Category Archives: Better Living

Essential Oils Studied For Their Laxative Properties

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Laxative PropertiesLaxative

This means an agent that stimulates bowel excretion.

Basil Essential Oil
Basil is cooling to the skin, and can be used to soothe minor irritations. When diffused, Basil helps promote clear breathing, and healthy respiratory function while sharpening focus, and lessening stress.
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Bergamot Essential Oil
Italians have used Bergamot for years to reduce tension and stress and to soothe and rejuvenate skin. Bergamot is unique among citrus oils due to its ability to be both uplifting and calming, making it ideal to help with anxious and sad feelings.
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Black Pepper Essential Oil
Black Pepper is best know as a cooking spice however, Black Pepper also promotes healthy circulation both internally and externally, but should be used with caution when applied topically due to its strong warming sensation.
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Fennel Essential Oil
Fennel is best known for its distinct licorice aroma and taste, yet its ability to ease digestive troubles and monthly menstrual cycles are equally noteworthy.
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Ginger Essential Oil
Ginger can lessen motion sickness, soothe an upset stomach, and help digest food after a large meal. Ginger essential oil can also be applied topically or inhaled to help with digestion issues.
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Rose Essential Oil

Rose essential oil is known to promote smooth, beautiful skin.
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Spikenard Essential Oil
The health benefits of Spikenard essential oil can be attributed to its properties as a, deodorant, laxative, and sedative.
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Essential Oils for Bee and Wasp Stings

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Screen shot 2015-07-25 at 5.34.48 PM
Essential Oils that help with bee, and wasp stings.

Use Basil, Cinnamon, Clove, Lavender, Melaleuca,
Protective Blend and Cleansing Blend.

Dab oil topically- directly on area bitten as soon as
possible. Repeat if necessary every 1 to 2 hours. For
young children or very sensitive skin dilute oils with
carrier oil.

 

Arborvitae-Did You Know?

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Cut ArborvitaeDid you know the Arborvitae has been referred to as the tree of life? A native North American western red cedar tree, can reach 180 to 200 feet in height in some areas of the Northwest but is more often seen at 50 to70 feet in height with a spread of 15 to 25 feet in width. Forming an upright pyramidal silhouette with strongly horizontal branches, Giant-Cedar is an evergreen with fragrant, dark green, delicate needles. This very rare Western Red Cedar will put on 3 to 5 feet of growth per year.

The arborvitae has been used by ancient civilizations to enhance their potential for spiritual communication during rituals and other ceremonies. Modern technology however has revealed that giant Arborvitae essential oil contains high levels of unique compounds called tropolones. Tropolones are an unusual seven membered carbon ring structure not found in significant concentrations in other essential oils. It is these tropolones that yield the unique therapeutic qualities of this oil.

When selecting a source of Arborvitae essential oil, one must be sure to choose a source whose oil does not contain thujone, a neurotoxic compound. Besides source geography, it is also essential to consider the plant part from which this oil is distilled: only essential oil from the wood of Arborvitae has been found to be free from thujone. When sampled and tested for thujone, essential oil from the wood of Arborvitae grown in the Pacific Northwest was found to have no thujone, indicating that oil from this region is safe for human use.

Arborvitae has been used for coughs, fevers and intestinal parasites. It is also an insect repellent. This oil may also help with skin nourishing and sunscreen. It has a strong effect on the subconscious and unconscious mind.

Homemade Sunscreen Recipe

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Sunburn Back
Ingredients
2 Tablespoons coconut oil
2 Tablespoons shea butter
1 Tablespoon jojoba oil
1 tbsp. beeswax granules
1 tbsp. zinc oxide powder (optional)
½ tsp. red raspberry seed oil
½ tsp. carrot seed oil
Add one drop of each essential oil of your choice. Geranium, lavender, rosemary, and or peppermint all work well.
Instructions
1. Using a double boiler (or a small pan over very low heat), melt your coconut oil, sesame or jojoba oil, beeswax, and shea butter together. The beeswax will be the last to melt.
2. When the beeswax is melted, remove the mixture from the heat and let cool to room temperature. If you’re using zinc oxide, whisk it in at this point, being careful not to create a lot of dust. If there are some lumps, that’s OK. They will break up when you whip the body butter in step 4.
3. Move the mixture to the fridge for 15-30 minutes. You want it to start to set up, but still be soft enough to whip.
4. Take the mixture out of the fridge and using a stand mixer or hand mixer, start to whip it. Slowly add in the red raspberry seed oil, the carrot seed oil, and any essential oils of your choice, and continue whipping until the mixture is light and fluffy.
5. Use as you would any regular sunscreen. Application rates will depend on your activity and exposure to water. Store in a glass container in the fridge between uses.

Be a Good Listener

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Saint Bernard PuppyMy sister, Wendy, is very spontaneous. One day she just dropped in to say hi. I love being spontaneous myself, so this never bothers me. After talking to Wendy for only a few moments, she said she needed to get going. I asked her to stay longer She changed her mind, and ended up staying longer. We had a wonderful visit. If I hadn’t asked her to stay, she would have left earlier. It is important to encourage others to continue talking, if you want to be a good listener.

How many people cut off another person, with this sometimes toxic statement “I know that.”? It makes the other person clam up and stop talking. I think it is fun to pretend ignorance in order to encourage others to express their views fully.

I remember my mom was having a hard time getting my Dad to listen to her one evening. My Dad who is a very driven person, loves focusing on helping people and solving problems. He was not paying attention to my Mom.

Without missing a beat, my Mom said she was going with the children to pick out a Saint Bernard pup. Mom and Dad had agreed to never get a large dog. My Dad said that will be fine without really paying attention to what my Mom was saying. Then all of a sudden he said, “Saint Bernard?” Then my Mom said, “Got ya.” I need you to listen to what I am saying, so I wanted to say something crazy to get your attention.”

When you paraphrase and restate what the other person is saying in different words, this will allow he or she to confirm that you have understood what they intended. Or you can say something wild like my Mom, did to get my Dad’s attention.

One of the best ways to be an effective listener is to sympathize with others. When you can honestly put yourself in another persons shoes, people will open up, and trust you with their feelings.

Effective listening is never old fashioned. What a great way to win more friends, and influence people. Your family will benefit from it as well.

Cinnamon-Did You Know?

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Cinnamon BarkDid you know cinnamon is the oil of sexual harmony and greatly supports the reproductive system and aids with sexual issues. It helps people to embrace their body, and accepting their physical attractiveness. Cinnamon encourages the growth of strong relationships based on mutual love, and respect.

Cinnamon, which is actually the dried bark of the laurel tree a large tropical evergreen tree can grow up to 45 feet tall. Cinnamon has been used for thousands of years. This powerful spice was used in Egypt, Rome, and China. Cinnamon is native to Sri Lanka. The “real” cinnamon of old comes from the Cinnamomum zeylanicum tree.

Historically, cinnamon is even mentioned in the Bible. Moses used it as an ingredient for his anointing oils. In ancient Rome, it was burned during funerals, as a way to remove some of the odor of dead bodies. The ancient Egyptians used it in embalming mummies because of its pleasant odors and its preservative qualities.

Extracted from bark, cinnamon oil contains strong cleansing and immune enhancing properties. Due to its high content of cinnamaldehyde, Cinnamon should be diluted with Fractionated Coconut Oil when applied to the skin and only one to two drops are needed for internal benefits.

Cinnamon is very purifying to the circulatory system and it helps promote circulation, both internally and when applied to the skin, helping to ease sore muscles and joints. Cinnamon helps maintain a healthy immune system, especially when seasonal threats are high. When diffused, Cinnamon promotes clear breathing while purifying the air. Cinnamon is frequently used in mouth rinses and gums for its oral health benefits. Cinnamon has a long history of culinary uses, adding spice to desserts, entrees, and hot drinks.