Monday, 26 September 2011

Health Benefits of Allspice Essential Oil

Health Benefits of Allspice Essential Oil

The health benefits of Allspice Essential Oil can be attributed to its properties like anesthetic, analgesic, anti oxidant, anti septic, carminative, relaxant, rubefacient, stimulant and tonic.
Allspice! Doesn’t the name sound strange? Yes! It does! And it is worth its name. Like the name goes, the taste (or rather say its aroma) is a strange mixture of those of clove, cinnamon, cardamom, pepper and a few other spices or condiments. Allspice or Pimento, as it is popularly known there, is an inhabitant of some countries of the Caribbean Islands and South America. It is a big evergreen tree whose botanical name is Pimenta Dioica or Pimenta Officinalis, the later suggesting its medicinal properties. The Essential Oil of Allspice is extracted by steam distillation of its leaves and fruits, which slightly differ from each other in colour and aroma. The chief constituents of its essential oil are cineol, caryophyllene, eugenol, methyl eugenol and phellandrene.
This essential oil, despite being not so popular with aroma therapists, has a variety of medicinal of therapeutic uses, which can be summarized as under.
  • Anaesthetic: This oil, when applied, has a numbing or anaesthetic effect, although local and not on the central nervous system. This can help withstand certain pains, such as those of neuralgia, bone and muscular injuries, joints etc. as well those of insect bites, stings etc.
  • Analgesic: The anaesthetic property of the Essential Oil of Allspice is responsible for this second property, the analgesic property, of this oil. Since it has a numbing effect on the nerves, it does not let them sense pain and carry its sensation to brain, thereby giving relief from pains, such as those of headache, cold, sinusitis and others. This is certainly far better than swallowing those analgesics and pain-killers (most of them based on narcotics such as opium), which cost heavy on your heart, brain and nervous system and inflict permanent damage on them.
  • Anti Oxidant: This is one of the most wanted properties today. People are just crazy over it. This is because anti oxidants can work miracles. They can actually stop aging by neutralizing the free radicals or oxidants and also healing the damage already done by them. Oxidants or free radicals are not only responsible for age related problems such as weakening of muscles, hair loss, loss in vision and hearing, nervous disorders, macular and muscular degeneration and lots others, but can also trigger off certain types of cancers in the body, such as those of colon, intestines and prostrate. The anti oxidant property of this oil can be very effective in countering these threats and can help you lead a healthy and youthful life.
  • Anti Septic: A simple looking wound can be very dangerous if it turns septic or catches tetanus and you believe it or not, it can be seriously fatal. Septic and tetanus are situations of infection of wounds with certain bacteria and they spread very quick, engulfing the whole body, resulting in severe convulsions, cramps, breathlessness, pain, hydrophobia and even insanity. The anti septic property of this oil protects wounds against such infections and inhibits bacterial growth, thus avoiding situations discussed above.
  • Carminative: Whenever we talk of gas in intestines, we seem to enjoy and it brings laughs to us. But the situations are just reversed when it happens to us. It can be very painful, disturbing, embarrassing and even fatal in extreme cases. Moving from simpler to more complex ones, gas causes indigestion, unrest, stomachaches, heaviness, rheumatism, cramps, chest pain, high blood pressure, heart problems and even death.
  • Relaxant: This essential oil sedates nervous afflictions and hyper reactions and induces a relaxing, calming effect on the body and the mind. This property is also effecting giving relief from cramps and spasm. This is also helpful for bringing sleep to those suffering from insomnia.
  • Rubefacient: Want some redness in your face? You may if you have a very fair complexion and it can give you a more beautiful and blushing look. The stimulating property of this oil increases blood circulation below the skin (and also in the whole body), giving a reddish touch.
  • Stimulant: It stimulates blood circulation, digestion and secretions in the body, thereby helping maintain proper metabolism. This also stimulates growth of cells and generation of new cells.
  • Tonic: The Essential Oil of Allspice acts as a tonic for the health and for boosting the immune system of the body.
  • Other Benefits: This oil is helpful in giving relief from flatulence, indigestion, bronchitis, cough & cold and arthritis.
Few Words of Caution: It can cause irritations in mucus membrane and skin if used in higher concentration or in higher dosages. Hence, it should always be used in lower concentration and low dosages. Pregnant ladies should avoid this oil.
Blending: The essential oils of ginger, geranium, lavender, orange, patchouli and ylang-ylang blend fine with Allspice Essential Oil.

Monday, 19 September 2011

Essential Oils: Lemon Oil

Health Benefits of Lemon Oil

The health benefits of lemon oil can be attributed to its stimulating, calming, carminative, anti-infection, astringent, detoxifying, antiseptic, disinfectant, sleep inducing, and antifungal properties. These benefits of lemon oil include its ability to treat stress disorders, fever, infections, asthma, over weight, insomnia, skin disorders, hair disorders, stomach problems and tiredness.
Lemon is one of the most popular citrus fruits in the world and is used for culinary purposes as it is a good source of vitamin and helps in digestion. It also provides a good taste and aroma to food. Further lemon juice is one of the most popular drinks in the world as it is very healthy, tasty, and low cost.
Health benefits of lemon oil include the following:
  • Stress: Lemon oil is calming in nature and therefore helps in removing mental fatigue, exhaustion, dizziness, anxiety, nervousness and nervous tension. It has to ability to refresh the mind by creating a positive mind-frame and removing negative emotions. It is also believed that inhaling lemon oil helps in increasing concentration and alertness. It can therefore be used as a room freshener in offices to increase the efficiency of the employees.

  • Insomnia: Usage of lemon oil ensures good sleep and helps those suffering from insomnia.
  • Immune System: Lemon oil has high vitamin content and therefore it helps in increasing the immunity of the body. It further stimulated White Blood Cells and thus increases your ability to fight diseases. Lemon oil also improves the circulation in the body.
  • Fever: Lemon oil is effective against infectious diseases such as fever, malaria and typhoid.
  • Stomach Disorders: Since lemon oil is carminative, it is used in treating various stomach problems including indigestion, acidity, stomach upsets, cramps, etc.
  • Weight Loss: Lemon juice is very helpful in reducingweight.
  • Asthma: It is believed that lemon is also useful for treating asthma.
  • Hair Care: Lemon oil is also effective as a hair tonic. Many people use lemon oil to get strong, healthy and shinning hair. Lemon oil is also used for removing dandruff from head.
  • Skin Care: Lemon oil is a good remedy for the increasing the luster of dull skin. It is astringent and detoxifying in nature, and rejuvenates dull skin. Its antiseptic properties help in treating pimples and various skin disorders. Lemon is also recommended for oily skin.
Other benefits of lemon include the following:
  • Cleaners: Lemon is a good cleaner; therefore it is used for cleansing the body, metal surfaces, etc. It is also a disinfectant and hence it is used for cleaning surfaces such as butcher’s knife and block that can get contaminated easily.
  • Soaps and Cosmetics: Lemon juice and lemon essential oil is used in soaps, face wash and many personal care and skin care cosmetics due to its antiseptic nature.
  • Perfumes: Lemon oil has a distinct refreshing aroma which makes it a good ingredient for perfumes. Many scented candles contain lemon oil. It is also uused in potpourris.
  • Drinks: Lemon oil is used in various artificial drinks concentrates to give them the taste of lemon juice.
Lemon oil blends well with many other essential oils including lavender essential oil, rose oil, neroli essential oil, sandalwood oil, geranium essential oil, ylang ylang essential oil, tea tree essential oil, etc.

Essential Oils: Lavender

Lavender

Lavender is one of the most popular essential oils and often has a starring role in everything from skin lotion to pillow mist to "green" household cleansers. Lavender promotes rest and relaxation, especially when inhaled. It also has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties according to Aroma Web, making it a good remedy for acne, eczema and other skin problems.



The various health benefits of lavender essential oil include:
Nervous System: Lavender essential oil has a calming scent which makes it an excellent tonic for the nerves. Therefore, it helps in treating migraines, headaches, anxiety, depression, nervous tension and emotional stress. The refreshing aroma removes nervous exhaustion and restlessness and increases mental activity.
Sleep: Lavender essential oil induces sleep and hence it is often recommended for insomnia.
Pain Relief: Lavender essential oil is also an excellent remedy for various types of pains including those caused by sore muscles, tense muscles, muscular aches, rheumatism, sprains, backache and lumbago. A regular massage with lavender oil provides relief from pain in the joints.
Urine Flow: Lavender essential oil is good for urinary disorders as it stimulates urine production. It helps in restoring hormonal balance and reduces cystitis or inflammation of the urinary bladder. It also reduces any associated cramps.
Respiratory Disorders: Lavender oil is extensively used for various respiratory problems including throat infections, flu, cough, cold, asthma, sinus congestion, bronchitis, whooping cough, laryngitis, and tonsillitis. The oil is either used in the form of vapor or applied on the skin of neck, chest and back. It is also added in many vaporizers and inhalers used for cold and coughs.
Hair Care: Lavender essential oil is useful for the hair care as it can be very effective on lice and lice eggs or nits.
Blood Circulation: Lavender essential oil is also good for improving blood circulation in the body. It also lowers blood pressure and is used for hypertension.
Digestion: Lavender oil is useful for digestion as it increases the mobility of the intestine. The oil also stimulates the production of gastric juices and bile and thus aids in treating indigestion, stomach pain, colic, flatulence, vomiting and diarrhea.
Immunity: Regular use of lavender essential oil provides resistance to diseases.
Skin Care: The health benefits of lavender oil for the skin can be attributed to its antiseptic and antifungal properties. It is used to treat various skin disorders such as acne, wrinkles, psoriasis, and other inflammations. It heals wounds, cuts, burns, and sunburns rapidly as it aids in the formation of scar tissues. Lavender oil is added to chamomile to treat eczema.
Other health benefits of lavender essential oil include its ability to treat leucorrhoea. It is also effective against insect bites. The oil is also used to repel mosquitoes and moths. You will find many mosquito repellents containing lavender oil as one of the ingredients.
As with many other essential oils, pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid using lavender essential oil. It is also recommended that diabetics stay away from lavender oil. It may also cause allergic reactions to people having sensitive skin. Some people may also witness nausea, vomiting and headaches due to usage of lavender oil.

Monday, 12 September 2011

The Make of Oil

Oils have been "remedy for several ailment for many centuries now. The ancient Greeks knew about it, the Egyptians, the Romans, and the list goes on.
In my readings and experience, I have discovered very interesting things about the effects of oil.
I have found out the healing power of oils and this is what I wish to share with you today
The essential oils that have a healing effect on the human body.
Here, I am going to commit to bring you all there is to know about oils and their healing effect.