Archive for the 'Essential oils' Category

April 16, 2008 | Bathroom, Laundry, Kitchen, Vinegar, Essential oils, Cleaning tips

We’ve just welcomed little Owen into our home, via c-section. And when the discharge nurse came to talk to me and hubbs before we left the hospital, you can imagine my inner joy as she said “No housework for 6 weeks. And stay out of the kitchen for a couple weeks too!” No housework? What does that mean? Apparently, the typical tasks of vacuuming, mopping, sweeping, scrubbing, dusting, etc., all involve (more…)

February 25, 2008 | Bleach alternatives, Vinegar, Essential oils, Cleaning products

What do they mean? When you’re looking for a cleaner, what’s important? There are different things you want your cleaner to do. Most of us assume that clean means germ-free, but in reality not all cleaners hit the mark. The use of these words on product labels is regulated by the EPA, and here’s what they say the words mean, along with some natural alternatives to keep your lymph nodes and liver free and clear: (more…)

February 20, 2008 | Health, Essential oils, Cleaning products

One of the things I love to do when I clean is to add essential oils to natural cleaning products. For example, in my mop bucket I’ll do about 1/2 cup of cider vinegar, fill half full with water, and add 3-4 drops of essential oils, depending on what suits my mood. There are lots to choose from at my local health food store, and I tend to go for things that have good aromatherapy benefits, smell nice in my home, and fulfill some other cleaning and maintenance purpose. Peppermint oil is a great choice lately, for me at least. (more…)

January 14, 2008 | Bleach alternatives, Health, Essential oils, Cleaning products

What can cure a fungal infection? What can stop a drug-resistant strain of of staphylococcus (”staph infection”)? What can kill E. Coli and Salmonela on your countertops? Or clean just about any bacteria found in your bathroom? What can take care of gastrointestinal and bronchial infections? What can kill and prevent yeast infections faster than you can say Candida (that is, the bacteria that causes them)?

Oregano oil! (more…)

December 22, 2007 | Health, Essential oils

I have always loved Tea Tree Oil and I’ve seen a few of it’s different uses listed here on Broomhuggers! I was first introduced to it when I got my belly button pierced (Ahh.. the teen years!) and it got slightly infected. The guy that did the piercing for me suggested I try this oil and it helped me heal amazingly fast. Ever since then I’ve been singing the praises of Tea Tree Oil!

I learned one of it’s newest uses this week. A relative of mine called me up to ask me if she could use Tea Tree Oil on a fever blister since she was out of the usual product she used. I told her that it wasn’t going to hurt her and long as she was careful not to actually ingest it and she should give it a shot. Now, if you’ve never had a fever blister (also known as a cold sore) you might not know that they can take weeks to heal. The over the counter products help them heal faster but still a good 4 - 5 days for most people. Well, she called me back the next day saying that the blister was almost gone! The Tea Tree Oil strikes again! There are so many other uses for this handy, easy to find, essential oil. Type Tea Tree Oil into your favorite search engine to see it’s many other helpful uses and then run to your local grocery store (Walmart, Kroger and Target should all carry it) and pick some up!

Usage: dab a bit on, or dilute it with water and use as mouthwash.

Note: Tea Tree Oil is not intended for ingestion. Specifically, limit oral exposure in children, pregnant women, or anyone who would be prone to swallow it.  Tea tree oil can also be an irritant to those with sensitive skin. Try dabbing a small amount on your hand or shoulder, and if your skin doesn’t react than you can use it more liberally. For more information on the safety of tea tree oil, see the National Institute of Health.

December 21, 2007 | Health, Essential oils

A simple addition to your weekly baths – that takes only seconds and costs only pennies – could restore vital magnesium levels in the body, improving health in a number of ways.  Scientific studies have shown that magnesium, the primary component of Epsom Salt, performs more functions in the human body than almost any other mineral. Plus, magnesium is easily absorbed through the skin, which means improving health is as easy as relaxing in the tub.

The National Academy of Sciences reports that the average American female gets just 70% of the magnesium required for good health, which can lead to heart disease, stroke, osteoporosis, arthritis and joint pain, stress-related illnesses, chronic fatigue and more.

Magnesium is easily absorbed through the skin, which means bathing in Epsom Salt can help:
• Reduce inflammation
• Relieve sore muscles and aching joints
• Improve heart and circulatory health
• Flush toxins and heavy metals from the cells, easing muscle pain and helping the body to eliminate harmful substances.
• Improve the body’s ability to use insulin
• Improve nerve function by regulating electrolytes. Also, calcium is the main conductor for electrical current in the body, and magnesium is necessary to maintain proper calcium levels in the blood.
• Reduce stress. Excess adrenaline and stress are believed to drain magnesium, a natural stress reliever, from the body.

Magnesium is necessary for the body to bind adequate amounts of serotonin, a mood-elevating chemical within the brain that creates a feeling of well being and relaxation.

A study by Dr. R.H. Waring at the University of Birmingham reports that bathing in Epsom Salt (magnesium sulfate) is a safe and easy way to increase magnesium levels in the body. Study participants soaked in Epsom Salt baths for 12 minutes for seven days. Blood and urine samples were recorded at intervals after the baths. All but two subjects showed an increase in magnesium levels in the body, with the two most likely already having optimum levels of magnesium. The study concluded that most people would benefit from two to three weekly baths in 500-600 grams of Epsom Salt, roughly 2.5 cups.

Now, here’s the trick… want a great hostess gift that won’t cost you a bundle? Something elegant but easy on the wallet? Pick up some essential oils at your local natural foods store, and mix a few drops with a couple cups of epsom salts. Put it in a cute container, and voila!

For Christmas: Mix several cups Epsom salt 1 drop each per cup of salt: frankincense  and myrrh.

For headache relief: Mix same proportions above, using eucalyptus, lavender, and mint.

For cough and cold relief: Mix same proportions above, using eucalyptus, tea tree oil, and rosemary essential oil.

The possibilities are endless, and the staff at your health foods store can help you find even more combinations to suit your mood - be it for relaxation, concentration, or sensuality…

December 15, 2007 | Health, Essential oils

I put a lot of effort into keeping my family as natural as possible. Most of our food is natural, most of our personal products are natural and I clean with all natural products. I know there are a lot of others out there that do the same. But, what about our four legged family members (or two legged if you live in Australia and are lucky enough to own a kangaroo… I’m envious)? We would like to get a puppy when we find a place with a big yard so I figured I should start doing some research now.

Fleas tend to be a big problem here in Georgia but before you reach for that flea spray, shampoo, powder or collar maybe we should thoroughly check them out first. Pesticides of ANY kind are designed to kill living things. Even though only a small amount is needed to kill off something as small as a flea, these pesticides can still do damage to our four legged friends. A report done in 2000 by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) estimates that hundreds, if not thousands, of pets have been poisoned by the pesticides in the pet products that were intended to keep them safe. The even bigger issue is the effect these pesticides can have on those of us of the two legged variety (no, not the kangaroo, the HUMAN). The NRDC report called attention to the poisoning risks faced by pet care workers like veterinary assistants and groomers. One survey found that people who work with pesticides used on pets are two-and-a-half times more likely to have health related problems than other workers. One of the popular flea medications you can get from your vet is applied by putting a liquid in between your animals shoulder blades. Once that liquid is applied you cannot let your kids touch the animal for 24 hours. The way this medication works is it doesn’t kill the fleas but it damages their reproductive organs so they cannot reproduce. That just isn’t something I want to have in my house!

So, what can we do about those pesky fleas? Here are a few ideas: Most people treat for fleas year round. Instead of subjecting your pets to year round treatments find out when flea season is in your area and start preventative measures right before it starts or at the first sight of a flea. For dogs: Slice up a lemon (skin and all) and pour one pint of nearly boiling water over it. Let sit overnight. Strain the liquid and pour into a spray bottle. Spritz your dog generously and rub it in. Citrus oil kills and repels fleas. You can use this solution on pet bedding, too. For cats: Since they don’t like citrus scent or being sprayed, try this recipe: mix one ounce pennyroyal oil with 18 ounces of water and sponge it onto your cat, massaging it in. You can use this mixture on dogs as well. (NOTE: Pennyroyal can be toxic to animals in high concentrations, so be sure to always dilute it. Pregnant women should NOT use pennyroyal.) Cedar filled bedding is also a great flea repellant but the scent does fade after a while so renew the scent with cedar oil drops. Cedar blocks can also be placed throughout the house to help with fleas indoors. They also dislike the scent of lavender, mint, rosemary, and sweet woodruff, so you can use sachets of these herbs in furniture, too. For some more information on this topic and some great products check out Nature’s Pet. Don’t forget, not only will these tips keep your pets safe and healthy but it will keep the kids that love them safe and healthy too!

November 14, 2007 | Essential oils, Cleaning products

It’s a natural fungicide! Do you know what that means? It kills mold and mildew!!! (Excuse the excitement.) Do you know what that means? You can grind some cinnamon into any natural cleaning product you have and benefit from it in 2 ways - an amazing scent, *and* a mildew free shower curtain (or anything else)!

Can you imagine the scent? Lemon juice, water, cinnamon, and lemongrass essential oil… mmm… It’d be anti-fungal, anti-viral, antiseptic, and totally yummy!  I’ll be back - I have to find something to clean.

October 3, 2007 | Kitchen, Kids clean, Vinegar, Essential oils, Cleaning tips, Cleaning products

Shannon asked for this one. Now first of all, I can do this because my cleaners are 100% non-toxic, safe. If yours aren’t (like, if you use, say Formula 409) then I’d certainly recommend keeping them in their own ugly containers, locked in a cabinet that the kids can’t get to.

But, if you use safe household cleaners, like diluted vinegar with essential oils or Barefoot Home Essentials, most kitchen supply stores sell oil misters. I like to put some olive oil infused with fresh herbs in mine since my Calphalon cookware doesn’t like aerosol cooking sprays. But, you can also use one for your all-purpose cleaner (that is, if it’s non-toxic). The reason I caution you from putting anything toxic in it is simple. Your mother-in-law comes to visit and is cooking in your kitchen and !whoops!, or your kids are playing with what they found on the counter and —EEK— Call poison control!

The one pictured to the right is from Williams-Sonoma, but I’ve seen them in ceramic and all sorts of other pretty appearances in kitchen stores and even grocery stores.  If you use something toxic as an all-purpose, by all means keep it locked up tight. But if you use all-naturals, or if you’re willing to try it, put some diluted vinegar in there. Add some orange zest and a cinnamon stick, and you’ve got a pretty, sweet-smelling cure for most germs and grime.

That’s what works for me. Head over to Shannon’s place for more ideas.

September 2, 2007 | Floors, Vinegar, Essential oils, Cleaning tips

I just had new hardwoods installed in my living room and dining room - and they’re gorgeous. Lush, warm, all nice and shiny… I love ‘em. So naturally I’ve developed a renewed interest in maintaining them. I had a recent post on cleaning hardwoods, but I tried something new this weekend.

A healthy splash of apple cider vinegar (it kills germs and bacteria better than white vinegar) in the mop bucket, fill with water, add 5-7 drops Tea Tree Essential Oil. The tea tree oil serves multiple purposes - it overpowers the vinegar scent, inhibits mold growth, conditions wood, and inhibits bacteria and viruses. After mopping the floors looked great, the rooms smelled awesome, and I know that the tea tree oil is working its magic.

And that little additive is perfect for people who don’t like the way vinegar smells - a few drops of tea tree oil and you don’t smell the vinegar at all.