Thoughtful Thursday Benefits of Lavender

Featured

Photo by David Bartus on Pexels.com

Lavender is one of my most favorite herbal plants. There are several varieties, each with a slightly different scent that produce beautiful lilac colored flowers. It has a delightful scent making it the most popular form of essential oil and it has a lot of medicinal benefits too.

Lavender came from the Latin word lavare which means to wash; and yes you guessed it, lavender was widely used in ancient Rome, Greece and Persia for bathing because of it’s disinfectant and antiseptic properties. It was also believed to purify the body and mind.

Dating back to ancient times, lavender has been used to combat a variety of ailments including:

  • boosting moods
  • headaches
  • acne
  • hair loss
  • insomnia
  • anxiety
  • stress reliever
  • eczema
  • dry skin
  • insect bites
  • wound healing
  • helps prevent digestive issues
  • reduces inflammation

You can use lavender in the form of tea, extract, essential oil or the plant itself. For example, chamomile lavender tea is a quick fix for a sleepless night. You can also put a few drops of essential lavender oil on a tissue and slip it inside of your pillow case to help you drift off into a somber sleep.

Lavender is an all around wonderful herb. I hope you’ll give it try. Just remember herbs can be more potent than we give them credit for so use them in moderation. When in doubt, check with your healthcare provider to make sure it’s a good fit for you.

Thanks for stopping by!!!

Share the Happy💖

“Laughter, joy and kindness are the herbs to gladden the heart and delight the soul.” ~Unknown

Thoughtful Thursday Amethyst Crystals

Photo by Sophie Louisnard on Pexels.com

Amethyst is from Greek which means unintoxicating. This crystal belongs to the Quartz family and is associated with the Crown Chakra. A fun fact, in ancient times these crystals were made into wine cups because people believed these crystals would help keep them more sober.

But these crystals are much more than that. Amethyst Crystals are said to be excellent in cleansing and absorbing negative energy. They emit a calming energy which aids in sleep, spiritual awareness and helps to balance the energies of the mind, heart and body. Amethyst crystals are also great to use in meditations. Additionally, they work well in healing the body.

If you want to calm the energy in your home try placing a few Amethyst Crystals around and see how it feels. They’re stunning to look at and the energy they emit is absolutely wonderful. Start small with a few pieces placed around your home or you can try wearing jewelry made with the crystals to get a feel for their energy and go from there.

My sister introduced me to these crystals many years ago and I fell in love with them, so much so, that I have a large 40 pound Amethyst Crystal in my bedroom, plus several smaller pieces placed throughout my home. I love the way they feel and hope you will too.

If you give them a try, let me know how it goes. Have a great day and thanks for stopping by!!!

Share the Happy 💖

“Everything that is made beautiful and fair and lovely is made for the eye of the one who sees.” ~Rumi

Photo by Murilo Fonseca on Pexels.com

Angel Althea Healing Angel

Angel Althea created by Maria Vidaurre

Sometimes we all need a bit of healing energy. The name Althea is of Latin origin and means healer and this angel fully embodies that energy. I made her for someone in need of healing.

If interested, you can purchase a Premium 8×10 inch Giclee Print of Angel Althea in my Etsy Shop and bring her healing energy into your home or send her to someone in need.

Thanks for stopping by!!!

Share the Happy 💖

“Somehow in the midst of struggle, Life finds its way… To take care of you when you open yourself to receive healing… & All will be well…” ~Bella Bleue

Thoughtful Thursday Tamanu Oil

Photo by Gary Barnes on Pexels.com

I got an order in from Shea Terra Oragnics and in that package I received a sample of tamanu oil. I had never heard of it before so I decided to do a little research. Tamanu oil is made from the seeds of the tamanu tree which can be found in Africa, Asia and Australia. It has been used in Asian cultures for centuries but in the West, we’re just hearing about this beneficial oil.

It’s a fatty oil that’s pressed from the seeds of the tree and is a greenish/yellow color. The oil is rich in fatty acids including alpha-linoleic, oleic, linoleic, palmitic, arachidonic and stearic. It also contains polyphenols which are anti-inflammatory. All of these compounds are excellent for the skin.

This fatty nut oil contains antioxidants that fight radical damage making it great for the skin. Because of it’s antibacterial properties it’s helpful in treating fungal and wound infections as well as acne and eczema. Plus it helps to relieve joint pain, provide light sun protection and speed up the healing of wounds.

This all sounds pretty amazing but despite it’s many anti-aging properties, it should never be taken internally as the oil is poisonous. Also, if you suffer from nut allergies, this oil does come from a nut so you probably should stay away from it.

This is a rich oil, so a little goes a long way. I like to use a drop or two of the oil on my face. It does wonders in minimizing aging and makes my complexion look great! Plus all the fatty acids in the oil make it an excellent moisturizer.

Hope you have a fabulous day! Thanks for stopping by!!

Share the Happy 💖

“To the mind that is still the whole universe surrenders.” ~Lao Tzu

Photo by Stijn Dijkstra on Pexels.com

Thoughtful Thursday – Milky Quartz Crystals

Photo by Alina Vilchenko on Pexels.com

Crystals are beautiful gems treasured by many. Some are worn as jewelry or placed in homes as decoration. They have been used throughout time for their healing properties as well.

I was introduced to crystals by my late sister many years ago. One Christmas she gave a quartz crystal candle holder. It’s a large 3.5″ square block of white quartz with a hole in the center big enough for a tealight candle. It’s a stunning crystal to say the least.

Right after Christmas, I spent the next several nights tossing and turning, unable to sleep. When my sister called I told her how tired I was from lack of sleep and she got pretty quiet and asked, “where did you put the candle holder I gave you?” I replied, on my nightstand. Then she asked “when did your sleepless nights begin?” I said, “basically right after Christmas.” She instructed me to move the crystal into the bathroom, cover it with a towel and close the door at night. I was pretty skeptical at the thought that her candle holder was causing my lack of sleep. So I did as she asked and to my surprise, I had no problem sleeping once I moved it.

I tried putting it back on the nightstand and yep you guessed it, I couldn’t sleep again. This began my journey into exploring different crystals and their properties. I still have the large quartz candle holder but now it sits on my office desk where it charges my energy throughout the day. If you have the chance, stop by a crystal shop and explore these magical gems and see how they make you feel.

Milky Quartz Crystal Properties:

  • increases concentration
  • boosts your energy
  • purifies negative energy
  • removes energy blockages
  • enhances properties of other crystals

Thanks for stopping by!

Share the Happy!!

“Let yourself be drawn by the stronger pull of that which you truly love.” ~Rumi

Photo by Peter Du00f6pper on Pexels.com

Thoughtful Thursday – Benefits of Ginger

Photo by Angele J on Pexels.com

Ginger root has been used for centuries as a spice and for medicinal purposes. The first time I tried ginger, I wasn’t too crazy about it. I loved the scent but the flavor, not so much.

Over the years, I’ve grown to really love ginger. I’ll put a few small pieces in my salad or add some to my veggie juices. I even make fresh ginger tea which is very aromatic and quite delicious (recipe below). I’ve learned and personally experienced the healing powers of ginger and I can say in all honesty, it’s truly a Superfood.

Ginger has many benefits and can help the body heal from a number of ailments naturally including:

  1. Aids in Digestion
  2. Regulates Blood Sugar
  3. Reduces Inflammation
  4. Lowers Blood Pressure
  5. Helps with Nausea
  6. Antibacterial Properties
  7. Reduces Menstrual Pain
  8. Aids in Reducing LDL Cholesterol
  9. Anti-Cancer Properties
  10. Aids Weight Loss

Before making any changes to your healthcare regime, always check with your doctor/health practitioner to make sure it’s right for you.

Ginger Tea Recipe:

  • 4-5 quarter inches pieces of ginger, slightly crushed
  • 2 Cups Water
  • Sweetener (honey, stevia)

Add ginger and water to a teapot. Boil for 3 minutes. Remove from heat and steep for 15 minutes. Strain ginger pieces, add a little sweetener and enjoy.

Thanks for stopping by. Share the Happy!

“Our Food should be our Medicine & our Medicine should be our Food.” ~Hippocrates

Photo by Mareefe on Pexels.com

Thoughtful Thursday

Photo by Riccardo Bresciani on Pexels.com

10 Essentials Oils for Colds and Flu

When I start to feel a little off, I always turn to my essential oils. They’re my first line of defense against colds or flu. Essential oils have wonderful therapeutic properties and help shorten the duration of the illness when used at the first signs of symptoms including itchy eyes, sore throat, cough, sneezing and mild fever or just the general overall feeling of being unwell.

My favorite way to use essential oils when I start to get sick is through steam inhalation in the shower or bath or by using a diffuser. You can rub some blends directly on your skin, however you need to use caution because they can be irritating to some. Also, if you are pregnant you should consult your doctor before using essential oils.

  • Basil – useful in treating colds, aches and pains
  • Bergamot – useful in treating fevers and coughs
  • Cinnamon – useful in treating colds, flu, coughs and viral infections
  • Clove – useful as an analgesic and antiseptic
  • Eucalyptus – useful in treating sore throats, coughs, sinusitis, aches, pains and as an antiseptic
  • Lavender – useful in treating colds, flu, coughs, sinus congestion
  • Peppermint – useful in treating fevers, flu and can ease breathing
  • Sandalwood – useful in treating colds
  • Tea Tree – useful in treating colds, flu, bacterial and viral infections
  • Thyme – useful in treating bacterial and viral infections also helps to boost immunity

There are many books and online resources for finding oil blends but I recently came across a great book by Stephanie Gerber titled “Essential glow.” Below are a few of her recipes and I encourage you to check out her site at HellowGlow.com

11 Essential Oil Diffuser Blends for Cold + Flu Season

Thanks for stopping by, Share the Happy!

Thoughtful Thursday

Photo by Mareefe on Pexels.com

Benefits of Chamomile

Growing up mom always gave us Chamomile tea for anything that ailed us. Whether we had a cold, stomach flu or just feeling blue, there wasn’t anything that a cup of warm Chamomile tea with honey couldn’t fix. I still drink a lot of it today, especially if I’m starting to feel a little sick.

Chamomile works great to relax you at the end of the stressful day. It has also been shown to be antiseptic against bacteria and helps to bring down fevers and relieve achiness due to flu’s. Chamomile is great for relieving nausea, upset stomachs and head aches. These are only a few of the benefits of Chamomile and I hope this helps you get through the cold and flu season a little better this year.

However, a word of caution. Chamomile is considered to be a ragweed and anyone with ragweed allergies should avoid Chamomile altogether.

“Take care of your body. It’s the only place you have to live.” Jim Rohn

Thanks for stopping by, Share the Happy!

Photo by Engin Akyurt on Pexels.com