All about Peppermint

All about Peppermint
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ALL ABOUT PEPPERMINT

Young Living Peppermint (Mentha piperita) essential oil provides a familiar, recognizable scent, but Peppermint is so much more than just a nostalgic, fresh aroma. This oil can be diffused to create a stimulating, focused atmosphere for daily tasks. You can also apply it topically to create a cool, tingling sensation on the skin, which can be very soothing after hard physical activity. We recommend using Peppermint essential oil aromatically or topically anytime you want to add a pleasant variety to your routine!

 Topical Uses
• Inhale or apply it to your chest before and during a tough workout for a stimulating scent.
• Apply it topically to fatigued areas following physical activity for a cooling sensation.

 Aromatic Uses
• Diffuse Peppermint while working or around kids while doing their homework for an environment that is focused and energized.
• Add Peppermint to hot bathwater and enjoy the revitalizing scent and soothing aromatic steam.
• Wake up shared family spaces first thing in the morning by infusing them with this icy scent.
• Refresh your cool-down space after a vigorous workout with its chilling fragrance.

 Benefits
• Cools fatigued muscles after physical activity
• Produces a focused environment when diffused
• Provides a refreshing experience when mixed with your favorite shampoo or when applied to skin after a warm day in the sun
• Creates an invigorating and refreshing experience when inhaled

Vitality
Peppermint Vitality™ essential oil has a bright, cool flavor that is instantly recognizable. The refreshing flavor of Peppermint (Mentha piperita) is welcome on the hottest summer days and the coldest winter nights. Beyond being a brisk addition to water during workouts or to herbal tea after a day on the slopes, Peppermint Vitality can also support healthy digestive function and gastrointestinal comfort.* Add Peppermint Vitality to your pantry shelves for both culinary and dietary use. This versatile oil can make its way into baked goods, beverages, and even entrees for the more daring! Taken daily in a gel capsule, this powerful essential oil can support your overall digestive function.

Internal Uses
 • Add Peppermint Vitality to your daily dietary supplements for overall support to a healthy digestive system.*
  • • Include a drop in a glass of cool water for a refreshing start to your morning and to enhance healthy gut function.*
  • • Blend Peppermint Vitality with your pre-workout drink for an energizing start and to help support performance during exercise; wind down after your workout with a mint-infused chocolate or vanilla protein shake.*
    • Use it in baking and other desserts for a refreshing, minty flavor

     Naturally Occurring Properties of Young Living Peppermint Essential Oil
    • Menthol
    • Menthone
    • Menthofuran
    • 1.8-Cineole (Eucalyptol)
    • Isomenthone
    • Neomenthol
    • Menthyl acetate

    CAUTIONS: Keep out of reach of children. If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition, consult a health professional prior to use. Not intended for use with infants

    *These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Young Living products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

10 Uses for Lemon Essential Oil

10 Uses for Lemon Essential Oil
Lemon (Citrus limon) has a strong, purifying, citrus scent that is revitalizing and uplifting.  The lemon itself is native to Asia, grown from a small, evergreen tree.  Lemon essential oil contains 59-73% D-Limonene.  It is deligtfully refreshing in water and may be beneficial for the skin.  Lemon may also be used to enhance the flavor of foods.  The Young Living Vitality line was made especially for this purpose and just received the Non-GMO verification!  Lemon essential oil is cold-pressed from the rinds of lemons.  Jean Valnet, MD estimated that it takes 3,000 lemons to produce one kilo of oil.  In his book, The Practice of Aromatherapy, Valnet wrote that lemon is a tonic for supporting the nervous and sympathetic nervous system.*

General detox:  Add a few drops to a glass of water and drink the first thing in the morning.  What a great way to wake up your digestive system.  Because citrus oils digest petrochemicals, remember to always use Lemon essential oil in a GLASS or stainless steel cup or you may end up drinking plastic with your water.  Lemon Vitality essential oil also supports healthy Ph levels in your digestive system and the rest of your body.

Need some motivation for your workout?  Add a drop or two of Lemon Vitality essential oil to a glass of water or diffuse while you are working out.  Citrus Oils, including Lemon may help you get started in your work-out by helping you feel rejuvenated, refreshed, and energized.  

Soccer mom car smell:  Attach a piece of cotton, felt or small close pin to your vent and add a drop of Lemon and Grapefruit essential oil to the material of choice.  Purification or Citrus Fresh essential oil blends are other good choices.

Refrigerator and microwave cleaner:  That old stale smell and your dried, stuck on food will soon be replaced with the fresh scent of lemon when you use this awesome recipe.

Avoid harsh chemicals when cleaning:  Cleaning the house often times means using harsh chemicals which can be absorbed through the skin as well as  can be in the air we breathe.  Replace those harsh chemicals with a couple of DIY recipes which are great for cleaning the bathroom and kitchen, including glass.

Lemon in your diffuser:  Diffusing Lemon essential oil is a great way to freshen the air in a room as well as lift your spirits with its great refreshing, and revitalizing scent.  Just to change things up a bit instead of just diffusing lemon every time the air in the room needs a little "pick me up", diffuse one of these recipes instead.

Spring-time health & wellness:  With all the extra pollen floating in the air this time of year, our respiratory system may need some extra support.  This roll-on recipe can become quite handy to have around.

A sticky solution:  Lemon essential oil may be a good solution to getting that price tag or bumper sticker removed from an unwanted location without the use of harsh chemicals.  Place a drop on a paper towel or rag and rub area.

Oops!  Forgot the laundry in the washer again:  Add a few drops of Lemon essential oil in the rinse  to prevent the stale wet clothes order.

Lemon essential oil supports general detox, the immune & cardiovascular system, the digestive system, and the nerves & emotions.  It may also be cleansing to the air and our household.

Share your compliant uses for Lemon essential oil.

Kim for Cherished Vitality

*This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.  This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Possible skin sensitivity.  If pregnant or under a doctor's care, consult your physician.  Avoid using on infants and very small children.  Avoid using on skin exposed to direct sunlight or UV rays.

Essential Oils in the Kitchen

Essential Oils in the Kitchen
Essential Oils in the KitchenLet’s kick start our day with Plain Greek Yogurt with a drop or two of citrus oil (I like to use lemon or orange) topped with berries.
Photo by Wesual Click on Unsplash
Specific oils support different body systems.  For example, lemon essential oil is said to support a healthy circulatory system, and peppermint may support healthy digestion.  All essential oils support the immune system to some degree, some, like cinnamon or oregano just do a better job at it.  

As your essential oil collection increases, so does your know-how.  You learn which oils are best to use in the morning.  You create a mental list of diffusion blends that change the mood in your home, and you know which essential oils help you relax when added to bathwater.  But did you know that many of our oils can be used in the kitchen?  In addition to their ability to support wellness, essential oils can add great flavor to your cooking.

No additives or harsh chemicals
At first glance, it may seem like essential oils and flavored extracts have a lot in common—but they are completely different.  To make something like peppermint extract, the plant parts are cold-pressed, then soaked in a liquid like alcohol.  Most of the oils in the Young Living Vitality line are steam distilled.  
Photo by Monika Grabkowska on Unsplash
Citrus oils are cold pressed from the rind without the use of outside chemicals.  As part of our Seed to Seal Promise, no alcohol, no solvents, no residuals chemicals from raising the plants as none are used during growing.  Just plain pure essential oil.

When it comes to using essential oils in your cooking, not all essential oils are created equal.  Because of how some oils are made, they are not safe to consume.  Make sure the essential oils you are going to use are labeled for internal use.  The Young Living Vitality line was made especially for this purpose and just received the Non-GMO verification!  You can find everything from basil and black pepper to ginger and grapefruit (there are 44 vitality oils so far in the collection).
Unexpected guests?  It is easy to have the ingredients on hand for Garlic Lemon Hummus.  Because lemon essential oil is used instead of lemons, and can be whipped up in 10 minutes.
Photo by Mariana Medvedeva on UnsplashWhy should essential oils be used when cooking?
  • Essential oils are superior in flavor and potency over dried herbs.
  • They have a longer shelf life than any dried herb, seed, or flower.  When stored in a cool dark place, they will maintain their potency for years instead of months or in some cases days with dried and fresh herbs.
  • You are infusing health benefits! Into everything you make
  • Everyone likes to save money and time.  You’ll always have what you need on hand.  No more buying fresh herbs from the store for one sprig of Rosemary only to have it dry out and shrivel up before using again.  No more flavorless dried herbs.
  • Does your spice drawer look like this?  Think about how much easier it is to keep your spice drawer neat, not to mention the space you will free up.
Tips for replacing Extracts and Flavoring with essential oils:
  •  Only  using high quality, pure, therapeutic-grade essential oils.  Second, the label on your essential oil should state whether or not it is safe to use internally.
  • If a recipe does not contain fat or oil, citrus oils can be a great substitute for juice or zest.  If it does contain fat or oil like dressings or guacamole, you will want to use the juice as the acidity is needed to balance the fat.  Although adding some essential oil to the recipe will bring out the flavor.
  • For herbaceous oils like basil, dill, or oregano, start with a toothpick dipped in the bottle and stir into the mixture and then add more to taste as needed.  If you think the oil is strong or the recipe calls for less than the printed quantities, start with the toothpick.
  • Keep in mind that since essential oils are so much stronger in flavor and purity than typical alcohol-based extracts and flavorings, always start with less and add more, as necessary.
When do you add essential oils to the recipe?
  • Milder flavor oils, add at the end of cooking or just before serving.  If you add them at the beginning of the cooking process, then the flavor will dissipate greatly when ready to serve.
  • For the stronger oils, adding them while your recipe is simmering will allow some to evaporate leaving a milder, delicious flavor when ready to serve.  Oregano essential oil simmering in a pot of spaghetti sauce will make everyone eager for dinner!!
  • Don’t add oils when cooking above a simmer as the extra heat is not needed to dissipate the oil throughout the dish and it may destroy the health benefits of the essential oil.
  • Since cooking with essential oils is all about figuring out what depth of flavor you enjoy in your finished dishes, we highly encourage lots of experimenting with your recipes.
Movie night! Essential oils on popcorn?  the flavor creations are endless.  My favorite: Cinnamon or dill.  My husband's is black pepper.

Using Young Living’s Vitality essential oils will open up a whole new world of flavor and aroma in the heart of your home…the kitchen.  Have fun and enjoy!!!
Remember to Experiment in the Kitchen!!!

Kim for Cherished Vitality

18 Uses for Peppermint

18 Uses for Peppermint
Peppermint - (Mentha piperita) can be used topically to cool the skin or diffused for a scent that invites feelings of peace.  It is one of the oldest & most highly regarded oils for soothing digestion.  There have been studies done on its effect on the liver, respiratory system, concentration, mental accuracy, and the brains satiety center (triggers a sense of fullness).  Peppermint may also support your performance during physical activity.**

18 Uses for Peppermint

Read on to learn about all the wonderful uses for Peppermint essential oil.  The following spray I made as a "cool me down" spay a few years ago, but I keep finding wonderful new uses for it.  With fall here and cooler days and nights, it is time to think about bringing the houseplants.   I spray mine down with the cooling spray to keep unwanted guests from coming in with my plants.  I also used it on my kitchen counters this summer for the same reason.   As a cool down after too much time in the sun.  On occasion, I have even used it on my belly for minor digestive issues or on my back for my muscles.  I rarely leave home without a bottle of cooling spray.
Keep your cool during the summer.  Mix 4 drops Lavender essential oil & 10 drops Peppermint essential oil in ½ t Epsom salts.  Place in a 6 oz glass spray bottle and fill with distilled or filtered water.  Shake before each use.  Spray on back of neck, under the arms, or bottom of your feet.  May be kept in the refrigerator for an extra “cool” mist on hot days.  
Muscle Support.  Apply immediately to an injured area.
Hot Feet Fix.  Add Peppermint to a cold compress and cool down your overworked feet.
Support your respiratory system.  Dilute a drop or two of Peppermint in fractionated coconut oil in a roller bottle.  Roll under your nose to support open airways and help you breathe easily.
Stressed?  Apply a drop to neck and forehead with Lavender to relieve tension and pressure.
Do you scare people away with your breath?  Use a drop of Peppermint Vitality* with Lemon Vitality* in water for a healthy, refreshing mouth rinse.  It freshens breath and builds confidence in your close encounters.
Close encounters with mother nature.  Did you touch the wrong plants while walking in the woods today?  Apply Peppermint Vitality* on location, diluting with a carrier oil if needed.
Take a deep breath.  Inhale deeply directly from the bottle or from a drop in the palm of your hand to invigorate lungs and increase alertness.
A joint effort.  Peppermint is a great way to cool joints without taking an ice bath.  It helps soothe temporary muscle and joint discomfort.
Pre and post workout ideas.  Before your next workout, apply a drop of Peppermint to your chest and breathe deeply to awaken your senses and get your lungs to open up.  Afterwards add a drop to your shampoo to stimulate and help with scalp health.
Cool down your workout.  Add a drop of Peppermint Vitality* to Pure Protein Complete Chocolate shake for a delicious afternoon snack or your after your workout wind down protein drink.
Satisfy that urge to snack.  Most people eat until they feel full.  Diffusing Peppermint may trigger the brain’s satiety center, causing one to feel full faster and help reign in the urge to snack on junk food.

Itchy Throat.  I recently discovered that swallowing Thieves Vitality* and Peppermint Vitality* in a dollop of honey may have a numbing, refreshing and soothing sensation to an itchy throat.
Digestive support.  Rub on the abdomen in a clockwise direction or take internally for occasional digestive discomfort.
On the road, again.  Inhale Peppermint from the bottle, or diffuse to awaken the senses on long drives.
Long night at the office?  Rather than grabbing a sugary snack which will give you a sugar high followed by a crash, deeply inhale Peppermint and grab a Pure Protein Complete Shake to keep you going long into the night.
Writer’s Block?  Peppermint can oxygenate blood circulation and leave you feeling rejuvenated to keep creative juices flowing.  Diffuse or place a drop on the back of the neck for improved concentration and alertness.
All things chocolate!  Peppermint Vitality* makes a great addition to anything chocolate.  I love it in my homemade dark hot chocolate, fudge, and even frosting. 

*Young Living's Vitality line is labeled for internal use.  Exact same essential oil as in the bottles with the colored labels, just a white label and instructions for internal use.  The color labels give instruction for topical and aromatic usage.

**Quality matters when it comes to essential oils.  Do not expect the same results unless using Young Living essential oils.

Keeping Your Kids Healthy During the School Year

Keeping Your Kids Healthy During the School Year


Last week we talked about essential oils to help our children thrive in school this year.   Missed school days are also hard on our children's success in school.  Our health and wellness is a cherished commodity and we can use essential oils to support our health in many ways resulting in less missed days of school and work.

Thieves is super great blend to have on hand to support the immune system of the whole family.  Just rub a drop on your feet before putting on your socks and shoes.  I especially make sure to use Thieves before using public transportation and having to breathe in all that stale circulated air.  :)  My brother used to work in the public school system and would rub a drop on his beard and mustache each morning .   Ahh, great immune supporting aromatherapy all day long.   My niece loves to make herself an after-school tea each day with Thieves Vitality and Lemon Vitality.  

I always make sure to have Raven and RC on hand in the winter time.  They are two blends created for respiratory support.  When I want give my respiratory system support, I will put a drop of one on my chest (front and back) and a drop of the other one on the bottom of my feet, morning and night.  The next day I will switch it up and put the other one on my chest and and the first one on my feet.  There has only been one year that I did not get the results I for which I was looking and had to try another protocol.

When using essential oils on children, there are a few things to keep in mind :
  • Dilute, Dilute, Dilute:  Remember size matters.  If one drop of an essential oil works for you , how much less they may need because they are much smaller in size.  Also, their skin is more permeable and thinner than adults.  Start with a heavy dilution ratio.  It is easier to add more essential oil to a carrier oil than trying to add more carrier oil.
  • Check for redness or irritation.  Don't worry !  Apply a carrier oil such as organic coconut or olive oil to the location .  You may want to consider diluting the oil that was recently applied or discontinue for a pit until the irritation subsides.
  • Be careful with essential oils around the eyes.  It is NOT recommended to use essential oils on or in sensitive areas such as eyes, ears, and mucus membranes.  If you do get essential oils in the eyes, DON'T panic!!  And DON'T use water to wash it out, instead apply a small amount of organic coconut or olive oil around the eye to pull the essential oil and dilute it.
Here are a couple of great recipes that you may want to use this school year! A wellness roll- on and to keep your children from bringig home any unwanted guests, a hair tonic recipe.  Just spray on the hair each morning and again when they come home from school if you wish.


Here is to keeping your children well and in school this year

Check out the recipes and please take time to comment on this blog and share it with your friends.
 
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