 Afternoon homework slump or commuting fatigue? Need a boost to finish that project or study? Simply want to boost focus, memory + be more mentally alert for your family? Or maybe you constantly roll out of bed feeling tired, sluggish, and wondering how you’re going to deal with another day at the office? Skip that extra dose of caffeine and try this simple combination of therapeutic essential oils to support your mental agility + focus. Pure therapeutic essential oils that not only stimulate the nervous system but are cephalic as well (meaning that they improve memory and concentration!) make up this easy DIY on-the-go face mist. Vital Focus Mist Close your eyes, spray on face and décolletage, breathe deeply. Use as often as needed. This is a pick-me-up that works in seconds. No matter how busy you are you’ve got a few spare seconds. You can use it all the time — while you're driving, working or doing any activity that requires your focus and attention. ProTip: Use these same oils in your nearby diffuser to keep some pep in your step. Also, double the oils, ditch the VG & water, and use in a 10ml roller bottle filled with organic grapeseed oil for a brain boosting roller to send with your little one to school! WHY DOES IT WORK? The essential oils chosen here to support memory, focus + concentration in this blend are: Spearmint Essential Oil: restorative, strengthens memory, stimulates the mind Peppermint Essential Oil: stimulates nerves and brain, improves concentration and study Cardamom Essential Oil: fortifying, tonic of the brain and nervous system Rosemary Essential Oil: clears the mind, sharpens the memory and boosts the nervous system ProTip: The Vitality line of the above oils work identically. Not so much into DIY? Buy a hand crafted bottle of VITAL FOCUS MIST HERE from the ApothecaryMama Shoppery.
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 Shared with permission from ThinkCrucial.com When it comes to essential oils, everyone knows how to put them in a diffuser to reap the benefits of aromatherapy. But did you know that there are other ways that you can use your essential oil that will provide a tangible benefit to you and your loved ones? The positive properties of essential oils come from the oil’s natural anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antimicrobial properties. Essential oils have been used for thousands of years by hundreds of different cultures. They have been used not just for aromatherapy, but also personal care, cleaning, and even for their natural healing properties. One thing to keep in mind when you use essential oils is that you should not use undiluted essential oils on your bare skin. There are some who disagree with this, saying that pure essential oil on the skin can be used for various things. However, because everyone’s tolerance and sensitivity to the compounds found in essential oil can vary widely, if you’ve never applied essential oils to your skin, dilute them. When you dilute an essential oil, you use a carrier oil. Carrier oils are neutral and stable, so they will not evaporate or add unwanted properties to an essential oil. These include sweet almond oil, jojoba oil, olive oil, or even shea butter. There is no real standard for dilution as every person has a different sensitivity to essential oils. In general, start with one drop of essential oil to ever teaspoon of carrier oil. This will give you a roughly 1% solution strength. From there, you can increase the amount of essential oil as need be to suit your tolerance and needs. Cleaning With Essential Oils.
Personal Healthcare.
As you can see, essential oils have more uses than just percolating in your diffuser for aromatherapy. Experiment with your favorite oils to find out more things you can do to help improve your life.  Both positive and negative emotions are important and part of being human, but when we can’t manage them properly we can find ourselves in a downward spiral fast. This can have a serious impact on every aspect of our lives – especially our health. Take an Emotional Detox Break Taking regular emotional detox breaks will help you handle your emotions with ease and cleanse your entire system so that you can reach your full potential and enjoy the abundant life. This does not have to be a complicated drawn out process. Take a 15min walk a solely focus on you breathe & noticing life around you. Sit down for 2min to journal things you are grateful for. Anything you choose to do, make it a regular part of your wellness routine to continuously improve your mental state. Which as we know directly effects your physically wellbeing. Those who choose to live with an over abundance of angst, anger, stress & discontentment are more prone to all illness. From autoimmune diseases, migraines & headaches, sleep disorders, common colds - to seriously illness such as cancer and degenerative diseases. Our bodies & minds are an interconnected system of natural chemicals that can either serve us or make us feel miserable. What do you want to feel like? DIY Emotional Detox Inhaler Contrary to popular opinion, there are actually much fewer ways to use essential oils to detox your body compared to using essential oils to detox your emotions. EOs help calm your mind, boost your mood and help put you in a meditative, mindful state.
Instructions
*Essential oils must be 100% pure therapeutic grade, direct from the farm/distiller, hyper-orgnanic & non-GMO in order to have the desire effects. Store bought oils will not work and may not be safe. **Learn more about essential oil science, safety & quality HERE. ***Get started with the most used & useful essential oil kit in the world HERE.  Carrot Seed essential oil is a historical digestive tonic that also has been traditionally used for joint conditions in aromatherapy. Identified by its warm and earthy, yet mildly sweet aroma, carrot seed essential oil has a long history of being used in ancient medicine, thanks to multiple healing properties. Together, its constituents provide users with an array of health and beauty benefits. This is particular true of two of its main ingredients, carotol and camphene. Here are the top benefits associated with these two constituents. Carotol Researchers have found that carrot seed oil has antifungal properties and is particularly effective against gram-positive bacteria. This is largely due to the carotol it contains. In one study, carotol inhibited the growth of fungus by 65%, though further research is needed to determine exactly how. In a separate study, carrot seed oil demonstrated liver protective benefits and was found to help improve jaundice and hepatitis. It is believed to help regulate the secretion of bile in the liver, making it easier to detoxify the body and allowing internal organs to function more effectively. Camphene Camphene has been shown to have powerful pain relieving and antioxidative properties, as well as help fight cardiovascular disease. In particular, the combination of camphene and other constituents act as an emenagogue, meaning that it helps make periods less painful and more regular. In a 2009 study, camphene, along with the vitamins A, C, and E found in carrot seed oil were shown to be powerful nutriceuticals, resulting in health and medical benefits that both heal and protect the body. ProTip: Add carrot seed essential oil to your skincare routine for daily benefits.   Summertime is almost here, so today I've got some helpful tips for staying healthy throughout the summer with essential oils! Here are my Top 10 Ways to Use Oils in the Summertime: Lavender - this oil is a must for beach vacations because it's great to put on the skin after a bit too much sun. It will also help reduce stress and sleep soundly. Rub a drop or two on the area of concern, the back of the neck, or add it to your favorite diffuser that you brought along! Thieves Spray - this antibacterial spray kills 99.9% of germs and doesn't contain any synthetic chemicals like the conventional wipes, gels and sprays. This is a must to carry in the car, your purse, or send with your kids to summer camp. Raven - for the occasional stuffy nose, where any kind of respiratory support is needed, or if anyone in your family has issues being around animals, Raven is the oil you want on hand! Rub 1-2 drops over the lungs, sinuses, bottoms of the feet, back of the neck, or diffuse as needed. Insect Repellent - this oil comes in a handy spray bottle. So, simply spray it directly on to the skin to keep the mosquitos and other bugs away. I used some of this last summer when the mosquitos were out in full force and didn't get a single bite! Put some in a up cycled 15ml Thieves, peppermint, lemongrass or Purification bottle with a roller top for easy application for any age. PanAway - if you're planning on doing any hiking this summer, bring some PanAway along! Rub a drop or two directly on to the area of concern to soothe those sore muscles. Orange - this is a great oil for both energy and to reduce anxiety. I love using it for road trips, or to diffuse throughout the day in the house. You can also add a drop to smoothies or homemade popsicles (try adding NingXia Red to homemade popsicles for healthy treats!). Cedarwood - this is my go-to for a solid night's sleep, and the entire family loves it! Either rub a drop or two on the bottoms of the feet before bed or diffuse it along with some Lavender. This oil is truly amazing! DiGize - this is my go-to for any and all digestive support needs. Simply rub 1-2 drops on the area of concern or take 1-2 drops internally. Put DiGize in a capsule, which makes it super easy for taste-free digestive support. Use a drop behind the ears and on the temples to relieve/prevent motion sickness. Thieves- this blend is a natural and effective alternative for immune support. My whole family uses this oil anytime we are traveling because we never know what we will come in contact with. Rub a drop or two on the bottoms of the feet, around the base of the neck, or take internally 2x a day. This blend also comes in capsule form. Peppermint - this oil helps to alleviate occasional stomach upset and promotes healthy respiratory function. It also has a cooling affect on the skin, which is great when you've gotten a bit too much sun. It's also a great oil to use to help wake you up and give you more energy (a MUST for car trips). You can rub a drop or two on your feet, on the back of your neck, on the area of concern, diffuse or take internally.
 Got your starter kit and don’t know where to begin? Here are a few tips on how you can use The Essential Eleven Oils in your kit and some great information about Thieves Household Cleaner and our new Desert Mist Diffuser. PRO TIP: This is by no means an exhaustive list of the ways to use your PSK - but a fast and easy way to get started. There are literally thousands of uses for these 11 amazing oils for you to discover. Just ask for help!  Let’s begin with Lemon essential oil! Ways you can use Lemon include:
 Lavender is also known as the “swiss army knife” of oils because of its versatility of uses. Here are some of our favorites:
 Peppermint essential oil gives a cooling sensation and has a calming effect on the body. Here are some pretty cool uses:
 Young Living’s most popular blend, Thieves contains powerful essential oils that defend and protect such as clove, rosemary, cinnamon bark, and Eucalyptus Radiata. Ways to use Thieves include:
 Stress Away is made with Copaiba, Lime, Cedarwood, Vanilla, Ocotea and Lavender. The stress of daily activities can be soothed with this combination of pure, therapeutic grade oils. Ways you can use it to reduce stress, head tension and anxiety include:
 Frankincense essential oil is steam distilled from the resin of the Boswellia tree. It is a favorite in beauty products and for internal use when it comes to cellular health.
 PanAway is an oil blend that has a stimulating aroma and is a popular combination of Wintergreen, Helichrysum, Clove, and Peppermint essential oils. It is ideal to apply topically after exercise or a strenuous day. Here are some great ways to use PanAway:
 Combining Orange, Tangerine, Grapefruit, Lemon, and Mandarin oils with a hint of Spearmint, Citrus Fresh essential oil is a proprietary Young Living blend that offers an uplifting, refreshing aroma that you can diffuse to transform home, work, and classroom spaces.
 Raven is a cleansing blend of Ravintsara, Peppermint, Eucalyptus Radiata, and other essential oils. Raven creates a cooling sensation when applied topically to the chest and throat. This essential oil is NOT intended to be used on children under 6 without the supervision of a healthcare professional. Ways to use Raven for respiratory support include:
 Copaiba, pronounced “co-pa-ee-ba”, is known as the enhancer, as it makes any oil it is added to more potent. It has some other pretty neat uses including:
 DiGize essential oil is one of YL most unique essential oil blends, combining Tarragon, Ginger, Peppermint, Juniper, Lemongrass, Anise, and Patchouli oils for a spicy, exotic aromatic blend. DiGize oil also includes Fennel essential oil, the use of which dates back to ancient Egypt. Ways to use Digize for digestive support include:
 One of our favorite additions to the New Premium Starter Kit is the sample you will receive of Thieves Household Cleaner. Formulated with Thieves essential oil blend, this all-purpose cleaner is one of Young Living’s most popular products. It uses pure, powerful essential oils—including Clove, Lemon, and Rosemary—along with other naturally derived ingredients to make your home fresh and clean. With its welcoming scent and no synthetic or harsh ingredients, it’s a must-have in your stash of cleaning supplies and homemade cleaners. Benefits of Thieves Household Cleaner
 Using ultrasonic frequency technology, the Desert Mist Diffuser generates waves at 1.7 million per second, breaking down essential oils and water into millions of microparticles, dispersing them into the air, and releasing the oils’ unique constituents. This diffuser is custom designed to diffuse continuously for 5–6 hours on High mode, 8 hours on Low mode, and 10 hours on Intermittent mode.* It also offers 11 individual light settings, including a candle-like flicker mode. Don't have the Premium Starter Kit with these Essential Eleven oils & diffuser? Click HERE to change your life.
 Originally shared by Dr. Eric Zielinski While we speak frequently about the historical use of many essential oils including lemon essential oil uses, the history of lemon itself is shrouded in mystery and uncertainty. We have seen lemons in Ayurvedic medicine for as much as a century, and lemons appear again in Josephus' writings, describing a high priest's fruitful encounter with an angry crowd in 90 B.C. – who preceded to pelt him with lemons for his errant ways! And dulling tastes of happy Citron fruit, Than which, no helpe more present can be had, If any time stepmothers worse than brute have poyson'd pots, and mingled herbs of sute With hurtfull charmes: this Citron fruit doth chase Blacke venome from the body in every place. ~ Virgil 70 BC – 19 BC Despite the quote from the storied author above, the history of Citrus limon is quite silent. The lemon itself is native to Asia, grown from a small, evergreen tree. Multiple cultures claim the lemon as their own, from Burma and China to northeast India. Botanists from the University of California have their own twist, believing that the lemon is actually a hybrid fruit, combining sour orange and citron, rather than standing alone as a historical species. (1) d-Limonene and the Benefits of Lemon Essential OilThe key to it's healing power, lemon rinds (where the essential oil is extracted from) are one of the richest sources of d-limonene, which is the most common cancer-fighting terpenes in nature. (source) Additionally, we know that d-limonene can help:
Some of the richest sources of d-limonene are: (source, p 580)
Potential PhototoxicityIn addition to d-limonene, other commonly shared chemicals in the citrus family are furocoumarins like bergapten, notable for their phototoxic effects. When bergapten is left on the skin, then exposed to the sun, it amplifies the effect of the sun and can leave burns. Some people like to avoid using bergapten-heavy oils topically altogether, but simply avoiding the sun after use (such as using it at night before bed) is sufficient. Alternatively, steam-distilled citrus oils have lower concentrations of bergapten and mitigate this effect. Great care should be taken when using citrus oils, including lemon essential oil uses, during summer months and with your children, but you don't have to avoid them all together. Many aromatherapists agree that heavily diluting citrus oils minimizes the risk. For example, the Essential Oil Safety text and Aromahead Institute teach that phototoxic oils can be used if diluted as follows:
13 Key Ayurvedic UsesTraditional use has carried us where historical origins fail, and we have plenty of record of lemon's benefits in Ayurvedic medicine, followed in recent decades by scientific confirmation. Ayurvedic food and medicinal preparations use lemon and lemon essential oil heavily, giving us an excellent basis for discovery and use. Assistant professor of Alva's Ayurveda Medical College, Dr. J.V. Hebbar, relays the 13 key benefits of lemon and lemon essential oil in the Ayurvedic model: (2)
Other notable effects include the regulation of cholesterol deposits in the circulatory system, which can help to reduce risk factors for heart disease. Current ResearchHundreds of studies have referred to the benefits of lemon essential oil, and exploring the dozens of traditional uses. Its most prominent component, limonene, is likely the key to its potency, found in many citrus oils. Its cancer-fighting antioxidant power is impressive, as well. With such a strong foundational composition, it's not surprising that the science is catching up to 1,000-year-tradition at breakneck speed. Alzheimer's and Dementia Dementia occurs when brain nerve cells become damaged. Being that this affect several areas of the brain, people experience dementia quite differently. There are various types of dementias, and they are often categorized by the part of the brain damaged and whether the condition worsens. Alzheimer's disease, the most common cause of dementia in seniors over 65 years old is, has been researched extensively and essential oils can be of great help. For instance, the effects of aromatherapy were evaluated on elderly people suffering from dementia, with the majority being diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. They were given rosemary and lemon inhalations in the morning, then lavender and orange in the evening. Through multiple tests and forms of analysis, the “patients showed significant improvement in personal orientation” without any deleterious side effects. (3) Nausea and Vomiting An interesting study came out the spring of 2014, highlighting the benefits that lemon essential oil has for pregnant women dealing with nausea and vomiting. This was actually the first study of its kind and they discovered some promising results. Basing their research findings on the personal report 100 women provided to the researchers, they learned that the majority were significantly more satisfied with aromatherapy (i.e. simply smelling lemon essential oil out of the bottle) than with the drugs that they were given or the placebo. (4) Antioxidant Another component of lemon that researchers have recently validated is geraniol. To evaluate the antioxidant ability to reverse damage from inflammation and oxidative stress, scientists in India gave geraniol to rats with diabetic neuropathy. Over the course of the 8-week study, markers of sciatic nerve damage and mitochondrial enzymes were both restored significantly. As a bonus, they also observed restored dopamine levels, the neurotransmitter that is associated with healthy functions like movement and unhealthy functions like addiction. (5) Although this was an animal study and not necessarily indicative of mirrored results in humans, the potential beneficial effects of regular lemon essential oil use are promising, especially with our current influx of mitochondrial disease and the effects of stress on the heart and aging. And, as concluded, “From our data, we hypothesize that [geraniol] may be a promising therapeutic candidate in the management of [diabetic neuropathy] in humans!” Food Safety Food safety is another major benefit of lemon essential oil use. A USDA study utilized lemon in a study regarding E. coli and Salmonella. It successfully protected apple juice against the dangerous bacterial strains, confirming its antimicrobial use. (6) Canine Dermatitis After just a couple of examples, it already seems like lemon is a super-oil. And for good reason – it really is! Not only for us, but for our four-legged friends, as well. In 2014, Italian scientists documented the benefits of bitter orange, lavender, oregano, marjoram, peppermint, and helichrysum in a sweet almond/coconut oil carrier on dogs with dermatitis. A common denominator and major active compound? Limonene. Twice daily applications for one month were comparable to conventional treatments, with no side effects and benefits lasting for six months. (7) Impressive, to say the least! I would love to see the study replicated with lemon included or replacing some of the oils, since lemon contains the highest limonene amounts of all citrus oils. (8) Fun & Effective Lemon Essential Oil UsesWe've already walked through quite a range of uses for lemon essential oil, so there's no surprise at the long list of practical applications. These are just a sampling, and some of my favorite ways to use lemon outside of medicinal benefits. 1. Lemon Essential Oil Uses – Freshen Clothes: We've all forgotten to switch laundry to the dryer at least once. Just add a few drops of lemon EO in a rinse to prevent that awful odor. 2. Lemon Essential Oil Uses – Remove Gum and Sap: Playtime around trees can quickly become a mess. Remove pine gum or tree sap from clothes and carpet with an essential oil application. 3. Lemon Essential Oil Uses – Wash Greasy Hands: Soap just doesn't always cut it after doing mechanic work. But with a couple of drops of lemon essential oil added to your soap, the grime should wash right off! 4. Lemon Essential Oil Uses – Disinfect (Without the Toxins!): Alcohol and bleach are harsh, especially when little hands and lungs are around. Instead, add 40 drops lemon oil to 8 oz pure distilled water and 8 oz witch hazel or white vinegar to clean the moldy shower and germy countertops. 5. Lemon Essential Oil Uses – Safe Leather Treatment: A dab of lemon oil on a cloth will restore leather furniture, shoes, and clothing to their original luxe. 6. Lemon Essential Oil Uses – Polish Silver: Try the same effect on tarnished silverware and jewelry to bring back the shine. 7. Lemon Essential Oil Uses – Goo-Be-Gone: Sticker books are a parent's nemesis when the stickers find their home on windows and furniture. Remove stickers, gum, and other gooey remnants with the help of lemon essential oil! The best therapeutic grade lemon essential oil comes in the Premium Starter Kit from the world's leader in essential oils. Get yours HERE!
 We love rosemary on potatoes and chicken, but it's so much more than a culinary treat. In fact, rosemary essential oil uses are quite profound! Rosmarinus officinalus was a sacred substance for nearly all ancient peoples, including Egyptians, Hebrews, Greeks, and Romans. As an evergreen Mediterranean native, rosemary would have been readily available, so its presence in folk medicine over the centuries is unsurprising. Ancient peoples used rosemary for many purposes, including:
In recent uses, rosemary is frequently used in skincare and hair products thanks to known antiseptic ability. As with many ancient remedies, rosemary is the subject of modern research as we begin to unlock the medicinal wisdom of generations past. Do Rosemary Essential Oil Uses Include Cancer? Although we only have in vitro (cells in a petri dish) studies, researchers suggest that rosemary essential oil can help prevent and treat a variety of cancer cells lines. Of the 30 compounds in the essential oil, there are a few main players: α-pinene, borneol, (−) camphene, camphor, verbenone, and bornyl-acetate. Interestingly, it doesn't seem that any one of these chemicals is responsible for rosemary's anti-tumor prowess. The research actually suggests that it's the synergy of them interacting together, which gives rosemary essential oil the true medicinal effect. The study suggesting this was published in the journal Molecules after evaluating in vitro antibacterial activities and toxicology properties. of R. officinalis L. essential oil compared to α-pinene, β-pinene, and 1,8-cineole. According to the study, “R. officinalis L. essential oil possessed similar antibacterial activities to α-pinene, and a little bit better than β-pinene, while 1,8-cineole possessed the lowest antibacterial activities. R. officinalis L. essential oil exhibited the strongest cytotoxicity towards three human cancer cells. Its inhibition concentration 50% (IC50) values on SK-OV-3, HO-8910 and Bel-7402 were 0.025‰, 0.076‰ and 0.13‰ (v/v), respectively. The cytotoxicity of all the test samples on SK-OV-3 was significantly stronger than on HO-8910 and Bel-7402. In general, R. officinalis L. essential oil showed greater activity than its components in both antibacterial and anticancer test systems, and the activities were mostly related to their concentrations.” (1)  Four Favorite Rosemary Essential Oil Uses As for Rosmarine, I lett it runne all over my garden walls, not onlie because my bees love it, but because it is the herb sacred to remembrance, and, therefore, to friendship; whence a sprig of it hath a dumb language that maketh it the chosen emblem of our funeral wakes and in our burial grounds.” ~ Sir Thomas More (1478-1535) Alongside the exciting prospect of slowed cancer growth and inflammation spread, rosemary has effects that are useful for our more common needs as well. Here are four of the ways rosemary exhibits its strengths in our everyday lives. 1. Hair Growth Stimulating for the scalp, rosemary essential oil uses include helping with dandruff and dry scalp treatment that may facilitate hair growth. Some even go as far as to say that it can prevent hair loss and graying. Years ago, Francesc Casadó Galcerá patented a lotion for scalp and hair (US 6447762 B1), including a mixture of rosemary, hops, and swertia. H found that his blend was able to stimulate (2):
Include rosemary essential oil uses in simple vinegar hair rinses or DIY shampoo and conditioner formulas for improved scalp health and hair growth. “There's rosemary, that's for remembrance, pray you love, remember. ~ Ophelia (Shakespeare's “Hamlet”) 2. Memory Retention Rosemary has been known as the “herb of remembrance” for centuries. Greek scholars used it when taking exams to help recall important information, and allusions to its memory improvement have been peppered into poetry throughout the ages. The International Journal of Neuroscience published one study that confirmed these effects in recent science. Over 140 participants were gathered for the study conducted by University of Northumbria, Newcastle. Aromatherapy including healing rosemary essential oil uses and lavender, as well as a control group were utilized to affect cognitive performance.
In other words, lavender made participants feel relaxed and complacent, while rosemary increased alertness and provoked memory retention. (3) Test taking and alert feelings pale in comparison to the studies conducted on rosemary essential oil uses in relation to Alzheimer's disease. One such study, published in Psychogeriatrics, evaluated the effects of aromatherapy on 28 elderly people suffering from dementia, with the majority also diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. They were given rosemary and lemon inhalations in the morning, then lavender and orange in the evening. Through multiple tests and forms of analysis, the “patients showed significant improvement in personal orientation” without any deleterious side effects. (4) 3. Liver and Gallbladder SupportThe primary function of the liver is to detoxify the body, and with such heavy levels of toxins exposed to us on a daily basis, sometimes it can use a little help. Traditional rosemary rosemary essential oil uses includes digestive and gastrointestinal relief. (5) Coupled with liver support, rosemary becomes a fantastic detoxifier. This has been confirmed in studies conducted in India, where it was observed helping the body increase its bile production and improve plasma liver enzyme levels. When these processes are inhibited, fat metabolism and detoxification are inhibited, and risks for type II diabetes increase. With a properly functioning liver, gallbladder, and gastrointestinal system, nutrients are more readily absorbed and toxins released, bringing balance and wellness to the whole body. 4. Reduced Cortisol LevelsThe Meikai University School of Dentistry in Japan conducted a study that monitored cortisol levels in saliva after just five minutes of rosemary essential oil uses and lavender inhalation. Twenty-two volunteers participated, and both essential oils had excellent results. Not only was the “stress hormone” cortisol reduced significantly, but free radical scavenging activities were increased as well. (6) So the oils help to prevent added stress, then go a step further to help erase effects of previous stressful exertion. Enjoying Rosemary Essential Oil Uses Clearly a safe and effective oil, rosemary's benefits can be implemented in many ways. Here are just some of my favorite DIY recipes for application:
Note on Seizures & HyptertensionThis is tough one for me to figure out because there's virtually no research on that rosemary essential oil uses are contraindicated because of seizures in the last 20 years and the only couple articles that I can find are case studies. (7, 8) Nonetheless virtually every blog that I see on the topic state that rosemary is contraindicated for epileptics and people prone to seizures. According to Aromatherapist Lauren Bridges, a mother of an epileptic child, this issue has become convoluted by myths and jumping to conclusions prematurely. “Long story short, a lot of the seizure lists floating around the internet are not accurate nor real pictures of the risks and threats. None of them seemingly account for species or chemotype, which makes a difference in this matter. As far as a list of oils with convulsant properties, I would check essential oils safety expert Robert Tisserand's work, but with the understanding that this list can no way give a complete risk profile because of the nature of epilepsy an other seizure disorders.” Same message applies to hypertension. According to Tisserand “I believe that there is no case for contraindicating any essential oil in someone with high blood pressure. As well as closely examining the evidence above, I also refer to more recent research, which confirms that the four “Valnet oils” present no risk. The lack of compelling evidence is reason enough to let go of this chimera.” (9) Resources:
Originally shared by Dr. Zielinski
 On the Mediterranean coast of Morocco, thousands of little flowers are harvested to create one of our most rare and exotic essential oils. Bright blue like the sea it grew beside, Blue Tansy essential oil has been beloved for hundreds of years for its sweet, gentle aroma and skin-benefiting properties. The flower is yellow, but when the oil is distilled it turns a beautiful deep blue. Today, it’s best known for its use in high-end beauty products.The monoterpenes in the oil support a healthy nervous system, protects against skin aging due to UV exposure, have antioxidant effects, and may help relieve discomfort by acting on targets in the peripheral nervous system. Here are my favorite 5 ways to use Blue Tansy Oil:
Check out this infographic for more fun facts about one of our most luxurious oils. Share it with a friend looking to explore the benefits of Blue Tansy or keep it as a handy guide for yourself!   by Cat Ebeling & Mike Geary
co-authors of the best-sellers: The Fat Burning Kitchen, The Top 101 Foods that Fight Aging & The Diabetes Fix Essential oils seem to be showing up everywhere lately, but they have been in use for thousands of years for many different types of health, medicinal, meditational and spiritual purposes. These healing oils work well as a natural medicine without the dangerous side effects.You can use essential oils effectively for relaxation, a better night’s sleep, aromatherapy, cleaning, and alternative medicine. Essential oils get their power from being distilled or extracted. Leaves, flowers, bark, peels and many other parts of plants are used in this process. Essential oils are highly concentrated and it often takes only a drop or two to deliver some amazing health benefits. Essential oils can have many different therapeutic benefits that stem from their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial properties. Essential oils have been in use by many different civilizations for thousands of years and have been put to use by the Chinese, Indians, Egyptians, Greeks and Roman civilizations. Today, many of the healing arts use essential oils in their practice such as physical therapists, massage therapists, alternative medicine practitioners, and yogis. Today even hospitals and midwives use essential oils for their patients to reduce anxiety and pain and improve moods. Essential oils contain some very powerful antibacterial compounds and have been know to fight even the most antibiotic-resistant bacteria! How do you use essential oils? Essential oils, molecularly, are very small and are very easily absorbed into the skin. Once they penetrate the skin, they can be absorbed into the blood stream by the tiny capillaries and sent to all parts of the body. They can also be mixed with other carrier oils (like coconut oil) to be spread out over the skin. Because essential oils are highly concentrated as well, they have strong aromatic benefits and once inhaled, are absorbed by the lungs into the body. Some essential oils work well when ingested, but because they are so concentrated, they usually need to be diluted. And essential oils are a wonderful addition to add to your natural personal care products like shampoo, lotions, deodorant, bug spray, and even laundry soap and household cleaners. Here are some of the top ten essential oils (according to Dr. Josh Axe) and the best ways to use their powerful properties: Clove—clove oil is an antibacterial, anti-parasitic, antioxidant oil. It has natural anesthesia properties and can be used for pain. It is often used on wounds to prevent infections, and it has powerful pain-killing properties as well. Mothers often use clove oil for their teething infants since it is safe, natural and powerfully effective. Eucalyptus—An invigorating oil that is often used in aromatherapy to help purify the body, and improve sinus and allergy symptoms as well. Ginger—We know the value of ginger and ginger oil is just a more concentrated form of that powerful health elixir. Ginger is well known to reduce inflammation, help digestion, relieve nausea, and improve circulation. Lavender—Lavender oil is a great anxiety reliever, and excellent for sound sleep. Lavender oil also has powerful antibiotic powers and a few drops of will naturally clean and sterilize any surface. Tea Tree—Tea tree oil is one of the most powerful anti-fungal, antibiotic oils that you can find and is excellent to keep on hand in a first aid kit for bites, scrapes, and cuts. It also works well for any type of fungal infection, such as athlete’s foot or toenail fungus. Oregano—Oregano oil has powerful antiviral and antibacterial properties, as well as anti-fungal power. It works well when fighting off a cold or a virus, and can also kill bacterial and parasitic stomach infections. It’s a necessary item when traveling overseas to prevent traveler’s diarrhea. Rosemary— Rosemary is known to stimulate brain function, so it’s great to use when working or studying. Rosemary also contains properties that can naturally thicken hair, so it’s great added to shampoos. Orange—Orange oil has a very ‘happy’ uplifting scent, so it’s known to improve mood, and works as an antidepressant and a calming agent. Along with the mood lift, it has stimulating properties that can improve digestion, clear up skin, and even work as an aphrodisiac! Orange oil is also a strong anti-fungal and antibacterial. Orange oil contains d-limonene, which has been studied for its application to fight cancer. Peppermint—Peppermint oil has been proven to help fitness workouts and help you workout harder and longer. Just add a dab on your wrist or other accessible area before you hit the gym. Peppermint has also long been known to sooth the stomach, improve focus, help reduce fever and stop muscle pain. Who doesn’t love the uplifting smell of peppermint? Frankincense—Frankincense is one of the oldest essential oils and has a variety of uses. It has often been used in religious ceremonies and is considered an incense, mood enhancer, stress reducer, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial and digestive aid. Frankincense oil also works well on the skin to heal wounds and reduce scarring, itching and swelling. x x x Essential oils are great for beautiful skin. The conventional cosmetic and body care industry contains products that are loaded with dangerous chemicals that can disrupt hormones, cause cancer, and even destroy your skin. Making your own beauty products with natural essential oils is a much better option! Tea tree oil can stop acne breakouts and help heal wounds. Rosemary, sage and lavender oils help to stop hair loss and thicken hair. Lavender and chamomile calms irritated skin, frankincense can reduce age spots, and helichrysum and myrrh make a natural sunscreen. Don’t want to spray on dangerous DEET bug spray?Make your own with lemongrass, eucalyptus, citronella, peppermint or clove oils. These oils will repel bugs, make you smell good and keep you away from those scary chemical bug sprays! Want your own natural first aid kit? So many essential oils work well for killing germs, soothing inflammation, and stopping pain. Try keeping some lavender oil on hand to soothe burns, rashes, bee stings, and heal cuts and scrapes. What’s more, the soothing aroma of lavender is very relaxing as well and helps to calm ragged nerves. My favorite addition to a natural first aid kit is tea tree oil—its powerful properties kill infection-causing germs, kill fungus, and help bring on fast healing. Peppermint helps those sore muscles and achy joints, relieves tummy aches, lowers fevers, and helps to get rid of headaches. And don’t forget the frankincense—it helps to heal up bruises faster, reduce scars, and get rid of inflammation. Essential oils can possibly for weight loss too! Cinnamon oil is extremely valuable at keeping blood sugar levels even, keeping you from the resulting insulin and fat storage surge. It’s also very effective if you have diabetes. Peppermint oil helps burn fat because it not only helps you workout harder and longer but it also helps to suppress munchies cravings. And don’t forget metabolism-boosting ginger oil. A few drops of this can increase your body’s ability to burn fat and gain energy! Not all essential oils are alike, so it’s important to get the highest quality therapeutic essential oils, as some of the cheaper ones may be synthetic oils and worthless for health benefits. References Dr. Josh Axe (2016). Essential Oils Guide. Retrieved from https://draxe.com/essential-oils-guide/ Clark, Marnie. (2015). 13 Outstanding benefits of orange essential oil. Retrieved from https://thetruthaboutcancer.com/orange-essential-oil/ |
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