Top five essential oils for stress relief

Top five essential oils for stress relief and how to properly use them

(NaturalNews) When used properly, the power of essential oils lies in their ability to deliver the beneficial healing properties of certain plants in a direct and highly concentrated form. Recognized long ago for their therapeutic properties, ancient Egyptians made essential oils by first soaking the flowers, leaves, twigs or bark in oil and then using linen as a filter to isolate the oil.



The healing applications of essential oils are many, from antibacterial defense to pain relief and emotional therapy, depending on the type of oil. From a scientific perspective, oils are effective because 50 million smell receptors inside the nasal cavity connect to the brain's Limbic System - an area responsible for emotions, memory and sexual arousal. From a human perspective, they simply smell nice and make us feel better.

Whether improving mood or overall health, a winning strategy begins with stress reduction. And for the physical body that interprets stress as pain, these five essential oils know just where it hurts:

Lavender

Easily the most popular of all essential oils, lavender is known as the "universal oil." With its calming, earthy, lightly sweet and freshly floral scent, it is widely beloved for its relaxing and balancing effects on both the physical and emotional bodies. It may also be used as a pain reliever for muscles and joints, or as an antiseptic on minor cuts, burns, bug bites and stings.

Frankincense

With its comforting warm, exotic aroma, Frankincense's most common use is stress relief; however, it may also be applied topically to the skin to rejuvenate cells and repair scar tissue, or used to calm certain respiratory conditions such as asthma, coughing and bronchitis.

Rose

Another highly versatile essential oil, this one may be even more costly than most, due to its labor-intensive extraction process, which requires 60,000 roses for every one ounce of rose oil. In addition to providing relief from both stress and depression, the many uses of rose oil include the treatment of eczema and menopausal symptoms.

Chamomile

Though both the Roman and German types of chamomile essential oils are well suited for calming the nerves and supporting digestive health, there are some important differences between the two. Where the Roman variety is superior in addressing mental anxiety, paranoia and hostility, the German variety excels more in the treatment of irritated skin.

Vanilla

If the pure scent of warm vanilla makes you feel right at home, some aromatherapists say it is because vanilla is the closest in fragrance and flavor to mothers' milk. With the ability to both soothe in tranquil relaxation and stimulate mental clarity, this rich aroma can vary in its therapeutic effects. Vanilla essential oil has also proven effective in relieving upset stomachs and reducing cravings for sweets.

Use essential oils appropriately and with caution

The most appropriate applications of essential oils will vary, depending on which of the additional therapeutic benefits you're looking to harness. Because they are extremely potent in their pure form, essential oils should always be blended with a carrier oil, like almond or jojoba oil, before use. They may then be applied directly onto the skin, as with a massage, or onto a warm compress, handkerchief or pillow. A few drops may also be burned in a diffuser or added to bath salts for a skin-softening, muscle-relaxing bath experience. Some find that applying a small amount to the soles of the feet or to the back of the neck is also quite effective.

As always, be sure to do your own homework on the type of oil you're using, as some may react negatively with sun exposure, certain medications, medical conditions or pregnancy. Remember that 100 percent pure, organic essential oils are made from plant materials and are therefore quite different from cheaper, artificial fragrance oils. Though they may have a pleasant aroma, fragrance oils often contain synthetic chemicals, and rather than helping to heal you, breathing in those synthetic chemicals may actually harm you. And that wouldn't be very aromatherapeutic, now would it?

Sources for this article include:

http://spryliving.com/articles/essential-oils-how-to-use/

http://www.mindbodygreen.com

http://www.floracopeia.com

http://oxford-consultants.tripod.com/OilsInformation.htm

http://www.quinessence.com/methods_of_use.htm

http://www.naturalnews.com/032379_essential_oils_sources.html

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/040462_essential_oils_stress_relief_Frankincense.html#ixzz2UBPWoJ91

Chewy granola bars - A homemade treat to feel good about

(NaturalNews) Granola bars are a convenient on-the-go snack. Unfortunately, typical store-bought varieties are loaded with corn syrup, soybean oil, coloring and flavoring agents and preservatives. If you prefer to eat foods that are grown in nature, rather than created in a lab, try making your own bars with the recipe included here. This recipe is packed with antioxidant-rich ingredients that actually contribute to your health such as cocoa, raw honey, coconut oil and cinnamon. These bars are chewy and delicious, and they are gluten-free and dairy-free, as well. They are perfect for an after-school snack, a lunchbox treat or your other on-the-go needs.

"Chewy granola bars"

Makes 24 bars

INGREDIENTS:

4 cups old fashioned oats (gluten-free if you prefer)
1/3 cup coconut oil*
1 cup raw honey*
4 teaspoons of pure vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon of sea salt
1/8 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
1 1/2 cups almonds, chopped (a food processor works great for this)
1/2 cup cocoa nibs* (optional) - These are unsweetened bits of chopped cocoa that contain no sweeteners or other ingredients.

* This ingredient is often not available at regular grocery stores. You may need to shop at a natural health market or online.

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Place oats on an ungreased 11" x 17" rimmed baking sheet and toast in the oven for 10 minutes, stirring every three to four minutes.

Meanwhile, melt honey and oil together in a medium saucepan over medium heat, being careful not to burn it. Remove pan from heat; and add vanilla, salt and cinnamon. Stir until dissolved.

Add toasted oats to the saucepan mixture and toss to coat evenly. Add chopped almonds and stir. Add cocoa nibs (optional) and stir to combine.

Line a smaller (10" x 15") rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. (Tip: Sprinkle the sheet with a few drops of water first to help keep the paper in place.)

Transfer batter to this cookie sheet and gently spread to all edges. Once entire sheet is covered, press batter firmly into the pan. You can use a large spatula or your hands for this step. To prevent the batter from sticking to your hands, wet your hands or place a sheet of parchment or wax paper between your hands and the batter before pressing.

Bake 8-10 minutes at 350 degrees. The bars are done when they just begin to turn brown at the edges. Don't wait too long or they may burn. Bars will be moist and crumbly when removed from the oven, but they come together as they cool. (It may take a few attempts for you to figure out the best amount of time in your own oven.)

Let bars cool completely (about 90 minutes on a cooling rack; longer if you don't have a cooling rack). Transfer bars and parchment paper to a cutting board and cut into 24 bars.

If you like your bars a little firmer and sweeter, store them in the fridge. They also freeze well for later use; and they can be eaten frozen as well if you forget to thaw them out.

Sources for this article include:

http://www.womenshealthmag.com/nutrition/cinnamon-benefits-explained
http://www.naturalnews.com
http://www.naturalnews.com/036156_Coconut_oil_superfood_healing.html
http://www.globalhealingcenter.com

About the author:
Christy Pooschke is the founder of CompletelyNourished.com - an online community where you can network with others who are interested in natural food, holistic health, green living and positive thinking. The site features hundreds of natural recipes (with photos) for a variety of dietary restrictions (gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free, vegetarian, soy-free, MSPI, etc.), and more recipes are added weekly. The site also features natural living and inspirational videos, discussion groups and more! Join today! Satisfaction is guaranteed - or your money back! 

Christy's passion for natural food and holistic health was sparked in 2007 when she eliminated her Fibromyalgia symptoms through diet and lifestyle changes. Now she is on a mission to help others take control of their own health, as well. Christy is also the author of "Eating Additive-Free" - a natural cookbook and shopping guide. Hard copy and e-book versions are available for purchasehere. If you desire a more individualized approach, Christy also offers long-distance personalized Diet Make-Over consultations to help you reduce your reliance on processed foods in just a few weeks!

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/037101_chewy_granola_bars_recipe_healthy.html#ixzz25qYVrOOs