New member

Hi everyone!  I am new to this site and am interested in more natural things related to our bodies.  I prefer to stay away from pharmaceuticals, pesticides, etc.  I love gardening and would love to hear of alternatives to take care of weeds, the little bugs and spiders that like to reside in my home.  I prefer they stay outside lol.  I am also facing surgery and would love to hear about alternatives for wound care.  Thank you

Welcome to Permies, Sue. I think you're going to be right at home here. We call those products you mentioned "toxic gick" and we know what you're talking about. There are threads inside the different forums that address all the topics you brought up. I hope you'll explore them and contribute to the conversations. Also, there are many topical herbal treatments for wound healing, and they are talked about quite a bit here. I hope to see a lot of you here in the future.

Jim

Thank you Jim and I will!!  Appreciate it

Welcome to Permies!

I wish you well on your upcoming surgery.

Welcome to the forum!

When it come to pests, I have always used vinegar.

I found this solution by accident when I found that the vinegar I cleaned my counter tips with also killed an invasion of ants.  I have been using that in and around my house ever since then.

Not knowing what kind of surgery you are having makes it harder to suggest natural wound care.

Honey is antibacterial and good for healing cuts, etc.

I am looking forward to hearing more about your gardening adventures.

Anne, thank you for your response.  How do you use the vinegar?  Do you dilute and wipe or full strength or use a spray bottle?

I am having Mohs surgery and having a spot burned off on my back.  The Drs office already called twice letting me know that I can only use vaseline or Aquaphor, neither of which will be getting near my skin.  I have used beeswax in the past with great success but am learning Manuka Honey might be a better choice.  I also saw in searching that I can make my own concoction of herbs that might even be a better choice.  I am also looking into something called Birch that works like a glue and hold bandages in place.  I am allergic to the glue on all bandages and sometimes even paper tape is an issue.

I mix vinegar 50/50 with water and put in a spray bottle for inside.

I have used it similar to the above by just pouring it where needed.

Soapy water is also good for pests.  I usually use old dish water mostly pouring where needed.

For aphids, etc a spray bottle works.

Speaking of Birch, old tales for Am. Indians was to use bark as bandages for wounds.

Bark?  Like in bark from a tree or an herb called bark?  Thanks for the vinegar recipe.  I've been getting some ants but mostly spiders.  I can handle snakes but no spiders, no way!!!