Abundant Health™ Blog

April 3, 2018
by Abundant Health™
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Essential Oil Spotlight: Roman Chamomile

Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile or Anthemis nobilis) essential oil is steam-distilled from flowers in the compositae family. This oil is known for its fresh, sweet, fruity-herbaceous, apple-like aroma.

Roman chamomile oil has anti-infectious, antiparasitic, antispasmodic, calming, and relaxing health properties. Historically, this oil was used by the Romans to give them a clear mind and empower them with courage. According to Roberta Wilson, “Chamomile was nicknamed the ‘plant’s physician’ because it supposedly cured any ailing plant near it.”

This oil primarily affects emotional balance, the nervous system, and the skin. Some of its primary uses include allergies (airborne), anxiety, diaper rash, dry skin, muscle spasms, shock, and wounds. Roman chamomile can also be used for cleansing the blood and liver, bruises, cuts, depression, insomnia, calming nerves, eczema, rashes, and fevers.

Aromatically, Roman chamomile is calming and relaxing and can combat depression, insomnia, and stress. It can eliminate some of the emotional charge of anxiety, irritability, and nervousness. It may also be used to soothe and clear the mind, creating an atmosphere of peace and patience.

Safety Data: Roman chamomile is recognized as safe for human consumption, but should not be taken internally by children under 6, and should be used in greater dilution for children 6 or older. When used topically, this oil is great for children and is known to calm crying, ease earaches, fight fevers, soothe stomachaches and colic, and relieve toothaches and teething pain. This oil may irritate sensitive skin when applied topically.

Ways to Use Roman Chamomile Essential Oil:

  1. Chicken pox can be really uncomfortable, so anything that can ease the itching is a welcome relief. Combine 10 drops lavender and 10 drops Roman chamomile essential oil with 1/2 cup (120 ml) calamine lotion. Mix together, and apply a small amount twice a day over affected areas.
  2. Roll-on blends are an easy way to apply oils directly on location, especially in cases where you need to apply the oil frequently. Just add the essential oils to a 10 ml roll-on bottle, and fill the remainder with a carrier oil.
    Diaper Rash
    2 drops Roman chamomile
    2 drops lavender
    2 tsp. (10 ml) Fractionated Coconut Oil
    Apply a small amount to the affected area as needed.    		 Nursing Relief
    3 drops lavender
    2 drops geranium
    1 drop Roman chamomile
    2 tsp. (10 ml) Sweet Almond Oil
    Apply a small amount around the breasts to help soothe. Wash off before feeding your baby.
  3. Baths are a simple way to relax and soak up the healing effects of essential oil. Roman chamomile is perfect for baths because of its fresh scent and its ability to relieve anxiety and muscle tension. Combine 2 drops lavender and 2 drops Roman chamomile with 1/2 cup (120 g) epsom salt. Add this mixture to warm bathwater for a relaxing bath.
  4. There’s nothing like a good diffuser blend with Roman chamomile to lift your spirits and ease tension. Here are some easy diffuser blends you can try!
    Calming
    5 drops lavender
    3 drops Roman chamomile    		 Flowers Aplenty
    3 drops lavender
    2 drops geranium
    1 drop Roman chamomile    		 Woody Fresh
    2 drops lavender
    2 drops cedarwood
    2 drops eucalyptus
    2 drops Roman chamomile    		 Relaxation
    2 drops lavender
    2 drops Roman chamomile
    1 drop marjoram
  5. Roman chamomile is great for soothing bee stings. Combine 2 drops Roman chamomile with 1/4 tsp. (1.5 g) baking soda and a few drops of water to make a paste. Scrape stinger from the skin if still there, and apply paste on location. Cover with a cool, damp cloth; hold on location for 5–10 minutes.

March 29, 2018
by Abundant Health™
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Essential Oil Laundry Soap

When we’re concerned about our health, the last thing we need is to wash our clothes with chemicals. Laundry soap is full of questionable chemicals; that’s why we’ve created this chemical-free laundry soap for you to try! You can customize the scent to fit your taste perfectly, all while cleaning your clothes chemical free!

Essential Oil Laundry Soap

Servings: Yield=8 cups (2 L) | Time: 10–15 minutes | Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients:

Instructions:

  1. In a large bowl, combine the washing soda and baking soda. Stir in enough hot water until the soda dissolves.
  2. Pour mixture into the glass container.
  3. Fill the container with warm water, leaving some space at the top.
  4. Pour in the castile soap, and add the essential oils.
  5. Stir or shake the bottle to combine.
  6. Apply the vinyl label to the bottle. (Click here for instructions.)
  7. Use 1/3 cup (75 ml) of the soap with each load of wash. Shake or stir prior to each use.

You can make your own combination of oils or use Protective Blend. Here are some blends that we came up with for you to try out:

Savory Floral: 30 drops lavender, 20 drops rosemary
Fruity Floral: 25 drops geranium, 25 drops orange
Fresh Citrus: 20 drops lemon, 15 drops lemongrass, 15 drops tea tree
Minty Fresh: 25 drops peppermint, 25 drops eucalyptus

March 27, 2018
by Abundant Health™
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Italian Chicken & Potatoes

Life can be really busy, and sometimes it can be hard to find time to prepare good meals that will satisfy the whole family. Here’s a great recipe for a classic slow-cooker meal with an essential oil twist! This recipe is super simple and delicious!

Italian Chicken & Potatoes

Servings: 4 | Time: 15 minutes active; 2–6 hours inactive | Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients:

  • 4 chicken breasts
  • 3 cups (775 g) chopped potatoes
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tsp. (12 g) salt
  • 1/4 tsp. (500 mg) black pepper
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) olive oil
  • Basil essential oil
  • Coriander essential oil
  • Oregano essential oil
  • Rosemary essential oil
  • Thyme essential oil
  • Marjoram essential oil
  • Fresh or dried herbs for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

  1. Place the olive oil in a small bowl. Dip a toothpick into each of the essential oils, and swirl the toothpicks through the olive oil to combine.
  2. Add the chicken and potatoes to a slow cooker.
  3. Pour the oil mixture on top, and stir to coat the chicken and potatoes.
  4. Add the garlic, herbs, salt, and pepper, and stir again to combine.
  5. Cover, and cook on low for 4–6 hours or on high for 2 hours.
  6. Season with salt and pepper to taste, and serve with steamed veggies.

Extra Idea:

Make an Italian seasoning oil blend by combining equal parts basil, coriander, oregano, rosemary, thyme, and marjoram essential oils in a 5 ml dropper bottle. Every time you come across a recipe that calls for Italian seasoning, add 1–2 drops of this blend, or more until your desired taste is reached.

March 22, 2018
by Abundant Health™
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Rainy Day Diffuser Blend

We all love the fresh, clean smell of the air following a rainstorm; but during the storm, we tend to coop ourselves up indoors. Here’s a perfect blend to keep your house smelling clean and fresh while the storm continues outside. This blend is perfect for curling up with a blanket and a good book! Not only does it smell great, but it can fight against airborne bacteria and infections as well as relieve stress and tension.

The Sirona is an ultrasonic diffuser that can cover approximately 115 square feet. This diffuser is small and sleek and comes at an affordable price, along with many other great features. Click here to learn more!

We carry a wide range of diffusers for you to pick from! Each diffuser has its own qualities, and it’s important to choose the one that fits your needs. Check out our “Diffusion Methods and Comparisons” post to learn more about which diffuser is right for you!

March 20, 2018
by Abundant Health™
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Gardening with Essential Oils

The very idea of gardening helps us feel healthier. We’re growing our own food, right? You can’t get better than that! But here’s the hard truth: Gardening can involve a lot of harsh chemicals if you’re doing it “right.” Most gardeners use chemicals to get rid of bugs so that the plants actually grow, so that they can have healthy food to put on the table. The problem lies in those pest control sprays that are infecting the food—and not actually helping our health. So let’s stop defeating the purpose of growing our own produce and use some natural methods to enhance the health of our homegrown food.

It’s time to throw out the chemicals! Essential oils are a great addition to your gardening regimen, especially because they are great at repelling pests. Here are some oils that work well at repelling the following bugs:

Ants: black pepper, peppermint, spearmint
Aphids: cedarwood, hyssop, peppermint, spearmint
Beetles: peppermint, thyme, oregano
Caterpillars: spearmint, peppermint
Chiggers: lavender, lemongrass, sage, thyme
Fleas: peppermint, lemongrass, spearmint, lavender
Flies: peppermint, lavender, rosemary, sage, tea tree
Gnats: patchouli, spearmint, eucalyptus
Mosquitoes: lavender, lemongrass, citronella
Moths: cedarwood, eucalyptus, lavender, peppermint, hyssop
Plant Lice: peppermint, spearmint
Slugs: cedarwood, hyssop, pine
Snails: cedarwood, pine
Spiders: peppermint, spearmint
Ticks: lavender, lemongrass, sage, thyme
Weevils: cedarwood, patchouli, sandalwood


AH_GardenSpray2

Do you have bugs or birds eating your garden produce this year? Try cooking up this garden spray and giving the leaves and surrounding ground a good spritzing. Before you know it, you will be on your way to gorgeous, bite-free leaves!

Garlic Peppermint Garden Spray

Time: 5–10 minutes active; 8 hours inactive | Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients:

Instructions:

  1. Place garlic, water, and cayenne pepper in a pot. Bring to a boil, and then remove from heat.
  2. Cover the pot with a lid, and allow the mixture to steep overnight.
  3. Remove the garlic cloves from the pot.
  4. Place peppermint essential oil and dish soap in a glass spray bottle.
  5. Carefully pour the garlic-cayenne water into the glass spray bottle. A funnel is helpful for this step.
  6. Screw the spray top on the bottle, and shake a little to combine the ingredients.
  7. To use, spray the tops and bottoms of the plant leaves. It is best to spray on a cloudy day or in the evening so the sun and cayenne combination doesn’t burn the plants. Apply every couple weeks or as needed. Wait 2–3 days after spraying to harvest any food.

Extra Idea:

Use two 8 oz. Glass Spray Bottles instead of the 16 oz. bottle so you can have someone else help you spray. If using 2 smaller bottles, place 4–5 drops of peppermint oil and 2 drops of dish soap in each bottle.

Pollination Attraction Spray: Of course, we don’t want to get rid of all the insects; so we’ve made this pollination attraction spray to bring in the bees to help your plants grow! It’s simple—just combine 15 drops orange essential oil with 1 cup (240 ml) of water in an 8 oz. Glass Spray Bottle. Shake well before using, and spray over your plants.

Fruit & Veggie Wash: You can never be too careful when it comes to the food you’re eating! Try out this easy wash to further cleanse your food from chemicals. Fill a large bowl with cold water, and add 1/2 cup (120 ml) vinegar and 6–8 drops lemon essential oil. Submerge your fruits and vegetables, and allow them to soak for a couple minutes before rinsing thoroughly and eating!

Gardening can leave your hands rough, cut up, and dry. We’ve created this hand balm to soften and moisturize your skin. This lotion is great for all occasions, not just gardening! Lavender essential oil is great for the skin; it softens the skin and soothes cuts, rashes, burns, and other irritations.

Gardener’s Hand Balm

Servings: Yield=6 oz. | Time: 20 minutes active; 3–4 hours inactive | Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients:

Instructions:

  1. Using a double boiler, melt the beeswax completely over medium heat.
  2. Add in the shea butter, and melt completely while stirring.
  3. Add in the coconut oil, and melt completely.
  4. Add the sweet almond oil and vitamin E oil, and stir until everything is completely combined.
  5. Allow the mixture to cool for 2–3 minutes, and then stir in the essential oils.
  6. Pour the mixture into the jars, and allow to partially set up on the counter.
  7. Place the jars in the fridge for several hours or until completely solid.
  8. Rub the balm into your hands, allowing it to slowly melt into the skin.

Extra Ideas:

This hand balm also makes a great gift for class attendees or just for friends! Use these 1/4 oz. containers to make about 24 hand balm samples.

You can use whatever oils you like in this balm. Oils that are good for skin include peppermint, tea tree, frankincense, geranium, ylang ylang, and rosemary.

Now that we have armed you with more natural tools for your gardening endeavors, get out there and start gardening so that your family can eat more healthy food! We would love to hear about any other tips you have for gardening with essential oils, or even just gardening more naturally. Comment below if you have tips to share!

March 15, 2018
by Abundant Health™
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Crisp & Clear Diffuser Blend

Spring is approaching, but not quite fast enough! We’ve created this diffuser blend to get you ready for the crisp and fresh air. This blend is so refreshing and energizing that you’ll want to diffuse it all year ’round.

 

You know what’s even better than a fresh-smelling diffuser blend? A brand new diffuser! Check out some of the awesome diffusers we sell! You’ll be able to find the perfect diffuser to fulfill all your diffusing needs. Click here to learn more.

Not sure which diffuser is best for you? Check out this post, where we compare the different diffusers that we carry and the individual qualities of each.

March 13, 2018
by Abundant Health™
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Balsamic Chicken Avocado Salad

Are you looking for a super healthy new recipe? This salad recipe is both delicious and incredibly healthy. The dressing has an amazing flavor from the essential oils, and it comes with the added health benefits in every bite. No more boring salads! This recipe is easy, filling, and so good that you won’t want to share.

Balsamic Chicken Avocado Salad

Servings: 8 | Time: 30 minutes | Difficulty: Easy

Balsamic Dressing / Marinade Ingredients:

  • 2 chicken breasts
  • 1/3 cup (80 ml) balsamic vinegar
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) olive oil
  • 2 Tbsp. (30 ml) water
  • 2 tsp. (10 g) minced garlic
  • 1 tsp. (5 ml) honey
  • 1/2 tsp. (3 g) salt
  • Basil essential oil
  • Coriander essential oil
  • Oregano essential oil
  • Rosemary essential oil
  • Thyme essential oil
  • Marjoram essential oil

Salad Ingredients:

  • 8 oz. (225 g) bacon
  • 8 cups (80 g) mixed salad leaves
  • 2 tomatoes, diced
  • 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 avocado, sliced
  • 1/4 cup (50 g) crumbled feta cheese
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

  1. In a bowl, combine balsamic vinegar, olive oil, water, garlic, honey, and salt. Add the essential oils by dipping a toothpick in each of the oils and stirring through the mixture. Stir the dressing until thoroughly combined.
  2. Pour 2–3 Tbsp. (30–45 ml) of the dressing in a shallow bowl or plastic bag, and add chicken, turning to coat. Set aside.
  3. While the chicken is marinating, fry the bacon over medium-high heat until crisp and thoroughly cooked. Crumble the bacon, and set aside.
  4. Place the chicken in a pan, and cook over medium heat until browned and cooked thoroughly. Sprinkle with salt while cooking to add flavor.
  5. Arrange the salad ingredients in a large bowl. Top with bacon, chicken, feta cheese, tomatoes, onions, and avocados.
  6. Drizzle with remaining dressing, and serve.

Making dressing is much easier with a BlenderBottle®. You can easily add the ingredients, and shake the bottle to combine much better than stirring.

March 8, 2018
by Abundant Health™
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The 2018 Reference Guide for Essential Oils Is Here—and Better Than Ever!

We proudly update the Reference Guide for Essential Oils—first published in 1996—to keep pace with how people use essential oils, what scientific research has revealed, and which new Young Living® products have made their debut. This latest edition is our most beautiful, accessible, and authoritative book to date.

Expanded to 704 pages, the Reference Guide is a comprehensive resource for both new and experienced essential oil users.  A revamped design—with many explanatory photos, images, and charts—organizes the content in a fresh way that is easy to learn and teach to others.

New Sections

The table of contents has 2 new and exciting entries: “Introduction to Essential Oils” and “Essential Oils In Depth.” We’ve subdivided, streamlined, and reorganized all the information for both of these background sections.

Introduction to Essential Oils

The new introduction is a complete “EOs 101” course. It covers where essential oils come from, what they are, how they benefit us, and ways to safely and effectively apply them. The emphasis is on the many approaches for practical use. Important points are highlighted, explained, and illustrated.  Even Vita Flex therapy and the Raindrop Technique are outlined with step-by-step photographs.

Essential Oils In Depth

This section will appeal to experienced users who want to broaden their knowledge base. After expanding on some introductory topics, the section zeroes in on scientific foundations: essential oil frequencies, the how-to of blending, and breakdown of chemical constituents with their therapeutic properties.

600+ Personal Guide Entries

At the heart of the Reference Guide is the Personal Guide section. This is where most oil users go most of the time. Here you’ll find which single oils, proprietary blends, supplements, and personal care products can help your health concerns. Physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual topics are all covered. Application methods are included, along with selected recipes, tips, and testimonials.

100+ Single Oils

Everything you want or need to know about each essential oil is here. You’ll identify the botanical family, extraction method/origin, chemical constituents, properties, common primary uses, folklore, historical uses, other possible uses, body systems affected, aromatic influence, application methods, internal use as a dietary supplement, safety data, blend classification, and best oils for blending.

80+ Oil Blends

Fulfill Your Destiny™ is the newest of so many supportive blends for overcoming, enjoying, and achieving more in life. You’ll learn the single oils and their purpose in each blend, body systems affected, aromatic influence, application, safety data, companion oils, frequency, and more.

Personal Care Products

Along with existing items, this section highlights new Young Living® product lines for the whole family! Shutran™ for men. Savvy Minerals™ makeup for women. Seedlings™ for baby. Every product entry includes all ingredients, essential oils and their purpose, suggested use, and body systems affected.

Supplements

AminoWise™ and Super Cal Plus™ have joined the outstanding collection of essential oil–infused supplements for a long and healthy life. You’ll know your supplements inside and out with extensive information on each. Identify ingredients, essential oils and their purpose, suggested use, safety data, body systems affected, companion products, companion oils, and frequency.

Notes & New Products

As you use oils, blends, personal care products, and supplements, you can keep a personal reference record of new discoveries. You might also note suggestions and tips from others to try.

Appendix

The appendix pulls it all together with super-synthesized charts of salient information. You’ll return to this section again and again as you increase your knowledge and expand your experience with essential oils. Again, where applicable, the emphasis is on everyday use. Included charts: body systems, single oil summaries (including products that contain them), blend summaries (including single oils in them), taxonomical division of plant families, and research references. Finally, an extensive index has been manually verified and redacted to reflect only the most relevant material.

With the 2018 Reference Guide, you’ll get all the great benefits you can from pure, therapeutic essential oils!

Abundant Health™, LLC, is a true third-party company that does not profit from the sales of essential oils and is not sponsored by, affiliated with, or endorsed by any essential oil company. We present this material as a third-party, unbiased presentation about oils and products sold by one of the leading essential oil suppliers and producers in the world. Product names in this post are trademarks or registered trademarks of Young Living® Essential Oils. Abundant Health™ is not sponsored by, affiliated with, or endorsed by Young Living®.

March 6, 2018
by Abundant Health™
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Deodorizing Tabs

Nobody likes stinky trash or a smelly fridge. These deodorizing tabs are a super simple solution! Baking soda absorbs unpleasant odors, while the essential oils leave a refreshing smell in the odors’ place. Oils that we liked include lemon, orange, Protective Blend, eucalyptus, and peppermint, but you can try any oil that you like. These tabs are effective for 1–2 weeks a piece, and you just throw them away when they lose their smell. They’re easy and clean, and they leave everything smelling wonderful!

Deodorizing Tabs

Servings: Yield=24 tabs | Time: 5–10 minutes active; 24–48 hours inactive | Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups (400 g) baking soda
  • 6–8 Tbsp. (90–120 ml) water
  • Essential oil of choice

Instructions:

  1. Add essential oils to the baking soda until you reach your desired smell. We added 30–40 drops of orange oil.
  2. Slowly add in water while stirring until the mixture begins to feel like wet sand and holds its shape.
  3. Pack the mixture firmly into silicone molds, and let dry for at least 24 hours (more depending on size).
  4. Once completely dry, pop the tabs out of the molds and place in the fridge, garbage can, shoe cabinet, bathroom, or anywhere else you’re hoping to fight harsh odors.
  5. Store the unused tabs in an airtight container such as these PET jars until needed.

We tried using plastic ice cube trays, but the mixture doesn’t dry well in the solid plastic mold. If you want to use them anyway, try letting the tabs dry for 48 hours, popping them out onto a paper towel, and letting them dry another 24 hours there in order to solidify completely.

If they crumble, they may not have dried long enough, or you didn’t add enough water. No worries—sprinkle the crumbs into your trash bag to help with the stinky trash smell!

March 1, 2018
by Abundant Health™
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EO Tips for Life: Boost Cleaning Power

Due to the antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties of many essential oils, adding them to your natural cleaning sprays will enhance the cleaning power and provide a little extra boost. Try adding several drops of lemon, sage, or grapefruit essential oil to a spray bottle of vinegar for a natural all-purpose cleaning spray.

All-Purpose Cleaning Spray with Vinegar

Servings: Yield=8 oz. (240 ml) | Time: 2 minutes | Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients:

  • 15–20 drops disinfecting essential oil(s) such as lemon, sage, or grapefruit
  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) white vinegar
  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) water
  • 8 oz. glass spray bottle

Instructions:

Drop essential oils into the glass bottle. Add vinegar, and then fill the rest of the bottle with water. Screw on the spray top, and shake to combine. Shake before using.

For more essential oil suggestions for cleaning and disinfecting, see Reference Guide for Essential Oils by Connie and Alan Higley.

Source: Reference Guide for Essential Oils, 2017 Edition.