Adapted from The Traveler’s Natural Medicine Kit, by Pamela Hirsch (Healing Arts Press, 2001).

Avoiding the flu is on many people’s minds, particularly this year with a worldwide flu vaccine shortage.

The good news is that people have been using essential oils for centuries to ward off illnesses, and we have an antibacterial room spray that can help in just this way.

Antibacterial Room Spray

Here is an excellent antiseptic and freshening room spray. It contains lavender and thyme oils, both of which are antiseptic and specifific to lung infections. If you are traveling, you might like to use it in your hotel room.

1. Fill a 2-ounce glass spray bottle with distilled water.
2. Add to it 7 drops of lavender oil and 4 drops of thyme oil.
3. Replace the spray top and spray!

If you are unlucky enough to come down with a case of the flu, or a bad cold, there are many natural herbal and homeopathic remedies that also really help. Here is a list of these as well, so you can ride out such an illness with the least amount of misery!  Read more...

Heart disease in men is the number one cause of deaths in the US, and around the world. Every day, you seem to read or hear about men in the sports area or in other noteworthy professions succumbing to heart disease.  One of the major diseases is atherosclerosis.

Atherosclerosis increases as one’s diet contains large amounts of cholesterol and saturated fat. If you have high levels of cholesterol in your blood; smoke; have high blood pressure; or diabetes; you are a candidate for this disease.

The symptoms accompanying this disease are not noticeable until the damage has already been done. Whether you have cramps in your legs during exercise; had a stroke; kidney failure; angina; or a heart attack – these are clear signs you are in the stages of atherosclerosis.  Once it is confirmed that the plaque has formed and your cholesterol is quite high, you will need to consult your physician as to the best form of treatment.  Read more...

* 1/4 cup pennyroyal-infused grapeseed oil
* 1/4 cup mineral oil
* 1 tspn coconut oil
* 2 Tbsp beeswax
* 1/8 tspn borax powder
* 1/4 cup distilled water
* 5 drops lemongrass
* 3 drops citronella
* 20 drops lavender
* 10 drops rosemary
* 10 drops eucalyptus
* 10 drops pine needle
* 20 drops cedarwood

Melt together pennyroyal-infused oil, beeswax and coconut oil. While wax is melting, put distilled water and borax in a pint jelly jar, and microwave for less than a minute, to dissolve borax.

When beeswax is melted, pour oil/wax mixture into borax/water mixture, and stir to blend. Add all the EO’s, then put the lid on the jelly jar and SHAKE vigorously. Shake, then check, until mixture starts to become a cream (it wont take long).

Makes 1 pint.

If you have had smokers in your home this weekend here’s a tip for you.

Essential oils are effective air cleaners.

They actually combine with and change the air particles, Not just cover things up as artificial air sprays do. Diffuse essential oils on a regular basis and you’ll notice a huge difference.

Here’s a recipe to get you started or try one of your own.

* 6 Spruce
* 6 drops Orange
* 6 drops Lemon

We are always told to take 8 cups of water a day.

Yeah. Do you think I’m a horse?

That’s what I have been telling myself until I sit down and do the math:

How the expert comes up with the magic number 8

On average, we get around 3.5 cups of water from various foods, and 0.5 cup as a byproduct from our body’s own metabolism (water is produced when energy is released). At the same time, 2 cups of water is lost through lungs (breathing), 6 cups through intestines and kidney (poo and wee), 2 cups from sweating in inactive activities (like sitting and sleeping), and 2 extra cups from sweating under hot weather or exercise. As you can see we’ll need to drink 8 cups of water to fill that hole.

Just to scare you further, here are a few fun facts on drinking water:  Read more...

We regularly receive queries from customers asking this question. Usually they are prompted to do so as a result of something that they have read on the internet, generally from a Company that is promoting the triglyceride form of fish oil. Much of this material is misinformation.

The following is a typical question from a customer on this issue:

“I just read an article on Nordic Naturals. They say. We use only the natural triglyceride form of fish oil. Triglycerides contain a glycerol backbone, stabilizing the oil molecules in their natural form. Fish oil in ethyl ester form is HIGHLY UNSTABLE and rapidly breaks down during storage. THEY ARE PROHIBITED IN SWEDEN, DENMARK, AND SOON IN NORWAY AND THE UK.

Additionally, when fish oil is ingested, they are converted into free fatty acids. After absorption through the epithelial cells, free fatty acids are immediately converted into triglycerides. If the glycerol backbone is missing (AS THEY ARE WITH ETHYL ESTERS) and no other glycerol are available, the oil CANNOT BE CONVERTED BACK TO TRIGLYCERIDE FORM. The Fatty acids not converted to triglycerides pose an oxidation burden in the form of free radical formation.  Read more...

Arthritis strikes many individuals of all ages and can be very painful and debilitating. Arthritis affects the joints and bones. There are more than 200 different types of arthritis with the two major ones being osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Osteoarthritis is the more common form of arthritis and affects the cartilage between the bones in that it degenerates or wastes away leaving joints vulnerable to rubbing of bone on bone. Specialist suggests that obesity and repetitive movement can play a role in the development of osteoarthritis. Avoiding excess weight and repetitive movements can help prevent or lessen the effects of osteoarthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis also called inflammatory arthritis is a more severe form of arthritis but less common than osterarthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis occurs when the body’s immune system attacks and destroys the joint, which then causes pain and swelling. This form of arthritis can lead to a reduced ability to move and also results in a breakdown of bone and cartilage.

Symptoms of arthritis are stiffness, joint pain and swelling.  Read more...