Scientists have found the answer to consumer demand for a natural preservative in a common kitchen herb, rosemary.Two components, rosmaric acid and carnosic acid inhibit free radicals oxidizing fats and oils in packaged foods and lunch meats. These extracts are now used to replace BHT,BHA and TBHQ, common preservatives in commercial foods. Rosemary extracts are also being fermented with lactic acid to extend the shelf life of foods naturally. Fermentation is Mother Nature's way to preserve foods.

 When writing Mother Nature's herbal, I learned about rosemary and many other foods and herbs used by ancient cultures to preserve foods for over 5,000 years. Green tea, mustard oil, sage and bay leaf are a few of Nature's preservatives. Native cultures have an innate understanding of foods and herbs. We can rediscover our natural curiosity and interest in medicinal foods and herbs when reading Mother Nature's Herbal, with hundreds of recipes and remedies for our daily needs.

I began a quest to learn from ancient cultures when I had twins born with immune dysfunctions, multiple allergies and sensitivities. They would suffer from 105 degree fevers, infections and eczema that made their skin bleed all over! The pediatrician told me one day t go home and do what I knew to do to help them. I could cook and grow, but I needed to find new food  ways to prepare them to allow the twins to thrive. This led me to a lifetime of work and study with foods and herbs for medicinal purposes, which I have used to help people of every age with most disease processes to achieve their greatest health and longevity.

Sources: Mother Nature's Herbal, Judy Griffin: Llewellyn, 1997- present

Mother Nature's Kitchen:Judy Griffin: Herbal Health,Texas,1993- present

These books are available at aromahealthtexas.com

Other source: Chemical and Engineering: The New Naturals ,M Bomgardner ,,C&N Washington;Feb.10 2014

Published by the American Chemical Society

EARTH TONES

Part II

            Ginger is a powerful and ancient root, indigenous to India.  Zingiber Officinale is

A rhizome, an underground stem that grows like a root, spreading simultaneously in every direction.  The tuberous roots are perennial, harvested in the fall after several months of growth.  Rhizomes grow close to the top layer of soil and can freeze very quickly if cold weather occurs.  This is not a problem in the costal regions of India.  However, ginger can be cultivated in any warm, moist climate and harvested before winter weather blows in from the North.

            The essential oil of ginger root is produced during steam distillation to be used for culinary and medicinal purposes.  In aromatherapy, ginger is used in massages, footbaths, and as a fixative for fragrances.  Ginger is hot, spicy, pungent, and mildly sweet, warming and strengthening the recipient.  It is indicated for conditions of cold and weakness.  Psychologically, it benefits those who feel stuck in circumstances, or easily distracted.  If you change your mind often, ginger may be of great benefit. The energy is both grounding and moving, tonifying the organs and strengthening the legs and trunk of the body.  Improved circulation, digestion and elimination will result from adding a few drops of ginger to a blend.  The strong odor can overwhelm a blend, so use it sparingly.

            Ginger relieves symptoms of arthritis and rheumatism.  Use it during winter months and when symptoms worsen from coldness.

Aching Joint Blend

            In 2 ounces of carrier oil add the following essential oils:

                        8 drops of Eucalyptus

                        4 drops of Peppermint

                        4 drops of Juniper berries

                        2 drops of Ginger root

            Allow to cure in a dark, glass bottle with a tight fitting lid 3 hours, or overnight.

Set the bottle in a bowl of hot water 5 minutes to warm the oil.  Before opening, turn the bottle to gently mix the oils. Apply to joints, sprains or aching muscles and massage in a clockwise circular motion.  Repeat in 30 minutes, if necessary, to alleviate pain and spasms.  Store in a cool, dark place.

Ginger has a very beneficial action on the lungs, enhancing immunity. A blend can be rubbed on the chest and upper back to alleviate flu, colds and bronchial spasms.

Upper Back and Chest Rub

            In 2 ounces of carrier oil, add the following essential oils:

                        2 drops of Thyme

                        3 drops of Ginger

                        6 drops of Frankincense

                        2 drops of Pine

                        2 drops of Lemongrass

                        6 drops of Orange

            Bottle in dark glass with a tightly fitting lid.  Allow to cure 3 hours, or overnight, before massaging the chest and/or upper back.  Use circular, clockwise motions.  Start

With a small circle and then use wider circular strokes.  Store leftovers in a cool, dark place or refrigerate.  The blend can be repeated once after 2 hours to alleviate symptoms.

            For weak or chronic digestive complaints, use ginger root to improve assimilation and remove toxins.

Digestive Ease

            In 2 ounces of carrier oil, add the following essential oils:

                        2 drops of Ginger

                        8 drops of Coriander seed

                        5 drops of Fennel seed

                        6 drops of Petitgrain or Orange

            Bottle in dark glass with a tight fitting cap.  Allow to cure 3 hours or overnight.  Massage several drops on the abdomen and low back, using a clockwise, circular motion every night or as needed to enhance assimilation, reduce gas and increase elimination.

            Ginger is used alone to reduce nausea, travel sickness and sinus pressure. Apply 2 drops to a clean handkerchief and inhale as needed to  reduce symptoms.

            A footbath with ginger essential oil will quickly remedy chills and feelings of coldness.

Ginger Footbath

            In 2 quarts of very warm water, add 2 drops of ginger.  Soak the feet until water cools.  Pat feet dry with a towel and wear socks or footies.

Palmarosa

            Palmarosa, Cymbopogan Martinii, is a grassy herb, related to lemongrass and citronella and originating from India.  The aromatic leaves produce essential oil, extracted by steam distillation, from fresh, and partially dried leaves.  A pale liquid yields a citrus scent with very earthy undertones.  It is used in the cosmetic industry to extend or substitute rose oil, due to a slightly floral aroma.  I do not recommend substituting Palmarosa for rose oil. There is no comparison.

            We have previously used Palmarosa in skin care blends for acne, dermatitis, scars and wrinkles. It can stimulate skin regeneration, as well as regulate sebum to reduce oily skin.  However, it has greater capacities to sooth and strengthen the nervous system.  The properties are similar to lavender, calming and balancing to the nerves.  Psychologically, it reduces shock and increases optimism during a crises.  For a balancing blend, combine it with geranium, sandalwood, bergamot, grapefruit and ylang ylang.

Comforting Massage

            In 2 ounces of carrier oil, add the following essential oils:

                        10 drops of Palmarosa

                          6 drops of Bergamot

                          4 drops of Pink Grapefruit

                          2 drops of Geranium  

                          4 drops of Sandalwood

            Allow to cure 3 hours.  Massage the face, using light strokes, from the nose to each side of the face and forehead; the neck, using upward strokes; the hands and feet, using the thumbs to work the blend deeply into the tissue.

            Bottle remaining blend in dark glass with a tight fitting cap.  Store in a cool, dry place or refrigerate.

            Palmarose has positive effect on digestion and assimilation.  It is beneficial for anorexics, combined with geranium and grapefruit.  Pink grapefruit has a superb aroma.

Anorexia Blend

            In 2 ounces of carrier oil add the following essential oils:

                        8 drops of Palmarosa

                      10 drops of Bergamot

                        3 drops of Pink Grapefruit

                        2 drops of Vetiver

            Allow to cure 3 hours, or overnight.  Massage several drops on the abdomen daily before meals or upon arising and at bedtime.  Bottle in dark glass with a tightly fitted cap.  Refrigerate leftover blend.

            Note:  This blend is beneficial for gastroenteritis, diarrhea and chronic condition affecting digestion.

            Palmarose is also beneficial for balancing intestinal flora.  The following blend is useful after taking antibiotics or medication disturbing intestinal flora.

Intestinal Flora Blend

            In 2 ounces of carrier oil add the following essential oils:

                        6 drops of Palmarosa

                      12 drops of Geranium

                        1 drop of Oregano

                        1 drop of Angelica root

            Allow to cure 3 hours.  Massage several drops on the abdomen morning and nighttime.  Use circular clockwise strokes, deeply massaging the tissues.  It may take up to 3 weeks for maximum results to occur.

            Palmarosa reduces scar tissue and stretch marks.  Use it daily for up to 90 days to regenerate healthy tissue.  The following blend utilizes rose and patchouli, also great essential oils to reduce scarring and stretch marks.

Scars and Stretch Marks

            In 2 ounces of carrier oil, add the following essential oils:

                        20 drops of Palmarose

                          5 drops of Rose

                          3 drops of Patchouli

            Bottle in dark glass with a tightly fitted cap.  Allow to cure overnight.  Massage several drops onto affected area very gently twice a day.  Store in a cool, dark place.

            Patchouli is the next earth tone to study.

Your body only knows how to heal. It doesn't know your age, or any order of difficulty. When you become "ill," many self healing mechanisms being to work. One prominent mechanism is inflammation. The body uses inflammation to sweep away foreign cells, metabolic waste and much more. If immune cells attack your proteins, autoimmune reactions may occur: allergies, Crohn's, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis to name a few.

Chronic inflammation occurs when the immune response is out of balance. For example, more killer cells than helper and suppressor T cells can lead to chronic illness such as osteoarthritis, Alzheimer and conditions we determine as aging. Injuries can also invite chronic inflammatory conditions. Metastasis of cancer to the other locations in the body is also initiated by inflammatory processes. Viruses occur and reoccur due to inflammation.

Complimentary medicinal products can help maintain the body's homeostasis. The aromatic and Petite Fleur Essence products help the body maintain balance on physical, emotional and mental responses. This month's sale focuses on products that help reduce inflammation.

Call or email me with questions and concerns.

Judy Griffin, PhD
1-800-496-2125
www.aromahealthtexas.com

On sale 15% off the following items through July 15, 2013

Underlined product names are linked directly to aromahealthtexas.com for your convenience.

Reduce Stress is pleasantly calming to the psyche and outbreaks offecting the skin. Clients apply it directly to areas where herpes occur.

Abate Anger has reduced inflammatory conditions such as relux, gall bladder, liver and pancreatic problems. On an emotional level, it helps heal the disappointment underlying anger.

Mobility aids those suffering from arthritis and inflammation affecting mobility: knees, feet, ankles, hips, shoulders and spine.

Snapdragon essence aids in the discernment necessary in autoimmune problems. It also encourages an innate wisdom to make the best decisions.

Yarrow also reduces autoimmune reactins, allergies and inflammatory conditions that are out of control.

Uti Support helps reduce metabolic waste encouraging infection and inflammation affecting the kidneys, urinary tract, bladder, prostate and bones. Uti has helped chronic conditions, such as interstitial and chronic cystitis. many indigenous cultures use mild urinary cleanses to reduce osteoarthritis and dis-eases of aging.

Elderberry internal herbal reverses high cholesterol and lipid peroxidation as well as being a known anti-viral for flu.

Water Works is the children's blend to recover from bed-wetting and trauma to the urinary system.

Dill encourages antibodies that protect mucosal cells from bacterial invasion. The personality is aided in separation anxiety, abandonment and the ego's fear of death.

Zinnea aids those affected by rheumatic and arthritic pain. It balances calcium metabolism that increases bone growth during injury and repetitive use. This new bone growth can inflame, which has recently been proven to be an underlying cause of arthritic problems.

Stop Hurting lotion increases circulation and reduces pain.

Lemon Balm enfleurage clams hyperactivity, fevers, allergic reactions and angry outbursts. The calming properties of this herb help reduce Alzheimer and dementia outbursts and confusion.

Vascular internal herbal tonic supports the cardiovascular and epithelial cells to prevent varicosities and inflammation.

Ginger Essential Oil contains properties that reduce inflammatory, degenerative symptoms in the lumbar spine.

The Healing Flowers (book) describes over 145 essences and blends, suggesting how the Petite Fleur Essences encourage healing the body and emotions.