Aromatherapy~ 10 Uses #3

• Overindulge last night? Essential oils of Juniper, Cedarwood, Grapefruit, Lavender, Carrot, Fennel, Rosemary, and Lemon help soften the effects of a hangover. Make your own blend of these oils and use a total of 6-8 drops in a bath.
  
  
•  Essential oils of Vetiver, Cypress, Cedarwood, Frankincense, and Myrrh all make wonderful firewood oil. Drop approximately 2-3 drops of oil blend of your choice or combination on a dried log and allow time for the oil to soak in before putting the log in the fire.
  
  
•  Flies and moths dislike Lavender oil. Sprinkle it on your outside window frames.
  
  
• Place 1-2 drops of sleep enhancing oils such as Chamomile, Lavender, Neroli on your pillow before retiring for restful sleep.
  
  
• When moving into a new home, first use a water spray containing your favorite essential oils and change the odorous environment to your own. DO this for several days until it begins to feel like your space.
  
  
• Ideal scents for the bedroom are Roman Chamomile, Geranium, Lavender, or Lemon.
  
  
• 1 drop of Lemon essential oil on a soft cloth will polish copper with gentle buffing.
  
  
• When washing out the fridge, freezer, or oven, add a drop of Lemon, Lime, Grapefruit, Bergamot, Tangerine, or Orange essential oil to the final rinse water.
  
  
•  For burns or scalds, drop Tea Tree oil directly on the affected area.
  
  
• Place 1 drop of Peppermint oil in ½ glass of water, sip slowly to aid digestion and relieve stomach upset.

Herb Fact Sheet ~ F

Herb
Fennel
Historical/Medical Uses
Digestive aid, weak diuretic, mild stimulant, increases milk production in nursing mothers, eases colic in babies, clears lungs, in poultice reduces swelling.
Side Effect
None Known

Herb
Fenugreek Seed
Historical /Medical Uses
Demulcent, emollient, expectorant.Fenugreek is useful for all mucus conditions of the lungs. It aids digestion and increases milk production in lactating mothers. Recent studies indicate that fenugreek may lower blood cholesterol.
Side Effects
None Known

Herb
Feverfew
Historical/Medical Uses
Migraine headaches, helpful in alleviating inflammation and discomfort of arthritis.
Side Effect
Allergies- hayfever variety, formation of small sores in the mouth, potential interaction with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), can inhibit the activity of platelets (blood clotting factor)

Herb
Flax Seed
Historical/Medical Uses
Soothes and softens irritant to membranes. Seeds once used for skin and mouth cancers; colds, cough, lung and urinary ailments, fevers; laxative; poultice (mixed with lime water) to relieve pain of bums, gout, inflammation, rheumatism, boils. Oil, a folk remedy used for pleurisy and pneumonia, has been promoted like Evening primrose oil
Side Effects
Do Not take flaxseed if you are on the following medicines: blood thinners, statins, Cyclosporine or NSAID's

Herbal Renaissance Lover's Tea Recipe

Exclusive to this blog site~ One of Herbal Renaissance's best selling herbal tea blend and now you have the recipe to make it yourself!

Lover's Tea
A delicious blend of herbs for those romantic, exotic cozy moments

1 part damiana leaf

1 part chamomile

1 part lemon grass

1/4 part peppermint

2 parts rosehip

1 part jasmine flower

1 part orange peel

1/4 part lavender buds

Blend all ingredients together and sweeten with Stevia herb or honey.
Measure 1/4 cup of herb mixture to two cups of boiling water. Cover and let steep for three minutes. Enjoy it with someone you care about!

Herb Fact Sheet ~ E

Herb
Echinacea
Historical/Medical Uses
stimulates immunity mechanisms at infections and chronic inflammations
Side Effects
Do not use with immunosuppressive drugs. Should not be taken over two weeks.

Herb
Elder Berries/Flowers
Historical/Medical Uses
Inner-bark tea as diuretic, strong laxative, emetic; poulticed on cuts, sore or swollen limbs,leaves made into poulticed on bruises, and on cuts to stop bleeding, fever reducer, stimulating sweating, mild stimulant.
Side Effects
Bark, root, leaves, and unripe berries toxic (cyanide poisoning), severe diarrhea

Herb
Ephedra Herb
Historical/Medical Uses
Specific for asthma, nasal congestion, sinus congestion, low blood pressure, energy, stimulant, kidney and bladder, arthritis
Side Effects
excites the function of the heart (rapid heart rate). Those with known heart condition, and are taking Amphetamine and Amphetamine derivatives,Antidepressants,
Aspirin, Blood Pressure Medications, Caffeine,Narcotics, such as morphine and codeine,Phenylpropanolamine (also known as norephedrine) Should NOT use this herb.

Herb
Eucalyptus Leaf
Historical/Medical Uses
used as a steam inhalation. For its antiseptic and expectorating effect in bronchitis and influenza to relieve congestion. It is also serviceable in sluggish urinary tract infections of a chronic nature
Side Effects
Toxic in large doses, readily absorbable through the skin

Herb
Evening Primrose Flower
Historical/Medical Uses
Antispasmodic,weight loss, hormonal balancing, menopause, PMS
Side Effects
May enhance effects of chemotherapy,should NOT be taken with ibuprophen (Motrin)

Herb
Eyebright Herb
Historical/Medical Uses
Anti- catarrhal astringent, anti-inflammatory. Eyebright is valuable in eye and vision weakness. AS a wash, it is used for inflammations and conjunctivitis of the eye. It has also been effective in removing mucus from the head and nasal area, making effective for sinusitis
Side Effects
None Known

How to Make Your Own Simple Massage Oil

Technorati Profile
You will need a couple of things from the health food store so here's your shopping list.

• 4 Oz bottle of carrier oil (almond, jojoba, olive, sunflower, or avocado)
• Essential oil of your choice (Pick a fragrance or oil to do what you want it to do)
• Vitamin E capsules

The Mixture

1. Wash your hands thoroughly.
2. Carefully open your bottle of carrier oil. Most have an inner liner, but not all.
3. Empty two (2) 400 mg capsules of vitamin E into the carrier oil. This has preservative qualities.
4. Add ten drops of essential oil into the bottle. If using Eucalytus oil NEVER add more than two drops.
5. Recap bottle and swirl bottle between two hands until mixed.

Way to go! You've just created your first simple bottle of massage oil. This can be used for more than just massages. Add it to a tub full of water for a skin nourishing bath. This is a thin consistency oil and absorbs readily into the skin.

Come back again for more massage oil recipes!

Herb Fact Sheet~ D

Herb
Damiana Leaf
Historical/Medical Uses
Contain thymol, strong antiseptic, in ancient Mayan sulture it is said to enhance sexual prowess and balance hormones, tonic, stimulant, strengthens nerves, antispasmodic, antidepressant
Side Effects
None Known

Herb
Dandelion Leaf
Historical/Medical Uses
One of the best diuretics available. It eliminates edema and dropsy without robbing the body of potassium. It is especially good for those with congestive heart failure. It is an effective weight loss program.
Side Effects
Drug interactions with Lithium, Antibiotics,and Quinolone (Cipro, Levaqin)

Herb
Dead Nettle Leaf
Historical/Medical Uses
Astringent, expectorant, diuretic, vulnerary, anti-inflammatory. Useful internally in cystitis, leucorrhoea and particularly metrorrhagia, as a bowel regulator, it can be used to treat either diarrhea or constipation, in respiratory or nasal problems. Can be applied to wounds styptic and healing. It may also be applied to hemorrhoids and burns.
Side Effects
Drug Interaction with NSAIDs (Aspirin, motrin, tylenol, etc)

Herb
Dill Seed/Weed
Historical/Medical Uses
Antispasmodic, calmative, carminative diuretic, popular remedy for upset stomach, stimulates appetite, and a decoction of the seed may be helpful for insomnia as well as for pains due to flatulence. Nursing mothers can use Dill to promote the flow of milk, particularly in combination with anise, coriander, fennel, and caraway.
Side Effects
None Known

Aromatherpahy~10 More Quick Uses for Essential Oils

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• To make a natural flea collar, saturate a short piece of cord or soft rope with Pennyroyal or Tea Tree oil, roll up into a handkerchief and tie loosely around animal’s neck.
  
  
  
• Shoes can be freshened by either dropping a few drops of Geranium oil directly into shoes or by placing a cotton ball dabbed with a few drops of Lemon oil into shoes. Great for Athlete’s foot? Tea Tree is great!
  
  
  
• Put a few drops of your favorite essential oil on a cotton ball and place in your vacuum cleaner bag. Lemon and Pine are nice. Rose Geranium helps with pet odors.
  
  
  
• To fragrance your kitchen cabinets and drawers, place a food scent dabbed on a cotton ball into an inconspicuous corner.
  
  
  
• Are mice a problem? Place several drops of Peppermint oil on a cotton ball and place at problem area.
  
  
  
• The bathroom is easily scented by oil-scented cotton balls in inconspicuous places, or sprinkle oils directly onto silk or dried flower arrangements or wreaths.
  
  
  
• Apply true Lavender oil and Tea Tree oil directly to cuts, scrapes, scratches. 1 or 2 drops will promote healing.
  
  
  
• Homemade soaps are pleasant and offer therapeutic effects when scented with essential oils. Use soaps, which contain pure essential oils.
  
  
  
• Homemade sachets are more fragrant when essential oils are blended with flowers and herbs.
  
  
  
• An essential oil dropped onto a radiator scent ring or light bulb will not only fill the room with a wonderful fragrance, but will also set a mood such as calming or uplifting. (Do NOT put essential oil in the socket.)