Do you find yourself reaching for a popular seltzer with aspirin to relieve an upset stomach? Is caffeine your choice for waking up and getting focused? Are you stressed at times... like most of us? So how do you release it? Do you use alcohol to unwind more often than you would like?
If you're like me you have often used the most common over the counter medications featured on television commercials for these conditions. Although I, like most of us, used synthetics I have been searching for more natural and holistic remedies. It all stems back to when I was a sickly kid who had infections and colds one after the other. My mother, may she rest in peace, searched relentlessly for natural methods for preventing colds and boosting the immune system. Simply put we didn't know about holistic modalities such as energy therapy, chiropractic, massage or aroma therapy. These types of therapies weren't popular then and are only now becoming more accepted into mainstream culture. We call them "complementary modalities" because they are complementary to traditional medicine. Healing with essential oils, however has been used since ancient times and are thankfully making a comeback in our "healthcare." The Bible has many references to essential oils for prevention of disease, purification, and fumigation among others. Knowing this do we always need to pop a pill or take drugs for all conditions from which we may suffer? The drug companies would like us to think so. That mentality has got to go!
There are many therapeutic, or curative, essential oils that can relieve all the conditions above and many more. In fact, most of the essential oils have many, many uses. Let's look at two: peppermint (Mentha piperita) and Lavender (Lavendula augustofolia). When you learn the many benefits of these oils you may want to have them handy in your home for whenever you need them.
It's first important to note that not all essential oils are created equal. Pure essential oils are usually NOT sold in health food or whole food stores. Frequently "over the counter" oils have 2%-4% essential oil with the remainder being synthetic. Read labels! Buy your essential oils from a company that grows the plants in organic soil under the best conditions possible and harvests when each species of plant is at its prime. Sometimes that may mean in the early morning hours or late evening. Make sure they are then steam distilled, bottled, packaged and stored with care. Therapeutic essential oils not just oils that smell good.
Now, let's get to the oils: Peppermint (Mentha piperita) has been well-known for soothing digestion. Personally I use 1 drop of peppermint oil in an 8 oz. glass of water to relieve my upset stomach. I can carry it in my purse and bring it out whenever needed. Peppermint also engages the satiety part of the brain so can be used to lose weight! When there is an urge to eat sugary or high fat, low protein foods simply pull the 15 ML bottle of peppermint out of your pocket, open the top and breathe in the refreshing aroma. Do it until the urge has passed.
Did you know that Dr. William N. Dember from the University of Cincinnati studied peppermint's "ability to improve concentration and mental sharpness?" (1) If you do further research you'll discover that peppermint essential oil is excellent for focus when studying or working on work projects.
Lavender is yet another essential oil for your home. It's an adaptive essential oil, which means that it can help the body when it is stressed or going through difficult transitions. It also aids relaxation before rest yet has many balancing qualities that can boost energy and stamina. Lavender can be diffused when preparing for sleep or used when vitality is needed. It also can be mixed with carrier oil and used on the face to prevent wrinkles among many other uses. Almond, jojoba and macadamia are several carrier oils that mix well with lavender and other essential oils.
When combined with energy therapy aroma therapy has very powerful results. The oils use the olfactory system within the nasal cavity to get to the brain within minutes. This fosters wellness by either boosting energy or creating relaxation. Lavender and peppermint are two very helpful essential oils that when readily available in your home may keep you from running to the pharmacy.
You are invited to visit this author's ezine.com page for additional articles about holistic healing.
1. http://www.youngliving.com
Barbara Litchfield is a Healing Touch Practitioner who helps people live full and active lives by helping them to release stress and many kinds pain holistically. She helps people get back to doing the things they love to do! Barbara focuses her practice on helping people release pain from chronic illness such as cancer, fibromyalgia, Parkinson's Disease, Meniere's Disease, among many others; from sports injuries, falls, accidents, and normal aging and from everyday stress that causes muscle tension, hip, knee, shoulder, neck, back and sciatic pain. Her clients consist of men and women who want to live pain free without lots of drugs. Barbara also offers aroma therapy with pure, organic, essential oils in her practice. She may use 2 or 3 oils during a session and then craft a special blend for the client to take home.
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