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.
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.
Bergamot is another one of the extremely versatile essential oils we’ve been talking about off and on. Bergamot has a spicy floral/fruity fragrance. It has been in use for centuries and can serve many purposes around the home. In Love tradition, here are 5:
Skin Care – Bergamot is a natural antiseptic and antifungal, making it useful for people with acne, athete’s foot, eczema and fungal skin infections. A good recipe is one part bergamot to 5 parts aloe vera gel. If this solution is at all irritating, add more aloe vera. You could also try a couple of drops in your homeade sugar scrub
For muscles – Try adding bergamot to lotions and massage oil to relieve the inflammation of tense muscles. Add the drops one or two at a time and test the solution to make sure it isn’t irritating to your skin.
Aromatherapy – Bergamot is very uplifting and useful in relieving stress, depression and anxiety. It is even useful in increasing appetite. A few drops can be added to a diffuser, or you can get a candle or incense with bergamot in them.
Perfume – The fragrance of bergamot mixes well with other fragrances including, lavender, mint, veviter, sandalwood and frankincense, making it ideal for perfumes.
In the bath – this is my favorite, by adding bergamot to a bath oil, you can enjoy ALL the benefits of it. Smell lovely, ease tension and help your skin all at the same time doing it this way.
Cautions
There are a couple of cautions to keep in mind while using this essential oil. First, as mentioned above, is to not use too much of it, because it can irritate the skin. Always make sure it is dilluted. Also, those who are pregnant or nursing should not use it. Don’t use bergamot internally without the consent of a doctor.
Bergamot is essential to any well stocked aromatherapy cupboard. Between it’s beautiful fragrance and therapeutic properties it is any “aromatherapist’s” dream. Bergamot can be purchased through just about any quality aromatherapy shop. Add it to your arsenal, I sure did
The scent of lavender is widely recognized by people around the world as a sweet floral present in many perfumes and bath products to aid in relaxation. Not as commonly known are its other characteristics that make lavender essential oil a must have around the house for anyone interested in aromatherapy and/or the healing powers of natural herbs.
Fragrances – When lavender is included in a perfume or other fragrance product, it is most often the top or middle note. It has a very pleasant (to many) but strong fragrance, that is not easily overpowered.
Aromatherapy – Lavender is known to have a soothing and calming effect on people who are exposed to it. It promotes balance and healing and can help with depression and anxiety. For this reason, lavender is a popular scent for bath products, candles, incense, and air fresheners, as well as a plethora of other products designed for aromatherapy.
Pain Relief – There are a few types of pain that lavender can help alleviate. When combined with massage oils or lotions and rubbed on it can help with rheumatism and other joint and muscle pains. A few drops added to the bath or diffuser can also help clear up headaches and migraines.
Skin Care – Lavender essential oil added to lotions, oils, ointments, and baths. It can be a powerful skin care tool due to its antiseptic and antimicrobial properties. Not only can lavender help combat oily skin and acne, but it has also been known to help athlete’s foot, scars, stretch marks, burns and insect bites.
Respiratory Ailments – Lavender is also a known decongestant, and as such helps with asthma, bronchitis, and other respiratory problems such as allergies. Diffusers and vaporizers can be helpful in getting the essential oil into the air, or it can be added to a hot bath or pot full of boiling water.
Lavender essential oil can be such an invaluable answer to everyday aches, complaints, and illnesses, it is no wonder it is so widely used around the world. I’m sure if everyone was aware of the effects it can have on the body other than relaxation, it would be considered a household staple by all. To many of you, I know that it probably already is. I hope this post has given you a few more ways to use lavender essential oil for the benefit of you and your family.
Lemons really are an amazing fruit…not only do they add flavor and dimension to so many foods and beverages, but they, and the essential oil made from them, also have many therapeutic effects on the body. Lemon oil has anti-bacterial, antiseptic, and anti-rheumatic properties, as well as being a diuretic and an anti-inflammatory. This makes its uses around the home practically limitless.
Circulatory Aid – Lemon essential oil can help with circulatory woes. It helps stimulate blood flow. It can also help reduce high blood pressure, and help stop nose bleeds.
Digestion – Lemon is very cleansing to the digestion system. It can help ease constipation and dyspepsia. It has also been known to reduce nausea, and is very useful to many pregnant women with morning sickness. Some report that even just the smell will help them feel better.
Fight Infection – Lemon essential oil can be used to boost immunity as well. Since lemon is anti-bacterial and antiseptic, it is also used to help fight common infections such as the common cold and influenza. This, plus its anti-inflammatory power makes lemon essential oil especially helpful, when consumed in a drink, for throat infections. Lemon also helps reduce fever.
Skin Care – There is a lot of roles that lemon essential oil can play in skin care as well, as long as it is diluted enough, as it can irritate the skin in strong doses. It is a great tool for exfoliation, acne, and greasy skin and hair, and helps with problems such as insect bites, varicose veins, and warts as well.
Cleaning Products – With all the virtues listed above, it’s no wonder that lemon essential oil would be a good addition to cleaning products as well. People have been cleaning with lemon for centuries, and for good reason. It disinfects without being too harsh, and combined with a few other simple kitchen products, can help make a great natural multi-purpose cleanser that is also safe to use around children.
Lemon essential oil is a must have for any essential oil enthusiast’s cupboard. It is a very well-rounded oil, and has uses in virtually every household arena. Whether you use it cosmetically, to help your circulatory and/or digestive systems, to fight infection, or to clean with, or all of the above, chances are that it’s already an indispensable part of your household.
