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Pumpkin: Don't Waste - Make Paste!

11/20/2012

Enzyme-based exfoliation uses natural enzymes to melt the bonds that hold dead cells on the skin. Safe for most skin types- including sensitive- enzymes provide gentle exfoliation with minimal irritation. The bight orange you see on a pumpkin is due to a high concentration of beta carotene. This antioxidant has been found to protect cells (skin cells too!) against degeneration, certain types of cancer and heart disease. As if this wasn’t reason enough to try a pumpkin facial, it turns out pumpkins are also high in Vitamin C which has been proven to provide free radical protection, boost collagen production, and fade unwanted pigment as well. Pumpkin is also full of Vitamin A and are deeply nourishing and moisturizing to the skin.

Here is a simple Pumpkin Facial recipe we recommend, but feel free to experiment with your own concoction!:

1) Beat one egg and 1/4 cup of pumpkin in a bowl together. (You can blend the pumpkin if desired to make it creamier)

2)Add a Quarter size amount of honey for dry skin or add 2 tablespoons of tomato juice for oily skin.
3) Add 1/2 tsp of ground cinnamon. Stir.

Gently apply to skin and leave on for 15 to 20 minutes, then rinse off with luke warm water.

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Wintergreen Essential Oil

11/7/2012

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As a medicinal herb wintergreen has numerous functions. The herb is robustly anti-inflammatory, has anti-septic properties and is comforting to the digestive system. Wintergreen is also an efficient medication to heal rheumatic and arthritic problems. The oil extracted from wintergreen leaves is used as a cream or ointment and applied externally to get relief from pains and spasms. Wintergreen oil relaxes irritating, engorged or aching muscles, ligaments and body joints. It has also been found to be useful in curing neurological conditions like sciatica.

Wintergreen Essential Oil contains 85-99% of methyl salicylate, the same component of aspirin. Thirty ml (about an ounce) of wintergreen oil is equivalent to about 171 adult aspirin tablets or about 60 grams of aspirin. All over the world people use the wintergreen as it forms the base of the aspirin group of medicines and hence it is easy to understand why wintergreen is so effective in alleviating pains and inflammation in different body parts. This also explains why the herb is a useful medication in treating rheumatism with its cortisone-like effects that can relieve pain quickly. American settlers also used it to cure headache, muscle pains and colds. These days, herbalists world over suggest the external application of wintergreen oil to alleviate excruciating swellings owing to injuries as well as to heal swellings and irritations of the joints and the muscles.

Earlier, wintergreen was also used to add essence to candies, cough drops as well as toothpastes. Incidentally, the practice still continues as many such products available in the market suggest the usage of wintergreen extracts even today. However, over the years, the herb has mostly been substituted by synthetic substances. Therefore, these days it is only animals like the deer and the partridge that thrive on the original evergreen herb as it serves as their staple food during the winter months.

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Health Benefits of Clove Essential Oil

11/2/2012

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The health benefits of clove oil can be attributed to its antimicrobial, anti-fungal, antiseptic, antiviral, aphrodisiac and stimulating properties. The oil is used for treating a variety of health disorders including toothaches, indigestion, cough, asthma, headache, stress and blood impurities.

Clove is an evergreen tree, which produces a flower bud that has numerous medicinal properties. It is often referred as clove bud. Clove bud has a shaft and a head and hence it has the Latin name clavus meaning nail. Clove was extensively used in the ancient Indian and Chinese civilizations and it spread to other parts of the world, including Europe, during the seventh and eight centuries.

Clove is rich in minerals such as calcium, hydrochloric acid, iron, phosphorous, sodium, potassium, and vitamin A and vitamin C. The health benefits of clove oil include the following:

Dental Care: The most prominent use of clove oil is in dental care. The germicidal properties of the oil make it very effective for relieving dental pain, tooth ache, sore gums and mouth ulcers. Clove oil contains the compound eugenol, which has been used in dentistry since numerous years. Gargles with diluted clove oil help in easing the throat. The characteristic smell of clove oil helps in removing bad breath. Clove is also effective against cavities. Traditionally, in India, clove oil was added to a small cotton ball and put at the end of the tooth which has cavity daily before sleeping. The cavity would vanish in a few days. As a result, clove oil is added to numerous dental products and medications, including, mouth wash and tooth pastes. Dentists also mix clove oil with zinc oxide and prepare a white filling material as a temporary alternative to root canal. Take care, clove oil is very strong and can cause burns to your mouth.

Infections: Due to its antiseptic properties, clove oil is useful for wound, cuts, scabies, athlete’s foot, fungal infections, bruises, prickly heat, etc. It can also be used for treating insect bites and stings. Clove oil is very strong in nature and hence should be used in diluted form. Further, it should not be used on sensitive skin.

Skin Care: Clove oil is often recommended for skin care, especially to acne patients.

Stress: Clove oil is aphrodisiac in nature and hence serves as an excellent stress reliever. It has a stimulating effect on the mind and removes mental exhaustion and fatigue. When taken internally, in appropriate amounts, it refreshes the mind. Clove oil also induces sleep and is helpful to insomnia patients. It is useful for treating mental problems such as loss of memory, depression and anxiety.

Headache: Clove oil when mixed with salt, and applied on the forehead, gives a cooling effect and helps in getting relief from headache.

Respiratory Problems: Clove oil has a cooling and anti inflammatory effect, and thereby clears the nasal passage. This expectorant is useful in various respiratory disorders including coughs, colds, bronchitis, asthma, sinusitis, and tuberculosis. Chewing a clove bud eases sore throats.

Earache: A mixture of warm clove oil and sesame oil is a good remedy for earaches.

Indigestion: Clove oil is effective in stomach related problems such as hiccups, indigestion, motion sickness, and flatulence. Hence, clove one of the important spices added in Indian dishes.

Nausea: Clove oil is helpful in case of nausea and vomiting and is often used for pregnancy related vomiting.

Blood Circulation: Clove oil is increases your body metabolism by increasing blood circulation and reducing body temperature.

Blood Purification: Clove oil also helps in purifying the blood.

Diabetes: Along with blood purification, clove oil also helps in controlling the blood sugar levels and hence is useful to diabetics.

Immune System: Both clove and clove oil are useful for boosting the immune system. Its antiviral properties and ability to purify blood increases your resistance to diseases.

Premature Ejaculation: Research has indicated that clove can be useful for treating premature ejaculation. Further research needs to be carried out to confirm these results.

Cholera: It is believed that clove oil is useful for treating cholera.

Sty: Clove and clove oil is a very effective home remedy for treating sty. Sty is an inflammation on the eyelash and is a very irritating condition. Sty is not only painful, but also causes difficulty in the proper functioning of the eye.

Be careful while using clove oil. Clove oil is strong in nature and hence should be diluted before application.

Therapeutic uses:

Airborne bacteria, arthritis, asthma, bad breath, bronchitis, burns and cuts, chest infections, colds and chills, diarrhea, exhaustion, flu, muscle pain or spasms, nausea, toothache, rheumatism, stress, tired limbs and warts.

Essential Oil Applications:

To fight against airborne bacteria, use 2-3 drops in a diffuser.

For arthritis, muscle spasms, and rheumatism, add 1 drop to 1 ounce of carrier oil and massage on affected areas.

For asthma, bronchitis, chest infections, and other respiratory problems, use 2-3 drops in a steam inhalation. Can also use a few drops in a diffuser.

For burns, cuts, and warts, mix 2-3 drops to 1 ounce of carrier oil and dab on affected area.

For colds, chills, and flu, add 2-3 drops to 1 ounce of carrier oil and massage on chest.

To help with diarrhea, use 2-3 drops in 1 ounce of carrier oil and massage on lower back and abdomen.

To help alleviate exhaustion, stress, and to strengthen mental function, add 2-3 drops in a diffuser. Can also add 2-3 drops to 1 ounce of carrier oil and massage on body.

As a mouthwash to help knock out bad breath, dilute in water or clear alcohol (1% clove oil). Swish in mouth, spit out, and rinse with water.

For toothache, put 2-3 drops on a cotton swab and place directly on tooth. Can also add 1 drop to 1 ounce of carrier oil, and massage into jaw line.

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Pumpkin: Don't Waste - Make Paste!

Wintergreen Essential Oil

Health Benefits of Clove Essential Oil

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