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Now is the time to be creative and look to our past for natural products that can be used in everyday life without fear of wasting time and money, and with no threat to the environment. I have sorted the following ideas into four categories.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:off ice:office" />

1. NATURAL HEALTH IDEAS. Here are just a few examples.

For headaches, rub a few drops of peppermint oil onto temples, forehead and the back of your neck. Another remedy, surprisingly, is to dip one of your arms in cold water for several minutes and then dry it vigorously with a towel.

To clear the sinuses, try a blend of 2 drops each of eucalyptus, bergamot and lavender oils placed on a cloth and inhaled.

For a healthy digestion, and to alleviate nausea, you can't beat dandelion tea. It is also a wonderful liver tonic. This is much healthier than taking antacids which impede digestion. You wouldn't think weeds could be so useful!

2. BEAUTY TREATMENTS. Most bought beauty treatments are expensive! Here are some suggestions that won't cost you any more money as they use everyday ingredients.

Egg shampoo adds sheen to the driest hair. Beat 1 egg white and fold into 2 egg yolks. Stir in 1 teaspoon honey, 1 tablespoon olive oil and the juice of 1 lemon. Massage the shampoo thoroughly into the scalp and leave on for 10 minutes. Rinse hair thoroughly.

For a deep, rich brown, natural hair colouring, grind 8-12 oz walnut shells (using a coffee grinder), then blend this powder with a dash each of vegetable oil and cider vinegar and a little hot water, forming a creamy paste. Leave 15 minutes. Add more water to the paste to make it spreadable and paint it onto clean, dry hair with a pastry brush. Cover with plastic wrap and keep warm while the dye soaks in. Check regularly until your hair reaches the shade you want. Finally, shampoo and condition your hair.

For a mild facial scrub, mix 4 oz cornflour, 2 oz wheat flour and 4 oz dried milk powder. After washing, blend a little of this mixture with warm water to make a paste and massage your face with the scrub for a few minutes. Rinse off.

3. AROUND THE HOUSE. Many of the products used for cleaning and polishing are quite toxic. There are, however, many safer alternatives.

Keep dust away with a mix of 1 3/4 pints water, 1 teaspoon vinegar and 1 teaspoon glycerine. Mix in a container, pour a little onto a soft cloth and wipe over your furniture.

Remove stubborn stains on wood with a mixture of 1 teaspoon petroleum jelly

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