So What's The Rave About: PEPPERMINT OIL

Hola Chicas/Chicos..I pray all is well with everyone.

Ok, today we are discussing one of my absolute favorite essential oils..Peppermint Oil. It has so many wonderful benefits and uses, from hair to skin to overall health. And yes, it is the minty goodness that you smell and taste in peppermint candy.

The modern peppermint plant is actually a hybrid of two original wild plants - water mint and spearmint - and has stronger medicinal properties than either of the two originals. It is sometimes revered as the world's oldest medicine because of its use in treatment of illness throughout history.

So now I present the wonderful benefits and uses of Peppermint Oil.

Peppermint Oil..The Internal Edition:

• Digestion: Peppermint oil helps to alleviate gas pain in many users. It also helps to calm nausea and stomach upset.
• Oral Health: Peppermint oil helps to eliminate germs in the mouth and on the teeth. This oil can also help freshen bad breath. All it takes for this is one drop of Peppermint Oil on your tongue and voila!!! Please be advised, the oil is concentrated so it is very strong.
• Respiratory Health: Peppermint oil contains menthol, which helps to loosen phlegm and relieves symptoms of colds, asthma and other respiratory conditions.
• Pain Relief: Peppermint Oil is known to be a wonderful aid in ridding the body of headache and muscle ache. I use it whenever I have a headache. I combine 3-5 drops of Peppermint Oil to a carrier oil (olive oil, coconut oil, grapeseed oil) and apply to my wrist and lay back and relax and inhale deeply and relax while my headache eases away. You can also apply a couple of drops to your head to relieve your headache. Adding Peppermint Oil to a homemade massage oil is an excellent way to rid the body of aches and pains, due to its ability to relax and soothe muscles.
• Healthy Immune System: Peppermint oil can make the immune system stronger and healthier which may help prevent disease from occuring.
• Improves Circulation: Peppermint Oil opens the blood vessels as it relaxes the muscle, making it easier for blood to flow more efficiently.
• Urinary Tract Infection: Peppermint oil can be used for treating urinary tract infection (UTI).
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome: The muscle relaxing property of peppermint oil has been found to ease irritable bowel syndrome.
• Stress: Like most other essential oils, peppermint is able to provide relief from stress, depression and mental exhaustion due to its refreshing nature. It is also effective against anxiety and restlessness.
• Hot Flushes: Breathe in the aroma of peppermint oil for about five minutes. You’ll cool off quickly
• Congestion: Got a stuffy nose from a cold, flu, or allergies? Place a drop of peppermint oil on the tongue and inhale to relieve congestion, or put a few drops in a bowl of warm water with the same number of drops of eucalyptus oil, for a natural decongestant.
• Tired/Sore Feet: Mix a few drops of peppermint oil in a warm foot bath to relieve sore, hot, swollen or over-used feet.

Peppermint Oil..The Skin Edition

• Poison Ivy: For poison ivy or poison oak rash, apply Peppermint Oil to soothe the itching.
• Acne: Adding Peppermint Oil to your facial wash, toner or moisturizer, or just adding a few drops to a carrier oil such as grapeseed or jojoba oil is a great way to rid the skin of acne. Peppermint Oil also improves a dull complexion. Using Peppermint based soaps helps to prevent bacterial and fungal skin infections.
• Athlete's Foot: Peppermint Oil's antibacterial properties helps to relieve athlete's foot when mixed with a base oil or aloe vera.
• Cellulite: You can also reduce cellulite lines by rubbing a mixture of peppermint oil mixed with a base into the effected area.

Peppermint Oil..The Hair Edition

• Oily Scalp: Peppermint oil is actually an astringent which normalizes your scalp's oil production. An oily scalp produces excess oil which is then distributed throughout the hair; that creates greasy, oiled hair. Peppermint oil eliminates this problem and makes the appearance of greasy, flat hair a thing of the past.
• Dry Scalp: Because of its PH balancing qualities, peppermint oil can also be used to treat the opposite problem: dry scalp and dandruff. And since the oil will be neutralizing the dryness on the scalp itself, it will take away any itching sensation associated with this social nightmare.
• Moisturizer: Peppermint oil is frequently used as a moisturizer for the hair shaft. All you have to do is distribute a generous amount evenly throughout your hair. Wrap hair up in a shower cap or thin towel. Place a heated towel on top. Let the heat from the outer towel penetrate through your hair for twenty to thirty minutes. You may then reap the benefits of moisture rich hair. I have added it as one of the many wonderful ingredients in my Natty Butter. I also use it in my moisturizing spritz.
  
• Hair Growth: The tingling sensation mentioned above not only evens the playing field of the PH balance of your scalp, but it also stimulates your hair follicles and promotes hair growth.

Peppermint Oil..Other Uses:

• Paint fume fix: Mix half of a small bottle of peppermint oil into a gallon of paint to dispel the fumes.
• Remove a tick: Apply a drop of peppermint oil to the tick and it will unlatch itself from the host, without leaving its head behind (a risk if you just pull at a tick)

Happy Minty Health!

Always dilute any essential oil with a carrier oil. This information is not to serve as a medical substitute. Always seek professional medical advice before using.

credits: www.hubpages.com

Essential Oils..True Nature Can't Be Duplicated

Hola Chicas/Chicos..I pray all is blessed. Essential Oils..we've have heard of them, know them or use them in some fashion. Whether for therapeutic properties or for aromatherapy, we can all agree that there is spiritual goodness in these marvelous oils.

Essential Oils were mankind's first medicine. From African hieroglyphics and Chinese writings, we know that priests and physicians have been using Essential Oils for thousands of years. There are essentially 188 references to Essential Oils in the Bible. Oils such as, frankincense, myrrh, rosemary, hyssop, spikenard were used for anointing and healing the sick. In the book of Exodus, The Most High gave Moses a recipe of Myrrh, Sweet Cinnamon, Cassia, Sweet Calamus, Olive Oil as a holy anointing oil. How amazing would that have been to grace your presence with that oil??

It is interesting to know the chemical components that nature combines to make up the oils, but it is also humbling to take note of the fact that even with the best human efforts, should you in a laboratory combine all the chemicals in the correct proportions, you would still not have an identical oil...sorry scientists. Such a copy of an oil will not have the same therapeutic effect as the natural and pure essential oil. And though we pride ourselves on being a technology advanced society, modern science still can not unlock the secrets of essential oils and why they can do what they do.

If you for instance took all the correct chemical components, which will include lavandulol, borneol, terpineol, geraniol and linalol, and try to make up lavender essential oil in a laboratory, you will not have an oil that can successfully treat burns the way that true lavender oil can.

Producing the purest of oils can be very costly because it may require several hundred pounds, or even several thousand pounds of plant material to extract one pound of pure essential oil. For example, one pound of pure melissa oil sells for $9,000-$15,000. Although this sounds quite expensive, one must realize that three tons of plant material are required to produce that single pound of oil. Because the vast majority of all oils produced in the world today are used by the perfume industry, the oils are being purchased for their aromatic qualities only. High pressure, high temperatures, rapid processing and the use of chemical solvents are often employed during the distillation process so that a greater quantity of oil can be produced at a faster rate. These oils may smell just as good and cost much less, but will lack most, if not all, of the chemical constituents necessary to produce the expected therapeutic results.

Benefits of Nature..Essential Oils:

• Essential Oils are powerful antioxidants. Antioxidants create an unfriendly environment for free radicals. They prevent all mutations, work as free radical scavengers, prevent fungus and prevent oxidation in cells.
• Essential oils are anti-bacterial, anti cancerous, anti-fungal, anti infectious, anti microbial, anti tumorous, anti parasitic, anti viral, and antiseptic. They have been known to destroy all tested bacteria and viruses while simultaneously restoring balance to the body.
• Essential oils may detoxify the cells and blood in the body.
• Essential oils are aromatic. When diffused they provide air purification.
• Essential oils help promote emotional, physical and spiritual healing.

Excellent Essential Oils:

Peppermint Oil
Tea Tree Oil
Lavender Oil
Ylang Ylang
Rosemary
Eucalyptus
Vanilla
Cinnamon
Ginger
Dandelion
Lemon
Lemongrass
Sweet Orange
Cardamom
Caraway
Clove
Basil
Thyme
Grapefruit Seed

Bergamot

So, bottom line, as advanced as we are in regards to technology, there are just some things in nature that cannot be duplicated...Now, that's the BEAUTY of O'Natural.

Happy Health Day!!

credits: info found at www.essentialoils.co.za

Let's Talk Hair: Essential Oils and HAIR GROWTH

Greetings Chicas/Chicos..ok, so finally a topic on hair growth. Specifically catered to Essential Oils and how they help our hair to grow strong, healthy and shiny. Now many of us know that Essential Oils have therapeutic properties that range from antibacterial to antiviral to antiseptic, but some of us had no idea that they aid in helping hair growth. I can say that from my personal experience, I have noticed a significant difference in how quickly my hair has grown, how strong my hair is, how shiny and thick it is and less shedding I have due to the addition of tons of Essential Oils added to my store bought conditioners to my homemade concoctions. Especially in the nape area..or as many of know it as, 'the kitchen'. I have never, since I have been relaxed had my nape area the same length as the rest of my hair and I could never understand why...now, no 'kitchen' and my nape area is the same length as the rest of my hair..yay!

Essential Oils can help with hair because some of these oils have the ability to lengthen the anagen phase. Well, what exactly is the anagen phase? The anagen phase is the stage of 'active hair growth'. Essential Oils also work to nourish the follicle and stimulate circulation, correct scalp issues and promote rapid hair cell renewal. So, of course, all these great things paired together helps our hair to grow healthy and strong.

Adding Essential Oils:

• Shampoo/Conditioner: Add 2-3 drops of your favorite Essential Oil to 1 TBSP of shampoo or conditioner for an added treat.
• Hot Oil Treat: Add 1-2 drops to 1/4 cup of warm Coconut and Grapeseed Oil for a hot oil treatment.
• Scalp Massage: Add 5-10 drops of Essential Oil to 1/4 cup of Jojoba Oil for a wonderful scalp massage. Scalp massages are great for stimulating circulation which promotes hair growth. As an added bonus, it is a great stress relief.

Essential Oils Beneficial To Hair Growth:

• Burdock Root Essential Oil
• Rosemary Essential Oil
• Clary Sage Essential Oil
• Tea Tree Essential Oil
• Basil Essential Oil
• Peppermint Oil
• Bay Leaf Essential Oil
• Lavender Essential Oil

Where to buy Essential Oils: Local herb shop or health food store. www.rosemountainherbs.com

Happy Healthy Hair

credits: some info at www.themoptopmaven.com

So What's The Rave About: TEA TREE OIL

Ahhh, the wonderful Tea Tree Oil, also known as Melaluca. If it were truly up to me, tea tree oil would be in every shampoo, conditioner and skin care product, because it has so many wonderful benefits. Tea Tree Oil is a natural antibacterial disinfectant. It is a light yellow oil with a smell similar to nutmeg. Because of its wonderful properties, Tea Tree Oil is a natural agent for curing all three types of infectious organisms: viral, fungal and bacterial. Before I get into the wonderful benefits that this oil has on the hair and scalp, let me first cover the amazing benefits it has overall.

The Benefits of Tea Tree Oil:

• Acne Treatment: Due to its bacterial and fungal properties. Here are some natural mixtures to use for acne flare ups: Tea Tree Oil/ Aloe Vera Gel. Combine 1 TSP of Aloe Vera Gel to 2 drops of Tea Tree Oil and dab on infected area. You can leave overnight or rinse after 20 minutes. You can also add Tea Tree Oil to your Oil Cleanser mixture and to your natural toner for added benefits. Tea Tree Oil is as effective as benzoyl peroxide, however, it is not as harsh nor as drying...but it does take a little longer to work.
• Boils and Carbuncles: Tea Tree Oil speeds up the healing process and relieves discomfort. Here is a wonderful application of using Tea Tree Oil for Boils and Carbuncles: Just dab a cotton swab into your Tea Tree Oil and apply to the infected area several times per day.
• Toenail Fungus: Due to its antifungal properties, Tea Tree Oil is extremely helpful in curing toenail infections. Tea Tree Oil for Toenail Infections: Simply apply 1 to 2 drops of Tea Tree Oil directly onto the infected toenail and rub it in and around the tip of the nail, 2 times per day.
• Warts: Treat warts by applying pure Tea Tree Oil 3 times per day. Yo can also continue treatment for 6 weeks after the wart was gone or it may return.
• Bad Breathe, Inflamed Gums and Plaque: Tea Tree Oil, when used as a mouth wash, acts as a natural cure for bad breathe, gingivitis, plaque and inflamed gums. It also kills mouth bacteria prior to dental surgery and reduces mouth irritation caused by dental procedures. Tea Tree Oil Mouth wash: Add 3 drops of Tea Tree Oil to a cup of warm water and use as a mouthwash 2 to 3 times daily. be sure not to swallow. You may also add 1 drop of the oil to your toothpaste as you brush.
• Yeast Infections: Tea Tree Oil is an effective use for yeast infections when used as a douche. Tea Tree Oil Douche: Combine 1 TSP of Tea Tree Oil to 1 TSP of isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol), mix the solution, which should be a milky white. Store the solution in a dropper bottle. Add 10 drops of the solution to a pint of water. Use this douche once per day for a week in order to rinse the vagina.
• Sore Throat and Congestion: This wonderful oil combined with a simple steam inhalation technique naturally cures congestion, sore throat, chest infections and clears up mucus. Tea Tree Oil Steam Inhalation: Fill a large cooking pot or bowl with water and bring to a boil. Remove the pot from the stove and add 2-3 drops of tea tree oil into it. Cover your head with a towel and lean over the top of the pot or bowl so that the long ends of the towel are hanging down at the two sides of the bowl. Inhale the vapors for about 5-10 minutes. Repeat this process each night before bed until symptoms are cured completely.
• Canker Sores and Laryngitis: When diluted in water, Tea Tree Oil is an effective treatment for canker sores and laryngitis. Tea Tree Oil for Canker Sores and Laryngitis: Add 3-4 drops of Tea Tree Oil to 1 cup of warm water and gargle this solution twice daily. Do not swallow.

Tea Tree Oil for the Hair and Scalp:

• Tea Tree Oil helps in the prevention of bacterial and fungal infections of the scalp. This has a direct benefit to hair, especially ethnic hair since many harmful products may have been previously applied.
• Tea Tree Oil naturally cleanses the sebaceous glands on the scalp.
• Tea Tree Oil is beneficial in treating dandruff and lice.
• By adding Tea Tree Oil to your shampoo or conditioner, it conditions the hair, improves hair density and unblock the clogged hair follicles.

Using Tea Tree Oil for Dandruff and Lice:

Dandruff:

• Combine 25 drops of essence of tea tree and 50 ml of jojoba oil or coconut and apply thoroughly into the scalp, Cover your head with a hot towel for 1 hour and then wash the hair with a mild shampoo to which you add 10 drops of essence of tea tree. It is best to apply the shampoo without wetting the hair first. Wash hair well with warm water.

Lice:

• Rinse hair daily with pH neutral shampoo, containing 20 to 60 drops of essential oil per 100 ml of shampoo. Leave for ten minutes before rinsing. You could add a little lavender oil to the conditioner or the wash water for extra effect and a pleasant scent.

Caution: if you have sensitive skin, dilute the Tea Tree Oil in a carrier oil first, then apply.

• Carrier Oils: Jojoba, Coconut, Grapeseed, Castor, Almond, Olive

Happy Health

credits: some info found at www.b4tea.com

Let's Talk Hair: Repairing Thinning Edges

When it comes to being natural, there are a few concerns most of us share. We need tips for detangling, moisturizing, and styling our hair. But there’s one thing some of us (me included) have just not gotten the hang of.

Thinning edges.
I’m sure we all saw Naomi Campbell’s picture floating around the Internet, on some natural hair thread or at the bottom of a very long forwarding list. We all winced.
When we talk about thinning hair, we mean that the number of hairs on our head is decreasing. We are losing (or failing to grow) whole strands of hair. Hair loss is mostly a result of a damaged hair follicle. The follicle is a part of the skin scalp that packs old cells together to form a strand of hair. It starts below the visible surface of the skin, but sticks up a tiny bit (that’s why we get goosebumps).
And while hair loss can be a sign of a more serious problem, or a result of medications (think: chemotherapy), the average person can work to correct thinning hair.
The follicle can be damaged by a number of things: chemicals from hair color, relaxers, and vitamin deficiencies. Constant tension on the hair can stress the follicle as well.


Promote hair growth

Protein: fish,leafy vegetables, beans, nuts
Iron: whole grain, dark leafy vegetables
B Vitamins: dark leafy vegetables
Essential Fatty Acids: walnuts, soy
Vitamin E: nuts, seeds
Sulfur: legumes, vegetables

Stunt hair growth: Coffee Sugar Fat

Learn what caused your thinning edges. If it is in your control, STOP doing whatever it was that caused it altogether. Again, if it is a result of a more serious condition, consult your physician.
No matter the texture, everybody has some “baby hair”—the shorter, finer, wispier hair that frames our face…and sticks out of ponytails. But I think those of us with coily or kinky hair experience thinning edges because of the wider variety of styling options we use. I really wanted kinky twists this summer, but I knew my edges couldn’t take it. The twists may have been cute … but a bald spot in the corner wouldn’t be. The type of thinning edges caused by hair styling is called mechanical or traction alopecia.

Good idea.


Bad idea

The first thing to understand is that there is NO set “regimen” for growing your hair in general or edges in particular. No product, whether natural or man-made will cause the hair to safely grow faster. It is true, however, that certain ingredients allow the hair to grow better. All they do is create the best possible conditions for your hair to grow to it’s fullest potential.
Healthy hair will flourish. So we must create and preserve those healthy conditions.
Work on your insides, so your outsides look good! There are many things that you can apply to the hair itself, but the foundation starts within. Eating foods rich in protein will provide structure and strength. After all, the main component of hair is the protein keratin.
Exercise also stimulates the blood to flow. If you eat the right foods, the nutrient-rich blood will nourish each hair follicle, promoting healthy hair growth. Deficiencies of these vitamins and minerals result in duller hair.


As nourishing your body indirectly nourishes your hair, you can also apply certain ingredients directly to the scalp and hair. Products that promote a healthy hair and hair follicle either:

(1) keep the follicle clean, prevent clogged follicles
(2) stimulate the scalp (scalp massages)
(3) seal in moisture, prevent breakage
(4) provide protein, fill gaps in the hair cuticle, give it strength.


Try one or two of these products in moderation. Too much protein can actually give the hair too much structure, and not enough moisture and flexibility.
We’re looking for long-term results, not a quick fix. Start off slowly, changing maybe one or two things in your regimen, whether more exercise, or doing monthly egg deep conditioning treatments.
It’s not uncommon at all to start looking for natural and/or organic products for your hair. After all, your natural curls are relatively new (especially if you Big Chopped). You haven’t developed any habits for your new hair, so it’s easier to begin forming healthier ones. And as the above tips show, trying to thicken your hair will most certainly cause a healthier body in the process.

Ingredients that help  with thinning hair and edges

• Lavender Oil
• Peppermint Oil (Essential oils like those stated above must be mixed with a carrier oil. They are so potent they may cause irritation)
• Grape seed oil
• Castor oil especially Jamaican Black Castor Oil
• Rosemarry Oil
• Vatika oil
• Jojoba Oil
• Henna
• Bhringraj and Brahmi

Happy Growing


credits: info found at www.curlynikki.com