Abundant Health™ Blog

May 17, 2018
by Abundant Health™
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Essential Oil Spotlight: Peppermint

Peppermint essential oil is steam-distilled from the leaves, stems, and flower buds of the Mentha piperita plant. Peppermint is distinctly known for its minty, sharp, and intense aroma.

For centuries, peppermint has been used for a variety of purposes. It is known to soothe digestion and freshen breath, as well as treat headaches and heartburn. The French have been known to use peppermint to alleviate asthma, diarrhea, indigestion, migraines, itchy skin, and throat infection. It may also be used to help anger, arthritis, colic, depression, morning sickness, and toothaches.

Today, common uses of peppermint essential oil include allergies, asthma, bad breath, brain injury, carpal tunnel syndrome, cold sores, diarrhea, fainting, gas/flatulence, headache, heatstroke, hives, indigestion, itching, memory, morning sickness, muscle fatigue, nausea, radiation, sciatica, shock, and vomiting.

The antibacterial, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory properties of peppermint make it a versatile in uses that aid the digestive and respiratory systems as well as muscles, bones, and skin.

The aroma is both purifying and stimulating to the mind. It can reduce fevers and increase mental acuity.

Ways to Use Peppermint Essential Oil:

  1. Peppermint essential oil is great for adding a nice mint flavor to anything you’re making in the kitchen. It’s a healthy, simple way to get that fresh, minty taste we all love. Here are a few recipes that we have loved with peppermint essential oil!
    Raspberry Mint Iced Tea
    Chocolate Mint Power Balls
    Chocolate Avocado Pudding
    Grasshopper Brownies
    Black Bean Peppermint Brownies
    Mint Chia Seed Pudding
  2. Seasonal allergies affect the best of us. No worries, though—peppermint oil is great for providing relief. Just mix 2 drops of each lemon, lavender, and peppermint essential oils with 1 tsp. (5 ml) fractionated coconut oil. Apply the mixture to the temples, under the nose, and to the bottoms of your feet morning and evening.
  3. Peppermint oil is always a staple when it comes to diffuser blends. The minty fresh aroma is irresistible. Here are a few diffuser blends with peppermint that you can try out.
    Breathe Easy
    3 drops eucalyptus
    3 drops peppermint    		 Summertime
    2 drops grapefruit
    2 drops lavender
    1 drop lemon
    1 drop peppermint    		 Be Energized
    2 drops rosemary
    2 drops peppermint
    2 drops lemon    		 Refreshing
    1 drop lavender
    1 drop rosemary
    1 drop tea tree
    1 drop peppermint
  4. Peppermint essential oil is great for heartburn and indigestion. Try combining 1 drop peppermint essential oil with 1 tsp. (5 ml) honey in 1 cup (250 ml) warm water. Allow the honey-oil mixture to dissolve completely, and then drink slowly.
  5. For sciatica, combine 5 drops peppermint oil with 1 tsp. (5 ml) fractionated coconut oil in a 5 ml roll-on bottle. Apply to your lower back every 3 hours as needed.

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

Source:
Reference Guide for Essential Oils, 2018 Edition, pp. 113–14.

May 17, 2018
by Abundant Health™
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Blueberry Muffin Energy Bites

With summer coming up quickly, we could all use an energy boost to keep us going through our activities. These blueberry energy bites are full of nutrients that will give your body the extra boost it needs. Plus they taste like cookie dough, so your kids will love them too! You can’t go wrong having this healthy snack on hand.

Blueberry Muffin Energy Bites

Servings: 12 | Time: 5 minutes active; 30 minutes inactive | Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup (100 g) rolled oats
  • 1/2 cup (75 g) dried blueberries
  • 1/4 cup (60 g) almond butter
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) honey
  • 1/2 tsp. (2.5 ml) vanilla
  • 1–2 drops lemon essential oil
  • 1 toothpick cinnamon essential oil

Instructions:

  1. Combine honey, vanilla, and almond butter in a small bowl.
  2. Add essential oils, and stir to combine.
  3. Add rolled oats and dried blueberries, and stir.
  4. Cover and refrigerate dough for 30 minutes.
  5. Using a tablespoon or cookie scoop, divide the mixture into 12 balls, rolling them in your hands to make them smooth.
  6. Enjoy immediately, or refrigerate if desired. These can be refrigerated for up to 1 week or frozen to last longer.

Note: You can also substitute the blueberries with any other dried fruit or nuts.

May 15, 2018
by Abundant Health™
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“Deep Breaths” Diffuser Blend

Let’s be honest: life can be really stressful sometimes. At some point we all wish we could take a trip to the beach or up into the mountains to get some fresh air, but we don’t always have the time. Luckily, this great diffuser blend can help you clear your head and breathe deeper! This blend is calming to the mind and will help you better focus on your daily tasks. Try it out, and let us know what you think!

We carry a wide variety of diffusers for you to choose from. Click here to learn more about which diffuser is best for you!

May 10, 2018
by Abundant Health™
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Himalayan Rose Salt Scrub

Salt scrubs are great for exfoliating rough skin. The coconut oil in this scrub softens while the salt exfoliates dry, dead skin. Himalayan salt detoxes the body, balances blood sugar, and helps decrease muscle cramping. This scrub is bound to leave you feeling refreshed, and your skin feeling much softer. With Mother’s Day approaching, this makes an excellent gift for the special women in your life—or just a nice pampering experience for yourself.

Himalayan Rose Salt Scrub

Servings: Yield=4 oz. (125 ml) | Time: 2 minutes | Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients & Supplies:

Instructions:

  1. In a small bowl, whisk the salt and coconut oil together with a fork.
  2. Add the essential oil, and stir again to combine thoroughly.
  3. Apply the vinyl label to the jar. For instructions, click here.
  4. Transfer the salt scrub to the jar.
  5. To use, scoop a small amount out of the jar with your fingers, and apply to the desired area. Rinse well.

The life of this salt scrub depends on the shelf life of the individual ingredients. Storing the scrub in the fridge can increase the shelf life, but the coconut oil will solidify at cold temperatures. If you choose to refrigerate, you will need to soften the scrub by submerging the glass jar in warm water until softened for easier use.

You may also use sea salt instead of Himalayan salt if desired.

May 8, 2018
by Abundant Health™
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Essential Oils for Kids

When it comes to taking care of our kids, we want nothing more than to keep them healthy and safe. Essential oils can have a great impact on people of all ages if we use them correctly. Our new Kids Mini Tear Pad is a wonderful tool for learning and teaching about how to use essential oils with kids. The tear pad includes some quick remedies for common conditions such as tummy aches and the sniffles. It also comes with a few kid-friendly simple diffuser blends. This tool is a great way to get started with essential oil safety! Host a class and share the tear pads with your attendees.

While essential oils an benefit people of all ages, it is important to be cautious when using them on children. Because essential oils are very concentrated and children have such small bodies, it is important to know how to use oils safely with kids. Special care should be taken with newborns and infants under the age of 2, as their skin is thinner and more delicate than adult skin, allowing for faster absorption of essential oils.

Click here to learn more about this awesome tear pad!

We also have several essential oil crafts that your kids will enjoy. Try some of these out to make essential oil use more fun for the little ones.

Essential Oil Play Dough
Aromatic Play Dough
EO Scented Bubbles
EO Finger Paints
Scented Bouncy Balls
Scented Colorful Fizzing Art Project
Aromatherapy Moon Sand

May 3, 2018
by Abundant Health™
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Creamy Basil Parmesan Orzo

This creamy orzo recipe is delicious—and so simple! Who doesn’t love a savory recipe that can be made in 1 pot with little work? The creamy, cheesy basil flavor is to die for; this will quickly become a go-to recipe in your home.

Creamy Basil Parmesan Orzo

Servings: 4–6 | Time: 20 minutes | Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients:

  • 2 Tbsp. (25 ml) olive oil
  • 1 small yellow onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 lb. (500 g) orzo pasta
  • 2 cups (500 ml) low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
  • 2 cups (500 ml) whole milk
  • 2 cups (100 g) spinach, coarsely chopped
  • 1 cup (100 g) grated parmesan cheese
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Basil essential oil

Instructions:

  1. In a large frying pan, sauté diced onions in olive oil until softened.
  2. Add garlic, orzo, salt, and pepper, and sauté for a few minutes until fragrant.
  3. Add chicken broth, and milk, and bring to a boil. Cover, and reduce to a simmer.
  4. Cook the pasta to al dente, stirring occasionally, until most of the liquid is absorbed and a creamy sauce is formed.
  5. Stir in the parmesan, spinach, and a toothpick of basil essential oil, and cook for about 1 minute, or until the cheese melts.

April 26, 2018
by Abundant Health™
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First Aid Cream with Essential Oils

This cream was specifically designed with antibacterial and antiseptic properties, making it the perfect cream for your first aid kit. Coconut oil has amazing properties that will help disinfect cuts and scrapes, and the added essential oils will help soothe and heal the skin. This cream is also kid friendly, so it works great to fix all your children’s owies. Keep a bag of cotton swabs with your first aid cream, and use them to apply the cream to your wounds in order to keep the container sanitary. This cream also makes a great giveaway for an essential oil first aid class!

First Aid Cream

Servings: Yield=3 oz. (90 ml) | Time: 20 minutes active; 2–3 hours inactive | Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients:

Instructions:

  1. Make a double boiler by placing a small, heat-proof container in a medium pot filled partially with water. Place the pot over medium heat.
  2. Place the beeswax and coconut oil in the container, and heat until completely melted into a clear liquid.
  3. Remove from the heat, and mix in the essential oils.
  4. Add the witch hazel, and beat on high with a hand mixer for 30 seconds or until the mixture turns to a smooth, jelly-like consistency.
  5. Pour the mixture into the 4 oz. glass jar, and let it cool completely before using.

April 25, 2018
by Abundant Health™
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NEW SpringLock™ Roller Ball Fitments

We are excited to introduce our new SpringLock™ roller ball fitments! This all-new design will change the way you apply your oils forever. They are more durable and convenient, and they prevent leakage and evaporation, saving you money over time!

A steel roller ball is placed on top of a spring that pushes it up against the oil-resistant plastic fitment, locking it in place and preventing the oil from leaking out or evaporating when not in use. When you want to use your roll-on, all you have to do is apply pressure to the ball while you roll. The amount of pressure applied controls the amount of oil that is dispensed, leaving you in complete control over the application of your oils. The fitments can be placed on a variety of bottles, making roll-on application more convenient than ever.

Click here to learn more about this amazing new product, and claim yours today!

April 19, 2018
by Abundant Health™
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Barbecue Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

Here’s a nice twist on a baked potato! Sweet potatoes are much healthier for you than white potatoes, and they taste amazing topped with this barbecue chicken! The barbecue sauce is homemade, super simple, and includes essential oils to boot. Your whole family will love this recipe—and you’ll love how easy it is to make this healthy dinner!

BBQ Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

Servings: 4 | Time: 20–30 minutes active; 4 hours inactive | Difficulty: Moderate

Ingredients:

  • 4 sweet potatoes
  • 2–3 chicken breasts
  • 1 cup (250 ml) Essential Oil Barbecue Sauce (recipe below)

Toppings:

  • Avocado
  • Sour cream
  • Cheese
  • Extra barbecue sauce
  • Onion slices
  • Butter

Instructions:

  1. Prepare the barbecue sauce as directed. Place 1 cup (250 ml) in a bag with the chicken breasts, and refrigerate to marinate for a few hours.
  2. Place the marinated chicken in a slow cooker on high for 1–2 hours, or until cooked through.
  3. Without preheating the oven, place your potatoes in the oven; then turn the oven to 425°F (220°C), and bake for for 45 minutes. You can also cook the sweet potatoes in a pressure cooker for 17 minutes on high pressure if you prefer.
  4. Once the chicken is cooked, shred it using forks or a hand mixer. Add more bbq sauce to the chicken until the desired taste is reached.
  5. Slice the sweet potatoes in half lengthwise, and top with chicken and other toppings. You can add any toppings of your choice, not just the ones listed.
  6. Serve, and enjoy!

Essential Oil Barbecue Sauce

Servings: Yield=2 cups (480 ml) | Time: 5 minutes | Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients:

  • 15 oz. (425 g) tomato sauce
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) apple cider vinegar
  • 1 1/2 Tbsp. (23 ml) mustard
  • 1 Tbsp. (15 ml) lemon juice
  • 1 Tbsp. (15 ml) hickory liquid smoke
  • 1/2 Tbsp. (about 7 g) sea salt
  • 1 tsp. (3 g) garlic powder
  • 1 tsp. (2.5 g) onion powder
  • 1 tsp. (5 ml) molasses
  • 1/4 cup (65 g) brown sugar
  • 2–3 drops black pepper essential oil
  • 1 drop lemon essential oil

Instructions:

  1. Put all the ingredients in a blender.
  2. If you have a high-speed blender, use the soup setting, and it will heat and blend your sauce at the same time.
  3. If you have a regular blender, blend on high for a minute; then transfer contents to a saucepan until heated thoroughly.
  4. Serve in your favorite dishes calling for barbecue sauce.

April 17, 2018
by Abundant Health™
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Essential Oil Spotlight: Tea Tree

Tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) essential oil is steam-distilled from the leaves of myrtle shrubs and trees. Aromatically, tea tree promotes cleansing and purity and is known for its medicinal, fresh, and herbaceous scent.

Historically, tee tree leaves were used to heal cuts, wounds, and skin infections. In French medicine, tea tree is commonly used to help with athlete’s foot, bronchitis, colds, coughs, diarrhea, the flu, gum disease, and sore throats. Today, tea tree essential oil is commonly used to help support the body when dealing with acne, allergies (skin), athlete’s foot, boils, candida, cavities, chicken pox, cold sores, colds, coughs, dandruff, ear infection, the flu, hives, inflammation, measles, mumps, rashes, shingles, sore throats, sunburns, viral infections, and wounds.

This essential oil has strong immune-building properties and is known to be analgesic, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-infectious, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiparasitic, strongly antiseptic, antiviral, decongestant, digestive, expectorant, immune stimulant, insecticidal, neurotonic, and tissue regenerative.

Other conditions can possibly be aided by the use of tea tree essential oil, such as boils, digestion, fungal infections, hysteria, infectious diseases, mites, shock, ticks, and warts.

Safety Data: This oil is approved by the FDA for use as a food additive or flavoring agent. It is not to be used internally for children under the age of 6, and should be used with caution and in greater dilution for children 6 years old and older. Can be applied topically without dilution. Repeated use can possibly result in contact sensitization.

Ways to Use Tea Tree Essential Oil:

  1. Tea tree essential oil is great for combating athlete’s foot. Start by combining 25 drops of tea tree with 2 Tbsp. (15 g) cornstarch, and sprinkle a small amount in your shoes every night.
  2. Nobody enjoys cold sores, and they can be quite difficult to get rid of if not treated properly. Combine 1 drop tea tree essential oil with 1/2 tsp. (2.5 ml) olive oil and 1 tsp. (5 g) baking soda. Apply a portion of the mixture directly to the sores several times a day until they’re gone.
  3. We all love a good diffuser blend! The aroma of tea tree essential oil promotes cleansing and purity, and the earthly fresh smell is incredible. Try out some of these diffuser blends with tea tree!
    Fresh Air
    2 drops tea tree
    2 drops lemon
    2 drops lime    		 Refreshment
    1 drop lavender
    1 drop rosemary
    1 drop tea tree
    1 drop peppermint    		 Emotional Boost
    5 drops tea tree
    4 drops juniper
    2 drops frankincense    		 Calm Breaths
    5 drops tea tree
    3 drops pine
    2 drops thyme

  4. Tea tree is excellent for calming earaches and ear infections. Place 1 drop basil and 1 drop tea tree on a cotton ball, and hold over the ear canal (not in the ear canal) for 30 minutes.
  5. Roll-on blends are one of our favorite methods for applying essential oils. When it comes to tea tree essential oil, there are countless blends and uses. Here are a few of our favorites that you can try. Add the oils to a 10 ml roll-on bottle, and top off with your favorite carrier oil. Apply the blend by rolling the oils directly to the affected area multiple times a day until the condition is relieved.
    Urinary Infection
    6 drops tea tree
    3 drops sandalwood
    3 drops myrrh    		 Rejuvenated Skin
    7 drops tea tree
    3 drops eucalyptus
    2 drops bergamot    		 Healing Wounds
    10 drops frankincense
    10 drops tea tree
    10 drops lavender    		 Joint Pain
    6 drops lavender
    5 drops peppermint
    4 drops eucalyptus
    4 drops tea tree

Sources:
Reference Guide for Essential Oils, 2018 Edition, p. 132.
Aromatherapy Blends & Remedies by Franzesca Watson