Herbal Ear Oil Recipe for Ear Infections That You Can Make At Home

Here's a recipe you can make to help with ear infections this coming cold season - from the website Frugally Sustainable


Herbal Ear Oil Recipe
Ingredients
4 ounces good-quality, organic olive oil
0.25 ounce dried mullein flowers
0.25 ounce dried garlic
10 drops tea tree oil
10 drops eucalyptus essential oils
5 drops lavender essential oils

Method
1. Make an herb-infused oil with the dried mullein flowers and garlic. Click here and read this article for detailed instructions on creating an herb-infused oil.
2. To your mullein flower and garlic infused oil, add the essential oils of tea tree, eucalyptus, and lavender. (available at my website:  www.youngliving.com/laurasoils).
3. Fill dark glass dropper bottles full of the medicinal oil. I like these 1 ounce or 2 ounce size bottles.
4. Because cold oil applied to the ear will often increase the pain, always warm the oil to body temperature by placing the bottle in warm water before application.
5. Instill 2-5 drops in the ear three times daily.
6. For best results — and for the highest level of pain relief – follow the application of ear oil with a 10 minute warm compress. A gentle massage behind and below the ear using this recipe for lavender oil will aid in pain relief as well.
7. This oil should keep for 6-12 months in a cool, dark place. Feel free to add a few drops of vitamin E oil in order to extend it’s shelf life.

Please note: It is always best to have the ear drum physically inspected by a licensed health care practitioner prior to applying this or any herbal ear oil.  Ear infections can cause hearing loss and deafness if left untreated.

Where Can I Get This Stuff?
-Mountain Rose Herbs…they have everything (dried herbs, essential oils, and the cute little dark glass dropper bottles) you’ll need for this remedy! It’s your one-stop-shop!
-The Bulk Herb Store also carries many of these ingredients if you’d like to price check.

Now it’s your turn…what all-natural remedies do you use for ear infections?

Thyme Out for Colds, Flu, and Other Organisms by Willow Tohi

Thyme out for colds, flu, and other organisms

by Willow Tohi

(NaturalNews) Another member of the labiatae, or mint, family, thyme is an herb native to the Mediterranean basin and comes in many varieties. There is only one plant, thymus vulgaris, but the composition of the oil distilled from the plant shows variations in chemical components based on the location or region the plant grows in, despite being botanically identical. The microbial power of thyme is so powerful that some oils are safe to use in all situations, and some are not. Thymus vularis ct. linalol is the best oil for beginners to use and it is the safest to use on the skin, in baths, and on children and the elderly. Other chemotypes (ct) such as thymus vulgaris ct. thujanol, thymus vulgaris ct. thymol, and thymus vulgaris c.t carvacrol should be left to qualified aromatherapists. Thyme is one of the most used and most useful oils in aromatherapy, but always use thyme oil with care, in moderation.

Thyme has remarkable antiviral, bactericidal, fungicidal, antibiotic, diuretic, antispasmodic, expectorant, and antiseptic properties that make it wonderful to have around during cold and flu season. In addition to killing microbes, thyme helps the body to eliminate toxins and boosts the immune system by supporting the formation of white blood cells, increasing resistance to invading organisms. Its familiar, warm, herbaceous aroma is powerful and penetrating, and the origin of its name, which comes from the Greek word 'thymos' meaning 'to perfume.'

The history of thyme

Thyme has a long and fascinating history. Used by all the early civilizations of the Mediterranean as a medicinal plant, both Hippocrates and Dioscorides described its uses in their writings. The ancient Egyptians used it for embalming. The ancient Greeks burned it as an incense in their temples and used it in their baths for courage. The Romans brought the herb to Europe, and used it to purify their rooms and give 'aromatic flavor' to cheese and liqueurs. In the Middle Ages, thyme was placed in bedrooms to ward off nightmares, given to knights for courage, taken into courtrooms to ward off diseases, and used at funerals to assure safe passage to the afterlife. Before modern antibiotics, thyme was used to medicate bandages.

Thyme is an easy to grown perennial shrub that can tolerate hot, sunny places well. It has long been used as a culinary herb. It delays the putrefaction of meat, a very useful trait in warm climates before refrigeration. Studies in modern times have verified this use with tests that prove adding essential oil of thyme slowed the proliferation of bacteria, preserving the food for an additional three days. Ingesting thyme also stimulates the digestive system and serves as an intestinal antiseptic.

Health benefits throughout thyme

Other traditional uses of thyme include the treatment of respiratory infections. An excellent pulmonary disinfectant, thyme is useful against flus, colds, sore throats, asthma, catarrh, coughs, laryngitis, whooping cough, and bronchitis. Inhale for nose, throat, and chest infections; for mouth and gum infections (such as thrush, gingivitis), use in toothpaste or mouthwash/gargle. As little as a .1 percent solution is effective. After a study in Germany, many researchers believe the effectiveness of cough medicines is due to the exhalation (after swallowing) of the local action of the essential oil on the respiratory tract. (essential oil available at Laura’s website: www.youngliving.com/laurasoils).  Extensive research has shown the effectiveness of essential oils, including thyme, as expectorants and to increase mucus secretions to relieve dry coughs. Inhalation in small amounts worked best; too strong has the opposite effect. Inhaled treatments are especially effective when treating chronic infections that linger in the sinuses.

Thyme is used as a remedy for physical and psychological weakness, and still is today. Useful for regaining strength after illness, chronic fatigue, or depression it can also be used to help insomnia as its effects are balancing. It stimulates circulation, aids concentration, raises blood pressure that is too low, and has even been thought to increase intelligence and memory. It revives, strengthens, and balances both mind and body.

The essential oil of thyme is antibacterial, acting on the bacteria's enzymes. As such, it has been used in soapy solutions for disinfecting hands before surgery, being a stronger antiseptic than most used in hospitals. Thyme can destroy staphylococcus at a dilution of 1,000 times. A study in France showed thyme to be among several essential oils that were found to destroy 90 percent of microbes within three hours, when used in a vaporizer. It deodorized the air and purified it from proteus, staphylococcus, streptococcus, and cryptococcal.

Additional uses include:

• Thyme is useful on infections of the urinary tract and bladder, and also acts as a diuretic, increasing its effectiveness

• Also use for candida and vaginitis

• Use to kill nail fungus

• Thyme is an ingredient in natural hand sanitizers

• Add thyme to a hot compress to relieve rheumatic pain, muscular aches and pains, sprains, sports injuries, sciatica, arthritis, gout

• Crush the fresh herb or use diluted oil as first aid on insect bites and stings

• Use on athlete's foot. For this use, you can apply the oil neat, or undiluted, but protect the skin with some fatty cream. Other neat applications include animal bites and boils.

• Use a one percent solution as an antibacterial wash for fresh produce

• Use in hair and skin care regimes, as a hair tonic or in a face wash and for treatment of things like acne or warts

• Use thyme in a sitz bath or massage to stimulate menstruation for weak or missing periods

• Use to kill parasites

• Thymol, a chemical constituent in thyme essential oil, has been found to increase blood-flow to the skin, thought to speed healing

• Thymol has been found to protect and increase the percentage of healthy fats found in cell membranes

• Dietary consumption of thyme has been shown to increase the amount of DHA (docosahexaenoic acid, an omega-3 fatty acid) in brain, kidney, and heart cell membranes

• Thyme will discourage insects from invading your home

• Use thyme with rosemary, lavender, and cedarwood in a mixture of grapeseed and jojoba carrier oils to treat alopecia areata. According to the double-blind controlled clinical trial, massage the mixture into the scalp daily for several months.

• Because of the risk of irritation, it is a good idea to use thyme in blends. It blends particularly well with bergamot, grapefruit, lemon, lavender, rosemary and pine.

Contraindications and considerations for use

It is not recommended to use thyme essential oil in its pure, concentrated form directly on the skin as it can be irritating to sensitive skin. The stronger oils, used in concentrated form could cause sensitization to the immune system or stimulate the thyroid gland and lymphatic system. Do not use if pregnant, but useful during labor to move along 'failure to progress' and expel afterbirth. Avoid in the presence of high blood pressure or epilepsy. If you have cancer, liver damage, or other serious health conditions, use under the guidance of a qualified practitioner.

A conservative but effective way to use essential oil of thyme is to massage it into the soles of the feet. This method is typically well tolerated, reaching the lower bronchial capillaries, then through the circulatory system, the whole body, all without being absorbed into the liver. It is also very effective to inhale thyme, using a few drops on a tissue or handkerchief, or putting in an aroma burner or vaporizer/humidifier.

Sources for this article include:

Davis, Patricia. Aromatherapy: An A-Z. Barnes and Noble Books, New York 1995. P. 313-315.

Fischer-Rizzi, Susanne. Complete Aromatherapy Handbook. Sterling Publishing Co, New York 1990. p. 212-213.

Worwood, Valerie Ann. The Complete Book of Essential Oils & Aromatherapy. New World Library, San Rafael, CA, 1991. P. 21-22.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thyme

http://www.naturalnews.com/030814_rosemary_herbs.html

JOY Essential Oil Blend Can Help Overcome Deep-Seated Grief and Depression

Joy™ Essential Oil Blend is a luxuriously exotic blend with uplifting overtones that creates magnetic energy and brings joy to the heart. When worn as cologne or perfume, Joy™ exudes an alluring and irresistible fragrance that inspires romance and togetherness. When diffused, it can be refreshing and uplifting.

Wellness Solutions: Joy™ can help overcome deep-seated grief and depression.

The Mood Elevating 4 Oil Protocol was introduced by D. Gary Young (president of Young Living) at a class in Wyoming in 1994. Vicki Opfer was fortunate to be there and recorded this protocol. "I've shared it with tens of thousands of people since then, and it has helped MANY, MANY people feel better, including me. Now I even take it internally: 2-3 drops of each of the 4 oils, in a single capsule (all together), once or twice a day." Taking this protocol seems to prevent having "dark thoughts." According to Vicki, "I can still feel sad if someone hurts my feelings, or angry if someone does something mean or unethical, but I do not feel depressed, and 99% of my day is spent in joy. What a huge blessing!"

Many of our essential oils help relieve depression. They contain molecules which cross the blood/brain barrier, and they can probably help us more than anything else available. If you remember, even before Young Living, you probably heard that aromatherapy can "uplift the mood." Until recently, and throughout the history of our world, this benefit was simply observed and recorded. Now, we're learning through science and research as to why and how this happens. It's fascinating.

Together, as a community of like-minded people who want to be of service, we really can change the world...

Gary Young's Have A Great Day Protocol or Mood Elevating Protocol:
Start each day with Gary's simple routine — and discover how happy and confident you feel!

• Valor™ – Place one drop on the bottoms of the feet, or a single drop on one wrist and hold the other wrist to it for a few moments to balance your entire body system!
• Harmony™ – Apply a single drop, over your solar plexus area (just above your belly button) to calm your mind and promote positive feelings.
• Joy™ – Apply a single drop to the area just above your heart which helps bring happiness to y our mind and body.
• White Angelica™ – Place a single drop in the palm of your hand and rub hands together. Then lightly brush both of your hands over your forehead, top of your head, face, behind your neck, down your shoulders and arms, chest and stomach, and down your legs, right over your clothes, as though applying an angelic shield!

If you will apply these oils for yourself every single day, it will change your life!!!!

Joy™ Ingredients:

• Bergamot (Citrus bergamia)
• Ylang ylang (Cananga odorata)
• Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens)
• Rosewood (Aniba rosaeodora)
• Lemon (Citrus limon)
• Mandarin (Citrus reticulata)
• Jasmine (Jasminum officinale)
• Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile)
• Palmarosa (Cymbopogon martinii)
• Rose (Rosa damascena)

Applications: For topical or aromatic use: Apply 2-4 drops directly to desired area. Dilution not required, except for the most sensitive skin. Use as needed.

Diffuse:  Apply 2-3 drops on a cotton ball or tissue and place in the room to disperse the aromas of the oils.  May also be added to a small bowl of cool water to diffuse the oils into the air.  Note it is not recommended to use warm water, as it will negate the beneficial oils. Home diffusers are also available at my website below.

Possible skin sensitivity. If pregnant or under a doctor's care, consult your physician. Dilution not required; suitable for all but the most sensitive skin. Generally safe for children over 2 years of age. Avoid using on skin exposed to direct sunlight or UV rays.

All of the above oils and home diffuser can be found on my website:  www.youngliving.com/laurasoils.

Have you ever tried essential oils to help elevate your mood?

Chipotle Cacao Grilling Glaze

I recently got a delivery from Mountain Rose Herbs (http://www.mountainroseherbs.com), including one of their catalogs.  While browsing through the catalog while drinking my morning coffee, I came across this recipe, which looks delicious!  I haven't tried it yet, since I'm not eating meat, but it looked so good I wanted to share it with you.  (Hmm, I'll bet it would work on non-meat protein, such as tempeh, too!)  EnJOY!


Chipotle Cacao Grilling Glaze

Ingredients:
3/4 cup organic brown sugar
1/2 cup water
3/4 cup organic rice wine vinegar
1/2 cup organic tomato paste
1/4 cup organic orange juice
2 Tablespoons organic cacao powder
1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon organic vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon Smoked sea salt
1/8 teaspoon organic chipotle chile powder
1/8 teaspoon organic cinnamon powder

Simmer the sugar and water together until completely dissolved.
Add the other ingredients and gently simmer over low heat for about 30 minutes.
Use  a basting brush to paint the sauce on your grilled protein of choice.
This is a flavorful glaze so one or two layers will do.
Throw the glazed protein back on the grill over  high heat until it caramelizes nicely, but be careful not to let the sauce burn.
Remove from the grill and dig in!

It Always Smelled Like Cinnamon

It always
Smelled like cinnamon
A welcomed warm surprise,

It always
Smelled of nutmeg
When grandma made her pies.

Sweet sugared buns
With frosted crumbs
Floured prints upon her blouse,

It always
Smelled like cinnamon
When we`d visit grandmas house.

Autumn days
Brought autumn nights
Light harvest winds would whisp,

And right behind
her oven door
The apple pies would crisp.

Pumpkin patch
in frosted dew
Bring pleasures to the eyes.

Yet it always
Smelled like cinnamon
When grandma made her pies.

~ Author Unknown

Fenugreek: Nature's Aphrodisiac

by John McKiernan

(NaturalNews) Fenugreek, who's name means "ram's horn clover," is an herb that has been used by many cultures for its medicinal properties. It has been shown to be effective in treating everything from loss of appetite to digestive disorders to diabetes.

However, it is particularly noted for its ability to improve sexual performance in men. Researchers are not entirely sure how it works, but it is thought to increase male hormones by releasing saponins. Saponins are phytochemicals found in many plants that carry an abundance of health benefits.

Man-made vs nature-made

Nowadays men have countless man-made drugs to choose from when they desire some assistance in the bedroom. Instead of popping one of these many pharmaceuticals, that can pose serious side effects, first look to one of mother nature's best alternatives and you may be surprised.

Research, carried out by the Centre for Integrative Clinical and Molecular Medicine, demonstrated that men who took a fenugreek extract twice daily saw a significant transformation in their sex life. The 6 week study showed nearly a 30% increase in reported sexual performance, when compared to a placebo.

Good sex for good health

Men that engage in sex regularly, in general, are healthier, happier, and live longer. An active sex life can relieve stress, improve immune function and heart health, improve sleep, reduce prostate cancer risk, and improve self-esteem.

The many benefits of testosterone

Due to fenugreek's reputation for boosting testosterone it is now being included as the primary ingredient in many testosterone boosting supplements. Many of these supplements are marketed primarily to men looking to increase muscle mass and decrease body-fat. Naturally elevated testosterone levels promote high energy levels, heart health, weight control and increased muscle mass.

More health benefits

There has been extensive research in fenugreek's role in treating diabetes. It has been shown to lower blood cholesterol, blood triglycerides, and blood glucose levels and to posses anti-cancer properties.

Fenugreek has also been used to treat:

-Infections
-Inflammation (arthritis)
-Wounds
-Diarrhea
-Stomach ulcers

Side effects

Fenugreek has been shown to be safe and effective. If fact, even breastfeeding mothers use it for its ability to increase milk production. One of the few possible side effects of fenugreek is a "maple syrup" odor that comes from the urine while taking it. While some may find this undesirable, it does not pose any health risks.

Pregnant women and children should not use the herb to be on the safe side. While fenugreek is not fully understood yet, researchers agree it is an herb with numerous health and well-being properties. This powerful, all-natural libido booster may provide just the boost in the bedroom that so many men are looking for.

Recipe for Making Your Own Tooth Powder

Tooth Powder Recipe

The Ingredients
-4 parts bentonite clay
-1 part baking soda
-1/2 part myrrh gum powder
-1/2 part ground cloves
-1/2 part ground stevia
-essential oils of cloves and cinnamon

Directions
1. Add all ingredients to a mason jar. Tightly close the lid and shake jar until well combined.

2. To use, apply a small amount of tooth powder to your tooth brush with a spoon and brush as you normally would.

-This tooth powder is good enough to eat! And it’s safe for the whole family.

-Myrrh gum powder contains highly antiseptic properties and is excellent for overall oral health.

-For a minty variation substitute peppermint leaf powder for the ground cloves and peppermint essential oils for the essential oils of cloves and cinnamon.

-Follow this recipe for homemade mouthwash.

-Purchase the ingredients for this recipe from Mountain Rose Herbs, The Bulk Herb Store, or a local health food store.

Back Pain? This Essential Oil Blend May Help

Here is a blend of Young Living essential oils that’s beneficial for back pain:

Panaway, 10 drops
Spruce, 10 drops
Cypress, 10 drops
Balsam Fir, 10 drops
Vetiver, 10 drops
Basil, 10 drops
Sage, 5 drops
Relieve It, 5 drops
Oregano, 10 drops
Wintergreen, 10 drops
Copaiba, 5 drops
one ounce of Ortho Sport massage oil

Mix together and rub into affected area.

Welcome To the Wonderful World of Medicinal Herbs

from Rosemary Gladstar's book "Medicinal Herbs, A Beginner's Guide"

Recognized as the oldest system of healing on the planet, herbal medicine traces its roots back to the earliest civilizations. Today, herbalism continues to flourish as a people's healing art. Even with the amazing technological advances of conventional (allopathic) medicine, herbalism - the art and science of healing with plants - is still widely popular. And its popularity is gaining, not waning.  According to the World Health Organization, 80 percent of the world's population used some form of traditional medicine in 2008, and its rate of affordability, availability, and accessibility is surging.

So it's no wonder you're drawn to these healing plants and curious to learn more about them. But perhaps you're nervous about trying herbal home remedies. What are these herbs? Are they safe? Do they work? Can you grow them at home? Can you make your own remedies? When and how do you use them? How easy is it to get started? These are some of the questions we'll address here.

Botanical Boom

According to the"The Natural Pharmacy", by Schuyler Lininger et al., one out of every three adult Americans uses complementary/alternative medical care. Sales of botanicals have increased more than 300 percent since the 1990s and currently are an $8 billion industry.

Simple Exercises To Improve Your Eyesight Naturally

Simple exercises to improve your eyesight naturally

by Fleur Hupston

(NaturalNews) Aging vision (or presbyopia) affects many people over the age of 40. People who have developed presbyopia find they need to hold books, magazines and other reading material at arm's length in order to focus properly. What are the causes of this condition and can vision be improved by exercising the eyes?

What causes Presbyopia?

Presbyopia is thought to be an age-related process, differing from astigmatism, near-sightedness and far-sightedness, which are related to the shape of the eyeball and are generally caused by genetic and environmental factors. Presbyopia is believed to stem from a gradual thickening and loss of flexibility of the lens inside the eye. It is commonly held that these age-related changes occur within the proteins in the lens, making the lens harder and less elastic. Age-related changes also take place in the muscle fibers surrounding the lens. With less elasticity, the eye has difficulty focusing on nearby objects.

How can vision be improved?

There are a number of eye exercises that have proven to be effective in alleviating the symptoms of presbyopia. These exercises consist of flexing and relaxing routines, which stimulate the eye muscles, thus overcoming laziness of the eyes. This helps them to perform more efficiently, leading to improved vision.

Exercises to improve your vision naturally

Focusing on near and far objects:

Hold your thumb in front of you, about 15cm away. Try to focus on your thumb. After 1 to 2 minutes, focus on any object which is more than 3m away from your thumb but in the same direction. Now refocus on your thumb again. Once you have done this a couple of times, try doing it with each breath you take, for between 5 and 10 minutes.
Zooming the object:

Sit up straight in a comfortable position. Stretch your arm out to arm's length while keeping your thumb in a "hitch-hiking" position. Focus on your thumb while it is at arm's length. Bring your thumb closer to your eyes while trying to maintain focus. Move your thumb back to arm’s length. Repeat this exercise for five minutes.

Palming:

This is a very effective method to reset the vision when your eye has become tired and vision has become blurred.

Rub both your palms together for 3 to 4 minutes, till you feel the warmth. Once warm, place them on your eyes in a cup shaped position, such that your fingers are resting on the forehead. Keep your eyes steady and make sure that no light passes in between the fingers. See the darkness inside your cup shaped hands and feel the warmth of your palms. Repeat several times.

Rotation of the eyeballs:

This exercise loosens your ocular eye muscles which helps to improve blood flow in surrounding areas of the eye, increasing the level of oxygen, thus improving vision.

Close your eyes and rotate your eyeballs in a clockwise and then an anti-clockwise direction. Repeat this 10 to 15 times.

Up, down and from side to side:

Imagine a clock face in front of you. Now move your eyes from 12 to 6 o'clock, 20 times. Move your eyes from 3 to 9 o'clock for another 20 times. Next, rotate the eye around the clock in clockwise and anti-clockwise directions. After doing this, close your eyes and rest for a while.

Spending as little as 20 minutes a day should improve your vision noticeably within weeks. Objects that appeared blurred will begin to appear crisper and sharper.

Sources for this article include:

http://www.allaboutvision.com/conditions/presbyopia.htm

http://www.improve-vision-naturally.com/rebuild-your-vision.html

http://eyecare.ygoy.com

About the author:
Fleur Hupston is a professional freelance writer. She is passionate about natural, healthy living and is currently studying to be a naturopath. She divides her time between studying, writing and home-schooling her children.

Sage Plants Given Water Which Had Received Positive and Negative Messages

Here's a photo of the sage plants taken yesterday, April 5.  This was the first time they were given water that had been given the positive and negative messages.  In the time between Day 0 and now, we had gotten blessed rain which had watered all three of them equally.  So far, they still look the same.

Sage Plants, Day 24
(click on the photo to see a larger image;
click on the "back" button to return to this blog)

I'll be posting more photos as I continue watering them.  We'll see if the messages affect their growth!

Oregano Is A Healing Herb And Natural Antibiotic

Oregano is a healing herb and natural anti-biotic

Oregano Plant

by Dr. David Jockers
See all articles by this author

(NaturalNews) Oregano is a wonderful, aromatic herb that is native to the Mediterranean. It is thought to have originated in the mountainous regions of Greece, Turkey and Italy. It was named by the Ancient Greeks "Mountain Joy." Oregano is one of the most powerful healing herbs and natural anti-biotics ever studied.

Oregano has a warming and aromatic flavor to it. It can be very hot and bitter at times when it is picked fresh. The bite usually wanes as it is dried. Oregano became a staple of Italian-American foods. American soldiers who were stationed in Europe during World War II brought oregano back as the "pizza herb." It was soon used in more popularity in pastas, grilled/roasted veggies, meat & fish. It is also popularly used in meat marinates and salad dressings.

Oregano Oil is an extraordinarily powerful natural anti-biotic. Oregano has been found in a recent study to be significantly better than all of the 18 currently used anti-biotics in the treatment of MRSA staph infections. The strong phenol anti-oxidants destroy pathogenic bacteria, viruses and yeasts.

Incredible anti-oxidant capacity
This super herb is very rich in anti-oxidant phytochemical flavonoids and phenolic acids. It is the third highest herb in oxygen radical absorbancy capacity (ORAC) with an impressive score of 200,129. Oregano is one of the world's greatest sources of the powerful phenol component thymol. Thymol is great for improving digestive function as well as destroying harmful microbes.

The USDA ranks oregano's antioxidant capacity anywhere from 3 to 20 times higher than any other herb. Oregano has four times the antioxidant power of blueberries, 12 times that of oranges and 42 times greater than apples.

Oregano oil has been classically used as a disinfectant, an aid for ear, nose, & throat/respiratory infections, candida, and any sort of bacterial or viral conditions. Additionally, it works to suppress inflammatory mediators and cancer cell production. Oregano oil is more potent than the dried herb; however, the dried version still contains many powerful health benefits.

Studies have shown that carvacrol, a phenol anti-oxidant within oregano has powerful anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial activity when applied to food or taken in supplement form. Oregano also contains rosmarinic acid which has very strong cancer fighting properties.

Use dried oregano on vegetables, meat dishes and salads. Oregano oil can be used as an aromatic essential oil and/or as a medicinal. Simply put a dash behind your ear and a dash on your neck. Strong oregano oil may burn a little but will wear down in a few seconds. One could also ingest oregano oil - 1-5 small drops in a glass of water as it is particularly strong.

Oregano essential oil is available from my website at:
https://www.youngliving.org/laurasoils
Click on the Product Line link on the left and search for “Oregano”.

Sources for this article include:
http://www.naturalnews.com/034895_oregano_antioxidants_herbs.html
http://www.naturalnews.com/027333_oregano_parasites.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oregano

About the author:
Dr. David Jockers owns and operates Exodus Health Center in Kennesaw, Ga. He is a Maximized Living doctor. His expertise is in weight loss, customized nutrition & exercise, & structural corrective chiropractic care. For more information go to www.exodushc.com To find a Maximized Living doctor near you go to www.maximizedliving.com Dr. Jockers is also available for long distance phone consultations to help you beat disease and reach your health goals.

The Health Benefits of Alkaline Water

I just recently discovered how important pH balance is for the body. As it turns out, the body should be more alkaline than acidic. Here is some information on the subject.

Acid-Alkaline Balance 

Proper health starts with the correct acid-alkaline balance in your body. The pH level (acid - alkaline measurement) of our internal fluids affects every cell in our bodies. Extended acid imbalances of any kind can overwhelm your body, and lead to health complications.

  

Just as the body regulates its temperature in a rigid manner, so will it manage to preserve a very narrow pH range - especially in the blood. As a matter of fact, the body will go to such great lengths to maintain a blood pH of 7.365 that it will even create stress on other tissues, body systems, and organs to do so. Chronic acidity will interrupt all cellular activities and functions - it interferes with life itself. 

When the pH of the body gets out of balance (too acidic), we may experience low energy, fatigue, excess weight, poor digestion, aches and pains, and even more serious disorders. 

The cycle of acidity begins primarily as a result of three things: 

1. Ingesting acids. Eating too many acidifying foods like processed sugar, meats, dairy, coffee, alcohol, etc., create an acid ash in the body. These acids can overload the body’s ability to neutralize them.

2. Creation of acids. Pathogens and microforms (such as bacteria) create acidifying toxins in the body. As the body becomes more and more acidic, bad bacteria, yeasts and other microforms proliferate in the body. Since these organisms are living, they eat as well as create resulting toxins. These toxins are often very acidifying. 

3. Improper elimination of acids. Not all acids are the same; some are weak and some are strong. Weak acids like citric acid are much easier to neutralize than strong acids like uric acid (which causes gout). The body uses many systems in order to buffer acids including breath, mineral reserves, and fat. When the body’s buffering systems become compromised, excess acids build up.  

The process of reestablishing acid-alkaline balance begins with proper diet and nutrition. This includes eating alkalizing foods (vegetables, low sugar fruits, etc.), super hydration (drinking plenty of alkaline water that is ionic and structured), and proper supplementation.

Bottled water you can buy that is more alkaline are Penta and Essentia.

To find a store near you that sells Penta, click on the link below:
http://www.pentawater.com/_pw/store.php?sub=5&item=1

The link to the Essentia Water website is below.  They don’t have a store locator, but it can usually be found at health food stores, or you can order directly from the website and have it shipped to you:
http://www.essentiawater.com/index.html

You can also purchase filters so you can make your own filtered, ionized, alkaline water at home directly from your faucet at:
https://www.water-revolution.com/selfhealwater

Experiment To Water Plants, Based on Dr. Masaru Emoto's "Hidden Messages In Water"

New Experiment

I'm conducting a new experiment, based on Dr. Masaru Emoto's findings in his book "Hidden Messages In Water" (as seen in the movie "What The Bleep Do We Know").  Dr. Emoto states that the structure of water molecules changes in response to the messages received via word, music and thought messages,

I'll water three sage plants of similar height and fullness (shown in the photo below) with three different jars of water.  I bought all three plants at the same local plant nursery on March 15, with the assumption that all three have received the same care. 

One plant, as a control, will receive regular City of San Diego tap water.  The second plant will receive tap water which will be given positive messages.   The third plant will receive tap water which will be given negative messages. I filled three glass canning jars at the same time, and all three  have been handled the same way other than the two receiving the positive and negative messages.

The second jar of water has been covered with sticky notes on which I have written positive messages:  Love, Peace, Joy, Truth, a drawing of a flower, and a drawing of a heart.  It has been placed in my bedroom where I play soothing meditation music.

Image of Dr. Emoto's frozen water crystal after receiving the words 

"Love and Gratitude"

The third jar of water has been covered with sticky notes on which I have written negative messages:  Hatred, Demon, Lies, Poverty, Anger. Hunger, Disease.  It is in the living area near the TV (which produces a lot of negative messages and where my son plays video games of war and death and destruction). I will also be playing heavy metal music in this area occasionally for the purpose of this experiment.

Image of Dr. Emoto's frozen water crystal after heavy metal music is played

Each of the sage plants will be labeled, and each will receive water from its designated jar throughout the experiment.  It will be interesting to see the effect on the plants in the next 2-3 weeks.  I'll post photos of the plants every 2-3 days to show how they look.

Do you think they will all grow the same?  Or do you think the water they are given will have an effect on them?

Effect of Microwaved Water on Basil Plants: The 20 Day Test

Ok, so I got an email from my cousin - you know, one of those viral emails that everyone forwards?

This email claimed that an elementary school student's science project tested the effect of microwaved water on a plant, with a second plant acting as control and given tap water.  The photos in the email were pretty dramatic, showing the plant receiving the microwaved water as shriveled and dying.  I checked Snopes.com (also known as Urban Legends) and they reported that it was False.  Here's the link to the report on their website:
http://www.snopes.com/science/microwave/plants.asp


Well, emails went back and forth between me, my cousin, and several other recipients on the email list, debating if it were true.  As a result of this flurry of emails, I took up the challenge to perform my own experiment.

I went to my favorite local plant nursery, well-known for the quality of its plants, and chose two basil plants that were as similar as possible (Why basil? Cause if they survive, I can always harvest them and add them to my spaghetti sauce, right?)

I brought them home and placed them both on my kitchen windowsill, side by side. They were in the same environment and received the same amount of sunshine.  Here's the two plants the day I bought them - Day 0.  Same height, same fullness, same healthy green color.

Day 0

 That first day, I filled a glass bowl with tap water and microwaved it for two minutes, until it was boiling, and let it cool to room temperature, then poured it into a pint-size canning jar and put a lid on it.

I filled the teakettle with tap water and heated it on the stove until it boiled, then also let it cool to room temperature, and poured it into a quart-size canning jar.  I used different sized jars so I could easily tell them apart and ensure they wouldn't get mixed up.

Since the plants had been watered at the nursery the day I bought them, I waited until Day 2 to water them at home.  Here's a photo of the plants on Day 2.  They both still look the same.

Day 2

I watered the plants every other day, and they continued to sit side by side on my kitchen windowsill.  There wasn't any noticeable difference for several days, but then by Day 10, I could tell the plant getting the microwaved water was looking puny, while the plant getting the boiled tap water was thriving:

Day 10

I felt so sorry for the poor thing, I decided to try to resuscitate it by giving it and the other plant both some rain water and a little direct sunshine out on the patio, since it was a nice warm day.

But when I emailed my cousin and told him I planned to rescue the plant, he encouraged me to continue the experiment and do a taste test after the plants grew bigger.  So I continued to give the one plant the microwaved water, and the other plant the tap water boiled on the stove.

At Day 20, here is what they look like:

Day 20

 The poor little basil plant getting the microwaved water is nearly dead. 

I don't know about you..... but I'm avoiding using the microwave from now on!

Do you think I should send this to Snopes and let them know that in this case, it's True that microwaved water will kill plants?