Bens Herbs Place: Essential Oils

Showing posts with label Essential Oils. Show all posts

Friday, February 28, 2014

Make Your Own Antimicrobial Spray

I've been making my countertop and bathroom sprays for many years. Now there are many recipes for homemade cleaners and that's an exciting thing! People are now more aware of the dangers of cleaning supplies being more informed on what is actually in our cleaners.

As we become aware of the dangers of these toxic products it's nice to see more natural ones coming into the marketplace. However, making your own can save you big bucks over the years. Here's a favorite recipe added to a quart sprayer of water:
20 drops Lavender Fine Essential Oil
20 drops Tea Tree Essential Oil
10 drops Lemon Essential Oil

Tee Tree Oil is great to take on trips in our First Aid car kit.

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Save 30-45% off retail prices plus regular sales.

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Thursday, February 27, 2014

Many Uses of Lemon Essential Oil

For many of us, the color and fragrance of a lemon bring to mind freshness and vitality. While the uses of lemon and lemon juice are countless and varied, perhaps the strongest effect Lemon Essential Oil has to offer is that of lifting our spirits, particularly when we face mental fatigue.

Lemon oil helps the body face physical and psychological weariness, most strongly influencing the mind by supporting concentration and the ability to memorize. In Japan, a test showed a 54% decrease in typing mistakes when lemon oil was diffused into an office area.

Lemon Essential Oil is a powerful antiseptic. Not only has it been used to clean contaminated surfaces, such as a butcher's cutting block, but it has a powerful antibacterial and antiviral effects attributable to its limonene content.

Lemon Essential Oil also contains antifungal compounds. Some people have even used lemon to disinfect questionable drinking water. Because of its vitamin content, Lemon Essential Oil offers strong support to the immune system.

Rather than exhibit an extreme acidic quality, Lemon Essential Oil works as an excellent stabilizer of the body's acidity - alkalinity content. And its astringent qualities make lemon oil useful in the home for many conditions, including insect bites, fever and skin conditions.

Nature's Sunshine 100% Pure Lemon Essential Oil is certified organic and is cold-pressed from lemon rind.

Extracting this precious substance from the lemon peel is costly and time consuming. The peels of about 1,500 lemons are required to produce one pound of lemon oil. In our competitive market, some companies may be tempted to add synthetic ingredients to their lemon oil, such as those created to approximate a lemon scent in commercial detergents and soaps.

Make the decision to get rid of those chemical countertop disinfectants and use something safe and non-toxic that also keeps bugs at bay.

Purchase Pure Lemon Essential Oil at wholesale prices!

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Appetite Control in Weight Loss

Though there has not been much research in the United States on aromatherapy, more research has been done in Europe indicating that the use of scent can affect physical and psychological changes in humans.

One study done in the United States found that inhalation of certain aromas appeared to be able to induce sustained weight loss over a six-month period. The research was published in the Journal of Neurological and Orthopedic Medicine and Surgery (1995).

The study involved over 3,000 subjects and Alan R. Hirsch, M.D., neurologist and director of the Smell and Taste Treatment and Research Foundation in Chicago, Illinois conducted it. Dr. Hirsch wanted to see if smelling pleasant food aromas would help reduce appetite and food cravings in people, thereby helping them lose weight by reducing their food intake.

Subjects were given plastic nasal inhalers scented with banana, green apple and peppermint. They sniffed the inhalers before, during and between meals. They recorded how often they sniffed. It was found that those who sniffed more frequently lost weight faster than those who did not.

Dr. Hirsch explained that it worked because "Odors have a direct effect on the satiety center in the brain, which is the area that tells your body when you've had enough to eat." Continual exposure to pleasant food aromas indicates to the brain that the body is satisfied and does not need to eat. It was shown in the study that there was successful weight loss.

Maybe that's why Grapefruit Essential Oil has helped with weight loss? I have used Peppermint Essential Oil while driving to stay awake and it also takes my ravenous driving appetite away. A study led by Dr. Mark Norrish at Coventry University in the UK, and published in the International Journal of Psychophysiology in 2004, found that peppermint oil was effective in reducing day-time sleepiness.

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Keep The Flu Bug Away

We use essential oils to disinfect our home and office environment. No flu shot protects against all strains of the flu because there are new strains every year. As of now, there are no medical treatments for viral infection that are completely effective. We need to keep our immune systems strong during the year, since an ounce of prevention really is worth a pound of cure.

There are many essential oils that benefit the immune system. You can diffuse the oils daily in a room or on a desktop at work. There are little "crock pots" for essential oils that heat the water and allow the oils to vaporize. Inhaling them will give added benefit.

You can also blend a few drops of an essential oil with a bit of massage oil (or olive oil) and rub it into the skin. Massage onto chest in the morning and at bedtime.

A plug-in AromaBall is an easy way to sanitize an entire room, especially while you sleep.

You can also use a small spritzer bottle and mix the essential oil with water. Shake it before using each time. Spray it around your house or around yourself at work to "disinfect" the area without using drugs or chemicals.

By the way, essential oils are great for cleaning. I use them with Sunshine Concentrate to replace all my household cleaners. You avoid breathing the chemicals into the lungs and also avoid skin contact with the cleaners. These dangerous chemicals are contaminating water supplies.

Here's my favorite essential oils to keep germs and viruses from surviving in our home:

Cinnamon, Lemon, Pine, Rosemary, Tea Tree, and Thyme.

Purchase quality essential oils.

Sponsored by Ben's Herbs Place

Buy quality Nature's Sunshine Products at wholesale prices.

Save 30-45% off retail prices plus regular sales.

Top quality and fast shipping from four (4) warehouses. Nature's Sunshine Products are 100% guaranteed potency and purity.

Friday, January 3, 2014

White Blood Cells Activated by Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil (Melaleuca alternifolia), a traditional herbal medicine originally used by the Aboriginal Australians to treat bruises, insect bites, and skin infections is an effective antiseptic. According to researchers at the Department of Research, Lombard, USA, the oil works by activating white blood cells, the body's first line of defence.

Rediscovered in the 1920s as a topical antiseptic, Tea Tree oil has been found to be more effective than the drug, Phenol, and is one of the most popular aromatherapy essential oils used by aromatherapists and sold over the counter in the UK.

Although previous studies have demonstrated that Tea Tree oil has antiseptic and antibacterial qualities, until now, the effects of Tea Tree oil on human white blood cells have never been fully investigated. Read the entire article.

Quality Tea Tree Oil Resource
100% Pure Tea Tree Oil

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Healthy Holiday Gift Ideas

Looking for a few unique and healthful holiday gift ideas? How about these

Nature's Sunshine Gift Ideas

Frankincense and Myrrh Essential Oils — These traditional gifts are traced back to gifts the Magi presented to the Christ child. Frankincense is soothing, centering and elevating and may possess other beneficial healing properties. Myrrh is centering and peaceful and has been associated with strength and endurance.

Boomerang Air and Surface Sanitizer — Give your family the gift of clean air and fewer germs this holiday! The Boomerang uses nano-sized metal catalysts and ultraviolet light to neutralize and kill airborne pathogens and aero allergens. It also helps break down odors fast. Great for the office too!

Health for the holidays? There are 10 System Packs that support health in each system of the body. No matter who it is, it's a good chance that one of these System Packs will be exactly what they need to start of the New Year off a little bit healthier.

Stocking Stuffers Under $10

Tei Fu Essential Oils — A unique blend of menthol, wintergreen, camphor and other essential oils to invigorate the mind, stimulate the respiratory system (wake up the sinuses) and enhance mood. Some people even use it to help repel insects!

Peppermint Oil — Freshen your breath anytime with this trusted digestive aid. A little goes a VERY long way.

Sunshine Brite Toothpaste — Kids love the taste of this all-natural, fluoride-free toothpaste!

Xylitol Gum — These breath-savers are good for your teeth! Xylitol helps deter bacteria from sticking to the teeth. Choose from four gum flavors.

Vitamin D3 — Give this immune-system and bone-health supporter to anyone who needs a little reminder to take care of him/herself. 2,000 IU per tablet. For kids, also see Sunshine Heroes Calcium Plus D3

Thursday, September 19, 2013

Aromatherapy - The Art of Essential Oils

There’s nothing more soothing after a stressful day than drawing a warm bath, lighting a few candles and cracking open a bottle of … essential oil!

Aromatherapy, defined by the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy (NAHA), is “the art and science of utilizing naturally extracted aromatic essences from plants to balance, harmonize and promote the health of body, mind and spirit.” This practice can be traced back as far as 2800 B.C., when Egyptians commonly used myrrh, and pharaohs were buried with urns containing aromatic resins (1). Today, it is still common to use the oils of plants to help naturally restore and enhance the health of the body.

What Are Essential Oils?
Essential oils, the main ingredients used in aromatherapy, are the highly concentrated aromatic extracts that are distilled from plant materials (1). Distillation of these oils occurs either through steam or expression. In steam distillation, the plant matter is steamed until it is broken down to its fragrant oils. These oils are then cooled, separated from the water and filtered. In expression, the oil is simply pressed out of the plant. In either method, one is left with a highly concentrated, essential oil (2).

There are several ways to use essential oils on and around the body. The safest and most common use of essential oils is massaging them over a local area or the entire body. Because the oils are so highly concentrated, they must first be diluted in a carrier oil, or the fatty acid portion of the plant. Common carrier oils are derived from olives, avocados, rapeseeds and almonds (1). Body oils are commonly made into a 2% dilution, or 10 to 12 drops per ounce of carrier oil, before they are applied (3).

Oils can also be used through inhalation, which can produce psychological and physical results. The olfactory (or smelling) sense can link with the rest of the body, causing certain regions to either be stimulated or sedated. The aromatics also physically come in contact with mucous membranes inside the nose and lungs, which allows them to quickly travel through the bloodstream. When using this method, three to five drops can be placed in a bowl of hot water or into a tissue and inhaled (1). Oils can also easily be utilized by placing three to 10 drops in a bathtub before bathing (3). Lastly, only under the recommendation of a physician, oils are rarely prescribed for ingestion to aid with severe gastrointestinal or respiratory issues (1).

It is important to properly store essential oils, especially because some carrier oils can become rancid. Oils are best kept in a cool place (40 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit) with the lid secured tightly to prevent oxygen from mixing with and degrading them. When correctly stored, oils can last from six months to two years (1).

Top Essential Oils
According to NAHA and Aromatherapy authors Kathi Keville and Mindy Green, the following oils are the most common essential oils, and the ways in which they support a healthy body are listed (1, 3).
• Bergamot: healthy mood and inflammation.
• Chamomile: healthy mood and inflammation, antiallergenic, digestive and relaxant.
• Eucalyptus: supports respiration, antibacterial and benefits immunity.
• Geranium: balancing hormones, antifungal and healthy inflammation.
• Lavender: antibacterial, benefits immunity, healthy mood and inflammation.
• Marjoram: antispasmodic, healthy inflammation and antiseptic.
• Peppermint: digestive support and decongestant.
• Rosemary: pain and muscle ache support, decongestant, circulatory tonic, mental and immune system stimulant.
• Tea Tree: antifungal, antiyeast and antibacterial.

Safety and Precautions
While aromatherapy uses natural oils from plants, there are still some best practices to follow. Because essential oils are very highly concentrated, the key to aromatherapy is that “less is more.” Using more of an oil will not increase any benefits, and may actually cause adverse effects such as irritation or burning of the skin. Pregnant women should avoid hyssop oil and ask their physicians before starting aromatherapy. This practice is also not advised for people with asthma. Lower dilutions are recommended for young children and the elderly. Most importantly, one should always read the label before using any product (3). WF

References
1. National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy, www.naha.org/index.html, accessed Sept. 15, 2012.
2. Aromatherapy.com, www.aromatherapy.com, accessed Sept. 15, 2012.
3. K. Keville and M. Green, Aromatherapy a Complete Guide to the Healing Art (Crossing Press, Berkeley, CA, 2009).

Source
Published in WholeFoods Magazine, November 2012

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Tips for Insomnia

Americans get 20% less sleep today than they did 100 years ago. More stress? Probably. Less physical activity? Perhaps.

In any case, some type of insomnia will affect one in three of us. And women, you’re up to twice as likely to experience sleeplessness as men. But don’t take this news lying down (staring at the ceiling). Here are 5 tips to do your part to make every night a restful night.

Time
Allow yourself some time to wind down each evening. Bustling around, trying to get a few more things done before you retire is counter-productive to good sleep. Even social networking before bed can stimulate the brain, making it hard to truly relax when your head hits the pillow.

Environment
Some people can sleep anywhere. Most of us can’t. Creating a sleep-friendly environment might include controlling the amount of light in your bedroom, your room temperature and the amount of noise reaching your ears. Consider black-out curtains, earplugs, turning on a fan, listening to mellow music, a bark collar for the dog and other changes that might make your sleep room a better place for real rest.

Create a Routine
Doing the same thing every night can help train your body that it’s time for sleep. Drink a glass of warm milk, brush your teeth, read for 10 minutes, then listen to relaxing music. Whatever your routine should be, stick with it for at least two weeks and see if sleep is less elusive. Note: Exercising too close to bedtime can stimulate the mind, making sleep much more difficult for some people.

Get Comfortable
Don’t underestimate the importance of a good mattress and/or pillow. Before you buy a new mattress, do some research. Talk to friends, check out blogs and ask about doing a 30-day test-run to see if you like it. Nowadays you can choose from air, gel, water, and good old springs and foam. People are quite different and so are mattresses!

Supplements
Herbs and supplements for sleep can play an important role in getting proper rest.

Valerian root has been used for over a thousand years to help people sleep. It helps relax the central nervous system, promotes feelings of calm and can help decrease anxiety or stress. And unlike some sleep aids, it does NOT leave you feeling groggy.

Hops flowers have nervine properties and promote restful sleep.

Passion Flower can help relax tense muscles and soothe frayed nerves.

Lavender is the most popular essential oil for relaxation and encouraging sleep. Diffuse lavender in your bedroom or spray a mist of it onto sheets and pillows before bed.

Melatonin is a hormone naturally present in the brain. It can help restore the body’s natural sleep rhythm and may help you feel more alert and rested when you awake. Our bodies make less melatonin as we age. NOTE: don’t use melatonin during the day; not for pregnant women.

Thursday, July 19, 2012

Natural Remedies for Swollen Feet and Ankles

Swelling in your feet and ankles is called edema, and there are a lot of things that can cause the problem, from high blood pressure to pregnancy. What’s happening is your body is having trouble fighting gravity to move blood and fluids back up your legs, so your ankles, feet, and even your legs can begin to swell.

Edema on its own is not harmful, but it is uncomfortable. If you are seeing one foot or leg swelling a lot more than the other, or you face is swelling, you do want to call your doctor, because the cause could be a blood clot, and you don’t want to wait to address that problem.

That uncomfortable swelling is not actually a disorder, just a symptom, and the best way to treat it is to treat the root cause. If you’re swelling because of pregnancy, it should go down not long after you deliver. Talk to your doctor to see what could be causing your swelling.

Whatever the reason, these remedies can help give you some relief while you sort out the cause of your edema. Check out the list of natural remedies.

Monday, May 28, 2012

Natural Perfumes - No Alcohol or Chemicals

Creator Emily Lape wanted a healthful and natural perfume, and she's come up with six scents -- all water-based and void of parabens, oils and phthalates as well as being cruelty free.

"Today's women are much more aware of the environment and the ingredients in their cosmetic bag, yet we still want our perfume to evoke sophistication and femininity," says Lape. "When I went out to look for such a perfume I could not find it on the market." Read the entire article for lots of other options.

Friday, November 25, 2011

Lavender Oil For Pain

From Natural Standard

In a new study, researchers randomly assigned 30 healthy participants to lavender oil aromatherapy administered through an oxygen mask lined with lavender oil, or a control group receiving only oxygen, for five minutes.

Stress level, pain intensity level during a needle insertion and Bispectral Index (BIS) values, which indicate the level of consciousness, were measured before and after treatment.

The researchers found that after treatment both stress levels and BIS values were significantly reduced for the lavender group when compared to the control group. Furthermore, the reported level of pain intensity following a needle insertion was significantly lower for the lavender group. Read the entire article.

Buy quality 100% Pure Lavender Essential Oil here.

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

The Power of Tea Tree Oil

In 1923, Dr. A.R. Penfold discovered Tea Tree oil was 13 times stronger as an antiseptic bacteriacide than carbolic acid, considered the universal standard in the early 1900's.

By 1930, Tea Tree Oil was being applied to pus-filled infections. It dissolved the pus and left the surface of the wounds clean and without apparent irritation to the surrounding healthy tissues.

Many antiseptics are harsh on delicate tissue or are hampered by the presence of pus and other organic matter. Tea tree oil is very effective in the presence of pus and it does not harm healthy tissue. Instead, it promotes the growth and repair of healthy tissue, which lessens the chance of scarring.

According to researchers at the Department of Research, Lombard,USA, the oil works by activating white blood cells, the body's first line of defense.

Purchase quality 100% Tea Tree Oil at Ben's Herbs Place.

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Quality Essential Oils For Effectiveness

Comprehensive Testing Reveals Discrepancy In Quality
Nature’s Sunshine (NSP) 100-percent-pure lavender oil was compared with a popular brand using several different testing methods. These tests included sensory evaluation, checking color and clarity, verification of plant species and country of origin, and laboratory analysis using both Gas Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry (GC/ MS).

The GC/MS is widely known as the most important tool for identifying and analyzing volatile oils. We found that the NSP product outperformed the competitor’s product in every test. Our GC/MS tests showed that NSP lavender oil contains greater amounts of many key constituents than the competitor’s product.

Higher peaks on the NSP graph show that our lavender oil is a much more powerful product. Using Mass Spectrometry, we can identify individual peaks (constituents) represented on the chromatograph and verify that each is a pure substance. Many competitors do not use Mass Spectrometry in analyzing essential oils. Consequently they can neither detect impurities nor positively identify constituents (components).

The label of a well-known competitor also indicated the use of two different species of lavender, something you’ll never find in NSP’s pure, AOC-certified* lavender oil. When two different species are mixed, you never know exactly what you’re getting.

NSP only uses true lavender, Lavendula angustifolia (no hybrids), in its product. The quality of essential oil products differs greatly. Count on Nature’s Sunshine for the premium quality you expect and deserve.

*AOC stands for Appelation d’Origine Contrôlée (Controlled Designation of Origin). AOC certification means that NSP lavender is pure Lavendula angustifolia and that it is harvested from specific, quality-controlled lavender fields in France.

Purchase Nature's Sunshine Lavender Oil and other 100% pure essential oils at wholesale prices.

Saturday, September 15, 2007

Herbal Mouthwash for Healthy Gums

This is a natural mouthwash recipe from Donna Watkins. ..
Having rheumatoid arthritis, you get a number of complementary problems, such as gingivitis, so rather than use all those chemical mouthwashes, I've been making an herbal mouthwash with essential oils that are used for this problem.

It's less expensive and I use the essential oils for countertop spray to avoid chemicals also. Essential oils are very antimicrobial.

Here's one of the recipes I've used for the mouthwash. I take an empty 8 ounce bottle with a flip top lid (mine is from Frozen Lemon Juice). I add 6 ounces of purified water, 2 teaspoons of glycerin (optional for sweetness), and for essential oils for healthy gums, I used 7 drops Rosemary Essential Oil, 7 drops Thyme Oil and 7 drops of Peppermint Oil. You can find the glycerin at a drugstore. In our area it was one of the family-owned ones.

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