Herbs for Health - Essential oils, cleanse and detox
- Details
- Published on Monday, June 8, 2015
By Janet Husak and Karen Burton
Herbs for Health
Essential oils are the aromatic liquids found within shrubs, flowers, trees, roots, bushes, resins, and seeds from around the world. These oils, also known as nature’s living energy, contain unique constituents that provide results and have been used throughout the ages.
The oils are extracted from the plant sources using steam distillation and they are highly concentrated, far more so than dry herbs.
Different oils can be used different ways. The most common ways: are applied topically by adding a few drops of oil into a carrier oil such as coconut or olive oil so that you can massage it into the skin, diffused or inhaled, neat or diluted. We are pleased to announce that we are now Young Living distributors. We have an extensive variety of oils from different companies as well.
We also carry ready to spray insect repellents for children and adults that are deet free. They contain a mixture of lemon, eucalyptus, geranium, pine, camphor and citronella essential oils.
Spring is a time for not only cleaning our homes but our bodies as well. Cleanse and detox are terms generally used interchangeably, but there is a difference between them. A detox is more targeted to removing an unwanted and specific waste product or substance from the body. It is a metabolic process that converts toxins into waste that can be eliminated from the body.
There are different types of cleanses, some targeting specific organs such as liver, kidney, colon or intestinal. A body cleanse for weight control and management, as well as a first cleanse, one for smokers, candida, parasites and heavy metals to name a few. A detox may be advised after exposure to chemicals such as pesticides, overindulgence in alcohol, use of certain medications or similar situations.
A cleanse provides more general support for the organs of detoxification, including the colon, liver and kidneys, without a specific target for removal from the body.
There are many types of cleanses and detoxes and for the most part, they usually involve a combination of different dietary recommendations, herbal products and lifestyle changes. Some of the positive health benefits of cleansing are: decreased risk of chronic health conditions, increased energy levels, improved digestion, better weight management and weight loss and improved overall health and well-being.
Detox Tea
Reduce bloating and drop water weight
• 60 ounces purified water
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon sugar free cranberry juice
• 1 dandelion tea bag – Steep and cool to room temperature
Mix all ingredients together and add the tea (once cooled). Drink the entire mixture each day for up to sevem days (you will make a new batch every day)
Note: You want to use distilled water for a cleanse or detox because you want the pure water to help remove toxins from your system, not add more toxins back in!
For a variety of snack items we now have plantation chips in three flavors, protein crunch made with pumpkin seeds and/or flax, and delicious “Gorp” energy bars, that are packed with antioxidants, omega-3, 11g of protein and 6 g of fibre in a convenient re-sealable bag. All of these snacks are not only healthy but very tasty!
Janet and Karen own an operate Herbs for Health, on Mountain Ave. in Neepawa.
