Essential Oils and the Brain

I found this really cool article about Essential Oils and the Brain..

Enjoy!

Essential Oils and the Brain

Improve Mental Clarity and Focus, Thinking, Learning and Test Scores

Mar 17, 2008 Victoria Anisman-Reiner

Essential oils can improve thinking by carrying oxygen to the brain and stimulating brain centers for learning - improving writing, work, and test marks.

Fragrances have the power to affect mood, emotions, and our impressions of the people and places around us. Scents can be comforting, enticing, exciting, or depressing and unpleasant. Is it any wonder, then, that the sense of smell has the ability to heal the brain and improve mental focus? Essential oils such as frankincense, peppermint, rosemary and vetiver have been shown to clear the mind and improve test scores, writing, and productivity.

How Essential Oils Feed the Brain

Essential oils nourish many of the body's systems by carrying oxygen and other nutrients to the cells. The cells of the brain are no different than others in this regard. Essential oils contain a mixture of both large and small compounds – molecules small enough to cross the blood-brain barrier and enter the brain itself.

Essential oils may be an invaluable tool for cleansing toxins and heavy metals, such as aluminum, that lodge in the brain and contribute to memory loss and Alzheimer's.

They also trigger areas in the brain (e.g. the amygdala) that relate to the emotions – the parts of the brain that store trauma and pleasure, as well as memory. This is why essential oils can be used in therapy to help release fears and change belief systems. It also explains why smelling the same oil while studying and writing a test helps with recall of information.

Essential Oils for Better Learning

Almost any essential oil can help with learning and studying skills, depending on your needs: most oils have either stimulating or sedative properties, either refreshing the mind or calming those who are worried about their performance. Be aware, however, that results will vary greatly with the quality of the essential oils used – adulterated oils (poorly pressed, or with junk chemicals added) can make people feel drowsy or distracted.

Several oils are known in particular for their ability to improve mental acuity and focus. These are:

• Frankincense (Boswellia carteri) – one of the most powerful healing oils, frankincense stimulates the limbic system of the brain as well as the hypothalamus, pineal and pituitary glands. It has been used against cancer and depression.
• Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) – the bright, sharp fragrance of rosemary is clarifying to the mind and emotions.
• Peppermint (Mentha piperita) – stimulating and refreshing, the sweet smell of peppermint oil is used to awaken the mind and heighten the senses. It is one of the best oils to boost energy, creativity and learning skills.
• Vetiver (Vetiveria zizanioides) – dark, smoky and rich, vetiver is profoundly grounding and tonic to the mind. It is often used for depression or to help children with ADD and ADHD to focus and learn. It is stress-relieving and calming.

Any of these oils can be used by inhaling a drop or two from cupped hands or (with the exception of vetiver, which is too thick) by diffusing them through a room, apartment or house.

Typically, the back of the neck and the "brain stem" (at the base of the skull) are two of the most effective places to apply oils for clear thinking and learning.

Geranium,hmmmm really it does that?!

Yesterday my mom was feeling a little blue, so I recommended her to put on a a drop of Geranium behind her ears (if you didn't know, behind the ear is the thinnest part of your body therefore making the absorption of the oil into your system easier)

Today she woke up with all the energy in the world! I knew that Geranium had "balancing" effects therefore that was my first choice to give to her (she usually lacks energy) but this morning I was happy to hear she even got up and exercised :-)

I decided to look up more information on this wonderful essential oil and this is what I found:

Geranium Essential Oil Benefits

Geranium oil comes from the leaves of the geranium or pelargonium flower and historically was used to clean cuts. It has a light floral scent, similar to a rose essential oil, that's pleasant simply as an air freshener. But it has other health applications as well.

Improves Skin Condition

Mix a few drops of  Geranium Essential Oil with about half a cup of distilled water to help with skin conditions such as dry or oily skin. It's especially fantastic if you have combination skin, or skin that's oily in patches and dry in others.
Geranium essential oil mixed with distilled water is also helpful with burns, frostbite and acne. It has antiseptic properties so not only does it help heal, but it prevents infection.

Reduces Cellulite

Some aromatherapy experts have found that when geranium oil is mixed with a carrier oil (a few drops to about half a cup) and rubbed into cellulite that it decreases the puckering look. Try a massage on cellulite in the morning or before wearing that bathing suit to help reduce the appearance of your cellulite.

Fights Depression

Like many essential oils, geranium can fight day-to-day depression. Release a few drops through a diffuser if you're having a hard day but can't take the time to de-stress. If you have a few minutes, release a drop onto a piece of cotton, hold it close to the nose, close your eyes and breathe deeply.

Balances Hormones

Geranium essential oil balances female hormone imbalances; this is why it's used to treat PMS symptoms, menopause symptoms, menstrual cramps and sore breasts. There are many ways to use geranium oil to treat hormone imbalances. You could add a few drops to a diffuser or vaporizer, or release a drop onto a cotton ball and inhale deeply. For menstrual cramps and sore breasts, try adding a few drops to a Carrier Oil and massaging into the affected areas. If a massage is too painful, add a drop of geranium oil to a warm compress and cover the abdomen or breasts to relieve the symptoms.

Lavender Cream Oh How I love Thee!

I got my products in today woo hoo!  And in those products came one of my favorites, the Lavender Cream. You see people, this wonderful cream is AMAZING, it puts my 1 yr old straight to sleep. The first time he encountered this cream, or the cream encountered him, he fell asleep ON THE FLOOR! I couldn't believe my eyes haha!! Well, guess what happened today to the energetic baby who wouldn't stay put one minute... unless he's eating, and don't let ANYTHING come in between this baby and his food....unless...........

....there's SwissJust Lavender Cream involved....

EVERY parent should own their own magical cream, and guess what it's UHMAAAAAIIIZING on diaper rashes!!!!! 

Hurry, click on Shop Now and get yours today!! 

HAHA this turned out to be a pretty nice commercial!  Once again, I'm telling you people, this stuff is the real thing, see for yourself :-)


Ps.. here's what the makes the Lavender Cream so great:


 The healing properties of lavender have been known for over 5,000 years. It is considered to be a good antiseptic, a circulation activator, a pain reliever, and a powerful healing agent. It reduces inflammations, repels insects, soothes and relaxes nervous conditions, balances the mood and is frequently recommended for depression.They have been known to: Physical Benefits:Care for the skin and help alleviate various problems.Help heal burns and prevent from scaring. Soothe irritations. Refresh and restore. Help repel insects. Fight skin infections. Be suitable for both children and adults. Emotional Benefits:Promote a good night's sleep, soothe and relax daily tensions and balance the senses and the emotions through a massage. Improve the mood.

Super Charged, Super Motivated!

Today was the launch of the new product, the Soy Delicate Moisturizing Gel, and guess who was there there?  Jacques Mizrahi, the President CEO of SwissJust and I got to chit chat with him! Cool no?! Well i'm sure you don't think so, but seeing this dude in videos and then seeing him in person is so much cooler.

Anyway, it was such a wonderful event. A lot of ladies were there including my sponsor and friend Laura, (she's on her way of earning a laptop by the way)  How cool is that! She's one of the top sells people in the country! WOOO HOO!  HA, and something also pretty cool, there was a MALE Top Sales person as well!! He was the only male present and he's rocking the SwissJust blood all over....seeeee this stuff is NOT just for women, MEN TOO! Cool stuff.


The topic of the evening was this Soy Delicate Moisturizing Gel. It's targeted for women who are on the verge or in the Big M...yes...Menopause, here's the description straight from my website

Every woman has different and specific moisturizing needs that are accentuated as time goes by. To meet these needs, Just developed the New Delicate Soy Moisturizing Gel, enriched with aloe vera. With a light and natural texture this wonderful gel moisturizes intensely and restores intimate comfort. Parabens Free - Fragrance Free - Colorant Free.
Here's what it looks like

Yes, you read right...it's kind of a KY Jelly type of product...and I must say, it's not only for women going through menopause...it's for ALL Women :-)  My husband and I really enjoyed it, I know, TMI, TMI....


Anywho, I learned today how many products SwissJust actually has to treat Menopause and because of that I love it even more....I'm only 28...but one day I'll be 50..and I'll be needing as much help as I can and I love the fact that I can do it with ALL NATURAL products.


My mom went with me and she loved the whole night, she had a blast,(especially because she got a free essential oil, Jasmine, her fave!)  and now she's an even bigger supported of my business. Gracias Mami, Te Amo!

Well that's all for today, tomorrow, more stuff, information etc!

Anti-Stress the wonderful magical potion

Ha! I just received a call from my mother in law...I gave her the "anti-stress" treatment on Sunday and she boasted on and on over the phone how great she felt the next day! Seeeeee I told you people this stuff works, I've been using it religiously for about a month now and couldn't feel any better. The reason this stuff works is because it penetrates into your skin and you are getting a total of 15 essential oils: Basil, Fennel, Geranium, Hops, Camomile, Lavender, Peppermint, Rose, Juniper Berry, Cedarwood, Eucalyptus, Lemongrass, Mountain Pine, Rosemary, Balm Mint.

All these oils help relax and calm the stresses of everyday modern life including nervous tension.

Whenever I talk to people about it they think i'm crazy...but I say "try it" you'll see for yourself.

Thyme the wonderful herb you never knew it was

I've only used thyme in cooking but never thought about it in any other way. When my friend Laura (and Sponsor) told me SwissJust had a Thyme Cream, I was like WTF? She told me that she used it on her little girls when they would get a cold and I was like reeeeealllly?? I myself have two little boys ages 5 and 1 and they are always getting sick! I hate over the counter meds so i'm always trying to cure them with Vaporub and I fail because my 5 yr old always ends up in urgent care with some type of infection.

When I went to my first training on Thursday alot of ladies were RAVING about the Thyme Cream, so of course I had to google this ish... so I did and I found this:

The first strength of the aroma is medium to strong. Thyme is used in several ways for medicinal purposes. It is known to help arthritis, cuts, flu, insect boys, lice, oily skin, poor circulation, dermatitis, colds, and sore throats. There are many uses for this popular essential oil. The only safety concerns are that it not be used in patients that suffer from hypertension. It also can be an irritant to the skin and mucous membrane. Thyme is from the same family as sage and is a strong stimulant. As with all oils, the thyme oil is potent. Use only as directed for maximum benefit.

Thyme can be used as a stimulant to the circulation and raise low blood pressure. Thyme is also good for those who are feeling drowsy, depressed, or fatigued. It’s an appetite stimulant and is good for those that have been seriously ill. Thyme is also known to stimulate the brain and improve memory.

There are some wonderful benefits to using thyme. Diluted in oil it is wonderful for a massage. Massage those parts that you can reach, or have someone else massage any affected area. It will help relieve sore muscles and minor pains of arthritis.

If you add six to eight drops in your bathwater and soak for at least 10 minutes, you will sleep better that night. You can use thyme as a steam inhalant by placing two drops of oil in a steaming bowl of water, draping your head with a towel and taking deep breaths. Using one drop while cooking can help digest your food more efficiently.

Thyme is a strong antiseptic and is often used for disinfecting hands before surgery. It is helpful in gastric infections. Thyme is effective for treating all forms of infection. It’s especially effective against mouth and throat infections, colds, coughs, and sore throats. It can be used as an inhalant, mouthwash, or gargle. Thyme is also good for mouth and gum infections.

There are so many uses for this essential oil, thyme is used in cooking and aids digestion. It’s also good for urinary tract antiseptic, and for use in treating infections in the bladder and urinary tract.

Thyme is used also to ward off infections. By stimulating the production of white corpuscles, it increases the body’s resistance to any organisms that are trying to attack from the outside.

As well as the other benefits that thyme has, it can also be used in hot compresses to relieve pain and joint pain related to rheumatism. Used in hair rinses, it can also be used for sores and wounds. In addition, because it is an antifungal it can also be safely used for athlete’s feet.

Thyme is used in over-the-counter products such as Listerine mouthwash and Vicks VapoRub. It is well-known for its antibacterial and antifungal properties.

Thyme tea is often used for coughs from emphysema, bronchitis, and even whooping cough. Tea made from thyme is also good for colds and flu.

To make the tea you need two teaspoons of dried herb for each cup of boiling water. Let it steep for ten minutes. You may want to add sage to the tea if you have a nagging cough. Thyme was an active ingredient in the over-the-counter cough syrup called Pertussin. You can make the tea a little stronger and it’s effective in treating sore gums.

There are many uses for this essential oil and its all-natural essence makes it a wonderful addition to your essential oil collection. With the many uses of thyme, wouldn’t it be a good idea to stock up on this essential oil and seriously consider some of the cures that can be gained from it.

Wow, Nice! Guess what, I ordered my first batch of the Thyme Cream a few days ago and I should be getting it on Monday....which is great because my 1 yr old is coming down with the sniffles....Just in Thyme! hahahaha... ok sorry..

another attempt

I've had many blogs throughout the years, but never was able to keep one up.. today is the beginning of a new day, a new life, a new adventure.

I just I quit my job, of 2 whole months (before then, I was at a company on and off  for 8  yrs). It was the worst working environment you could think of. Public humiliation, working for someone who was always unhappy, just as unhealthy as it can get, and with NO backup plan, I just walked away. Obviously my husband's support had a lot to do with the decision. Together we decided Health and Family comes first. So yea.... I did it..now what I think to myself...and then it hit me... why am I here, what is my purpose. My purpose is to be HAPPY and live a HAPPY life. Stay at Home Mom, HERE I COME! WOOOHOOOOOO!!!! 

Yesterday I attended my first SwissJust Training..what is SwissJust? it's basically products that heal you naturally, emotionally, physically and dermo cosmetically. They've been around for over 75 yrs but why the heck hadn't I heard about them I thought to myself when I stumbled upon them exactly 2 months ago (my 3rd day on the job).

They are pretty amazing stuff, it takes us back to our where medicine should come from, Mother Nature, not some Laboratory.

I've had sooooo many opportunities to see different products, but none of them caught my eye like these.

I first started with their oils... after walking into an unknown office hysterically upset, a kind woman offered me a seat at her desk (this is on that 3rd day of work I just told you about) and she told me "Calmada, Calmada" '(calm down, calm down)..then she said "Ten esto, ponte unas gotas en tus manos y frotalas, despues tomas 3 inhaladas despacito, vas a ver que te vas a sentir bien: Translation: "Here take a couple of drops of this and rub your hands together really fast, then inhale slowly 3 times, you will feel better" I was like WTF?! is this lady giving me? Whatevs I thought, anything is better than this sucky day i'm having.... I kid you not within 5 minutes I started feeling so much more calm, I could actually speak without sobbing.

Anyway, I learned later it was a product called Anti-Stress from some Swiss Company called SwissJust.

A few days later some other girl at work gave me some hand cream for my dry hands and I was like dddaaang this is good stuff... I asked her what brand it was so I could go out and get some and she was like "SwissJust" I was like Jigga Whaaa?! isn't that the same company fromt that stress thing I took, and she was like "Yea!" I was like "Girl, come to my house on Sunday, we need to talk"

And that was that, I am now a SwissJust Consultant and a believer...

because of this wonderful product, i've decided that I will use this blog to give out tips, information, share my experiences with Just, and maybe throw a couple random posts about random stuff, like food, my kids, etc...

Thanks for reading my first post :-)