Category Archives: Better Living

Tangerine-Did You Know?

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TangerineDid you know tangerineʼs have strong qualities of cheer and joyfulness? People who at times feel overwhelmed by responsibility would benefit from the the uplifting vibration that comes from tangerineʼs. Another important aspect of tangerine is itʼs ability to help us access our creative energy within our spirit.

The name tangerine comes from Tangier, a port of Morocco, where the first ship with Mandarin oranges arrived from China? This citrus fruit is believed to have originated in Southeastern Asia and since then it has been widely cultivated in different parts of the world.

A tangerine orange is smaller than a regular orange, and contains a strong pleasant fragrance. The fruit is quite fragile but the sections are easy to separate. A medium tangerine provides about 37 calories of food value, the fruit is not only delicious, it is an important addition to any diet.

Tangerine essential oil is great to use when cooking. Tangerine oil contains esters and aldehydes which are sedating and calming to the nervous system and has been studied for its ability to sooth emotions such as grief anger and shock. Like most citrus oils, avoid direct sunlight or UV light for up to 12 hours after using on the skin.

Spikenard-Did You Know?

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SpikenardDid you know Spikenard is the oil of gratitude? Spikenard encourages true appreciation for life. It addresses repeated patterns of ingratitude, where a person sees  themselves as a person whom criticism or abuse may be directed, or a victim of their life circumstances. It encourages individuals to let go and find appreciation for all of life’s experiences.

Spikenard is grown in Nepal, China, and India. For centuries the oil has been used as a perfume, as a medicine, and in religious ceremonies from Europe to India. In the bible It was offered on the specialized incense altar in the time when the Tabernacle was located in the First and Second Jerusalem Temples. Several references to Spikenard, were made in both the Old and the New Testament.

Spikenard was one of the early aromatics used by the Egyptians and is mentioned frequently throughout the bible. The powdered root of Spikenard is also mentioned in some Islamic traditions as the fruit which Adam ate in Paradise, which God had forbidden him to eat. It was traditionally used to anoint people of high honor due to its healing properties, and is considered to have spiritual applications for blessing and protection.

Spikenard has a long list of therapeutic uses in clinical aromatherapy and is considered non-toxic, non-irritant, and non-sensitizing. It is also used to season foods in Medieval European cuisine.The health benefits of Spikenard Essential Oil can be attributed to its properties as a deodorant, laxative, and a sedative in nature.

Spearmint-Did You Know?

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SpearmintDid you know Spearmint is the oil of confident speech? Spearmint inspires someone to be clear of thought and mutual verbal expression. The people in need of Spearmint may hide their opinions, thoughts, and ideas by keeping their voice silent. Spearmint promotes confidence when speaking, especially in front of a large group of people.

Spearmint has been cultivated for many years. Some believe it would be almost impossible to find it growing in its original form in nature. This species of mint is also known as “Mackerel Mint” The name, spear or spire, refers to the spiry form of its floral blossoming.

Before the invention of the refrigerator, spearmint was once macerated and added to milk because it appeared to lengthen the shelf-life of milk and keep it from curdling. It was also recommended for use by people with poor health or young children with sensitive digestive issues.

Spearmint oil is less used than it’s stronger cousin peppermint. The mint sauces, and jellies that usually accompany lamb dishes are made of the milder-flavored spearmint. It was once recommended as a treatment for hiccups, flatulence as well as indigestion. Spearmint essential oil cleanses, and purifies skin, and has an uplifting scent that can lessen mental, and physical fatigue.

The Power of One

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Leonard FishIn a world with more than seven billion people, it’s easy to underestimate the importance of one. There are so many people who have so many gifts and talents who are already doing so many things that are so helpful and inspiring, who needs me? What can I as one person contribute to the needs of our world, our church and community? The truth is, you are unique, the only you in all the world. Nobody can do the things that God has called you to do better than you at this moment.
Edward Everett Hale puts it this way:
I am only one,
But still I am one.
I cannot do everything;
but still I can do something;
and because I cannot do everything
I will not refuse to do the something
that I can do.
There is only one you. You’re the only person with your exact life with your set of circumstances and events on your journey that have brought you to this hour on this planet. You’re the only one with your personal convictions, your makeup, your skills, your appearance, your touch, your voice, your style, your surroundings, you’re the only one. My passion is essential oils, I choose to help one person, one family, one community at a time with this amazing gift from the earth, and you can make your mark in the world as well. Go do the right thing.

Sandalwood- Did You Know?

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SandalwoodDid you know Sandalwood is the oil of sacred devotion? It helps with all kinds of spiritual worship including prayer, and meditation. It teaches reverence and respect for God. Sandalwood has been used since ancient times. More than 4,000 years ago, it was used to calm the mind, still the heart, and prepare the spirit to commune with Deity. In India, it’s been valued for at least 2,000 years as one of the most sacred trees, and an important part of devotional rituals.

Sandalwood is a tree with a extremely aromatic wood. It is economically and culturally important to many countries around the Pacific and Eastern Indian Ocean regions where it grows or is traded. The wood is used for making furniture, ornaments, sacred objects, carvings, and joss sticks (incense). The essential oil is used in medicine, perfume, and aromatherapy.

The tree is medium sized 12-15 meters tall. The tree reaches its full maturity in 60 to 80 years, which is when the center of the slender trunk (the heart wood) has achieved its greatest oil content. Both the heartwood and roots are fragrant and contain the oil; the bark and sapwood, however, are odorless. The Sandalwood tree is never cut down, but uprooted during the rainy season, when it is richer in precious essential oils.

Essential oils may have also been used in Indian medicine, but were popularized in the west by the perfume industry, and so became applied medicinally in the western world after the 1920’s by French aromatherapists. Sandalwood is very beneficial to the skin; it can help reduce the appearance of scars and blemishes and it promotes a healthy, smooth complexion.

Sage-Did You Know?

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Sage
Did you know Sage is the oil of purification? Sage is known for its ability to cleanse energy, and spaces. It also purifies the body, and opens spiritual channels. Sage is a powerful energy cleansing oil. It can send away unwanted or hard to endure energies, and restore harmony, and balance. It plays a role in helping people who have experienced any form of abuse, also feeling a disconnect from their physical body.

Sage (Salvia officinalis) has a herbaceous spicy aroma. The Ancient Greeks and Romans used the leaves of both species as compresses for the treatment of wounds. The oldest reference is a depiction of Salvia fruticosa on a fresco at in Crete, which has been dated at about 1400 BC. The name salvia in fact comes from the latin, salvere, meaning to heal. It has been identified for its ability to strengthen the senses, and vital centers of the body.

Sage was used by herbalists externally to treat sprains, swelling, ulcers, and bleeding. Internally, a tea made from sage leaves has had a long history of use to treat sore throats and coughs; often by gargling. It was also used by herbalists for rheumatism, excessive menstrual bleeding, and to dry up a mother’s milk when nursing was stopped. It is helpful for supporting the respiratory, reproductive, and nervous systems. Sage may help in coping with despair and mental fatigue.

Rosewood-Did You Know?

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Rosewood
Did you know Rosewood essential oil is the oil of sensitivity? Rosewood supports extremely sensitive people that struggle to deal with the stresses that come to them in life. It gives assistance to those who are overstimulated or who experience life as painful due to their unwelcome sensitivities. Rosewood surrounds the excessively sensitive soul with warm nurturing energy.

The wood of this tree is very valuable, and commonly used in cabinet-making, carving building, and essential oil extraction. In the early eighteenth century, Rosewood essential oil was used in the field of perfume making. There was a time when Rosewood was harvested near extinction. As a result these trees have been classified as an endangered species, and the legislation has come up with a resolution that requires the essential oil distilleries to plant a new tree for every tree they use for essential oil extraction.

The benefits of Rosewood essential oil are many. It may shows signs for relief from headaches, toothaches, and joint pain. Rosewood has been studied for its usefulness in treating nausea, vomiting, coughs, stress, and many skin issues. It also keeps the brain cool, active, sharp and alert. Rosewood improves blood circulation, and digestion. This oil has also been studied for its ability to improve memory, and protect people from neurotic disorders. Other uses for Rosewood oil include insecticide, natural deodorant, and may increase libido.