Organic Skin Care Benefits of Healing Lemongrass Oil

Organic Lemongrass, or Melissa, is an herb easily recognized by its tall fronds of leaves and strong lemon-citrusy scent and is indigenous to Sri Lanka and India.   Applying this healing botanical to the skin can help alleviate common skin disorders and problems, such as bacterial infections and even large pores.  In addition, organic lemongrass is even used an excellent mosquito repellent. 
 

Inherent anti-microbial and anti-bacterial properties give organic Lemongrass the ability to discourage bacterial or microbial growth on the skin.  The essential oil reduces the occurence of skin infections as well as alleviates skin irritations, like folliculitis and cellulitis, that are caused by bacterial infections.  Lemongrass oil is also fungicidal, as it clears fungus infections on the skin.

This healing essential oil from nature's bounty has been gifted with unique antifungal, antimicrobial, antibacterial /antiseptic chemical qualities that allow it to also be a very effective astringent.   Facial skin toners, cleansers and soaps containing organic lemongrass oil do a great job of firming and tightening the skin.  When used as an astringent/toner, this lively-scented oil is very effective in minimizing skin pores, while it forms a protective barrier of hard tissue under the skin that guards it against daily free radical exposure.

 

Astringent herbs and oils constrict the skin, contract pores, provide skin-firming, limit the secretions of oil in the skin and help to clear and fight the recurrence of acne.  Astringents/ facial toners are meant to cleanse, stimulate and remove excess oil from the skin, leaving it feeling toned and fresh.   Organic Lemongrass essential oil makes an excellent, healing addition to toners and soaps, due to its natural astringent and antiseptic qualities. 

This lovely, lemony-scented organic essential oil is also well-known for its aromatherapeutic qualities to calm and relieve stress, and this is very important in healing the skin and body as a whole!  Stress is a large contributor to decreased effectiveness of the immune system, and disease.  Adding organic lemongrass essential oil to your daily skin care regimen or bath is an easy, enjoyable way to increase the healing in your skin care.

Prevent Breast Cancer? G-BOMBS Revisited, Part II

We started talked about the benefits of eating "G-BOMBS," as part of a healthy, cancer-prevention daily diet in Part I* of this Post.  To summarize, breast cancer can actually be prevented by making healthy life-style choices, including replacing toxic foods with the powerful immune system-boosting foods, like "G-BOMBS."  These are plant foods have been shown to help the body avoid the process of the transformation of healthy cells to cancerous ones.  Regular consumption of these vegetables also  gives protection against any pre-cancerous cells from forming.  Here are the last three categories in the Group:

M — Mushrooms
In recent research done in China, women who ate at least 10 grams of fresh mushrooms each day -one mushroom per day- had a 64% less chance of developing of breast cancer.  All mushrooms have anti-cancer properties, which come from their unique aromatase inhibitors, which are compounds that can block the production of estrogen. These are thought to be the reason for mushrooms' preventative benefits against breast cancer.  In fact, the most commonly eaten mushrooms (white, cremini, and Portobello) also have high anti-aromatase activity.  These culinary delights also contain powerful angiogenesis inhibitors.  It's important to remember that mushrooms should only be eaten cooked:  several raw mushrooms contain a potentially carcinogenic substance known as agaritine.  Properly cooking mushrooms significantly reduces the agaritine content.

B — Berries (and Pomegranate)
Berries are rich in antioxidants that help reduce blood pressure and inflammation, prevent DNA damage that is known to lead to cancer and protect the brain against oxidative damage.  These antioxidants also turn on the body’s own antioxidant enzymes.  Pomegranate and berries are anti-angiogenic foods, and have powerful anti-inflammatory effects that may protect against cancer and other chronic diseases.  Pomegranate (similar to mushrooms) is one of the few foods that naturally contain aromatase inhibitors —the compounds that decrease the production of estrogen, which can reduce he risk of breast cancer.

S — Seeds (and Nuts)
Seeds and Nuts contain healthy fats that increase the absorption of nutrients in vegetables as well as supply their own range of micronutrients, including plant sterols- which are cholesterol-reducing- minerals, and antioxidants.  Some seeds- chia, sesame and flax in particular- are rich in lignans, plant estrogens that protect the body against breast cancer.  In a recent study it was found that women who were given flaxseeds daily after being diagnosed with breast cancer, showed reduced tumor growth and even increased the death of their tumor cells just after 4-5 weeks!

We CAN Prevent Breast Cancer!! -Eat your G-BOMBS every day! (:
*See Part I of this Post Here in case you missed it.

Emotional Discomfort Can Signal Growth

New circumstances and change in our lives, like starting a new career, beginning a new relationship, or opening the door to a new opportunity, can cause fear in us, because we have no way of knowing where the change will lead, and we generally are uncomfortable with the unknown.  Yet, if we can just relax and remember that what is happening right now in this moment is all that we need be concerned with, we do not have to struggle against what's coming- the unknown- and cause ourselves stress.  

To reduce stress and help maintain a wholesome, healthy lifestyle, we can just look back on our past experience for a moment, and remember that we have always been supported through big changes in the past.  We can be certain that we are being guided safely through the unknown, the "shadows," today, too.  

It's important for our growth in this journey to take those "leaps of faith," whether it means being willing to reach out and meet new people, visit new places or be open to new experiences.  We must move forward in life, even if it is a bit scary at first.  We can let go of the fear when we remember that we are never alone in this journey, and we are being guided to the new destinations and experiences that are meant for our growth.  

We are meant to have many new beginnings, so we can learn to let go, and develop trust that the new experiences we're being lead to are for our highest good and growth.  We will develop trust the more we can look back and realize that we have always been lead through new and often uncomfortable changes, and as a result, we experienced growth.  There is comfort in recognizing this truth.

We cannot fulfill our destinies without experiencing change and learning to walk through the fear.  All opportunities that come our way have been designed with our inner growth in mind.  We can learn to calmly and serenely accept change and new experiences as a big part of our spiritual plan.  We need them in order to continue to grow and stay on track.  Fear and stress will disipate as soon as we remember we are never alone on this journey, and all the help we require to move forward has been, and will be provided.
 

Organic Sandalwood's Many Skin Care & Health Benefits

Organic Sandalwood is a precious and relatively expensive essential oil, due to the East Indian Sandalwood Tree is practically extinct. Yet its plethora of beneficial properties certainly justify the cost. It's well-known aromatic qualities include aphrodisiacal, calming, centering, relieves exhaustion, grounding, relaxing and stress-reducing.  In addition, it is an excellent oil for combating wrinkles and the visible signs of aging with its natural, strong ability to promote skin hydration and moisture.

Essential oil of Sandalwood is very effective for cleansing the skin and is delightful to add to facial and massage oils, aftershaves, bath oils, moisturizers and creams. It is a natural astringent and has inherent antifungal, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic qualities. So, it naturally tones and firms skin and is effective for oily complexions.

Perhaps the most important skin benefit organic Sandalwood offers is, it's a wonderful emollient, highly effective in healing dry, chapped, sensitive and inflamed skin.  To revitalize dehydrated, dry skin, simply apply a warm compress to the afflicted area.  Then blend 10 drops of pure East Indian Sandalwood essential oil with 6 drops of Geranium and 30ml Sweet Almond oil; then use to gently massage into the affected area.

 

Organic Sandalwood essential oil is also very effective in the treatment of acne scars and refresh and renew skin.  The oil is known to be an excellent "cicatrisant" and helps to fade the appearance of scars. It prevents the skin from forming deep scars and also alleviates dry eczema.  

 

In addition, Sandalwood aids in smoothing and treating skin that is affected by acne, as well as the scars associated with it. Adding just a few drops to an unscented, natural facial cream or blending with Jojoba or Sweet Almond oil and applying daily will aid in the healing of damaged, scarred skin. This treatment can be done on a nightly basis by taking a few drops of the essential oils and rubbing them into the affected skin. Noticeable changes in the skin should take place after just a few weeks of use.

ADDITIONAL PHYSICAL BENEFITS: antispasmodic, antiviral, carminative, catarrh, chapped skin, constipation, coughs, cystitis, diarrhea, diuretic, drug withdrawal, dry hair, fixative, fragile hair, hangovers, immunity stimulant, insomnia, osteoarthritis.