Ann Marier asked:


Some of those items that are used in this therapeutic process include leaves, roots, flowers, spices, etc. These essential oils emit the captured fragrance of the natural item.

These fragrances, when massaged onto the body or taken in through the nostrils, have a different effect upon the mind and body. For example some oils help to alleviate stress and sleeplessness while other oils help to minimize acne, menstrual, cramps, fatigue, and depression.

One particular essential oil is carnation essential oil. When using carnation essential oil or any other essential oil it is important to understand that there are certain precautions involved with the use of essential oils.

Storing Carnation Essential Oils

When utilizing carnation essential oils or any other essential oil it is important to understand that there are certain precautions that should be taken. Some of these precautions deal with the storage of carnation essential oils.

Storage precautions include the fact that the essential oils should be kept out of direct sunlight. In addition, essential oils should be stored in a darkened bottles. Good examples of darkened bottles include coral blue bottles or dark amber bottles.

Safety Precautions

There are many precautions that individuals should take into consideration when using essential oils. These precautions also should be followed when utilizing carnation essential oils.

One of the major precautions is to ensure that the strength of the carnation essential oil is diluted according to recommended specifications. If the oil is to be used as a massage oil it must be mingled with what is known as carrier oil. This carrier oil that the essential oil is mixed with can include oils from the almond, grape seed, avocado, etc. Also, wheat germ oil serves as a good carrier oil.

One such precaution deals with individuals who are pregnant. It is important that the pregnant woman consult with her doctor or obstetrician before utilizing carnation essential oils. In addition, there may be sensitive issues surrounding the use of Carnation essential oils. Therefore, it is important that a small portion of the skin be tested to make sure that the use of this oil doesn’t cause negative reactions. It is highly recommended that the individual wait one full day to ensure that there is no adverse reaction.

Also, carnation essential oils should not be handled by children. In addition, if children are to be treated with aromatherapy the dosage or strength of the oil should be significantly reduced.

One last safety precaution is that carnation essential oil never they taken internally.

Benefits of Carnation Essential Oils

Carnation essential oils are credited with providing many therapeutic benefits to the individual. These benefits include an anti-inflammatory effect, helping with hair loss, act as a muscle relaxant, and aid in the treatment of excess gas.

In addition to these benefits, carnation essential oils can aid an individual’s skin in many ways. Some of these ways include the reduction of wrinkles, helping with cases of eczema, minimizing ashes, act as a skin conditioner and health in instances of rosacea.

By: Ann Marier -



ALEXANDER

Kelly Johnson asked:


Essential Oils are a high concentrate of oils that come from aromatic plants that are the used in aromatherapy. Aromatherapy essential oils are used to promote healing of the mind, body, and soul.

Aromatherapy essential oils can be used individually or with other oils to create the effect that you want. But before you mix oils it’s important that you completely understand how each oil works and the effect it has on the mind, body, and soul.

Aromatherapy essential oils are found in different parts of the plant. Some oils come from the bark or twigs, while others come from the flowers or leaves. In some fruits it is the rind that is used. For example the essential oil of the rose is found in the flower while for sandalwood it is in the wood, and for basil it is in the leaf.

There are many ways to extract those essential oils but they are both expensive and time consuming. It also requires a great deal of experience to ensure that you are actually capturing the aromatherapy essential oils.

For example, did you know it takes 220 pounds of rose petals just to produce 4 teaspoons of oil? Can you imagine trying to produce these essential oils in your home? Now some people do. They diligently learn to become an expert but for the most part and for most of us it makes more sense to leave the creation of aromatherapy oils to the professionals.

Then you just buy the aromatherapy essential oils you want. Only a few drops of these highly concentrated oils. You can make up your own oils by using olive oil or almond oil as your base.

Synthetic oils can be purchased for a lot less and although they smell very nice they do not have the medicinal value of the natural oils. Put simply there’s no healing power in synthetic oils. It is very important that you purchase natural aromatherapy essential oils.

Aromatherapy essential oils immediately impact on our senses. When we inhale the scent our olfactory cells are stimulated and the message is sent to the limbic system which is the emotional center of the brain.

This is the portion of the brain that is linked to our memories, blood circulation, and breathing. The aromatherapy essential oils each have a different set of properties and fragrance which will effect each of the systems differently.

Different essential oils are absorbed by the skin at different rates which can ranges from 20 minutes to 2 hours so you may not always get the maximum effect and benefits of the aromatherapy essential oil right after applying.

Essential oils have three notes top, middle, and base note and each essential oil is described by its note which really just means how long the scent will last.

Top notes are uplifting and stimulating and very strong lasting up to 24 hours. The following oils are classified as top notes - thyme, sage, peppermint, neroli, lemongrass, coriander, clary sage, bergamot, and basil.

Middle notes can last up to 3 days and affects metabolic functions. The following oils are classified as middle oils - rosemary, lavender, juniper, hyssop, geranium, fennel, chamomile, and balm.

Base notes are the slowest to evaporate. They can last up to a week and have a sweet soothing scent which is relaxing and comforting. The following oils are classified as base oils - sandalwood, rose, jasmine, ginger, frankincense, clove, and cedarwood.

Combining all three notes will give you the best results but it’s important to realize that when making aromatherapy essential oils that there is no right or wrong blends and there certainly are no fixed blends. The more blends you make the more comfortable you will become and the easier it will be for you to create blends that are right for you.



DAMIEN

Alison White asked:


These fragrances, when massaged onto the body or taken in through the nostrils, have a different effect upon the mind and body. For example some oils help to alleviate stress and sleeplessness while other oils help to minimize acne, menstrual, cramps, fatigue, and depression.

One particular essential oil is carnation essential oil. When using carnation essential oil or any other essential oil it is important to understand that there are certain precautions involved with the use of essential oils.

Storing Carnation Essential Oils

When utilizing carnation essential oils or any other essential oil it is important to understand that there are certain precautions that should be taken. Some of these precautions deal with the storage of carnation essential oils.

Storage precautions include the fact that the essential oils should be kept out of direct sunlight. In addition, essential oils should be stored in a darkened bottles. Good examples of darkened bottles include coral blue bottles or dark amber bottles.

Safety Precautions

There are many precautions that individuals should take into consideration when using essential oils. These precautions also should be followed when utilizing carnation essential oils.

One of the major precautions is to ensure that the strength of the carnation essential oil is diluted according to recommended specifications. If the oil is to be used as a massage oil it must be mingled with what is known as carrier oil. This carrier oil that the essential oil is mixed with can include oils from the almond, grape seed, avocado, etc. Also, wheat germ oil serves as a good carrier oil.

One such precaution deals with individuals who are pregnant. It is important that the pregnant woman consult with her doctor or obstetrician before utilizing carnation essential oils. In addition, there may be sensitive issues surrounding the use of Carnation essential oils. Therefore, it is important that a small portion of the skin be tested to make sure that the use of this oil doesn’t cause negative reactions. It is highly recommended that the individual wait one full day to ensure that there is no adverse reaction.

Also, carnation essential oils should not be handled by children. In addition, if children are to be treated with aromatherapy the dosage or strength of the oil should be significantly reduced.

One last safety precaution is that carnation essential oil never they taken internally.

Benefits of Carnation Essential Oils

Carnation essential oils are credited with providing many therapeutic benefits to the individual. These benefits include an anti-inflammatory effect, helping with hair loss, act as a muscle relaxant, and aid in the treatment of excess gas.

In addition to these benefits, carnation essential oils can aid an individual’s skin in many ways. Some of these ways include the reduction of wrinkles, helping with cases of eczema, minimizing ashes, act as a skin conditioner and health in instances of rosacea.



BUDDY

Oil Pulling asked:


The health benefits of oil pulling are worth their weight in gold. You have already seen the basic oral benefits in regards to plaque reduction; however it does NOT stop there. Here are various other benefits that oil pulling has on your oral health:



Strengthens Teeth/gums

Prevents tooth decay

Prevents Decreases/Malodor

Repairs loose teeth

REVERSES Gingivitis



These are just SOME of the various oral health care benefits that Oil Pulling can have. The power of oil pulling however is not simply limited to oral care, here are some of the other health care issues Oil Pulling will cure/treat:



Sinus Problems

Constipation

Bronchitis

Menopause

Cancer

Chronic Diseases



As you can see, the benefits of Oil Pulling are unparalleled and should be done by everybody on a daily basis, you have absolutely nothing to lose! Lucky for you, oil pulling only involves one ingredient, OIL! There is ABSOLUTELY nothing else you need (I will show you where to purchase the oils for CHEAP). In addition, you are not limited to just one type of oil. Sesame, Olive, Sunflower, and Coconut oil can all be used, it is up to you. Also, ONE bottle of oil can last you MONTHS since you will be only using 1-2 tablespoons per day. I used to suffer from many chronic health problems. Unfortunately, cleanses did not really work for me no matter how many I tried. However, Oil Pulling was my saving grace and still is until this day I encourage you all to explore this with open minds. With only using 15-25 minutes of your time daily, you have nothing to lose!



GALEN

Hans Klein asked:


Most people try to avoid fatty foods in the battle of the bulge. However, this often leads to a misguided view that all fats are bad.

Nothing could be farther from the truth. In fact, good fats play an essential role in achieving optimum health. The problem only comes when we go way overboard on fast food, loads of butter, and processed foods.

Take for example, eating too much saturated or partially hydrogenated fat contained in most processed foods today. It can lead to potentially serious consequences for your cardiovascular and heart health.

Getting enough of the right fats is vital. Probably one the most important good fats comes from Olive Oil - used for over 6,000 years.

The Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, and the people today of the Mediterranean world use this oil in some form every day. It is widely believed to be one secret for their longevity and low incidences of heart related diseases.

You see, one of the unique aspects of olive oil is that it comes from the juice of the ripened fruit, instead of the seeds (where most oils come from).

This means you get more than oil. You get a great aroma and flavor with the oil and health benefits from a ripening or ripe fruit.

Let’s discuss some specifics for selecting a good quality olive oil. There are 3 types of olive oil:

The first type is “Extra Virgin Olive Oil” (Many chefs and seasoned cooks refer to it as EVOO.) It’s one of the healthiest oils for protecting your heart, helping to reduce your cancer risk and maintaining proper memory and cell function.

Higher quality olive oil (with the perfect acidity and aroma) is going to come from areas where they have ideal growing conditions. This includes Italy, Greece, and other countries in Mediterranean world. California is also establishing itself as a good source.

Additionally, the cleanliness and freshness (to avoid fermentation) of the olives before being pressed affect the final result and health value.

Other types of olive oil include, the cheaper “Virgin Olive Oil” and simply “Olive Oil” produced with extra processing and the introduction of heat. Of course, anytime you introduce heat to oil, you have losses in nutritional value, aroma and overall quality.

Now, buying the right olive oil is important, but you also need to understand how you should cook with olive oil.

When cooking with olive oil, your goal should be to use a “Healthy and reasonable” amount of high-quality olive oil.

What do I mean by “Healthy and reasonable” amounts?

Traditionally, people use considerable amounts of oils or butter to sauté onions or other vegetables.

However, you don’t need to do this. You can actually start your cooking process by steaming your ingredients. Simply use ½ to 1 cup (for 4 servings) of organic chicken or veggie broth in place of butter or oil.

This allows you to get more out of your olive (in nutritional value and flavor) when you stir in a “healthy and reasonable” amount of EVOO (1 or 2 Tbsp for instance for 4 servings) just before your meal is finished.

The result is the same as if you used oil at the beginning, except it’s much healthier. At the same time, you may also add your favorite herbs and adjust your seasoning. You get to enjoy a more of the nutrient-rich meal with lots of flavor and aroma.

In some cases, the flavor of olive oil may not complement your meal. One great choice is organic flaxseed oil with a more neutral flavor. Because this oil is more heat sensitive than others, simply add it at the end of your cooking process. It has many of the same healing properties of olive oil.

Before using any kind of oil I suggest to do a smell test of it. Be sure to discard any rancid (already oxidized) oil to avoid a negative impact on your health and meal.

Finally, let’s conclude by talking about the healing power of olive oil.

EVOO comes from the first phase of pressing olives. Its acidity is lower and it’s loaded with polyphenols (a very healthful antioxidant). Because these olives are processed very little and without using heat, important Vitamins and nutrients are retained.

Specifically, health effects shown from the antioxidant Polyphenols have been linked to lowering blood pressure and cholesterol. From the category of oils, this antioxidant is almost exclusively found in olive oil.

Additionally, olive oil contains a near perfect ratio of Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids to help you improve your fatty acid profile beneficial for maintaining a healthy heart.

Olive oil has been shown to increase secretion of bile, and gets digested and absorbed more quickly and completely. Studies have also shown it to contribute to healing stomach ulcers and reduce the risk of gall stone formation.

Additionally, a healthy dietary intake of EVOO, loaded with omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, is known to hydrate and soften your skin. At the same time, your skin may get extra natural protection from damaging sun-rays.

In contrast, most oils made from seeds use chemical processes and solvents to extract and produce the oil. With these added processes, important nutrients and protective substances often get lost.



FRANKIE

Scott White asked:


When it comes to nutrition and our diet, there are good fats and there are bad fats. Artificially produced trans-fatty acids are bad in any amount and saturated fats from animal products should be kept to a minimum. The best fats are those that contain the essential fatty acids so named because we need them to live. Essential fatty acids are polyunsaturated and grouped into two families, the omega-6 EFAs and the omega-3 EFAs.

Minor differences in the makeup up the two groups make both the EFA families act very differently in the body. While the metabolic products of omega-6 acids promote inflammation, blood clotting, and tumor growth, while the omega-3 acids have an entirely opposite affect. Although we do need both omega-3s and omega-6s it is becoming increasingly clear that, an excess of omega-6 fatty acids can have grim consequences. Many scientists believe that a major reason for the high incidences of heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, obesity, premature aging, and some forms of cancer are the profound imbalances between our intake of high amounts of omega-6 and lower amounts of omega-3 fatty acids.

Sources and Recommended Daily Requirements

The main sources of omega-6 fatty acids are vegetable oils such as corn oil and soy oil that contain a high proportion of linoleic acid. Omega-3 acids are found in flaxseed oil, walnut oil, and marine plankton and fatty fish. The main component of flaxseed and walnut oils is alpha-linolenic acid while the predominant fatty acids found in fatty fish and fish oils are eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). The most beneficial and active of these fatty acids are EPA and DHA.

Recent research has established that consuming fish oils (EPA and DHA) play a crucial role in the prevention and even the treatment of numerous diseases and conditions such as atherosclerosis, heart attack, depression, cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, ulcerative colitis, and Raynaud’s disease.

Recognizing the benefits of EPA and DHA and the serious consequences of a deficiency in our diets, the US National Institute of Health recently published Recommended Daily Intakes of fatty acids. They recommend a total daily intake of 650 mg of EPA and DHA, 2.22 g/day of alpha-linolenic acid and 4.44 g/day of linoleic acid. Your saturated fat intake should not exceed 8 percent of your total caloric intake or about 18 g/day.

Fish Oil Good For Our Brains

The human brain is one of the largest “consumers” of DHA. According to researchers, a normal adult human brain contains more than 20 grams of DHA. Low DHA levels have been linked to low brain serotonin levels, which are connected to an increased tendency of depression, suicide, and violence. A high intake of fish has been linked to a significant decrease in age-related memory loss and cognitive function impairment and a lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Additionally, several studies have established a clear association between low levels of omega-3 fatty acids and depression.

An adequate intake of DHA and EPA is particularly important during pregnancy and lactation. During this time, the mother must supply all the baby’s needs for DHA and EPA because it is unable to synthesize these essential fatty acids itself. There is some evidence that an insufficient intake of omega-3 fatty acids may increase the risk of premature birth and an abnormally low birth weight.

The constant drain on a mother’s DHA reserves can easily lead to a deficiency and some research has concluded that preeclampsia (pregnancy-related high blood pressure) and postpartum depression could be linked to a DHA deficiency.

Researchers have found that children who regularly eat fresh, oily fish are four times less likely to develop asthma than do children who rarely eat such fish. Other research has found fish oil to be helpful in the treatment of other lung diseases such as cystic fibrosis and emphysema.

Fish Oil and the Heart

A vast amount of medical literature demonstrates that fish oils prevent and may help to ameliorate or reverse atherosclerosis, angina, heart attack, congestive heart failure, arrhythmias, stroke, and peripheral vascular disease. Fish oils have also demonstrated an ability to help maintain the elasticity of artery walls, prevent blood clotting, reduce blood pressure and stabilize heart rhythm.

Various studies have concluded that fish oil supplementation may help prevent arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death in healthy men. Another study of heart attack survivors found that patients supplementing with fish oils markedly reduced their risk of another heart attack, a stroke or death. Other researchers found that fish oil supplementation for 2 years caused regression of atherosclerotic deposits.

Still other researchers have found that supplementing with as little as 2 grams/day of fish oil (410 mg of EPA plus 285 mg of DHA) can lower diastolic pressure by 4.4 mm Hg and systolic pressure by 6.5 mm Hg in people with elevated blood pressure. These reductions were enough to have patients avoid taking drugs in some cases of borderline hypertension, especially when combined with a program of salt restriction.

Reduces Pain and Helps Prevent Cancer

Fish oils have been shown to be particularly effective in reducing inflammation and can be of great benefit to people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis or ulcerative colitis. Additionally, it is known that patients with ulcerative colitis have abnormally low blood levels of EPA. Clinical trials have shown that supplementation with fish oil (2.7 grams of EPA and 1.8 grams of DHA daily) can reduce the severity of the deficiency by more than 50% and enable many patients to discontinue anti-inflammatory medication and steroids, as well as cardiosteroids such as prednisone.

There is now also considerable evidence that fish oil consumption can delay or reduce tumor development in ****** cancer. Studies have also shown that a high blood level of omega-3 fatty acids combined with a low level of omega-6 acids reduces the risk of developing ****** cancer.

Safe Fish Oil Supplements That Are Easily Available

The processing and packaging of fish oil is important in helping determine its quality. Low quality oils may be quite unstable and contain significant amounts of mercury, cadmium, pesticides, and other undesirable trace components. High quality oils are stabilized with adequate amounts of vitamin E and are packaged in individual foil pouches or other packaging resistant to light and oxygen. Recent research indicates emulsified fish oils are much better absorbed than the straight oils in gelatin capsules.

Beware!!!

Cod liver oils and fish oils are not the same. Cod liver oil is extracted from cod liver and is an excellent source of vitamins A and D. Fish oils are extracted from the flesh of fatty fish like salmon and herring and are good sources of EPA and DHA. Fish oils contain very little vitamins A and D, but cod liver oil does contain EPA and DHA. However, you would probably exceed the recommended daily intake of vitamins A and D if you were to try to obtain therapeutic amounts of EPA and DHA from cod liver oil.

Of important note, research has shown that fish oil supplementation does lower blood concentrations of vitamin E, so it is a good idea to take extra vitamin E when adding fish oils to your diet.



EMILIO

Rebecca Noel asked:


ESSENTIAL OIL of Orange (Citrus sinensis) is a fun cheery oil that is one of my all-time favorites and one that is perfect for someone just being introduced to essential oils. Essential orange oil has many uses both physiologically and emotionally.

Orange essential oil helps prevent the growth of bacteria and stops free radicals (orange essential oil has a 7500 score on the ORAC scale - Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity…making it a very good anti-oxidant)

Orange essential oil also enhances the absorption of vitamin C in the body. It is high in vitamin C and carotene (vitamin A). Orange essential oil is also very high in limonene, a super-nutrient that has been studied extensively for its ability to prevent cellular mutations and combat cancer tumor growth in over 50 clinical studies.

It benefits the heart by lowering the heart rhythm and helping to regulate the heartbeat. It is beneficial for hypertension and arteriosclerosis, is anticoagulant, stimulates the bladder and kidneys, is a diuretic and is great for relieving fluid retention, it also softens the epidermis, reduces the appearance of cellulite, stimulates blood circulation and lymph fluids and is very helpful in treating swollen tissue.

Orange essential oil is very beneficial and soothing to dry, irritated, or acne-prone skin conditions. Its regenerative properties make it good for aging as well as rough or calloused skin. Avoid applying to skin that will be exposed to sunlight or UV light within 24 hours.

It is a very warming oil both physically and emotionally.

Orange essential oil is uplifting and anti-depressant. A 1995 Mie University study found citrus fragrances boosted immunity, induced relaxation and reduced depression

For geographical locations that lack sunshine on a regular basis or rooms without much light, diffusing orange essential oil is great for helping with depression and seasonal affective disorder.

Orange helps to stimulate joy, optimism and playfulness…it harmonizes feelings and awakens creativity. It’s wonderful to use for children and for adults too who want to laugh and play or for times when you may feel tense, nervous and withdrawn and need help to relax and open up.

Physiologically orange essential oil creates warmth and pleasure in the body and stimulates sensuality and pleasure…especially when combined with ylang ylang essential oil. Orange helps connect us to our five physical senses and also helps to remove inhibitions. Diffusing orange essential oil in the bedroom might be highly beneficial in certain ways.

Some more great uses for Orange essential oil:

Orange oil is great for wood care and furniture. It is gentle yet it powerfully protects wood from insect damage and easily cleans fingerprints and grime off of the furniture without damaging it.

Use orange essential oil for cleaning oil and grease from your cooktop and surrounding areas in the kitchen.

Add a few drops of orange essential oil to hand soap to clean dirt, grease and even paint off of dirty hands.

Mix a couple drops of orange essential oil with some baking soda to make a paste and brush your teeth for natural teeth whitening instead of chemical bleaches that are absorbed sublingually into the bloodstream.

Massage orange essential oil over cellulite problem areas for smoother looking and feeling skin.

Massage over callouses on the bottoms of feet for smooth and pretty feet.

Orange oil is also a perfect oil to add to your culinary favorites. It stimulates the appetite and digestion. I love adding a heaping tablespoon of raw cacao powder and about 8-10 drops of orange essential oil to my morning protein shake for a wonderful chocolate orange flavor that is super high in anti-oxidants too.

Believe it or not it is excellent on salads. Once I accidentally picked up a bottle of orange essential oil instead of the lemon essential oil and put it all over my salad…when I realized I had used the wrong oil and thought I had ruined my salad I almost threw it out and started over but when I tasted it, it was amazing…even better than lemon…now I use it all the time on salads.

I also add a few drops of orange essential oil to a honey and balsamic vinegar reduction…after it cools down of course so I don’t destroy the essential oil…and use this as a wonderful glaze over duck ******.

It’s great in deserts too like cheesecake, cookies, and mulled wine and anything chocolate. Add a drop to orange spice tea with a little coconut milk for a wonderful alternative to coffee with cream.

This is a great beginner oil that everyone loves and should always have on hand.

PLEASE NOTE: The information in this article is based solely on the use of 100% Pure Therapeutic Grade Essential Oils due to their high quality and tested purity. The use of a brand of uncertain quality and/or purity will provide you with potentially dangerous, if not lethal, results. The author assumes no responsibility for your improper use of this information.

The statements about these oils have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These oils are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.



GRANVILLE

Oil Pulling asked:


So, what EXACTLY is oil pulling? Oil pulling (often referred to as oil swirling or oil swishing), invented by Ukrainian Physician Dr. F. Karach, M.D., is basically the process of swishing around oil in your mouth (think mouthwash, except using oil instead) for a period of usually about 15-25 minutes. It is referred to as “Kavala Graham” in Ayurveda texts.

So why would anyone be crazy enough or even remotely have any interest in doing this? Dr. Karach has said that his method heals the person as a whole. When Dr. Karach studied his oil under a microscope after pulling, he discovered many live micro-organisms swimming in it.  He himself has cured his chronic blood disease of which he suffered with for over 15 years! The main premise of oil pulling is that by swishing oil inside of your mouth, toxins get “pulled” from your bloodstream and into the mucous membrane.One study entitled performed by Sharath, et.al, set out to determine the efficacy of oil pulling on oral health status using Sesame Oil. They recorded a DRASTIC decrease in plaque and micro-organisms in the plaque samples, concluding that oil pulling is an effective home therapy in maintaining and IMPROVING oral health.  Another study recruited 10 males (all subjects had mild to moderate gingivitis), and ran a 45 day oil pulling study. Using sunflower oil, each subject held the oil in their mouths for 8-10 minutes. This study also concluded that oil pulling has the ability to reduce plaque and gingivitis using Sunflower oil (Amith et al., 2007).

As you can see by now, there IS scientific evidence out there and more studies will undoubtedly be conducted in the future. It is clear that there is an established oral health benefit to oil pulling, but what good is oil pulling to your other health problems? What type of changes can you experience besides the changes inside of your mouth? As you will see, the benefits of oil pulling are unparalleled.



EDDY

Kevin Pederson asked:


Aromatherapy oils are known as essential oils form the base of aromatherapy and influence the mind, body and spirit. These oils are the concentrated extracts of plants and their roots, stems, flowers and fruits. Essential oils are extracted from the plants usually by the means of distillation.

Essential oils are concentrated and must be diluted by mixing up with carrier oils such sweet almond, apricot kernel, grape seed and jojoba, before application. Only a few pure essential oils like lavender and tea tree can be applied directly to the skin.

Massaging the oil onto the body is the most common method of getting the benefit of aromatherapy oils, since skin is the largest absorption organ that you have.

Presenting the list of commonly used essential oils -

Bergamot - Originally from Italy, it is obtained from the rind of the bitter orange. It is pale green in colour, with sharp, orangey and refreshing fragrance. It is happy uplifting oil, works well against tensions, headaches and anxiety either through massage or a diffuser. Recommended for vaginal itching and cystitis. If you are using this oil, avoid sun for at least 3 days after that.

Chamomile - The oil for women and children. Roman and German chamomile are used widely in world of aromatherapy. Roman chamomile is soothing and calming oil. Relieves cramps, spasms and shock. Good pain killer for dull aching pains. German chamomile is great oil for children. Soothes child’s colic or stomach upsets, alleviates nappy rashes and skin irritations.

Eucalyptus - quite versatile oil with origins in Australia. Used to fend off infectious illnesses, like flu, measles help bring down fever and relieve a bad cold. It is also an effective insect repellent.

Geranium - Sweet feminine aroma akin to rose, Geranium essential oil is extracted from Pelargonium. Avoid using Geranium essential oil during pregnancy. Good oil to use when one is irritable and depressed, especially during PMS. 4 drops of oil in your bath work as a great stress buster. Also acts as a remarkable insect repellent.

Jasmine - Reputed to be aphrodisiac oil, Jasmine has a very **** and beautiful fragrance. Jasmine essential oil when massaged on the abdomen during the later stages of labour strengthens uterine contractions and relieves pain. Used in skin care for dry skin. Leaves a warm feeling after massage with jasmine oil. Comforts and helps a person to be more confident.

Lavender - This oil calms, soothes the skin, balances oil production, helps to heal blemishes, stimulates circulation to skin, reduces inflammation of acne and soothes nervous system.

Lemon - The uplifting and cheerful fragrance of fresh lemons is obtained by pressing the outer rind of the lemon fruit. A rich source of vitamins A, B and C. Helps to stimulate body’s immune system to fight disease.

Mandarin - Mandarin essential oil is extracted from the peel of mandarin oranges. Mild, sweet and fruity, it is essentially children’s oil. The anthranilic acid in the oil is good stress buster for kids.

Neroli - Obtained from the flowers of bitter orange tree, Neroli’s fragrance is bitter sweet and refreshingly beautiful. A gentle sedative rejuvenates the skin and relieves anxiety. Also said to be an aphrodisiac. Stimulates the growth of healthy new cells.

Niaouli - is spicy pleasant oil. Useful for sore throats, cough, runny nose, cystitis, general skin problems and hemorrhoids. Should not be used for children under 10 years old or by pregnant women. Used to clean minor wounds and burns, due to its antiseptic properties.

Palmarosa - It is antibacterial, balancing and regenerating with scent similar to geranium. Recommended for acne, make a great preshampoo hair conditioner. Good oil to diffuse during flu epidemics.

Peppermint - Smelling of fresh mint, often added to cosmetics and skin care products for acne or oily skin. Refreshing and stimulating oil, peppermint herb is well known for indigestion. Can cause insomnia, should not be used on babies or young children and can irritate sensitive skin.

Rose - Rose oil is all time favourite oil with its beautiful and soothing fragrance. Considered to be women’s oil and aphrodisiac. Tones the womb, overcomes problems with female reproduction system. Women should rose oil in first 5 months of pregnancy as it may cause miscarriage. The anti depressant qualities of the oil relax the person, relive stress and overcome depression. Can be used for all skin types, especially beneficial for mature skin.

Tea Tree - Has antibacterial, antifungal, antiseptic and antiviral properties. Heals blemishes without any side effects such as dryness, itching, stinging, burning or redness. Restores energy depleted by everyday stress, reduce or alleviate mental fatigue and exhaustion. Irritating to highly sensitive skin.



DENIS

Kelly Martinez asked:


idence is overwhelming - Real extra virgin olive oil not only enhances the taste of food but is good for you, consider the following headlines:

Olive oil ‘acts like painkiller’ - BBC

Mediterranean Diet Adds Years to Your Life (high intake of … olive oil) - MedicalNewsToday.com

Oleic Acid Key to Olive Oil’s Anti-Cancer Effect - Reuters.com

However, there is a dark side - fraud in the olive oil marketplace:

Olive oil’s slippery supply line - denverpost.com

Extra Virgin Olive Oil - Are You Getting What You Pay For? - ABC News 7Online

“A clear case of fraud ….. almost all of the virgin and extra virgin olive oil produced by large commercial Italian olive oil plants” Italianfood.about.com

“of 73 olive oils … in the U.S. Only 4 per cent were pure olive oil. The rest were adulterated” - New York Times

The health benefits of extra virgin olive oil only apply to real extra virgin olive oil and not to fraudulently mislabeled products.

As most olive oil consumers know, the price of real extra virgin olive oil has risen dramatically. At the same time the quality of the products being offered has deteriorated dramatically. Logic would dictate that a significant percentage of olive oil consumers would prefer real extra virgin olive oil instead of the over-priced, mislabeled and adulterated products that have flooded the market.

However the olive oil consumer’s freedom to choose their product is limited to what is actually offered.

Food importers, distributors. brokers and retailers essentially decide between two types of products when it comes to the distribution of olive oil: A) A cheap mixed product or B) Real extra virgin olive oil:

A) Mixed products have no guarantee of quality, the paperwork may say ‘extra virgin olive oil’ but what is in the bottle is pomace, canola or some other cheap refined oil. Mixed products have no quality stated or implied, they are entirely price sensitive. So the distributor, broker, importer or retailer needs to constantly offer either the cheapest product or be very close to it for fear that at some point their supply will disappear and they will be undersold due to the market realities of working with this type of product.

This is where the consumer gets cheated - the labeling does not accurately reflect what is in the bottle. Take for example ‘light olive oil’ - what is ‘light’ olive oil? Olive oil made from ‘light’ olives? Light olive oil is 95% pomace, canola or some other cheap oil mixed in with 5% virgin olive oil. It stretches the imagination to think that olive oil consumers demand this type of product.

B) Real extra virgin olive oil obviously costs more to produce than the cheap, mixed products. But olive oil consumers benefit because they get what they pay for - the product. Real extra virgin olive oil is always that - real extra virgin olive oil - the product, the quality does not vary. Olive oil consumers always get what they want and what they pay for - the flavor enhancing attributes and all of the health benefits of real extra virgin olive oil.

It should be noted that due to current market factors, the price difference between real extra virgin olive oil and the cheap mixes has pretty much closed and in some cases is now inverted. Real extra virgin olive oil being less expensive than the cheap mixes.

So, who gets to decide what olive oil consumers consume?

We believe that this decision belongs to the consumer. Olive oil consumers should demand real extra virgin olive oil.

FRANKIE