Live Healthy by Using Essential Oils, Roots and Herbs
Essential oils, roots and herbs can be used in a variety of ways to promote healthy living. They are used to create natural remedies for treating ailments common to both people and animals, to add flavor to food, to make perfumes and to create environmentally friendly cleaning products.
You do not have to own a garden to tap into the benefits of plants, roots and herbs. A few herb pots located by a sunny window are enough to get you started. Then, all you need are some essential oils and you are ready to go.
For therapeutic purposes, only the purest oils will do. It is possible to be fooled into thinking that you are purchasing a pure oil. Often, a lesser quality blend of several oils is used to mimic the properties of the pure oil. Blended oils are acceptable for fragrance purposes such as for perfuming a room, but pure oils are a “must” for medicinal purposes.
A reasonable guide to the purity of an essential oil is its price. Pure essential oils are generally more expensive. Common oils such as lavender and geranium are much cheaper than frankincense and carnation oil. It is advisable to become familiar with essential oil prices and then rely on this knowledge when purchasing oils from unfamiliar sources. Keep in-mind that you will generally get what you pay for. A price list from a reputable dealer is a valuable resource when purchasing essentials oils.
Usually, pure essential oils cannot be applied directly to the skin and must be mixed in a base oil to reduce their strength. Base oils such as almond oil or wheatgerm oil are commonly used for this purpose. Base oils are generally derived from seeds, nuts or vegetables and allow you to create essential oil remedies that can be massaged into the skin.
So, what do you need to get started with essential oils and natural remedies?
Without a doubt, Lavender oil is one of the most useful and desirable oils. Not only does it work wonders on cuts, bruises and burns, it also aids sleep and helps with relaxation.
The Tea Tree oil as well as Eucalyptus oil is useful for treating a variety of respiratory ailments. These are excellent for the treatment of colds and coughs. They can be massaged into the chest or burned in an oil burner to help clear the airways and prevent congestion. Tea Tree oil is a natural antiseptic and can be dabbed on cuts, bites and stings. It is often used to treat spots and pimples and when diluted with water, acts as a mouth gargle (keep in-mind it should never be swallowed).
Another basic antiseptic is Geranium oil. With its distinctive perfume and pain relieving properties, it is a necessary inclusion when starting out.
Peppermint oil should also be purchased as it treats digestive complaints and may be used in preparations for freshening breath.
For fragrant perfumes and establishing ambience in a room, buy some Patchouli oil and Ylang-ylang oils. Often combined in scented candles and air fresheners, a few drops of each in an oil burner creates a wonderfully perfumed home. Orange oil mixed with Cinnamon oil is a lovely winter alternative that evokes seasonal, holiday smells. Besides their perfume qualities, all four of these oils have other properties. Patchouli oil treats eczema and dandruff. Ylang-ylang is reputed to relieve stress, palpitations and high blood pressure. Orange is used in natural remedies for depression and nervous tension and Cinnamon is excellent for warts and viral infections.
The herbs, Thyme and Rosemary can be grown in pots and used when needed. To create essential oils from herbs, stew some large amounts in pure water, collect the steam and cool it. The oil will rise to the top of the drained water and can be collected with an eyedropper. Alternatively, a “flower still” can be purchased to make the job easier. Thyme and Rosemary are both antiseptics and can be used in skin care preparations. They are also delicious when used in cooking.
Lemon oil and fresh lemons will purify water and, when mixed with honey, are effective remedies for colds and flu. Lemon and white vinegar are highly efficient cleaning agents that can be used for domestic cleaning tasks without damaging the environment. Use white vinegar as a natural disinfectant or mix it with water to clean windows and wooden floors. It is also handy to keep a bottle of white vinegar in your car if you swim in the ocean. It will bring instant relief from jellyfish stings.
Citronella oil is perfect in summer to keep the insects at bay. Another natural repellent is Garlic. Fleas will not bite a dog that has been eating garlic, so a few garlic capsules in the dog food are a cheap solution to your pet’s flea problem. A soft collar soaked in Citronella will also do the job.
Garlic also helps to promote a healthy immune system when the weather turns cold and viruses begin to circulate. In fact, most of the oils and herbs listed above are effective in helping to prevent many common winter illnesses.
Whether you are looking for remedies or nature friendly products to use around the house, the oils and herbs suggested above should help get you started. You will be ready to make some healthy changes in your way of life!
5 Steps to Choosing a Good Babysitter
With all the frightening and worrisome stories on the news about abuse from babysitters, many parents are reluctant to leave their little ones in the care of someone else - particularly if that person has never had children of their own. Here are five steps you can take to ensure that you find a skilled, trustworthy babysitter that both you and your children are comfortable with.
1. Ask for references. Nothing beats a word-of-mouth recommendation from someone you trust. Friends, relatives and other moms you meet on the playground can be great sources for referrals. Check your neighborhood classified ads or local bulletin board for babysitters looking for work. It helps to choose a sitter in your neighborhood who can contact their own parents for help in case any minor problems arise.
2. Make sure you choose someone who is old enough and mature enough to do the job. Infants especially require someone who is experienced and has possibly raised children of their own. Toddlers and school age children can be looked after well enough by a 13 year old, but make sure to have a list of emergency numbers, next door neighbors or relatives, and the number of the place where you’ll be going in case your sitter needs to contact you.
3. When interviewing the sitter, ask for references and call them to verify the sitter’s suitability as a caretaker for your children. Ask about any special qualifications such as CPR or First-Aid training, Heimlich maneuver, what to do in case of accidental poisoning, etc. You should also not be afraid to ask the sitter about personal habits such as swearing, smoking or drinking. Lastly, discuss payment options and transportation issues with the sitter and arrange to meet her parents if you can.
4. Schedule a “Meeting Day” with the sitter and your children. Allow them to play and interact together and monitor the result. Try not to be in the same room if you can avoid it, since some young beginning sitters are very self-conscious and may feel awkward having you observe them - especially on their “first day”. Just listen to them and offer suggestions if needed. Pay special attention to how the sitter disciplines the child or transitions them from one activity to the next. Don’t be afraid to step in with tips for the sitter on how you discipline or guide your child, since every mother has a different style of parenting and often, a different set of rules. This ensures that the child knows how to behave no matter who is watching them.
5. From the moment the sitter begins working for you, make sure they understand the “House Rules”. These include things like feeding and bed times as well as Do’s and Don’ts for each child (i.e. no TV until homework is done - no cookies before dinner). You should also add on rules for the sitter to adhere to herself, such as no friends over, no loud music, etc.
Above all, if your child is old enough, make sure they are aware of and understand what abuse is (both physical and verbal), and to tell you right away if the sitter does something to hurt them or make them feel uncomfortable, even if it was only done “in play”. Be cautious and always use your best judgment in any situation. Your children are counting on you!
7 Easy Ways to Get Rid of a Pimple “In a Pinch!”
It’s everyone’s worst nightmare. Waking up the day before a special event to discover a big, red pimple baring itself for all to see right on your face!
Here’s how to get rid of it quickly and safely:
1. Don’t ever pinch, squeeze or pick at a pimple. This only causes it to become more red and inflamed, and will spread the bacteria and oils that caused it in the first place, to other parts of your face! It can also lead to scars.
2. Every 30 minutes, apply an ice pack to the pimple and hold it there for about 2 minutes. This will decrease the swelling and redness and help shrink the inflammation and pain that sometimes comes along with it.
3. They don’t call it concealer for nothing! Covering the pimple with a light dose of flesh-tinted concealer can help mask it when you’re in a hurry. It also helps to cover up that oily shine.
4. Cleanse your skin 2-3 times a day with mild, unscented soap or a specialized acne cleanser that has no harsh chemicals (such as lye). Scrub skin gently with an exfoliating pad or washcloth, but don’t rub too hard, otherwise you’ll sap your skin of its own natural oils, which help to repel buildup naturally.
5. Apply a cream or ointment containing benzyl peroxide or salicylic acid (one of the best I found is Acne Spot Gel) to the blemish or around the entire facial area. Note that these ingredients both have a tendency to dry out skin if used too much and are not recommended if you have sensitive skin.
6. Wear oil-free makeup whenever possible. These types have less of a tendency to cause the pore buildup that results in blemishes. Remove your makeup nightly and cleanse with an acne-fighting medicine to remove dirt, oil and makeup from deep within the skin.
7. If you’re in need of a quick fix, a dab of toothpaste on the affected area right before bed can help soothe irritation and reduce redness. Pressing and holding a wet tea bag or a cotton ball with a dab of lemon juice against the blemish for five minutes can also reduce swelling and redness.
If you follow these tips, chances are you’ll notice a significant difference rather quickly – often within a day or two. If pimples become a recurring problem or worsen, your doctor or dermatologist can suggest a daily skin cleansing routine that will suit your skin type. Other long-term remedies, such as facial masks, diet adjustments and increasing the amount of water you drink can also help combat outbreaks.
