I know it's been a while since I've added great tidbits to the Sage Page™ in our herbal/health side of the site, so here goes...

My interests of course are about wellness, seeking methods that work best for most, in an economic and eco-friendly manner, equal to my health philosophies. Recently I was searching for a remedy for non-chemical fabric softeners, commercially made, and found little to satisfy my requirements, with the exception of Seventh Generation.

First, I want to suggest to you folks to refrain from using dryer sheets due to their non-user-friendly toxins: chloroform, benzyl acetate, benzyl alcohol, ethyl acetate, pentane, camphor, limonene, and alpha-terpineol. These ingredients have the potential to affect users in both the molecular airborne particulates as well as the skin contact on your clothing/bedding may have an affect with the following:

• Central Nervous System - issues such as: headaches, dizziness, drowsiness and muscle in-coordination
• Respiratory- inflammation in both bronchia and lungs, allergies exacerbated
• Digestive System- Nausea and vomiting, liver issues
• Urinary System- Kidney issues
• Skin-Irritations
• Cancer

Now, back to my suggestions:

I use Seventh Generation lavender scented liquid softener in the rinse water for my bedding, and I put some in a spray bottle, spray an old washcloth and add it to my bedding in the dryer. Then, in the last few minutes of the drying cycle I spray the inside of the dryer to add back the fragrance as it degrades away in the drying cycle The lavender fragrance does fade (a plus for allergy sufferers- and when it degrades the softening and anti-static is still effective), however the fragrance from spraying the inside of the dryer is pleasant at least the first night on those fresh clean sheets.

Additionally, I did find one fabric softener recipe that you can make at home easily. It is non-chemical, non-fume producing, and it reduces static in the winter. Here's the recipe:

• 2c baking soda (doesn't have to be premium- get the cheapest)
• 2c white vinegar (doesn't have to be premium- get the cheapest)
• 4c of water

Mix the baking soda and vinegar in a bucket (plastic) it will foam, so leave room for expansion, then add water to dilute mixture, if needed. Use a large rinsed out fabric softener bottle for storage.

It's excellent for adding to the rinse water to soften clothes as there is absolutely no fragrance after drying.

After experimenting, I had a feeling this formula would go a much longer way.

I tried a batch with very little water, maybe a cup with the 2c each of baking soda and vinegar, and went to work cleaning! Yup! Now, my tile shower enclosure is lovely! Sparkly and shiny! And no after smells or chemical fumes like those bathroom cleaners produce for so long after the job is done.

It was marvelous removing soap scum off the tile and the tub which was the garden type in a plastic. Worked great!

Shake well before using. Use a non-abrasive soft scrubber with a handle it gets the job done faster. It does take muscle maybe a small amount more than the chemical products however it's well worth it.

Don't use this formula on marble or slate surfaces, as those surfaces are more porous then ceramic tile, and deep stains could occur. Do not use bleach of any kind with this solution.

Ok. I'm not done yet. Cleaning chrome is another great use. Nice and sparkly. The water is really hard where I live and leaves marks on the chrome, and spots on dishes etc...

So what about dishes? Add a little to the rinse water and see how sparkly they are! I leave out the baking soda, and add a smidge to the final rinse receptacle where the liquid rinse products usually go. I may stop using dishwasher rinse products all together.

When the job is finished pour the formula down the drain, and the mineral deposits in the drain will be less and less each time you do this cleaning!

The formula also helps strip away residue left in the washer when you add it to the last rinse, thereby adding life to the washer. Such a deal! I save money by using this formula, I add to keeping the environment safer without chemicals, and I am fume-free!

So, enjoy!

The Defender™ is one of our premium brands, a very effective natural antibiotic. It is useful with colds, flu, virus, and bacteria, and when following the directions "At the first sign of a symptom" is the key. "At the first sign of a symptom" makes all the difference in completely eliminating the "bug" rather than waiting for a full-blown sickness.

Through the years of using this formula it has been found to be effective with the following: sore throats, flu, runny nose associated with a beginning cold, headache and achiness associated with the flu, bladder and kidney infections, earaches, even the beginnings of Strep and Tonsillitis.

Testimonies tell us how beneficial this formula has been for many. (See testimonials)

Combining The Defender™ with our other formulas is very helpful and effective. For example: The Defender™ and the Flu Defender™ work synergistically to fight the Flu before it gets out of control.

The Defender™ with Fever Defense™ is useful in countering fever while fighting infection.

The Defender™ with Kidney Stone Defense™ helps with infection and enhances the effects the Kidney Stone Defense™ has on the urinary tract.

The Defender™ has a positive effect on the Respiratory System when combined with any of our Respiratory formulas: Lung Guardian™, Seasonal Allergies Complex™, Seasonal Defense™, Throat Ease™, Cold & Sinus Defender™, Cold & Flu P.M.™, Cough Ease™, when taken at the first sign of a bug or virus or infection.

Remember The Defender™ is a premium natural antibiotic, and should only be used for short periods of time in order to allow the body its own abilities to fight infections.

Overuse of any antibiotic diminishes your immune system's ability to fight infection as it cannot do the fighting on its own, with overuse.

So, remember these few thoughts when using The Defender™:

• Take The Defender™ "at the first sign" of any viral or bacterial offense.
• Follow the instructions on the label.
• If you are getting sick already, take 2-3 capsules of The Defender™ hourly, monitoring the symptoms until you notice less symptoms.
• Begin to reduce the capsules per hour, and following that, take The Defender™ every 3-4 hours, until The Defender™ is no longer needed.
• If you have scratchy eyes and a dry throat, and a new sneeze/sniffle, take one capsule an hour until the symptoms are diminished, followed by taking less until The Defender™ is no longer needed.

The objective with using The Natural Sage Herbals™ is to allow your body to do its own work. The Natural Sage Herbals™ work synergistically with your body's systems to co-create wellness until your body can take over.

The Natural Sage Herbals™ encourages optimum health, without co-dependence on supplements.