Shea Butter Treatment Stick

Just a week ago, a friend of mine and I participated in an 18-mile walk to support "Out of the Darkness - Overnight" in order to raise awareness about depression and suicide. In hindsight, I guess I was not as well prepared for the walk as I should have been. Walking 18 miles was more straining on my feet and body than I had thought it would. Therefore, I must have over extended either the ligaments or tendons in my foot and leg because ever since then I was in slight pain.

Then yesterday, while walking around a craft fair, I got the idea to make my own Shea Butter Treatment Stick. Not only is this treatment stick a great moisturizer, it is also wonderful for On-the-Go and is "airplane friendly" due to its solid texture. That means, you can carry it in your purse and not in a zip-lock bag :)

I used very few yet powerful ingredients for the base:

Beeswax is anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and heals wounds
Shea Butter is moisture spending; it is also anti-inflammatory and great for sprains, and
Jojoba Oil penetrates quickly into the skin and rejuvenates the skin.

To the base, I added the following essential oils that soothes muscle pains and sprains:

Peppermint (YL) is great for tired muscles and legs and a wonderful pain reliever.
Roman Chamomile (YL) is antispasmodic and soothes the nerves.
Rosemary (YL) stimulates the circulation and has anti-inflammatory properties.
Verbena is also an anti-inflammatory oil and is good for the neuromuscular system.

I've applied the Shea Butter Treatment Stick only twice and my foot feels so much better!

What a wonderful gift from Nature!!!

Many Blessings!!!

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Lip Balm

It's winter time, the air is dry and cold, and my lips are always chapped. I am buying so many different chapsticks, some work while some are not so great. I carry them around with me every where I go and have one in each pocket, in my living room, bathroom, bedroom, and kitchen... I always have to have my chapstick like I'm addicted to it. So I thought that it should be fairly easy to make your own and sure enough, it is!

After taking an online class at the Aromahead Institute, I made my own lip balm today. It is so wonderful! It leaves my lips feeling moisturized, nurtured, and soft. I made two different "flavors" - one with Orange Essential Oil and another one with Honey Ginger Essential Oil. The ingredient list is very short and includes only beeswax, jojoba oil, shea butter, and coconut oil. Last I added the essential oils.

Go to my website to check out the recipe.

Have a smoochy winter

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Don't let the bedbugs bite

Wherever I go, I hear about bedbugs. It makes my skin itch just thinking about them. They are of great concern lately. Those pesty little insects are everywhere. I see patients come into the ER with bedbugs bites and their homes are infested. In fact, entire neighborhoods are infested and stores in New York City had to close because of bedbugs. Yikes... The good news is that those tiny insects are more of a nuisance then anything else and there are some pre-cautions that you can take in order to avoid them or get rid of them.

Bye-Bye Bedbugs

• Don't pick up any used furniture from the street
• When you buy clothing, wash them immediately and dry them in the dryer for at least 20 minutes. The heat will destroy the bugs as well as the eggs. 
• Get rid of any infested mattresses or box springs - or - buy one of those plastic mattress bags as this will keep the bugs from spreading. 
• Vacuum any cracks and crannies in your home including your mattress and immediately discard the vacuum bag.
• Clean your floor with Thieves Cleaner
• Spray your mattress with Thieves Spray 

Make your own "insecticide" with Essential Oils (EO) - you'll need:
- Spray bottle
- 4 ounces of distilled water
- 10 drops Palo Santo EO
- 6 drops Eucalyptus Blue EO
- 5 drops Cedarwood EO
Shake well before spraying your furniture and mattress(es).

Other uses for the above mentioned EOs:
- Make your own sachets to put under your mattress. Just add the EOs to cornstarch or baking soda, mix them well together and place in cotton tea bags.
- Diffuse your room with the mixture of EOs as well as Purification EO.

Good Luck!

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Lavender

I realized that I had not dedicated a blog entry to my favorite plant ~ LAVENDER.

How could I have missed that?!

So today, because I'm in a lavender kind of mood, I'm writing about Lavender and its multiple uses and benefits...

The History of Lavender in brief

Lavender has a long history and dates back to at least 2,500 years. In ancient Egypt, it was used as perfume and for mummification. Romans have used lavender oils to scent the air, for cooking, and bathing. Quite possibly, the Latin root derives from those times. Lavare - to wash and Livendula - livid. During the middle ages, the dried lavender was thrown on the ground or floor to fumigate the homes. Lavender was mostly used by monasteries but by the time Henry VIII dissolved the monasteries, lavender moved into the gardens of domestic homes. The women used it to give their lines a fresh scent. Sachets were created and placed between clothing. During the 16th century France lavender was used against infections. The story of the great plague and the thieves that stole herbs and oils divide a bit and some stories include lavender while others do not. It is said that during the plague the thieves who stole Clove, Lemon, Cinnamon, Eucalyptus, Lavender, and Rosemary were spared from the illness. During WW II, lavender was used to disinfect floors and walls and it was also used as a first aid for burns.

Uses for Lavender Essential Oil


Nervous System: Lavender has a calming effect on the nervous system and is therefore great for

• headaches
• anxiety
• depression
• nervous tension or 
• stress

It has a calming scent, a refreshing aroma and antidepressant properties.

Sleep: Due to the calming scent, lavender essential oil is great for

• insomnia
• difficulty falling asleep

Pain Relief: The anti-inflammatory properties of lavender make for a wonderful first aid for minor

• burns
• sunburn
• sores
• muscle aches
• rheumatism
• sprains
• backache. 

Mixed in massage oil, lavender can provide deep relief. Its antispasmodic properties make it great for

• cramps of all kinds thus is great for female issues or infections of the bladder. 

Respiratory Problems: Lavender is a decongestant and its antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory properties aid when having

• throat infections
• flu
• cough
• cold
• asthma
• sinus congestion
• bronchitis
• whooping cough
• laryngitis
• tonsillitis

Use it in a diffuser or apply a few drops of 100% pure, Grade A, therapeutic essential oil directly on the skin of your neck, chest, and/or back. It is a great addition for inhalers.

Skin Care: I use lavender essential oil in virtually all my body products. It has antiseptic and antifungal properties and is wonderfully soothing for

• eczema
• psoriasis 
• achne
• sunburn
• minor burns
• healing scars
• cell regeneration
• wrinkles

Digestion: Due to its tonic, antispasmodic, and anti-inflammatory properties, lavender is great to aid

• indigestion
• stomach pains
• colic
• flatulence
• vomiting
• diarrhea

How to use Lavender Essential Oil

Aromatherapy

1. put a a drop or two in the palm of your hand, rub your hands together and cup them over your nose, breathe in deeply
2. put a few drops onto a cotton ball and place it into your room, on your nightstand, next to your pillow etc.
3. put a few drops in either a steam or electric diffuser.

Topical Application

1. Use only pure, 100%, Grade A, therapeutic essential oils when using directly on your skin.
2. Test your skin for any allergic reaction before using the oil(s) neat on your skin.
3. Lavender Essential Oil is great to use in creams, lotions, soaps or massage oils.

Other Uses for Lavender

The dried flowers are wonderful in sachets or potpourri. The scent will freshen up any closet or room. Also, the flowers are often used in the culinary world where they decorate cakes and other baked goods. Lavender Essential Oil is used in food such as melted chocolate, deserts, infused in drinks, and used as a spice. Honey is produced from Lavender flowers.

Have a lovely lavender-scented day!

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Free Essential Oil Products

Hello Dear Reader,

I am so excited that all I could think of is to share my joy with you. Maybe you know - or maybe you don't - I am a distributor with Young Living. Oh no! No, don't worry, this is not a sales pitch. Absolutely not! My intention is purely that of sharing my joy and information about the oils :)

So, part of the benefit of being a distributor (or customer) is that you collect points for each order you place. Even though I am a distributor, I have been using the oils mainly for personal use and for my products. My talent is not in sales, LOL. So far, I've collected over 400 points and thought today is the day to redeem my gift for these points.

Ooops, I realize now that my headline may sound a little misleading. Unfortunately, I am not giving away any free products :( I'm sorry for the misunderstanding. Please continue reading! While I am not giving away any products, the benefit to you is there, indirectly. I am sharing information with you that I hope you are interested in. I do hope that I spark your interest a little bit to use essential oils (whatever brand works for you) in your life. So let me tell you about the oils that I ordered:

• Dream Catcher has an exotic aroma and aids in visualization and dreaming. Thus it is great for meditation as well. It aids in the formation of positive thinking and fosters the realization of dreams and goals. Since it is a blend, it includes Tangerine, Sandalwood, Ylang Ylang, Black Pepper, Bergamot, Juniper, Blue Tansy, and Anise. 
• Helichrysum is a great oil to use in skin care as it provides a defense against harmful free radicals. It works wonders for eczema sufferers and reduces scar tissue. 
• Jasmine has a sweet, warm and exotic aroma. It is such a lovely addition to any cream and gives it the most wonderful scent. Not only do I add Jasmine for its aroma but Jasmine also has a soothing and calming effect on the nervous system. So added to your body cream, you have the double effect of the floral and seductive fragrance that uplifts your spirits and enhances self-confidence. 
• Sacred Frankincense ~ this powerful oil comes from the Boswellia Sacra tree and the resin is widely used for spiritual practices. This sacred oil is a very valued addition in my skin care regimen as it provides the transportation of oxygen to cells. It has an astringent effect on the skin and makes your skin look younger, healthier, and is excellent for mature skin as well as eczema sufferers due to its soothing and calming effect. 
• Australian Blue ~ the name alone implies the ancient wisdom of aboriginal culture as it includes Blue Cypress that has been used pharmaceutically for thousands of years by aborigines. It is another exotic blend, warm and sweet with earthy undertones. I am going to use this oil for its grounding qualities, uplifting the spirit, as well as for its anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, anti-arthritic and antibacterial properties. It is great for sores, moles, skin cancer or for ligaments. 
• Immu Power - with the winter coming, and my new internship starting in a hospitals emergency room, I am going to use this oil to boost my immune system. 
• Copaiba comes from the Amazonian Rainforest and has a nice woodsy aroma. It is a well-known essential oil in European Medicine and dates back to 1600s. It is a great pain reliever and reduces inflammation. 

Since I work with essential oils on a daily basis, have seen their benefit and how they changed not only my life but also the life of many others, I am truly excited to receive and work with these oils. Not for nothing are hospitals now incorporating the use of aromatherapy for their patients benefits.

I would love to hear from you! 

Have you ever used Essential Oils before? 

Are you using Essential Oils in your life? 

What is your favorite oil and what are you using it for? 

Have a scentsational day!

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New Silky & Scentsational Concoctions

I have to apologize for this delay in posting. I had been sick which caused the irregularity in my ability to write. I have not forgotten about my promise that I made on August 13th in my entry "Lovely Goodies." However, today, I got carried away and made new creams and thought it would make a nice blog entry.

I need to mention though that the below concoction has rather a lot of ingredients. Please do not let this discourage you to make your own product(s)! You really only need a few oils such as almond, apricot, or even olive oil to make a nice and smooth feeling body cream. I just felt in the mood to splurge :)

So, today I made two new creams.
1) Nurturing Body Silk ~ an all-around cream that can be used for the entire body
2) Hot & Heavy ~ a sensual experience and great for a hot date

I truly splurged today and made the most extravagant base cream with the following ingredients:

24 g Shea Butter
20 g Almond Oil
10 g Jojoba Oil
10 g Apricot Oil
10 g Hempseed & Evening Primrose Oils
8 g Borage Seed Oil
6 g Calendula Oil
5 g Vitamin E
5 g Rosehip & Perilla Oils
5 g Wheat Germ Oil.

As emulsifier, I used 1 g of Stearic Acid, 5 g Beeswax & 1 tbsp Borax and 22 g Emulsifying Wax.
I added a little Honey and Aloe Vera as well.

The texture of this concoction feels very smooth and silky. It leaves your skin feeling very soft and nurtured. It is excellent for mature and dry skin as well as elbows and knees. A little of this cream goes a long way.

To the above base cream, I added some Essential Oils in order to give it a nice scent and enhance the properties of the cream itself with the added benefit of some incredible Essential Oils by Young Living (YL).

Nurturing Body Silk ~ Wrap yourself in love with this nurturing, sensational and silky touch. Nurturing Body Silk is enhanced with the following YL Essential Oils: Lavender, Roman Chamomile,  Frankincense, Sandalwood & Rosemary

The Essential Oils in Nurturing Body Silk make it a great cream for itchy skin, rashes, or even eczema. The soothing qualities of Lavender and Roman Chamomile and the calming effect of Frankincense and Sandalwood are just so nurturing to the skin. I had an itchy blotch on my skin and after applying this cream only twice, the itchiness is gone and the redness is decreasing. 

Hot & Heavy ~ For a sensual experience. Enjoy a first calming sensation followed by a heated progression for ecstasy. Hot & Heavy is enhanced with the following YL Essential Oils: Lavender, Peace & Calming, and Joy.

I want to say Thanks to ZenGirl who assisted me in the process and provided her mental brain power in the description of the new silky & scentsational concoctions.

Enjoy the silkiness of these creams and venture into a world of scentsational delight :)

If you like to learn more about how to make your own products, visit my website where you can learn all about making your own products. The information provided is absolutely free :)

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Lovely Goodies

Today, I received a package which I had ordered and was excitedly waiting for. It was filled with goodies from Young Living :) Let me show you a picture with a few of the items that were included.

Did I ever write how much I LOVE these oils? Let me say that they are so incredibly amazing and I use them on a daily basis. From the left to right...

Lavender - still my all-time favorite and so versatile essential oil. It is so good to fall asleep with. I put a drop on my wrist and rub my arms together, a drop in my hands and then brush lightly over my pillow... ah, so nice, soothing, and calming... of course it can be used for so many things. 

Bergamot - so refreshing and uplifting! (Be careful though if you use it on your skin as it may cause photosensitivity... 

Peace & Calming - such a beautiful and calming (!) blend of Tangerine, Orange, Ylang Ylang, Patchouli, and Blue Tansy. Love it!!!

Into the Future - according to a friend of mine, this is a "sacred" oil. It truly does help leaving the past behind and focusing on the present with a vision of the future :)

Geranium - a very flowery fragrance and such a lovely and uplifting oil. 

Thieves Spray and Essential Oil - now this is another of my favorites and multi-tasking oil. Thieves includes Clove, Lemon, Cinnamon, Eucalyptus Radiata, and Rosemary. Once upon a time in France, there were four thieves who covered themselves in clove and rosemary while robbing plague victims. Guess what?! They did not get sick! 

Valor Roll-On - Young Living calls this the "chiropractor in the bottle" and I can understand why. I use it on the reflex points of my feet - along the spine - as well as on my wrists and neck. I close my eyes and deeply inhale. I feel instantly aligned... Oh, it includes Fractioned Coconut Oil, Spruce, Rosewood, Blue Tansy, Virgin Coconut Oil, and Frankincense. 

Deep Relief Roll-On - Can't live without this oil blend especially after a yoga session... I roll it on my shoulders and my calves and ahhhh, what a nice relief... Peppermint, Balsam Fir, Clove, Vetiver, Wintergreen, Lemon, Helichrysum, Copaiba and Coconut Oil penetrate deep into the muscle tissue to provide instant soothing. 

Tranquil Roll-On - Another oil blend that I would not leave my home with. Feeling stressed? This blend provides the quick get-away of my senses... Lavender, Cedarwood, and Roman Chamomile in Coconut Oil... inhale calming and soothing sensation :) Great and safe to put on your wrists, temples, forehead, neck, or wherever you want... ahhhhh... 

Essential 7 which was a gift from Young Living - how cool is that?! - so this is a collection of Lavender, Lemon, and Peppermint, as well as Joy, PanAway, Peace & Calming, and Purification... lovely!!!

So in the next few days, I will write about each and every oil that I received and listed here... stay tuned ... 

Happy Friday the 13th :) 

PS: Are you suspicious? Maybe use some Thieves Oil the next time around... or Peace & Calming... or Lavender... or... ...

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Treat Yourself to a Cup of Yogurt

A reader recently asked me if I know of any yogurt moisturizer. While I never used yogurt for any of my creams, I find yogurt makes a great moisturizing facial mask that is gentle enough to use 2 or 3 times per week. The zinc and lactic acid are good for breakouts, it closes pores, and exfoliates dead skin cells.
You can use plain yogurt (best is a full-fat or greek yogurt) and apply it all over your face and neck area before rinsing it off with lukewarm water. Be careful to leave the eye area out.
If you would like to make yourself a more fancy facial mask, you can mix the yogurt with
Cucumbers - moisturizing and astringent
Rosemary essential oil - anti-bacterial and soothing especially for oily skin
Honey - soothing
Oats - exfoliating
The nice part about this absolutely natural facial mask is that you can eat the left overs :)

The reason why I am not experimenting with yogurt, which contains live bacteria, in my creams is that I would have to add too many additives and preservatives for the cream not keep a few days. Athens Korres sells a moisturizing cream with yogurt. It has a ton of ingredients and sometimes one ingredient has to be used to stabilize another. Here is a breakdown of all their ingredients. I included the Hazard Score in ( ) taken from Skin Deep which is rated on a scale of 0 (low hazard) to 10 (high hazard):

Water, Yogurt
Butylene Glycol - humectant; used to retain moisture (Hazard Score: 1)
Steareth-2 - it is a stearic acid used to form an emulsion so that the cream does not separate
Isononyl Isononanoate - skin conditioning agent, emollient (Hazard Score: 0)
Macademia Nut Oil - skin conditioning agent - occlusive which means it slows down the loss of water from the skin (Hazard Score: 0)
Mannan - film former (Hazard Score: 1)
Olive Oil Unsaponifiables - skin conditioning agent - occlusive; emulsifying and cleansing agent
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil - Sweet Almond Oil - skin conditioning agent - occlusive (Hazard Score: 0)
Steareth-21 - solubilizing agent (Hazard Score 1)
Triticum Vulgare - Wheat Germ Oil (Hazard Score: 1)
Xylitylglucoside - humectant (Hazard Score: 0)
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene - Polymer used to increase thickness (Hazard Score: 0)
Triethylhexanoin - humectant (Hazard Score: 0)
Butyrospermum Parkii - fancy name for Shea Butter (Hazard Score: 0)
Anhydroxylitol - humectant (Hazard Score: 0)
Amyl Cinnamal - it is the organic compound of Amylcinnamaldehyde and it is a fragrance ingredient. While it occurs naturally in plants, in cosmetics it usually is synthesized. The smell is something like jasmine (Hazard Score: 6)
Benzyl Alcohol - it has several functions: external analgesic, fragrance ingredient, preservative, and solvent (Hazard Score: 6)
Benzyl Salicylate - it is a fragrance ingredient that has a sweet floral aroma (Hazard Score: 6-8)
Cetearyl Alcohol - emulsion stabilizer (Hazard Score: 0-1)
Coumarin - fragrance ingredient with a sweet nutty scent (Hazard Score: 8)
Dehydroacetic Acid - preservative (Hazard Score: 1)
Hydroxycitronellal - fragrance ingredient with a sweet floral aroma (Hazard Score: 5-6)
Hydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde - fragrance ingredient (Hazard Score: 5-6)
Isoeugenol - fragrance ingredient with a scent like carnations (Hazard Score: 6)
Linalool - functions as fragrance ingredient with a floral smell (Hazard Score: 8)
Magnesium PCA - humectant (Hazard Score: 0)
Manganese PCA - humectant (Hazard Score: 5)
Panthenol - a plant derived form of vitamin B that is hydrating and penetrates into lower skin layers (Hazard Score: 2)
Fragrance - more fragrance that are now in such small amounts that they do not have to be listed
Sodium Dehydroacetate - preservative (Hazard Score: 2)
Sodium PCA - increases the water content of the top layers of the skin by drawing moisture from the surrounding air. (Hazard Score: 2)
Tocopheryl Acetate - Vitamin E which can be cancerous (Hazard Score: 4)
Xanthan Gum - thickener which I also use in creams (Hazard Score: 0)
Xylitol - humectant (Hazard Score: 1)
Zinc PCA - humectant (Hazard Score: 2)

Wow, that is a long list of ingredients and I am sure it is a wonderful cream. However, I would never use it. Even if the fragrance ingredients are in such small amounts, applied on a daily basis, these ingredients are all absorbed by our skin. Instead, why not use 100%, Pure Grade, Grade A Essential Oils?

Sending naturally beautiful wishes to all!

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Staying Safe this Fourth of July

With 4th of July just being one day away, I am late in writing this post but nevertheless thought to include some First Aid tips with Essential Oils. I never travel anywhere without my essential oils and always have the following with me:

Lemon is a great anti-bacterial oil and is a multi-tasking oil. I love it in my drinking water, as it is not only refreshing but also functions as antacid and digestive. So after eating one too many burgers this weekend, you may want to put a few drops into your drinking water.

Lavender is my all-time favorite for cuts, burns, and especially sunburns. It already helped me prevent blisters after I got too close to the fire once, and it also helped me with a severe sunburn that I got on the beach a couple of weeks ago even though I used SPF 30. Just a few drops of Lavender EO will soothe your skin, take the sting and pain of the burn away, and make you feel better in no time.

Purification is a must have in my First Aid Kit because it is great for insects and mosquitos. Not only does it keep those buzzing nuisances at bay and away but if for some reason you got bit and lost your blood to one of those tiny suckers, then Purification soothes the itching by neutralizing your pH-level again. You can also pee on yourself which neutralizes the pH-level as well but who wants to do that at a party? Also, if you went hiking or camping and you got a splinter, clean the area with a drop of purification so that the skin does not get infected.

Peppermint is another great essential oil and a multi-tasker. It helps with digestive problems after having eaten too much and it helps overcome tiredness of the mind and the body. Whether you spent the entire day scorching out in the sun or you played baseball or volleyball or whatever with your friends, peppermint inhaled as well as diluted with fractioned coconut oil or jojoba oil and massaged into tired muscles will do wonders.

Thieves is another oil I do not leave my house without. It is the best disinfectant and anti-bacterial oil I came across. Whenever I go to somebody else's swimming pool or an outdoor shower, I rub a few drops of thieves into the soles of my feet to prevent bacterial or fungal infections. Too many times when I was a kid I had warts on my feet because I was using public pools all the time.

And if by the end of the day you are so tired but wired up from the events and you cannot fall asleep, inhale Lavender and Peace & Calming. Rub them into the soles of your feet and you will drift into a pleasant slumber in no time.

★ ☆ ★ Have a happy and safe Fourth of July ★ ☆ ★

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Bug Season

It has been too long that I posted and I apologize! It's been a very rough couple of weeks but I do not want to miss the opportunity to tell you about an Essential Oil that I find to be essential in my life during the warm summer months and especially during mosquito and critter season. The Essential Oil is Young Living blend called Purification with its main essential oil being citronella. It also includes lemongrass, rosemary, lavandin, and myrtle.

So last week I went to a lake and where there is water, there are bugs. I heard the mosquitos buzzing around my ears but as soon as I put a few drops of Purification on my face and all exposed skin areas, as well as brushed my hands over my hair, no more buzzzzzzzz :)

Here is how you can use the Purification blend:
1) Put it neat or mix it with coconut, almond, or apricot oil and rub it onto your skin as insect repellant
2) Put a few drops into a spray bottle filled with water and spray your clothes to repel ticks or at home at your windows and screens.
3) Put a few drops on a cotton ball and place them next to your pillow at night when you sleep.
4) Put a few drops on a cotton ball and put them into air vents.
5) Put one drop on a sting or bite as it will remove the toxins and stop the itching.
6) Put a few drops on a jelly fish sting.
7) Rub your feet with a few drops of the oil for cleansing bacteria.

The citronella is mainly used as insect repellant but it also has fungicidal properties, meaning it is an excellent oil for fungal infections. It is also a tonic and stimulant and good for blood circulation, the nervous system, and hormone regulation.
Besides lemongrass being a great insect repellant as well, it has calming properties not only on the mind and the nervous system but also for insect bites, therefore, reducing the itching and calming the skin.
Rosemary is very often used in skin care and therefore an excellent essential oil in this blend. It has soothing properties and reliefs dryness of the skin. It is also used to relief pain such as a bee sting or insect bite but also that of arthritis.
Lavandin is the essence of a hybrid plant between Lavendula Angustifolia and Lavendula Latifolia. The benefits are a bit more intense as Lavender Essential Oil and therefore are calming and soothing for body and mind. A great oil for minor cuts, bruises, bites, stings, and burns. A few drops will take the pain of any sting, bite, or burn away.
Myrtle use dates back to ancient Greece where it was used by Aphrodite, the goddess of Love and Beauty. It is antiseptic and therefore good for insect bites. It is astringent meaning it contracts the blood vessels and it is an expectorant so it reduces infection, phlegm, clears congestions, and is good for the bronchi and lungs. It also has calming benefits on the nervous system.

Wishing you a great buzzzzzz-free summer!

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Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day from Naturally!

Are you in need for a last minute gift? Why not give an essential oils for mother's day? Some aromatherapy? Maybe a diffuser and an oil? A relaxing scent such as lavender is always a gift that is appreciated. Other wonderful scents are Sandalwood, Jasmine, Geranium, Ylang Ylang, Patchouli, or any citrus essential oils. Or what about a Spa treatment?

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Thyme Essential Oil in killing bacteria resistant to many antibiotics

Thyme Essential Oil made the news again. Just last month I posted an article about thyme EO and its properties in suppressing the inflammatory COX-2 enzyme. Today I found another article on BBC News that talks about the medicinal properties of thyme oil and how it helps in the fight of the bacterial infection Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) that is highly resistant to some antibiotics. A high grade or Grade A quality thyme oil can be used internally and that means that you could gargle with a few drops of thyme oil in warm water to kill off bacteria. Here is the article I mentioned:

Essential oils destroy MRSA, Brighton scientists say

Essential oils could kill the hospital superbug MRSA, scientists at the University of Brighton have found.

A study found a blend of oils derived from thyme plants was effective in destroying MRSA in two hours.

The research was carried out by a team of microbiologists at the School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences.

MRSA is a potentially lethal bug that is difficult to combat because it has developed resistance to some antibiotics.

The study was set up when Sussex-based company Benchmark Oils asked the university to carry out research into the effect of its oils.

'Promising results'

Director Maggie Tisserand got in touch because she believed a blend of essential oils derived from thyme and used in aromatherapy could tackle MRSA.

Dr Jonathan Caplin, who carried out much of the research, said: "These are very promising results.

"We have shown at least in the laboratory that this blend of thyme has a very strong killing-effect on MRSA.

"Now further work needs to be carried out to ascertain its effect in real cases."

The research has been published in the International Journal of Essential Oil Therapeutics.

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Thyme Oil Can Inhibit COX2 and Suppress Inflammation

ScienceDaily (Jan. 14, 2010) — For those who do not drink, researchers have found that six essential oils -from thyme, clove, rose, eucalyptus, fennel and bergamot -- can suppress the inflammatory COX-2 enzyme, in a manner similar to resveratrol, the chemical linked with the health benefits of red wine. They also identified that the chemical carvacrol was primarily responsible for this suppressive activity.

These findings, appearing in the January issue of Journal of Lipid Research, provide more understanding of the health benefits of many botanical oils and provide a new avenue for anti-inflammatory drugs.

Essential oils from plants have long been a component of home remedies, and even today are used for their aromatherapy, analgesic (e.g. cough drops), or antibacterial properties. Of course, the exact way they work is not completely understood. However, Hiroyasu Inoue and colleagues in Japan believed that many essential oils might target COX-2 much like compounds in wine and tea.

So, they screened a wide range of commercially available oils and identified six (thyme, clove, rose, eucalyptus, fennel and bergamot) that reduced COX-2 expression in cells by at least 25%. Of these, thyme oil proved the most active, reducing COX-2 levels by almost 75%.

When Inoue and colleagues analyzed thyme oil, they found that the major component -carvacrol- was the primary active agent; in fact when they use pure carvacrol extracts in their tests COX-2 levels decreased by over 80%.

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The Safe Shopper's Bible

This is an early post for this week but I know my week will end up to be very busy and I wanted to leave you with some food-for-thought.
Just recently I stumbled across The Safe Shopper's Bible - A Consumer's Guide to Nontoxic Household Products, Cosmetics, and Food by David Steinman & Samuel S. Epstein, M.D. This book is a true eye opener and worth the few dollars that it costs (I bought mine on half.com for $ 5.00). Even though it was published in 1995, this book offers valuable information when it comes to living naturally. The chapters range from household products (cleaning products, paint and related products, pesticides, pet supplies, auto products, art and craft supplies) to cosmetics (eye and face makeup, hair care, dental and oral hygiene, feminine hygiene, nail products, and skin products) to foods and beverages. Interestingly, when I looked under the "Skin Lotion" section, the less common and lesser known brands are the ones mostly recommended compared to well known brands such as Almay, Chanel, Clarins, Clinique, Estee Lauder, Jergens, or even Lubriderm and Oil of Olay. What these well-known brands have in common is that they use fragrances and preservatives some of which can be very harmful. Manufacturers do not have to label them as harmful as often only traces of a specific ingredient can be found. However, used on a daily basis over a prolonged period of time, even the most minimal trace adds up and can be harmful.
Some years ago I had bought a moisturizing facial cream because "advertisers told me" (you know, commercials on TV can be oh so persuasive) that I needed it for anti-aging prevention. I did not think twice, did not read the label, paid $ 40.00 for a tiny jar (and that was cheap!), went home, and used the cream only to frantically wash it off a little while later because my eyes were itching and getting puffy. How upsetting is it to spend so much money on a cream only to be allergic to it?! Synthetic fragrances and preservatives are very often the cause of allergies so if you are like me and experience or suffer from an allergy and have no idea where it is coming from, take a look at what you put on your skin. Stop using your cosmetic products for a while and see if your allergy gets better. Read the labels, research the products online, become an educated consumer. A very good reference site is Skin Deep. Better yet, make your own products! You always know what you put in your own product. You can use different ingredients depending on your need, skin type, or mood if you like fragranced products. Instead of using synthetic fragrances, essential oils are the safest substitute. Some essential oils are photosensitive (e.g. bergamot and any citrus oils) and also can cause an allergic reaction. As it is with any product, test a drop of essential oil on the inside of your forearm.

Be well and live well!

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Making Soap

Today I unveiled my first self-made soap and I must say I am pleasantly surprised. The entire process was so much easier than what I had imagined especially after reading book after book, articles and internet sites including watching videos on youtube about the cold-process soap making. What initially scared me was handling the lye as every book, article, and internet site warned of the danger that can be involved. However, prepared not only with a ton of knowledge but also with an outfit similar to a deep-sea diver, I felt daring enough to start the experiment. I put on my googles, gloves, had on a long sleeve shirt and an apron in case I spill some lye, and had my kitchen prepped so that all areas that were exposed and even remotely exposed to the soap-making process were covered with paper and towels. I felt safe and got to work.
First I measured the lye, then the distilled water, and next, I poured the lye into the water. Since the lye-water heated up to over 200 degrees, it took several hours to let it cool down to almost 80 degrees. I instantly realized that making soap from scratch includes a lot of patience because I had to wait almost 5 hours until the lye cooled down to the desired temperature. Next time, I will prepare the lye the day before so that I eliminate the waiting period. A note on safety though, if you have children or pets, keep the lye-water mixture out of reach and clearly label the content!!!
After the lye cooled down, it was time to heat up the oils until it reached the same temperature as the lye. Finally both lye and oils had the same temperature and I could begin combining both with a stick blender. Instead of mixing the soap mixture by hand, I had seen on youtube that a stick blender works just as well if not even better. So I poured the lye into the oil mixture and started mixing until tracing began. Initially I had no idea what tracing looks like. Sure I read all about it but then seeing and experiencing it for myself was yet another matter. I think I mixed a bit too long, I had to make sure about the tracing, so in the end, the mixture looked somewhat like vanilla pudding. I quickly mixed my essential oils into the soap and poured the mixture into the prepared soapbox. I scraped off the sides off the pot... ooopss, too late. I later read that one should not do that... oh well... Then I covered the box, covered it with a blanket, and left it alone for 48 hours.
After 2 days of waiting, I put on my "diving outfit" again and headed back into the kitchen to check on the soap. The googles and gloves are a safety precaution because the lye in the soap is still reactive after 48 hours. So I took the soap out of the box and my initial thought was, "hm, looks like a huge bar of cheese" but it smelled wonderfully due to the essential oils. I cut off the top layer, the layer that was from the scraped out sides of the pot. I am still a bit unsure why one should not scrape the sides of the pot but I can imagine that it must have something to do with the lye and that there may be too many traces that have not mixed with the oil. After the top layer was gone, I cut the soap in bars and tiny pieces that I want to give out as samples. After that, I put the bars and pieces into a brown paper bag to dry for about 4 weeks. The paper bag served as my "dry and dark place." That meant 4 weeks of waiting to find out if the soap is usable or not.
So today was the day I used the soap for the first time and like I said, I am pleasantly surprised. The coconut oil in the soap contributes to a fine and foamy lather. Since 5% of the oils were not saponified - meaning the alkali base (lye) combines with the fats or oils - the soap is creamy and while cleansing still gives enough moisture to the skin so that the skin does not feel dry and stripped of its protective layer of sebum. Watch out friends and family, you know what you are getting for the next occasion :-)

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Moisturizing Facial Cream

Today I made a wonderful, nurturing facial cream that is great for mature and sensitive skin. The cream has such a smooth consistency, almost like whipped cream. It leaves the skin moisturized without feeling oily or sticky. It came out so good that I just had to share it :-)

30 ml Almond Oil
3 ml Borage Seed Oil
3 ml Calendula Oil
5 ml Perilla Seed Oil
5 ml Rosehip Oil
5 ml Wheat Germ Oil
4 ml Vitamin E
6 g Shea Butter
6 g Cocoa Butter

2 g Beeswax
6 g Borax
1 g Stearic Acid
15 g Vegetable Emusifying Wax
1 g Xanthan Gum

20 ml Lavender Hydrosol
130 ml distilled Water

8 drops German Chamomile Essential Oils
7 drops Frankincense Essential Oils
4 drops Geranium Essential Oils
4 drops Jasmine Essential Oils
10 drops Lavender Essential Oils

1 teaspoon Honey
1 tablespoon Aloe Vera Gel

If you wish to make this cream yourself but don't know how, check out the step-by-step instructions listed here. 

Enjoy!!!

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Midterm Time

For many students, this time of year is crunch time for midterms. To get through this time as relaxed as possible, I gathered some tips and suggestions from my own experience as a student which I still am...

Time Management

• Study a little bit on a daily basis instead of cramming the material overnight. 
• Read the material and write it on note cards. The combination of reading, especially reading out loud so that you hear the spoken words, and the mechanics of writing will enhance your ability to remember what you studied. 
• Repeat the material as it is the repetition that makes the brain remember. 
• Start researching for your paper ahead of time so that you only have to write the paper but don't wait to write the paper until the night before it is due. 
• Set aside a specific time per day and keep to that schedule. The routine will help you reduce the stress level that you will automatically accumulate the closer you get to the exam or due date. If you are procrastinating like me, this will actually help you. 

Nutrition

• While junk food is so readily available and we even crave it when we are in stressful situations, try to eat healthy. Instead of potato chips, eat a handful of walnuts. 
• Try to nourish yourself with fresh vegetables and fruits. If the carrot sticks are not tasty enough, dip them in humus or lemon juice. I am more than aware that vegetables may taste a bit bland but herbs and spices can really enhance their flavor. I love roasted zucchini, squash, asparagus, portabella mushrooms, onions, and sliced garlic that I spread out on a baking sheet, sprinkle with a little salt and pepper, drizzle with a little olive oil, and bake for about 10 minutes in the oven by 400 degrees. Sprinkle with a little lemon juice and grated parmesan cheese. Hm, so delicious and nourishing. The recipe can serve as dinner or as side dish. If you like something of more substance, mix the vegetables over pasta or rice. Add a piece of chicken or fish and you have a full meal.
  

Aromatherapy
Diffuse essential oils to stimulate your learning process and boost brain power.

• Bergamot is uplifting and relaxing. It enhances self-confidence. In case you have to give a presentation just dap a drop behind your ears or on your wrists before you go into class. (Note: test for allergies and photosensitivity prior to using).
• Frankincense helps to focus the mind and overcome stress and despair
• Lavender is calming and relaxing. Great to use for anxiety.
  
• Peppermint is great to use while studying. Dr. William N. Dember of the University of Cincinnati studied peppermint's ability to improve concentration and mental sharpness.
• Brain Power™ gives your brain a boost with essential oils that are high in sesquiterpenes. Use it to clarify thought and develop greater focus.  This is a blend from sandalwood, cedarwood, melissa, frankincense, blue cypress, lavender, and helichrysum essential oils. 

If you use an essential oil while studying at home, try to sniff on the same oil prior to your exam and even during your exam. The scent may help you remember what you studied.

How to use Essential Oils?
Diffuse essential oils using a device that disperses the oil into the air in a micro-fine vapor. There are many different diffusers on the market but if you want something stylish, check out the Home Diffuser by Young Living. The diffuser spreads the aromatic benefits of essential oils through the air without damaging their important constituents.

Exercise
Exercise helps get oxygen to your brain which in turn will help you focus and retain the information you learned.

Rest & Relaxation

• Get enough rest. Especially the night before your exam! I know, I know... clubbing and hanging out with your friends, you say, relieves your stress. Well, if it worked for you in the past, that's great but if it didn't (and it won't when you get older) you may want to get some rest before heading for the exam.
• Relax your mind in between studying with exercise, yoga, tai chi, reading a book, listening to music, dancing, etc. 
• And last but not least, stay calm, breathe, meditate...

All the above mentioned tips and hints helped me get through school and especially exam time. Good Luck!

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Fight the Flu

Now here is another article from the New York Times that is worth sharing. Maybe some of you have seen it when it was published in September 2009 but in any case, it is of interest now more than ever after all the scare of the H1N1 Virus (Swine Flu Virus). 

The Claim: Cinnamon Oil Kills Bacteria.

By ANAHAD O’CONNOR

THE FACTS

In a country obsessed with germs and sickness, antibacterial soaps and sanitizers are becoming more and more common. But because such products contribute to the growing problem of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, some researchers recommend sanitizers made with cinnamon oil, which has been shown in many studies to have powerful antimicrobial properties.

A recent study by a team of surgeons, for example, found that a solution made with cinnamon oil killed a number of common and hospital-acquired infections, like streptococcus and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA. The study found it was just as effective as several antiseptics widely used in hospitals. Another study by French researchers in 2008 had similar results, showing that at concentrations of 10 percent or less, cinnamon oil was effective against Staphylococcus, E. coli and several antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria.

Dr. Lawrence D. Rosen, a pediatrician in New Jersey who dispenses natural health advice on his blog, wholechildcenter.org, recommends a tried-and-true recipe for homemade hand sanitizer called thieves oil. “I add cinnamon bark, lemon oil and eucalyptus,” he said, adding, “The recipe goes back to the Middle Ages, where it was used by these thieves who would go around stealing jewelry from dead bodies, and they never got sick.”

Cinnamon oil, when applied topically, is generally safe. But in some people it can cause an allergic reaction.

THE BOTTOM LINE

Cinnamon oil has antiseptic properties. ANAHAD O’CONNOR scitimes@nytimes.com

scitimes@nytimes.com 

Here is some additional information worth mentioning: 


This is an excerpt of Young Living Cinnamon Essential Oil: "The warm, spicy aroma of cinnamon has been sought throughout the ages both as a valuable commodity and for its ability to improve wellness. Young Living Therapeutic Grade™ cinnamon bark is meticulously tested to ensure that no dilution from similar-smelling oils has occurred. Cinnamon is thought to promote healthy cardiovascular and immune function, and acts as an antiseptic. You can also use it to enhance your cooking, or dilute and massage into chakras to create a soothing, relaxing sensation."


Other Essential Oils that help fight the flu are Thieves, Lavender, Eucalyptus, Ravensara, and Myrtle. 


Tips to stay healthy:
❀ Diffuse pure and high grade essential oils on a daily basis in your home and/or in your work environment. This will help keep the air free of toxins. 
❀ Wash your hands frequently.
❀ Rub a few drops of any of the above mentioned essential oils into the palm of your hands, bring them to your nose and cup your nose with both hands, inhale a few times. This not only kills the bacteria on your hands but functions also as aromatherapy and will help to support your immune system. 
❀ Eat healthy foods and drink plenty of water. Junk food, while tasting delicious, not only makes us sluggish but also has an impact on our immune system. 
❀ Get a good nights sleep. I use my essential oils to enhance my sleep by putting some drops of lavender essential oils on my hands and then rubbing my pillow with my hands. I also use lavender essential oil on my feet to help me calm down. 
❀ And don't forget to move your body... exercise, walk, do yoga, tai chi or whatever you like... according to weight watchers, vacuuming and cleaning your home for 45-60 minutes will burn calories (I believe I got 1 or 2 points for this when I was on their program). 

♥ Stay healthy and be well ♥

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Let's talk about Lemons

Lemons, the yellow tangy fruit that make my mouth water by just thinking about them, are not only rich in Vitamins C, B, and A, but they are also a great disinfectant, have anti-haemorrhagic properties, and keep the cholesterol level in check.

Lemons already have a long-time history and it is said the first lemons grew in India and China and later were introduced to Persia, Iran, and Egypt. Christopher Columbus brought the lemon seeds to the Americas.

Lemons are used for culinary uses, in skin care, and are a household multi-tasker:

• In skin care, lemons are used to treat blemishes. Mix some lemon juice and honey, apply it to your cleansed face and rinse with warm water. Your blemishes will heal due to the astringent and antiseptic properties.
• Lemons deodorize, disinfect, and remove grease and stains especially when mixed with baking soda.
• Lemons are used in the treatment of wood and cashiers use lemons to moisturize their fingers when dealing with a lot of bills.
• Lemons are a natural bleaching agent and can be used to remove stains as well as clean grout in the bathroom. Mix lemon juice with water and brush the grout with a toothbrush.
• Lemon juice cleans silver, brass, and copper.
• Lemons get rid of garlic odor on hands. Just rub your hands with a lemon slice and rinse with warm water.

The lemon rind has equally many uses in the culinary world as well as otherwise.

• Lemon rind with Espresso - I've always wondered why I am being served a tiny piece of lemon rind with my espresso. So far, I have not been given a definite answer but several versions of applications have it that

1. a) the lemon rind cleanses or disinfects the outside of the cup or the spoon (rub the yellow part around the edge of the cup or the back of the spoon)
2. b) if the espresso is too bitter, the lemon wedge neutralizes the bitterness with its acidity. Be aware that the use of the lemon rind may just be an insult to the person who served you the espresso!

• The rind is also used to make an Essential Oil which has various uses as well

1. a) I use lemon essential oil in my drinking water or to flavor my foods. Important: use only 100% pure or Grade A essential oils for internal use!
2. b) Lemon essential oil is a great air-freshener when diffused
3. c) Lemon essential oils is also a mood enhancer as it lifts the spirit and works against depression.
4. I also used lemon essential oil to clean glue and tape from my wooden floor.

As the saying goes "when life deals you lemons..." I only can say to use them wisely and remember, they disinfect, cleanse, deodorize, are great for your health, are antiseptic, and enhance your mood :-)

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Making Essential Oils

Just recently somebody asked if it is possible to make their own Essential Oils. While I don't want to burst anyone's bubble, making Essential Oils at home is very difficult unless you are able to distill the plant parts.

I found some instructions about distillation at home on wikiHow.

In brief, the picture below shows in simple illustration the distillation process that is needed to get an Essential Oil:

a) The dried plant parts go into the retort (or still).

b) A steamer on the bottom of the retort allows pressurized steam to flow through the retort that holds all plant parts (e.g. flower petals).

c) Vapor is being produced and the volatile oils of the plants are released.

d) The steam then passes through a condenser where the hot air is flowing out and cold air is being introduced.

e) This process allows the volatile oil mixture of the steam to separate into floral water and essential oil.

A really good or therapeutic grade essential oil is steam distilled with the exact right temperature and pressure to ensure high quality oils. Too much pressure or to little or high heat can damage the plant parts hence damage the volatile oils in the plant. The result will be disappointing.

If you would like to learn more about the distillation process of plants, please check this link from Young Living Essential Oils - Distillation Process.

The quality of a homemade essential oil cannot be compared to the standards of a Grade A or 100% essential oil from e.g. Young Living, Primavera or any other company.

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