Aromatherapy Thursday - Peppermint

Botanical Name:  Mentha piperita

Where it grows:  USA, Egypt, Hungary

US Hardiness Zone: 5-9
Special Characteristics:Square stem, light purple flowers
How the oil is produced:Steam distillation
Fragrance: Sweet, mint, herbal, green
Blends well with: Geranium, most other mints, rosemary, lavender, rose, citrus, tea tree, eucalyptus, lemon

Interested in growing your own peppermint?  You can purchase roots for planting from DragonflyBuz at http://ow.ly/cbDWg

Now that many of us are under a heat wave Peppermint popped into my mind.  It has a crisp scent that congers an image of lush mountain forests and takes you away on a cool breeze.

Peppermint is often noted more for its amazing ability to easy tummy troubles than an aromatherapy oil.  It’s flavoring is used in after-dinner mints, teas, medications for the stomach etc. because it eases heartburn, cramping and other ailments so well. 

These wonderful Peppermint Berlingots can be purchased from Etsy Shop FusionSweets at http://ow.ly/cbEcu

It offers astringent properties along with antibacterial properties making this a great addition to cosmetics and other topical creams for the face and body.  It can be soothing to irritated skin but at the same time refreshing when used in a wash or splash.

This refreshing Face Cleanser can be purchased from Etsy shop, NaturalLogic at http://ow.ly/cbEsr

Not only is Peppermint wonderful for its physical effects on the body but its oil has a great effect on the mind and spirit.   This great aromatherapy oil can help uplift your spirits, awaken and sharpen the mind when used for its fragrance.   While it can stimulate the mind to be more alert it also calms nervousness at the same time; it can relax and sooth stress and anxiety.  The fragrance by itself can help relieve nausea and is great to take with on long trips if you tend to get car sick.  Keeping a cotton ball in the car with a few drops of Peppermint essential oil on it may actually do the trick; I have personally used this when traveling with my children and it really works.

Essential Oils are always best choice for aromatherapy.  This Peppermint Essential Oil can be purchased from Etsy shop, AcientOils at http://ow.ly/cbEDo

I especially love to use Peppermint as one of my standard sachet mixes that I must always have on hand.  Using a pomander or basket filled with the sachet mix can freshen your stuffy closets while also repelling insects and pests.  It is great when a fragrance will not only repel the creepy crawlies but is also pleasing to humans.  

My Peppermint Sachet Mix can be found on ArtFire at http://ow.ly/cbBwl  It is made with natural peppermint, essential oil and other botanical ingredients to give it a long lasting fragrance.  You can purchase sample sizes if you would like to try before you buy a standard sized bag.

 Most of my Pomanders are vintage; what simple but great way to help the environment.  Using refillable pomanders will save on waste, does not rely on airisols and other harsh chemicals to fragrance your rooms or closets.  Plus they are very pretty too!   You can find my Pomanders at Artfire http://ow.ly/cbBQG and each will come with your choice of handmade sachet mix.

Aromatherapy Thursday - Peppermint - Pink

Curated By: ButterflyInTh...

ArtFire.com

Handmade Jewelry

Aromatherapy Thursday - Peppermint - Green

Curated By: ButterflyInTh...

ArtFire.com

Fine Art Paintings

Note: When using any essential oil too much of a good thing can have a negative impact so make sure to practice safety. Aromatherapy should never replace medical treatment and you should consult your physician before using any alternative medicine

This information is for educational purposes only, it is not intended to treat, cure, prevent or, diagnose any disease or condition. Nor is it intended to prescribe in any way. This information is for educational purposes only and may not be complete, nor may its data be accurate.

Whenever using essential oils conduct an allergy test prior to use and never apply directly to your skin or directly stick your nose close to the bottle (dropper, spoon, cover, etc.) Often essential oils are strong enough to burn the thin membranes inside your nose.

Before using any alternative treatments or therapy you should always consult your physician first.  If you have medical  conditions such as Epilepsy or if you are pregnant you should always consult your physician prior to use.  

Keep away from children.

I'm Exhausted and It's Only Tuesday - I'm In Need Of A Home Spa

So...I realize that it is only Tuesday but for some reason or another I am exhausted.  I can't drink enough coffee or smell enough peppermint to get myself going.  Along with those symptoms, I have a writer's block of sorts so I apologize in advance. 

I am dreaming of getting a spa treatment on a Caribbean Island but the reality is that I am freezing my tuchus off on a mountain.  So...what's the next best thing?  A home spa!   My treasury and featured shop include those home spa necessities.  I hope you can treat yourself to some of these yummy delights.

To start off my fantasy spa...Hana sent me a wonderful sample of her Detox Foot Scrub and Hydrating 101 Body Butter.  I really enjoyed the foot scrub but I especially loved the Body Butter.  It is thick, very creamy and absorbs right away leaving your skin feeling immediately softer.  Love it!!!  So, thank you Hana Essentials at  http://www.etsy.com/shop/hanaessentials?ref=pr_shop



Wonderful scent at Hana Essentials



Love how my skin felt after using this product A++ at Hana Essentials



Maybe this is what I need to wake up today found at Hana Essentials



Now to complete my fantasy home spa...My Treasury

If you are on a budget; fear not.  Here is a treasury full of spa-bath & beauty samples all $2.00 and under + Shipping. Treat yourself or treat a friend or maybe both!

A Super Way to Celebrate the First Day of Spring - Product Review

During this week I received in the mail three very uplifting items in the mail and since Spring has not made it to me yet it was very much needed.  Nothing heals the soul wounded by the winter blahs like awesome lip-gloss and homemade Neapolitan marshmallows.  These were just what the doctor (or maybe psychologist) ordered.  My first kudos goes to Anderson Soap Company where I purchased my wonderful lip-gloss.  I received Butter Rum for myself and Wintergreen for my husband who has reported that he is equally impressed.

These were creamy yet long lasting with a wonderful scent.  They can be purchased by going to their ETSY shop:  http://www.etsy.com/shop/dennisanderson?ref=seller_info

The other uplifting treat I received this week was a very tasty and sweetly packaged marshmallow from The Realist Mermaid Natural Confections.  I had purchased her sample called "Ugly Feedback Almost Free Mallows."  Based on that description I was expecting just a simple sample but received a wonderfully packaged large Neapolitan delight.  I was so pleasantly surprised I took a picture of it to share with you.

The Mermaid's site can be found on ETSY at http://www.etsy.com/shop/realistmermaid?ref=seller_info

I suggest placing your orders early for Easter.   Just imagine the response you will receive from kids and adults alike when they see these smartly packaged treats in their Easter baskets. 


http://www.etsy.com/listing/62722455/best-value-classics-mega-pack

While my kids were growing up I would purchase their Easter candies from local specialty candy shops so that they wouldn't wonder why the Easter Bunny was so cheap or how come they never noticed him shopping at Wal-Mart to get M&Ms.  I love that with technology we can easily create the fantasy and keep those traditions alive.

Hoppy shopping.

Aromatherapy Thursday - Peppermint

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!  Many images come to mind for this special day:  Shamrocks, Pots of gold, Leprechauns, and Peppermint.  (Good lead in, yah?)

http://www.etsy.com/listing/67339131/vintage-postcard-st-patrick-harp-heart

Taking long car rides to new undiscovered places is such fun...for most people.  Unfortunately for a few or maybe many it is not fun.  Car sickness has not been one of my experiences although there have been times that I felt queasy due to an illness while riding in the car.  For those that have experienced that there may be a simple holistic means of reducing that sickening feeling. 

It has been found that Peppermint will often help with car sickness.  I personally use it for when I am not feeling well and have nausea.  Simply having that wonderful minty freshness in the air around you can reduce the sick sensation. 

Peppermint has other wonderful properties:  it can also ease headaches, help open up that stuffy feeling when you have a cold or sinus problem, sooth muscular pain when you use it as a rub, and it has mood altering affects.

Needless to say I am a strong advocate of aromatherapy.  Peppermint is extremely powerful for my moods.  If I am tired or in a slump as soon as I open a jar of my sachet and that wonderful aroma meets me I become more alert right away.  Peppermint has a reviving and mood boosting property along with helping to calm nerves.  Alert and Calm!!  Many of us would love that.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/69580535/antique-postcard-man-in-nightgown-in-bed

Just like in any aromatherapy caution must be used.  Pay attention to signs of allergies to specific smells and herbs, respect others that do have allergies because it can be very detrimental to their health, and never directly smell essential oils from the bottle (it can burn the mucous membrane) or use it directly on your skin (a variety of reactions can occur.)  Essential oils are very concentrated and can cause many negative affects if used "neat" or straight from the bottle.  Most all of them need to be mixed into a sachet, potpourri, bath product, or message oil. 

One simple method of using peppermint oil in your car to ward off car sickness is to place a few drops on a cotton ball and set that cotton ball on your dash board or some other location that will allow it to fill the air with its minty freshness.  I sell a wonderful sachet mix that could easily be put into a pretty cloth bag or a simple muslin bag and used in the car or anywhere.  I use it to freshen my house after someone has had a bug or if I am tired.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/67026289/handmade-invigorating-peppermint-sachet

I created this treasury for the love of mint.  Have a wonderful Alert and Calm Day