The grapefruit is believed to be a hybrid of the sour fruit known as a shaddock and a sweet orange which was first cultivated in the West Indies. Today however this beloved fruit is grown primarily in the United States which is the world’s largest producer.

Grapefruit botanical oil is part of the citrus aroma family and is revered for its uplifting, refreshing and energizing qualities. The essential oil is extracted by cold expression from the fresh peel of the plant Citrus paradisi. Grapefruit essential oil remains a popular choice for beginners as well as seasoned pros because of the oils uplifting, refreshing and energizing properties.

Grapefruit essential oil has many therapeutic uses and endless applications including:

1. To use as a germicide mix several drops of grapefruit essential oil with water and use as a cleanser (water bottles work great for this). To get rid of air borne germs simply use your diffuser with two or three drops of the essential oil.

2. If you are experiencing menstrual cramps try mixing two or three drops of essential oil with one ounce of your favorite carrier oil and massage on your lower back and abdomen or if you prefer use grape essential oil in a hot compress and place on the same areas.

3. Grapefruit essential oil is renowned for its fresh and uplifting qualities which makes it a perfect choice to help combat depression, headaches, stress or exhaustion. To use for any of these purposes try putting a couple of drops of the essential oil into your diffuser or try direct inhalation by placing a couple drops of essential oil on a piece of tissue or cloth and periodically breath in the wonderful scent.

4. To detoxify your body (and mind) try bathing with several drops of grapefruit essential oil in your water. Ensure however that you do not add the oil until you have finished running your water, as well make sure that you have agitate the water thoroughly before you get in. Another option is to enjoy a full body massage, mix two or three drops into one ounce of your favorite carrier oil.

5. Grapefruit essential oil is very effective in battling acne. Acne can be treated by using grapefruit essential oil neat or diluted with a carrier oil, simple place a few drops of the oil or mixture on a cotton ball or pad and dab on the affected area.

6. Oily hair can also be treated with grapefruit essential oil. Add a few drops to water and rinse through.

7. To combat cellulite or water retention mix several drops of grapefruit essential oil into a carrier oil and massage on the affected areas.

8. A application of grapefruit essential oil in a bath, hot compress or massage oil can be used for relief of arthritis, muscle fatigue, rheumatism, or general stiffness.

Although grapefruit essential oil is easy and safe to use it should be noted that it does have a shorter shelf life due to rapid oxidization and should be disposed of and replace every three to four months.

If you’re in the market for makeup or fragrance products, you will find no shortage of options either online or in any department store.

However, there’s no need to spend a fortune on an aromatherapy bath product. As a skin care product, you can make your own at home and enjoy the benefits of herbal, aromatic baths without hurting your wallet.

To learn more about the benefits of aromatic baths, how to get the best results and great recipes you can make, keep reading.

Why Herbal Baths?

Bathing in aromatic herbs is a ceremony and long-standing tradition in many cultures - a practice designed to refresh both the spirit and the body. Essentially, aromatic baths can help detoxify and relax the body in a manner that’s safe and pleasant.

The herb or combination of herbs used in the bath depends on the effect that is sought: to soothe the skin, promote sleep, stimulate circulation, relieve muscle aches and pains or merely to enjoy the aromatic experience. The concept, however remains the same - imagine that you’re relaxing in a giant cup of herbal tea.

Drawing the Perfect Aromatherapy Bath

There are several ways of brewing an herbal bath. The easiest is to toss several herbal tea bags directly into the bath water. Another option is to use pieces of muslin cloth which are filled with herbs and tied. These sachets can then be attached to the faucet so that the running water goes through them, or simply placed in the tub.

If you want to make your own herbal and aromatherapy bath product mixtures, keep reading for some fantastic recipes that you can blend at home.

Revitalizing Ginger Bath

Mixture:
¼ c dried parsley (invigorates skin)
½ c grated lemon peel (cleanser)
2 tbsp oatmeal (softens water)
¼ c minced ginger root (good for blood circulation)

Rosemary and Sage Bath

Mixture:
2 tbsp oatmeal (softens water)
¼ c sage (helps with poor concentration)
¼ c rosemary (promotes mental alertness)

Lemon and Orange Blend

Recipe:
¼ cup grated lemon peel (great for treating lethargy)
¼ cup grated orange peel (fights depression and anxiety)
1 tablespoon dried parsley (stimulates the skin)
1 tablespoon dried comfrey (antiseptic)

Peppermint, Eucalyptus & Basil Blend

Mixture:
¼ c peppermint (promotes mental alertness)
¼ c eucalyptus (reduces poor concentration)
¼ c dried basil (invigorates the mind)

Soothing Linden Bath Blend

Mixture:
¼ c yarrow (good for aching muscles)
2 tbsp oatmeal (softens water)
¼ c comfrey (good antiseptic for skin irritations)
¼ c linden (great for overworked nerves)

So, while you could spend anywhere from $5 to $30 on a pre-made aromatherapy bath product, it’s easy to make your own blends right at home. Feel free to tinker with these recipes, adding additional herbs or essential oils to customize the mix to your own tastes.

Aloe Vera Juice - Drink Your Aloe Vera Juice Daily

Aloe vera juice is the liquid that comes out of the aloe vera plant when cut or squeezed. For hundreds and probably thousands of years it has been used medicinally as a soothing balm for burns, cuts and scrapes.

The gel that comes out of the aloe leaf contains 96% water and 4% of 75 known chemicals. These chemicals are anesthetic, reduce swelling and itching, and antibacterial and ant fungal. They also increase blood circulation and activate skin cells to heal.

Today it is used for the same purposes, and also many more. I love aloe vera juice for sunburn treatment, and I also find it makes a great skin moisturizer to be used after shaving or on dry patches of skin. I use it on my face just before I go to bed to help heal any sun damage done during the day.

Dermatologists that do facial surgeries use aloe vera to speed up and reduce facial or skin surface scarring.

Aloe vera can also be mixed with a few drop of jojoba oil and applied to your hair. This combination helps to keep your hair pores from plugging up.

Aloe vera juice has more recently become very popular as a drink and for use internally. By drinking aloe vera juice you can eliminate your constipation. It is a strong laxative when used in strong concentrations. You can also help your constipation when taking it in capsules. Look for aloe capsules or drinks that have other herbs to tone down its strong effect in the colon.

If you drink aloe vera juice, here are some of the benefits you can expect:

Good for blood circulation

regulates blood pressure

good for disorders of the bones and joints

benefits the immune system

defends the body against hostile organisms

provides exceptional nutritional value for health and energy

excellent for healing tissue damage inside the body

good for healing ulcers

good for controlling sugar levels in diabetics

helps to reduce itchiness in psoriasis heal

helps to make you regular and eliminate constipation.

Most of us know that aloe vera is excellent for treatment of minor cuts and scrapes, burns and also sunburn. It is used in all kinds of cosmetics. But aloe vera is more powerful for external and internal use than most believe. So always keep a small bottle of aloe vera juice and add an ounce to two to your juice drinks. Also keep a bottle of 99% pure aloe for external emergencies and of course apply it to your face just before bedtime.

Rudy Silva is a nutritional consultant that writes a week newsletter on natural remedies. If you want to stay healthy without the use of drugs and pick up a free report on eliminating constipation sign up for his newsletter at: http://www.natural-remedies-thatwork.com

aloe arborescens is extracted from the aloe plant and has been credited with the ability to serve a medicinal purpose. Aloe is a succulent that can be grown indoors or outdoors. Aloe vera is used in many forms for its soothing and anti-inflammatory properties. Aloe vera has been used for centuries as a home remedy.

Every where we turn there are products that promise certain results based on the fact that they contain a specific scent or aroma, including candles, oils, and even shampoos. The question becomes, is aromatherapy just fluff aimed at selling products? Or is it based on science?

Aromatherapy as a practice has been around for centuries dating back to the ancient Egyptians however as individuals we experience this phenomenon in our everyday lives with out even being aware of the fact. How many times have you walked down a street or into a room and suddenly gotten a whiff of something that brought back wonderful memories or just made you feel great and energized? Every time this occurs you are experiencing aromatherapy; it is just occurring passively in your daily life.

The bottom line is aromatherapy is indeed based on science and more specifically the science of psychoneuroimmunology which studies the interactions between the psychological, neurological and immune system. Research has shown that there is a very strong correlation between positive and negative experiences and our immune system as well as our psyche. Further more the old adage mind over body is indeed recognized by science and the modern medical field. With this being said, anytime you can give your mood a boost creating a more positive outlook through the use of aromatherapy you are ultimately strengthening your body, mind and spirit.

Aromatherapy works because it utilizes the sense of smell which is our strongest sense. Unlike the other senses, our sense of smell has a direct path to the brain and more importantly it has a direct path to our limbic system. Through this direct portal aromas are able to directly affect conscious thought and reactions as the limbic system is responsible for our memories (turning short term to long term), learned responses, emotions and feelings.

Although aromatherapy utilizes the sense of smell by triggering specific parts of the brain it also works by directly absorbing the essential oil molecules into our bodies, whether it is through the bronchial tract when using a differ or steam distillation or through the skin in a massage or bath. This dual absorption enables you to receive all the benefits of essential oils however it is important to research the essential oil of interest as each one works more efficiently when applied differently. For instance peppermint has long been known for its ability to calm digestive problems and does work best for this specific application when inhaled while others work better when massaged into the skin.

It is important also to recognize that although certain essential oils have specific benefits they do not work equally for each individual. For instance Lavender is considered to be very effective in calming the mind, body and spirit however if you do not like the fragrance of Lavender it will not have the same effect on you, therefore it is important to work with the essential oils that you enjoy. This is easy to do because many essential oils have similar or overlapping benefits, leaving you with a number of options for one particular issue. Another option is to mix a couple or a few essential oils together to create your own fragrance that you enjoy and can ultimately receive the vast benefits they have to offer.

Aromatherapy is a branch of herbal medicine that uses the essential oils found in plants for their healing or medicinal properties. Although its name suggests that it is primarily a form of aroma or smell therapy, the essential oils are, in fact, intended mainly to be absorbed into the body via the skin, through massage, and the lungs, through inhalation. Aromatherapy is widely used to reduce stress, as well as to rejuvenate and detoxify the body. It is also used to treat a wide variety of other conditions.

For thousands of years, oils from plants have been used to lubricate the skin, purify air and repel insects. Essential oils were used in ancient Egypt for bathing and massage and in ancient Greece and Rome for treating infections. The origin of modern aromatherapy is often traced to the French chemist Rene-Maurice Gattefosse, who is said to have poured lavender oil onto his hand after accidentally burning himself. He believed that the pain, redness and skin damage healed more quickly than expected, and he began to study the effects of oils on the body.

Essential oils contain potent, biological constituents and are found in certain aromatic plants. They have multiple healing capabilities and are extracted from different parts of various plant species. The constituents are an integral part of the plant and are often considered the life force or life blood of that plant. These constituents are what make essential oils so vital, as they have incredible medicinal properties. Every oil has its own unique fragrance, individual to the plant that possesses it. The fragrance is Mother Nature’s way of propagating the species, attracting pollinators and repelling predators.

Although aromatherapy is treated as serious medicine in other countries, such as France and India, in the U.S. practitioners are prohibited from making specific medical claims by federal food and drug law. Because there is such inconsistency in aromatherapy education and the quality of essential oils available this is not all bad. It serves as an invitation to the individual to take a more active role in their own well-being and to compile personal knowledge through experience. But it’s this same lack of official recognition of aromatherapy’s health benefits that allows any product with a smell to be marketed as aromatherapy.

—————

High-powered lead-source strategies that attract prospects and cash to your home based business.

The versatile Lavender with its light floral soothing scent is one of the most beloved and used aromatics in the world today. Its seems that you can find just about anything with a hint of lavender added to the ingredient list, this is due to the fact that most individuals find it to be a very pleasing and appealing scent. In the aromatherapy world it is considered a must because it is considered to be easy to use and is the most useful.

Lavender natural oil is extracted by steam distillation from the fresh flowering tops of the Lavandula augustifolia plant and list of therapeutic uses is indeed vast. We will however discuss a few applications to get you started.

1. Lavender essential oil is considered a must have for various skin ailments including acne, dermatitis, rashes, sunburn, eczema and psoriasis. One of the many benefits of this oil is that is it one of the few that can be applied neat, therefore to use on skin issues simply apply a few drops to a cotton ball or cotton pad and apply directly to affected area. This application also works well in treating bee or wasp stings.

2. Lavender essential oil is believed to promote hair growth. To use mix two or three drops of the oil to your favorite unscented leave on conditioner and massage into your scalp.

3. If you are suffering from a bout with the flu try adding a few drops of Lavender essential oil to your diffuser or use a steam inhalation to alleviate symptoms.

4. Adding a satchel to a closet or drawer has been done for years however adding a couple of drops to a cotton ball and placing in a strategic position will not only provide a wonderful scent but will also keep moths away from your clothes or linens.

5. Massage a couple of drops directly into your temples, or make a cold or hot compress for your head if you are suffering from a headache or migraine.

6. Lavender natural oil is also believed to help relieve insomnia and can be used as a sleep aid. There are several different applications that can be implemented including using a diffuser with three drops of oil or adding a few drops to a cotton ball or cloth and placing it into your pillow case. Another application that can be utilized is adding eight drops of oil to your bath water. It is also said that adding Lavender essential oil to your bath can also guard against nightmares.

The applications mentioned above can also be used to alleviate anxiety, depression, nervous tension or stress and to balance mood swings.

7. For respiratory issues including asthma, bronchitis, and hay fever use two or three drops in a diffuser or as a steam inhalation. Other options are to use in a bath or by adding several drops to a carrier oil and massaging directly onto the chest. A hybrid of Lavender known as Lavandin is also a great choice for respiratory issues as it has very similar benefits but is considered to be more penetrating.

8. If you experience problems with Premenstrual Symptoms or irregular menstruation then try massaging your abdominal area with a mixture of five drops of Lavender essential oil and one ounce of your favorite carrier oil.

Lavender natural oil is a wonderfully easy oil to use. It can be used neat and also mixes well with all of your other aromatherapy oils. As a beginner it is a great essential oil to start with because it can safely be used and experimented with.

The word essential as in (essential oils) is used to indicate that oils have a scent or essence that sets it apart even if such scent is not very important, or a fundamental matter. In its basic form, essential oil are a concentrated hydrophobic liquid that contains aroma compounds derived from plants.

Essential Oils Are Used In Perfumes, Cosmetics And As Food Additives.

Essential oils are not known as a group to have any specific chemical properties that are common to the group other than the fragrance. To make them, use is made of distillation as well as solvent extraction.

Organic Essential Oils are often used in perfumes as well as cosmetics, and also used to add flavor to foods and drinks as well as for giving incenses more scents as too are used in cleaning products used in homes.

Over the years it has been found that sometimes it is better to use a synergistic blend of organic essential oils to get relief from symptoms rather than use a single essential oil. Some of these synergistic oils include Spikenard, Rosemary Blue Tansy, and Lemongrass.

Organic Essential Oils

Concern has also been voiced regarding the pesticide residues found in these oils, and more particularly in those that are used for therapeutic purposes. It is thus more advisable to use organic essential oils.

Organic Essential Oils are obtained from many different parts of certain plants and there are some such as orange oil that can be derived from different parts of the plant. Other plants include allspice, Juniper, Almond, Basil, Chamomile, Cinnamon, Camphor, Rose, Bergamot, Peppermint, Thyme and a lot more.

Organic Essential Oils have been used throughout history for their medicinal benefits such as skin treatment and even providing relief from cancer. Of late, there has been growing interest in pure essential oils usage, especially because of the increased popularity of aromatherapy, which is an offshoot of alternative medicine that claims that different aromas contained in essential oils can be used for their curative properties.

However, one should not apply these aromatherapy essential oils directly to the skin because it has a concentrated nature that can cause bad irritation or even cause an allergic reaction if used in undiluted form. It would be better to blend them with a base or “fixed” oil before applying it, and some of the common base oils include olive, hazelnut, almond as well as grape seed.

Many Uses For Essential Oils

The wonderful part of aromatherapy essential oils is that they can help heal as well as provide relief, no matter what your situation is.

Aromatherapy essential oils have a number of uses including therapy benefits, emotional as well as physical and also spiritual uses, and they are very useful also when used for medicinal purposes. You can also use these essential oils to provide relief to sore muscles as well as stressed out moods.

There may be a scientific reason why your favorite body lotions, soaps and candles have such a dramatic effect on your mood. Those pleasing scents that make you want to give out a sigh or make you feel energized is aromatherapy in action. Different scents affect people differently. Some may be relaxed by the soothing scent of lavender, whereas another person is energized by the smell. Relieving stress and helping the body is a full time job for the immune system so why not give it a boost with a delectable bouquet that makes you happy?

Massage therapists know that scents play a huge part in how a person feels. Peppermint oil is thought to rejuvenate and give a person energy. Lavender helps a person relax. Different scents take the body massage to another level. Those body lotions that they use not only soften your skin but they affect your senses. The Chinese have long known the importance of aromatherapy oil to help the mood and the spirit.

Our sense of smell drives us and influences our behavior. Think about a freshly baked pumpkin pie. Now, if that image was reinforced by the smell of a pumpkin pie, then it will probably make you hungry for a slice. Our sense of smell plays a huge part in everything we do. Aromatherapy is about using pleasing scents to change your behavior and mood. If you think about it, then consider your reaction to a foul smell.

Scientists and the medical profession are now embracing the fact that an aromatherapist can work wonders on a person’s psychological health and well-being. If the body is relaxed and free of tension, then the mind will follow. Perhaps these discoveries will help influence mental health professionals when dealing with individuals who are Bipolar or suffer from depression.

Aromatherapy is here to stay. Each time we breathe in and smell something that changes our mood or changes the body’s response to certain stimuli, we are embracing the concept. Considering how long the practice has been used and how long mankind has responded to these scents, it is fairly certain that there will be continued use for a variety of treatments. Perhaps one day medical science will be able to reproduce those calming effects that lavender and vanilla have on the human body.

Polarity therapy is something that is used off of the human energy process. It is comprised of the electromagnetic patterns that are used in mental, emotional, and physical responses. When someone is sick, it is said that they human energy is in poor condition and it needs to be repaired with the polarity therapy process. When using the energy that is based in bodywork, exercise, dieting, and being aware, polarity therapy is going to give the body a stronger human energy field. This will in return make them healthier.

Polarity therapy was first used by Randolph Stone that published a total of seven works by 1954 that talked about what he found in his research into using energy in the healing art form. He found that touch, diet, movement, sounds, attitudes, and relationships as well as the things that happen in life experiences affect the human energy field. He used his findings and theories during his medical career in Chicago and had a great deal of success with the majority of the patients. After treatment, some of Stone’s students that carried on his work and in 1984 the American polarity Therapy Association was discovered and since then, Polarity therapy has became an used a lot in the form of medicine and has been more diverse than when it was first thought of.

A person’s energy is supposed to flow smoothly and clearly. When it does a person is gong to be thought of as healthy. However, blockages in the flow of energy can occur due to stress or other factors in life. When this does happen, a body will become less healthy and pan and some illness can occur. Polarity therapy is going to look for blockages and will try to get rid of them and this will allow the energy to flow free again. A usual polarity therapy session can take anywhere from an hour to an hour and a half. In this time, there will be different types of touch and speaking interactions that will happen. The professional will use degrees of touch on the patient in the form of light and hard in order to help their muscles relax and this will help to fight stress. The person will also try and make the person more aware of their energy in the body and this will help them to be more aware of the energy that they have. Doing this will make them more calm and give them the chance to be calmer.

Polarity therapy is a great cure for so many people and has great success in the form of stress relief. After the therapy session a person will feel more relaxed and a happier person. It is a great way to take away the tension and bring out a stronger person and help them a lot.

There are many people that love to get massages because they feel great but they also benefit your health and most people do not know this. Massage therapy and techniques when they are done the right way can decrease your stress levels but also relax your muscles and they can improve your immune system as well. Massages can also help to relive pain in the body and cure headaches. Healing injuries and retaining muscle and joint mobility are also accredited to massages. If you are having any type of problems with these areas and traditional medical procedures are not working for you, talk to your health care provider about the alternative therapy options like massage.

There are different kinds of massages and a professional will usually practice one or two of these. You need to visit someone who can help you with your needs. There are Swedish massages that are focused on relaxation or deep tissue massage and they are focused on loosening muscle tissues up.

Some of the different massages can target certain parts of the body. A Cranio-Sacral massage will focus on your neck, head, and spine to get it working properly in the right alignment again. This will also loosen up the tight muscles in the body. Chi Nei Tsang is one type of massage that will focus on your abdominal organs and help you with your digestive pain or disease. If your joints are giving you the problem, you need to use The Trager Approach. This is a kind of massage that will improve your life when it is done the right way. You can also use them in connection with the Swedish massage or other types to target the problem and relax the whole body.

The other types of massages are going to relax or relieve stress like the Rosen Method. All of the massages should make you feel physically and emotionally better. There are a few types of massage like the deep tissue massage that can be a little painful and should only be used if the doctor recommends it for you. Rolfing is one of these techniques that work to align your tissues the right way and straighten the spine up. Even after this massage, you should feel better and not worse. If your condition gets worse, you need to speak to your doctor and take different measures right away.

The other kinds of massage that may work for you will include the Alexander technique, acupressure, feldenfrais, reflexology, Reiki, and Shiatsu methods. There are different ways to use these techniques and you need to research them a lot before you make an appointment. You can find out information on how to perform the simple massage techniques on yourself to improve your comfort level or you can buy a massage chair for the home or office. Your doctor or massage therapist can help you figure out what is going to be best for you and what your body needs the most.