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The Best Essential Oils for Common Ailments
The Best Essential Oils for Sleep, Headaches, Asthma, Pain Relief & Energy
Sleep or Insomnia
Using calming and relaxing essential oils before bedtime may help you fall asleep faster and stay asleep. Recommended oils to help with insomnia are lavender, roman chamomile, cedarwood, Canadian balsam fir and clary sage. Citrus essential oils can also be found to be calming and assist with relaxation before bedtime. These essential oils can be added to a diffuser before you go to bed, adding a couple drops to a bedtime bath or massaging into your legs and feet before turning in for the night.Headaches
Peppermint, lavender and ginger can be effective in relieving minor headaches. Apply a diluted oil to the forehead, temples and back of the neck – massage the oil into your skin using gentle circular motions.Pain Relief
Lavender and peppermint essential oils are popular pain relievers for general use, however there are several other essential oils that can be used for specific conditions:- Chamomile essential oil is effective for treatment of muscle and joint pains;
- Eucalyptus essential oil has anti-inflammatory properties that contribute to relief of sinus congestion and muscle injuries;
- Rosemary essential oil can help reduce joint paint and muscle soreness.
- Clove essential oil is a powerful anti-inflammatory.
- Sage reduces inflammations on the skin and reduces the effects of excessive intoxicants.
Copaiba helps to relieve pain, eliminate inflammation and speed healing.
Fatigue
Diffusing any citrus essential oil is shown to help uplift and improve your mood while reducing fatigue, and helping you feel focused. Frankincense, Peppermint and Rosemary will also help to invigorate the senses.Allergy and Asthma Relief
Some of the most common oils used for natural allergy relief are peppermint, frankincense and eucalyptus oils – simply breathing these oils can reduce sinus congestion. Lavender essential oil is especially effective for fighting inflammation brought on by allergies and asthma. For treatment of asthma and allergies, these essential oils can be administered topically by applying a diluted oil to the chest, neck and bottoms of the feet. Adding a few drops of these oils to a diffuser is also an effective method for relief.
The Benefits of Salt Lamps For Your Home
How Do Himalayan Salt Lamps Work?
Salt lamps are blocks of pure Himalayan salt, native to the Punjab region of Pakistan. Himalayan salt is considered the cleanest and most beneficial salt in the world.
Himalayan salt lamps are a natural form of negative ion generators. The human body naturally holds a negative charge, whereas irritants and allergens such as dander, dust and microbes tend to hold a positive charge. Positive ions are known to disrupt serotonin function and create a sense of irritability and tension. These negative ions created by the salt lamp bind with excessive positive ions to clean and purify the air.
The most dangerous levels of harmful positive ions occur in heavily populated cities. Dust and soot, electromagnetic pollution and overall air pollution combine to create a mixture of harmful positive ions, which reduces the healthful negative ions in our surroundings, causing a decline in our wellbeing.
Those using salt lamps in their home often experience improvement with:
- Respiratory problems
- Allergies
- Skin conditions
- Mental and stress related disorders, including insomnia
- Headaches and migraines
- Rheumatism
- Hormone imbalance
In addition, the pink Himalayan salt lamp is a very pure source of light and many find its multi-coloured glow very soothing and relaxing.
Place Himalayan salt lamps in areas where you spend the most time, areas where you have a lot of electronic devices and in areas where you would like to enjoy the lamps relaxing effects – bedrooms and living rooms are ideal areas. Be sure to check the origin of the lamp you are purchasing – a real lamp is made from pure, food grade Himalayan salt. Substitutes will not provide you with the same benefits.
How To Use Essential Oils as a Natural Treatment
The use of essential oils can be an effective natural treatment for many common ailments such as:
- Headaches or dizziness
- Insomnia
- Fatigue
- Pain Relief
- Allergies and Asthma
Aromatics
The sense of smell can elicit intense responses from the body – essential oils have a direct and immediate effect on the mind and emotions when inhaled.Essential oils can be used with a diffuser, allowing you to inhale the benefits for an extended period of time. Diffusing essential oils also neutralizes odours, increases oxygen availability, produces negative ions and releases natural ozone. Many essential oils are effective for eliminating airborne bacteria, including:
- Lavendar
- Eucalyptus
- Frankincense
You can also simply place a 2-3 drops of oil in the palm of your hand, cupping it around your nose as you breathe deeply several times.
Oils can also be applied to the chest, back of the neck, sternum, wrists or directly under your nose so that you can enjoy the fragrance throughout the day.
Topical Applications
Essential oils easily penetrate the skin and remain in the applied area for a localized benefit. To avoid skin irritation, oils should be diluted with a carrier oil prior to applying directly to skin, especially for children and babies under 14 years of age. Be sure to test a small area to ensure you do not experience irritation.Oils can be applied directly to affected areas, or a few drops added to a warm bath. Oils can also be added to agents such as lotions or bath salts. Essential oils can also be applied directly to the bottom of the feet if fragrances are not permitted.
