Abundant Health™ Blog

August 23, 2016
by Abundant Health™
1 Comment

Luscious Lip Balm

glosson

Not only will this tangy, sweet lip balm soften and nourish your lips, but it is a handy take-along on outings and makes a great gift!

Luscious Lip Balm

Time: 15 minutes active; 2 hours inactive | Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients & Supplies:

Instructions:

  1. Mix first 4 ingredients in a bowl, and microwave for 1 minute. (Or place ingredients in a glass measuring cup, and place in a pan with an inch of simmering water. This creates a double boiler.)
  2. If making 3 separate flavors (like we did), divide melted solution into 3 small bowls for mixing.
  3. Sprinkle drink mix into each for color, and stir.
  4. Mix 1–2 drops of desired essential oil into each bowl. (If you’re only making 1 flavor, add 3–6 drops total of essential oil to the mixture.)
  5. Carefully pour mixture into your lip gloss containers, and pop into the refrigerator for 1–2 hours to cool.

August 20, 2016
by Abundant Health™
7 Comments

6 Nasal Inhaler Recipes to Take to School

Inhaling essential oils has been proven to help students in their studies. Using essential oils at school can not only help memory recall, but also reduce stress and anxiety, boost energy, and calm a person down if needed. Read our “Essential Oils for Back to School” post for more ways students can benefit from using essential oils.

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Just the scent of an essential oil can help with memory recall. Nothing is worse during a test than seeing a question and knowing that you studied the answer, but you can’t quite remember it. According to the Reference Guide for Essential Oils by Connie and Alan Higley, “A university in Japan experimented with diffusing different essential oils in the office. When they diffused lemon there were 54% fewer errors, with jasmine there were 33% fewer errors, and with lavender there were 20% fewer errors. When essential oils are diffused while studying and smelled during a test via a hanky or cotton ball, test scores may increase by as much as 50%. Different essential oils should be used for different tests, but the same essential oil should be used during the test as was used while studying for that particular test. The smell of the essential oil may help bring back the memory of what was studied.”1 Another study indicated that subjects who learned a list of 24 words while exposed to a certain aroma had an easier time re-learning the list when exposed to the same aroma than those who were exposed to a different aroma while trying to re-learn the list.2 Further studies have indicated that rosemary3 and peppermint4 aromas were found to enhance memory during clinical tests.

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The best way to have the scent of essential oils with you while you study and take the test is to place the essential oils in a Nasal Inhaler. We’ve created 6 essential oil blends that can be used in nasal inhalers. Simply drop the oils on the wick; then insert the wick into the inhaler, and push the base in to close it. Place the inhaler close to your nose and inhale the aroma.

Morning Sunshine:
4 drops orange
4 drops peppermint
4 drops lime		 Calm Down:
10 drops lavender
6 drops Roman chamomile		 Afternoon Energy Boost:
6 drops peppermint
4 drops rosemary
4 drops grapefruit
Mental Clarity:
6 drops lemon
2 drops basil
2 drops rosemary
2 drops frankincense		 Anxiety Helper:
8 drops lavender
4 drops lemon
4 drops ylang ylang		 Study and Testing Time:
6 drops peppermint
6 drops rosemary
4 drops lemon

Sources:
1. Alan and Connie Higley, Reference Guide for Essential Oils (Spanish Fork, UT: Abundant Health, 2016).

2. David G. Smith, Lionel Standing, and Anton de Man, “Verbal Memory Elicited by Ambient Odor,” Perceptual and Motor Skills 74, no. 2 (April 1992): 339–43.

3. Mark Moss, Jenny Cook, Keith Wesnes, and Paul Duckett, “Aromas of Rosemary and Lavender Essential Oils Differentially Affect Cognition and Mood in Healthy Adults,” International Journal of Neuroscience 113, no. 1 (January 2003): 15–38.

4. Mark Moss, Steven Hewitt, Lucy Moss, and Keith Wesnes, “Modulation of Cognitive Performance and Mood by Aromas of Peppermint and Ylang Ylang,” International Journal of Neuroscience 118, no. 1 (January 2008): 59–77.

August 18, 2016
by Abundant Health™
0 comments

Good Night Diffuser Blend for Your Whisper Diffuser

Do you have a favorite diffuser? One of our favorite diffusers is the Whisper Premium Silent Misting Diffuser, and we want to tell you all about it!

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State-of-the-Art Technology

The Whisper diffuser is an ultrasonic/humidifying diffuser that uses water and ultrasonic vibration (2.5 million vibrations per second) to break essential oils into tiny microparticles, dispersing the oil in a fine mist. This is important because these tiny particles are easily absorbed by the lungs to provide a therapeutic effect on the body, mind, and spirit.

The Whisper diffuser also uses a revolutionary, patented technology in which the water that is in the base with the ultrasonic disc is separate from the water that holds the essential oil. This makes it possible to diffuse even the thickest of essential oils (such as patchouli, sandalwood, and ylang ylang) that won’t work in many other diffusers. And because the oil never touches the moving parts, you don’t need to worry about your diffuser clogging or its parts gumming up. Its flexible liner, where the water and essential oil are held, extends the life of the diffuser by preventing contact of the oils and the ultrasonic vibrating disc. The cup is designed for continuous contact with oils, withstanding corrosion from even your strongest essential oils like lemon and cinnamon.

Another important fact is that this diffuser uses no heat. This is important because too much heat can chemically alter essential oils and lessen their therapeutic benefits. The Whisper diffuser uses cold tap water and the ultrasonic disc to create a cold, essential oil–laden mist.

The Whisper diffuser also comes with a 1-year warranty, so you can be confident that it will last a while or we will replace it.

Want to know more about ultrasonic/humidfying diffusion or the other diffusion methods? Read this article.

Quiet Diffusion

If you have ever used a diffuser before, you know that noise level (or lack thereof) can be a very important quality—especially when you want to diffuse at night while you are sleeping. You’ll be amazed at how quiet the Whisper diffuser is! Even sitting right next to it, all you will hear is the occasional soft sound of moving water (which has been shown to help promote relaxation anyway).

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Cleanup is Quick and Easy!

Because the essential oils don’t come in contact with the ultrasonic disc, this diffuser doesn’t require a cleaning after every cycle like other humidifying diffusers. However, you will want to clean it every once in a while. To do so, just take a wet cloth (add a little vinegar if there are hard water deposits) and wipe all the parts. Dip a cotton swab in rubbing alcohol, and gently clean the ultrasonic disc in the base of the diffuser as well as the flexible liner cup. And . . . that’s it! Trust us, cleanup is a breeze!

Conserves Your Essential Oil

The Whisper diffuser is wonderful at conserving your expensive oils, because it doesn’t require much oil to diffuse it effectively. Just 2–6 drops of oil can fill a large room with aromatic goodness for hours!

Various Timer Settings and Automatic Shut-off Feature

One of the main reasons the Whisper diffuser is great for nighttime use is that it has timer settings that allow for diffusion all night long. The innovative two-way timer lets you continuously scent your environment for 50 minutes straight, or set an intermittent cycle (such as 15 seconds on, 30 seconds off) to make your oils last for as long as 9 hours. There are 6 timer settings so that you can better choose the length of the cycle.

An automatic shut-off feature activates when the water in the base reaches the minimum level, preventing damage to the internal mechanisms.

As an extra bonus, the Whisper diffuser automatically adjusts to input voltage (110–240 VAC, 47–63 Hz). So it will work almost anywhere in the world! (However, a plug adapter may be required outside the United States.)

Color Options

Are you ready to purchase your own Whisper Premium Silent Misting Diffuser yet? The decision-making isn’t over yet—you have 3 color options to choose from: Classic Silver, Blue Floral, or White.

Silver Whisper Diffuser
Blue Floral Whisper Diffuser
White Whisper Diffuser

Once you get your diffuser, try out this diffuser blend recipe to help promote relaxation and a sound sleep!

AH_GoodNight_WhisperDiffuserBlend

 

August 16, 2016
by Abundant Health™
0 comments

Apricot Coconut Muffins with Orange Essential Oil

These muffins are a delight to eat and taste like sunshine! Seriously, you will love the apricot, coconut, and orange flavor combination in these delicious muffins!
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Apricot Coconut Muffins with Orange Essential Oil

Servings: 12 muffins | Time: 35 minutes active | Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup (120 g) all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup (90 g) whole-wheat flour
  • 1/2 cup (41 g) shredded coconut
  • 1 1/2 tsp. (7 g) baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp. (1 g) baking soda
  • 1/4 tsp. (1.5 g) salt
  • 1/3 cup (64 g) coconut oil, melted and slightly cooled
  • 1/2 cup (110 g) brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup (50 g) granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) coconut milk (or regular milk)
  • 1/2 cup (143 g) plain greek yogurt
  • 2–3 drops orange essential oil
  • 1 cup (~150 g) fresh (or dried) apricots, seeded and chopped into small pieces
  • Granola, for topping

Instructions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 400º F. (205° C.). Spray a standard muffin pan thoroughly with cooking spray. You can use paper muffin cups if desired.
  2. In a large bowl, stir together the flours, shredded coconut, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
  3. In a medium bowl, cream coconut oil, sugars, and eggs together with a hand mixer for a couple minutes. Add the coconut milk, yogurt, and orange essential oil; continue whisking until combined.
  4. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry, and stir until just combined. Be careful not to over mix.
  5. Gently fold in the apricots.
  6. Divide mixture evenly among the 12 muffin cups (each about 2/3 full), and sprinkle granola on top of each muffin.
  7. Bake for 18–20 minutes or until golden brown.

August 13, 2016
by Abundant Health™
2 Comments

Essential Oils for Back to School

school

The lazy days of summer can make going back to school hard for kids! Time to use that brain power again at a time when cold and flu season can really do a number on the immune system. Essential oils can help your child concentrate, fortify the immune system, and calm stress.

Concentrate

It’s easy for a child to feel fidgety and distracted in class. This can make it difficult to retain information and understand what is being taught in the classroom.  According to the Reference Guide for Essential Oils, some essential oils can help with that.

Lemon, jasmine, vetiver, cedarwood, and lavender oils are known to heighten the senses and aid in memory recall. Try diffusing these oils while your child studies, and then send him or her to school with a nasal inhaler made with the same oils. Click here for 6 Nasal Inhaler Recipes to Take to School.

Immunity Boost

During the colder months of the fall and winter, there are all kinds of bugs to be passed around. The crowded classrooms and gyms of schools are a breeding ground for sickness.

There are many essential oils that are powerful antibacterial agents. Oregano, cinnamon bark, ravensara, and peppermint are said to be more powerful as antibacterial agents than penicillin or ampicillin. One study showed that cinnamon bark, lemon-grass and thyme tested the highest out of 14 oils for inhibitory effects against respiratory tract pathogens Haemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus pyogenes and Staphylococcus aureus, including some penicillin-resistant strains.

Diffuse these oils in your child’s room when they sleep, and make sure they are getting plenty of rest and healthy food.

Calming the Stress

Being in school can be stressful! Studying for a test, getting homework done, pleasing the teacher, and worrying about a social life can really add stress and worry to a child’s life.

Lavender, clary sage, bergamot, basil, chamomile, and tangerine are some of the many essential oils that have a calming and uplifting effect. While you cannot remove stress from your child’s life, you can help soothe the stress by spending quality time with your child. Try diffusing some calming oils while you sit and read with your child.

With the use of essential oils, along with proper rest, nutrition, and quality time, you can prepare and support your children as they face the challenges of getting back into the swing of things at school.

Sources:
Reference Guide for Essential Oils, 2016 Edition.

Shigeharu Inouye, Toshio Takizawa, and Hideyo Yamaguchi. “Antibacterial Activity of Essential Oils and Their Major Constituents against Respiratory Tract Pathogens by Gaseous Contact.” Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy 47, no. 5 (May 2001), 565–73.

August 11, 2016
by Abundant Health™
0 comments

Back-to-School Gifts for Teachers

AH_B2S_teacher_gifts

A new school year is upon us. Teachers put forth a lot of effort to educate our children, and a great way to start things off is with a gift for the teacher. We have a couple of fun ideas for you that you can thoughtfully present in our organza gift bags!

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Our first idea is to give your teacher a key chain case with sample vials of some of your favorite essential oils. Our key chain case comes with eight 5/8 dram vials. Here are some of our Facebook friends’ 8 favorite oils to carry in a key chain case: peppermint, lavender, Thieves®, lemon, Stress Away™, Digize™, Purification®, and frankincense. To see more combination ideas, visit this post on our Facebook page. (Note: the contest this is linked to has closed, but there are lots of great ideas from our customers in the comments section.)

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You can use our new Oil Lock™ labels to  beautifully identify each of the oils you are gifting. Your teacher is sure to love this thoughtful gift that she can keep close at hand throughout the school year.

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Another idea for a teacher’s gift are these cute “Happy Teacher” and “Calm Teacher” Rollerball™ blends. You could even make these as a back-to-school essential oil make-and-take class idea. The adorable sticker labels have 6 of each on the sheet. You can find the recipes on our website or posted below.

Your child’s teacher is sure to appreciate these essential oil gifts as a great way to start off the new school year.

 

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August 9, 2016
by Abundant Health™
0 comments

EO-Flavored Water: Strawberry Lime

Strawberries and limes make a great water flavoring! Use your essential oils to enhance the benefits. Simply add some strawberry and lime slices to your water along with a drop of lime essential oil, and enjoy the refreshing taste!

Need an essential oil–safe drinking straw? Get one at Abundant Health™!

AH_EOFW_StrawberryLime

July 30, 2016
by Abundant Health™
0 comments

8 Refreshing Summer Drinks with Essential Oils

Summer is the perfect time to sit outside and sip an ice-cold drink! If you’d like to incorporate the benefits and flavors of essential oils into your summer drinks, we have 8 perfectly delicious options for you to try!

Chamomile Drink
Summer Citrus Cooler
Raspberry Mint Iced Tea
Strawberry Banana Fruit Smoothie
Cherry Lemonade
Strawberry Lemon Flavored Water
Cucumber Lime Flavored Water
Apple Cinnamon Flavored Water

As promised, here is the recipe for the 8th refreshing summer drink:

Delicious Strawberry Chamomile Grapefruit Juice


Chamomile Drink

Strawberry Chamomile Grapefruit Juice

Servings: 4–6 | Time: 10 minutes active | Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients:

  • 3/4 cup (180 ml) water
  • 1/3 cup (80 ml) honey
  • 2–3 drops Roman chamomile essential oil (you can substitute this with a citrus oil if desired)
  • Juice of 2 fresh grapefruits (about 12–16 oz.)
  • 1 lb. (450 g) fresh strawberries, sliced
  • Sparkling water
  • Crushed ice

Instructions:

  1. In a small saucepan, bring water and honey to boil and simmer for 1 minute. Remove from heat, and allow to cool. Once cool, stir in the essential oil.
  2. Divide sliced strawberries and grapefruit juice among 4–6 glasses. Using the back of a spoon, gently press the strawberries against the side of the glass to help release their juice.
  3. Add 2–4 Tbsp. (30–60 ml) of the chamomile-honey syrup to each glass and stir in.
  4. Fill the remainder of each glass with crushed ice and sparkling water.
  5. Taste, and add more chamomile-honey syrup if desired.
  6. For an even more enjoyable experience, try this drink with our Mason Jar Mugs and Stainless Steel Straws!

For the pinners:

July 28, 2016
by Abundant Health™
0 comments

Rosemary Chicken Skewers

Summertime is grilling season! Fire up this healthy and tasty recipe!

skewers

Rosemary Chicken Skewers

Servings: 8 | Time: 30 minutes active; 30 minutes inactive | Difficulty: Moderate

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 onion, finely chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 dried chiles, crumbled
  • 1 tsp. (~1 g) minced rosemary
  • 5 drops rosemary essential oil
  • 5 drops oregano essential oil
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) lemon juice
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) olive oil
  • Sea salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 lbs. (~1 kg) boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cubed
  • 8 barbecue skewers

Instructions:

  1. Combine all ingredients (except chicken) to make a marinade.
  2. Set aside 1/4 of the marinade, and place the cubed chicken in the 3/4 portion. Cover and let sit for 30 minutes.
  3. Discard the used marinade.
  4. Heat your grill while you put 5 pieces of cubed chicken on each skewer.
  5. Cook skewers on the grill, using reserved marinade for basting. Cook until chicken is golden brown on the outside and no longer pink in the middle (15–20 minutes).
  6. Serve with lime wedges and your favorite side dish!

July 26, 2016
by Abundant Health™
0 comments

Soothing After-Sun Spray

After a long day in the sun, treat your skin to this Soothing After-Sun Spray made with essential oils! You can even use it while you are outside as a cooling spray to help keep your skin cool.

Soothing After-Sun Spray

Servings: Yield=8 oz. (240 ml) | Time: 5 minutes active | Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients & Supplies:

Instructions:

  1. Pour aloe vera juice, fractionated coconut oil, vitamin E oil, and essential oils into the 8 oz. spray bottle. Screw the lid on, and shake to combine.
  2. Fill the rest of the bottle up with distilled water, and shake again.
  3. To use, shake a little, then spray over skin as needed. Avoid spraying in the eyes or ears.