Lemon oil is fresh, light, cool and dry.
In traditional chinese medicine lemon is known for its ability to clear heat, dampness and phlegm from out of balance earth element of spleen and stomach. An imbalance of earth element is related to worry, overthinking and general mental tension
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Peppermint is fresh, cooling and sweet with a unique ability clear tension very quickly.
1. Headaches - Peppermint can be applied to the temples (steer clear of eyes), back of neck and inhaled to cool and clear head tension. You can apply some oil to a tissue and inhale its aroma throughout the day 2. Nausea - Peppermint is my number one for nausea especially nausea with cold and flu as the heat in the body can be cooled off a bit, I apply to the stomach area when feeling a bit off, it helps to soothe the area. I also add a drop to peppermint tea or water. Peppermint oil has been used for a long time in digestive health supplements. 3. Blocked nose - Take a big inhale of peppermint oil when you have difficulty breathing through your nose. Simply rub a drop between your palms and cup your hands near your nose and inhale feeling the head, nose and sinuses open up and allow air through 4. Smells - Peppermint is a great addition to your oral hygiene routine. Add a drop of peppermint oil in water and swirl in your mouth and gargle especially after flossing. You can coat your floss with a little peppermint oil to get the benefits in-between teeth, decreasing bacteria which cause bad breath. If I need a freshen up during the day I will drop some peppermint oil on the back of my hand and lick it off. 5. Mental focus - Peppermint has an amazing ability to clear your head and get you focused on the task at hand, its is popular for studying and when focus is required. Try it out if you want to get in the flow with a project or task you've been putting off and see how it helps. I love to have peppermint going in the diffuser of an afternoon to keep me alert and when I feel like having a nap! 6. Food addictions - I've got a sweet tooth and my instinct is to hunt for sugar many times a day! To settle the cravings its a great idea to have a little bottle of peppermint oil in your bag to inhale or add to water and drink when you're dreaming of muffins. Peppermint has a sweet quality without the sugar so it sort of tricks you into feeling satisfied like eating a big slab of banana bread! Also when your mouth is minty fresh you're less likely to want to eat. 7. Sore muscles and joints - Rubbing peppermint oil onto sore areas of the body has a beautiful cooling effect and can reduce pain. I like applying oils to my sore bits lovingly because it also sending the message that you are nurtured and loved. It's getting cold!!!
I've already had one head cold this change of season to show me that winter is on it's way! I use essential oils everyday but here are my top 5 especially for the colder months (like if I were snowed in, I would just want tea, soup and these oily babies! I know the chance of being snowed in is fairly unlikely living near Bar Beach!) 1. Easy Air is a wonderful blend of cooling and opening oils that encourage the lungs to free up and allow deeper breathing (you will find this one being diffused constantly in our clinic waiting room). Apply it by breathing in the oil from a diffuser, rub it on the lung area front and back, take a big whiff from rubbing a couple of drops in your palms and inhale, drop some on your pillow to inhale during the night, if you are congested, put a drop in a bowl of hot water, a towel over your head and inhale. 2. On guard is the soldier of the lot, keeping your defences strong! On Guard is great when you are actually sick but I find it more powerful as a preventative Apply it by breathing in from a diffuser, apply to the bottoms of your feet to allow the oils into your blood stream, its also a warming oil so it helps warm up cold footsies! 3. Lavender is my number one must have, its like a big hug from grandma! It has antibacterial properties but also helps to heal dry skin from the cooler weather and dry winds. I add lavender into a cup of herbal tea, it is powerful so be careful! Also apply it to dry skin in a carrier oil, apply to bottoms of feet to relax, add to a diffuser in the evening 4. Frankincense is the king of oils, its expensive, sacred and powerful! The herbalists at our Wholistic Health Group clinic say frankincense supports the mucosal tissue which is the parts of your body exposed to air and therefore first line of defence. It includes ears, nose, throat, lungs, digestive system and vagina. The poor mucosa get a hit in winter and need your help! Apply frankincense on the skin where required, rub a drop into your mouth to help it get into the blood stream where mucosa begin. Gargle in warm water to relieve a cough. 5. Thyme! I love this herby goddess, it's a bit like oregano in terms of powerful taste but I find her a bit more gentle. Thyme is wonderful antibacterial and antiviral, and is my go to oil when I feel a scratchy sore throat coming on. I gargle the oil in warm salty water. Energetically thyme is warming and encouraging which is what we often need in the colder months. Apply it to your feet, gargle in salt water, always dilute this oil to apply it to your skin cause it burns! |