Natural Carrier Oils

Carrier oils are so named because they help "carry" the scented oils of aromatherapy, which are sometimes highly concentrated and too strong to use directly on the skin. Thanks to their own properties, carrier oils-also known as natural oils, base oils or fixed oils-also can help deliver health, beauty and a state of well-being.
The most common way to use carrier oils is in combination with essential oils, which are highly concentrated aromatic plant exteracts, usually of a single plant. Because these oils are so concentrated, they are usually too strong to be used directly on the skin, which is where carrier oils come into use.

Sweet almond Oil: Pale yellow oil from the nut kernel. Rich in protein and good for all skin types. Helps relieve dry, itchy skin, and can help reduce inflammation.

Grapeseed Oil: Colorless and odorless, made from pressed seeds. Contains vitamins and minerals, and can be used by all skin types.

Jojoba Oil: Popular because it is similar to our own skin oils. Contains protein and a waxy substance that is similar to collagen. Useful in reducing inflammation and treating acne. Can be used by all skin types.

Castor Oil: Pale, unscented oil made from the seeds of the castor plant. One of the few oils soluble in alcohol. Can be used by all skin types and also can be used on hair, nails and lips.

Make a Basic Aromatherapy Kit

Lavender, tea tree, peppermint, chamomile, eucalyptus, geranium, rosemary, thyme, lemon and clove. These essential oils will help you address a wide range of health issues from headaches to insomnia.

ESSENTIAL OILS TO ENHANCE YOUR SCHOOL STUDIES

Pulling the late night cram/study session isn't a healthy thing to do, but it's unfortunately all but inevitable if you're going to make the most of your educational opportunities. Essential oils may prime your mind when you are hitting the books. Keep the following oils on hand and simply open the bottle and take a whiff when you want a mental boost:.

ROSEMARY:         highlights memory retention
PEPPERMINT:      freshens the mind
LEMON:                 renews the atmosphere
SWEET BASIL:     encourages alertness

Herb Packs for the Gums

Gum "packs" are a great way to apply warming, astringent, and tissue-healing herbs right to the gums. Take a pinch of powdered turmeric, goldenseal root, calendula flower, willow bark, or oak bark, then add enough water or vitamin E to make a paste. Tuck this paste in next to the teeth and let it sit. You can also try powdered gotu kola mixed with castor oil (the mix should have a clay-like consistency).

OCEAN BATH SALTS

Everyone knows how relaxing it is to float in the ocean. Use these salts to create your own "mini" ocean in the tub. You can find dried seaweed and kelp at most natural food stores. Sea salt, made by evaporating seawater, has made its way into cooking and cosmetics. It's also known as bay or solar salt.

1 cup sea salt
1/4 cup powdered kelp or seaweed

Mix together the salt and kelp and pour into a clean container with a tight-fitting lid.

TO USE: Pour a 1/2 cup into your bath under running water

Lavender Oil for Burns

I just wanted to share a story of how I treated a burn of mine this morning. I had been cooking in a skillet on the store and I had placed the glass lid on top of one of the other burners when I was done cooking. Later I came back and grabbed the lid to put in the dishwasher not knowing the burner was on underneath it. Needless to say, every one of my fingers were burned and I was in terrible pain. I ran to my medicine cabinet and grabbed the Lavender Oil and poured it over my hand and fingers praying that this was going to stop the burning pain. Within 15 minutes my fingers were completely pain free, with no blisters. What a relief to know it worked so quickly. I suggest that no one be without a bottle of Lavender Oil in their medicine cabinets now.

My Good Friend Ear Candling Her Dog

Sinus Problems

When your sinuses feel clogged and uncomfortable, this bracing drink can help. Combine 1 cup tomato juice, 1 teaspoon freshly chopped garlic, 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (according to your spice tolerance) and 1 teaspoon lemon juice. Heat the mixture until warm. Drink it slowly, and it should help clear sinuses quickly.


Source: The Herb Companion March 2011

Headache

Fatigue, anxiety and stress can trigger headaches. For fast relief, brew a cup of green tea and add sprigs of fresh spearmint or peppermint. If you don't have fresh mint available, use a peppermint or spearmint trea bag. Combine a bag each of green tea and mint tea to make a powerful brew that will diminish your headache in about 15 minutes.

Source: The Herb Companion March 2011

Bad Breath, Gum Disease & Toothache

Coconut oil can ease ailments of the mouth, such as bad breath, gum disease and toothache. For help with any of these conditions, brush your teeth with a mixture of 1/8 teaspoon baking soda and 1/2 teaspoon organic extra-virgin coconut oil (which you can find at a health-food store). You also can rub coconut oil on sore gums for relief.

Herbal Teas to ease Sore Throats

When a member of your family suffers with a sore throat, its great to have a good tasting herbal remedy on hand. These can be either sipped during the day or used as a gargle.

For example: Slippery elm (1 tablespoon of bark to 1 cup of boiling water, steeped for 10 minutes and strained) eases your sore throat by coating it with a gel-like substance to protect it.

Ginger Tea ( 2 inch piece of fresh ginger to 4 cups of boiling water simmered for 20 minutes and strained)

Honeysuckle Tea (1 cup of honeysuckle flowers to 1 quart of boiling water, steeped for 10 minutes and strained)

Teas to gargle with: Raspberry leaf, thyme, turmeric, cinnamon, cayenne and ginger.
These teas should be consumed or gargled warm.

Potential Health Benefits of Tea

Green Tea: Made with steamed tea leaves, it has a high concentration of EGCG and has been widely studied. Green tea's antioxidants may interfere with the growth of bladder, breast, lung, stomach, pancreatic, and colorectal cancers: Prevent clogging of the arteries, burn fat, counteract oxidative stress on the brain, reduce risk of neurological disorders like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, reduce risk of stroke, and improve cholesterol levels.

Black Tea: Made with fermented tea leaves, black tea has the highest caffeine content and forms the basis for flavored teas like chai, along with some instant teas. Studies have shown that black tea may protect lungs from damage caused by exposure to cigarette smoke. It also may reduce the risk of stroke.

White Tea: Uncured and unfermented. One study showed that white tea has the most potent anticancer properties compared to more processed teas.

Oolong Tea: In an animal study, those given antioxidants from oolong tea were found to have lower bad cholesterol levels. One variety of oolong, Wuyi, is heavily marketed as a weight loss supplement, but science has'nt backed the claims.

Pu-erh Tea: Made from fermented and aged leaves. Considered a black tea, its leaves are pressed into cakes. One animal study showed that animals given pu-erh had less weight gain and reduced LDL cholesterol

Source: WebMD

Buckwheat Honey for Coughs in children

Buckwheat honey is brimming with vitamins and minerals, essential for the day-to-day functions of healthy living. It can help prevent malnutrition and vitamin deficiencies common in the modern diet and has been linked to improving mental health.
It is said to relieve hypertension, anxiety disorders and relax the body which lowers the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure and motor dysfunction in later life. This particular type of honey is slowly gaining the confidence of doctors around the world. Chronic respiratory infection, difficulty breathing and a nagging cough in children may be relieved through the ingestion of buckwheat honey before bedtime, allowing them time to sleep and recover. Dr Ian M Paul of the Pennsylvania State University has supported the research and use of buckwheat honey to treat cough and cold symptoms in children over the age of one. Cough medicines for toddlers can be inefficient and often dangerous to the very young ones. This honey is 100% safe, has no side effects and cannot lead of over dosage. It is inexpensive, builds the childs immune system and is easily available.