Wax and Bubbles

• C

1. Cataracts: Taking bilberry supplements two to three times a day can help guard against radical damage to the eyes. Also wearing sunglass with UV protection and a hat during the times you are outside in the sun can help dramatically.

2. Chronic Fatigue: Inhaling tea tree oil helps to build up the immune system and inhaling geranium and bergamot oils help to combat the depression symptoms associated with chronic fatigue as well. Raising the body temperature a couple of degrees for a few minutes every day helps to multiply your white blood cell count.

3. Colds: Defeat the cold virus quicker with acupressure by pressing down on the hollow points on either side of the collarbone. Raven Sara oil is an antiviral scent and adding lemon and eucalyptus or pine oils to it give the mixture a medicinal benefit. Lavender oil added to a warm bath helps to boost the immune system. Working up a sweat can also help; it helps to rid the body of toxins as well.

4. Constipation: Massage some olive oil mixed with chamomile, rosemary and thyme onto your stomach clockwise to relax the intestinal muscles. Always eat fiber rich foods to help soften your bowel movements.

• D

1. Depression: Try inhaling rose, lavender, chamomile, ylang-ylang, clary sage and cypress. Cutting out sugary foods, caffeine and even alcohol from your diet as well. Taken St. John’s Wort supplements can also help.

2. Diarrhea: Sip on pomegranate juice instead of high calorie sports drinks or sugar laden fruit juices. Mixing together lemon oil, honey and salt helps as well.

• E

1. Earache: Hold your nose and eat a clove of garlic a day till the ear ache is gone. Pulling on your ear lobes about 10 times a day can help increase circulation as well.

2. Eczema: Calendula ointment will give instant relief. Add a few drops of lavender, chamomile and olive oil to your non scented body lotion can also help calm irritated skin as well. Add some baking soda and warm oatmeal to your bath to help with the itching. Detox your liver with dandelion root tea to get to the heart of the problem as well.

• Massage Oil:

What you will need-
-4 ounces of either apricot, sweet almond, jojoba, grape seed, or avocado oils
-50 drops of an essential oil blend or your choice
-Container with a flip top or pump tops

Bottle 4 ounces of either apricot, sweet almond, jojoba, grape seed, or avocado oils with up to 50 drops of either a relaxation oil blend or a citrus oil blend.

Sweet almond oil or apricot kernel oil provides a good balance of massaging time and absorbency time. Use jojoba or grape seed oils if you want a lighter carrier oil and quick absorbing oil that will create more of a friction and a heated massage from rubbing the oil into the skin. Avocado oil is a great carrier oil to use during the winter months.

• Body Scrub:

What you will need-
-1 cup sea salt or coarse sugar (smoother grain for the body, rougher grains for elbows, knees and feet)
-1/2 cup olive, canola, or jojoba oil
-50 drops of your choice of essential oil blends

Stir together the 1/2 cup of olive oil or canola oil which ever oil carrier you are using with this recipe with your essential oil blend of your choice. After the oils are combined, pour in the sea salt or the sugar. Stir with a wooden spoon till completely incorporated. Experiment with different types of salts and sugars till you get the grain you are seeking to use on your body or your feet. Scoop the mixture into a glass jar with a tight fitting lid, especially if you are going to keeping the mixture in your humid bathroom.

Along with internal health benefits, olive oil is a preferred method for moisturizing and cleansing the skin.

Facts:

• According to the Hebrew Bible, the first recorded oil extraction took place during the Exodus.

• There is evidence that olive oil helps prevent the mental decline that comes with age.

• Olive oil should be used as a substitute for other fats, not an addition to them.

• More than 750 million olive trees are cultivated worldwide.

• “Virgin” olive oil can provide heart-healthy benefits such as favorable effects on cholesterol regulation.

• The English world “oil” is a derivation of the Anglo-French word for “olive oil”.

• Many ancient olive presses exist in the Eastern Mediterranean region, some of which date back to teh Roman period and are still in use today.

• According to the ledgend, the city of Athens obtained its name because Athenians considered olive oil essentail and chose the offering of an olive tree from the goddess Athena.

You can concoct simple skin care recipes right in your kitchen. Try these mini beauty treatments…

Bath: For a moisturizing, aromatic soak, add about ¼ cup olive oil and several drops of essential oil to your bathwater. I like lavender oil for relaxation just before bedtime. (As with any bath oil, be careful as the tub may become slippery.)

Skin: Gently massage a small amount of olive oil anywhere your skin is dry: face, elbows, feet, or legs.

Hands: Whip up a quick sugar scrub for rough, dry hands. Combine two tablespoons of oil with two tablespoons of sugar. Rub on until sugar begins to dissolve. Rinse with warm water. Voila! Silky-smooth hands.

Feet: Apply a liberal amount of oil to feet at bedtime. Cover with cotton socks. Not sexy… but oh-so-soft feet in the morning! The magic works for hands, too. Cover with white cotton gloves (hmm, even less sexy).

Face: Create a moisturizing facial mask with olive oil, honey, and an egg yolk. Beat until well blended and apply to face… then relax! Leave on for 15 minutes; rinse with warm water.

Nails: Warm a small dish of olive oil (not too hot) with a tablespoon of lemon juice. Soak nails for 5- 10 minutes. This softens cuticles while it strengthens nails.

Hair: For a simple oil treatment, warm several tablespoons of olive oil (again, not hot). Rub into scalp and hair. Cover with a shower cap or plastic baggie. Leave on for 20-30 minutes.

For extra conditioning, mix an egg yolk with the olive oil… but do not warm. This is great for dry hair and split ends. It may even heal dandruff. Shampoo twice after this treatment or you’ll smell like raw egg!

Lips: Alleviate chapped lips with straight olive oil. Dab on lips… especially helpful at bedtime.(Sources: Skin 2007; Natural Skin Care Secrets)

**Over at Encouraging Health, Brick O’Neal tells of “Surprising things that give you headaches”. Read what they are here.**