I’ve always known chamomile to be a “sleepy time” tea, and that whenever I am suffering from insomnia, this wonderful little herb will lull me into sweet dreams. But like with most things in nature, chamomile’s healing benefits are not just limited to one thing.

Stomach cramps – because chamomile has such strong anti-inflammatory and anti-spasmodic properties, it is very effective when treating stomach or intestinal cramps. If you are suffering from cramps, try drinking 2 cups of chamomile tea to alleviate your pain. It also works well for menstrual cramps

Reducing dark under eye circles – this surprised me, but chamomile has been known to relieve eye fatigue and dark circles. To combat this problem, dip 2 chamomile tea bags in warm water for 5 minutes. Then let cool to room temperature and place on eyes at night like a compress

Treat burns and scrapes – Chamomile is useful in treating burns and scrapes because it contains flavonoids, which are anti-oxidant oils that help the body heal while protecting it from further damage caused by free radicals. To use, add 3 tea bags to one cup of boiling water. When the water has cooled, dip a cloth into the liquid and use as a compress on the wounded area

Treat anxiety – chamomile has calming benefits and relaxes muscle tension, so therefore it is effective in treating anxiety and panic attacks. Try drinking 3 cups daily to alleviate symptoms

Treat Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)- chamomile has anti-inflammatory effects, which soothe the gastric and intestinal organs while combating gassiness and bloating. It can reduce pain and cramps caused by IBS, as well as the nausea and gastroenteritis associated with this syndrome.

While the side effects are minimal, it should be noted that if you have ragweed or pollen allergies, it might be a bit difficult to use chamomile. It is not recommended to use chamomile while pregnant.

There is a new love in my life, and her name is Coco

Doing some of my carrier oil research led me to stumble upon the wonders of coconut oil. Coconut oil is good for all kinds of things, from hair and skin care, to cooking, to preventing diseases. It’s good for the teeth, bones, liver and kidney and is effective in treating certain infections, due to its anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-viral properties. Do I feel a 5 uses post coming on?!?

So, when I was getting my vitamins at the supplement/health food store last week, I decided to see what all the coconut hype is about. The first thing I tried it on was my skin.

The first thing I noticed when I dug a chunk out to use was the scent. It has a pleasantly delicate scent of coconut, that is almost non-existent, making it ideal as a carrier for other fragrances.

I was pleasantly surprised by the feel of it. Coconut oil has a lip-balmish consistency, but is not sticky at all. It is solid that melts at body temperature – it feels cool as it melts, but warms up to an oil worthy of any massage. It’s not too greasy, but hydrates skin immediately.

Next, I tried it on my little girl’s VERY curly hair. Of course, I melted it first. This can be done with your hands, like I did (‘cuz it feels so great!), or just put the jar in some warm water.

Not only did it make her hair super shiny, but it worked almost like a pomade. I even gave her ringlets! Naturally, I wouldn’t use it on straight or thin hair, and it should be used sparingly, at least until you get the feel for how it works in your hair.

Other things  that are awesome about coconut oil:

• It has a long shelf-life
• You can mix your favorite essential oils into it when it’s melted
• It makes a GREAT lip  balm – even all by it’s lonesome

I will definitely be coming back with more uses for this awesome carrier oil and more. There’s just so much…

Do you use coconut oil for anything around your home? Let me know – I’m ready!

Jasmine is such a sexy scent. This fragrance has been used for centuries as an aphrodisiac, with ancient princesses bathing with the blooms in order to entice their lovers. However it is also quite healing in the aromatherapy world, relieving depression and calming nerves among other things.

1. Sedating effect on the nervous system - If you are looking for a peaceful night’s rest, use this essential oil right before bed in order to calm the nerves and ease you into sleep. You can add a few drops directly into your bath for a calming soak before bed.
2. Calms muscle tension – Achy and tense from a long day? It blends incredibly well with sandalwood and rose oil, and then can be massaged into the skin for ultimate relaxation with your favorite carrier oil. You can also add a few drops into your favorite body lotion to enhance it’s scent.
3. Mood altering – If you battle with depression, this is a great scent to keep handy. It alleviates your depressive thoughts and brings you into a center of optimism. Just a few deep inhales of the oil will lift your spirits.
4. Antiseptic – Battling a nasty skin infection? Jasmine has antiseptic properties that heal wounds when applied directly to your skin. See the tea recipe below for an example of how you can put jasmine to work for you .
5. Treats PMS – To me, this is the greatest thing about jasmine. It helps keep your cycle regular, painless, and shorter, while decreasing symptoms of PMS. Drinking the tea mentioned below regularly will allow you to experience these benefits. I frequently have very painful cycles and nothing seems to help my symptoms. I can’t wait to try this!

Here’s a great recipe to keep on hand at home for ailments that may come arise:

Jasmine Tea
Add 1 teaspoon of loose-leaf jasmine tea to 3-5 cups boiling water. Let steep for 5 minutes. Any longer and the tea can become bitter. You can purchase loose leaf jasmine tea from a health food store or Asian grocer. It’s best to stick with loose-leaf as it tends to be fresher than the tea bags. If ingested, the tea helps with infections and fevers, and will calm nerves and anxiety. Externally, you can make a compress from the liquid to treat cuts, scrapes, and even headaches.

Care to share any great experiences with jasmine?

Lavender seems to have found it’s way into a lot of my conversations this week.  From headaches to burns to sleep aids, I’ve found myself sharing why lavender essential oil should be a staple in everyone’s household.  Jamie gave a Five Uses For post on Lavender last month.  I want to follow it up with a few recipes and practical applications for life and love.

Here’s a practical application – I burned my thumb earlier in the month.  In the kitchen, whipping up dinner and I lifted the lid off of a pot and the steam that rose scaled my knuckle.  If you’ve ever damaged the skin across a knuckle or knew  you know that is a hard area to have heal without scarring because it’s always bending and flexing and doesn’t get a chance to properly heal(hence why we all have various scars on our knees from our childhood years).  Well, when I initially burned it, I immediately rubbed a couple drops of lavender essential oil directly on it for two reasons: one – it hurt terribly and lavender is an excellent pain reliever for bites and burns; two – because lavender also promotes healthy skin growth and I did not want an ugly scar on my hand.  Over the next two weeks, it darkened, hardened then finally peeled.  The new skin that finally resulted appears completely normal.  To look at my hand, you would never know I’d burned it.

I offer you a recipe for a spa at home experience -  Blend the following ingredients in a resealable container for a simple, relaxing, skin softening bath experience

• 1 cup dead sea salts
• 1/3 cup lavender buds
• 1/3 cup of powdered milk

Sprinkle into bath tub as desired.  Lounge in the tub with your favorite book, glass of wine, candle or any combination for a luxurious experience.  Be sure to incorporate your favorite lavender scented bath products.

Keep this all purpose Lavender infused oil handy

• 1 oz jojoba/olive/sweet almond oil
• 20 drops lavender essential oil

Mix and store in a plastic bottle with a dropper or nozzle top. Keep this oil blend on hand to apply directly to your skin when you need to unwind and a bath or diffuser simply isn’t available to enjoy the scent from.  Perfect for relaxing before bedtime, calming from a stressful work situation, or managing a migrane.  Can also be applied to scalp to help treat hair loss and promote hair growth.

Can you see yourself in any of these experiences?  Have you used lavender for any other real life solutions?