aromatherapy-related stories
Afternoon Cravings: Breathe Past Them
Photo: ktylerconk, Flickr
Oranges might work well for a crave, too. Citrus scents are mood-lifters, so toss a couple oranges in that cubicle fridge. In the end, aromatherapy beats wandering down to the coffee shop for a tempting calorie-filled latte and fresh-baked raspberry bar. C'mon, you're going to eat dinner in two hours. Breathe in, slim down.
Here are more reasons peppermint is a real cravings fighter.
How to Fit Into Your Cute Jeans
The Passion Principle, Motivation
Chronic stress can slow down your ability to lose weight and get rid of stubborn stored fat. Practicing a few unique stress-reduction strategies can help you lose those jiggly arms and way-too-ample bellies and booties!
I am quite familiar with stress -- raising kids as a single mother has given me an intimate relationship with it. As a person who writes, coaches and speaks about health on an almost-daily basis, I know implicitly that experiencing chronic stress may result in weight gain, and I'm not talking about an increase in muscle! And after recently spending more than $100 on a pair of cool, "beautiful booty" jeans, I am highly motivated to keep my stress in check, or I'll have to shell out even more cash for bigger clothes. And that is something I do not care to do. Like you, I have plenty of other things I should be buying with my hard-earned cash.
Storing more calories as body fat, specifically around your middle, occurs under times of stress. Even slim women who eat healthfully and work out on a regular basis are likely to have more belly fat if they are constantly stressed out. Researchers call it "visceral" fat -- the kind that sticks close to your internal organs and interferes with liver function, hampers the processing of cholesterol and insulin and compromises the function of other tissues and systems. Yikes. So what do we do? Develop our own stress-reduction strategies, that's what. Here are a few.
Post-workout peppermint
Healthy Habits, Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness, Reviews & Products, Motivation
My ideal workout scenario is as follows: Get out of bed, exercise, shower, fix myself up, and be done for the day. There's something about accomplishing my fitness feats first thing that helps power me through the day. Sometimes things work out this way although on most days, my morning routine has me coaxing little ones out of bed, into clothes, to the breakfast table, to the toothbrushes, and into the car for the ritual school drop-off. By the time I get to my treadmill or to the streets outside, I've been up for hours. Not ideal. But that's the way my life goes.
Regardless of when I work out, there's one thing standard about my routine -- the feel-good sense I get when all is said and done. And the scents that surround me when I'm clean and ready to take on the day.
Yesterday, I picked up this yummy peppermint body stuff at Bath & Body Works. I got one bottle of a body wash -- which just so happens to double as a shampoo which doubles as a bubble bath -- and I got one bottle of body lotion. Twisted Peppermint, this product line is called. And I'll tell you: It's sure to put a bounce in your step.
According to holisticonline.com, aromatherapy means "treatment using scents." It's a holistic way of caring for the body with pleasant smelling botanical oils such as rose, lemon, lavender, and yes, peppermint. Aromatherapy is used to relieve pain, care for the skin, alleviate tension and fatigue, and invigorate the entire body. Aromas can affect the mood, knock out fatigue, reduce anxiety, and promote relaxation. When inhaled, they work on the brain and nervous system through stimulation of the olfactory nerves.
My new aroma is certainly working on my brain. It's simply invigorating. Stop by a Bath & Body Works near you and ask for a sample. You'll see what I mean.
Life Fit with Laura Lewis: Stay focused with essential oils
Being Life Fit is about your total health, including the health of all of your relationships. Life Fit is a journey, not a destination. It is a process of continuous growth: physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Check in each Tuesday to Life Fit with Laura Lewis, author of "52 Ways To A Healthy You," as we explore our total life fitness. Then, weigh in with your own thoughts over at Laura's "Life Fit Chat" each Wednesday and Thursday for further discussion on the week's topic. For more information visit Laura at www.LauraLewis.com.Aromatic plants and essential oils are very beneficial for increasing concentration, as well as inducing a sense of calm and wellness in our deadline-driven lifestyle. Each herb has a slightly different affect on the mind, as well as the spirit. By experimenting with various plants and oils, you will be able to determine which ones most suit your needs.
Uses for Aromatic Plants
For a regenerating break, make up a vase of fresh herbs and place it in a close proximity to your work space. Throughout the day pinch and inhale various leaves and offer up a thought of thanksgiving for the refreshing and healing aromas. The following plants are especially rejuvenating:
- Alecost
- Angelica
- Basil
- Bay
- Calamint
- Catnip
- Cedar
- Citrus leaves
- Cyprus
- Fennel
- Germander
- Hyssop
- Lavender
- Lemon Balm
- Lemon Verbena
- Marjoram
- Mint
- Oregano
- Pine
- Rosemary
- Santolina
- Savory
- Thyme
- Wax Myrtle
- Wormwood
The following plants will reduce formaldehyde from the environment:
- Spider Plant
- Heart Leaf Philodendron
- Azalea
- Mother-in-Law's Tongue
- Poinsettia
- Fig Tree
- English Ivy
- Marginata
- Golden Pothos
- Peace Lily
- Dragon Tree
Uses for Essential Oils
The highly concentrated aromas of essential oils is much more powerful than sniffing the scent of the actual plant. Enjoy the benefits of essential oils by placing five drops of oil into a handkerchief or cloth napkin. I like to keep a scent filled cloth in my car as well as well to bring a sense of calm while driving.
Rosemary oil is excellent for increasing concentration. The most invigorating scents to the brain are Rosemary, Basil, Peppermint, Black Pepper and Grapefruit. These oils are especially beneficial in reducing mental fatigue. Geranium, Thyme, Sweet Marjoram, Pine and Nutmeg are beneficial for physical fatigue.
You will need to alternate these oils with choices that are little less potent in order to not overstimulate your brain or create a tolerance to their effectiveness. Less potent scents are Eucalyptus, Lemon Eucalyptus, Thyme, Lemon, Bergamot, Cedarwood, Cypress, Juniper, Lemongrass, Ginger, Cinnamon, Clove, Linden Blossom, Nutmeg,Cardamom, Coriander, Petitgrain, Lime and Orange.
Essential oils can also be used for memory retention while studying. Simply place drop of a different essential oil inside the book or document that you are reading to provide a memory link or memory association. Avoid using oils in which you already have a strong association. For example, if geranium reminds you of your grandmother's garden, you would not want to use that scent to develop a new association. By coupling specific scents to particular topics, you will have a recall on the information when you experience that scent. To reinforce the memory, dab the oil on your sleeve to sniff when needed. General memory enhancing oils are Basil, Black Pepper, Cardamom, Coriander, Ginger, Grapefruit, Lemon, Rosemary and Thyme.
Stress Less: Your holiday pantry
Nothing's more stressful during the holiday season than getting sick amid all the hoopla.
So, as you're cruising the aisles of the grocery store stocking up on canned pumpkin, flour, sugar and other "necessities", consider grabbing those infamous immunity buildings, zinc and echinacea. Stocking up on vitamin C might also be a good idea, although it is a more controversial remedy for the common cold and one must be careful about dosing with a supplement. As you're picking through the produce, throw in a few bulbs of garlic, which is believed to have antibiotic properties. If nothing else, it sure spruces up sauteed veggies and pasta sauces and can be added to olive oil for a divine bread dip.
Then, after your home perusing the net for holiday gift ideas, visit here and order some fabulous teas that reportedly aid digestion, reduce cholesterol and boost antioxidants . I also like this place, which has some nice herbal and decaf options. Even if you're skeptical of the health benefits, you can't argue that a nice hot cup of liquid does wonders for relaxation. And that can't be bad for warding off illness. As a matter of fact, might be a good gift idea too.
So, as you're cruising the aisles of the grocery store stocking up on canned pumpkin, flour, sugar and other "necessities", consider grabbing those infamous immunity buildings, zinc and echinacea. Stocking up on vitamin C might also be a good idea, although it is a more controversial remedy for the common cold and one must be careful about dosing with a supplement. As you're picking through the produce, throw in a few bulbs of garlic, which is believed to have antibiotic properties. If nothing else, it sure spruces up sauteed veggies and pasta sauces and can be added to olive oil for a divine bread dip.
Then, after your home perusing the net for holiday gift ideas, visit here and order some fabulous teas that reportedly aid digestion, reduce cholesterol and boost antioxidants . I also like this place, which has some nice herbal and decaf options. Even if you're skeptical of the health benefits, you can't argue that a nice hot cup of liquid does wonders for relaxation. And that can't be bad for warding off illness. As a matter of fact, might be a good gift idea too.
Life Fit Chat with Laura Lewis: Sniff your way to good health
Life Fit Chat with That's Fit Life Fit Expert Laura Lewis brings conversation provoking tidbits to your table, served up with a touch of spice! Byte-sized information that pack some punch, brought to you every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday!Did you know ... Aromatherapy is a very complex and integral part of holistic medicine in which essential oils derived from healing plants are used to create healing and wellness in the body. Aromatherapy is an alternative medicine.
Aromacology should not be confuse with aromatherapy. Aromacology is the study of scents and their effect on one's mind, mood and health.
Try it out ... Use one to two drops of therapeutic grade lavender oil for healing cuts, scrapes, burns and insect bites or place six drops in a warm bath to aid in sleep. Apply Rosewood topically for eliminating fungus. Rosewood will also enhance memories of childhood joy. Tea Tree oil is great for the skin and can be used with a carrier oil for massage purposes. For the purest, pharmaceutical grade essential oils, I recommend the Everyday Kit from Flower Road Natural Therapies.
Action Tips ...
- Be sure to always use high quality, therapeutic grade essential oils.
- Use essential oils mixed with almond or other vegetable oil base if you are going to apply it directly to the skin.
- Enhance the atmosphere by putting a few drops of your favorite essential oil in a bowl of water and let it evaporate slowly.
- For jet lag, rub a few drops of lavender, basil and tangerine on your temples.
- Place a few drops of eucalyptus or rosemary in your bath water to clear your sinuses.
- Do your research. Using too much of an essential oil can sometimes have the reverse effect you desire.
Can you smell your way to weight loss?
Stress Reduction, Diet & Weight Loss, Reviews & Products, Motivation, Alternative & Green Health
Can the right smells help you lose weight? Some experts think so, touting aromatherapy as a great complement to your diet plan. Essential oils, they claim, can invigorate you to exercise, soothe emotional stress to stop a binge, and even can build confidence.
Here's a list of essential oils for beginners from the people at Ediets:
Here's a list of essential oils for beginners from the people at Ediets:
- Bergamot
- Chamomile
- Citrus Oils
- Eucalyptus
- Geranium
- Lavender
- Patchouli
- Peppermint
- Rose
- Rosemary
- Tea Tree
- Ylang, Ylang
The power of aromatherapy
Motivation, Alternative & Green Health
If you mediate or practice yoga, you probably know about the mental healing and "cooling" powers of aromatherapy. The scents of many different products can evoke a whirlwind of mental responses to creating a quiet and calming effect for many people.Aromatherapeutic products vary widely in effectiveness, I've found. Those mass-market products that make scents using chemicals and other non-natural items may indeed have a smell, but it just does not seem natural to the trained nose. Those products that have essential oils and unadulterated fragrances from natural sources, well, can be on the other end of the spectrum.
Calming down from a hard day at the office can easily be taken care of by a decent after-hours dose of aromatherapy. My advice: seek out the most natural products you can. Then, enjoy.
