Menstrual cycle and Essential oils. bonus natural stain removal

Nothing ruins your morning like finding out your period started with a big red stain on your mattress! So first let's talk stain removal, in a 2 oz trigger bottle add 20 drops lemon essential oil and top off with white vinegar. Shake bottle and spray on stain let sit for a few minutes before blotting with a damp rag followed by a dry one. Alright now that that stain is gone lets talk pain easement.
Oils I recommend are clary sage, cypress*, sweet fennel, jasmine touch*, juniper berry, melissa, neroli touch*, peppermint and ylang ylang.
*These oils should not be ingested and are to be used arom or topically with a carrier oil such as grapeseed, coconut or almond.
So let's talk about what these oils do.
Some of these work to tone muscles in our reproductive system. Other help with inflammation and pain.
 For those nasty cramps we use peppermint and/or melissa. Now if you are a nursing mom who's pms vacation has ended like mine you CANNOT use peppermint or melissa as they will stop lactation, instead we can use clary sage or juniper berry. Sweet fennnel will help with inflammation but not so much with pain. Ylan ylang will help with pain but not inflammation.
Now all the other oils mentioned can be diffused or applied topically with a carrier oil to ease discomfort.

Echinacea (Echinacea Angustifolia)

Also known as the purple coneflower, this perennial herb is renowned for its ability to stimulate the immune system. This herb is native to the American Great Plain, found in Central and North America. The parts of the plant that are used are the roots, leaves and stems. This plant prefers moist, rich, well-drained soil in full sun. Once the plant is 2-4 years old roots are best harvested in the autumn. This herb is great for treating insect bites/stings, and halting infections. Echinacea is considered a natural antibiotic, and is also effective as an anti-mircobial agent, anti-inflammatory, and wound healer. Taking echinacea regularly will help with overall health but is advised that a break of a week should be taken after every 3 weeks of prolonged use. Peppermint and Echinacea tea daily is a great way to enhance your immune system and prevent getting sick.

Garlic (Allium Sativum)

This hardy perennial bulb is widely available in any grocery store and has amazing medicinal qualities. In WWI doctors squeezed fresh garlic juice in wounds to control infections. But the use of garlic has gone back even longer than that it was used as a protector against evil. European folklore tells that people put garlic in a small bag and tied it around a child's neck to protect against a cold or their tummy to protect from worms. The core benefits include antibiotic, detoxifying, lower cholesterol and blood pressure.  Garlic can be used to halt a cold or flu by letting the good oils from crushed garlic cloves be absorbed into your skin. This method is best if used on the sole of your feet overnight at the first sign of illness. This is because the skin on your feet is very sensitive. Garlic helps prevent heart disease as recommended by The University of Maryland Medical Center. Not only does it decrease bad cholesterol it increases good cholesterol. Garlic helps prevent platelet aggregation, also known as blood clotting. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, allicin appears to be the chemical property in garlic with the anticoagulant powers. The dosage required varies for each person so if you are looking into replacing your anticoagulant with an herb alternative talk to your local Herbalist or Natural Consultant about using garlic capsules.This herb prefers moist, well-drained soil and sun. Plant individual cloves 1 1/2in (4cm) deep in late autumn. Once grown, stop watering allowing the plant to dry out and dig the bulb out in early summer. hang bulb to dry fully or preserve.

Ginger (Zingiber Officinale)

This root is commonly found in many Ayurvedic medicine. Because of its ability to heal a wide variety of ailments. Ginger can be made into a tincture or used in teas as well as available in pill and candied forms. Ginger can be used to help many circular and digestive problems or nausea. Ginger boosts circulation. Ginger can help with gas by adding it to spice a meal.  Adding warmth your feet by rubbing a ginger infused oil on them. It helps add energy. Native to tropical rain forest this herb needs fertile soil and warm temperature year round.

Dandelion (Taraxacum Officinale)

In England this plant used to be believed to ward off witches if picked on Midsummer's Eve; called 'witch gowan'. This "weed" has been considered a pest in America however this herb is wonderfully medicinal. So much so that in place where is doesn't grow naturally, such as China and Japan, they have farms/greenhouses devoted to growing this plant for medicinal uses. For years in America this herb has been used to treat kidney diseases. This herb can be uses to fight acne or eczema along with flushing accumulated waste in the liver. This herb is rich in Calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, manganese, and potassium. The leaves of this plant contains more protein than spinach.; the leaves alone are 14% protein. This plant is also loaded with antioxidants and vitamins.The nutrients in dandelion greens may help reduce the risk of cancer, multiple sclerosis, cataracts, age-related muscular degeneration and stroke. Dandelion contains anti-inflammatory properties which provide benefit to those with asthma and other inflammatory diseases. This herb prefers rich, well drained soil in full sun. The seeds should be sowed in the spring, the leaves and fresh flowers can be picked anytime they flower but roots should be dug up in the second autumn.

Arthritis

There are two major types or arthritis; osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, each has different symptoms. Osteoarthritis is related to wear and tear of aging and the thinning or cartilage around joints, other factors can include injuries. Rheumatoid arthritis is different and is sometimes defined as an immune disorder, it is caused when the body defense system attacks its own cells. The result is swollen, painful, often deformed joints and a general feeling of being unwell. For rheumatoid arthritis it is not recommended to self treat, please consult with your doctor or herbalist that can monitor your condition. A daily dose of cod liver oil is suggested up to 1 teaspoon which is beneficial for joints and reduce stiffness. Keeping an active lifestyle and a diet high in essential fats, rich in vitamin and minerals is greatly needed. On top of a healthy lifestyle there are tea and decoctions that will be beneficial. Detoxifying the system is important as it eliminates irritant waste material and reduces muscular aches and pains. Stiff joint are also helped with stimulating the circulatory system. Teas and decoctions that are for this purpose includes; dandelion, nettle, meadowseet, celery seed and ginger. Dandelion leaf has diuretic properties that increases the functionality of the kidney helping you eliminate waste. The root is a gentle liver tonic and mild laxative. Nettle is rich in vitamins and iron but acts like a blood cleanser. This helps repair and renew tissues. It can be taken alone 'or mixed with dandelion. Meadowsweet is useful for easing discomfort of muscle pain. It should only be taken as a tea once daily for no longer that 2 weeks at a time. Celery seed has an alkalizing effect to the system and helps remove acidic toxins.For maximum effect use celery seed with parsley as it helps enhance the benefits. Celery seed should not be used during pregnancy or with kidney diseases. Ginger has a warming effect that stimulates the circulatory system. It is recommended for both types of arthritis but should not be taken in high doses.

Pain and stiffness can benefit from compresses. use 5 drops of the essential oil versions of the herbs mentioned above in 300ml (1/2 pint) of hot water, dip cloth, wring it out and apply to affected area.

A warm bath helps relax the muscles of the body adding 5 drops of the recommended oils with 3-5 of lavender oil will help your aching joints and muscle. 

Rheumatism Liniment

this is a liquid preparation that combines herbal oil with tincture. This should be applied at body temperature and massaged into the effected ares. Use 6 cloves garlic, 1 1/4 cups olive oil, 2 tablespoons juniper tincture. Crush garlic without peeling them and put in a bowl pour olive oil over the garlic and cover with foil and stand it over a pan of simmering water. Heat gentle for an hour. Strain out the oil and leave until lukewarm then stir in the juniper tincture and pour into a stoppered bottle. This will keep for several months

Anti-Inflammatory

There are many herbal anti-inflammatory you might find useful including; black pepper, basil, cardamom cayenne, chamomile, chives, cilantro, cinnamon, cloves, garlic, ginger, parsley, nutmeg, rosemary, turmeric, and peppermint. In this post I will talk specifically on only some of these. Cayenne has anti-inflammatory qualities along with painkilling, circulatory stimulation and aids digestion. Adding half a teaspoon of cayenne powder to food daily will fire up your circulation and digestion. You can use heated leaves place on your temples to ease headaches. Cinnamon can be uses as an antimicrobial, to lower blood sugar and as an aphrodisiac, on top of being an anti-inflammatory. mixing cinnamon powder with honey is and excellent acne face mask. adding half a teaspoon to your diet helps with stabilizing blood sugar. Chamomile is great as an anti-inflammatory but it also excellent for treating hayfever, skin problems, digestion and anxiety. taking chamomile tincture up to 3 times daily will help with indigestion, ulcers, and gastritis. Chamomile infusions helps with chapped or sunburn skin. Peppermint is one of my person favourites when it comes to anti-inflammatories. My sister is an athlete and uses peppermint infused oils to help with aching muscles. On top of being an anti-inflammatory it is great for stimulating digestion, muscle spasm and antimicrobial. This herb is also good for diets as it curbs your appetite. Drinking peppermint tea or peppermint echinacea tea daily boost immune system helping to avoid getting sick. Garlic is a great antibiotic that lowers your cholesterol, detoxifying and anti-inflammatory properties. More information on garlic can be found in previous post here . Ginger is a great anti-inflammatory that boost circulation, digestion and reduces nausea.

Grapefruit (Citrus Paradisi)

Grapefruit is great for your cardiovascular system. This is because it is rich in many chemicals and nutrients that protect arteries,the pectin in grapefruit lowers bad cholesterol and reduces high blood pressure. People with rheumatoid arthritis can benefit from grapefruit, it also helps aid digestion, breakdown fat, boost the immune system, prevent cancer helps with chest congestion and feed the good bacteria. Grapefruit can be used as an anti-inflammatory, dissolve gallstones, cleanse the liver and gallbladder. The key nutrients in grapefruit are, folate, potassium, fibre, iron, fructose, glucose, sucrose, vitamin C, magnesium, phosphorus, sodium, zinc, copper, manganese, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, vitamin B6, calcium, and small amounts of lipid and amino acids. Phytochemicals that are important include alpha and beta carotene, flavo-noid, beta-sitosterol, anthocyanins, lycopene, ellagic acid, and the list goes on and on. When picking a grapefruit you want to pick the smooth, glossy, round, firm, thin skinned fruit that are heavy for their size, with slightly flattened ends. skin scars or discoloration doesn't affect the quality of the fruit. Avoid fruit that is coarse skin, soft, puffy or have pointed ends. Grapefruit are juicier when at room temperature but they last long when refrigerated. There are risk with taking grapefruit because it is so rich with nutrients you body might have difficulty absorbing it all can may result with kidney stones. It can also boost the strengthen of medication in many cases this is a good thing but in some cases it can cause complication consult with your herbalist or doctor to make sure it is safe to take grapefruit. Grape fruit seeds yield natural antibiotics that is a good alternative to pharmaceutical antibiotics. The seed extract fight bacteria and fungi. Always dilute liquid forms of extracts as it can be harmful for your mouth. Some people experience flatulence or mild stomach irritation but for the most part it is safe and quick to work.

Purify Water

Add 10 drops of grapefruit seed extract per gallon of water. Shake or stir vigorously and let it sit for a few minutes. Because of the inherent taste of grapefruit seed extract you might notice a slightly bitter taste but it is not harmful. Always to at least a simple filtration to remove suspended particles.