. It does a really good job of absorbing heavy metals that can accumulate in our body.

It’s recommended to use a drain filter or cloth filter in the drain when doing a clay bath. This helps prevent the bentonite from accumulating in the pipes and potentially causing a clog. 

Clay Detox Bath Instructions

Dissolve the Epsom salts in a warm/hot bath and add essential oils if desired. For the clay, there are two options:

  1. Vigorously mix the clay into a small amount of water until the clumps are mostly dissolved.  Bentonite can react to metal, so I use plastic or wooden spoons to mix. Add the clay mix to the bath and soak for at least 20 minutes.
  2. Mix that clay with a small amount of water to make a paste. Stand in the tub full of water and rub the clay mix all over your body to create a skin mask and let it dry for 5 minutes before sitting down. This provides direct contact with the skin and effectively pulls toxins from the skin. Soak in the bath for at least 20 minutes or as long as desired. While soaking, use a washcloth to scrub any remaining clay off the skin.

This bath is great for removing a lot of toxins as the clay binds to heavy metals. The Epsom salts help pull a variety of toxins from the body while replenishing magnesium levels.

Oxygen Detox Bath Recipe

This bath is especially helpful during illness. Ginger helps clear congestion, alleviate body aches, and stimulate circulation for faster healing times. It can also be helpful for allergies or skin irritation. You can also make a strong tea with the ginger, strain after 15 minutes, then add the ginger tea to the bath. 

Oxygen Detox Bath Instructions

  1. Fill the tub with warm/hot water and add the hydrogen peroxide and dried ginger.
  2. Soak in tub for 30 minutes or as long as desired.

Vinegar Detox Bath Recipe

This is an excellent bath for soothing skin problems since vinegar balances the skin’s pH. While I don’t love the smell of vinegar, if anyone in the family has sunburn, eczema, dandruff, or dry itchy skin, we take a vinegar bath.

Apple cider vinegar has a whole host of benefits, and I find it not only leaves me with soft skin, but shiny hair as well.

Vinegar Bath Instructions

  1. Once or twice a week, I fill a tub with warm to hot water and add 1-2 cups of apple cider vinegar.
  2. I soak for 20-30 minutes, using a washcloth to clean my face and making sure to get my hair wet as well.

After bathing, I rinse off in a cool shower, though some recommend letting the vinegar water dry on the skin.

Mustard Detox Bath Recipe

I know, I’ve lost my mind, right? If it helps, I’m talking about organic mustard powder, not the yellow stuff in a bottle! Ancient cultures often used this spice in preparations to soothe colds, flus, and sore muscles, thanks to its circulation-stimulating properties.

Magnesium and essential oils make this bath both detoxifying and aromatic.

Mustard Bath Instructions

I use this recipe which uses organic mustard powder, Epsom salts, and a mix of essential oils.

Additional Detox Bath Notes

  • The warmer the water, the more powerful the detox effect will be.
  • If you have chlorine and fluoride in your water, I recommend adding a few tablespoons of bentonite clay to any of these baths to help absorb the chemicals so they aren’t absorbed into the skin. A home filter or bath filter are good options too. 
  • Any of these natural ingredients can be used alone or in combination for a cleansing effect.
  • All recipes can be doubled or tripled, but this will increase the detox effect.

More Bath Recipes for Natural Detoxification

I recommend starting slowly with these bath detox recipes or any health change. To help, I’ve compiled all of my ideas for detoxing your body and your home in my book The Wellness Mama 5-Step Lifestyle Detox.

If you need a high-quality bathtub filter for safer bath water, I use Canopy.

This article was medically reviewed by Madiha Saeed, MD, a board certified family physician. As always, this is not personal medical advice and we recommend that you talk with your doctor.

Ever taken a detox bath? Got a different recipe you use? Share below!

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Homestead Blog Hop - Homestead tips, ideas, animal care, and recipes every Wednesday

Homestead Blog Hop 607 – Air Fryer Recipes and Crafts

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Welcome to Homestead Blog Hop, a weekly gathering for homesteaders and simple living enthusiasts to share DIY projects, from-scratch recipes, and creative inspiration. This week’s hop features cozy homesteading tips, along with practical ideas that celebrate handmade living and self-sufficiency.

Whether you’re looking for seasonal crafts, homemade treats, or encouragement on your homesteading journey, you’ll find plenty of inspiration to carry into the new year. Grab a cup of tea, explore the featured posts, and join us in sharing your own homestead creations.

Meet Your Homesteading Hosts

We’re Kelly from Simple Life Mom, Liz from The Cape Coop, Natasha from Houseful of Nicholes, and Laurie from Ridgehaven Homestead. Together, we’re passionate about from-scratch living, simple ingredients, frugal habits, and intentional homesteading. We’re delighted to host the Homestead Blog Hop, where you can find fresh inspiration each week for DIY projects, homemade recipes, and practical simple living ideas.

Follow Us for More Homestead Inspiration

Natasha – Houseful of Nicholes
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Laurie – Ridge Haven Homestead
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Liz – The Cape Coop
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Kelly – Simple Life Mom
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FEATURED POSTS from the Last Homestead Blog Hop

Each week, we take turns selecting three featured posts from the Homestead Blog Hop. These features are shared across all of our social media platforms, helping spotlight the creativity and hard work of our fellow homesteaders. Here are the featured posts from last week’s hop:

1. 40+ Best Air Fryer Summer Recipes from Air Fryer Fanatics

2. How To Make a Seashell Wreath from Petticoat Junktion

3. Red, White, and Blue Caprese Salad Recipe from Ann’s Entitled Life

Congrats! Feel free to grab the featured on button for your post.

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Guidelines for the Homestead Blog Hop

  1. Click the “Add Your Link” button below and upload a clear, eye-catching image from your project or recipe. Please link directly to the family-friendly post itself, not your blog’s homepage.
  2. You may link up up to three posts each week.
  3. Take time to visit a few other blogs in the hop and leave a thoughtful comment to let them know you stopped by. Community support makes this hop special!
  4. Please include a link back to the Homestead Blog Hop in your post. Posts without a backlink are not eligible to be featured. All featured posts are shared across all hosts’ social media channels.
  5. Share posts that haven’t been linked to the hop before. Older posts are welcome as long as they are new to the hop.
  6. By joining the Homestead Blog Hop, you grant the hosts permission to use one image from your post, with a link back to your site, if your post is selected as a feature next week.
  7. This is a family-friendly link-up designed to encourage, inspire, and support the homesteader in all of us.

Let the Party Begin!

Which project are you excited to try this week? Leave a comment below.

Join Our Homestead Blog Hop Pinterest Board

Follow all of your hosts on Pinterest and send a message if you’d like to be added to our Homestead Blog Hop group board. This board is a great place to share your DIY projects, crafts, and from-scratch recipes with the homesteading community.

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Homestead Blog Hop - Homestead tips, ideas, animal care, and recipes every Wednesday

Homestead Blog Hop 605 – Raising Backyard Hens, plus Recipes

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Welcome to Homestead Blog Hop, a weekly gathering for homesteaders and simple living enthusiasts to share DIY projects, from-scratch recipes, and creative inspiration. This week’s hop features cozy homesteading tips, along with practical ideas that celebrate handmade living and self-sufficiency.

Whether you’re looking for seasonal crafts, homemade treats, or encouragement on your homesteading journey, you’ll find plenty of inspiration to carry into the new year. Grab a cup of tea, explore the featured posts, and join us in sharing your own homestead creations.

Meet Your Homesteading Hosts

We’re Kelly from Simple Life Mom, Liz from The Cape Coop, Natasha from Houseful of Nicholes, and Laurie from Ridgehaven Homestead. Together, we’re passionate about from-scratch living, simple ingredients, frugal habits, and intentional homesteading. We’re delighted to host the Homestead Blog Hop, where you can find fresh inspiration each week for DIY projects, homemade recipes, and practical simple living ideas.

Follow Us for More Homestead Inspiration

Natasha – Houseful of Nicholes
Facebook | Pinterest | X | Instagram

Laurie – Ridge Haven Homestead
Facebook | Pinterest | Instagram

Liz – The Cape Coop
Facebook | Pinterest | X | Instagram

Kelly – Simple Life Mom
Facebook | Pinterest | X | Instagram

FEATURED POSTS from the Last Homestead Blog Hop

Each week, we take turns selecting three featured posts from the Homestead Blog Hop. These features are shared across all of our social media platforms, helping spotlight the creativity and hard work of our fellow homesteaders. Here are the featured posts from last week’s hop:

1. Vintage Linen Tissue Pouch from Air Fryer Fanatics

2. Red White and Blue Pinwheels from Organized Island

3. Raising Backyard Hens 101–Getting Back to Basics Part 1 from Two Chicks and a Mom

Congrats! Feel free to grab the featured on button for your post.

Just right click and ‘save image as…‘

Guidelines for the Homestead Blog Hop

  1. Click the “Add Your Link” button below and upload a clear, eye-catching image from your project or recipe. Please link directly to the family-friendly post itself, not your blog’s homepage.
  2. You may link up up to three posts each week.
  3. Take time to visit a few other blogs in the hop and leave a thoughtful comment to let them know you stopped by. Community support makes this hop special!
  4. Please include a link back to the Homestead Blog Hop in your post. Posts without a backlink are not eligible to be featured. All featured posts are shared across all hosts’ social media channels.
  5. Share posts that haven’t been linked to the hop before. Older posts are welcome as long as they are new to the hop.
  6. By joining the Homestead Blog Hop, you grant the hosts permission to use one image from your post, with a link back to your site, if your post is selected as a feature next week.
  7. This is a family-friendly link-up designed to encourage, inspire, and support the homesteader in all of us.

Let the Party Begin!

Which project are you excited to try this week? Leave a comment below.

Join Our Homestead Blog Hop Pinterest Board

Follow all of your hosts on Pinterest and send a message if you’d like to be added to our Homestead Blog Hop group board. This board is a great place to share your DIY projects, crafts, and from-scratch recipes with the homesteading community.

Guideline: Only pin posts that you’ve linked up to the Homestead Blog Hop.

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Homestead Blog Hop - Homestead tips, ideas, animal care, and recipes every Wednesday

Homestead Blog Hop 581- DIY, Crafts & From-Scratch Recipes

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Welcome to Homestead Blog Hop, a weekly gathering for homesteaders and simple living enthusiasts to share DIY projects, from-scratch recipes, and creative inspiration. This week’s hop features cozy homesteading tips, along with practical ideas that celebrate handmade living and self-sufficiency.

Whether you’re looking for seasonal crafts, homemade treats, or encouragement on your homesteading journey, you’ll find plenty of inspiration to carry into the new year. Grab a cup of tea, explore the featured posts, and join us in sharing your own homestead creations.

Meet Your Homesteading Hosts

We’re Kelly from Simple Life Mom, Liz from The Cape Coop, Natasha from Houseful of Nicholes, and Laurie from Ridgehaven Homestead. Together, we’re passionate about from-scratch living, simple ingredients, frugal habits, and intentional homesteading. We’re delighted to host the Homestead Blog Hop, where you can find fresh inspiration each week for DIY projects, homemade recipes, and practical simple living ideas.

Follow Us for More Homestead Inspiration

Natasha – Houseful of Nicholes
Facebook | Pinterest | X | Instagram

Laurie – Ridge Haven Homestead
Facebook | Pinterest | Instagram

Liz – The Cape Coop
Facebook | Pinterest | X | Instagram

Kelly – Simple Life Mom
Facebook | Pinterest | X | Instagram

FEATURED POSTS from the Last Homestead Blog Hop

Each week, we take turns selecting three featured posts from the Homestead Blog Hop. These features are shared across all of our social media platforms, helping spotlight the creativity and hard work of our fellow homesteaders. Here are the featured posts from last week’s hop:

1. What Makes a Homestead Real (Even When It’s Tiny) from The Once and Future Homestead

2. Lemon Chicken and Rice from Recipe Ideas Shop

3. How to create a vision board and manifest the life you want from Our Tiny Nest

Congrats! Feel free to grab the featured on button for your post.

Just right click and ‘save image as…‘

Guidelines for the Homestead Blog Hop

  1. Click the “Add Your Link” button below and upload a clear, eye-catching image from your project or recipe. Please link directly to the family-friendly post itself, not your blog’s homepage.
  2. You may link up up to three posts each week.
  3. Take time to visit a few other blogs in the hop and leave a thoughtful comment to let them know you stopped by. Community support makes this hop special!
  4. Please include a link back to the Homestead Blog Hop in your post. Posts without a backlink are not eligible to be featured. All featured posts are shared across all hosts’ social media channels.
  5. Share posts that haven’t been linked to the hop before. Older posts are welcome as long as they are new to the hop.
  6. By joining the Homestead Blog Hop, you grant the hosts permission to use one image from your post, with a link back to your site, if your post is selected as a feature next week.
  7. This is a family-friendly link-up designed to encourage, inspire, and support the homesteader in all of us.

Let the Party Begin!

Which project are you excited to try this week? Leave a comment below.

Join Our Homestead Blog Hop Pinterest Board

Follow all of your hosts on Pinterest and send a message if you’d like to be added to our Homestead Blog Hop group board. This board is a great place to share your DIY projects, crafts, and from-scratch recipes with the homesteading community.

Guideline: Only pin posts that you’ve linked up to the Homestead Blog Hop.

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Simple, Natural, and Frugal: The Best Homemade Skincare Recipes for Healthy Skin

Simple, Natural, and Frugal: The Best Homemade Skincare Recipes for Healthy Skin

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For years, I thought taking care of my skin meant buying more products. More bottles. More steps. More money spent. But the deeper I went into simple living and natural health, the more I realized something surprising:

Healthy skin thrives on simplicity.

Once I started making my own skincare products, my routine became easier, my skin became calmer, and my budget finally breathed a sigh of relief. Homemade skincare isn’t about perfection or luxury—it’s about using real ingredients, reducing toxins, and caring for your body in a way that supports overall health.

This post brings together my best homemade skincare recipes – the ones I’ve relied on again and again. These recipes are simple, affordable, effective, and perfect for anyone who wants a natural beauty routine without the overwhelm.

Don’t fall for fads and ads that slowly convince you that you have to spend a ton of money to get good results with your skin. I’ve been there! The ads are simply doing their job, but you can do the same thing with simple, organic ingredients.

Why Homemade Skincare Recipes are Better for Your Skin (and Your Life)

Before diving into recipes, let’s talk about why homemade skincare fits so well into a simple, natural lifestyle.

Homemade skincare helps you:

  • Avoid unnecessary toxic chemicals and fragrances
  • Reduce clutter in your bathroom
  • Save significant money over time
  • Support your skin’s natural balance
  • Simplify your daily routine

Your skin is an organ. What you put on it matters. When you nourish it with real ingredients and a natural homemade skincare routine without harsh chemicals, it responds with better tone, texture, and resilience. That natural glow that you want? Yes, it’s possible with even easier to get with homemade skincare products.

A Simple Natural Skincare Routine at Home

You don’t need 25 steps. Most skin does best with just:

  1. Step 1 – Gentle Homemade Facial Cleanser (and Toner if desired)
  2. Step 2 – Nourishing Homemade Face Moisturizer
  3. Step 3 – Weekly Exfoliation with a Homemade Sugar Scrub
  4. Step 4 – Any extras as needed like Deodorant and Lip Balm.

Everything below fits into that simple framework. These recipes create easy homemade skincare for beginners, but simple doesn’t mean ineffective.

Like I said above, our skin THRIVES on nourishing simplicity.

1) Gentle Homemade Facial Cleanser for Balanced Skin

Recipe: 5 Organic Homemade Facial Cleansers

Cleansing should clean—not strip. These gentle homemade cleansers remove dirt and makeup while respecting your skin’s natural oils. Win-Win!

Why it’s amazing for your skin:

  • Helps prevent dryness and irritation
  • Supports acne-prone or sensitive skin
  • Simple ingredients you can trust, because you made it!

Many people struggle with breakouts because of an overproduction of oils (hormonal issue), a bacterial buildup from touching the face or having a dirty pillowcase, or an allergic reaction to products such as detergents and makeup.

These recipes simplify everything by working with your skin instead of against it. They cleanse gently and organically.

Instructional tip: Massage gently for 30–60 seconds, then rinse with warm (not hot) water.

You can also try my acne liquid cleanser or my anti-aging liquid cleansers from my shop.

2) Simple Homemade Facial Toner for Balanced Skin

Recipe: Homemade Facial Toner for Acne Prone Skin

A simple homemade facial toner can gently refresh the skin, balance pH, and prepare it for moisture without adding unnecessary steps or products.

Benefits of a homemade facial toner include:

  • Helps remove leftover residue after cleansing
  • Supports skin’s natural pH
  • Calms irritation and redness
  • Closes pores and prepares skin to better absorb moisturizer

Unlike store-bought toners, homemade versions skip alcohol, synthetic fragrance, and harsh preservatives.

I like to use witch hazel, rose water, and aloe. They are wonderful at closing pores and soothing irritated skin. You can use the link above or buy some from my shop.

3) Homemade Face Moisturizer That Actually Works

Recipe: Homemade Face Cream with Rose and Sandalwood

I have perpetually dry skin. I’ve tried every product imaginable before making my own. It’s obviously an internal issue that I’ve been working on, but in the meantime, my shea lotion moisturizers are simply amazing. Not only do they keep my face (and body) moisturized throughout the winter, but it doesn’t clog my pores like so many face creams.

So that being said, this is one of my most foundational recipes — for good reason. Most lotions are full of alcohol and preservatives. This recipe uses beeswax and cocoa butter, which are both a humectant, trapping moisture near the skin.

Why this moisturizer is so effective:

  • Locks in moisture naturally with beeswax (a humectant)
  • Supports skin elasticity (thank you!)
  • No water, no preservatives, no chemicals

Because it’s oil-based, you only need a tiny amount. One batch lasts months, making it incredibly frugal. This is the moisturizer I reach for daily—and it’s replaced every store-bought cream I once relied on.

I have an Anti-Aging Face cream and body lotions in my shop that are so incredibly luxurious!

4) Homemade Sugar Scrub for Glowing Skin

Recipe: 5 Easy Homemade Sugar Scrub Recipes

Sugar is one of the most underrated skincare ingredients. It exfoliates gently while drawing moisture into the skin. There’s a reason your skin feel’s silky smooth after using one.

Why this scrub works so well:

  • Removes dead skin without damage
  • Improves circulation
  • Leaves skin smooth, not tight

This recipe is perfect for face, lips, or body, and it takes just minutes to make. No fancy exfoliants required.

Instructional tip: Use once a week—more is not better when it comes to exfoliation. Also, be careful using in the shower or bathtub! The oils make for a SLIPPERY surface.

Try one with organic sugar and essential oils from my shop.

5) Natural Homemade Deodorant

Recipe: The Best, Easy Homemade Deodorant

This is a really big one! Deodorants can be extremely toxic, and even if you try to buy healthy, most “natural” deodorants still sneak in some toxic ingredients. Switching to a natural homemade deodorant is one of the simplest ways to reduce daily toxin exposure (and I have a number of recipes if you have an aversion to certain ingredients). These recipes really work!

This particular recipe uses coconut oil, baking soda, and arrowroot powder to control odor naturally. Add the essential oil of choice for scent, but you can leave it unscented and it will still work wonderfully.

Why it’s so beneficial:

  • No aluminum or artificial fragrance
  • Gentle and customizable
  • Supports the natural detox process but allowing you to sweat lightly
  • Does not clog lymph nodes

This recipe fits perfectly into a healthy, natural lifestyle without unnecessary toxins like aluminum.

Need a non baking soda recipe? Try this one.

If you’d like to buy a baking soda or non-baking soda version, you can get them in my shop.

6) Simple Homemade Lip Balm

Recipe: Easy Lip Balm Recipe with Herbs and Essential Oils

Most store-bought lip balms actually make lips drier over time. This simple homemade version heals instead of masking the problem.

Why this lip balm works:

  • Nourishes deeply with natural oils
  • No petroleum or synthetic ingredients
  • Safe for kids and adults

This is a great beginner recipe and a reminder that skincare doesn’t need to be complicated to be effective. If you need to leave out the herbs, because it just seems overwhelming, that’s ok! It still makes a wonderful lip balm.

The cocoa butter and beeswax are a humectant that traps moisture close to the skin. They naturally heal lips heal and hydrate while protecting from wind and cold dry air.

I have clear and red tinted lip balm for that small color boost that I sell in my shop.

How Homemade Skincare Recipes Simplify Daily Life

One of the biggest benefits of making your own skincare is how much mental space it frees up. Fewer products. Fewer decisions. Less stress.

Instead of chasing trends, you build a routine that:

  • Supports long-term skin health
  • Fits naturally into your day
  • Aligns with frugal, intentional living

Your beauty routine should align with your values.

Simple living isn’t about doing without—it’s about choosing what truly matters.

Every recipe above costs just a fraction of commercial products. Many use ingredients you already have at home. Over time, the savings add up!

Final Thoughts: Start Small and Keep It Simple

If you’re new to homemade skincare, don’t try everything at once. Start with:

  • One cleanser
  • One moisturizer

Give your skin time to adjust. Simplicity allows your body to do what it was designed to do.

Homemade skincare isn’t about perfection—it’s about stewardship, health, and intentional living (including what you eat and drink). And that’s what simple life is all about.

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herbal tea benefits

Delicious Herbal Tea Recipes and Their Benefits

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Herbal teas are a delicious and easy way to boost fluid intake and sneak in some extra nutrients. Unlike coffee and other teas that have caffeine, herbal tea benefits the body without keeping you awake or jittery. And while I love healthy coffee, I don’t drink it every day. Instead, I keep a big pitcher of herbal tea in my fridge to always have on hand. 

There are thousands of herbal tea recipes, so there’s something for every palate. Herbal teas can be very inexpensive if you buy the ingredients in bulk and you can mix up your own combinations!

Whether you’re already an avid herbal tea drinker or curious, here are some delicious combinations to try. 

1. Iced Dandelion Lime Tea

Dandelions are high in a variety of nutrients and are a great addition to recipes, including tea. Dandelion lime tea is a refreshing way to get the benefits. This recipe also includes raspberry leaf for even more nutrition and stevia for sweetness. Be sure to remove the petals from the green base to avoid a bitter flavor. 

2. Chamomile

Sweet and simple, chamomile flower is one of the most popular teas worldwide. Chamomile flowers have a naturally sweet taste with a hint of apple flavor. It’s known for its calming and soothing properties and has a variety of vitamins and minerals. 

While it’s often nicknamed the children’s herb thanks to its gentle nature, chamomile is still a powerful ally to keep on hand. I’ve used it for sleep, colicky babies, and even pink eye. Try it as a tincture for a longer shelf life.

3. Mint

Peppermint tea soothes the digestive tract and can be helpful for nausea, and indigestion. Some people find it helps with acid reflux, while others find it irritates their reflux. Hot peppermint tea stimulates circulation and helps open the airways. I drink it daily in early pregnancy to help alleviate nausea and use it in my homemade digestive tincture.

Mint is also known as an “activator herb” that helps boost the effectiveness of other herbs in a blend. 

4. Raspberry Leaf

Raspberry leaf is my favorite tea and I drink it almost daily. It’s highly nutritious and especially beneficial for women as it helps balance hormones and is good for the skin. It’s also popular during pregnancy to strengthen the uterus and is a good source of vitamins and minerals pregnant mamas need.

It tastes similar to black tea and I like mixing it with stevia leaf to make a naturally sweet tea. I drink it hot in the winter and cold during the summer months and my kids like it iced (and sometimes with chia seeds in it). Herbalists often recommend raspberry leaf tea or tincture to women suffering from infertility, PCOS, endometriosis, or painful menses.

5. Sleep Easy Blend

My go-to tea when I’m having trouble sleeping is an equal mixture of chamomile, mint, and catnip herbs. Catnip is naturally relaxing and soothing. It’s also one of the ingredients in my Sweet Dreams Sleep Tincture, to help the whole family relax and sleep better, especially during illness.

To make it, mix one teaspoon each of chamomile, mint, and catnip herbs in 16 ounces of hot water. Steep for 5 minutes, then strain and drink. 

6. Lavender Tea

Lavender is my favorite scent and essential oil but it’s too strong to be used alone in a tea. Lavender is calming, relaxing, and helps with better sleep. My favorite lavender tea recipe is:

Mix all and store in an airtight container. Use 1-2 tsp per cup of water to make hot or iced tea.

7. Chai Tea

Chai tea is a favorite around our house and we usually make it with raspberry leaf tea instead of black tea and with coconut milk instead of regular milk. Here’s my basic recipe but play with the ingredients to see what spices you like. 

When I don’t feel like making my own, I love this caffeine free Firefly Chai that’s slightly sweeter than regular chai and is great for nighttime. Add some chamomile and catnip for a delicious evening drink for kids.

8. Herbal Coffee

Have trouble kicking the coffee habit? While I still love coffee, herbal coffee is a great caffeine-free alternative. Sip Herbals is a robust, earthy herbal tea that’s reminiscent of your favorite cuppa Joe. Made with clean ingredients like chicory, carob, and dandelion root. 

9. Stomach Soother Herbal Tea

For stomach aches or for those prone to digestive troubles, this is my go-to tea recipe. Plus it’s easy to make. Mint stimulates digestion, fennel helps expel gas, and ginger combats nausea. 

Pour 1 cup of boiling water over the herbs, steep, covered for 5 minutes, then strain and drink. You can also add a tablespoon of  grass-fed gelatin powder for extra gut soothing. 

10. Pregnan-Tea

During pregnancy I drink a special tea to helps keep nausea and digestive troubles at bay and strengthen the uterus. The nettle also provides vitamin K, an essential nutrient for pregnancy and birth to help with clotting.

Many women report having easier and faster labors from using this tea. My labors are typically 24+ hours even though I go natural, so I may not be the best example! This tea is delicious anytime, but especially during pregnancy.

Mix and use 1 Tablespoon per 8 ounces or 1 cup per gallon. Here’s another pregnancy tea recipe I like to make with even more nutrient rich herbs. 

11. Nursing Mama Tea

Another favorite to have on hand during pregnancy and postpartum. The herbs in this tea soothe digestion, boost milk supply, and supply much needed nutrition. Get the recipe here. 

12. Herbal Wassail Tea

Wassail is a festive drink our family (and many others!) love to drink during the holidays. My herbal wassail version has a base of herbal tea with added fruit and spices. Make a big batch for guests or to keep in the fridge! 

13. Iced Lavender Peach Tea

I’ve already mentioned how much I love lavender tea, but it’s worth bringing up again. This lavender peach tea is refreshing and delicious to have on hand in the warmer months. A great way to upgrade your sweet tea. 

14. Elderberry Tea

I’m known for my elderberry syrup recipe, but I also enjoy making elderberry tea. It has all of the same benefits and flavors, but in tea form. Great for cold and flu season. 

15. Cumin, Coriander, and Fennel Tea

Probably not something you’ve tried before, but this tea blend is one of my favorites for improving digestion. It helps expel excess gas and is also good for nausea or constipation. Try the recipe here. 

16. Calendula Tea

While I love calendula flowers in soothing salves and skincare, it’s equally as good internally. Calendula tea is soothing to the digestive tract and the gut lining. I’ve grown calendula for a long time, but I also buy it in bulk. 

What’s your favorite herbal tea? Do you make any of your own? Share below!

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