Homemade Medicinal Gels [Aloe Vera based]

« WellTellMe • Forum • Remedies & Therapies • Medicinal Herbs & Oils • Homemade Medicinal Gels [Aloe Vera based] »

(Read 618 times) [1]

Homemade Medicinal Gels [Aloe Vera based]
« on: November 14, 2009, 07:34:02 PM » by Kitty

We've wanted to use hand sanitizer more this fall, but don't like the commercially prepared ones w/ Triclosan and other ingredients. Tongue

Natural shared a great link to make your own hand gel sanitizer:

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1153864/how_to_make_homemade_hand_gel_sanitizer.html?cat=5

Quote

You will need to purchase 100% pure aloe vera gel, Witch Hazel, Tea Tree essential oil and Peppermint essential oil. All of these ingredients should be high quality and contain no additional additives. You can purchase all of these products from most health food stores, however you can also find them in a variety of other places as well.

Instructions to Make Your Own Hand Sanitizer Gel

Place about 1 c. of your pure Aloe Vera gel into a bowl.

Slowly mix in 1 - 2 tsp. of Witch Hazel. You do not want the consistency of the gel to become too thin.

Add 3 - 4 drops of Tea Tree essential oil and 3 - 4 drops of Peppermint essential oil. Slowly stir ingredients together.

If you find the consistency to be too thin, add more Aloe Vera gel a teaspoon at a time until you reach your desired consistency.

Store in your desired container. Use as you would any other hand sanitizer as necessary.

All of the ingredients in this mixture are safe and natural to use on your body. Witch hazel, Tea Tree oil and Peppermint oil all have antiseptic and astringent properties to them which make them great for killing germs and also healing small cuts and would. The Aloe Vera gel will help sooth skin and keep skin from drying out.

I made it today and used about 2 1/2 tsp. of the witch hazel. I found 100% clear AV at W-M, but our larger, local grocery store had it, too. It didn't funnel so well into my re-purposed NOW almond oil container that squirts out so nicely, but I managed. Cheesy

THEN, hi_itsgwen shared that she'd been mulling around how she would go about making an Arnica gel solution--thinking Aloe would be a great base. Clever girl, 'eh? Wink

She's thinking about using Aloe mixed with an Arnica tincture, b/c she loved the staying power of an Arnica gel for bruises. Cool

So what else can we do? Grin

Logged

About My Eczema...UPDATED 2/2010

Re: Homemade Medicinal Gels [Aloe Vera based]
« Reply #1 on: November 15, 2009, 09:27:10 AM » by ndmomof6

Thanks Yooper!! Kiss

I've been thinking about making something similar lately, but hadn't come up with a *recipe* yet.

I've also been thinking of an arnica gel. I made a salve, but my mom preferred the gel that I had purchased.

(BTW, Beeyoutiful's Laveshmint Toner~also something I'd like to make~contains aloe, lavender EO, and peppermint EO)

I've been mulling over an aftershave, moisturizer and/or lotion with an aloe base.

Logged

Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. Psalm 127:3

Re: Homemade Medicinal Gels [Aloe Vera based]
« Reply #2 on: November 16, 2009, 08:18:11 PM » by Kitty

That Toner sounds nice! And the other ideas...very creative! Please share when you do come up w/ some recipes. Grin

Another WellTeller was mulling the idea of making wipes w/ a thinner solution...soaking paper towels in it.

This was the AV I was using...(clear): Fruit of the Earth: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0009VNI40/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_2?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B000ALDK1A&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0FR11KBCXYHM8T4D9PP8

I get it WAY cheaper locally. Wink

Logged

About My Eczema...UPDATED 2/2010

Re: Homemade Medicinal Gels [Aloe Vera based]
« Reply #3 on: November 16, 2009, 11:28:29 PM » by hi_itsgwen

How 'bout using it in cases where you don't want the greasy feel of a salve...like an antifungal (black walnut tincture) gel for treating the scalp/face (acne, dandruff, ringworm, cradlecap, etc.)

How 'bout for diaper rash ointment so you won't mess up your cloth diapers! Especially if you use the synthetics, traditional oil based diaper rash ointment is a big no-no.

I'll have to fiddle around with some recipes. I need to figure out a different combination for upcoming baby boy, as I don't want to use lavender on him like I did with my girls. I'm thinking maybe chamomile and grapefruit seed extract?

« Last Edit: November 17, 2009, 04:34:13 PM by hi_itsgwen »
Logged

Re: Homemade Medicinal Gels [Aloe Vera based]
« Reply #4 on: November 17, 2009, 02:32:35 AM » by ndmomof6

Quote from: Yooper on November 16, 2009, 08:18:11 PM

Another WellTeller was mulling the idea of making wipes w/ a thinner solution...soaking paper towels in it.

I totally forgot that I used to make a wipe solution with aloe (juice). I think I used lavender and...something else...GSE maybe?? I'll have to try and find the recipe. I loved it...guess I should try making it again. Roll Eyes

Logged

Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. Psalm 127:3

Re: Homemade Medicinal Gels [Aloe Vera based]
« Reply #5 on: November 17, 2009, 04:33:26 PM » by hi_itsgwen

Quote from: ndmomof6 on November 17, 2009, 02:32:35 AM

Quote from: Yooper on November 16, 2009, 08:18:11 PM

Another WellTeller was mulling the idea of making wipes w/ a thinner solution...soaking paper towels in it.

I think lavender is wonderful for little girls, but it does have estrogenic and androgen (an important sex hormone like testosterone) inhibiting effects. So I am not comfortable using it in something like wipes or lotions on little boys. Especially in something that goes directly onto their privies multiple times a day.

Logged

Re: Homemade Medicinal Gels [Aloe Vera based]
« Reply #6 on: November 17, 2009, 06:43:23 PM » by Kitty

Quote from: hi_itsgwen on November 17, 2009, 04:33:26 PM

I'm so glad you mentioned this. Kiss

I keep forgetting about it. Undecided

I'll have to skip the Lavender next time and use this salve I made today elsewhere.

Logged

About My Eczema...UPDATED 2/2010

Re: Homemade Medicinal Gels [Aloe Vera based]
« Reply #7 on: November 17, 2009, 09:34:13 PM » by ndmomof6

Quote from: hi_itsgwen on November 17, 2009, 04:33:26 PM

Quote from: ndmomof6 on November 17, 2009, 02:32:35 AM

Quote from: Yooper on November 16, 2009, 08:18:11 PM

Another WellTeller was mulling the idea of making wipes w/ a thinner solution...soaking paper towels in it.

I agree. I have girls (lots of them), so I tend to forget these things. Roll Eyes

Logged

Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. Psalm 127:3

Re: Homemade Medicinal Gels [Aloe Vera based]
« Reply #8 on: November 17, 2009, 09:42:11 PM » by Kitty

Someone mentioned that it's often the combo of lavender with tea tree oil that produces that effect. Huh

I need to read more...

Logged

About My Eczema...UPDATED 2/2010

Re: Homemade Medicinal Gels [Aloe Vera based]
« Reply #9 on: November 17, 2009, 10:50:10 PM » by hi_itsgwen

This thread is the one where I first heard about this and did some research. There are some good links and quotes I found here:
http://www.welltellme.com/discuss/index.php/topic,1594.msg239374.html#msg239374
According to the articles I found, both oils (lavender and tea tree) were tested separately, and found to have the same effects: turning on estrogen and turning off the male hormones.

Sorry to sidetrack, but I do think it's at least something to consider when making products for little guys.

I added cradle cap to my ideas for using Aloe based antifungal gel. My dh's dermatologist told him that the yeast/fungus that causes dandruff is the same one that causes cradle cap, so to use the tar type shampoos to treat it.
I think an antifungal gel with black walnut tincture + grapefruit seed extract would be great there too. Greasy (coconut oiled) baby hair is just not attractive. Wink

« Last Edit: November 17, 2009, 11:09:09 PM by hi_itsgwen »
Logged

Re: Homemade Medicinal Gels [Aloe Vera based]
« Reply #10 on: November 20, 2009, 11:46:37 PM » by herbs girl

Hand sanitizer Recipe:

4 oz pure Aloe Vera Gel
12 drops Grapefruit Seed extract

mix together,and store in a squeeze bottle. To use, cover entire hands to make wet, then rub it in your hands and let dry.

Grapefruit seed extract kills germs

Researchers at the University of Sao Paulo in Brazil found the substance to be 100% effective in skin disinfection when used as a pre-surgical preparation compared to a 72% effectiveness rate for alcohol.

I think aloe vera juice would work well too, just add the grapefruit seed extract, put it in a spray bottle, spray on hands and rub clean!

« Last Edit: November 21, 2009, 11:11:54 AM by herbs girl »
Logged

Re: Homemade Medicinal Gels [Aloe Vera based]
« Reply #11 on: November 21, 2009, 01:36:49 PM » by herbalmom

2 threads about hand sanitizers that might help:

Hand Sanitizer: Yea or Nay?

Natural, non-toxic hand sanitizers--any ideas?

Logged

Re: Homemade Medicinal Gels [Aloe Vera based]
« Reply #12 on: November 21, 2009, 03:02:59 PM » by Kitty

Quote from: herbalmom on November 21, 2009, 01:36:49 PM

2 threads about hand sanitizers that might help:

Hand Sanitizer: Yea or Nay?

Natural, non-toxic hand sanitizers--any ideas?

Thanks, HM! Grin

I don't recall ever seeing those.

Logged

About My Eczema...UPDATED 2/2010

Re: Homemade Medicinal Gels [Aloe Vera based]
« Reply #13 on: December 04, 2009, 09:18:00 AM » by hi_itsgwen

Jen...you're my hero!!! Thank you SO much for introducing this concept and thread!

Reporting back on some experimenting I've been doing in this department:
We've been using an aloe/black walnut hull tincture mix on some wierd recurrent rashes with dh and ds. They've shown good improvment!
~I love that the aloe mix is easy for my boy to apply on his own. The straight tincture is too runny, and the black walnut dyed his skin. The aloe dillutes it down where it's not staining, and it stays put.
~If he puts too much on, it gets sticky/icky looking after it dries.
~It takes a while to get the tincture to come together with the aloe, but it does work great and stays in solution once you have it mixed well.

My toddler got a BIG goose-egg knot on her forehead yesterday. Her first reall boo-boo, and it was a doozie...that thing cast a shadow! She HATED anything wet on her forehead (ice/comfrey poultice), so after 'torturing' her with that for a while <insert weeping and gnashing of teeth> I mixed up some of the arnica/lavender* tincture with aloe and applied that to her bump regularly. This morning, it looks SO much better! The swelling is way down, and there is very little discoloration...no bruising, and no black eye like I thought we'd have!

I made a strong comfrey infusion overnight, and will make a gel with that and alternate comfrey with the arnica today. She doesn't particularly *like* the sticky gel feeling either, but it's really quick to apply it and then it does its work without having to hold on a compress. ♥ it!!!

*I feel totally comfortable using lavender occasionally for things like this...I didn't want to discourage its use. I just personally wouldn't use it (especially in the concentration of an essential oil) as a daily product on a little boy.

Logged

Re: Homemade Medicinal Gels [Aloe Vera based]
« Reply #14 on: December 06, 2009, 12:33:45 AM » by WellTellMommy

Gwen great info about the estro/ andro gen affects of Lavender & TTO, I had not read this yet and was considering using it in baths, Thankful to have read this so soon before having used it too much.
About the hand sanitizer I'm curious as to if Clove oil or Rosemary would be good choices.

Logged

DD 5yo---Mom, I think we should take a camera with us when we go to Heaven, it'll be so beautiful up there.

Sherri

Re: Homemade Medicinal Gels [Aloe Vera based]
« Reply #15 on: December 08, 2009, 12:57:39 PM » by Whiterock