Posts Tagged ‘essential oils’

To Live Naturally Avoid These Everyday Contaminants

Friday, December 9th, 2011

Present day lifestyle makes all of us exposed to a constant chemical invasion, via the air we all inhale to the h2o we all drink, as well as skin care and hair care products we employ on a day-to-day basis. It’s not known just what the long-term effects connected with these types of chemicals will be, however one thing’s without a doubt, it can’t be very good. Some individuals do not know the massive quantities of additives and preservatives within their foods, water and individual treatment solutions. Several are too pre-occupied to care, while others possess the mindset ‘ Yeah I understand, it’s bad, but what exactly could you do?’

The knowledgeable, wise people out there though, are taking another view. Almost any species who is unable to live in balance together with it’s natural environment will help make itself extinct. Simple fact. It’s nature. If mankind proceed the direction they are moving, they may really end up wiped out. As an example, 100 years previously, cancer affected around one in every fifty men and women. Today it strikes one in three. It won’t be long before it is attacking fifty percent the human population. It doesn’t take a guru to understand our chosen lifestyle will be the most significant aspect affecting this specific boost.

Diet particularly, is of great significance in regards to preserving good health, but many people neglect this fact and fill their bodies ( and their children ) with low-nutrient , chemical product and additive filled junk food. When we consume various meats, they are really ingesting exactly the same various chemicals and hormones that the animal ingested. Being overweight is on the razor-sharp rise, and it’s not shocking given that the majority of over weight people are generally meat-eaters. They eat the meat, the animal products is stuffed with growth hormones along with chemical substances, the growth hormones are absorbed into the human body, so the person gets heavier. Would you like my advise – if you’re (blank) over weight and honestly wish to shed fat – get on a low fat all-vegetable diet regime.

If your whole body had a choice, it would likely demand loads of fresh organic vegetables and fruits, usually raw. One’s body would certainly choose clean , fresh water ( I mean 100 % pure bottled spring water, not the stuff that comes out of your faucet at your home). Think of how much water you consume per day, and by that I mean water that’s not combined with squash, tea , gourmet coffee or something else. I wager it isn’t really much. Do the body a favor, the next time you reach for the carbonated drink, choose the mineral water instead.

Faucet drinking water is merely yet another way that all of us are being poisoned every single day. Its full of chemical compounds, hormones as well as in a lot of areas it also carries flouride. Yes, sodium flouride , that old favorite. The thing they load in tooth paste is the same stuff they use to make rat-poison ! Surprised. What people get puzzled by is calcium flouride, which is the particular stuff naturally present in water that helps keep our teeth and bones strong. Most people think this is exactly what goes into tooth paste along with the water supply, wrong.

Sodium flouride is usually a by-product of aluminium smelting as well as other industries. It is nothing more than harmful waste. For decades it was very expensive to dispose of, right up until someone made a decision to make up some rubbish regarding it being useful for your teeth, so that they could get away with disposing of it in our drinking water supply. This needless to say was executed without public permission. Wonderful, thank you for that, I am going to stick to the bottled stuff. Sodium flouride gathers in the body as time passes, and it may lead to cancerous cells. It may make our bones considerably softer so that they break more readily, and it won’t protect a person’s teeth, in reality it’s got the opposite outcome. Sodium flouride is usually a major component in anesthetic, hypnotic, as well as psychiatric prescription drugs as well as military nerve gas.

Whenever we think about the skin care and haircare products and solutions many of us utilize every day, most possess sodium laurel ( or even laureth ) sulfate. This is a foaming agent that is so harsh that this was first put to use as motor degreaser! Cool that, cleansing your body and your hair in something tough enough to strip grease off a garage floor. No wonder all of us are paying a lot of money on moisturisers! Hmmm, am I simply paranoid or do you contemplate there can be some strategy inside their madness. Therefore they put this SLS inside your shampoo or conditioner,shower gel, wash foam, toothpaste and so forth, and then add moisturising elements to the identical solutions to combat the actual drying out effects of the SLS. You may want to just purchase products and solutions with no SLS? That’s what the sensible folks are doing.

After I stopped employing commercial shampoos and conditioners and skin-care goods, and switched to practically all natural and organic, herbal skincare goods, and also organic hair care solutions, my skin and hair are fabulous. My own head of hair that was once frizzy as well as dried out is today curly and shiny. Because I began making use of organic, aromatherapy based skincare, my skin that was once so shiny from all of the grease and chemicals coming from my preceding moisturiser, has become so smooth , a lot younger looking, and that i do not need powder or even makeup foundation mainly because my skin is great! I take advantage of non-flouride toothpaste, and I take vitamin and mineral dietary supplements every day. I constantly eat fresh, organically produced vegetables and fruits, and I invariably consume bottled, pure water. If you value your whole body, your health and your life, together with your little ones along with other loved ones, then you owe it to oneself to improve your lifestyle right this moment and initiate living more naturally.

Want to find out more about natural products such as tamanu oil benefits, then visit my site about natural skin care oil

Essential Oils Scientifically-Proven to Reduce Inflammation

Wednesday, October 12th, 2011

For the majority of mankind’s history, people have used home remedies to alleviate pain and treat inflamed muscles, joints and connective tissue. The bark of the Willow tree has actually been the source of ‘the wonder drug’ for pain reduction, due in-fact to its inflammation-reducing action. Now, many renown therapists and lay-practitioners are instead making use of aromatic oils for reducing inflammation, as well as addressing the painful symptoms of inflammation.

Essential oils offer an easy method of using the pain and inflammation relieving potential of natural medicine. The only thing you have to do is measure a few a little essential oils in with a carrier oil and rub in for , even long-lasting, relief.

A review of the recent research uncovers quite a number of papers in which scientists have validated the anti-inflammatory potential of therapeutic essential oils. The oils utilized in aroma-medicine have been meticulously distilled to keep their therapeutic potential. These are labeled as “therapeutic grade” essential oils – as opposed to food grade.

The essential oils that comprise aroma therapeutic practices are in-fact complex natural chemical compounds, comprised of many individual chemicals. Based on the plant from which they’re distilled, can provide a powerful anti-inflammatory activity which prevents the creation of pro-inflammatory substances in the body. Certain essential oils which have anti-inflammatory properties that may be obvious, being produced from plant materials which have always been used for this application. Ginger and turmeric are two excellent examples.

Super-critical CO2 distillation (a new, cold-process means of making aromatherapy oils) of each these plants are added as ingredients in anti-inflammatory recipes. These oils are readily available by any practitioner or healthcare provider to utilize their analgesic, inflammation-reducing properties in their own formulations.

Recently released in the Journal of Lipid Research are the data from a study performed in Japan that confirm the inflammation-reducing action of a few essential oils. This supports the idea of using aromatherapy oils in recipes for reducing pain and inflammation. The essential oils shown to lessen the inflammatory response from occurring act by means of suppression of the COX-2 pro-inflammatory enzyme. The pure essential oils used in the experiments included oils from edible herbs like oregano and fennel, and a variety of others such as rose, bergamot and eucalyptus.

The essential oils considered by aromatherapy professionals to have the strongest inflammation reducing activity employed in essential oil medicine have yet to be researched (such as Helichrysum and Chamomile). Which can mean that there are several of compounds found in therapeutic essential oils which have anti-inflammatory properties.

The strongest inflammation reduction in the study was a result of the the pure oil from the culinary herb, thyme. Further, some of the individual natural constituents of the essential oil were examined, and it was learned that a constituent called carvacrol had the the most profound anti-inflammatory activity. This constituent is present in many other essential oils as well.

This is simply a brief report, uncovering inflammation-reducing properties of aroma-medicine and its oils. The important thing to note is that essential oils do offer a truly helpful, non-synthetic, inexpensive method of treating symptoms of inflammation, particularly those which result from rheumatism in addition to other aging-related diseases. One of the most important aspects, too, of authentic essential oils is that they typically do not just alleviate the pain, but are often actually treating the illness, so that the symptoms may be eliminated after a course of therapy.

There’s so much more to learn. Uncover the vast number of resources regarding the use of the medicinal actions of many essential oils at anandaapothecary.com.

Tamanu Oil: Everything You Could Want In A Skin Care Oil

Friday, July 15th, 2011

You’ll find a new carrier oil being mentioned more often for beauty care. It might not even have celebrity endorsement, but it’s worthy of it. The oil is pressed from tree nuts grown on island sin the South Pacific ocean, called Tamanu nut oil. Indigenous island cultures have used the oil for healing every conceivable skin condition for a very long time.

Its combination of therapeutic effects appear to put it at the top of the list for anti-aging skin care. Some companies are offering it as an agent to prevent scar formation and speed healing, though this is just the tip of the iceberg.

A research team recently looked at all the data, and concluded the oil is definitely worth using for healing the skin. The oil stimulates skin cell production to increase. This is the foundation property of many anti-aging, anti-wrinkle skin care formulas..

In another study seeking a chemical to prevent UV radiation damage to the eye, researchers found that Tamanu significantly blocked the absorption of UV light rays. So like Retin-A, it speeds skin cell production, and unlike it, it actually protects the skin from sun exposure (now we’re not sure how much relative to sunscreen, but they did say “Tamanu oil, even at low concentration, exhibited significant UV absorption properties”.

And as if that wasn’t enough, another study discovered it also has anti-cancer properties as well. Plus it has a host of other properties that make it useful for healing of all sorts of skin conditions: it is also antimicrobial (a good base oil for acne formulas) and antiviral as well (supporting the healing of herpes outbreaks.

The oil is very unique in color, texture and scent relative to other carrier oils. Some folks don’t care for the aroma, but it’s really not that strong – particularly if you blend it with other base oils and/or add essential oils. It’s a deep greenish-brown color, and the unfiltered product will be somewhat “grainy” – yet these are just different components of the oil which “freeze” like coconut oil, but will smooth out right away when applied to the skin (or added to a blend).

So, if you’re interested in an anti-aging formula you can make yourself, that will be highly effective (at least as good as any “high-end” skin care cream, use Tamanu oil as at least part of your base. Its actually often recommended at about one-quarter to one-third of the base, but of course there’s no harm in applying it at one hundred percent. Other carrier oils to consider to synergize with its action are argan, rosehip seed (avoid if prone to acne – though the tamanu can actually prevent it) borage, hempseed and pomegranate seed oils.

To make yourself an exceptionally effective anti-aging skin care beauty blend, try a recipe like this: use 1/3rd each tamanu, rosehip and virgin coconut as your base (substitute hempseed or evening primrose for either of the oils if you need to). Add up to three percent (remember 12 drops essential oil in each ounce of base equals one percent) seabuckthorn essential oil (CO2 extract), and less than 1 percent each of everlasting, carrot root, and/or rosehip essential oil (not the pressed seed oil). It’ll be magic.

Essential oils have a vast potential for healing applications. Try Synegy Essentials to browse their learning library.

Using Essential Oils and Extracts for After Sun Skin Protection

Tuesday, June 21st, 2011

Russian Astronauts once considered essential oils as a protectant for the skin from strong UV rays. Thankfully we don’t need rockets for the tests! It’s really easy to make yourself an after-sun, recipe that can limit the premature aging that the Sun’s ultraviolet light is known to do. These formulas can be used in conjunction with your sunscreen if you like.

The most helpful oils are the CO2 extracts of whole Sea Buckthorn , Carrot , German Chamomile, Rosemary antioxidant extractand Rose Hip (not the carrier, but that’s good too!) The reason these oils are so beneficial is that they’re very easy on the skin, and are very rich in nutrients that may prevent, or at least slow the aging activity that sunlight exposure can produce.

The gentle action of these extracts lets you use them in large amounts in your formulas without the intense feeling steam distilled oils can cause.

Each of these CO2 oils has a complex mixture of phytonutrients that affect the primary skin damaging activities: oxidation and inflammation. Oxidation occurs when a photon knocks an electron from its orbit in a molecule. That molecule then becomes an “oxidative radical” and removes particles from other healthy molecules(this is a rather simple explanation, but does explain the process).

The anti-oxidants available in these CO2 essential oils limits the damage by donating an electron to the oxidative radical.A blend of antioxidants is useful, as the oxidative radicals themselves take different shapes, requiring different substances to properly quench them.

Inflammation is the other aspect of sun-damage that should also be limited. Blue chamomile, and certain carrier oils are also known for their anti-inflammatory activity(As are, actually, all the oils listed above, but the Chamomile may be the strongest, You should select carrier oils that synergize with the extracts for best effects.

A variety of blends can be made with these ingredients, even simply choosing from what you have on hand.

Apply these blends right after you’ve been in the sun, and again throughout the day if you like. They will leave a little color on your skin, but will absorb fairly quickly. Consider using the formulas before going in the sun, too.

Here are some blends: For each ounce you make, begin by estimating one-third of an ounce of each carrier. Coconut, rosehip seed, pomegranate and “foraha” are great choices. Then mix in Berry CO2, Carrot Root CO2, 7 drops Rosemary CO2 anti-oxidant extract and eleven Blue Chamomile.

Don’t be afraid to experiment and create your own blend – there are many oils that will do the job, and a little research will help you in your creation.

There’s so much more to learn. Expand your knowledge about many single note therapeutic oils like pine oil and plai at AnandaApothecary.com.

Various Uses For Lavender Essential Oil And Its Physical Benefits

Monday, May 30th, 2011

The Lavender essential oil is found only in the bud part of the flower. A member of the mint family, the plant originated from Asia, crossing Western Iran, Arabia and India to settle in the West. It flourishes in dry, well-drained soil and enjoys plenty of sunlight. There are 39 different varieties.

The dried flower has a number of uses and is a favourite in potpourris and as confetti at weddings. The perfume has been enjoyed for years although it is an insect repellent and works well especially on mosquitoes and moths.

Aromatherapy diffusers burn the oil creating a soothing and relaxing atmosphere. Its possible to distill at home using some special equipment and the steam method for a small outlay. If used for medical reasons its important to use Lavandula Angustifloia instead of Lavandin which is cheaper but has no medical properties. Beneficial for those with sleep disorders if sprinkled onto a pillow it aids sleep. If a few drops are added to a bath it can calm a hyperactive child.

Being one of the milder oils its safe to apply straight onto the skin and another benefit is its suitability for first aid. It improves skin infections like acne, eases menstrual cramps and muscle aches, relieves headaches and sunburn, and soothes arthritic symptoms. However, like all essential oils its recommended that pregnant and breastfeeding women read the contradictions before using them.

There are different ways to apply the oil. Adding carrier oils such as Almond or Jojoba to a few drops of essential oil creates wonderfully soothing massage oil. This can even be massaged onto the scalp to prevent hair loss. If stored correctly in a cool dark place away from sunlight the oil will last for up to 2 years.

As a natural disinfectant the vapors can be inhaled and used to prevent and treat coughs, colds and other respiratory illnesses. It was used in field hospitals to disinfect walls, relieve patient pain and to speed up the healing process. Its properties are anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal and antiseptic.

Lavender essential oil produces sweet oil which can be used in cosmetics, balms and moisturizers. This makes it popular in cooking and a delicious addition to scones, sugar, lemon curd, syrup, cake decorations, syrup and marshmallows. A premium Mono-floral honey is made by its nectar.

For more on the therapeutic value of aromatherapy oils, and one of many important oils individually such as organic Geranium essential oil, visit The Ananda Apothecary online.

The Benefits Of Using Essential Oils For Arthritis Care

Tuesday, April 12th, 2011

Essential oils are all natural, safe and effective and have no side effects when used correctly. This very old holistic form of therapy has many benefits for the mind and body. When inhaled, ingested, or applied to the skin, these remedies act both an energetically and biochemically. The aromatic essential oils have a specific effect on the mind and body, including well-researched anti inflammatory actions for treating arthritis. Using essential oils for arthritis care can be of great benefit to sufferers of this condition.

In the United States, the essential oils are used to compliment conventional therapies. This type of therapy has been made use of for centuries as a holistic healing tool. Aromatic oils are extracted from plants and are extremely concentrated in their pure form — they should be diluted before use. Different combinations of the oils are diluted and blended together to create synergistic, holistic preparations for pain relief and inflammation reduction.

The use of essential oils as therapy offers pharmacological and medical results on the body. Among the most acknowledged of these outcomes is the relief of pain. For those individuals suffering with arthritic pain, the best method for using oils is topical application. The employed blend of oil is absorbed through the skin in the course of massage, bathing, and hot compresses.

Using the proper blend and dilution of the oil will help to relieve the pain and inflammation in the arthritic joints. They can be used in a bath by adding a specific number of drops to the tub, or rubbed or messaged into the affected areas. Warm compresses can also be made to wrap around or placed on the body.

The use of the oil and hot compresses have been very successful in relieving the pain of arthritic joints. Making the compress is as simple as filling a bowl with hot water that include a number of drops of an oil containing the pain relieving properties, placing a clean cotton cloth in the bowl and squeezing it out before applying it to the area of concern.

The benefits of this therapeutic approach begins with the right combination of essential oils. The therapy produces a number of outcomes and among them is the anesthetic effect of certain blends. Combinations of menthol (found in peppermint and corn mint) and camphor (found in the camphor-type of rosemary essential oil) produce a dulling in the pain receptors which in turn relieves pain.

There are several single or blends of the oil with pain relieving properties. Among them is frankincense which research has shown can relieve the pain and improve arthritis in seven days. Frankincense has been used in Ayurvedic medicine, which is “the science of life” and a very holistic approach, to treat the joint condition for hundreds of years. This essential oil is edible, and the raw resin can be chewed to gain its benefits. Other oils to experiment with are helichrysum (known as an anti-inflammatory, pain reliever and regenerative oil), ginger (especially the CO2 distillation, also researched for its “COX-2″ inflammation inhibition) and German Chamomile (who’s blue chemical called “matracin” is a potent inflammation reducer). Wintergreen oil is chemically similar to liquid aspirin, and benefits many people with painful joints.

Before using essential oils for arthritis care make sure to check with your physician or arthritis specialist. Also be certain to use the right combination of anti inflammatory and pain relieving properties. Do not apply the treatment to the skin if there are any cuts or tenderness. It is also important to be certain that the treatment will not cause any skin irritations. Test a small amount first to ensure your own personal response to the oils, and be sure to use a carrier oil or “base” oil, into which the essential oils are blended. This in no way reduces the potency of the essential oils, but actually helps them penetrate into the affected area. If you have not yet used essential oils for arthritis relief, they are certainly worth a try, and have been successful for many individuals.

Uma aromatherapy spray is a favorite natural aromatherapy blend that is a favorite among yoga teachers.

Aromatherapy For Men: Keep Your Skin Looking Youthful With These Formulas

Monday, October 4th, 2010

Most of the time you’ll find essential oil blends for skin care formulated for women. They’ll have fairly floral scents, and maybe ingredients specifically included to manage estrogen. Well, here’s a look at formulating for men; blends with deeper, mild aromas and therapeutic actions geared toward helping men keep their skin healthy and youthful.

Formulating blends for younger looking skin requires selecting oils which offer these therapeutic properties: regenerative, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidative. Essential oils are really exceptional skin-care ingredients, as they offer these important anti-aging actions (several having been backed by scientific research), and are well-tolerated and easily absorbed. The essential oils are mixed into carrier oils — which are “oils” in the more classic sense. Yet even these are selected for their specific anti-aging therapeutic effects.

Certain aromatic ingredients have a very long “track record” of anti-aging use; specifically the resins of frankincense and myrrh are highly regarded for this purpose. In aromatherapy, these are available both as “essential oils” and as “CO2 extracts”; for skin care, the latter is best, as it they are most similar to the actual medicinal resin. These oils have a range of properties, including all three that most interest us. They’re also perfect from a “men’s fragrance” standpoint, with their earthy scents.

The steam distilled essential oils of helichrysum and rosemary (of the “verbenone” chemotype) are also highly-regarded for their rejuvenative actions. These oils are found in nearly every formula for smoothing skin texture (particularly for scarring), as their ability to stimulate cellular turnover may be unsurpassed. They each contain unique ketones, which signal the production of new skin cells.

Then we come to the oils rich in nutrients that are both potent antioxidants and necessary for cellular regeneration. These are all found as carbon dioxide extracts: Carrot root, rosehip, and sea buckthorn. Each of these oils is a shade of reddish-orange, indicating its high level of antioxidants and carotenoids (vitamin-A compounds closely tied to skin health). Use any one, or all three — just know the more you use in your formula, the more red the formula will leave your skin for a little while application. With 1% or less concentration, this will be hardly noticed — if at all. You can even consider making a “daytime” and “nighttime” formula, using higher levels of these oils in the blend applied just before retiring for the evening.

Finally, we can put sandalwood in every skin care blend for men. Sandalwood is an exceptional oil for many reasons: it’s use is proven to prevent skin cancer. It is hydrating for dry skin, yet helps heal acne for those with oily skin. It also has a very much appreciated “bottom-note” aroma, that’s considered relaxing and grounding.

There are several carrier oils to choose from, with three that are highly regarded for their anti-aging properties: Rosehip seed oil (pressed from the seed, different than the rosehip CO2), tamanu nut oil and argan nut oil. Rosehip seed’s use is backed by research showing smoothing of skin texture, lines and wrinkles. Tamanu is a very therapeutic oil with a highly regenerative nature — it is though to almost triple the speed of new cell formation. Argan is high in antioxidants, and has recently made big waves in the natural beauty industry for its anti-aging action. You can use any of these oils singly as your base, or blend all three together in equal parts.

Ready to blend? These recipes may seem simple, but are truly efficacious. Using the base oils as described, to each one ounce of your base mixture, add: 4 drops each of frankincense and myrrh (or 8 drops of either single oil), 4 drops each of helichrysum and rosemary (or again 8 of either single oil), 6 drops sandalwood, and 16 drops of any of the three CO2 extracts of rosehip, carrot root or sea buckthorn. (If you want to get really fancy, you can blend these three together, then use 16 drops of the mixture). That’s it! An exceptional blend for normal or drier “mature” men’s skin.

For those with dry skin, using the same base oils, add 8 drops of myrrh, 8 drops of helichryum or rosemary, 8 drops sandalwood, and 12 drops of your choice of carrot root, sea buckthorn or rosehip extracts. For those with sensitive skin, add 8 drops of lavender as well. For those with acne-prone skin, be sure to change your recipe! Replace the rosehip seed in the base with virgin coconut oil (you’ll need to warm this to make it liquid before blending). Add 8 drops frankincense, rosemary, sandalwood, spike lavender and sea buckthorn essential oils.

That’s it — these formulations are as fine as any you’ll find in high-end boutiques at a fraction of the cost. Feel free too to adjust the recipes to your skin’s needs; this is easily done, and you can perfect your recipe to care for your “manly” skin for years to come.

The Ananda Apothecary carries some profoundly therapeutic essential oils, including Italian bergamot essential oil — considered the most important anti-depressant essential oil used today, and frankincense essential oil, with potent immune-enhancing and even anti-cancer effects.

Got Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria? Use Essential Oils!

Wednesday, September 1st, 2010

You’ve more than likely heard of MRSA, or Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, a strain of bacteria known as a “superbug”. It has also been referred to as “multi-drug resistant” and “oxacillin-resistant”, and by definition it is any strain of Staphyulococcus aureus bacteria that has grown resistant to what are known as “beta-lactam” antibiotics (which include the penicillins). Having grown resistant to powerful synthetic antibiotics, infection with this microbe is now responsible for many thousands of deaths annually — primarily in hospitals where patients are already immuno-compromised.

The search for an antidote to this deadly bacteria has been a prominent area of research in the last several years — and several essential oils have been found to be highly effective in eradicating the bug. Infections occur in the nasal passages and respiratory system, as well as in open wounds (including areas such as catheter insertions). Clearly an effective treatment should be available in both vapor phase (for inhalation) and in liquid for topical application. Essential oils meet both these requirements, and have been successfully tested in both conditions.

The efficacy of one of the most popular means of using essential oils as a preventative measure was elucidated by researchers testing oils in their vapor phase. By using a nebulizing diffuser — a device that makes an evaporating mist of an oil or oil blend — it was found that a blend of lemongrass and geranium could limit the growth of MRSA bacteria in a petri dish within the same enclosed space. And further, the airborne bacterial count in an office environment was reduced by eighty-nine percent by over fifteen hours using this same blend.

Tea tree essential oil, long considered the gold standard of antiseptic essential oils, has been the subject of many studies itself. The evidence seems to indicate that tea tree alone is not sufficient for eradication of the bacteria, and that overall it is likely not the best candidate for MRSA treatment. In a set of experiments using wound dressings, a blend of geranium and tea tree could eradicate Staphyulococcus aureus that were already sensitive to antibiotics; a blend of geranium essential oil and Citricidal (grapefruit seed extract) was found to eradicate MRSA when used on a wound dressing.

It’s interesting that no single essential oil has been found in all the research to be superior to synthetic antibiotics, but blends of essential oils have been. From this information, a company in the UK has developed a new strain of the herb thyme for distillation into an essential oil. Thyme essential oil is commonly available in 4 chemotypes, meaning it naturally has 4 distinct chemical profiles depending on the kind of thyme herb the oil has been distilled from. This new strain produces an essential oil with a chemical profile that mimics an essential oil blend, containing natural chemicals found in both thyme and tea tree essential oils. It preliminary studies, this essential oil alone has been found to be effective against MRSA — while it is not yet available in the US, keep watch for this new type of thyme essential oil.

A powerful blend of oils has been used successfully in human subjects with both acute and chronic infections with MRSA. One person had a bone infection for 2 years, which was unresponsive to antibiotics. A blend of Australian eucalyptus and tea tree, plus thyme, clove and lemongrass essential oils finally put a stop to the infection. Two other individuals discussed in the same report had suffered traumatic injuries which had become infected by MRSA. Infection of both individuals was eliminated with this essential oil blend alone.

Clearly essential oils hold excellent promise in treating MRSA infection, and by their nature, virtually all bacterial infections suffered by human beings. Acceptance of their use by mainstream medicine, particularly in the United States, has been exceedingly slow. This is likely due to the pharmaceutical-driven environment of our health institutions, where essential oils have no way into the system. Hopefully through the education of both doctors and patients, efficacious natural treatments such as essential oils will eventually be embraced, as given the scientific support, they certainly deserve to be.

The author is a regular contributor to several sites in the areas of using Aromatherapy and Bach flower remedies . She can be contacted at www.AnandaApothecary.com

Are Essential Oils Medicines? A New Look at Aromatherapy

Sunday, March 14th, 2010

Therapeutic use of essential oils is beginning to be recognized in the United States as a valid modality for treating illness. There is still significant resistance to the science of Aromatherapy, but such is the resistance from the institutional-medicine/pharmaceutical-industrial complex to most ‘natural’ health treatments. ‘Big Pharma’ is THE industry with the highest average profit margins on earth — and is dedicated to producing, patenting, marketing selling new, unnatural (and therefore ‘patent-able’) chemical compounds that are supposed to answer every need of health and wellness. While some formulations do much good for the world (modern medicine has nearly eradicated several life-threatening illnesses from the planet), other medicines simply mask symptoms for a time, and others are downright dangerous.

Essential oils offer inexpensive, effective treatments for many ailments, free from side-effects of over-the-counter or prescription drugs. Whether the very limited and overtly skeptical presentation of Aromatherapy in the mainstream media is driven by the big money involved with institutional medicine remains to be clarified. In the meantime, YOU have the ways and means to include essential oils in your own natural medicine program. There are a great many resources available to the lay-practitioner to determine which oils and how they can best be applied for the improvement of your own health and wellness. Let’s have a look at what the science of Aromatherapy is really about…

There is an amazing disregard for natural healing in the mainstream media – despite the fact that so many of today’s ‘modern medicines’ are derived directly from plant compounds. There are HUNDREDS of plants that are known to contain anti-cancer compounds, for example. Many of these without the side-effects of chemotherapy (it takes a skilled, knowledgeable Naturopathic doctor to develop an effective personal protocol for this type of work, but success is certainly possible). This brings us to the amazing derision placed upon the science of Aromatherapy. Aromatherapy is purely the science of therapeutic use, for physiological as well as psychological imbalances and disorders, of naturally-produced volatile aromatic plant chemicals. It may be that the term ‘Aromatherapy’ lends itself to being pigeon-holed into mystical ‘new age’ hocus-pocus, but in reality, it is simply the practice of using a particular class of natural compounds to improve one’s health, wellness and well-being.

A backlash may be coming; more people are getting fed up with the high cost of healthcare and the soaring cost of prescription drugs. They are willing to investigate natural, inexpensive alternatives, particularly when ‘proven’ effective in the same arena as are modern pharmaceuticals. An important example is the use of Peppermint essential oil in treating irritable bowel syndrome. A study of 50 children comparing the effects of a common chemical preparation and peppermint oil capsules on alleviating their symptoms showed the peppermint oil to be drastically more effective, with fewer side effects, than the pharmaceutical drug. The nature of the essential oil is that it will eliminate bacteria causing disease symptoms, while leaving much-needed natural intestinal flora unharmed. This is the beauty of aromatherapy, and properly utilized natural medicines in general.

Another well documented treatment using essential oils is the use of Melissa essential oil on Herpes Simplex viral legions. The legions are outbreaks of the virus during times of undue stress; the virus is typically under control of the immune system and remains dormant in nerve endings of the skin – the disease is considered ‘incurable’ by conventional medicine. A great many university studies have evaluated Melissa (and other essential oils containing similar molecular components) and it’s efficacy in treating Herpes – and the results have been astounding. A majority of study participants have less pain, along with shorter and less-frequent outbreaks. One professor claims that the disease has gone into complete remission in some study participants with regular use of Melissa oil; no more outbreaks at all! Further, Melissa is very well tolerated, has no known toxic effects, and is readily available. This is true aroma-’therapy’ taking it’s place in the world of natural health, wellness and fitness.

Then, of course, there is the ‘aroma’ therapeutic aspect of essential oil use. The hard facts show the olfactory sense of the brain is wired directly to vital control centers of the gray matter – particularly those governing emotions, stress levels and, well we’re not sure how this relates to your health, but sexual arousal as well. And with acceptance of the importance of one’s mental health relating to their physical well being continuing to grow, Aromatherapy may eventually find it’s place in hospitals and doctor’s offices alongside stethoscopes, syringes and cotton swabs. Many, many studies have shown the self-evaluated improvements in mood and stress levels when inhaling particular essential oils – and because stress is considered by many health professionals as THE number one cause of disease, it’s a short leap to believe the inhalation of spirit-lifting aromas can result in improved states of health.

Aromatherapy is certainly not a cure all, but like any medical specialty, should be used when appropriate by knowledgeable patients and practitioners. How do you learn to use Aromatherapy most effectively for yourself? Education is the way! There are many wonderful, well-written books on the subject of medicinal usage of essential oils; of particular note are those by Dr. Kurt Schnaubelt: Advanced Aromatherapy and Medical Aromatherapy; also Jane Buckle’s Clinical Aromatherapy, and any publication by Robert Tisserand. These books can open a whole new world of alternative health and wellness, giving you more options to control your health care decisions than ever before. If in need, find a qualified, degreed practitioner – and remember, always consult a medical professional for any serious injury or illness. In some cases, aromatherapy can be used to as an adjunct to other treatments – discuss this with your doctor. Finally, there’s little harm in simply getting started with essential oils – learn, buy yourself some nice oils, and have fun!

The author has made available reports on specific oils such as patchouli and other therapeutic oils.

Buying Peppermint Oil? Read These Tips

Monday, February 1st, 2010

Peppermint oil is very helpful natural oil for good health. It can ease various health troubles. It finds use in assisting digestion, getting superb skin, mouth fresheners, healthy hair and diverse other things.

Not only for health benefits, it is applied for things like getting rid of pests at home and commercial locations. If you keep a few cotton chunks soaked in peppermint oil at some spot, rodents will not come near that place. Thus you may even get rid of rodents that way.

There are several health advantages. You can apply peppermint oil on your skin for a healthier and glowing skin. It is also great for burn injuries and other minor injuries. It assists heal naturally and does not result in any bad issues.

If you are suffering from digestion problems, peppermint may be a complete solution for you. Use the herb or its extracts. This will help better your digestive system naturally. You won’t have any ill effects as it is a safe and reliable method of improving your digestion.

If you go to the market looking to get peppermint oil capsules, tabs or supplements, you will witness that you may get a bottle for as low as 6 dollars for one. You can purchase the essential peppermint oil at several online stores for a cheap sum and have it transported in a little time.

Peppermint extracts are found in several forms in the market. These are used as a constituent in various natural remedies and tablets too. These make an important part in hair care natural formulations and are very useful for stomach problems.

Peppermint extracts are there in different hair care solutions. These are also used in natural creams for healing bruises and injuries. Due to their pleasant smell, these are also useful in oral fresheners. Thus there are quite a lot of benefits of these extracts in their many forms.

Thus you should have peppermint oil or its herbal extracts at home for several applications. Utilize it for superb health or also for getting rid of pests like rodents. To get it, you can place an order to buy it at online outlets that provide low-priced deals and ship to any location worldwide.

Discover Where To Buy Peppermint Oil. You may check out more.

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