Showing posts with label essential oils. Show all posts
Showing posts with label essential oils. Show all posts

Thursday, March 29, 2012

The Benefits of Sage


The Benefits of Sage

This versatile plant has up to 2.8% volatile oils comprising various condensed tannins, flavonoids, and oestrogenic substances. In fact, it's healing properties have been known dating back to antiquity. In fact, its Latin name, Salvia officinalis, with the "Salvia" specifically, means "to save." In centuries past, it was thought to render men immortal.

In ancient times the sage extract was so prized, the Chinese traded with the Dutch three times the amount of their best tea in exchange for European sage herb. So, what are its benefits?

Its oestrogenic properties render it useful for treating hot flushes endemic to menopause
It is a wonderful remedy when taken as a hot infusion for colds.
Sage herb is a digestive stimulant inducing the expulsion of gas from the stomach and intestines.

Sage extract has the remarkable ability to stop sweating.

According to Sage herb improves brain function, including memory. Alzheimer's disease, for example, is accompanied by an increase of AChE activity leading to depletion of cholinergic and noncholinergic neurons of the brain. Sage inhibits AChE activity. Perhaps there is a reason why one who is wise is a "sage" and one who uses sage.
It has robust anti-inflammatory qualities helping rheumatoid arthritis sufferers.

Sage helps a debilitated nervous system.

When sage tea or sage extract is combined with cider vinegar, it has been found helpful as a gargle for sore throats, tonsillitis, and even laryngitis. It's even used as a mouthwash showing its antibacterial capabilities by helping infected gums, mouth ulcers, and cold sores.

In summary, sage has been shown in clinical studies to have antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral effects -- no wonder ancients like the Romans, Greeks, Arabs, and Mediterraneans thought it capable of promoting immortality.
Sage Extract Precautions

Don't use sage herb extract for more than a week at a time. After taking a few days interruption, you can begin taking it again. NOTE: Medical practitioners warn pregnant women should not take the sage herb as a medicinal agent (small trace amounts in culinary dishes has small amounts to be harmless).

Nursing women as well as sage has the reputation of actually stanching the flow of breast milk. If you have any questions, at all as to its safety, we advise you to consult with your physician.

Tips on Choosing Sage Herb Supplements

1. Seek only standardized sage extract. Standardized extracts have the highest potency of active ingredients, where the herb's benefits are derived.

2. The supplements should be produced at pharmaceutical standard GMP registered facilities. Facilities that are GMP registered comply with the most rigid standards so as to minimize the possibility of contaminants. Nutritional supplements are not regulated by FDA and as such fraud is rampant with many so-called supplements containing contaminants with 1 in 5 not having the ingredients as proclaimed on the label!

3. Ensure the supplement manufacturer has a Certificate of Analysis (COA) on file for review by you the customer thus confirming the potency of the herbal ingredients listed on the label.

Recommended Sage Extract Supplement

After much research, we came across a company that meets these requirement, offering GMP compliant products. They are based in New Zealand, which has one of the strictest regulatory requirements for dietary supplement manufacturing in the world. In fact, their standards exceed the FDA's regulatory requirements. Their flagship multivitamin supplement for women product which contains sage herb extract, is scientifically formulated containing vitamins, minerals, trace and specialty minerals, and nutrient-rich enzymes.

This product is a one-of-a-kind nutraceutical engineered exclusively for women. This vitamin supplement for women (there is a men's version as well as a unisex version) has vital nutrients necessary for good woman's health; the sage herb is a powerful medicinal qualities needed by every women today. Incidentally, we've been taking this supplement for more than a year now and can attest to its benefits.

I've experience greater energy, better sleep, increased cognitive functions, and overall better health.

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Essential Oil Therapies: Frankincense

FRANKINCENSE - Also known as "olibanum," it has been used in religious ceremonies for thousands of years.


Suggested Uses:
  1. Rub on temples or place a drop on tongue and push to roof of mouth to relieve stress and sadness.
  2. Diffuse to increase spiritual awareness and uplift the spirit.
  3. Diffuse or inhale directly to stimulate the limbic system of the brain (memory and emotional center).
  4. Take as a dietary supplement for immune stimulation.
  5. Rub on skin to decrease signs of wrinkles, lighten age spots, decrease inflammation of acne and boils.
  6. Rub around orbit of the eye for improved vision.

Essential Oil Therapies: Lemon

(Citrus limon) has antiseptic-like properties and contains compounds that have been studied for their effects on immune function. It may serve as an insect repellent and may be beneficial for the skin. CAUTION: Citrus oils should NOT be applied to skin that will be exposed to direct sunlight or ultraviolet light within 72 hours. Use 6 drops of Lemon oil and 6 drops of Purification oil in a squirt bottle mixed with distilled water to use in the bathroom as an air freshener.
Suggested Uses:
  1. Use 1-2 drops of Lemon oil to remove gum, oil, grease spots or crayon.
  2. Use 1 drop of Lemon oil to add flavor to baked goods or beverages.
  3. For homemade lemonade, in a blender mix 2 drops of Lemon oil, 2 tablespoons of honey and two cups of pure water. Adjust the amount of each ingredient to suit your own taste.
  4. Rub a drop of Lemon oil on a corn, callous or bunion mornings and evenings.
  5. To clean and increase the shelf life of fresh fruit, fill a bowl with cool water and 2-3 drops of Lemon oil. Drop your cleaned fruit into the water and stir. Be sure all surfaces of the fruit contact the lemon water.
  6. Add 2-3 drops of Lemon oil to water and spray counter tops to sterilize them.
  7. Soak your dishcloth overnight in a bowl of water and a drop of Lemon oil to disinfect and kill germs.
  8. Add a drop of Lemon oil to your dishwasher before the wash cycle.
  9. Rub a drop of Lemon oil on your hands after using a public bathroom..
  10. Use a paper towel soaked with several drops of Lemon oil to sanitize bathroom fixtures.
  11. Place a drop of Lemon oil on cold sores, herpes or other mouth ulcers to lessen pain and aid healing.
  12. Put a drop of Lemon oil on bleeding gums caused by gingivitis or tooth extraction.
  13. Put a drop of Lemon oil on oily skin or acne to balance sebaceous glands (oil glands).
  14. Rub several drops of Lemon oil on cellulite to improve circulation and help eliminate waste from the cells.
  15. Rub two drops of Lemon oil topically to clear athlete's foot.
  16. Rub several drops of Lemon oil on varicose veins to improve circulation and relieve pressure on the veins.
  17. Rub a drop of Lemon oil on a wart morning and night until it disappears.
  18. Rub a drop of Lemon oil to clean a butcher's block or other cutting surfaces.
  19. Put 10-15 drops of Lemon oil in each gallon of carpet cleaning solution to help pull out stains and brighten the rug. This also leaves a fresh smell in the room.

Essential Oil Therapies: Lavendar

(Lavandula angustifolia) is the most versatile of all essential oils. Therapeutic-grade lavender has been highly regarded for the skin. Lavender has been clinically evaluated for its relaxing effects. It may be used to cleanse cuts, bruises and skin irritations. The fragrance is calming, relaxing and balancing -- physically and emotionally.


Suggested Uses:

  1. Rub Lavender oil on the feet for a calming effect on the body.
  2. Rub a drop of Lavender oil on your palms and smooth on your pillow to help you sleep.
  3. Put a drop of Lavender oil on a bee sting or insect bite to stop itching and reduce swelling.
  4. Put 2-3 drops of Lavender oil on a minor burn to decrease pain.
  5. Drop Lavender oil on a cut to stop the bleeding.
  6. Mix several drops of Lavender oil with V-6 Vegetable Mixing Oil and use topically on eczema and dermatitis.
  7. To alleviate the symptoms of motion sickness, place a drop of Lavender oil on the end of the tongue or around the naval or behind the ears.
  8. To stop a nosebleed, put a drop of Lavender oil on a tissue and wrap it around a small chip of ice. Push the tissue covered ice chip up under the middle of the top lip to the base of the nose and hold as long as comfortable or until the bleeding stops (do not freeze the lip or gum).
  9. Rub a drop of Lavender oil over the bridge of the nose to unblock tear ducts.
  10. Rub Lavender oil on dry or chapped skin.
  11. Rub a drop of Lavender oil on chapped or sunburned lips.
  12. To reduce or minimize the formation of scar tissue, massage Lavender oil on and around the affected area.
  13. Rub 2 - 4 drops of Lavender oil over the armpit area to act as a deodorant.
  14. Rub a drop of Lavender oil between your palms and inhale deeply to help alleviate the symptoms of hay fever.
  15. Rub several drops of Lavender oil into the scalp to help eliminate dandruff.
  16. Place a few drops of Lavender oil on a cotton ball and place in your linen closet to scent the linens and repel moths and insects.
  17. Place a drop of Lavender oil in your water fountain to scent the air, kill bacteria and prolong the time between cleanings.
  18. Place a few drops of Lavender oil on a wet cloth and throw into the dryer, which will deodorize and freshen your laundry.
  19. Put a drop of Lavender oil on a cold sore.
  20. Diffuse Lavender oil to alleviate the symptoms of allergies.
  21. Spritz several drops of Lavender oil mixed with distilled water on a sunburn to decrease pain.
  22. Drop Lavender oil on a cut to clean the wound and kill bacteria.
  23. Apply 2-3 drops of Lavender oil to a rash to stop the itching and heal the skin.