Showing posts with label benefits. Show all posts
Showing posts with label benefits. Show all posts

The Miracle Of Lavender Oil: 25 Amazing Uses For Survival




When it comes to essential oils, you will find that everyone has their favorites.  There are so many to choose from that deciding which ones to use on a regular basis can be rather daunting.  The ultimate selection is further complicated by the fact that many different essential oils have the very same qualities when it comes to healing and other uses. By Gaye Levy, Contributing Writer for Wake Up World.
For me, the deciding factor has been multifold.  Therapeutic benefit, healing ability, fragrance and cost have played a role in determining what to include in my own collection of essential oils.  You already know about two of my favorites, tea tree oil (melaleuca) and clove oil.  Today I would like to introduce you to a third favorite, namely lavender oil.
Lavender was the very first essential oil I purchased when I first became familiar with essential oils in the late 1980s.  As someone who is always getting cuts and scrapes as well as burns from careless cooking techniques, lavender used topically has always been my first aid treatment of choice.  As a natural antibiotic, and antiseptic, it has promoted healing and I truly believe that it has prevented scaring.  It also seemed to calm the frequent migraine headaches that thankfully, I have now outgrown.

What is Lavender?

So what is lavender?  First and foremost, it is a lovely green plant with fragrant purple flowers. It is native to the mountainous zones of the Mediterranean where it grows in sunny, stony habitats. Today, it flourishes throughout southern Europe, Australia, and the United States.  The oil in lavender’s small, blue violet flowers gives the herb its fragrant scent. The flowers are arranged in spirals of 6 – 10 blossoms, forming interrupted spikes above the foliage.
It’s name comes from the Latin lavare, which means “to wash”.  It is believed that lit was first used as a bath additive to help purify the body and spirit in ancient Persia, Greece, and Rome.
Historically, lavender has been used as an antiseptic and as a remedy for anxiety, restlessness, insomnia, depression, headache, upset stomach, and hair loss.  It is a key component in aromatherapy, where the scent is used for both healing and relaxation purposes.

How is it used?

From a prepper’s point of view, lavender has three primary uses, as an antiseptic, a topical anesthetic, and as a sedative.
Antiseptic.  Used alone or in combination with carrier oils, lotions or creams, lavender is used on the skin to treat abrasions, cuts, burns, and inflammatory skin conditions.  Lavender helps promote healing and is one of the few essential oils that can can be safely applied to the skin in it undiluted form.
Topical anesthetic.  As a topical anesthetic and pain reliever, lavender oil can dramatically reduce the sensation of pain from burns and insect bites.







Sedative.  Lavender promotes a sense of calm and relaxation and can assist in combating sleeplessness and insomnia.
Beyond these broad uses, there are also many practical applications of lavender essential oil.  Each of the 25 uses below will foster self-sufficiency not only now, but in a survival situation.  They are presented in no particular order.

25 Uses of Lavender Oil for Survival

1.  First Aid.  Use on burns and scalds to avoid the formation of blisters and decrease the pain.  Also use on minor scrapes to prevent scarring.
2.  Stress and anxiety.  Soothe anxiety and stress with the calming effects of lavender oil.
3.  Sleep aid.  Get some sleep by rubbing some lavender on the bottoms of your feet before going to bed.
4.  Menstrual cramps.  Relieve menstrual cramps by rubbing lavender oil over the cramping area of your abdomen
5.  Headaches.  Rub oil on the temples and forehead.  Also try a combination of peppermint and lavender oil for even greater relief.
6.  Bleeding.  A few drops of  lavender will help stop bleeding on small cuts and wounds.
7.  Chest congestion.  Relieve chest congestion the next time you have a cold or the flu by adding4-6 drops of lavender oil to a bowl of hot water. Place a towel over your head, and inhale the vapor slowly and deeply.  Just be careful that the water is not too hot or you will burn yourself.
8.  Muscle pain, sprains.  Add lavender oil with a carrier oil (such as coconut oil or other vegetable oil) and rub on sprains and muscle pains for soothing relief.  This is a great thing to do at bedtime.
9.  Nocturnal foot and leg cramps.  Before bed, rub lavender oil onto the ball of your foot and on to your big toe.  If you wake up with a cramp or charley horse, rub additional lavender oil on the affected area until the pain is gone.  (I have been doing this for about three weeks now and it is working!)
10.  Insect bites. A drop of lavender oil on insect bites helps relieve the itch and help them to heal more quickly.
11.  Insect repellent.  Add lavender to a carrier oil and rub on to your arms and legs for a great insect repellent.
12.  Remove splinters.  Apply a few drops  of lavender to a splinter.  Wait for it to swell and the pesky splinter will be easy to remove.
13.  Fatigue.  Add a few drops of lavender essential oil to your bath water to relieve fatigue.
14.  Fevers.  Add some drops of lavender oil to a cool washcloth and rub gently on forehead, neck, and trunk are to cool down the body. Alternatively, you can also use lavender in a steam vaporizer to bring the comforting warmth to a chilled body.
15.  Exfoliating hand cleaner and scrub.   Make your own bath scrubs. Use sugar, olive oil, and lavender to create a wonderful exfoliating scrub for rough skin.
16. Ingredient in DIY cleaning products.  Add lavender to Dirt Cheap Soft Soap, your homemade spray cleaner, laundry soap and other DIY cleaning products.  (See Prepper Checklist: DIY Cleaning Supplies.)
17.  Calming children.  Put some oil into a diffuser and place it in a child’s room to help them sleep. Or add oil to a carrier oil and rub on the bottom of their feet anytime you want to calm down your child.
18.  Acne. To reduce the swelling and inflammation of acne and to reduce the risk of an infection that could lead to scarring, add 5 drops lavender oil to 1 teaspoon warm water and stir. Dip a clean cotton ball into the mixture, and hold to the head of the pimple. Repeat as often as desired.
19.  Sunburn.  Treat sunburn by making a soothing skin toner of 2 drops lavender oil with 1/2 cup witch hazel, 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar and 1 tablespoon rosewater. Apply after cleansing.
20.  Footbath.  Footbaths can be a powerful remedy for headaches. The hot water draws blood to your feet, easing the pressure on the blood vessels in your head. Add a few drops of lavender essential oil to a footbath to provides soothing relief for a headache.
21.  Itchy scalp.  Mix lavender oil with water and massage into the scalp. You can also add a few drops to your favorite conditioner after shampooing your hair.
22. Moths.  To repel moths in the closet, make a little sachet of cotton balls doused in lavender oil.  Or if you are lucky enough to grow lavender in your yard, make up a little bundle of dried lavender leaves and flowers to to keep the moths away.
23.  Solvent.  Lavender oil can be used as an organic solvent that will rapidly help remove grease, glues and paint from various surfaces – and all the while with a much more pleasant odor than other chemical solvents.
24.  Air Freshener. Add 5 to 6 drops lavender is a small mason jar.  Add some baking soda then punch holes in the lid. Place in smelly areas (near the garbage can and laundry hamper, for example) and shake the jar often.
25.  Scented candles. Add lavender oil to your homemade emergency candles for a nice calming scent when you need it most.
cutting-lavender-lo

THE FINAL WORD

Essential oils have been a part of my life for close to 25 years. I use them neat (topically applied directly to the skin), as a lotion or cream mixed with coconut oil or other carrier, as a scrub in my hand and foot cleaner and as a component to my DIY cleaning products.  In addition to lavender, I regularly use peppermint, rosemary, tea tree, clove and varying types of citrus with my current favorite being orange.  I also have an abundant supply of both lavender and rosemary in my yard and enjoy their fragrance as I walk up the front stairs to my home.
Shopping for essential oils can be expensive.  Without hesitation I recommend that if you only afford one, make it lavender!
Enjoy your next adventure through common sense and thoughtful preparation!
Gaye




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Myrrh Oil: Benefits Of This Holy Oil




You may have heard of myrrh from Biblical stories, as it's one of the precious gifts (together with gold and frankincense) offered by the three wise men to the newborn Jesus. This valuable element actually has a long history of use, especially in ancient civilizations. Today, myrrh is most commonly known as an essential oil. Keep on reading to learn more about its many benefits.   

What Is Myrrh Oil?

Myrrh oil comes from a dried resin extracted from the Commiphora myrrha tree, which belongs to the Commiphora plant genus.1 Like frankincense, myrrh comes from the Burseraceae plant family.2 Native to Northern Africa and the Middle East, particularly in Somalia, Ethiopia, Arabia, and Yemen, the tree grows up to five meters high, and can be identified by its light bark, knotted branches and small white flowers.3  The word "myrrh" comes from "murr," which means "bitter" in Arabic, probably referring to the resin's bitter taste.
Myrrh was very popular among ancient cultures. The Chinese valued it as a medicine, while Egyptians used it for embalming their pharaohs4 as well as for their sun-worshipping rituals. In fact, myrrh was mentioned in Ebers Papyrus, one of the oldest Egyptian medical texts, dating back to 1550 BC.5 Even the Greek soldiers made use of this resin, bringing it with them to battle to stop their wounds from bleeding.6
To extract myrrh, the bark of the tree is cut, and a yellow sap comes out. This sap dries into reddish-brown, walnut-sized lumps, with a unique sweet and smoky aroma, that are then used to make myrrh oil. Myrrh oil has a golden yellow or brownish color, and a rich, smoky and balsamic aroma.7

Uses of Myrrh Oil

Both myrrh resin and myrrh oil have a long history of medicinal use, valued for their wound-healing properties. Egyptians used myrrh to treat hay fever and heal herpes.8 Myrrh oil has also been used as incense and a holy oil in religious rituals and ceremonies for over 5,000 years.9
Maintaining healthy skin is one of myrrh oil's renowned uses, as it prevents the signs of aging and soothes cracked or chapped skin. This is why it's commonly added to many skin care products today.10
Myrrh oil is also used for:11
  • Adding fragrance for perfumes
  • Embalming
  • Flavoring food products
Myrrh oil is also a valuable aromatherapy oil that can be used for massages, mixed in bathwater, or simply applied on the skin. You can also:
  • Use it as a mouthwash to help eliminate dental infections.
  • Put it in a cold compress to relieve sores and wounds. 
  • Add it to creams and lotions to help relieve skin infections, such as athlete's foot, ringworm, weeping eczema, bedsores, boils, carbuncles, and acne. 

Composition of Myrrh Oil

There are many health-enhancing compounds in myrrh oil, such as terpenoids, a class of chemicals with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.12 It also contains up to 75 percent sesquiterpenes, which are compounds that can affect certain parts of your brain, particularly your hypothalamus, pituitary, and amygdala, which control your emotions and produce many important hormones in your body.13
Other components of myrrh include alpha pinene, cadinene, dipentene, limonene, eugenol, cuminaldehyde, m-cresol, cinnamaldehyde, acetic acid, formic acid, and heerabolene.14, 15

Benefits of Myrrh Oil

Myrrh oil's benefits can be attributed to its powerful antioxidant, antifungal, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, anti-parasitic, expectorant, and antispasmodic properties. This essential oil can help with many health conditions, such as:
  • Respiratory problems - Myrrh oil works well against coughs, colds, and sore throat. It also helps relieve congestion and expel phlegm.
  • Digestive ailments – It promotes digestive health and helps cure problems like stomach upset, diarrhea, dyspepsia, indigestion, flatulence and hemorrhoids.16, 17
  • Gum and mouth diseases – It helps relieve toothache, gingivitis, and mouth ulcers, and also freshens your breath. Myrrh oil is even used as a natural ingredient in mouthwashes and toothpaste.
  • Immune system health - It strengthens and activates your immune system to keep your body protected from infections.
A study conducted by Chinese researchers, published in the Journal of Medicinal Plants Research, also found that extracts made from myrrh resin may be effective against human gynecologic cancer cells.18

How to Make Myrrh Oil

Myrrh oil is traditionally steam-distilled directly from myrrh resin. The oil has a milder and more pleasant smell than the actual resin, although some formulas are a bit strong. You can try making your own myrrh oil infusion at home. Here's what to do:19

Materials:  

Myrrh resin
Olive or any vegetable carrier oil
Glass vial
Mason jar

Procedure:

  1. Put a cup of the oil of your choice into a small saucepan, along with a quarter ounce (or seven grams) of myrrh resin to the oil. Set the heat to low, and allow the mixture to sit for six hours, occasionally stirring it.
  2. Put the oil in a mason jar and put it in a place with direct sunlight, such as by a window, for up to two weeks.
  3. Filter the oil to remove any residues.
  4. Pour the myrrh oil into a glass vial.

How Does Myrrh Oil Work?

Myrrh oil works by preventing infection and putrefaction, which helps clear toxins and promote tissue repair. It also has an expectorant action that make it useful for expelling excess mucus and soothing mucus membranes, which help alleviate respiratory conditions.20 Meanwhile, its calming effects on the mind and body are mostly attributed to the chemical compounds that stimulate the pituitary gland.21
You can use myrrh oil by:
  • Diffusing or inhaling it. You can also add a few drops to hot water and inhale the steam.
  • Applying it topically. Apply it directly on your skin to get its skin rejuvenating and healing properties. You can use it undiluted or mixed with carrier oils. Myrrh oil blends well with lavender, frankincense, sandalwood, and all spice oils.22
  • Taking it internally. Myrrh oil has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to be used as a food additive and flavoring agent. However, I do not advise ingesting it without the supervision of a qualified health care provider. 

Is Myrrh Oil Safe? 

If used in moderation and correct dosage (especially when ingesting it topically), myrrh oil is generally safe for adults. However, as with other essential oils, I advise you to use this oil with caution. 
Myrrh oil is not recommended for pregnant women and nursing moms, as it can induce menstruation and lead to premature labor.23 Children age six and below should also refrain from using this oil. Diabetics and other people suffering from health conditions should also consult their physician before using myrrh oil. 
To make sure that myrrh oil will not have any allergic effects when applied topically, do a skin patch test on your inner arm first.

Side Effects of Myrrh Oil

According to a study24 published in the journal Phytotherapy Research, if myrrh oil is consumed in excessive amounts, it may affect your heart rate and lead to severe heart irregularities. Other possible side effects of myrrh oil include:
  • Lowered blood pressure
  • Uterine bleeding
  • Making a fever worse
  • Diarrhea 
Some people with sensitivities to myrrh oil may also experience allergic contact dermatitis25 when using this oil. This oil may also interfere with anticoagulants, so I advise that you avoid using it orally if you are taking these medications.26




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Frankincense Oil: The King Of Oils




Frankincense has a significant meaning in Christianity, and is believed to be one of the gifts offered by the three wise men to the newborn Jesus. Today, this fragrant resin is transformed into an essential oil that’s valued not only in religious practice, but also in aromatherapy and natural health. Read on to learn more about frankincense oil.  

What Is Frankincense Oil?

 Frankincense, also known as olibanum,1 comes from the Boswellia genustrees, particularly Boswellia sacra and Boswellia carteri. The milky white sap is extracted from the tree bark, allowed to harden into a gum resin for several days, and then scraped off in tear-shaped droplets.2
Boswellia trees grow in African and Arabian regions, including Yemen, Oman, Somalia, and Ethiopia.3 Oman is the best known and most ancient source of frankincense, where it’s been traded and shipped to other places like the Mediterranean, India, and China for thousands of years.4
The highest-quality frankincense is clear and silvery, but with a slight green tinge. Brown-yellow varieties are the cheapest and most readily available. In Oman, the best frankincense is usually reserved for the sultan and is rarely shipped out of the country.5
Frankincense is traditionally burned as incense, and was charred and ground into a powder to produce the heavy kohl eyeliner used by Egyptian women. Today, this resin is steam-distilled to produce an aromatic essential oil with many benefits. 
Frankincense oil has a woody, earthy, spicy, and slightly fruity aroma, which is calming and relaxing. It’s said to be sweeter, fresher, and cleaner than frankincense resin.6   

Uses of Frankincense Oil

Frankincense oil has long been revered in the Middle East, where it’s been used in religious ceremonies as an anointing oil for thousands of years. It is also a popular ingredient in cosmetics, and has even been found in the remains of Anglo-Saxons and ancient Egyptians.7
I believe that frankincense oil is one of the top essential oils you can use for your health. It’s known for its comforting properties, and is useful for visualizing, improving one’s spiritual connection, and helping overcome stress and despair.8
 In aromatherapy, frankincense oil is either inhaled or diffused via a vaporizer – a very effective sedative that induces a feeling of mental peace, relaxation, and satisfaction, and helps relieve anxiety, anger, and stress.9  
Frankincense oil promotes healthy cell regeneration and keeps existing cells and tissues healthy. It’s useful for skin health, and can help treat dry skin, reverse signs of aging, and reduce the appearance of stretch marks and scars.10 Frankincense oil’s astringent properties help:11
  • Strengthen gums and hair roots
  • Stop wounds from bleeding
  • Speed up the healing of cuts, acne, insect bites, and boils

Composition of Frankincense Oil

The main components of frankincense oil are ketonic alcohol (olibanol), resinous matters (30 to 60 percent) and terpenes such as a-and p-pinene, camphene, dipentene, and phellandrene.12 It also contains alpha pinene, actanol, bornyl acetate, linalool, octyl acetate, incensole, and incensyl acetate.13
The monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes are the most valuable elements of frankincense oil.  According to the book Reference Guide for Essential Oils by Connie and Alan Higley, monoterpenes help prevent and discharge toxins from your liver and kidneys, and have antiseptic, antibacterial, stimulating, analgesic (weak), and expectorant properties.14 Meanwhile, sesquiterpenes can go beyond the blood-brain barrier and simulate the limbic system of your brain, as well as your hypothalamus, and pineal and pituitary glands.15

Benefits of Frankincense Oil

The health benefits of frankincense oil are mostly attributed to its anti-inflammatory, astringent, antiseptic, disinfectant, digestive, diuretic, and expectorant properties. It also has cicatrisant, carminative, cytophylactic, emenagogue, uterine, and vulnerary effects. 
Frankincense oil is considered a tonic, as it benefits all the systems operating in the body, including the digestive, respiratory, nervous, and excretory systems. It also aids the absorption of nutrients and strengthens your immune system.16Frankincense oil has been found useful for certain health conditions, such as:
  • Arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) – Research by Cardiff University scientists found that frankincense can inhibit the production of key inflammatory molecules, helping prevent the breakdown of the cartilage tissue that causes these conditions.17
    • In addition, Indian frankincense or boswellin, also a member of the Boswellia genus, has been found to significantly reduce inflammation in animal studies. It is actually one of my personal favorites, as I have seen it work well as a natural painkiller for many of my former rheumatoid arthritis(RA) patients. 
  • Colds and respiratory disorders – Frankincense oil can break up phlegm deposits in your respiratory tract and lungs, and can relieve bronchitis-related congestion.18
  • Oral health problems – The antiseptic qualities of this oil can help prevent bad breath, cavities, toothaches, mouth sores, and other infections.19
  • Digestive disorders – Frankincense oil speeds up the secretion of gastric juices, bile, and acids, and stimulates peristaltic motion to allow food to move properly through your intestines.20
  • Uterine health – Frankincense oil regulates estrogen production in women and reduces the risk of post-menopause tumor or cyst formation in the uterus (uterine cancer). It also regulates the menstrual cycle of premenopausal women.21
Frankincense is also being studied for its potential to treat cancer. Scientists have observed that there’s an agent in this oil that not only stops cancer from spreading, but also induces cancerous cells to close themselves down.22

How to Make Frankincense Oil

 Frankincense oil is made by steam-distilling the raw resin. When buying frankincense oil, make sure that you only choose 100 percent pure essential oil of the highest quality. 
Also, do not confuse frankincense essential oil with fragrance oil. Essential oils come from plants, while fragrance oils are usually artificially created and often contain synthetic chemicals. Although they smell good and are typically less expensive, fragrance oils do not give you the therapeutic benefits of organic essential oils.23

How Does Frankincense Oil Work?

The effects and benefits of frankincense oil can be acquired by applying it topically, inhaling it using a diffuser or vaporizer, or ingesting it in very small amounts.24 For pain relief, simply massage the oil onto the affected areas. Meanwhile, using a diffuser or inhaler works for treating colds and clearing up respiratory blockages. You can also sprinkle a few drops on a clean cloth and inhale the scent, or add it to your bathwater for a rejuvenating soak.25  
Frankincense oil can be directly applied to the skin or blended with other carrier oils such as jojoba, sweet almond, avocado, patchouli, rosemary, clary sage, citrus, and basil oils. 

Is Frankincense Oil Safe? 

 Yes, frankincense is generally safe. However, I advise doing a spot test first, to check if you have any sensitivity to this oil. 
When taking frankincense oil internally, it’s best to dilute a drop in an edible carrier oil (like coconut oil), a teaspoon of honey, or a glass of purified water or any non-acidic, non-dairy beverage.26 You can also put a drop or two under your tongue.27However, ingesting this oil is not recommended for children ages six and below. Older children and teens may also require higher dilutions. 

Side Effects of Frankincense Oil 

There are no reported severe side effects of using this oil.28 However, in some rare cases, frankincense oil can cause skin rashes, gastrointestinal distress, such as nausea, stomach pain, and hyperacidity. It also has blood thinning effects, and may increase the risk of abnormal bleeding in people with a bleeding disorder or taking anticoagulant medications.29
Frankincense essential oil is also not recommended for pregnant women and nursing moms, as it acts as an emenagogue and may induce menstruation, which may be dangerous for an unborn fetus.30



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