Tag: Lavender

7 Popular Medicinal Herbs: Uses, Evidence & Safety

Herbs have been used in traditional healing systems for thousands of years, and many familiar plants still appear today in teas, capsules, extracts, essential oils, and other products marketed for health and wellness. But “natural” does not automatically mean safe, and centuries of traditional use do not necessarily prove that an herb treats a particular …

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Using Lavender for Serenity and Health

Lavandula, commonly known as lavender, is having a moment. Lavender lattes are showing up on the hippest coffee shop menus all over the world, and with reason. The plant renowned for perfuming the southern French countryside and relaxing millions of people worldwide is easy to find and easy to grow, provided you have the right …

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Essential Oils for Bug Bites: What Helps, What Doesn’t & Safer Relief

A summer evening outdoors can quickly become less relaxing when the itching starts. Mosquitoes, biting flies, fleas, and other insects can leave behind small, swollen bumps that seem almost impossible to ignore, and it is tempting to reach for whatever soothing remedy happens to be nearby. Essential oils such as lavender, tea tree, and peppermint …

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Aromatherapy for Sleep: Does Lavender Help? Safety & Bedtime Tips

Lavender has become almost inseparable from the idea of bedtime. It appears in pillow sprays, bath products, candles, diffusers, lotions, and essential-oil blends promising a calmer evening and better sleep. There may be something to the association—but not quite as much as some product labels suggest. Research on aromatherapy has found signs that lavender and …

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Lavender Chai Latte

by Sharon Palmer, MSFS, RDN, The Plant-Powered Dietitian Lavender is not only fragrant and pretty—it is edible. Lavender can offer a floral, herbal taste and aroma to many recipes, such as this delicately spiced beverage. Filled with chai tea, coffee, soymilk, dried lavender flowers and just a touch of agave, you can enjoy this relaxing beverage as a much …

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Essential Oils to Relieve Common Problems

There are many types of essential oils available at your local health food store, but what exactly can you do with them? If you’re unfamiliar with their versatile uses, the Canadian Health Food Association recommends trying these essential oils to help with three common problems. Chamomile oil to relieve tight muscles and tension. We’re all …

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Holiday Scents Boost Holiday Spirits

What pops into your head when you think about holidays? Sugarplums? Or do you see yourself trying to balance work and family with gifts, baking and parties? You’re not alone. But there is a way to both enhance the holidays and comfort yourself during a hectic holiday season — aromatherapy. Aromatherapy uses pure essential oils …

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