Abundant Health™ Blog

June 9, 2016
by Abundant Health™
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Laundry Spot Remover with Lemon Essential Oil

No matter how hard we try, clothes always seem to stain—especially with children! Here’s an easy stain-fighting recipe that utilizes an essential oil we all love. Using this recipe, you can ensure that you are using safe products on your clothes while getting the tough jobs done.

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Laundry Spot Remover

Servings: Yield=1 cup (240 ml) | Time: 5 minutes active | Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients & Supplies:

Instructions:

  1. Pour all ingredients into the glass spray bottle; shake to combine.
  2. Spray mixture liberally on spots and stains.
  3. Lightly rub the mixture into the fabric with your fingertips.
  4. Soak the article of clothing for a couple hours or overnight before throwing in the washer.

Note: Like most stain removers, this works best if the stain is treated immediately. We haven’t had much luck using this on stains that were previously washed, but it’s always worth a try!

Source: inspired by http://lifeispoppin.com/laundry-spot-remover-using-lemon-oil/

June 7, 2016
by Abundant Health™
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Coconut Cardamom Bread Spread

Cardamom has a sweet, refreshing flavor and pairs very well with the coconut oil and honey in this recipe. You will love this healthy bread spread—you may even find yourself eating it straight from the jar!

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Coconut Cardamom Bread Spread

Servings: Yield=1/2 cup (120 ml) | Time: 5 minutes active | Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients:

  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) coconut oil
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) honey
  • 1 drop cardamom essential oil

Instructions:

  1. Whisk all ingredients together, and store in a glass jar.
  2. To use, spread the mixture on warm bread for a delicious snack.

June 4, 2016
by Abundant Health™
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Cacao Peppermint Body Scrub

Antioxidant-rich cacao and the antiseptic properties of peppermint, combined with the richness of coconut oil, will leave your skin feeling revitalized and silky!

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Cacao Peppermint Body Scrub

Servings: 1 1/2 C (360 g) | Time: 5 minutes active | Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients & Supplies:

  • 1 cup (149 g) ground cacao beans
  • 4 Tbsp. (57 g) raw sugar
  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) melted coconut oil
  • 15–20 drops peppermint essential oil
  • 16 oz. PET Jar

Instructions:

  1. In a mixing bowl, combine the ground cacao beans with the raw sugar.
  2. Melt the coconut oil, and stir it into the cacao mix.
  3. Drop in the desired amount of peppermint, and stir.
  4. Transfer the mixture to your PET jar. Gently scrub on anywhere you want soft, smooth skin.

June 2, 2016
by Abundant Health™
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Essential Oil Spotlight: Basil

Fresh green basil on the wooden table, selective focus

Basil essential oil is steam-distilled from the leaves, stem, and flower of the Ocimum basilicum plant of the mint family.

Historically, basil was used for respiratory and digestive problems as well as poisonous snake and insect bites, fever, and malaria. Basil was considered by the Greeks to be “the king of plants” and was used to anoint kings. Hindus placed sprigs of basil on their deceased to ward off evil, and in Italy it was used as an aphrodisiac.

The French use basil for migraines, gallbladder and liver problems, and mental fatigue.

Basil supports the cardiovascular system as well as muscles and bones. It may be used for aches and pains, bronchitis, anxiety, intestinal problems, snake bites, and insomnia.

When used aromatically, it is said to open the mind and increase clarity of thought. It can also be used topically and in cooking.

See the Reference Guide for Essential Oils to learn more about basil essential oil and many other pure essential oils.

Source: Reference Guide for Essential Oils, 2016 Edition, p. 49.

May 31, 2016
by Abundant Health™
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EO-Flavored Water: Cucumber Lime

Have you ever tried putting cucumber slices in your water? They definitely add a refreshing element, especially when combined with lime essential oil! To make this water flavor, just add a few cucumber slices and a drop of lime essential oil to your essential oil–safe water bottle.

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May 28, 2016
by Abundant Health™
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Lemon Balsamic Vinaigrette with Essential Oils

Try this dressing over a fresh summer salad, or use it as a chicken marinade before grilling!

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Lemon Balsamic Vinaigrette

Servings: Yield=1 cup (240 ml) | Time: 5 minutes active | Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients:

  • 3/4 cup (180 ml) olive oil
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) balsamic vinegar
  • 1 1/2 tsp. (3 g) mustard powder
  • 1/4 tsp. (0.8 g) garlic powder
  • 1/4 tsp. (1.5 g) salt
  • 1 drop black pepper essential oil
  • 3 drops lemon essential oil

Instructions:

  1. Add all ingredients to a BlenderBottle®, and shake to combine.
  2. Serve over a fresh green salad, or use as a chicken marinade.

May 26, 2016
by Abundant Health™
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Clove and Lemon Sink Scrub

This simple mixture smells great and will leave your sink shiny and clean!

Clove and Lemon Sink Scrub

Servings: Yield=2 cups (440 g) | Time: 5 minutes active | Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients & Supplies:

Instructions:

  1. Mix the essential oils into the baking soda, and transfer into jar.
  2. Sprinkle into wet sink.
  3. Squirt some castile soap into the sink over your mixture, and scrub until clean.

May 24, 2016
by Abundant Health™
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5 Beneficial Ways to Use Epsom Salts

You may or may not know that Epsom Salt is actually not salt at all. It is a mineral compound of magnesium and sulfate. Epsom salt has been used for many, many years to relieve stress, flush toxins from the body, reduce inflammation, and ease pain. It is also an ingredient in many aromatherapy formulas. This versatile product has dozens of health-promoting uses. We have included 5 of our favorite ways to use epsom salts.

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1. Body Scrubs

Body scrubs are a great way to use epsom salts. They exfoliate and help replenish magnesium levels in the skin. Our recipe for Lemon Rosemary Body Scrub has a wonderful scent and will help you feel great after a shower.

2. Laundry Scent Enhancer

Are you looking for a way to enhance the scent of your laundry without all the toxic chemicals? Epsom salts mixed with essential oils is a safe alternative to a store-bought scent enhancer. The Epsom Salts absorb the scent of the essential oils. When added to to your regular laundry cycle, the lovely scent is distributed onto your linens, towels, and clothing.

3. Bath Salts

Flush heavy metals and toxins from your body with a relaxing epsom salt bath. The sulfates in epsom salt help pull the harmful substances from your body and relieve muscle tension. A 20-minute epsom salt bath once a week is a healthy practice. Following are a couple of ideas to get you started with your epsom salt bath routine.

  • Try this mixture in your bath: 1/2 cup (110 g) baking soda, 1 cup (240 g) epsom salts, and 2–3 drops of lavender essential oil. Add them to an extremely warm or hot bath under running water.
  • When you are down to a few drops in your essential oil bottle, remove the cap and orifice reducer, and place them and the bottle in a jar of epsom salt. After a couple days, the Epsom Salts will absorb the oil. Not only will you get the benefits of the epsom salt in your bath, but you will also benefit from the scent of your favorite essential oil.
  • Try adding heavy cream to your epsom salt bath for silky smooth skin. Our recipe for Romantic Cream Bath Salts is a delightful way to incorporate epsom salts into your bath.

4. Plant Growth Booster

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Studies have shown that adding Epsom Salts to your plants helps them grow healthier and stronger and keeps bugs at bay. Try mixing 1 Tbsp. (15 g) epsom salt into the soil surrounding your plants, or add 1 Tbsp. (15 g) of it to a gallon of water, and use the mixture about once a month to water your plants for great results.

5. Hair Care

Woman washing her hair on white tiles background.

To decrease oily hair, add 2 Tbsp. (30 g) of Epsom Salt to your regular shampoo, and wash as normal.

To add volume to your hair, add 1 cup (240 g) epsom salt to a cup of conditioner. Warm it over the stove in a small pan, and stir to combine. Wash your hair as normal; then add the warmed conditioning mixture, and leave it on your hair for 20 minutes. Rinse it out thoroughly.

 

We hope this post has been useful to you! Be sure to comment and let us know how you have used epsom salts to promote a healthy lifestyle.

May 21, 2016
by Abundant Health™
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EO-Flavored Water: Apple Cinnamon

Try this new flavored water combination with your cinnamon essential oil! To make it, just add a few apple slices and a toothpick of cinnamon essential oil to an essential oil–safe water bottle.

AH_EOFW_AppleCinnamon

May 19, 2016
by Abundant Health™
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Essential Oil Spotlight: Clove

fresh clove spice

Clove essential oil is steam-distilled from the flower buds of a tree in the Myrtaceae family. Its spicy, warm, and woody aroma is said to be a mental stimulant.

Historically, clove was used for skin infections, digestive upsets, intestinal parasites, childbirth, and toothaches.

The French use clove for impotence, intestinal parasites, memory deficiency, pain, plague, toothache, and wounds. The Chinese also use cloves for diarrhea, hernia, bad breath, and bronchitis.

Clove oil is believed to support the cardiovascular, digestive, immune, and respiratory systems. It may also be used to treat arthritis, insect bites, rheumatism, and warts. Clove is known to have antifungal, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antiseptic properties.

Used aromatically, clove may influence healing, improve memory, and create a feeling of courage. It is regarded as safe for human consumption by the FDA and can be taken internally or used topically.

See the Reference Guide for Essential Oils to learn more about clove essential oil and many other pure essential oils.

Source: Reference Guide for Essential Oils, 2016 Edition, pp. 61–62.