Uses for Thieves Oil Blend - AWESOME!!

Thieves Oil is AWESOME!   

    There are so many great uses for Thieves Oil Blend I use it almost daily, especially during cold and flu season.  When I feel a cold or scratchy throat coming on I apply topically to my chest, throat and bottom of my feet. It really does work even if you still get a cold it cuts down on the severity and length considerably. Apply it 2-5 times daily if you have a cold. Give it a try!

How did Thieves Oil Blend Get it's Name? 

The historical story of the Four Thieves.

    The thieves were actually spice traders and merchants who imported spices, including cinnamon and clove from India. When the Black Plague hit, all international shipping and trade was closed down. Unable to do business, these spice traders quickly ran out of money and had to find a way to support themselves.

    Since people in the communities were afraid to touch the dead bodies, they decided to loot the homes and bodies of the plaque victims. They would take clothes, jewelry, pots and pans, and then barter or trade them for food and money. They believed they wouldn't get sick if they rubbed vinegar, oils, and certain spices all over their bodies.

    They were able to set up a very lucrative pawn business. Until the King found out....

    When the King heard about the story of the thieves he wanted to know their secret recipe.

    He sent his Constables out to capture them. Four of the thieves were caught and brought before the king. He gave them a choice to either share their secret formula of "immunity" or be burned at the stake. The four thieves decided to share their secret formula with the king.

    The King immediately posted the thieves secret formula all over the town.

    Hence the story of the four thieves.

    There is an account of the Thieves Story recorded in the Royal English Archives.

What's in the Blend? - Therapeutic Properties

Clove - analgesic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, anti neuralgic, carminative, anti-infectious, disinfectant, insecticide, stimulant, stomachic, uterine and tonic.

Lemon- anti-anemic, antimicrobial, anti-rheumatic, anti-sclerotic, antiseptic, bactericidal, carminative, cicatrisant, depurative, diaphoretic, diuretic, febrifuge, haemostatic, hypotensive, insecticidal, rubefacient, tonic and vermifuge.

Cinnamon Bark- analgesic, antiseptic, antibiotic, antispasmodic, aphrodisiac, astringent, cardiac, carminative, emmenagogue, insecticide, stimulant, stomachic, tonic and vermifuge.

Eucalyptus - analgesic, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-neuralgic, anti-fheumatic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, antiviral, astringent, balsamic, cicatrisant, decongestant, deodorant, depurative, diuretic, expectorant, febrifuge, hypoglycaemic, rubefacient, stimulant, vermifuge and vulnerary.

Rosemary- analgesic, antidepressant, astringent, carminative, cephalic, cholagogue, cordial, digestive, diuretic, emmenagogue, hepatic, hypertensive, nervine, rubefacient, stimulant, sudorific and tonic.

Reference: www.essentialoils.co.za

Uses and Benefits of Thieves Oil Blend 

• immune support
• to help support healthy lung function
• support healthy sinus function
• to help alleviate minor aches and pains
• to clean and disinfect around the home
• to purify the air and eliminate odors
• for personal care
• and much more...... it is a highly versatile oil blend.

How to Use Thieves Oil Blend

1. Topical skin application
2. Cleaning your home naturally
3. Fragrance

Thieves Oil should always be used with a carrier oil because it contains oils that are considered 'hot' which could irritate the skin. Clove and Cinnamon are considered 'hot' oils. 

Topical 

Thieves oil can be diluted and massaged directly into the skin to support and aid the immune system. Massage onto the feet and up along the spine. You can also apply it to the chest over the lungs. 

*Always dilute for babies and children and test for sensitivity. See post on Essential Oil Safety.

Minor Aches and Pains - dilute equal parts EO (essential oil) with carrier oil. Massage into lower back, upper back of thighs and back of neck.

Immune Support - dilute 1 drop EO to 4 drops carrier oil and apply to lower back, sternum, chest and throat

Insect Bites (mosquito, bee and wasp stings) - apply to bite or sting area to relieve minor pain.

Minor Cuts and Scrapes - dilute 1 drop to 4 drops carrier oils and apply.

Head, Sinus and Lung Support - Place a few drops in a steaming bowl of hot water, cover head with towel and inhale vapors. **Clears up a stuffy nose right away, I love this one!

Non-cystic Acne - Apply undiluted to pimple. If skin is too sensitive dilute with Jojoba Oil. Jojoba is good for your skin and won't clog pores.


Household Cleaning Uses

Hairspray buildup, gum, gummy adhesive - Dilute 8 drops in 4 oz of water, spray, let set for a few minutes then wipe away.
Dishwasher - add 4-5 drops to clean dishes and eliminate build up and odors.
Laundry - add 4-5 drops per load to clean and deodorize.
Floors - add 10-15 drops to 1/2 bucket of cleaning water.
Surfaces - add 8-16 drops to 8 oz of water in spray bottle.
Freshen and clean the air - add several drops of oil onto a cotton ball and put cotton ball in a small glass and place in home, office, or hotel air vents to eliminate odor. *Essential oils are very concentrated and can remove finishes from wood furniture.
Bed Bugs - Spray mattress to help dispel bed bugs.

Fragrance

You can diffuse a few drops in an essential oil diffuser which can be purchased online at Amazon or at a retailer such a Sprouts.

*****Here's the AWESOME Recipe!!*****

Thieves Oil Blend Recipe:

1 tbsp. Clove Essential Oil

1 tbsp. Lemon Essential Oil

2 1/2 tsp. Cinnamon Bark Essential Oil

2 tsp. Eucalyptus Essential Oil

2 tsp. Rosemary Essential Oil

*Dilution ratio should be 1:4. One drop of Essential Oil to 4 drops of Carrier Oil.

*Disclaimer:The information on this site is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose or prescribe any of these products for you or your family. In the case of illness you should contact your health care professional. In no instances shall the owner of this website or its affiliates be responsible or liable for any damages whatsoever resulting in connection with the use of this information, products, or its publication. The decision to use any information from this site is the sole responsibility of the reader.

Essential Oil Safety

    Essential Oils are very concentrated. It has been found that 1 drop of essential oil is equivalent to 75 cups of tea of the herb. Most applications call for drops rather than ounces.

    As a novice user of essential oils myself,  I have made sure to do my research on using oils and I hope you do as well. Some essential oils do interact adversely with prescription medications or medical conditions. You should always inform your doctor of any over the counter medication you are taking along with vitamins or any natural remedies such as the use of essential oils.

    As a user of essential oils you should be knowledgeable about their properties and the actions before any use. DO your research!

• Keep oils tightly closed and out of the reach of children
• Never ingest essential oils. You will see other companies say that it is safe to ingest their oils but I personally don't recommend it. They are very strong and are efficiently absorbed through our skin or through inhalation. 
• Don't use undiluted oils on your skin. (Dilute with vegetable oils such as sweet almond oil, grapeseed oil, coconut oil, olive oil or even plain old vegetable oil.)
• Skin test oils before using. Dilute a small amount and apply to the skin of your inner arm. Do not continue use if redness or irritation occurs. 
• If redness, burning, itching or irritation occur, stop using oils immediately.
• To remove essential oils use a carrier oil. DO NOT use water. Water only spreads the oil and does not remove them. 
• Keep oils away from eyes and mucous membranes. 
• Always read and follow all label warnings and cautions.

• Angelica and all Citrus oils make the skin more sensitive to ultraviolet light. Do not go out into the sun with these oils on your skin. 
• People with high blood pressure should avoid Hyssop, Rosemary, Sage and Thyme. 
• People with epilepsy should not use Sweet Fennel, Hyssop, Sage and Rosemary
• Babies and young children should NOT use Eucalyptus or Wintergreen.
• Oils to Avoid During Pregnancy: 
• Bitter Almond, Basil, Clary Sage, Clove Bud, Hyssop, Sweet Fennel, Juniper Berry, Marjoram, Myrrh, Peppermint, Rose, Rosemary, Sage, Thyme and Wintergreen. 
• Skin Irritants: 
• Allspice, Bitter Almond, Basil, Cinnamon Leaf, Cinnamon Bark, Clove Bud, Sweet Fennel, Fir Needle, Lemon, Lemongrass, Melissa, Peppermint, Tea Tree, and Wintergreen. 

Reference: https://www.auracacia.com/auracacia/aclearn/ar_safety.html



*Disclaimer:The information on this site is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose or prescribe any of these products for you or your family. In the case of illness you should contact your health care professional. In no instances shall the owner of this website or its affiliates be responsible or liable for any damages whatsoever resulting in connection with the use of this information, products, or its publication. The decision to use any information from this site is the sole responsibility of the reader.

Thieves Oil Blend Essential Oil Recipe

Essential Oils are great to help boost your immune system or to help fight off cold, flu, sore throat etc. I have used the following Thieves Oil Blend recipe for my entire family. You can diffuse, inhale or apply with a carrier oil directly to your skin. However, it is recommended that you ALWAYS use a carrier oil when applying to children or the elderly.

Neat refers to applying pure oil to the skin and not combined with a carrier oil. Using a carrier oil dilutes the oil for application to sensitive skin or when applied on children or the elderly. You can use coconut oil, vegetable oil, jojoba oil, grape seed oil, etc.

Application to the soles of the feet or at the crease of the toes is best for maximum absorption. Other application sights include behind the ears or directly on the chest or throat area if you are at your worst with a cold or sore throat. When applying to children use of a carrier oil is best and applied only to the soles of the feet.

Always test for skin sensitivity. To remove essential oils from the skin, DO NOT use water. Remove with a carrier oil as mentioned above. Water only spreads the oil but a carrier oil dilutes and removes the oil from the skin.

Thieves Oil Blend Recipe:
1 tbsp. Clove Essential Oil
1 tbsp. Lemon Essential Oil
2 1/2 tsp. Cinnamon Bark Essential Oil
2 tsp. Eucalyptus Essential Oil
2 tsp. Rosemary Essential Oil

*Dilution ratio should be 1:4. One drop of Essential Oil to 4 drops of Carrier Oil.

Remember a little goes a long way! It has been found that 1 drop of essential oil equals about 75 cups of tea of the herb. Only one drop is recommended when applied to your skin.

Keep all essential oils out of the reach of children.


*Disclaimer:The information on this site is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose or prescribe any of these products for you or your family. In the case of illness you should contact your health care professional. In no instances shall the owner of this website or its affiliates be responsible or liable for any damages whatsoever resulting in connection with the use of this information, products, or its publication. The decision to use any information from this site is the sole responsibility of the reader.

Bellying Up to the Bar

Photo Source:  Consumer Reports

Lauren is a busy salesperson who often crams in back-to-back appointments to get the most productivity out of her day.    To fuel her busy schedule in between meals, she’ll reach into her briefcase and pull out her “go-to” energy: a shiny, brightly colored packaged, 6-inch snack bar.  

“Often times I do not have time to sit down and eat a nutritious meal or have an healthy option near me so a snack bar is an easy way for me to get some energy and protein until my next meal,” claims Lauren.

When they emerged in the 1980s, these snack bars were marketed as a portable snack or a quick meal in a cellophane wrapper to help athletes stay fueled for long distance or endurance outings.  They are now being consumed by everyday folks just like Lauren to fuel their busy day.  There are bars being marketed for women, bars for men, bars for the elderly, and junior bars for children.  Because of all this marketing, the sale of snack and nutrition bars is a booming industry that is pegged to rake in $6 billion annually in the United States by 2018.

When bellying up to the snack bar, keep these three tips in mind:

1.      Read the ingredients label carefully.  Choose a bar with whole foods such as whole grains, nuts, and real fruit, not fruit juice.  This will naturally increase the amount of fiber in the bar.

2.      Scout out all the sources of added sugars in the bar.  Look at the ingredients label for sugary buzz words such as sucrose, honey, corn syrup, sucrose, brown sugar, maple syrup, molasses, and fructose, which are all sources of added sugars in foods. Since the ingredients on the label are listed in descending order by weight, finding sugar as the first ingredient or having multiple sources of added sugars in the list of ingredients is a tip-off that the bar may be a sugar bust.

3.      Keep the heart-unhealthy saturated fat as low as possible.  A person consuming a 2,000 calorie diet daily should keep his/her saturated fat intake to less than 22 grams daily.

Which bars are the healthiest and tastiest?  Consumer Reports recently nibbled their way through over 1,600 snack bars (This is the job I want) and came up with the top bars to snack on:

Source:  Consumer Reports

 For a listing of all the bars that Consumer Reports tested and rated, click here.

If you are on a budget and looking for a portable snack that you can pack for about the same amount of calories but for less than $.60 a serving, try this:  A good old-fashion peanut butter sandwich.  

Be well, Joan

Twitter:  @JoanSalgeBlake

Is Your Chicken Making You Sick?

Photo Source:  CDC

It could be depending upon how you handle and prepare it.

Take this short quiz to find out:

If you answered “true” to any of the above statements, you could be opening yourself up to food poisoning.
Chicken can contain Salmonella and Campylobacter, two bacteria which have been associated with close to 2 million cases of food poisoning among Americans.  According to a study in the Journal of Food Protection, the majority of cases of foodborne infections (also known as food poisoning) are associated with eating raw, undercooked poultry, or with cross-contamination with over 15 percent of incidences occurring in your kitchen.

In this study, researchers surveyed over 1,500 grocery shoppers and estimated from this data, how consumers handle and cook poultry once they get it home from the supermarket.  This is what they found:

• Nearly 70 percent of the consumers surveyed reported washing or rinsing raw poultry before cooking it.  This is a recipe for food poisoning.  Giving your raw chicken a bath can increase the chances that you are splashing the bacteria from the raw bird all over your sink and other kitchen surfaces.  If you don’t properly clean these areas after the bird bath, you could be setting the stage for cross-contamination.  Let’s say that a food such as raw veggies or a kitchen utensil comes in contact with these infected areas, and you eat the raw veggie or put the utensil in your mouth.     Eating the contaminated food or coming in contact with the bacteria-laden utensil can transfer the nasty bacteria into your body and could make you sick.   The only way to destroy harmful bacteria is to kill them through proper cooking.  You can’t wash the bacteria away.
• 
  While 62 percent of consumers surveyed own a food thermometer, fewer than 27 percent actually used it when cooking pieces of chicken or ground poultry.  They were more likely to use the food thermometer when cooking a whole bird.  Unfortunately, bacteria can be in all parts of the chicken, and safely cooked poultry can range in color from white to pink to tan so using a thermometer is the only way to know that it is safe to eat.
• 
  Lastly, only about 17 percent of those surveyed correctly stored raw poultry in the refrigerator.  Allowing raw poultry to stay between 40 degrees F and 140 degrees F (room temperature) for more than two hours can encourage the bacteria to multiply to dangerous levels and more likely to make you sick.

Here is what you need to do:

1.    Don’t wash poultry before you cook it. 

2.    Use a food thermometer to alert you when the poultry is thoroughly cooked.  Place the thermometer in the thickest part of the poultry.  When it registers an internal temperature of 165 degrees F, it is safe to eat yet moist to eat.

3.    Store raw poultry in your refrigerator and make sure the inside temperature is at 40 degrees F or below.  Stick a thermometer inside your refrigerator to make sure that it is cold enough and adjust the temperature setting accordingly.  Store raw meats in the back of the refrigerator, which is likely to be the coldest part, in a container to catch any bacteria-laden drippings.  You don’t want to cross contaminate any other foods in the refrigerator with the leaking drippings. Thoroughly wash the container with hot soapy water before reusing it.

Be safe,

Joan

Twitter:  @JoanSalgeBlake

What’s Lurking in Your Herbal Supplement?

Source:  FDA

You may be surprised to find out what's in your herbal supplement and what may not be in it.  Recently, the office of New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman, conducted an investigation of herbal supplements right out of a segment of the Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) television show.

The investigators examined snippets of herbs from various store brand supplements being sold in 13 regions in New York.  According to a press release posted by the attorney general’s office and based on the results of DNA testing, they discovered that 79 percent of some store brand herbal supplements failed to contain the plant herbs that were stated on the label and that the supplements contained other  plant-based fillers, such as rice, wheat, and pine,  These undisclosed fillers are viewed as “contaminants” and could be problematic for individuals who have allergies and have to avoid them. 

For example, at GNC,  the “Herbal Plus” brand supplements of gingko biloba, St. John’s wort, ginseng, garlic, echinacea, and saw palmetto were tested and the contents matched what was stated on the label only 22 percent of the time.   Contaminates such as  spruce, houseplant, and allium were also found in the tested bottles.  Click here for a complete list of findings.  Based on this report, letters from the attorney general’s office were sent to GNC, Target, Walmart, and Walgreens instructing them to stop the sale of the supplements determined to be incorrectly labelled. 

“This investigation makes one thing abundantly clear: the old adage ‘buyer beware’ may be especially true for consumers of herbal supplements,” said Attorney General Schneiderman. "The DNA test results seem to confirm long-standing questions about the herbal supplement industry.  Mislabeling, contamination, and false advertising are illegal.”  Americans spend over $5 million on herbal products annually.

Many folks mistakenly think that since herbs are natural, they are all safe to consume.  This isn’t necessarily true.   Consuming the plant ephedra, a supplement ingredient, which was sometimes used in weight loss supplements before being banned by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) can cause anxiety, high blood pressure, irregular heart bets, and kidney stones.  Ephedra, as well as other herbs, can also interact with medications that you may be taking causing the drug to be less effective or even dangerous.  Click here for a free resource that can help educate you about the pros and cons of consuming specific herbal supplements.

The National Institutes of Health recommends that if you are considering taking a supplement, get it from a reliable source and check with your health care provider before consuming it.  You want to know what is lurking in your herbal supplements.


Be well,


Joan


Twitter:  @JoanSalgeBlake

The Newest Superfood for Men

Source: Dannon.  Quarterback Cam Newton

We are barely into the New Year, and there is a food that is about to make a touchdown with men.  Yogurt.  Yup, yogurt for men.  While the majority of yogurt has been traditionally marketed to and consumed by women, you are going to be seeing more manly advertisements designed to get men to spoon it into their diet.

To appeal to a wider audience, Dannon yogurt has just become the Official Yogurt of the NFL and introduced a new product, Oikos Triple Zero.  (The triple refers to zero sugar, zero artificial sweeteners, and zero fat.  It is sweetened with stevia, which is a sugar substitute derived from a plant.)  According to a Dannon spokesperson, the association with the NFL is ideal as the product is being marketed equally to both men and women.  Dannon may be on to something as research suggests that over half of adult women watch professional football so a gender neutral yogurt bearing the NFL logo can have wide appeal.

"Just like women, men need about 1,000 mg of calcium each day for the majority of their lifetime, and yogurt is a great source of calcium. You can get about 30 percent of your calcium needs in one serving of low-fat regular yogurt or Greek yogurt. Calcium is also essential for building muscle. So if you are a man seeking a strong physique, a great way to increase protein and carbohydrates, while nourishing your body with calcium, is to include a non-fat yogurt into your daily routine," claims Jim White, RDN, an Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics media spokesperson and the owner of Jim White Fitness and Nutrition Studios.  Most Americans are falling short of their daily calcium needs.

This isn't the first yogurt trying to appeal to both genders.  Powerful Yogurt is marketed to active men and women touting yogurt?s health benefits as a high protein, post-workout recovery food that helps promote muscle synthesis.  "Yogurt contains a great protein-to-carbohydrate ratio for a post workout meal. These simple sugars found in yogurt are great for immediate consumption after working out to replenish glycogen stores in muscles. [Glycogen is the storage form of glucose in the body]. Although the protein in yogurt varies from 8 to 25 grams per serving, it will still ultimately assist in muscle synthesis," states White.

Both my husband and sons have been eating yogurt for decades.  Who knew they were trend setters?  Do you eat yogurt?

Thanks for reading.

Be well, Joan

Twitter: @JoanSalgeBlake