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Published Articles Library by Michele Maes

Depression and pain help with Aromatherapy

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Lavender (Lavandula Angustifolia) - Queen of essential oils!

Lavender is probably the most versatile essential oil in Aromatherapy as it benefits every body system and helps to restore mental and physical balance. It is also an excellent skin antiseptic and is particularly useful in the treatment of burns.

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A natural antidepressant - great for general depression, baby and Winter Blues!!

One of Lavender essential oil's main acting properties is as an effective antidepressant. Try one or two drops on a Kleenex as a dry inhalation (also useful for panic / anxiety attacks), or in warm bath water (max. 5-6 drops).

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Safety info:

This oil is known to be non-toxic and non-irritant. It should be avoided during the first three months of pregnancy and used with caution during the remaining six months.

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New Study! Lavender and post-operative pain

A recent study in America showed that lavender aromatherapy can reduce the need for analgesics in the immediate post-operative stages following laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB). 54 patients received either lavender oil or non-scented baby oil applied to their oxygen mask on arrival to the post-anesthesia care unit. Morphine was used to treat post-operative pain when necessary. The results showed that significantly more patients in the control group required analgesics for post-operative pain than the patients in the lavender group (82% versus 46% respectively). Source: PubMed (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez). Obesity Surgery. July 2007. Vol 17 (No.7); pp920-5.

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Respiratory Allergy help with Aromatherapy

There are quite a few Aromatherapy essential oils to help with respiratory allergies. Here's a list of some of these oils: Eucalyptus, Pine, Tea-Tree, Cypress, Sandalwood, Frankincense, Myrr, Roman Chamomile and Lemon.

Most of these oils are best used as a synergy mix i.e., to have 2 to 3 oils mixed together. For example for hay fever, eucalyptus and lemon work well together. A huge amount of information on the Internet on essential oils is available. I do advise if you are not clear about the usage of essential oils, please speak to or see an aromatherapy specialist. Essential oils are potent and need to be treated with respect!

Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus Globulus)

Out of the list of oils just mentioned, what I believe to be the best all rounder respiratory beneficial essential oil is eucalyptus.  It's sold in many pharmacies and health food stores, and it's one of  the cheaper oils.  Just make sure you are getting a good quality one so do a bit of research!

Native to Australia (the tree), eucalyptus oil strengthens the immune system, reduces blood sugar levels and stimulates white cell production.  For respiratory relief, it is a great decongestant, expectorant, stimulant and anti-spasmodic.

Main Therapeutic Uses: Asthma, hay fever, sinus problems & sinusitis, catarrh, bronchitis, coughs, shallow breathing, migraine and headaches, muscular aches and pains, neuralgia, poor circulation, rheumatism

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How to use tips: You can use this oil as a dry inhalation on a tissue (1 or 2 drops), in your bath water, or when you havent got much time, flick some drops on the tiled walls of your shower unit (only on normal tiles) before going into the shower to have a steam inhalation whilst you wash! Otherwise you can do the normal steam inhalation method you use.

Also what's good is to dampen your face cloth and add some drops on it and rub the cloth into your chest, neck and your upper back, whilst you are in the shower or after your shower. Do NOT bring the bottle of oil into your shower!

Blends well with: Lemon, lavender, pine, cedarwood, juniper, marjoram and rosemary 

Safety data: Non-toxic externally, non-irritant diluted and non-sensitising. Incompatible with homeopathy. Not to be used during first 3 months of pregnancy
Boost your Immune System!
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Our Immune System - What is it really?
It's a fantastic mechanism working within us, protecting us against disease by identifying and killing pathogens (infectious agents) and tumor cells. Our immune system identifies a range of nasty agents from viruses to parasitic worms and needs to set these apart from our own body's healthy cells and tissues so that the healthy cells and tissues can function correctly.

Detection can be complex for the immune system as infectious agents can adapt and evolve to successfully infect us.  To endure this challenge, the immune system endevours to develop mechanics to help recognize and neutralize these agents.  So let's give our immune system a helping hand by eating healthily!
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"Let food be your medicine and medicine be your food."  - Hippocrates, AD 390

"Breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, dine like a pauper."  - Ancient proverb

"You are what you eat." - Ancient proverb

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Garlic (Allium Sativum) - The Super Food Germ Buster! 
A.k.a. "the stinking rose", this bulbous perennial grows up to one metre high, with light pink or green-white flowers.  Native to Asia, garlic is now grown Worldwide.  It is in the plant's bulb (cloves) that has the antioxidant & medicinal properties.
Constituents:Nutrients: vitamins A, B, C, & E, calcium, magnesium, zinc, selenium, & other minerals. Phyto-chemicals:  allicin, alliin (potent sulphur amino acids), beta-carotene, & more!
Garlic's Key Actions 
- antioxidant, antibiotic, anti-viral, antiseptic, anti-parasitic, antispasmodic, diuretic, antihypertensive, fungicide, expectorant
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Benefits 
Garlic provides an excellent defense for our immune system and in turn our lymphatic system (major part of the immune system). It also provides help with other bodily systems, and therefore is a good all rounder for wellbeing.
Respiratory: Garlic has a long and established reputation for helping the immune system especially with sinusitis, asthma, colds, flu, bronchitis and catarrh of the stomach.
Circulatory: Research has shown that garlic can help to protect the cardiovascular system, reducing the risk of blood clotting, heart disease and other related conditions.
Other: Garlic was used to dress wounds during the First World War!  It also helps to get rid of  intestinal worms, stimulates bile for digestion of fats and helps reduce the occurrence of cancer.

Caution / Concern 
Seek medical advice if taking blood thinning medication. Smaller consumption for children under the age of 12.  Garlic is considered as a safe herb but as Lucretius said "What is food to one man may be fierce poison to others".  Also, too much of a good thing results in a bad thing.  Moderation is usually key!  Consider a clove or capsule equivalent for an easy guide to your daily dose for general wellbeing.

The Italian Job 

Here's a really tasty Italian, healthy food snack, or starter:

Toast a slice of bread, rub a glove of raw garlic (without the skin) onto the toast.  Then rub half a sliced tomato on top of the garlic, & add some roughly chopped fresh basil.  Drizzle a little amount of good quality virgin pressed olive oil over the toast and then lay very thin slices of parmesan cheese on top. Delicious & healthy!

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Immune Booster Juice
Tomatoes and carrots help contribute to your needed daily intake amount of vitamin C, ideal for maintaining a healthy body.  Garlic, ginger and horseradish contain potent antioxidants and antiflammatory properties. All of these ingredients combined create a mighty anti-mucus punch!
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The Hot Stuff Juice Mix, by miracle juicesTM
Ingredients:
300 g tomatoes, 100 g celery, 2.5cm fresh root ginger, roughly chopped, 1 garlic clove, 2 cm fresh horseradish, 175 g carrots, 2 ice cubes, celery slivers to decorate on top (optional). Juice all the ingredients (you need a juice extracting machine for this), mix the juice in blender or food processor with the ice cubes and serve.  Decorate with celery slivers, if liked.  Makes 150ml (1/2 pint). 
Some of the Nutritional Values: calories: 189, Vitamin A: 51253 iu, Vitamin C: 87mg, Zinc: 5-52mg

NB: The contents of these articles are for information purposes only. The reader is recommended to
think carefully about any difficulties he or she is having with their own health and to consult their
doctor if uncertain as to its cause or nature.