Peppermint-Did You Know?

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PeppermintDid you know Peppermint is the oil of a buoyant heart? Peppermint brings happiness, and optimism to the heart and soul. It gives strength to the body, mind and spirit, and reminds us that life can be filled with happiness, and there is nothing to fear. When a person uses Peppermint they feel as though they are moving smoothly through life.

Peppermint (Mentha piperita) is one of hundreds of species in the genus Mentha which also includes spearmint, water mint and forest mint originating in North America and the Mediterranean area of Europe. Peppermint is actually believed to be a naturally occurring hybrid of spearmint and water mint. While some claim peppermint was not hybridized and cultivated until the 18th century in England, peppermint is referenced in ancient texts.

Peppermint oil can also calm the spasms that cause muscle cramps? Menthol which is in peppermint provides effective relief from many respiratory problems including nasal congestion, sinusitis, asthma, bronchitis and the common cold and cough. It is often included as an ingredient in natural chest rubs to help with congestion.

Yarrow-Did You Know?

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yarrowDid you know yarrow is native to Europe? Now commonly found growing wild in North America (except far north). Yarrow is a familiar plant in meadows and fields, along the sides of country lanes, roadsides, on embankments, and in landfills. Yarrow is a member of the daisy family. In many parts of Europe yarrow was believed to protect against all evil.

The yarrow plant was first used by the Greeks over 3,000 years ago for treating wounds on the skin. The flowers and leaves of yarrow were eaten and also made into a tea. The fresh leaves were used to stop bleeding wounds, treat gastrointestinal problems, fight fevers, lessen menstrual bleeding and better circulation. The fresh leaves were also chewed on to relieve tooth aches. Scientists have credited yarrow for its benefits relating to almost every organ in the body.

Yarrow gives strength and energy to the body and mind. It has been studied for its ability to help circulatory disorders like hemorrhoids and varicose veins. Colic, constipation problems, indigestion and cramps are also influenced by using essential oils. Hypertension, Insomnia and other stress related issues are also dealt with using yarrow oil. Many other people claim it is great for allergies, and asthma.

How to Use Essential Oils

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how-to-use-bergmot-essential-oilPossible skin sensitivity. Keep out of reach of children. If you are pregnant, nursing, or under a doctor’s care, consult your physician. Avoid contact with eyes, inner ears, and sensitive areas. Avoid sunlight or UV rays for up to 12 hours after applying product.

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

How to Catch a Monkey

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Monkey at Sunset
African hunters have a clever way of trapping monkeys.

They slice a coconut in two, hollow it out, and in one half of the shell cut a hole just big enough for a monkey’s hand to pass through. Then they place an orange in the other coconut half before fastening together the two halves of the coconut shell. Finally, they secure the coconut to a tree with a rope, retreat into the jungle, and wait.

Sooner or later, an unsuspecting monkey swings by, smells the delicious orange, and discovers its location inside the coconut. The monkey then slips his hand through the small hole, grasps the orange, and tries to pull it through the hole. Of course, the orange won’t come out; it’s too big for the hole. To no avail the persistent monkey continues to pull and pull, never realizing the danger he is in.

While the monkey struggles with the orange, the hunters simply stroll in and capture the monkey by throwing a net over him. As long as the monkey keeps his fist wrapped around the orange, the monkey is trapped.

It’s too bad the poor monkey could save its own life if it would only let go of the orange. It rarely occurs to a monkey, however, that it can’t have both the orange and its freedom. That delicious orange becomes a deadly trap.