Welcome to It's My Nature's online email newsletter. Our goal is to provide you with interesting, useful information about herbs and aromatherapy. We will share ways to relieve the stress of daily life and bring a little natural comfort into your life and the lives of those you love.
Winter arrives this month and we are well into the holiday season. This time of year can be wonderful and exciting with all the family, friends and holiday gatherings. And don't forget about all the yummy food that seems to be everywhere! But it can also be very challenging and stressful to pull it all off! Be sure to check out the Ease the Stress article this month and try some of the stress relieving tips we suggest for this season.
Our website is continually being updated so please remember
to BOOKMARK it and visit often. http://itsmynature.net
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Monthly Tip:
The holidays are the perfect time for crafting and get togethers.
Here are a couple of fun things to make with family or friends.
Holiday Logs
To make Holiday Logs, use 1 drop of essential oil per log and
only one log per fire. Let the essential oil soak through the
log. If it doesn't soak in, it could spark because essential oils
are flammable. Some good choices for the holidays are Sandalwood,
Frankincense, Myrrh, Clove, Sweet Orange, Fir Needle, Pine and
Cinnamon.
Pine Cone Fire Starters
Heat a block of paraffin in a double boiler.......add three drops
of pine oil and bits of red or green crayon to the melted wax
for color. Place an 8 inch wick alongside the pinecone and dip
both in the wax, coating evenly. To use, place one fire-starter
under kindling and light the wick!!!!! Then relax in cocoon-like
comfort before a roaring fire, renewing memories of cherished
mountain experiences.
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Herb & Essential Oil of the Month - Peppermint
Dried --- Herb Usage
Peppermint is a natural hybrid of spearmint and watermint.
It has stronger healing properties and is a very versatile herb
and essential oil. It aids in concentration, calms the nerves
and is excellent for nausea. (Also keeps mice, fleas, and ants
away.)
The menthol from peppermint oil has been distilled since the early
1880's for its active germicidal properties and anesthetic power.
It is used in many pain-relieving skin creams like Solarcaine
and Ben-Gay. Rubbing peppermint or its essential oil on the forehead
and temples will help relieve a headache. Because of its decongestant
action, peppermint is a FDA approved remedy for the common cold.
The menthol vapors help relieve nasal, sinus and chest congestion.
Peppermint is very easy to grow. It spreads by surface runners and can easily take over a garden. If you want dried peppermint, strip the leaves from the stems and set them aside. When dry, crumble the leaves and store them in jars. Fresh or dried, the leaves have many medicinal uses. Try adding the fresh leaves with other greens in your next salad.
Properties include: Analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, anti-viral, astringent, expectorant, stomachis.
Aromatherapy/Home Use
Skin Care: Acne, dermatitis, ringworm, toothache, insect bites.
Circulation, Muscles & Joints: Sore muscles, rheumatism,
muscular pain, palpitations.
Respiratory System: Asthma, bronchitis, halitosis, sinusitis,
coughs.
Immune System: Colds, flu, fever.
Nervous System: Fainting, headache, mental fatigue, migraine,
nervous stress.
Digestive System: Colic, cramp, flatulence, nausea.
Dried Peppermint Herb Usage
Tea - 1-2 teaspoons of dried, crushed peppermint leaves. Steep
10 minutes. Great for indigestion, cramps, and other stomach disorders.
Bath - Place 1/4 cup of peppermint or spearmint in a small
muslin bag or large tea ball. Steep while you bathe. Very stimulating
to body and mind.
Culinary - Use in candy, gum, tea, vinegar, jellies and
sauces.
Essential Oil Usage
Inhalation - Awakens, clears and stimulates the mind. Great
to use while studying for exams.
Mouthwash - Add one drop essential oil to a cup
of water and use as mouthwash or gargle. Great for mouth infections.
Headache Relief - Rub directly on skin where it hurts. Two of peppermint's main key constituents are menthol (35%-55%) and flavonoids. Also, new studies show pure peppermint oil is as good as Tylenol for relieving headaches.
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Peppermint Recipes
Ants hate peppermint essential oil. Place a few drops where
they enter the house or 2 drops on the ant nest.
A compress with peppermint oil relieves the symptoms of a sinus infection. Mix 5 drops of peppermint oil in two cups of warm water. Lay a small cloth dampened with the mixture across your nose and your cheekbones. Breathe deeply, keeping your eyes closed.
Diffuser Blend
6 drops Eucalyptus
4 drops Lavender
2 drops Peppermint
2 drops Rosemary
Use 3-4 drops in a diffuser or add 2 drops to a warm bath. Massage
blend- add 2 drops to 2 teaspoons of sweet almond oil. Massage
on chest and back.
Foot Soak
5 drops Sage
5 drops Tea Tree
2 drops Peppermint
Fill basin or tub with hot water. Add essential oils and soak
feet for 15 minutes.
Peppermint Mouthwash
2 cups distilled water
1 1/2 tablespoons baking soda
15 drops peppermint or spearmint essential oil
1 vitamin C tablet, crushed
1 teaspoon aloe vera gel
2 drops blue food coloring
Mix together all ingredients and stir well to blend. Pour into
a clean glass container with a tight fitting lid. To use, shake
well and rinse your mouth with 1 teaspoon of the mouthwash. Do
not swallow. Shake well before each use to ensure the mix. You
can use green food coloring to make green mouthwash, or you can
omit the coloring altogether for a clear mouthwash.
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Ease The Stress
The holiday season is in full swing and chances are, so are
your stress levels. It's challenging enough to take care of our
daily responsibilities without adding anything extra to do. Throw
in changing, often inclement weather, and a few emotion packed
traditions and it's no wonder the holidays bring additional stress
to many. Trying to fit in more time for shopping, wrapping, decorating,
cooking, planning, partying and travelling can be very stressful.
We run around frantically with a sense of not having enough time,
resources, or relationships, with which to enjoy the holiday season.
By the time the holidays are over, we are frazzled and completely
stressed out.
So now is the time to define the experience you want to have this holiday season. Keep it in front of you and stay true to yourself. If the holidays are a special time for you, then you will need to reprioritize your activities in order to clear time to enjoy holiday-related activities. Learn to say no when necessary. Maybe you will want to say no to anything that doesn't directly produce money or express holiday activity. Say no to meetings that aren't holiday celebrations. Say no to requests that could be done after the holidays. Say no to the routines that don't add to or support your holiday experience.
You will also need to learn to say yes. Say yes to taking care of yourself this holiday season. Get enough sleep, make time for exercise, and eat well so you can stay healthy and be at your very best - for yourself and others. Say yes to the parts of the season you look forward to the most. Make time for them and enjoy them to the fullest. Give thoughtfully from your heart and accept gifts from others with grace.
Here are several great ideas to help you stay on track this holiday season:
Avoid the stress of overspending. Make a list of the people you want to buy gifts and assign a cost to each. After you buy the presents, update your list to make sure you're on budget.
Shop online for as many of your gifts as possible. It is very pleasant to sit with a nice cup of tea or other warm beverage in the comfort and privacy of your own home and make purchases that will be delivered to your door or even right to the gift recipient, complete with gift wrapping.
If you're tired, try doing just a few minutes of low intensity exercise. Studies show it can provide you with an immediate energy boost. Consider jumping rope or running in place.
If party leftovers are a hugh temptation, buy festive doggie bags and send treats home with your guests. If you still have goodies left, take them to the office and share them with your co-workers.
If the thought of dieting stresses you out, decide to just maintain your weight right now and wait till after the holidays to begin a diet.
If you drink alcohol, do so moderately. Drinking excessively
can cause additional stresses like offending an important contact,
physical dehydration, unpleasant hangovers and unsafe driving.
Be sure to drink plenty of water to replenish lost hydration.
Caffeinated and soft drinks do not count for rehydration.
Find a quiet place everyday and give yourself the gift of 5 minutes
of peace. Close your eyes and breathe deeply several times. Even
better, put a few drops of your favorite essential oil on a tissue
or cotton ball and inhale the wonderful aroma.
The holidays are a special time of year and can be filled with celebration, joy, generosity and wellness if you plan ahead wisely. Choose to make the season happier and take the small, yet effective steps to make it happen.
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Tea of the Month- Peppermint
While peppermint is such a cool and refreshing summer tea, its
medicinal qualities also make it the perfect cold and flu season
tea. Peppermint is approved by the FDA as a remedy for the common
cold. Its menthol vapors help relieve nasal, sinus and chest congestion.
It is also one of the most powerful natural remedies for indigestion.
Peppermint soothes and relaxes muscle linings and has an antispasmodic
effect particularly to the intestines and the stomach. This helps
it to relieve nausea, muscle spasms, gas, bloating and cramps.
Excellent for motion sickness, PMS, headaches and stimulating
the mind.
Our 12 oz. glass jar of Peppermint Herbal Tea is $5.95. Makes
50-60 cups.
Save $1.00 by ordering in a ziplock bag.
http://itsmynature.net/html/TeaCorner.html
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