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Essential Oils Powerful Against Listeria Bacteria

Sat, 17 Sep 2011 00:54:37 +0000

The government is determined to protect Americans from food borne illness. Yet, despite the FDA’s efforts to monitor and improve the processing of the public food supply, we continue to experience outbreaks of bacteria on fresh and processed foods. Antibiotic resistant bacteria are on the rise, and there continues to be food contamination in unexpected places. Most recently, the outbreak of Listeria on Colorado sourced cantaloupe is a reminder that we do not have a perfect system. There are measures you can take to protect yourself from contaminated food.

Therapeutic Grade essential oils have been researched for decades on their antimicrobial effects against many bacteria including E. coli, Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes. Oregano, Clove, cinnamon and Thyme have shown the most powerful effects against these bacteria, with research proving their effectiveness against at least 23 different bacteria including Streptococcous and Staphylococcus. Even Pharmaceutical manufacturers are seeing the potential of essential oils and are combining them with traditional antibiotics to improve the effectiveness of their products. Natural essential oils are not patentable, but a pharmaceutical antibiotic combined with a natural essential oil is. One company is experimenting with an edible, apple-based produce cover that includes cinnamon, allspice and clove essential oils.

Here are ways you can incorporate essential oil use into your food preparation routines:

Always wash hands thoroughly with friction and warm water, making sure to completely rinse hands. For more effectiveness, soaps with essential oils of clove, cinnamon and rosemary are naturally antibacterial. Avoid hand soap with hormone disrupting Triclosan.
Wash produce thoroughly with castille soap and 2-3 drops of essential oils of clove or thyme, or add the essential oils to your produce wash.
Wash produce with Thieves Household cleaner or Thieves handsoap. Work up a lather onto the outside of the produce, allow to sit a few minutes then rinse thoroughly.
Only put clean produce on your cutting boards and counters. Keep unwashed produce in grocery bags until you can wash it thoroughly and avoid contaminating counters.

Thieves essential oil is a Young Living blend of essential oils of clove, cinnamon, rosemary and lemon. This powerful combination of essential oils has been researched to kill many bacteria including airborne mold spores (Aspergillus) within 12 minutes of diffusing. Bacteria can mutate easily against man-made antibiotics and chemical antibacterial products, they are less hardy against essential oils that vary slightly from season to season. When you choose products for your hand sanitizing and food purity, select food-grade essential oils that are safe for skin contact and potent enough to kill harmful bacteria.

Battle Mosquitos With A Natural Repellant

Mon, 06 Jun 2011 02:17:13 +0000

I have been waiting for warmer weather all winter long. Of course, warm weather often brings mosquitos. With a little planning, you’ll be able to avoid the sting of these little pests with the use of some natural methods. History has shown us that mosquito and bug repellents are filled with controversial ingredients, some like DDT and DEET found to be harmful only after thousands of people have used them for extensive periods of time. While DDT is no longer used by the general public, DEET continues to be found in many products. Some studies have even found mosquitos becoming desensitized to DEET. Ingredients in DEET are classified as a neurotoxins with the potential to cause brain injury. In addition, some studies have found DEET to be dangerous when combined with common insecticides used in agriculture. Science is proving that essential oils and some other natural ingredients are just as effective, some more powerful than harsh chemicals at deterring mosquitos. In our family I tend to err on the conservative side, especially with my children when selecting methods to avoid insect bites.

The first step in battling mosquitos is to lessen your exposure: Remove standing water from your yard where they will lay their eggs. If you have small ponds or bird baths keep the water treated or empty containers and clean weekly to keep larvae from hatching. Check out some natural insect control products from an organic garden supply for your yard. Wear light colored clothing, long sleeves and pants in particular after dusk or when walking in wooded areas. Check your window and door screens for holes or spots mosquitos could invade your home. Consider replacing outdoor lights with a yellow bug light that does not attract mosquitos like traditional lighting.

Essential Oils are some of the most powerful mosquito deterrants available. Fragranced oils will not be any help against pests like mosquitos so make sure you are using a Therapeutic Grade Oil that will offer the best defense. Essential oils are pure plant extracts that protect the plants and trees from natural pests. These same plant extracts can offer protection to people as well. For the best results use a combination of oils to create a powerful blend. Here is a list of the most powerful oils mosquitos hate, followed by recipes I’ve used as natural mosquito repellent. Many of these oils are safe for use on everyone, including children and pets.

Lavender - safe for everyone, young and old including infants. Simply apply therapeutic grade lavender (I only recommend Young Living food grade lavender) directly to exposed skin (Neat).
Peppermint – safe for children over 4 diluted with a carrier oil. Peppermint is stimulating so avoid using right before going to bed. Also has a cooling effect on the skin, good for hot days.
Lemongrass – powerful oil that should be diluted before applying to the skin. Effective when applied to clothing from a spray bottle. Do not apply to the face.
Citronella – make sure you use pure therapeutic grade citronella oil, not just a fragranced oil which will not repel mosquitos. Dilute before applying to skin.
Cedarwood- adds a woodsy fragrance to a mosquito repellent, helps repel other insects in addition to mosquitos such as sand flies.
Thyme – anti-parasitic oil, has a very strong aroma that may be softened when blended with other oils.
Purification Essential Oil blend – Young Living exclusive blend of citronella, lemongrass, lavandin, rosemary, melaleuca & myrtleessential oils. This is a powerful blend that mosquitos and other flying insects dislike. We mix 8-10 drops of purification blend with a teaspoon of vegetable oil and apply to exposed skin. This blend is also excellent for bringing relief to any insect bites and stings. Apply undiluted 1-2 drops directly to the location as soon as possible after a bite or sting to lessen itching & swelling. (test first on a small area for sensitive skin).
Thieves Essential Oil blend - Young Living’s exclusive blend of clove, lemon, cinnamon bark, eucalyptus radiata & rosemary essential oils. Helpful when mixed in a spray bottle and misted on the skin. Also a good option for treating an insect bite when applied topically. Dilute Thieves 1:1 with a carrier oil or witch hazel and apply on location as needed.
Melrose Essential Oil blend – Young Living’s exclusive blend of melaleuca alternifolia and rosemary essential oils. Apply neat or diluted 1:1 onto location to relieve pain and itching from stings and mosquito bites. Mix in a spray bottle and apply to clothing or exposed areas of skin.

Here are a couple of mosquito blends we’ve used in our family. You can mix up your own combination of essential oils to have on hand. Add the essential oils to a glass spray bottle, the same method as making your own air freshener. You can also add the essential oil blend to a vegetable oil and apply to the skin before exposure to mosquitos. Making your own mosquito repellent makes sense if you want to live a life with less toxins. These combinations are quick and easy to mix and you’ll know what ingredients you are putting on your body.

Mosquito Blend #1, mix together in a 4 ounce spray bottle and shake before each use, or add 1 drop castille soap or bath gel base to emulsify the oil

15 drops Purification essential oil blend
8 drops peppermint essential oil
8 drops lavender essential oil
8 drops cedarwood essential oil
enough purified water to fill the bottle

Mosquito blend #2, mix in a 4 ounce spray bottle, shaking before each use, or adding 1 drop of catille soap or bath gel base to emulsify oil:

10 drops lavender essential oil
10 drops peppermint essential oil
10 drops lemongrass essential oil
10 drops melaleuca essential oil
enough water to fill bottle

Alternatively, apply lavender or purification oil directly to exposed skin, mixing with a vegetable oil if desired to extend the time between applications. The oils in these blends may also be used for pets.

This information has not been evaluated by the FDA and Pure Home and Body LLC does not intend to diagnose, treat or cure any diseases.

The Best Anti-Aging Essential Oils Promote Longevity

suep — Sun, 10 Apr 2011 04:41:01 +0000

What essential oils offer the best anti-aging properties? Several have withstood the test of time and continue to be a part of many cultures. Americans are finally seeing the value in these therapeutic substances that other cultures have embraced for centuries. The use of essential oils dates back to the beginning of time, some of the earliest recordings are in one of the oldest medical documents, the Ebers Papyrus dating back to 1550 BC. Historical oils like Frankincense and Clove in particular are powerful oils that continue to be used today for bringing balance to the body. When they are combined they offer a synergistic effect more powerful than each oil alone. Gary Young, owner of Young Living Essential Oils has developed an exclusive blend of oils named appropriately: ”Longevity” comprised of frankincense, clove, orange and thyme oil. This powerful blend of essential oils is a super-antioxidant supporting major systems of the body. Frankincense supports brain health and skin. Immune function is strengthened by Thyme oil. Clove oil contributes to a healthy heart and circulatory system and Orange oil with limonene shows promise as a powerful anti-tumoral agent. All of these oils alone are some of the most potent anti-oxidants, but when combined they create a powerhouse of molecules that support a healthy body.

The Longevity Blend can be used in a number of ways. Applying a couple of drops of the essential oil blend to the feet can increase the absorption into the system through the reflexology points. Since all of these individual oils are food-grade, the Longevity Blend can be taken as a dietary supplement. Taking the blend internally can help combat systemic inflammation which contributes to premature aging and disease. Simply put 2 drops of the blend into a gel cap and swallow. If you mix up your own gel cap, often made of a digestible cellulose plant material, take the capsule immediately or it will begin to dissolve. Young Living also has a gel cap formulated with the Longevity Blend that is more portable than filling your own gel caps.

Longevity Essential Oil Blend 15ml Whsl $29.75 Retail $39.14

Longevity Sofgels 30 ct Whsl $ 27.75 Retail $36.51

You can order Young Living oils at wholesale (select Independent Distributor and order a $40 Start Living Kit for lifetime wholesale pricing, and no monthly minimums) or retail (select customer). If your cookies is not enabled, enter #1003003 in the sponsor & enroller columns to support the Pure Home and Body website. Thanks!

The Biggest Fish May Not Be The Best Fish For An Omega-3 Source

suep — Sun, 27 Mar 2011 23:18:49 +0000

Size does matter when it comes to fish, but it may not be what you think. Especially if you are shopping for Omega 3 fish oils. Smaller fish are the favorite when it comes to fish oil supplements. Larger fish tend to accumulate more heavy metals like mercury and PCB’s (Polychlorinated biphenyls). PCB’s are a group of chemicals shown in animal studies to have harmful effects on major organs like the liver, blood,skin & endocrine, immune and reproductive systems. Recently in the news eight supplement manufacturers have been included in a lawsuit filed against them for failure to disclose chemical contaminants in their fish oils. Omega fish oils have been sold for years as beneficial to heart and brain health, but little attention has been given to purity until now.

In the 90′s , scientists realized the dangers of consuming hydrogenated oils even though they continue to be used in many processed foods. The general public has been quick to embrace a healthy alternative in Omega -3 fish oils yet many remain uninformed of the importance of quality. In addition to being susceptible to heavy metal contamination, fish oils are highly volatile. As soon as they are exposed to oxygen they begin to break down becoming rancid. By the time a consumer ingests a fish oil, it is most likely rancid having a negative impact on the body as a free radical. In Asian countries, fish are consumed so fresh that at many markets the fish are labeled with the time of day they were caught. In the U.S. standards for fish oil supplements require little if any disclosure of purity, hence the resulting lawsuit. It is expected that many more manufacturer’s fish oil supplements may fail tests of purity specifically because of contaminants like PCB’s.

Young Living’s Omega Blue is the purest fish oil on the market for a number of reasons. First, Young Living thoroughly tests the purity of all their products and holds them above industry standards. Secondly, Young Living’s Omega Blue fish oil is derived from small fish: sardines, mackerel and anchovies. These smaller fish have little or no heavy metals and what fish are used for YL’s Omega Blue are tested to ensure no contamination. Larger fish tend to accumulate heavy metals in their bodies as they grow bigger – often the bigger fish like tuna have large amounts of contaminants. Thirdly, the fish oils in Omega Blue are combined with therapeutic grade essential oils of Myrrh, Thyme and Clove. All of these oils are anti-bacterial and act as natural preservatives to prevent the Omega-3 oil from going rancid. Thyme oil in particular has been researched for it’s ability to maintain the integrity of a fish oil. In addition, these essential oils increase the effectiveness of the omega-3 absorption, they offer additional anti-oxidants and nutrient potency. Omega Blue also contains Lemongrass essential oil which is highly anti-bacterial and gives a pleasant flavor to the oil preventing a fish oil aftertaste. Lastly, Omega Blue contains German Chamomile, an anti-inflammatory oil which rounds out the anti-oxidant effectiveness of this blend.

Omega -3 fish oils have shown promise in lessening the incidence of heart attack. 50% of people who die from heart attacks were given a clean bill of health by their doctors and had shown no symptoms of heart disease before the attack. In one study, the blood of physicians who fell in this category was studied and found low levels of Omega -3 in their blood increased their risk of sudden death from heart attack by 81%. You can significantly reduce your risk of sudden heart attack by taking a quality Omega-3 fish oil supplement like Young Living’s Omega Blue. I am confident with the purity of Young Living’s Omega Blue simply because of the attention they put into using only the purest ingredients. Adding their therapeutic grade essential oils makes a good thing even better.

This information is for educational purposes only, I am not a medical doctor and am not diagnosing, treating or curing any disease.

Omega Blue fish oil 90ct capsules $29.75 wholesale $39.14 retail

You can purchase your own Young Living Omega Blue oil at wholesale (as an Independant Distributor with no monthly minimums, just purchase a $40 Start Living Membership Kit)or retail (select customer). If your cookies is not enabled, enter #1003003 as your sponsor & enroller. Thanks for supporting the Pure Home and Body website.