SilverTree Botanic

10/08/2025

05/08/2025

I have also just discovered the power of limes to clean the oven!
Low heat; several halved limes in a tray bottom of oven for an HR or so. Grease just wipes off and given smells great. No chemical fumes or scrubbing with a brillo pad!


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🧴✨ The magic spray that grandma silently prepared ✨🍋

A homemade, natural, and effective recipe to clean and perfume your home without harsh chemicals.

🌿 Ingredients and preparation:

🔸 Place lemon peels in a jar with white vinegar
⏳ Let it sit for 1 week to obtain a natural concentrate

🔸 Add a sprig of rosemary or lavender
🌸 Provides a delicate aroma and helps repel insects

🔸 Pour the mixture into a spray bottle
🪟 Use it on glass, countertops, and sinks
✨ Cleans, disinfects, and leaves a shine without rinsing

🔸 Shake gently before each use
🌱 A drop of tradition for a healthy home See less

04/08/2025

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Rosemary & Sage: Nature’s Brain Boosters?

What if the key to fighting Alzheimer’s has been sitting in your spice rack all along?

New research reveals that carnosic acid, a compound found in rosemary and sage, doesn’t just add flavor—it may reverse memory loss and protect brain cells from degeneration.

In Alzheimer’s models, carnosic acid activated the NRF2 pathway, a master switch for your brain’s defense system. This pathway fights off oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and even toxic protein buildup—hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease.

Even more remarkable? It crosses the blood-brain barrier, meaning it doesn’t just float around—it goes directly to your brain’s trouble zones and starts repairing tissue.

In mouse studies, researchers saw:

Sharper memory recall

Improved neuron function

Stronger brain connections

While human trials are still ahead, this breakthrough is a wake-up call. We often overlook everyday plants as medicine but rosemary and sage are showing neuroprotective potential we can’t ignore.

So the next time you sprinkle herbs on dinner, remember: you might be feeding your brain more than your taste buds.

02/08/2025

Shated from another site

HomeMade Lye (making soap naturally)

Want to learn an old-fashioned skill Grandma knew? Let's dive into how to make lye from scratch using hardwood ash! This is a fascinating process for homesteading, DIY projects, and understanding how things were made in the past. 🧼🔥

Lye made this way is Potassium Hydroxide, perfect for making softer soaps. (The lye you buy for hard bar soap is usually Sodium Hydroxide, which originally came from salt).

⚠️ IMPORTANT SAFETY WARNING ⚠️
Lye is a caustic substance that can cause serious chemical burns. This is NOT a project for kids. Please handle with extreme care.

Always wear safety goggles and chemical-resistant gloves.

Work in a well-ventilated area, preferably outdoors.

Use non-reactive cookware (stainless steel or enamel). Do NOT use aluminum.

How to Make Lye from Hardwood Ash (The Grandma Method)

Here’s a step-by-step guide to making your own Potassium Hydroxide:

Step 1: Make Your Ash

Build a fire using only hardwoods (like hickory or oak).

Let the fire burn down completely until all that's left is a fine, white/grey ash.

Allow the ash to cool completely before handling.

Step 2: Create the Ash Slurry

Scoop the cooled ashes into a large, non-reactive pot (like an enamel stockpot).

Add just enough water (rainwater is traditionally best) to turn the ashes into a thick, mud-like consistency. Mix well.

Step 3: Let it Leach

Let the ash and water mixture sit for at least 8 hours, but no longer than 36 hours.

The water will slowly leach the potassium salts from the ash. For best results, give it a good stir every hour or so.

Step 4: Strain the Lye Water

Carefully pour the mixture through a strainer or colander into another large, non-reactive pot. This separates the dark, liquid lye water from the solid ash chunks.

Step 5: Evaporate the Water

Place the pot of lye water on an outdoor burner or a well-ventilated stove.

Bring the liquid to a boil, then reduce the heat to a gentle simmer.

Let it simmer until all the water has evaporated. This can take a long time! You will be left with a crystallized powder.

Congratulations! That powder is your homemade lye (Potassium Hydroxide). You can now store it in a clearly labeled, airtight container for future projects like making traditional soft soap.

Grandma's Tip: Soap made with this lye will be soft. If she wanted a harder bar of soap, she would add salt to the mix to help it harden!

31/07/2025

Lush looking elderberries

27/07/2025

Excited to be here!! Sheringham Mind Body Spirit at the community centre Holway road.

Oh my gosh the cakes!!!