 Ground Orange Peel Sweet orange oil comes from the peel of the orange, not from the fruit of the orange. It contains heaps of vitamin C, as well as many other healing properties. All of that and it smells delicious too. Sweet orange can heal wounds and skin conditions, relieve pain and depression, sanitize your kitchen, and increase your libido. If you don’t use orange oil around your home, you might want to after reading what it can do for you.
There are numerous ways to use orange oil. You can add drops to a diffuser to relieve depression, anxiety, and help ease you into sleep. You can add it to a carrier oil to use as a massage oil, add it to your shampoo to add shine to your hair or use it in skincare products to improve your skin. Mix orange oil with water to clean your kitchen or add to the dryer to add a crisp clean smell to your clothes. Skincare Sweet orange oil can help with acne, increase collagen, protect against sun damage, and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It is a great addition to any skincare routine. Look for skincare products that contain sweet orange oil, or make your own. Add a drop or two to aloe vera and apply to your skin. Always use a carrier oil, and make sure you spot check before applying to your face for the first time. Natural Sedative Diffusing sweet orange oil in your room before bed can help calm you into a peaceful sleep. It can help treat insomnia by lowering your stress levels and calming your mind so you can fall asleep easily. Inflammation Relief Orange oil can decrease swelling in the body’s tissue providing you relief from muscle and joint pain. Increases Libido Orange oil increases blood flow and increases a person's feelings of contentment. Try combining orange oil in a carrier oil to make your own massage oil, or diffusing it to boost a lethargic libido. Wound Care As a natural disinfectant and antiseptic, orange oil works wonders on disinfecting and healing wounds. Depression and Anxiety Relief The next time you are feeling depressed or anxious try diffusing sweet orange. It reduces the pulse and naturally reduces the body’s cortisol levels. You can also add orange oil to a carrier oil and dab it on the wrists – just inhale the scent when you need a calming breath. Gas and Constipation Relief Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, orange oil works great for stimulating the bowel to relieve constipation, and to reduce gas in the digestive tract. Natural Cleanser Orange oil contains antibacterial properties so it works great as a natural cleanser – with the ability to prevent many bacteria, including E. coli. It also works well to get rid of ants. If you have ants crawling across your kitchen counters, spray an orange oil solution to remove their scent trails. Combine orange and bergamot oils to a spray bottle of water to make a powerful, and chemical free, kitchen cleanser. It can be used on any kitchen surface, and it will smell amazing. Immune System Boost Orange oil boosts the immune system with its antioxidants and free radical fighters. It’s like drinking orange juice when you start feeling sick, with way less sugar. Diffuse the oil nearby or add to a carrier oil and rub on the bottom of your feet and/or your chest. Sweet orange boasts so many beneficial properties, it is a great addition to any home. Do you use sweet orange oil for any of the above uses? Do you use it for something not listed above? I would love to hear about it.
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 Lemongrass Soap Lemongrass is a gorgeous tropical grass that boasts many healing properties, and it tastes great too. If you are looking to add ornamental grasses to your yard, think about planting some lemongrass. It is a beautiful plant with long draping blade and a rich citrus scent. Lemongrass grows quickly and gets rather tall when mature, about 3 to 4 feet high. The grass adds a delicious lemon flavoring to food. It also makes a pleasant and healing tea.
Lemongrass can be consumed orally – and it should be! You can add it to soups, sauces, and stir fry. It can also be applied topically to the skin or diffused into the air. If you want to grow your own lemongrass for use in the kitchen, plant either the East or West Indian variation. Here's some other great uses for Lemongrass. Eliminates bacteria and yeast Lemongrass contains antimicrobial properties which can help treat bacteria and yeast within the mouth. It can even help fight cavities. Drinking lemongrass tea can boost your oral health. Reduces swelling Lemongrass can reduce inflammation in the body. If you suffer from inflammation within your body try drinking lemongrass tea. Relieves pain Lemongrass’s analgesic properties can help get rid of a headache, ease muscle cramps, and muscles spasms. Healthy Skin and Hair Lemongrass contains both A and C vitamins. These are both great for your skin. It can relieve skin issues from acne to eczema. Look for skin serums or skin care products that contain lemongrass essential oil. It can also help fight dandruff. Just add a few drops of lemongrass essential oil to your normal shampoo. High blood pressure and high cholesterol Lemongrass has been shown to lower blood pressure, cholesterol, and heart rate. If you suffer from high levels of any of these, try adding lemongrass to your diet. That being said, do not stop taking prescribed medications without speaking to your doctor first. Stomach ailments Drinking lemongrass tea can help keep your digestive tract healthy and happy. If you have an upset stomach or cramping, reach for the tea. It has been used for digestive issues since ancient times. Joint pain Due to lemongrass’s ability to reduce inflammation, and its pain fighting qualities, it is a great option for those who suffer from joint pain. Cold and Flu Lemongrass is packed with Vitamin C, and contains antibacterial and antifungal properties which can help reduce the effects of the cold, cough, and flu. Add a few drops to a bowl of steaming hot water and inhale the steam to relieve symptoms. Anxiety Lemongrass essential oil added to a diffuser when you are feeling depressed or anxious can help relax you and calm your anxieties. Insect repellant While citronella is known as the go-to insect repellant, lemongrass has a milder scent but can also be a great repellant option. Lemongrass can even kill fleas when adding a few drops of lemongrass essential oil to water and spraying on your pet. Cleaning Lemongrass is great for freshening up the home. Add a few drops to baking soda and spread over carpets before vacuuming. Let it it sit for a little while then vacuum. Your house will smell wonderful. Lemongrass Tea: Pour boiling water over 1 to 3 teaspoons fresh (or dried) lemongrass. Let steep for 5 to 10 minutes. Strain the lemongrass out of the water and enjoy! *Cautions:
Lemongrass is one of my favorite scents! Stay tuned for more MB Botanicals products with Lemongrass.  Peppermint is incredibly easy to grow; it is probably one of the easiest herbs to grow yourself.
*A word of caution – never plant any of the mint family directly into the ground unless you want it to spread everywhere. The mint family sends out runners and it will soon take over your garden like an invasive weed. If you don’t want this to happen, try planting in containers. Peppermint is a beautiful plant with vibrant green leaves with tall purple scented flower towers. If you plan to harvest your own peppermint, you will want to harvest from the plant prior to flowers forming. Peppermint can be used in three different ways. The leaves can be used in cooking or to make a tea. The essential oil can be used in a carrier oil, skin care products, or creams. And the peppermint capsules can be consumed like a vitamin. *Caution: Those who suffer from GERD – gastroesophageal reflex disease should avoid consuming peppermint. It is also suggested that you speak with your doctor before adding peppermint supplements to your diet. Some medicines or other supplements can have a negative reaction with the addition of peppermint. Digestion If you suffer from indigestion, flatulence, diarrhea, or irritable bowels; peppermint may be able to help ease your pains. Peppermint increases the flow of bile, thus reducing indigestion. It also contains antispasmodic properties which can reduce stomach spasms and pain associated with irritable bowels and diarrhea. Sleep Issues Peppermint soothes and relaxes the body and mind. It can help ease a troubled mind and relax you enough for you to sleep. To use peppermint at bedtime, you can diffuse peppermint oil in a diffuser near your bed. For extra relaxation try combining peppermint, lavender, and chamomile oils in the diffuser. Or, you can drink a combo of peppermint and chamomile tea just prior to bedtime. Fresh Breath Peppermint contains anti-microbial properties that fight the nasty bacteria that can grow in your mouth. Try gargling with a few drops of peppermint oil mixed in a small glass of water. You can also add a drop of peppermint oil to your toothbrush to brush the bacteria off your tongue after brushing your teeth. Or, if you want a quick breath freshener, you can always chew on the mint leaf itself. Focus There are some schools that provide peppermint candies during test taking. They do this for good reason. Peppermint helps the brain focus on the task at hand. Peppermint can help when you find yourself having a difficult time concentrating on an important project. Try peppermint tea, peppermint candies, or diffusing peppermint oil when you need to get something done. I like to drink peppermint tea when I start to loose focus from staring at a computer all day. Helps reign me back in and makes me stay away from mindless snacking. Headaches To reduce the affects of tension headaches or migraines you can either use an application of peppermint oil in a carrier oil to your forehead or neck, or you can diffuse peppermint oil near you. Peppermint can help sooth muscles and reduce tension. Sore Muscles As stated above, peppermint is good at reducing muscle soreness. You can apply a diluted peppermint oil in lotion or cream to your sore muscles to reduce the pain and discomfort. Because peppermint contains anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and anti-spasmodic properties it is one of the best things to slather on your muscles. Peppermint is also great for tired feet. I have a nightly ritual of massaging Soothing Foot Balm, which contains Peppermint, into my feet before bed. Works great to relive tired feet as well as making them soft. Energy If you are feeling a little more sluggish than usual, try diffusing peppermint oil or drinking some peppermint tea. While peppermint does not contain any caffeine, it will energize and rejuvenate you. It even works well when applied or consumed before a workout. Colds & Flu Peppermint is a natural decongestant and expectorant. If you are suffering from a stuffy head, try peppermint tea or diffusing peppermint oil in your room. Its antiviral properties help clean the air of viruses. It is also a natural fever reducer. Try using a few drops of diluted peppermint oil to the back of your neck and to the bottoms of your feet. Peppermint packs a powerful punch, no matter how you use it. It can ease colds, stomach issues, and muscle soreness. And it can help you sleep or wake you up and rejuvenate you. And it’s incredibly easy to grow yourself for use in cooking and to make your own tea. |
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