Sue Hardman

Nourish + Rejuvenate

Plant medicine

Stress is Not Good For Your Immune System

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We Live in an age of anxiety caused by stress

 

Our modern, rushed lifestyles have allowed stress to filter into almost every area of our lives. When you feel stressed your body reacts by releasing chemicals giving you more energy and strength.  A good thing if you’re facing physical danger and a bad thing, if it’s due to emotional stress and there is no outlet for this extra energy and strength.

There are many different causes — could be physical (such as fear of something dangerous) or emotional (such as worry over your family or job.) Identifying what may be causing you stress is often the first step in learning how to better deal with it.

So stress is best described as a state of mental and emotional strain resulting from adverse or demanding events in your life.  Of course, it’s impossible to avoid all the stressors that come your way.

The solution however, lies in the way you react to it.

How stress weakens the immune system

Scientists have long been aware of the connection between your stress and your immune system, and how it compromises your immunity.

The immune system is your body’s form of defence, which is made up a myriad of cells, tissues and organs, which work together to fight toxins and other foreign substances which threaten to do harm to your body.  When you’re stressed the immune system’s ability to defend the body is reduced, and we become susceptible to infections etc.

This is how your immune system is compromised by stress:

  • Studies have shown that the immune system of highly stressed people have sluggish responses to health challenges.
  • The raised levels of the stress hormone cortisol, over-produced by chronic stress, can suppress the effectiveness of the immune system, making you more vulnerable to reduce stress responseinfections.
  • While cortisol does its job, the immune system receives signals to slow down, and if the stressor is not eased and cortisol stays high, the immune system may remain in low gear.
  • The under-performing immune system can then result in serious inflammatory conditions, which is the cause of many ailments.
  •  The immunity of those who would normally have a healthy immune system, is subsequently lowered.
  • Chronic levels leads to a lower amount of a certain protein being produced, which is instrumental in the signalling for “reinforcements” between immune cells. Without this communication the body is in danger of contracting acute illnesses, and may have to endure extended recovery times.
  • Can have an indirect effect on the immune system if a person uses unhealthy coping strategies like binge-eating of unhealthy foods, and smoking or drinking much more than usual.

The bottom line is that if you have constant, chronic stress which is not effectively handled, you lay yourself open to various illnesses which can have a devastating effect on your health. Learning to cope in a healthy way will minimise the negative impact it may have on how your immune system functions.

Steps you can take to help reduce stress
reduce stress

  • Follow a healthy diet, be sure to eat a good nourishing breakfast. Stress reduces levels of magnesium and vitamin C – be sure to boost your intake of these. For MORE detail on this read Boost Your Immunity and Keep Healthy All Year Round
  • Stay away from sugars and bad fats (trans/processed). These put unnecessary stress on you, spiking blood insulin and your digestive system.
  • Avoid excessive caffeine, which may give you a short boost, but could leave you feeling jittery and anxious as you wind down.
  • It’s very important to get enough sleep. Sleep pattern disturbances, or even mild insomnia, will be perceived by the body as major stress. The cortisol will rise to new heights, and immunity will fall to new lows.
  • Interact socially often, and talk to family and friends if you feel the need to unburden or get some advice. Boost the love hormone to reduce your stress.

The efficiency of your stress-coping skills will be the key to a vital, fully-functioning immune system.

Some good news

The good news is that a little stress is not a bad thing, as it keeps you alert to react to sudden, unexpected dangers. Short-term suppression of the immune system will not put you into danger, it is only when it’s chronic that you will be prone to infection and disease.

Brief, and short bouts of stress due to unforeseen events or circumstances in your life, will simply keep you on your toes to respond quickly to the situation, and will have no negative effect whatsoever on your immune system.

In conclusion

Stress is no laughing matter, as it plays a part in many diseases such as high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, cancer, AIDS, obesity, and chronic digestive problems (IBS), to name but a few.

Many women don’t realise the knock on effect that it has on their hormonal system – think Adrenal fatigue, PMS, hot flushes, skin problems. After all everything is connected, cortisol – the stress hormone causes all the other hormones to go out of balance.

Surveys conducted worldwide have revealed some disturbing facts.

  • In the US results showed 75% of adults reported experiencing high to moderate stress in the past month, and more than half felt it had increased over the past year
  • 91% of Australians presently feel stress in at least one part of their lives. Australian employers report absenteeism due to stress costs the economy about $14.2 billion annually.
  • 3.7 million working days are lost annually in the UK, thanks to stress related issues, at a cost of about 28.3 billion British pounds.

A serious situation indeed!

You do not have to be a statistic of poor health because of stress. If you cannot handle it on your own, get assistance from someone who has the expertise to help you. Do what is best for your health.

My clients have seen the benefits of using herbs called adaptogens which have an amazing ability to help you’re body deal with stress,  Adaptogens Might Be Your Answer To Fatigue, Stress or Anxiety

 

 

 

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References.
www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in/stress/art-2004603
www.livestrong.com/article/22689-stress-affect-immune-system/
www.gostress.com/stress-facts/

Hummus so much more than a dip

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Do you plan or consider what you’re going to eat for the day?  Do you ever consider the role of functional foods? These are foods that have a beneficial nutritional role – whether it be to provide your body with essential nutrients, balance hormones or to help your liver with the detoxification process.  Of course, if food doesn’t look or taste good then you’ll struggle to find me eating it – it’s best when all 3 are delivered.

Hummus is a creamy Middle Eastern dip that I’d class as a superfood with all it’s health benefits and I hope it will be a staple in your home after reading this.

Why eat hummus?

The classic hummus recipes contains 6 ingredients: chickpeas, olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, sea salt, and tahini.Hummus contains the following nutrients: Protein, Fiber, Healthy Fat, Carbs, Vitamins – A, C, Vitamin B6, Folate and Minerals – Iron, Zinc, Calcium, Phosphorus and Manganese

The benefits of each ingredient:

  • Chickpeas are protein, fibre-rich legumes, a natural source of phytoestrogen, (which isn’t actually estrogen but does a good job of standing in for it) and a great choice if you’re looking to reduce your meat consumption. They’ll keep you feeling fuller for longer because of that combination of fiber and protein.

    Many Mediterranean nations experience great health, low heart disease and greater longevity. This may be due to the high fibre content – like chickpeas. Studies show that having just one daily serving (about 3/4 cup cooked) of beans of any kind can help to decrease chances of a heart attack and to help balance “bad” LDL cholesterol.

    Chickpeas have also been shown to have protective properties against cancer, while the fiber helps to keep waste moving out of the body quickly.

    It helps to balance blood sugar levels and decreases the chance of developing diabetes or insulin resistance.

    Diets rich in beans have been shown to help protect heart health partially due to their low score on the glycemic index. A high-fibre diet that includes legumes can help lower blood cholesterol levels, among other benefits, such as lowering heart disease risk, type 2 diabetes risk, and aiding in weight loss.

  • Tahini or sesame seeds contain lignin’s another natural source of phytoestrogens, loaded with fibre, and they’re also a great source of minerals.Sesame seeds are considered one of the ultimate reproductive foods in Ayurveda.as they enhance egg and sperm quality and quantity.
  • Olive oil is not cooked, and will therefore not be oxidised and hydrogenated.  Olive oil has been found to reduce inflammation in your body. Regularly consuming olive oil has been correlated with improving blood pressure levels, glucose metabolism, and reducing harmful cholesterol.
  • Raw garlic has a whole host of benefits including flavonoids, oligosaccharides, selenium, high levels of sulfur, and more. Garlic has been proven to help reduce your risk factors associated with heart disease, cancers and it acts as an anti-fungal, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-viral.
  • Lemon juice is alkalising and helps reduce acidity common in most modern diets, it also helps to increase your immunity, boost digestion, and to help keep blood sugar levels stable.
  • Sea salt best from a good quality source i.e. Himalayan sea salt which contains 60 trace minerals that have numerous health benefits:

Hummus is an anti-inflammatory food:

  • Extracts from garlic have been shown to reduce inflammation and help fight wrinkles and aging.
  • Chick Peas reduce inflammation, blood clots and inflammation markers.
  • Olive oil and sesame seeds reduce inflammation and provide important antioxidants, both which play a part in maintaining heart health by keeping the structure of arteries and cell walls healthy. The role of inflamm-ageing in a previous post you can read it here.

    Classic Hummus Recipe


1 cup chickpeas (rinse and drain well)
+ 1/3 cup Tahini
+ 2 tablespoons olive oil
+ 2 tablespoons lemon juice
+ 1 clove garlic
+salt to tastePlace all ingredients in a food processor or blender and mix until smooth.

I’ve found to get the best consistency that you need to add more liquid – you can either add a tablespoon of water at a time, I prefer to add more olive oil.

Be sure to make your Hummus with good quality extra virgin olive oil.

The great thing about hummus is that you can make a number of different varieties depending on what you like – add roasted red pepper
or cooked beetroot, pesto, avocado or cooked zucchini.

It can then be used in sandwiches, smoothing over chicken or fish, and even baked potatoes but I think its best for eating raw vegetables like carrot, cucumber or celery.

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Herbal Teas – kitchen healing essentials

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FullSizeRender-3Nothing like a good cuppa tea to sort out the problems of the world. My grandmother loved her tea and it was the first thing we’d do when we visited her, I do miss being able to sit down and share a pot of tea with her.

Who meets for a cup of tea these days? It seems we’re all more likely to meet for a coffee. But, a cup of tea is so much more than just about the socialising. I wanted to share with you how ‘just’ a cup of tea could be one of THE most simple ‘healing’ tools that you could have in your kitchen. I know you might say, it’s only a cup of tea!

Research studies and ancient eastern traditions show that herbal teas can have the most positive effect on supporting you with illness, ailments and for ensuring optimum health.

As a herbalist and lover of simple, effective, quick and easy solutions there are some essential herbal teas in my kitchen for when first aid is needed – either to settle a sore or nervous tummy, insomnia, anxiety, cramps, heartaches, the beginnings of a cold or flu, bloating, indigestion and even PMT.

Be sure to stock up on chamomile, rose, peppermint, cinnamon and ginger teas for your home and then you’ll be covered with the basics. Of course you05_05_10_01_12_chamomile-bsp-150x150 need to know which one to use when and you may have be unaware of some of the other things these common herbal teas can be useful for. Chamomile is calming but so much more, peppermint for wind and so much more, ginger for nausea and so much more…..

Fresh grated ginger is one of my personal favourites, it has an amazing taste and is more than a treatment for nausea, which many pregnant women can attest to. It’s one of the foundation herbs used in Ayurvedic and TCM and it’s brilliant for balancing your digestion, great to have before a meal to boost the ‘fire in your tummy’ to help digest your food and get the nutrients you need.  I would say most of us would benefit from drinking warming ginger, daily.

I love having a flask of ginger tea ready to drink at anytime, during the day. Ginger is one of the most researched herbs (along with turmeric) and it has many uses, it’s anti-viral too – so brilliant for colds or flu. Herbalists consider it a universal medicine with multi-healing properties that benefits everybody and all diseases. With ginger think – digestion, lungs and circulation.

Chamomile is most commonly considered a calming tea, but herbalists call it the ‘Mother of the gut’. I found this tea to be particularly useful when ever we have tummy upsets because it works on the nervous system found in your gut or as we like to call it the – ‘second brain’. Think tummy aches from unknown causes, IBS and when someone is nervous about something and have that tight feeling in their tummy. Chamomile excels at treating what is commonly known as a “nervous stomach”, which generally implies digestive upset alongside anxiety, nervous tension.

That aromatic component from Chamomile’s high essential oil content, has a specific relaxing, calming effect on your nervous system and can be helpful for insomnia, cough, bronchitis, cold or fever, gas, gut cramping and mild constipation. .

iStock_heart_of_rosesxSmallRose – heals the heart, balances hormones and is uplifting. It’s a bitter, cooling herb so it can help with headaches and inflammation. Used in combination with other herbs it adds beauty and colour to a blend.

I often recommend rose tea for PMT, periods that are painful, excessive or irregular and if there is an underlying nervousness, sadness or grief the role of rose is nourishing on the nervous system. It has a calming effect on the emotions and as it has an affinity for the heart. It’s often used in times of sadness and grief.

Peppermint – a great pick-me up if you ever need an alternative to coffee. It’s full of aroma that awakens the senses helpful in congestion in the head, use as a hot tea to cause sweating with colds and flu. Useful when there is a lot of mucous. It can lift feelings of emotional ‘heaviness’ and relieves the symptoms of abdominal gas, bloating, muscle spasms and nausea (without vomiting).  Peppermint tea can also be made using fresh herbs from the garden’and it’s one of the easiest herbs to grow.

Researchers from the University’s Department of Psychology have found that drinking peppermint tea improves alertness, while chamomile tea has a calming effect. These findings were presented at the annual British Psychological Society Conference in Nottingham this week (26-28 April 2016).

Cinnamon – useful for poor circulation, colds, flu and a bout of diarrhoea but among this spice’s most impressive health benefits is its ability to cinnamonreduce your sugar cravings. By controlling blood sugar levels you can prevent spikes after meals, normalise your blood sugar levels and improve glucose control.

Cinnamon has more antioxidants than many so-called antioxidant foods, like-for-like. For example, one teaspoon of cinnamon has as much antioxidant capacity as a full cup of pomegranate juice or a half-cup of blueberries. Two of the main types of cinnamon, are Cassia and Ceylon. A better option for taste and health is Ceylon cinnamon (also called Sri Lanka cinnamon or “true cinnamon”).

I recommend that you drink herbal teas because it’s a fantastic and safe way to maintain your health over time. Consistent tea drinking gives your body what it needs in doses that it can handle.

Teas are a really wonderful way to boost your body’s hydration, and because we’re made of 65-80 percent water, the constituents that hot (and cold) water pulls out of the herbs are really absorbable for us. Each herb has a myriad of actions so it isn’t hard to come up with a tasty blend that does a lot of good in your body.

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Chocolate – Is A Superfood (so it’s good for you)

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Chocolate. Yes it is good for you and here’s why!

Cacao or raw chocolate has been used in South America for centuries for its healthy benefits and energising properties.

Cacao is the dried seed from a South American tree and which is used to make cocoa, chocolate or cocoa butter. Cacao contains many of the same health benefits of the dark green leafy vegetables, however it all depends on a few key things; like how it’s prepared, how you eat it or what you eat it with.

Why is Raw Chocolate good for you?

raw chocolate superfoodRaw cacao beans are full of flavonoids that act as natural antioxidants. Antioxidants protect the body from ageing and disease caused by free radicals. Raw cacao contains up to four times the antioxidants of traditional cocao powder.

Scientists from Cornell University in the US recently discovered that raw cacao contains nearly twice the antioxidant content of red wine and up to three times the antioxidant content of green tea.

Benefits

These are the amazing benefits of good quality raw chocolate:

  • It’s a top food source of antioxidants.
  • Top source of magnesium – nature’s tranquilliser for helping you deal with stress.
  • Contains the compound that scientists believe is released when you’re in love (Phenylethylamine) – now we all need more of that!
  • Boosts serotonin & endorphins – improves your mood and the feel good emotions.
  • Supports good heart health, helps lower blood pressure and it reduces inflammation – i.e. stops ageing read more about that here

Avoid this chocolate!

Commercial chocolate (bars, sweets etc.) is usually roasted to high temperatures that ends up destroying all the goodness – the anti-oxidants, enzymes and nutrients whereas raw chocolate is not heated above 45°C to maintaining it’s health benefits.

Store bought chocolate bars also mostly contain a lot of sugar and milk which if you don’t know all the negative effects that sugar has on your weight, your skin and ageing then read more here.

The lower the cocoa content in the chocolate bar or sweet the lower the antioxidant level e.g. A 75% cacao bar has approx. 25% sugar.

Uses

Cacao powder is finely ground and easy to add to recipes or smoothies, homemade energy balls and raw chocolate cakes.

The cons

You can have too much of a good thing.  Raw cacao is a stimulant, contains some caffeine and can over stimulate the nervous system, especially if you are sensitive. Don’t consume more than four heaped teaspoons a day.

HEALTHY CHOCOLATE RECIPES

Raw Chocolate Nut Smoothie – Energiser

raw chocolate smoothie

½ cup almonds

2 cups dairy alternative milk i.e. rice milk or coconut milk

2 medjool dates

1 teaspoon raw organic cacao powder

1 banana (frozen if desired)

Directions

Place all ingredients into your blender and mix until smooth and enjoy!

Chocolate & Kale Smoothie – Hormone Balancing

chocolate and kale smoothie

  • 1 cup coconut, hemp, or almond milk1 frozen banana1 cup of kale3 tablespoons cacao nib1 tablespoon raw cacao powder 5-6 ice cubes

Directions

Throw all ingredients in a high-powered blender and blend until smooth.

Healthy Chocolate Bar Recipe

raw chocolate nut square

-2 cups of mixed nuts, seeds and dried fruit- 1/2 cup of coconut oil- 1/2 cup of cocoa powder- 1 tablespoon raw honey

Directions

Chop nuts into smaller pieces.Mix all ingredients together, flatten in a baking tray and refrigerate a minimum of 4 hours.Cut into squares.Store in a refiergate.

To help you get started on your journey to better health, you can start with one of the free resources, whether you’re looking for help with your digestion or gut, choose the first free guide or if you need more energy then be sure to choose the  guide to Endless Energy All the resources on this page  are FREE for you to download.

Why it’s important to know about Inflammageing

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🔥 Put Out The Fires To Defy Ageing & Aching

Are you investing in the best version of yourself for your next decade? This is a question I’m asking myself right now, before I turn 60.

It’s a decision we can all make about prioritising what is necessary for our version of self-care and embracing those steps needed to make those positive changes. 

Making headlines in publications such as Newsweek and Time magazines, the term ‘silent or secret’ killer has highlighted the huge role that inflammation plays in almost all diseases.

What is inflammation?

It’s your body’s first defence against infection, and it’s a natural part of the body’s healing process but when it goes wrong, it can upset the delicate balance whether it's your nervous , digestive, respiratory or heart systems and your hormones.


It’s the difference between a campfire that’s meant to provide warmth on a chilly night and a forest fire that’s out of control, ravaging everything its path.



Low-grade inflammation is rapidly becoming recognised as the root cause of cognitive decline, as well as other serious health problems. When inflammation is out of control, you age faster.

Managing the fires of inflammation is one of the single most effective things you can do to slow down the biological clock and feel stronger as you age. 

According to Jeffrey Bland, Ph.D., women's immune systems display heightened responsiveness to fluctuations in hormones such as oestrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. These hormonal changes significantly influence immune activation and inflammation. 

Bland further explains that this heightened reactivity in a woman's immune system makes her potentially more susceptible to environmental factors that can trigger immune responses and subsequent inflammation. These factors may include toxins, chemicals, chronic infections, and injuries.

Acute inflammation fades quickly while chronic inflammation can persist for weeks, months, or even years.

Chronic inflammation is like having a silent, raging, forest fire inside your body with nothing to extinguish it.

7 ways inflammation can damage your body:

  1. Memory loss and cognitive decline
  2. Increased cardiovascular risk
  3. Joint pain and loss of mobility
  4. Allergies and breathing discomfort
  5. Accelerated skin ageing and wrinkles
  6. Compromised digestive function
  7. Weight gain and loss of muscle tone

Remember, even the smallest steps can lead to significant improvements in your overall well-being. So, let's embark on a transformative path together, and empower you so you can thrive! 

Unravelling Chronic Inflammation: The Signs, Symptoms & Solutions

Importantly, the presence of excess inflammation in the body isn't limited to those with diagnosed chronic conditions.

Subtle symptoms can serve as indicators of underlying inflammation, even when individuals may not recognise it. 

→ These are all common signs of inflammation! ←

  • Irregular menstrual periods
  • Challenging menopausal transitions
  • Frequent headaches
  • Feelings of depression, mood swings, anxiety
  • Joint pain
  • Sleep disturbances
  • Skin rashes
  • Irritable bowel syndrome
  • Age-related muscle loss, clinically known as sarcopenia
  • Feeling tired all the time
  • Recurrent infections
  • Inflammation is the root causes of many disorders - PCOS, Hashimoto’s, diabetes, obesity, IBD, skin and other autoimmune conditions. 

With acute inflammation (temporary due to injuries), body can repair itself quickly but when it gets chronic, that's when diseases occur.

Medications can only alleviate symptoms BUT they are NOT a cure.

This One Thing That Might Be the FUEL the Fire of Your Inflammation!

Stress!! it has a profound impact on our immune system and inflammatory response. Whether it's acute or chronic, stress, triggers physiological changes that can contribute to increased inflammation in the body.

How Stress Fuels Inflammation:

Inflammation: Stress triggers the release of the stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, which, when persistent, can lead to chronic inflammation, making us more susceptible to infections and diseases.

Gut-Brain Axis Disruption: Stress can disrupt the gut-brain axis, impacting our gut microbiota and leading to "leaky gut," triggering immune responses and fueling inflammation.

Oxidative Stress: Chronic stress contributes to oxidative stress, this is an imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants that damages cells and tissues, promoting inflammation and chronic diseases.

Unhealthy Lifestyle Choices: Stress can lead to unhealthy habits like overeating, consuming junk foods, smoking, and excessive alcohol intake, which further exacerbates inflammation and jeopardises our health.

The Silver Lining: Taking Charge of Stress and Inflammation!

So what can you do? 

Nourish Your Body with an Anti-Inflammatory Diet: A diet rich in whole foods, antioxidants, and omega-3 fatty acids helps combat inflammation and supports a healthy immune system.

Avoid these common inflammatory foods: Sugar, Gluten, Soy & Corn, Trans-fats,Dairy, Nightshades. This is very individual to each person.

What you eat can either fuel the fire or cool it down.

Engage in Regular Physical Activity: Exercise helps release endorphins, reducing stress and inflammation while promoting overall well-being.

Suffering with any of the signs of inflammation? 

Where are you at there moment?

➝ Option 1: Continue to do nothing.

It's tempting to ignore the signs and hope they'll disappear on their own. But here's the truth: if you leave inflammation untreated it can impact your overall well-being and quality of life and it’s likely it’ll get worse. 

➝ Option 2: Treat yourself.

Taking matters into your own hands is a brave and empowering step. You always have the option to educate yourself about inflammation and make positive lifestyle changes. With a DIY approach the symptoms get addressed but NOT the root cause, meaning the underlying issue is still there.

Like taking antacids for heartburn but not addressing the underlying reason you have this.

Or painkillers every time you get a headache and not understanding what’s causing your headache.

➝ Option  3: Get help.

Sometimes, seeking professional guidance to tackle inflammation – look at the root cause, so you can get personalised treatment options.

Get the help you need to navigate through the complexities of your condition and develop a targeted plan for your well-being.

Take the First Step Towards Healing!

Book a Discovery Call: If you resonate with any of these signs, let's embark on a journey together. Our discovery call is an opportunity to explore your unique health concerns and create a personalised plan to tackle inflammation head-on!

Send me an email at sue@suehardman.com so we can set a time for discovery call to see whether I can help you. 

Naturopathic Women's Health Coach

How & Why I Use Essential Oils

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Why I Use Essential Oil Daily

Essential oils are one of the hottest natural products out there right now and that’s because they’re a wonderful natural tool to have in your medicine chest, along with a high quality diet, exercise and stress management.

We’ve been using essential oils in our home for several years, If you don’t know know how to use essential oils, don’t feel overwhelmed or intimidated by how to get started with essential oils. It’s really easy and a lot of fun!

The potency of essential oils? 

Did you know that one drop of peppermint oil is the equivalent of 28 glasses of peppermint tea!

You might be inclined to think that more is better, this is definitely not the case when it comes to essential oils – start small and then add more if needed.

There are many essential oils I use in my home all the time and so as not to overwhelm you, I’ll be sharing the oils one by one and on my blog.

HERE ARE MY TOP 3 ESSENTIAL OILS

Lavender – This is an oil that I use daily, especially to help with a restful sleep. You can spray it in your room or add a drop to your pillow. I also like to diffuse it in my bedroom. I’ve used it for my son when he is anxious and most nights I spray his room with lavender. 

This was the first indication that I was going to love essential oils when I heard this story- “In 1910 French chemist and scholar René-Maurice Gattefossé discovered the virtues of the essential oil of lavender. Gattefossé badly burned his hand during an experiment in a perfumery plant and plunged his hand into the nearest tub of liquid, which just happened to be lavender essential oil. He was later amazed at how quickly his burn healed and with very little scarring. This started a fascination with essential oils and inspired him to experiment with them during the First World War on soldiers in the military hospitals.”  I was sold and ever since then I’v always had lavender in my home.

Lavender has been used and cherished for centuries, the Egyptians and Romans used Lavender for bathing, relaxation, cooking, and as a perfume.

Its calming and relaxing qualities, when taken internally, continue to be Lavender’s most notable attributes.

Applied topically, Lavender is frequently used to reduce the appearance of skin imperfections.

Add to bath water to soak away stress or apply to the temples and the back of the neck. Add a few drops of Lavender to pillows, bedding, or bottoms of feet to relax and prepare for a restful night’s sleep.

Due to Lavender’s versatile properties, it is considered the must-have oil to have on hand at all times.

Uses

  • Soothes occasional skin irritations
  • Taken internally, Lavender reduces anxious feelings and promotes peaceful sleep. This must be be certified
  • Helps ease feelings of tension.
  • Add a few drops of Lavender to pillows, bedding, or bottoms of feet at bedtime.
  • Freshen your linen closet
  • Use in cooking to soften citrus flavors and add a flavorful twist to marinades, baked goods, and desserts. Add to a glass of water.

Frankincense

This is one of my favourite essential oils to use in my moisturising facial oil it helps hydrate and rejuvenate your skin. Add a drop or 2 to your face cream for smooth skin (amazing for fine lines). Rub over your forehead and back of neck for calming, on soles of feet for relaxing.

It’s also a maximiser – that means that when applied under any other oil it maximises their benefit. It supports healthy cellular function (it is one of the most prized oils).

Add Frankincense to your daily facial cleanser to help revitalise and beautify your skin or apply Frankincense and Fractionated Coconut Oil to freshly-shaven skin to reduce any possible skin irritation caused by the razor on your face or your legs.

Frankincense promotes feelings of peace and overall wellness when used aromatically,

Description

Renowned as one of the most prized and precious essential oils, Frankincense has extraordinary health benefits.

In addition to its notoriety in the New Testament, the Babylonians and Assyrians would burn Frankincense in religious ceremonies and the ancient Egyptians used Frankincense resin for everything from perfume to salves for soothing skin.

This centuries-old knowledge contributes to the modern uses of Frankincense today. It’s soothing and beautifying properties are used to rejuvenate skin and help reduce the appearance of imperfections when applied topically.

As the king of oils, Frankincense is known to support healthy cellular function when used internally*.

When inhaled or diffused, Frankincense promotes feelings of peace, relaxation, satisfaction, and overall wellness.

Uses
  • Apply topically to help reduce the appearance of skin imperfections.
  • Can be applied to the bottoms of feet to promote feelings of relaxation and to balance mood.
  • Take one to two drops in a veggie capsule to support healthy cellular function.*
  • Ingest to support healthy cellular function*
  • Aroma promotes feelings of relaxation
  • Helps reduce the appearance of skin imperfections when applied topically
  • Supports healthy immune, nervous, and digestive function when taken internally*

Lemon Oil 

For ease of use this oil is fantastic, I add a drop of the fresh, zingy lemon oil to my bottle of water. So easy. A drop in my water first thing in the morning to kick start my digestion and support my liver and to detox.

I also add this to my home cleaning  products – has a fabulous fresh smell. No wonder most of the store bought products have lemon fragrance (artificial at best)

Lemon is great for sticky spots and residue and giving your stainless steel a sparkle after rubbing a drop of lemon on it.

Description

Lemon has multiple benefits and uses. It’s a powerful cleaning agent that purifies the air and surfaces.

When added to water, Lemon provides a refreshing and healthy boost throughout the day. Lemon is frequently added to food to enhance the flavor of desserts and main dishes. Taken internally, Lemon provides cleansing and digestive benefits and supports healthy respiratory function.

When diffused, Lemon is very uplifting and energizing and has been shown to help improve mood.

Uses
  • Add Lemon oil to a spray bottle of water to clean tables, countertops, and other surfaces. Lemon oil also makes a great furniture polish; simply add a few drops to olive oil to clean, protect, and shine wood finishes.
  • Use a cloth soaked in Lemon oil to preserve and protect your leather furniture and other leather surfaces or garments.
  • Lemon oil is a great remedy for the early stages of tarnish on silver and other metals.
  • Diffuse to create an uplifting environment.
Primary Benefits
  • Cleanses and purifies the air and surfaces
  • Naturally cleanses the body and aids in digestion*
  • Supports healthy respiratory function*
  • Promotes a positive mood

HOW TO MAKE ESSENTIAL OILS PART OF YOUR DAY

Below are a few ways in which you can start using essential oils, and you’ll be surprised in how many areas of your life you are able to use youressential oils:

  1. Apply to the skin
  2. Simply inhale
  3. Steam inhalation
  4. Use an essential oil diffuser
  5. Use in a bath
  6. Aromatherapy massage
  7. Internal use (this is totally dependant on the quality of oil and is oil specific)

As Western holistic care and naturopathic remedies continue to provide alternative solutions for people desiring to take charge of their own health care, it is important to have a firm understanding of essential oils.These oils are a popular alternative for those desiring more natural remedies to energy, immunity, mood, aches/pains, breathing issues, hormone balancing, beauty, anxiety, sleep, allergies.

Essential oils can be an amazing health care solutions for many people, it is important to know what you’re doing before you start using them.

So, are you ready to harness the power of the world’s most proven therapeutic compounds? Are you ready to learn which oils to use in your essential oil diffuser or in other ways?

Explore the many essential oils benefits and uses, and open your mind to a whole new way of preventing and reversing health conditions that you’ve been battling for years. 

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease