News
The Healing Power of Castor Oil
Discover the powerful benefits of castor oil, from liver detox and skin healing to reducing inflammation and boosting immunity.
Learn more
How to Use Castor Oil Packs for Natural Healing and Detoxification
Learn how to use castor oil packs to naturally detox, reduce inflammation, and support your body’s healing process with these easy steps.
Learn more
GRAPEFRUIT ESSENTIAL OIL
Weight Loss Booster Ever been told that grapefruit is one of the best fruits to eat for weight loss and fat-burning? Well, that’s because some of grapefruit’s active ingredients are super beneficial to boost metabolism and reduce your appetite. When applied topically to the skin in small amounts, grapefruit essential oil is an excellent diuretic and lymphatic stimulant. This is one reason why it’s included in many cellulite creams and blends that are used for dry brushing. Additionally, grapefruit can be very effective for shedding excess water weight loss since it helps kick-start a sluggish lymphatic system. Acne Fighter and Skin Saver Not only is grapefruit essential oil able to help fight bacteria and greasiness that can cause acne blemishes, but it’s also useful for keeping skin’s immunity strong against indoor and outdoor air pollution and UV light damage — plus helps you get rid of cellulite. It’s also been found to help heal wounds, cuts, bites and to prevent skin infections. As anatural acne treatment or skin salve, use grapefruit oil along with nourishing coconut or jojoba oil once or twice daily on the affected area. Stress Buster The smell of grapefruit is uplifting, soothing and clarifying. It’s known to bust stress and works great when it’s diffused, added to bath wash or dabbed on skin just like perfume. Natural Antibacterial Grapefruit oil has antimicrobial effects that help reduce or eliminate harmful strains of bacteria that can enter the body through contaminated foods, water or parasites. Research shows that grapefruit oil can even fight strong bacterial strains that are responsible for food-born illnesses, including E. Coli and salmonella. Candida Killer Another benefit of grapefruit oil is that it has antifungal abilities and is able to reduce yeast and bacteria that are responsible for causing candida virus symptoms, a common condition affecting gut health that can cause cravings. Research shows that grapefruit is effective at fighting urinary tract infections too and might even be “comparable to that of proven antibacterial drugs.” Air Freshener To get rid of unpleasant odors in your kitchen, appliances and bathrooms, diffuse some grapefruit oil along with other citrus scents like lemon essential oil and orange oil. While your house fills with a clean scent, you also eliminate odor-causing bacteria from the air. Additionally, you can use a small amount of grapefruit essential oil on wooden surfaces, countertops, floors or in household appliances to kill bacteria and odor naturally. Circulation Booster Nearly all therapeutic-grade citrus essential oils are capable of helping lower inflammation and increase blood flow. The blood vessel-dilating effects of grapefruit are useful as a natural remedy for PMS cramps, headaches, bloating, fatigue and muscle pains. Digestive-Booster Increased blood to the digestive organs — including the bladder, liver, stomach and kidneys — means that grapefruit oil also helps with detoxification. It has a positive effect on digestion; can help you shed fluid retention; and fights microbes within the intestines, gut and other digestive organs. You can make a homemade massage lotion with grapefruit and coconut or jojoba oil and rub the mixture onto your abdomen. Natural Energizer As one of the most popular oils used in aromatherapy, grapefruit oil can increase your mental focus and give you a natural pick-me-up. When inhaled, its stimulating effects also make it effective for reducing headaches, sleepiness, “brain fog,” mental fatigue and even poor moods. Hair Cleanser You can add a few drops of grapefruit essential oil to your shampoo or conditioner to help reduce grease, sweat and bacteria while adding volume and shine. If you color your hair, grapefruit oil might also be able to protect strands from sunlight damage.
Learn more
GET RID OF HEADACHES & ANXIETY WITH LAVENDER LEMONADE
Why Lemons & Lavender Are the Perfect Mix. Rather than reaching for aspirin the next time a headache strikes, try grabbing a drink of lemonade instead. Not only can it help ease your head pain, but it can also help relieve stress, anxiety, and depression. But not just any old lemonade will do the trick—reach for the lavender lemonade. Also, according to research conducted by naturopathic physician Jeremy Appleton, the scent of lavender works to change our perception of pain. Appleton’s work indicates that when we smell lavender, we are better able to tolerate pain like headaches. To make lavender lemonade, there are two basic simple approaches that I would choose based on your sweetener and the lead time you have: Make and store a lavender syrup to add to your lemon mixture. With a day’s lead time, I would tend to make a lavender syrup to add to the lemon drink. I would make extra lavender syrup and store it in the refrigerator just to have around. Infuse part of your lemonade water with lavender and integrate your honey or sugar at the same time. For either approach, here are some basic ratios to start with. One reason I like the syrup method is that you can keep adding syrup until you reach your perfect flavor. The problem with that method is that you may never have your perfect recipe on record. Regardless, these problems are nothing that a few more batches of lavender lemonade can’t solve. DIY Lavender Lemonade (With Lavender Essential Oil) To create your own lavender lemonade, the recipe is an easy one. Mix the following ingredients together: 1 cup raw honey (or 3–4 cups sugar) 12 cups pure water 1 drop lavender essential oil, available at health food stores The juice of six lemons Lavender sprigs for garnish Once the ingredients are well combined, cool the lemonade in your refrigerator until it’s perfectly chilled. If you prefer your drink sweeter, add more honey, or take down the sweetness with added water. If you’re worried about ingesting essential oil, don’t be. Though most essential oils are labeled for external use only, it’s only a precaution because they are very strong, according to Now Foods. Most essential oils are safe for consumption in very small quantities, so don’t use more than a drop. If you want to get something that specifically states food-grade, LorAnn is a good choice. DIY Lavender Lemonade (With Dried Flowers) If you still can’t fathom the idea of ingesting lavender essential oil, The Kitchn has a good recipe for you to try. 1 cup sugar 5 cups water, divided 1 tbsp dried lavender flowers (English or Provençal lavender is probably best) 1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice Ice cubes Lavender sprigs for garnish The process of making this is a little more time-consuming than the oil method above, so head to The Kitchn for the full instructions. If you want to make less, Martha Stewart has a good recipe, though it ups the sugar significantly. Don’t Like Lemonade? While you’ll get the best benefits from a fresh glass of lavender lemonade, you can also add a little lemon and lavender to your food, too.
Learn more
