Creative Strategies for Wellness | Design Communications | Wineitudes

Hayseeds Creative

Enhancing Lives

Category: Essential Oils

Essential Oils and the common cold

hayseedscreative's avatar by Leave a comment

Did you remember to buy Oregano to help combat the cold & flu this year?

If you did, we can offer a few ways to use the oil to help you feel better. 1. Steam Inhalation:
Add two drops of oregano oil to a bowl of boiling water, place a towel over your head and breathe in the powerful vapors for five to ten minutes. The moist steam helps to loosen and drain mucus in the nasal passages and the antibacterial properties of the oil help to fight infections and relieve cold symptoms.

2. Use in a diffuser:
I love my diffuser, in fact there is one in almost every room. I add several drops of oregano oil to your diffuser (I like to use ten or twelve) and breathe in the medicinal vapors. It’s great for cold and flu season.

3. Inhale directly:
Feeling stuffy at work? A deep sniff of oregano oil directly from the bottle is a great pick-me-up and can help open up the airways.

4. Sore throat:
Add a few drops of oregano oil to a glass of warm water and gargle with the blend. The antibacterial properties of the oil will help to ward off bacteria and the anti-inflammatory properties will help to soothe an aching throat. Make certain not to swallow the oil mixture. Oregano essential oil is extremely potent and therefore should always be diluted before applying directly to the skin. Do not use internally is not considered safe for women to use during pregnancy, however consuming fresh oregano in leaf form, or as a dried spice while cooking, is okay.
Make a Healing rub: Add five to eight drops of oregano oil to one or two teaspoons of coconut oil (which is solid at room temperature) and rub on the chest as a soothing balm for respiratory tract infections and coughs. You can also rub this balm on the soles of the feet for added benefit.

Not only can oregano help with colds and flu, it can also help with wart removal.It’s best to apply oregano oil with a carrier oil topically: Mix three to four drops of oregano essential oil with one teaspoon of a carrier oil. Apply the blend with a clean cotton swab four to five times a day and make sure to use a clean swab if you are treating more than one wart so you don’t spread the infection. After treatment cover the wart with a tape or bandage so it is not fueled by oxygen. Within a week or two you should be able to notice a sizeable difference in the size of the wart.

Winter Skin Relief

hayseedscreative's avatar by Leave a comment

As winter kicks into high gear, we need to keep our skin from withering under the harsh elements. Those freezing outdoor temperatures and rising indoor thermostats can sap the amount of moisture in the air, and our skin is first to notice. Millions fight a daily battle with irritated, ravaged skin that keeps them from living life to its fullest. In fact, 90% of chronic dry skin sufferers experience a combination of redness, itching, flaking, and scaling before they reach the age of five. Just trying to find relief can be a frustrating experience.

Often we are under the impression that winter skin care is a tedious, time-consuming task.  Some of the Tip that experts suggest are to use a more potent moisturizer or invest in creams that are specially made for the season. Since dry skin is one of the main problems of winter, exfoliation and scrubs must be kept to a minimum.

Director of Cosmetic & Clinical Research at The Mount Sinai Hospital, Joshua Zeichner MD, offers some recommendations to help keep skin hydrated through the winter.

When the deep chill of winter sets in, avoid the temptation to take long, hot showers. The water’s heat can strip skin of its natural oils (called ceramides) and cause inflammation—basically, the skin cells swell, and when they dry they become loose like poorly grouted tiles and crack. It’s best to take shorter, lukewarm showers and use gentle cleansers.

As for soaps, soaps with surfactants and claims of pH balance can be harsh on the skin—and don’t scrub! Be tender and let the water and lather do the work. After bathing, pat the skin dry with a soft towel. Rubbing causes more irritation and inflammation. With the door closed to keep the humidity in, and add a moisturizer.

Moisturizing is the key word for anyone who wants to glow all through winter, and it is a wise decision to use a moisturizing lotion or cream regularly. Remember to apply it to the often ignored parts of your body like the sides of your neck. One of the reasons why we emphasize this is because if certain parts of your body are not moisturized enough, then they become extremely dry. Another good idea would be to indulge in an oil massage or use a oil at least once a week to restore the skin’s moisture and to keep it supple.

If you have dry, problem skin, look for a lotion, cream or ointment with petrolatum, glycerin hyaluronic acid and ceramides – the natural fats that make up the grout between the skin cell tiles.

Petrolatum creates a protective barrier across the topmost layer of skin, sealing the moisture and creating an environment where cells can return to a healthy state, while Glycerin penetrates deep into the skin, nourishing and moisturizing multiple layers of cells.

I use a tried and true body wash and moisturizing lotion brand called Renew.  Renew contains Malaysian glycerin which draws in moisture and helps maintain moisture levels, Allantoin with moisturizing properties that help promote and maintain skin health and T36-C5® brand Melaleuca Oil which soothes dry, irritated skin in addition to petrolatum.

At night, I hydrate my skin by adding humidity to the air with a cool mist diffuser with a few essential oils added to it to help provide a more restful sleep. If you don’t have a diffuser, you can use a cool mist humidifier.

I always carry a hydrating hand moisturizer  and lip balm and use them as often as possible even if the weather isn’t too cold. This prevents skin damage which includes skin bleeding and cracking. Avoid hand sanitizers with alcohol as they can rob the skin of moisture and make things worse for you in winter. Use an alcohol-free sanitizer instead, if you can’t wash your hands.

As always when dressing for winter weather, wear layers. It really does keep you warmer and helps with mobility outside. Did you know there is a method to layering designed to protect your skin while keeping you warm? There is. The closest layer should be made of natural fibers. Soft fabrics like flannel and cotton cause little to no irritation compared to synthetic materials. stay warm

To heal the skin from the inside, drink lots of water in winter to keep hydrated. Keeping your skin hydrated and using a good moisturizing lotion increases skin elasticity and prevents premature aging. Drink fruit juices too, since they will nourish the skin and give your body the vitamins and minerals that are needed by the skin.

The weather may be freezing cold, but we can still look good and keep skin damage free with these simple steps. Stay warm! I think I’ll have a hot cup of tea now.

Do you use Essential Oils?

hayseedscreative's avatar by Leave a comment

We’re really starting to see what all the fuss is about essential oils.
Last year we started using a few and posting about their uses.

Who knew I’d become a convert? Do you use essential oils? I know I’m looking forward to trying more of them. #essentialoils

Gin & Tonic Can Prevent Wintertime Colds?

hayseedscreative's avatar by Leave a comment

We just read about a study that confirms Gin & Tonic can prevent wintertime colds. We know the Brits used Gin & Tonic to help prevent malaria in the tropics, this may be the next logical step for Gin & Tonic.

This awful winter rainy cold weather brings with it all of the symptoms of the common cold, including a runny nose, coughing, sore throat, and drowsiness. It is not something that we want, but it is something we have to endure during winter months.

If you enjoy feeling healthy and avoiding colds, there may be a solution hiding in plain sight. Many tend to reach for an antioxidant or superfood to cure a cold because of the high levels of vitamin C. It certainly can help to keep the cold away, but there may be something else you can do and it is a lot more fun! Have you ever thought about drinking a gin & tonic to help with your cold?

Some people may do it to help themselves sleep when they are sick but gin may actually be the alcoholic beverage of choice for those who are suffering. When you compare it with red wine, whiskey, and other alcoholic beverages, it has lower levels of histamine and that means fewer allergy triggers. If you plan on having a drink this winter, then the British Asthma Association recommends trying gin.

The low level of histamine is all due to the distillation process. When gin is distilled, it results in a lower histamine level but it also provides other benefits. One of those benefits is low levels of sulfites, which is also something that can help to keep your cold in check. It is also something that asthmatics would appreciate.

What is your go-to emergency repair kit?

hayseedscreative's avatar by Leave a comment

You never know when you’ll have a minor emergencies. Today, was  one of those days for me. Luckily, I carry two of my favorite first-aid remedies in my bag: MelaGel and Tea Tree Oil. I believe it’s an absolute must when you’re out and about. I use this brand of Tea Tree oil as it is the highest grade of tea-tree oil available to me. I find it soothing and healing , perfect for cuts, burns and insect bites without stinging or burning. even the little ones don’t complain!
Here’s a helpful winter tip: Use it on your cuticles in the winter so they don’t get dry and cracked.

Do you suffer from dry scalp?

hayseedscreative's avatar by Leave a comment

Dry scalp is a great nuisance but it does not have to be dandruff. As the below bulletin describes, there are many causes of dry scalp, they mainly are caused by scalp infections.

There are a plethora of natural remedies for dry scalp. One of the most effective is the addition of tea tree oil to your shampooing regime. Combinations of other essential oils to the tea tree can also add to the effectiveness.

There are other natural ingredients that can be homogenized to be effective treatments as well. You may find most of them obscure, messier and more complicated than the essential oil treatment.

To prevent the occurrence of dry scalp before it happens, there are dietary alternatives that include more leafy green vegetables; fruits, eggs, and whole grains will help bolster the protein in your hair and scalp. Omega-3 is also helpful as are foods that are rich in vitamin A, B, C, zinc, and iron.

Always check the ingredients in your shampoo and conditioner to make sure they do not contain sulfates and parabens. Stay hydrated and use a hair dryer as little as possible. Massage your scalp with natural oils a few times a week.

Finally, try using a shampoo that contains tea tree oil and other nutrients that protect your hair and scalp to keep them healthy. 

homeremediesforlife.com/dry-scalp/

 

Let’s Connect..

Barbara Hay
732.233.6541

ESSENTIAL OILS AND SMOKING CESSATION

hayseedscreative's avatar by Leave a comment

BULLETIN: Trying to quit smoking is difficult. This isn’t a stocking statement (particularly to those who are smokers). If you are a smoker, who finds it counterintuitive to use nicotine therapy to accomplish the task of being smoke/tobacco free, I have some alternative suggestions.

Your diet can influence your success in quitting smoking. A diet rich in fruits and vegetables can not only aid in keeping off the weight which often accompanies smoking cessation, it also triggers brain endorphins to improve attitudes of “grumpiness” that can result from quitting the habit.

Another way to produce those endorphins is through exercise, and it helps with keep the potential weight gain at bay. Often, meditation can help with the multiple symptoms that a cessation regime can produce. Upping your consumption of water and herbal teas has also shown some positive results.

Essential Oils are another tool in the quitting smoking arsenal in fact, the attached article explains several combinations of certain essential oils that work to reduce cravings. They can be inhaled from the bottle or sniffed from a tissue or cotton square or diffused into your environment. Some of the essential oils that have proven successful are clove; clary sage; basil; and marjoram. But the list doesn’t stop there: rose; bergamot; lavender; ylang-ylang; patchouli and a wide variety of citrus oils (think lime; grapefruit; orange and lemon) have also shown success at stimulating, relaxing, relieving lethargy and irritability and agitation.

If you find the side effects and disclaimers that are attached to the nicotine based remedies, unacceptable, you may want to consider some of these alternatives to break your physical and psychological addiction to tobacco and tobacco products.

Of course, the quality and freshness of the essential oils make a big difference in their efficacy. I am associated with a company that manufactures some of the purest (and most affordable) essential oils available. The benefits of being successful in your quest to quit can add years and years to your life. Is it worth it?

THE HISTORY (AND THE MIRACLE) OF TEA TREE OIL

hayseedscreative's avatar by Leave a comment

Natural tea tree essential oil has been a legend for over 70 years. It is a natural essential oil, which has a plethora of applications in a natural environment. It has been used as a traditional medicine for many years.

The incredible numbers of applications of tea tree oil are truly amazing. In the days gone by even pirates would port in Australia to take advantage of the melaleuca alternifolia plant, either as a tea or a poultice, that would cure everything from digestive problems to foot fungus.

In 2010, there were reports released that tea tree oil (TTO) may play a prominent role in treating skin cancers, both basel cell and melanoma. It is important to note that the “freshness” and quality of the distillation of the oil itself has much to do with its efficacy, but all indications point toward the incredible results for everything from cold sores to minor skin abrasions.

My own experiences with tea tree oil never cease to amaze me. As I age, skin abrasions come from “nowhere”. Applying tea tree oil for several days, not only heals the abrasion, but also eliminates the perpetual bruising that occurs and endures.

The company with whom I am associated was a pioneer in the pure distillation of tea tree essential oil and now provides dozens of the purist and most diverse essential oils available. Most importantly, they are the most affordable and effective you will be able to find anywhere. Tea tree oil should be an essential in your medicine cabinet.

Essential Oils Sales Increases

hayseedscreative's avatar by Leave a comment

The essential oils market is expected to grow to nearly 12 billion dollars by 2022. That is EXPLOSIVE growth. The uses for essential oils are virtually limitless. Companies are discovering new ones everyday.

These oils can help you sleep, relieve headache pain, relax stress and much, much more. These oils are steeped in history and go back centuries. These key findings will give you an overview of this incredible growth and some details about their use.

Needless to say, the processing of these oils is complicated which explains their relatively high price. The methodology of concentration of these oils makes a difference in the quality of the final product. When searching for the right brand to utilize for me and my family I was fortunate to find a company that provides these “mysteries” of nature at prices that are extremely competitive for oils (Let’s be honest, cost is a factor!).  The best part about their line was the certification of purity.  It amazes me how much marketing has lead me to believe things that simply are not true from other brands.