For this week's Carnival of Healing, I present a short list of health-related posts.
As a massage therapist, I know how prevalent forward head posture is (and how it causes people pain). Sam Visnic at Back Pain Relief Blog posts two videos on Correction Of Forward Head Posture.
For health and fitness tips, Camille Hensley of Phlebotomy Technician Programs presents 25 Essential YouTube Channels for Health and Fitness Tips chosen based on their quality, frequent updates, and the number of videos offered.
To understand the association between stress, inflammation, and heart disease, take a look at Chronic Stress & Inflammation by WP Ho of The Conscious Life.
And, if you didn't already know, Natural Health News reports Stop eating processed and fried foods and you'll restore the body's natural defenses, study finds.
June Tree of The Digerati Life gives us ways to get out of a rut in Stuck In A Rut? How Change Does a Mind and Body Good.
Cari Campbell of Your Joyous Life! reminds us how important it is to Get Into Your Body and Out of Your Head!.
The Life Optimizer blog gives us Anthony de Mello on How to Find Happiness, who reminds us that if we want peace, seek to change ourselves, not other people.
Want more? The November 21 carnival was hosted at Your Joyous Life and the December 5 carnival will be at Mind Mart.
For past carnivals, visit the carnival of healing archive page.
Essential Oils for Weight Loss
Although essential oils for weight loss are not a magic solution for losing weight, some essential oils may assist you in your overall weight-loss program.
A study, "Weight Reduction Through Inhalation of Odorants," found that when the test subjects inhaled certain scents, including peppermint, when hungry, they lost weight over six months. So, you can try sniffing peppermint essential oil when you feel hungry.
Two essential oils generally believe to improve your metabolism are grapefruit and lemon. Grapefruit may also help lessen your appetite. Some sources state that lemon oil may actually increase your appetite, although another source indicates that the scent of lemon oil instantly short circuits your emotional triggers for sweets and second helpings. Try it and see what happens for you.
Orange and other citrus essential oils are also sometimes recommended to aid weight loss. If emotional stress is causing you to overeat, bergamot essential oil may have a calming effect.
If you any of the citrus oils for massage, just remember that they make your skin more sensitive to the sun for 24 to 48 hours.
Another look at essential oils for weight loss.
A study, "Weight Reduction Through Inhalation of Odorants," found that when the test subjects inhaled certain scents, including peppermint, when hungry, they lost weight over six months. So, you can try sniffing peppermint essential oil when you feel hungry.
Two essential oils generally believe to improve your metabolism are grapefruit and lemon. Grapefruit may also help lessen your appetite. Some sources state that lemon oil may actually increase your appetite, although another source indicates that the scent of lemon oil instantly short circuits your emotional triggers for sweets and second helpings. Try it and see what happens for you.
Orange and other citrus essential oils are also sometimes recommended to aid weight loss. If emotional stress is causing you to overeat, bergamot essential oil may have a calming effect.
If you any of the citrus oils for massage, just remember that they make your skin more sensitive to the sun for 24 to 48 hours.
Another look at essential oils for weight loss.
Essential Oils for Constipation
According to Aromatherapy for Massage Practitioners,
traditional essential oils for constipation include fennel, rosemary, black pepper, ginger, marjoram, and sweet orange.
Here's a constipation blend, based on a recommendation from aromatherapist KG Stiles.
10 drops basil
10 drops cypress
10 drops sweet marjoram
10 drops sweet orange
4 drops bitter fennel
1 drop black pepper
Ways to Use
Place 3 - 4 drops of the blend on a tissue and inhale deeply for 60 seconds.
Place 3 - 8 drops into a bowl of hot water and inhale. Or make a hot compress and place it over your lower colon.
Mix 4 - 8 drops in 1/2 cup cream or honey and add it to a warm bath.
Mix 1 - 2 drops essential oil blend with 10 - 20 drops carrier oil and gently massage your abdomen and lower back.
Buy essential oils for constipation.
traditional essential oils for constipation include fennel, rosemary, black pepper, ginger, marjoram, and sweet orange. Here's a constipation blend, based on a recommendation from aromatherapist KG Stiles.
10 drops basil
10 drops cypress
10 drops sweet marjoram
10 drops sweet orange
4 drops bitter fennel
1 drop black pepper
Ways to Use
Place 3 - 4 drops of the blend on a tissue and inhale deeply for 60 seconds.
Place 3 - 8 drops into a bowl of hot water and inhale. Or make a hot compress and place it over your lower colon.
Mix 4 - 8 drops in 1/2 cup cream or honey and add it to a warm bath.
Mix 1 - 2 drops essential oil blend with 10 - 20 drops carrier oil and gently massage your abdomen and lower back.
Buy essential oils for constipation.
Essential Oils for Hemorrhoids
Using essential oils for hemorrhoids may provide some relief from their pain and itchiness. Just remember that it's always a good idea to check with your healthcare provider, and definitely see your doctor if you have bleeding.
The Essential Oils Desk Reference
suggests this blend:
3 drops cypress essential oil
2 drops helichrysum
10 drops myrtle
15 drops carrier oil
Apply 3-5 drops as needed. It may sting a little; if it stings too much, add more carrier oil to the blend.
For a soothing soak, aromatherapist Judith Jackson, author of Scentual Touch: A Personal Guide to Aromatherapy,
suggests adding 20 drops each of lavender and juniper essential oils to a hot, shallow bath. Mix the bathwater with your hand to disperse the oils, and then soak for ten minutes. (Source: mothernature.com)
To make a essential oil compress for hemorrhoids, Aromatherapy for Dummies
gives the following blend:
3 drops helichrysum
3 drops Roman chamomile
3 drops lavender
1 drop neroli (orange blossom)
1 ounce distilled witch hazel
Buy a jar of witch hazel or aloe vera wipes and pour 2 tablespoons of the blend into the jar over the wipes. Use a wipe as a compress.
I also found this pre-blended essential oils for hemorrhoids product, though I have no knowledge of its effectiveness.
The Essential Oils Desk Reference
suggests this blend:3 drops cypress essential oil
2 drops helichrysum
10 drops myrtle
15 drops carrier oil
Apply 3-5 drops as needed. It may sting a little; if it stings too much, add more carrier oil to the blend.
For a soothing soak, aromatherapist Judith Jackson, author of Scentual Touch: A Personal Guide to Aromatherapy,
suggests adding 20 drops each of lavender and juniper essential oils to a hot, shallow bath. Mix the bathwater with your hand to disperse the oils, and then soak for ten minutes. (Source: mothernature.com)To make a essential oil compress for hemorrhoids, Aromatherapy for Dummies
gives the following blend:3 drops helichrysum
3 drops Roman chamomile
3 drops lavender
1 drop neroli (orange blossom)
1 ounce distilled witch hazel
Buy a jar of witch hazel or aloe vera wipes and pour 2 tablespoons of the blend into the jar over the wipes. Use a wipe as a compress.
I also found this pre-blended essential oils for hemorrhoids product, though I have no knowledge of its effectiveness.
Essential Oils for Grief
For someone experiencing grief and sorrow, aromatherapy may offer a little comfort. Aromatherapist Linda Lee Smith suggests the following essential oils for grief.
Bergamot (Citrus bergamia) is calming and helps relieve depression. The citrus fragrance relieves anxiety and has mood lifting qualities. It can be used for agitation, depression, and insomnia. It can be diffused or directly inhaled. Avoid applying to skin that will be exposed to sunlight or UV light within 36 hours, because bergamot makes your skin more sensitive to sun.
Roman Chamomile (Chamaemelumnobile) is relaxing, relieves spasms, and reduces inflammation, and it helps detoxify blood and liver. It can be used for relieving restlessness, anxiety, depression, insomnia, and skin conditions such as dermatitis. The fragrance may also dispel anger, stabilize the emotions, and help release emotions linked to the past. You can diffuse it or inhale directly as well as apply it directly to the skin. This oil is very safe and is often used with small children and the frail elderly.
Juniper (Juniperus osteosperma) is a digestive cleanser/stimulant, increases circulation through the kidneys and promotes excretion of toxins, and is detoxifying. The fragrance evokes feelings of health, love, and peace and may help elevate one's spiritual awareness. You can directly inhale or diffuse this oil as well as apply it directly to the skin or dilute it with a good carrier oil.
Lavender (Lavandula angustafolia) is relaxing, relieves pain, and reduces inflammation. It is effective for insomnia and nervous tension. Lavender balances both physically and emotionally and has been shown to dramatically improve concentration and mental acuity. You can directly inhale or diffuse this oil and apply it undiluted on the skin or diluted for a massage. Be sure you are using therapeutic-grade lavender that's not extended with hybrid lavender or synthetic linalool and linalyl acetate.
Linda Lee Smith is Director of the Institute of Spiritual Healing & Aromatherapy.
Source: Essential Oils Can Be an Aid During the Grief and Sorrow Process
Bergamot (Citrus bergamia) is calming and helps relieve depression. The citrus fragrance relieves anxiety and has mood lifting qualities. It can be used for agitation, depression, and insomnia. It can be diffused or directly inhaled. Avoid applying to skin that will be exposed to sunlight or UV light within 36 hours, because bergamot makes your skin more sensitive to sun.
Roman Chamomile (Chamaemelumnobile) is relaxing, relieves spasms, and reduces inflammation, and it helps detoxify blood and liver. It can be used for relieving restlessness, anxiety, depression, insomnia, and skin conditions such as dermatitis. The fragrance may also dispel anger, stabilize the emotions, and help release emotions linked to the past. You can diffuse it or inhale directly as well as apply it directly to the skin. This oil is very safe and is often used with small children and the frail elderly.
Juniper (Juniperus osteosperma) is a digestive cleanser/stimulant, increases circulation through the kidneys and promotes excretion of toxins, and is detoxifying. The fragrance evokes feelings of health, love, and peace and may help elevate one's spiritual awareness. You can directly inhale or diffuse this oil as well as apply it directly to the skin or dilute it with a good carrier oil.
Lavender (Lavandula angustafolia) is relaxing, relieves pain, and reduces inflammation. It is effective for insomnia and nervous tension. Lavender balances both physically and emotionally and has been shown to dramatically improve concentration and mental acuity. You can directly inhale or diffuse this oil and apply it undiluted on the skin or diluted for a massage. Be sure you are using therapeutic-grade lavender that's not extended with hybrid lavender or synthetic linalool and linalyl acetate.
Linda Lee Smith is Director of the Institute of Spiritual Healing & Aromatherapy.
Source: Essential Oils Can Be an Aid During the Grief and Sorrow Process
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