Choosing the very Best in Nature
Posted by msterilinn on Apr 1, 2008
Shall we venture into one of my most favorite subjects surrounding natural health and aromatherapy? I can honestly say how healthy and alive I feel at the wonderful young age of 45, due to my passion of setting examples of a healthy lifestyle, so that those I encounter are encouraged to do the same. When it comes to vitamin nutrition, I am an avid student, striving to learn all I can to live a long, healthy and fruitful life.
Incorporating aromatherapy and finding the highest quality of essential oils to maintain physical, emotional and spiritual balance is essential. Those who know me, can attest to my love of the scent and many beneficial uses of my favourite herb, lavender.
Lavender Highland is an evergreen, woody shrub that grows about 3 feet high. It has pale green, narrow leaves and beautiful, violet-blue flowers. The entire plant is highly aromatic. Lavendula vera is also known as Lavendula officinalis and Lavendula angustifolia. All these names indicate a true lavender. The essential oil from a true lavender is prized for its ester content. (Esters provide a relaxing quality with a sweet aroma.) The best Lavender in the world, with the highest ester content, comes from the high-mountain region of Provence, France. This is Oshadhi’s Highland Lavender. No other Lavender compares to its exquisite aroma and unsurpassed therapeutic qualites for skin care, first aid, and stress.
Another favourite is Geranium Rose Organic. There are many species of Geranium and hundreds of varieties. Amongst them, there are a group that are used for their essential oil. The most common are Pelargonium graveolens, asperum, roseum, odorantisimum, and radens. Geranium is a perennial shrub with serrated leaves and small flowers, growing from one to three feet high. The entire plant is aromatic. As a group, the Geraniums have been ever-popular, once believed to be a great healing plant. The essential oil is one of the most versatile and seems to be particularly good for women.
As always, I am impressed with the selection of these great essential oils, along with organic skin and personal care, vitamins, minerals and much more, as can be found at Choice Nutritionals.
Lavender and its Magical Properties
Posted by msterilinn on Feb 1, 2008
My most favourite scent is Lavender. I use the oil as well as the flowers. I burn the flowers to cleanse the rooms in my house and bring in good energy. I also like to crumble the flowers into a tub of hot water for a soothing foot bath… what a delight! It is no small wonder that this Magical plant is such a favourite in my home and to scent my body. As I have always associated this intoxicating scent with all that is wild and pure in Mother Earths garden, I will be most happy to share a bit more about this extraordinary gift of Nature…
Lavender and its Magical Properties…
You all know the pretty plant that is lavender. But did you know that lavender has magical properties? Well, maybe not quite fully certified magical, but close. Lavender essential oil is my absolute favourite essential oil. It has so many uses that it is always necessary to have it on hand. Not only does it smell great, it has important curative powers. Here are some of the ways that I have used lavender essential oil.
Burns or scalds~
This works best if applied neat (undiluted) to the area affected by the burn or scald. The skin should be intact, use your judgment. It takes away the pain quickly and the skin heals with almost no sign of damage. This includes sunburns. If you are sensitive to the oil in its pure form, dilute it accordingly in a small clean spray bottle with water. This is quite soothing and refreshing.
Pimples~
Your adolescent will love you for this remedy. Because lavender oil is antibacterial, it destroys pimples and the associated bacteria quickly and easily. Apply it neat as soon as you feel a pimple developing and the pimple is banished shortly. If you didn’t catch it in time, it makes pimples come to a head faster and it helps with the swelling and redness.
Sleep & relaxation~
Just a drop or 2 to a cotton ball or tissue placed beneath the pillowcase under your head at night makes you sleep more soundly and more quickly. Lavender has amazing relaxation properties that will leave you refreshed in the morning.
Migraines or Headaches~
Apply a drop to your temples or the back of your neck and massage into the skin. This helps with both tension headaches as well as migraines. For some people with migraines, the smell may be too strong during the acute stage of a migraine. During this time you can apply the lavender oil to the muscled area between your thumb and forefinger on the backside of your hand (both hands). This is an acupressure point associated with headaches.
Insect repellent and insect bites~
Just like citronella, lavender has the ability to ward off mosquitos and flies. Additionally, it can help calm the itching of an insect bite. I can really attest to this one as I am the world’s number one mosquito attractor.
**A word of caution. Those with sensitive skin cannot always tolerate direct application of lavender oil to the skin. If that is the case for you, you can dilute the oil with a carrier oil such as almond oil or jojoba oil. European made essential oils are the best for now unless you know the source that you are getting the oil from is organically grown. Europe has standards for the production of essential oils, the United States does not. Because of the extreme concentration of essential oils, they should always be organically grown. As always, be wise and use your own best judgement!
My Journey back to balance in Mind, Body and Spirit…
Posted by msterilinn on Jan 11, 2007
Okay, I promised to update my journey back into good health
after over 2 months of illness which weakened me quite a bit…
First, I will mention that stress may have been a major factor
in becoming so ill in the first place. Stress, and taking care
of everyone else, while forgetting to take good care of myself.
I have always been blessed with good health, and this shows..
most people are suprised when they find that I am a Grandmother.
I am into herbs, natural healing, Martial Arts and Tai Chi. So,
getting so sick came as a suprise. Having the down time gave me
the chance to note what may have brought this on, as well as
giving me the opportunity to keep track of my current habits. I
quickly realized I have not been actively pursuing my Arts and
energy work, as I used to do almost daily. I was taking on too
many tasks, and I still hadn’t learned to say no to sitting
with the grandkids whether I felt like it or not.
See, I still have a young daughter at home. She is my first
priority. Homeschooling and caring for her in a good way. I
need to be healthy to do this. So I stopped baby sitting the
little ones while I was sick, and once I was well on the road to
recovery I decided to just have the occasional sleepover, and
visits. This eliminated a tremendous amount of stress.. as a
single parent, I have many, many responsibilities as it is.
I will mention that my kids concern prompted them to take me
into the Urgent Care Center. I was prescibed some Antibiotics,
being told I had a severe case of Bronchitis. Needless to say,
after taking this “medicine” for the prescribed time, I was
more ill than ever.
So, even though I was very weak, I decided to take matters
into my own hands. My son who still lives at home visited the
local supermarket to bolster my depleted supply of Herbal Teas.
He did quite well, and my favorite is the Organic Echinacea Plus
Besides Organic Echinacea purpurea herb and root, this blend also
included Organic West Indian lemongrass leaf and Organic spearmint
leaf. To begin with I drank 5-6 cups per day, gradually reducing this
to 2 cups per day as I began to feel better.
To help promote restful sleep, I also included Valerian Root, and
various forms of Aromatherapy, with Lavender foremost among my
favorite scents.
I drank LOTS of Orange Juice, and 100% pure fruit juices. And at
least 6 glasses of water a day. LOL Lots of trips to the bathroom,
but it was worth it.. hehehe 
Now, I had just begun taking Acai Supreme which includes the
Acai Berry and Wolfberry or “Goji Berry”.
Acai Berry is truly a wonderful plant. Acai fruit grows on an
Amazon Palm Tree and has been prized for hundreds of years by
Brazilian natives for their ability to provide a sense of strength,
energy, and a high nutritional content.
The Acai Berry, with twice the antioxidants of blueberries and
high levels of omega fatty acids, is considered to have the best
nutritional value of any fruit.
Acai (pronounced AH-sci-EE) with the symmetry of a grape and
the size of a giant blueberry has a taste that some describe
as a mix between berries and chocolate. Deep purple in color,
açaí is extremely rich in antioxidants (anthocyanins). These
strong antioxidants go to battle against free-radical molecules
that invade the body.
This little palmberry, growing wild in the Amazon rainforest of
Brazil, packs an amazing health punch. In fact, natives of
Brazil have been eating acaí fruit for centuries, typically
grinding it into a pulp to eat for breakfast or as an energizing
snack.
Acai also contains an almost perfect complex of amino acids and
vital trace minerals, elements that are essential to proper
muscle contraction and regeneration. Plus, acai has a synergy of
omega 6 and 9 fatty acids: the healthy, monounsaturated type of
fat that can help reduce bad cholesterol and increase good
cholesterol. Like most berries, acai berries are also a healthy
source of natural fiber, good for the cardiovascular system and
digestive tract health.
Goji Berry contains 18 amino acids including all eight
essential amino acids, 21 trace minerals, 29 fatty acids, niacin,
vitamin B1, vitamin B2, nearly as much vitamin C as oranges, as
much protein as bee pollen and as much beta carotene as carrots.
In addition, it contains Calcium, Fiber, Phosphorus, Iron,
Carotene and Nicotinic Acid. It is the wide range of nutrients
within the fruit that supports improved performance in the entire
body.
Pretty impressive for just a little berry!
The Chinese have traditionally used Gogi berry to improve; visual
acuity, headaches, ringing in the ears, dizziness, energy and
insomnia. Recent studies have added many new benefits to an
already impressive list of attributes. Testing at the Ningxia
Institute of Drug Inspection has shown the use of Gogi increases the
white blood cells that protect the organs of the excretory system
especially the liver and the kidneys. The Gogi Berry is high in
polysaccharides, increases the antibody reaction to T-cell dependant
antigen. This process strengthens T-cell immune response.
In addition to the previously mentioned benefits of this product,
some studies have shown the Gogi Berry to have some anti-obesity
properties as well as helping those with diabetes. It is also widely
believed in China to increase sexual fluids and enhance fertility.
There is some impressive studies that shows Gogi Berry to be
extremely effective as an anti-aging compound.
The following are just some of the reported benefits of taking
Nutronix Internationals Acai Supreme, results vary from person to
person but benefits can be felt in 1-2 weeks of usage:
• Greater energy/stamina
• Improved digestion
• Improved Mental Focus
• Better sleep
• All nutrients come from one berry
• Cleansing and Detoxing your body
• Boost your Immune System
• Visual Acuity
Along with these fantastic herbal supplements and teas, I began
to gradually ease back into my Martial Arts and Tai Chi energy
work. After a few weeks I began to notice a significant
improvement in my energy and general health. My head became
clearer, as I was now getting the oxygen to my body as needed;
my coughing was reduced significantly as my lungs cleared.
I became stronger as I fed my body with a more nutritious diet,
avoiding foods that had little or no nutritional value. And I
could not help eating lots of Chocolate.. the food of the Gods
and Goddesses!! LOL
I have my 9 year old daughter to thank for keeping me on track.
She made sure I drank lots of tea, got lots of rest, and even
stepped up to do her chores without my asking… even going so
far as to try to do MY chores, until I very gently let her know I
could handle my own.
The way I see it, eliminating and reducing stress was a major
factor in my recovery. Feeding my Body, Mind and Spirit served
to create the Balance needed to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
And now, here I am feeling stronger, more energetic and Happy!!
Truly, what really helped me heal is the Love from my Family
and Friends. This is the greatest gift of all.
Live each moment as it unfolds, enjoying Life and each other..
everything is as it should be.
PS… I found a great place to get a Super Fruit Formula with Goji and Acai Berries. Give it a try!
