If you are like most people, you have probably at least heard of eucalyptus. You don’t have to live in Australia to know that this tree produces bark and leaves that are very beneficial to both the koalas living in them and to humans, too!
Eucalyptus has natural healing affects that you just can’t get with many man-made remedies. In fact, this plant is just as effective to ward off colds and congestion as the expensive stuff you buy in your pharmacy.
Why does eucalyptus work so well? Like many plant materials, it has healing properties all of its own. You might be surprised to learn that the leaves from this tree are very similar to the rubs and creams you can buy for your chest when you have a cold.
It smells very similar, too. It can help fight off the symptoms you get when you have the cold and flu. Plus, it is natural and safe to use around children.
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Filed under: Aromatherapy, Contagious Diseases, Detox, Immunity, Infection, Respiratory Conditions by Dee
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One of the popular techniques that come from traditional Chinese medicine that is considered to be a bodywork technique and is gaining popularity in America is acupressure. It is very much like acupuncture in that it involves different points of the surface of the body but unlike using needles as is done in acupuncture, acupressure uses physical pressure done by the hand or elbow or various devices to different points on the surface of the body. This pressure brings about relief from the symptoms.
There are 14 primary meridian or channels in which qi flows through the body and acupressure removes blockages in these meridians. This pressure stimulates a natural healing process within the body.
When the different points are pressed muscular tension is released and this promotes better circulation of blood and other life’s forces, which will then aid in healing.
Acupressure is safe to do on oneself as well as to have a professional person who uses acupressure may apply the pressure. The best part is that there is no equipment needed, only your hands.
Acupressure can relieve arthritis, backaches eyestrain, headaches, neck pain, muscle aches, and tension aches as well as constipation, indigestion, menstrual cramping, and the pain from ulcers. Applying acupressure can also help you to sleep better at night.
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Filed under: Reflexology by Dee
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After a day on our feet, most of us enjoy a good foot massage. It relieves pain, alleviates tension, and just plain feels good. But did you know that with a few modifications, a foot massage can have numerous other health benefits?
Reflexology is often considered the same thing as foot massage, but it’s actually an ancient practice. Evidence of its practice has been found on Egyptian wall paintings dating back as far as 2330 BC, and it is believed to be even older than that. Reflexology has much in common with the Oriental practices of shiatsu and acupuncture, both of which are believed to have originated around the same time as reflexology.
There are some important differences between reflexology and an ordinary foot massage. While a foot massage usually involves the entire foot or the portion that is in pain, reflexology involves specific spots on the feet. The goals of reflexology usually have nothing at all to do with the feet themselves. Rather, the purpose is to either benefit a specific part of the body or promote overall health.
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Passion flower (passion vine) is found in every country except Europe, Africa and Antarctica. There are over 500 known species of passion flower’s and they are almost always vines. Some of the species grow as shrubs but they are few and far between. The passion flower plant bears an edible fruit called passion fruit.
The name “Passion Flower” has given rise to many names which relate it to sex or romance. However, the name does not relate to these things at all. The word passion actually refers to the passion of Jesus Christ. The structure of the plant itself was used to symbolize the last days of Jesus Christ and the Crucifixion. This all happened during the 15th and 16th centuries.
Most passion flower plants require pollination by large bees, hummingbirds, bats or wasps. A few of them pollinate themselves. The pollen in the passion flower is a very important source of food for a large number of insects. An interesting feature of some of the passion flower plants keep butterflies from laying too many eggs on them. They actually have small nubs on them that look like butterfly eggs. This tricks the butterfly into believing there are more eggs on the plant than there actually are.
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Filed under: Herbs For Health by Dee
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Reflexology, also called zone therapy, comes under the heading of alternative medicine. It involves the practice of massaging, squeezing or pushing parts of the feet, hands, body or in the ears with the goals of affecting other parts of the body.
Interestingly, although reflexology has been classified as an alternative medicine approach, there is no consensus among practitioners (reflexologist) on how the practice is supposed to work.
There does appear to be a unifying theme or idea that areas of the feet and hands correspond to different areas of the body. The theory is that by manipulating these areas the reflexologist can make significant changes in a specific organ system or in an individual’s overall health.
The ideas behind reflexology are not new. It was practiced in the Egyptian culture as early as 2330 B.C. the practice, as we know it today, was first researched and developed by Eunice Ingham. Her first work was published in 1938 and since 1942 workshops have been constructed around the world.
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Filed under: Alternative Therapies, Detox, Immunity, Infection, Herbal Recipes, Reflexology, Scented Baths by Dee
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Stinging Nettle (Common Nettle) grows from one meter to two meters tall during the summertime and dies off when the winter comes. It’s rhizomes spread out wide. The roots and stolons are both bright yellow in color. The leaves are spade shaped and range from 3 to 15 centimenters in length. Both the leaves and stems are covered with dense hair.
Most of the hair does not sting but some of them might have hairs that inject several chemicals into whoever touches them. This burning sensation can last for anywhere from a minute or two to a week. Stinging nettle can be found in Europe, Asia, North America and Africa.
Nettle is believed to cause lactation and tests have confirmed that it’s juice helps people suffering with congestive heart failure by acting as a diuretic. Extracts from the nettle plant are commonly used to treat ailments such as kidney problems, pain, arthritis and hay fever.
Rubbing the needles across the skin is used to provide temporary relief from rheumatism. The goal here is to provoke inflammation and cause redness. This was started a long time ago and used as a folk remedy.
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When choosing essential oils and other aromatherapy products, you know that you will have to seek out good quality items. A poorly made essential oil will not give you the results you are looking for. Besides looking for top quality oils, another item you will want to carefully consider are the carrier oils that you will use.
Carrier oils are very important to you and your essential oils. Carrier oils will help dilute your essential oils and make them usable for your body. You must remember that undiluted essential oils are very strong and they can burn and irritate your skin if not diluted.
Carrier oils will also help your essential oils last longer and this is a good thing. When you purchase bottles of essential oils, you will notice that you will only get a very small amount. Usually only two or three drops is all you need to use for each use.
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Yarrow (Achillea Millefolium) is indigenous to the northern hemisphere. The stems group up to a meter in length and have hairy leaves all along it. The leaves at the bottom of the stem are large and they gradually get smaller as they get closer to the flower. The flower are a whitish to pinkish color. It flowers in early summer and grows actively during the spring.
The common yarrow plant is very good at dealing with dry weather conditions, even droughts. It is great for stopping your soil from eroding because of it’s ability to withstand dry conditions. The seed must be planted shallowly because it requires light and a temperature of 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit to germinate. The soil it is planted in must also drain well. Common yarrow can be considered a problem plant because it grows rampantly and can invade your gardens like a weed.
Historically, yarrow has many uses as a natural medicine. The most active part of the plant, as a medicine, is the flowers. Yarrow is used for treating inflammation in the body. It is effective at helping to clot the blood and, strangely enough, helping it to flow more freely. It also is very good at treating headaches.
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Filed under: Herbs For Health by Dee
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Garlic (Allium Sativum L.) is part of the onion family. The bulb, stems, flowers, and leaves of the garlic plant are all edible. Everything except for the bulb is normally harvested and consumed early in their growth cycle. A wax paper type of protective cover is layed over the bulb and other parts of the plant and is not considered edible.
Garlic is a hardy plant and can be grown in just about any mild climate around the world. If the climate is cold you can plant around 6 weeks before the ground freezes and harvest late in the spring. China produces most of the worlds garlic with a stunning 77% of the overall harvest. The United States produces about 1.4% of the annual harvest. Most of this comes from Gilroy California. There are two basic types of garlic and you have to be careful to pick the right one for your climate. Softneck garlic thrives close to the equator and hardneck garlic performs better in cold climates.
Garlic has many medicinal uses. It’s biggest claim to fame is the prevention of heart disease and cancer. It also is said to prevent high cholesterol, atherosclerosis and high blood pressure.
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Are you ready to go out and shop for your favorite scented essential oils? Before you head out the door, make sure you know how to shop. Yes, there is a right and a wrong way to shop for essential oils. Don’t get fooled into thinking that all oils labeled ‘essential’ oils are the same. They are not and if you don’t shop wisely, you may end up with an inferior essential oil. Here are some handy tips to make sure you know what you buy before you spend your hard-earned cash.
See the difference: When shopping for essential oils, remember that not all oils are made, or labeled equally. Perfume oils are not the same as essential oils. Perfume oil will get you a cheaper, inferior version of an essential oil. It is no better than scented water and will give you no therapeutic benefits at all. They might smell nice, but they won’t last long and won’t help you if you are interested in aromatherapy.
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