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Despite its reputation as a new-age alternative medicine, aromatherapy predates almost any other type of treatment. It has practiced by civilization for over 5,000 years, which puts in origin 2,500 years before Hippocrates, the father of medicine who used it as part of his care. It was in the 11th century that the process of steam distillation made it possible to extract essential oils from plants. As this practice spread, aromatherapy spread all over the world. Now it is practiced in over 40 countries including Western Europe and the United States. The use of volatile plant matter to improve one’s health gives a whole host of benefits from improving skin to reducing pain to increasing circulation. The variety of health improvements that can be derived from aromatherapy make this alternative medicine worth exploring.
Why Do Essential Oils Work?
Essential oils are taken from a single plant. Each of these oil soluble elements is made up of over 100 chemicals which gives it is ability to provide aromatherapy. In fact, the essential oil of a plant have the ability to keep the plant itself healthy. There are multiple ways to extract essential oils from a plant (steam, expression, or Super critical CO2 extraction) which will give oils different healing capabilities even from the same plant.
Just as different oils have different healing powers, different types are utilized in different ways. Some are inhaled, some are applied to the skin, and some are actually taken internally. This all depends on what kind of oil it is and what type of treatment you are looking for. To get the proper type and the proper use, make sure you read up on your aromatherapy of choice before beginning use.
Benefits of Different Essential Oils
Essential oils are used for a myriad of health issues. This can be anything from fighting every maladies such as stress to terminal diseases such as cancer. The healing abilities of essential oils many not be as effective in some of the plant extracts as others, so there are no guarantees that a using the therapy that induces sleep will also relieve menopause symptoms.
Reduce Anxiety:
Aromatherapy seems like a natural solution to reducing anxiety (pun intended), but it also is scientifically proven one too. The calming effect of the therapy has none of the aftereffects of pharmaceutical anxiety drugs. Lavender, Bergamot, Clary Sage are three types of oils that deliver anxiety relief.
Boost Cognitive Abilities:
If you hear that aromatherapy can improve brain function, you may that is asking too much. Well, you would be wrong. In fact, studies show that the peppermint essential oils are beneficial in improving cognitive abilities while ylang-ylang was actually shown to hurt it.
Induce Sleep:
For those who are having trouble sleeping, aromatherapy is a great assistant. Whether you bathe in it, put it under your pillow, or put some in your room, it can put you in the right place for sleeping. The oils are not a cure for insomnia, but they will be a feast for the senses and will provide some sleep and a better experience. A lavender bath is a great way to induce, as is lemon citrus.
Ease Depression:
The debilitating effects of depression can be addressed with aroma therapeutic oils. This should not be a substitute for seeking a mental health professional since depression is a very serious issue and is the number cause of disabilities in the United States. However, there are a number of scents that can help someone fight depression. There are a dozen oils that can assist in this battle than can be utilized in many ways whether it be inhaling or bathing.
Reduces Nausea and Helps with Healing:
Aromatherapy has been proven to reduce nausea from surgery, pregnancy, treatment, or motion pictures sickness. Ginger, spearmint, and peppermint, or a blend can assist in reducing the discomfort and patient recovery.
Pain Reduction:
There are at least seven different oils that can be used for pain reduction, whether it be in the head or in the muscles. Each of these oils can be used in a massage therapy to bring relief.
Digestion Assistance:
Stress causes many of the issues with the digestive system. The soothing powers that make essential oils so effective at reducing stress can be used to improve digestion.
Increase Circulation:
There are multiple ways that aromatherapy helps with circulation. Some oils assist in clearing up physical issues such as varicose veins. Others help improve the issues that cause the circulation such as stress. Research the various oils and find the one that works for your specific situation.
Improve Energy Levels:
Many of the oils that help battle other maladies are also great at improving energy levels. The best approach for choosing an energy focused oil is to choose one for another issue and see if it will help with energy issues as w
PMS or Menopause:
Aromatherapy can be used to fight the effects of hormonal imbalance brought on by premenstrual syndrome or menopause, as well as fighting the pain. Clary sage, lavender and peppermint are all effective in relief.
Cancer:
Essential oils have been used in both fighting cancer and giving relief from the effects of treatments. Cancer is a disease that needs to be fought on all fronts, so if you are looking for help in prevention or treatment, do your research on getting the right oils to assist.
What to Watch For
All medicine come with cautions, and aromatherapy is no different. This is especially true since the oils are not approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Make sure that you get your essential oil combinations from a professional, because some chemicals that are poisonous. Others may trigger allergies. Those with medical conditions (including pregnancy) should use extreme caution before trying this or any alternative medicine. Do your research before you begin your regimen. This will allow you to find the proper treatment for you as well as save you money.
Article by: Katie Mills from https://vidalux.co.uk. Vidalux has extensive knowledge in everything related to steam showers, saunas and hydrotherapy benefits.
With Valentines Day approaching I thought it would be a good idea to explore the link between sexual arousal and aromatherapy. Instead of getting too scientific on you, I’m going to veer off a bit from my typical style of writing and provide you with some practical tips to apply this Valentine’s Day. I bet I can guess what you’re thinking, “what does a scientist know about sexual arousal”? Would you believe that sex neuroscience is actually quite a large field of investigation? Sex is one of those things that captivates people’s attention and brings up a lot of why questions. Believe it or not, for every why question that you have about sex, there’s likely a sex scientist who’s turned to the brain to answer that same question. In fact, as a clinical neuroscientist I’ve had the opportunity to speak on the radio, write for a few sexual health blogs, appear in magazine articles and a variety of other media formats discussing sex and the brain. So I hope I’ve convinced you that what you’re about to read is the real deal and strongly grounded in the scientific literature.
Can Aromatherapy Enhance Our Sex Life?
Let’s first start off with a couple of psychological dimensions that can interfere with human sexual arousal, then we’ll explore how my step-by-step guide to more fulfilling sex can help. Feeling anxious or depressed, experiencing changes in confidence levels, doubt, disappointment, negative body image, unrealistic expectations regarding sexual performance, and even adjustment to new living conditions can all illicit psychological stress that interferes with our arousal. Even success and positive change can be stressful and have the same impact. Luckily coping methods, like using aromatherapy, that help us regulate our stress response can also help lift some of the effects that psychological distress has on sexual desire and arousal. The end goal is to simply calm your body and mind, focus on the here and now and fully enjoy the moment.
Here are some neuroscience-guided tips that can help you do just that and have a sensual valentine’s day and more fulfilled sex life.
1. Ease the stressors in your life
by taking them as opportunities to ask your partner for support. By doing so your brain releases the neurhormone oxytocin, which plays an important role in bonding, stress regulation and even orgasms. Doing this before sex is a great way to ease your mind and allow you to focus your attention on experiencing pleasure.
2. Practice mindfulness and relaxation techniques
prior to, during and after sex. Take a moment to breath and let your brain feel all of the sensations that you’re experiencing. Don’t let your mind wander beyond the here and now.
3. Openly communicate
with your partner about what does and doesn’t feel good.
4. Slow down
sex isn’t a race.
5. Stop thinking orgasm
and start thinking whole body pleasure. Explore other zones of stimulation apart from just your genitals. Experiment with different types of touch, from soft and warm embraces to being a little bit more rough and vigorous.
6. Go beyond touch and use all of your senses
by bringing taste and smell into your intimate experience.
Taste:
Sip a glass of red wine while your partner focuses on exploring other parts of your body. But try not to overindulge too much; while red wine has been shown to increase arousal, higher doses can interfere with orgasm.
Integrate dark chocolate into your play and allow the rich taste to center you in the here and now.
Smell:
this is where our favorite essential oils come into play. Turn on your essential oil diffuser and add a combination of the following oils.
Stimulate your sympathetic nervous system and increase alertness with jasmine essential oil.
Increase alertness, attentiveness and vigor with sandalwood.
Regulate your emotions and induce a sense of calmness and relaxation by using rose oil.
There you have it, neuroscience guided tips for a sensual valentines day. It’s time to awaken your senses and experience pleasure beyond just the orgasm.
Welcome to the new year! If you’ve decided to make some resolutions, we here at Plant Therapy want to help you keep those promises you made yourself. Want to run a marathon or follow through with a new exercise plan? Want to maximize your productivity at work or at home? How about dedicating more play time with the kids after a long day at work?
Those are great goals, but they require a certain ingredient for success: Energy!
Instead of reaching for that second or third cup of coffee, try reaching for an essential oil instead. Use energizing oils to lift you out of midday grogginess, motivate you to get to the gym, or simply to fight off fatigue and make the most of your day.
Energy Synergy
Let’s take a moment to appreciate the unique blend of essential oils our amazing team of Certified Aromatherapists have developed . This stimulating blend is a sure-fire way to add some pep in your step. The uplifting oils of Orange Blood and Geranium Egyptian help to ease away tension from daily stress and balance emotions; Peppermint and Lemon add an energizing burst that keeps you alert and focused; Ginger Root and Eucalyptus Globulus bring warmth and healthy circulation to revitalize your mind and body.
Give Energy Synergy a chance to help you stick with your New Year’s Resolutions with this great project to super-charge your day!
Single Oils for Energy
Now, as great as out Energy Synergy is, you don’t want to forget about all the amazing single oils that can help boost you out of a low energy slump! Use them alone or try your hand at mixing up your very own blend! If you need some help figuring out what works well together, visit that oil’s product page for a list of suggestions.
First, Peppermint (and Organic Peppermint). You know it and you love it. Fresh, cool, and unmistakable, this popular essential oil will invigorate your mind and body.
Another member of the mint family, Balm Mint Bush, is highly uplifting and intensely refreshing. Its aroma differs from Peppermint because of its crisp eucalyptus notes, which is ideal for an energizing burst.
Speaking of which, Eucalyptus Globulus is another fantastic choice to lift your spirits and focus your mind. If also brings warmth to the body and promotes healthy circulation; when your body feels good, it responds with elevated energy levels.
The spicy oils of Cardamom and Black Pepper (and Organic Black Pepper) are also warming, stimulating and uplifting. Great for an energizing burst.
Additionally, citrus oils are powerful energy boosters. Both Lemon and Grapefruit oils (including Organic Lemon and Organic Grapefruit) have energizing, crisp, and uplifting scents that work as immediate stimulates. A quick inhale of either will give you a burst of mental clarity — they’re known to be very effective mood-boosters, too.
Last but not least, give Yuzu a try. Zesty and refreshing, this is a mood-lifter and great energy booster.
Now we know which essential oils to use for a burst of energy. But what are the best ways to use them?
~DIY Recpipe: Energizing Shower Disc~
What You’ll Need:
2 cups flour
3 tablespoons cornstarch
3 tablespoons water
75-80 drops Energy Synergy
Mold (e.g. muffin tin)
What You’ll Do:
Mix all ingredients in a bowl.
Place into mold and cook on 300 for 20 minutes.
Remove from mold and drop 5 drops of Energy onto each disc.
Store in an airtight container or jar.
For a morning wake-me-up, place on the shower floor (or soap dish), not directly in the water spray, and enjoy the fabulous aroma and benefits of Energy Synergy!
I Got Sunshine In My Pocket
Try a personal Aromatherapy Inhaler. They are compact and convenient. Carry an energy boost wherever you go for an instant pick-me-up.
Or, try Diffuse on the Move, the portable, compact travel diffuser that allows you to enjoy your oils anywhere there’s a standard USB or 12V port. Use it in your car on the way to work or the gym.
Did you forget to prioritize your health during the month of December? It’s easy to do! By the time January comes around, a lot of us are feeling the effects of the holidays. Not to mention common ailments such as the cold and flu run rampant. So let’s take a moment go over some basics for maintaining our health…
Here’s to staying healthy this winter!
DRINK MORE WATER
Staying hydrated is a vital aspect of staying healthy year-round! But we could definitely use helpful reminders and some extra water during winter.
Depending on where you live, winter air is often more dry than it is during the other seasons. This means it’s easier for you to suffer from mild dehydration, which can be seen visibly in dry skin, fatigue, frequent headaches, and other symptoms.
Let’s not forget that staying adequately hydrated (yes folks, 8 glasses a day) plays a key role in overall health as well as providing a whole host of benefits such as improving skin health, increased energy, strengthening the immune system, and aiding in the body’s natural detoxification process.
GET ENOUGH SLEEP
Are you getting enough sleep every night? Or do you struggle to wake up in the morning and stay up too late? Getting a good amount of sleep each night helps keep you healthy, happy, and thinking clearly throughout the day!
Sleep is especially important during the winter months in strengthening the immune system and speeding up recovery from the cold and flu!
Make sure you set a “lights out” time at a reasonable hour so that you can get enough sleep.
EXERCISE MORE
Regular exercise plays an important role in overall health. Not only is exercise good for the body, exercise is also good for mental and emotional health.
Colder weather might make you discouraged about getting active outdoors. But this doesn’t have to be so! There are a bunch of great outdoor activities that you can do in the winter to get your exercise in.
Here are a few wintertime activities for inspiration:
Go cross-country skiing
Build a snow fort or a snowman
Visit your local ice arena and rent some skates
Take a downhill skiing or snowboarding trip (sledding is great, too!)
Go on a hike with snowshoes
Not feeling the cold? Many gyms and community centers have public saunas, steam rooms, and hot tubs to warm you up! Treat yourself to a relaxing spa after a workout to relax your muscles and promote healing.
DON’T STRESS
Hakuna Matata—it means no worries! Make sure to give yourself some time to relax and unwind. It’s important to start new routines that include more exercise and eating healthier, but it’s also important to set a new relaxation regimen:
Treat yourself to a salt bath (try these 2-ingredient DIY bath salts!)
Get a massage
Attend a yoga class (or watch a guided yoga video)
Brew a cup of caffeine-free tea
Curl up with that book you’ve been meaning to read
EAT WHOLESOME FOODS
During the holiday months we tend to consume more sweets and starchy foods such as bread, cereal, pasta, and potatoes. Too much of these types of foods can adversely affect your health! Make sure you are eating well-rounded meals that include fruits, veggies, plant protein, and whole grains. A well-balanced diet will help keep your energy levels up, strengthen your immune system, increase focus, and keep your digestive system functioning properly.
As discussed above, many factors play into our immune health. In addition to all these factors, winter is a great time to be maintaining your immune system by making sure you’re getting enough vitamins and minerals to help keep you energized, focused, and healthy.
If you’re not already taking some immune-boosting vitamins such as Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and Vitamin B6 then now is a great time to start! Check the label on multivitamins to be sure they contain these vitamins.
You can also boost your immune system naturally with this “flu shot” recipe which includes powerhouse ingredients such as ginger, lemon, apple cider vinegar, moringa, echinacea, rose hips, black pepper, and honey. Information on all of these ingredients are included in the post so be sure to check it out to learn more about strengthening your immune system naturally.
Spending time exercising and eating healthy tends to make people happier and healthier versions of themselves, and that’s a New Year’s resolution worth keeping! Let’s look at ten ways to make you a better “you!”
The New Year is right around the corner, and every day up until the ball drops provides us with the opportunity to make positive and healthy choices in life. From emphasizing the concept of mindfulness in all you do to focusing inward and making self-care a priority in your life, there is no doubt that the connection between being a “better version of you” and taking care of yourself is real. Let’s take a look at how to be a better you in the New Year, including 10 unique ways to boost your health, wellness, and vitality on a daily basis.
10 Self-Care Tips for the New Year
Learn to Meditate
Practicing this ancient art of mindfulness has proven to calm the mind and soothe the soul. Meditation relaxes the body and mind from the inside out and has been proven to minimize stress, boost weight loss, sharpen emotional processing, and even effectively quell depression. This is an excellent way to improve mental wellness.
Get a massage
It’s called massage therapy for a reason! Scheduling regular massages help relax the muscles, eases joint pain, lowers stress and even acts as a motivation for “good behavior” in other areas of your life. Though massage has therapeutic benefits, it also feels terrific and can be quite relaxing… what other motivation do you need?
Spend Time in a Sauna
Seriously, is there anything more relaxing or therapeutic than a sauna? The warm air, soothing lighting, and calm interior of a top-quality infrared sauna act as a veritable meditation chamber that gently yet effectively detoxifies the body and relaxes the mind and spirit. Spending time in a sauna is a terrific way to improve your health and wellness this New Year, and the latest in IR saunas on the market today make it incredibly easy and convenient to enjoy the benefits of a sauna at home.
Schedule a Nap
Think it sounds impossible to squeeze in a 30-minute nap each day? Well, according to a recent NY Times article, the average Facebook user dedicates about 50 minutes to the social media platform every 24 hours. Try limiting your social media time and instead use the time to catch up on a bit of sleep. Getting enough sleep is one of the most powerful self-care routines you can adopt.
Read a Book
Put aside the e-readers and cell phone for a bit and cuddle up to a good old-fashioned book (yes, we mean the kind with paper pages). Reading not only helps boost your ability to think, analyze and create concept connections, but it also helps you sleep when you spend time with a real book and not an electronic version of one.
Focus on Positivity
While this might seem easier said than done, being negative about situations – especially those that are out of our control – does little to boost our sense of happiness and empowerment. Instead, try to coax your thought processes to identify and react to negative situations with a one-two-punch approach. Start by recognizing the negative situation, then find a way to introduce a positive aspect. For example, if someone at work is annoying you, focus instead on three people whom you do get along with.
Disconnect for Two Hours Per Day
We live in an interconnected world, but that isn’t always a good thing. In fact, recent research has shown a disturbing correlation between constant connection (via your cell phone, tablet, email, etc.) to a heightened risk of depression, anxiety and disrupted sleep patterns. If you’re committed to being the best possible version of you this New Year, schedule time to disconnect each day. This might mean putting your phone on silent while you clean the kitchen, going for a walk and keeping your phone on silent, or any other realistic way you can unplug from the world for a bit.
Learn to Say “No”
When it comes to creating the best version of you, it pays to know who “you” are! Turn down one invitation to a social engagement per month, and take the time you’d have normally spent getting dressed, commuting to and from the gathering, and the event itself, and allocate that time to doing something for yourself. Use the money you would have spent on the event and mindfully treat yourself. Obviously, you’ll want to use discretion here (don’t skip your sister’s wedding!), but even saving a few hours a month can help you reinvest in yourself.
Create a Daily Gratitude List
Think you’re totally aware of all the great things going on in your life? It’s made that much more apparent when you think about and catalog a short list of daily gratitude items. You don’t have to compile a lengthy list of super-intense items – just include simple things like “I’m grateful for the rain” or “I’m grateful for these new jeans I bought.”
Stop Trying to be Perfect
One of the most freeing feelings you can introduce into your daily routine is the concept of “I’m going to aim for perfection, but be content with really good.” Don’t beat yourself up if your diet falls off the rails a bit. Don’t stress over a missed day at the gym. Skip the feelings of remorse over a night out that went a bit too late. You’re human, and your goal should be to be the best version of yourself… not a flawless example for all of humanity.
This New Year, keep the focus inward for a change. Act mindfully when it comes to your overall sense of well-being, and take steps to prioritize your own growth as you move into 2018. From spending time in a sauna to learning to enjoy the little things in life, you’re in for a terrific New Year.
The year end is a busy time of year for many. There’s always a long to-do list to cross off, holiday parties to enjoy, lights to see, hot chocolate to drink, snowmen to build, gingerbread houses to decorate, and hidden Christmas presents to find. Yes, I’m a grown adult, I can’t help that these are my priorities. But, because I’m not 10 anymore, I seem to get worn out and feel tired a lot faster than I did when I was a kid. I do a few things to keep my energy levels high, some would say too high, but what’s wrong with wanting to feel like a kid again? Here are a few easy-to-implement tips:
Nourish Your Body: Protein-rich foods like quinoa, beans, eggs, and tuna make all the difference in sustained energy throughout the day. Sometimes it is difficult to be health-conscious during the holidays, but striving for consistent improvement each day by adding nourishing foods, supplements, and ingredients to your diet can be all it takes to see a difference in your energy levels. Personally, I NEVER go a day without my natural, Moringa-rich energy drink. By drinking it every day, I get the vitamins, minerals, proteins, antioxidants, and omega oils that my body needs to feel energized.
Gym Time: Probably the most annoying advice to hear when you’re tired is to go workout. But, working out equals endorphins, and endorphins mean energy. If the gym isn’t your thing, try walking around your neighborhood to see some Christmas lights or speed walk your way through the mall to get your holiday shopping done.
Take a Break: I know you’re busy, but sometimes to ACTUALLY make the season merry and bright, you need to take a breather. In a study by Brock University, a 10-30-minute nap is all you need to feel re-energized and refreshed. Don’t have 10 minutes? Try deep breathing for just 60 seconds. When you focus on breathing you help slow your heartbeat and help lower or stabilize blood pressure—resulting in a more relaxed you. Doing things like watching a holiday movie with your family or friends, sitting by the fire and reading a book, or going to bed just 30 minutes earlier can all help with your energy levels, too.
Here’s to staying happy, energized, and a little more childlike !
MORINGA IS PIONEERING NEW ANTI-INFLAMMATORY SUPERFOOD
A new year is upon us and a new superfood trend here! Move over turmeric. Leading health and wellness experts at the Sterling Rice Group, Good Morning America and the popular wellness blog Well+Good have identified moringa as the superfood of 2018. Zija America’s moringa brand has experienced over 200% growth this year and are leveraging the power of the US market to fundamentally improve the lives of farmers across West Africa and Central America.
MEET MORINGA
Known in ancient cultures as the “tree of life,” moringa is nutrient-dense and contains promising medicinal benefits. Moringa’s leaves are naturally rich in protein, iron, calcium, vitamins, and antioxidants. Moringa also provides a complete protein with all nine essential amino acids. Zija sources the highest quality, sustainably grown organic moringa leaves from their network of family farmers and women-led cooperatives across the globe.
MORINGA COULD BE A MORE EFFECTIVE ANTI-INFLAMMATORY THAN TURMERIC
Recent research has questioned the effectiveness of curcumin, the anti-inflammatory agent found in turmeric, and have shown promising results that moringa could be much more effective. Many of the polyphenols and related isothiocyanates in moringa (particularly sulforaphane from broccoli) have been well studied and shown to have promising anti-inflammatory activity.
START 2018 WITH A HEALTHY BOOST AND GET YOUR LEAFY MORINGA GREENS ON-THE-GO, TODAY!
Due to their best in class sourcing and quality standards, Zija offers the purest, most nutrient dense moringa on the market. Zija products are sold in over 6,000 stores across the US, including Whole Foods Market, Sprouts, Safeway, and Amazon.com. Zija products include Moringa Superfood Bars, Pure Organic Moringa Vegetable Powder, Organic Moringa Greens & Proteins Smoothie Mixes, Energizing Moringa Herbal Tea, and Moringa Green Energy shots. Zija’s moringa products make it easy for Americans to get their greens on the go, while helping to plant moringa trees and support women farmers in the developing world.
Sometimes you get a craving for chocolate so strong, you’re crippled by the aching desire for delicious brown gold – which is how you know you’re a chocoholic. But your problems have been solved by these chocolate cups that are the perfect thing to grab before you head out the door in the morning. The rich dark chocolate shell is filled with a moringa cream that subtly complements its bold exterior.
CHOCOLATE CUPS WITH MORINGA CASHEW CREAM [VEGAN, GLUTEN-FREE]
THIS RECIPE IS :
Dairy Free Gluten-free Recipes No Refined Sugar Vegan Wheat Free
If your coconut oil is solid, add it to a small pan and let it melt over low heat.
Once melted, remove from heat, add cacao powder to the oil and mix well with a spoon until completely dissolved (no clumps remaining). Add maple syrup and sea salt and stir to combine.
Line a muffin tin with nine muffin cases. Pour liquid chocolate into the cases and fill them up ¼ way through. Transfer to the freezer or refrigerator for 5-10 minutes until the chocolate sets.
TO MAKE THE MORINGA CASHEW CREAM:
Rinse and drain the soaked cashews. Pour them into the blender with the rest of ingredients and blend until completely silky and smooth.
Take out the tin, add about 2 teaspoons of the cashew cream in the middle of each cup and fill them up with the remaining liquid chocolate. Add more sea salt on top if desired.
Refrigerate for 30 minutes until set (or freeze them if you’re short on time). Store leftovers in the refrigerator or freezer.
Essential oil diffusers are probably the best way to experience the benefits of essential oils. They take pure essential oils and release them into the atmosphere for your inhaling pleasure. Whether you’re feeling blue, have a cold, or need a pick-me-up, there’s an essential oil that is well suited for the occasion. Essential oil diffusers are the perfect vehicle to get the good times rolling.
Single Oils For Your Essential Oil Diffusers
There are plenty of single oils out there that can do amazing things to your atmosphere when used on their own. They can fight many ailments that you might struggle with such as insomnia (lavender), nausea (peppermint), depression (grapefruit), or simply mental fatigue (cinnamon). When you add a few drops of them to essential oil diffusers, you can keep breathing in their health benefits all day and night to help you feel better.
But sometimes, you might need a more powerful combination of oils to beat those blues, or to work other wonders on your spirit. This is where making a blend for your essential oil diffusers comes in.
Making Blends For Your Essential Oil Diffuser
One single oil is good, but a blend can be better. Here are a 10 recipes for blends that can be used in essential oil diffusers.
Top o’ The Morning – Get up and get going every morning by filling essential oil diffusers with a blend that improves your alertness and stimulates you for a happy day. It also works well as a pick-me-up when the afternoon doldrums hit:
4 drops of sweet orange + 4 drops of peppermint
Respiratory Wonder – When you’re so congested that you can’t smell a thing, use this blend for essential oil diffusers to get cleared out. It’s also great for improving respiratory function:
2 drops lemon + 1 drop lime + 2 drops peppermint + 1 drop rosemary + 2 drops eucalyptus + 1 drop tea tree
A Welcoming Freshness – Nothing says welcome like a summertime smell that goes right to your head; literally. Essential oil diffusers release the goods from this blend that promotes peace and summer love:
De-Stink The Room – In a home, stinky things happen, from pet odors to cooking odors and beyond. (Stinky teen sports uniforms, anyone?) Banish the bad and add odor eliminating power to your essential oil diffuser with:
2 drops lemon + 1 drop tea tree (melaleuca) + 1 drop cilantro + 1 drop lime
Let’s Hear It For The Boy – A rather manly blend that’s reminiscent of the woods and would work well to keep the man-cave smelling clean and fresh, despite the increased sweat and testosterone:
2 drops white fir + 2 drops cypress + 2 drops wintergreen
It’s Allergy Season. Again – Whether you suffer them in the spring, summer, fall or all year-round, allergies can make life miserable. But a essential oil diffuser with this blend can help you blast them and be on the road to breathing better:
Banish The Bugs – We mean the creepy crawlers, or fliers. Essential oil diffusers filled with this can be put on the patio to prevent unwanted visitors of the insect persuasion:
1 drop lemongrass + 1 drop thyme + 1 drop eucalyptus + 1 drop basil
So-long, Sickness – Use it Fall through Spring to increase immunity and decrease your number of sick days:
1 drop rosemary + 1 drop clove + 1 drop eucalyptus + 1 drop cinnamon + 1 drop orange
Calm Down – There are many blends for essential oil diffusers you can use to relax when your nerves are shot, so we’ll give you two since this is such a common ailment:
The more you learn about essential oils, the easier it will be to make your own blends and create something that is unique to you and your needs. Essential oil diffusers can become a wonderful addition to your life. With benefits that range from relaxation to energy stimulation and more, it’s a way to make your home smell better and your whole life a little bit healthier.
With exposure to things like the weather, less than great water, hair care products, and heat tools, hair can take a beating. A DIY hair mask is a great addition to any hair care regimen.
Why Use a DIY Hair Mask?
Shampoo and conditioner may not be enough to counteract everything we put our hair through. Even those who regularly consume nutrient-dense foods like collagen and bone broth might notice their hair needs some extra love. A natural shampoo and conditioner keeps hair clean and moisturized, but a protein-rich hair mask adds strength and shine.
While you can buy a hair mask, the kitchen is full of ingredients with properties that nourish and strengthen hair. Why not just mix a little up when needed? Bonus: You’ll know exactly what’s in your (100% natural) DIY hair mask!
How a Hair Mask Works
Before I delve into what’s in this hair mask to strengthen hair, it helps to know why I’m recommending these ingredients. The hair follicle and root are composed primarily of collagen. This is why consuming collagen-rich foods and a high quality collagen powder helps so much with hair growth and health. The hair itself is 91% protein, so coating it in protein gives it what it needs to rebuild.
DIY Hair Mask Ingredients
Raw Free-Range Egg
The iconic egg shampoo was popular for a reason. While the proteins found in egg are too large to effectively bind with hair, they’re chock full of other vitamins and minerals that nourish hair and scalp. Eggs from less than healthy animals won’t have as good of a nutritional profile, so free range eggs are best.
Raw eggs contain:
Vitamins A, B-complex, D and E
Folate
Pantothenic acid
Calcium
Iron
Phosphorous
Selenium
Zinc
Potassium
Cholesterol, healthy fats and omega-3s
Gelatin
This ingredient is really the star of the show here. I love using gelatin for so many things, from homemade healthy marshmallows, to vitamin rich fruit snacks. However, it’s also fabulous for hair. The proteins in gelatin readily bind to hair to repair damage and really help this hair mask to strengthen hair. Twelve of the top thirteen amino acids that comprise our hair shafts are also found in gelatin.
Raw Honey
Raw honey is another ingredient that goes into many of my food, DIY beauty, and natural health recipes. This unique ingredient does everything from clearing blemished skin to soothing a sore throat. While protein adds strength to hair, too much can make it brittle. Adding honey helps keep the hair soft and flexible.
Essential Oils
These are optional, but really help to amplify the benefits. Plus they help hair smell amazing! Lavender, rosemary, cedarwood ,and ylang ylang are all good choices.
Horsetail Herb
This plant is also known as scouring rush, or shavegrass. Because of its rigid nature, it used to be used as a scrubbing tool. It’s high in silica and other hair-healthy minerals like magnesium, potassium, and bioflavonoids that are best extracted in a water infusion. The silica not only makes the plant strong but hair, teeth, and nails as well.
Heat 1/3 cup of water to a simmer. Add the horsetail, cover and let infuse for 5-10 minutes. Strain and set aside.
Add ¼ cup of room temperature water to a shallow bowl and sprinkle the gelatin over top. Allow this to gel for a few minutes, then whisk in the hot horsetail infusion.
In a small bowl thoroughly combine the honey and essential oils, then add the gelatin mixture to the honey. Keep stirring until you no longer see tiny bubbles, as this means it’s mixed. The honey helps to safely disperse the essential oils into the hair mask. If not using any essential oils, then just add the honey straight to the gelatin mixture.
Whisk the egg in. You want to make sure that the gelatin mixture isn’t too hot when adding the egg, or you’ll end up with scrambled egg in your hair mask!
How to Use
Apply the prepared hair mask liberally to the hair until all strands are thoroughly coated.
Allow the mixture to sit on the hair for 5-10 minutes, but don’t let it dry. A shower cap can be used to keep the hair moist if you want it on the hair for longer.
Thoroughly rinse out. Follow up with an apple cider vinegar rinse if needed to remove all of the hair mask.
DIY Hair Mask Tips
If the hair is a little stiff afterwards, then apply a little coconut oil to your palms, and massage over the hair. Or use a conditioner and rinse as usual.
This mask can be used up to once a week, or less frequently if hair becomes stiff with once a week use.
Do you use hair masks for healthier hair? Do you have a favorite DIY hair treatment? Please share!
Benefits of Different Essential Oils
Energy Synergy
MORINGA IS PIONEERING NEW ANTI-INFLAMMATORY SUPERFOOD
