How to Use Eucalyptus for Sore Throat

How to Use Eucalyptus for Sore Throat



If you have a sore throat and want a naturally soothing herb, then think about trying eucalyptus. The menthol scent and flavor of the herb has been used for centuries to cure a sore throat. The smell of eucalyptus will remind you of Vick's VapoRub.







Things You'll Need:





Eucalyptus oil




Steamer or humidifier




Massage oil




Thyme oil









1


Set up your steam humidifier. Moisture in the air will help to relieve a sore throat by reducing the irritation.





2


Add a drop or two of eucalyptus oil to the humidifier. Eucalyptus is a natural anti-microbial agent. That means it doesn't allow mold or mildew to build. These can be allergens and create more mucus to run in your throat.





3


Massage the lymph nodes in the throat using oil with a few drops of eucalyptus oil added. Use a soft, steady pressure as you move the fingers down the sides of the throat to the base at the collarbone. You may also rub eucalyptus oil on the upper chest, between the ribs. Continue until the pain is relieved and the swelling in the lymph nodes has been reduced, about 20 to 40 minutes.





4


Gargle with water to which you've added a drop or two of food grade eucalyptus oil. Add a drop a food grade thyme oil to help fight infection from a bacteria or virus.








Tips & Warnings










Ease up the pressure in your massage if there is pain.



http://www.ehow.com/how_2095625_eucalyptus-sore-throat.html

How to Use Essential Oils Safely

How to Use Essential Oils Safely



Essential oils are a great alternative medicine option. Essential oils use aromatherapy to treat stress conditions and health issues such as backaches, headaches, digestive problems, nervous problems and other issues. However, if you want to use essential oils, there are some safety issues to keep in mind.









1


Read the label. While you should dilute essential oils for safety, some essential oils come already diluted and will lose their efficacy if you dilute them more.





2


Do your homework. Understand any safety precautions about the essential oils you use. Some essential oils should not be used before going out into the sunlight, while others need a great deal of dilution to make them safe.





3


Check with your doctor before using essential oils, especially if you're currently on medications. Some essential oils may interact negatively with medications, while others may raise blood pressure to dangerous levels if you already have high blood pressure. Do not use essential oils on
children
, pregnant women or breastfeeding women without checking with a doctor.





4


Dilute your essential oils with carrier oil such as grape seed oil before application. Never apply essential oils directly to the skin without the approval of a licensed aromatherapist.





5


Store essential oils properly. Essential oils should be stored in cool, dark places and in dark bottles. Keep lids tightly closed when not in use and do not use if the oil has separated, is cloudy or has clumps in it.








Tips & Warnings










Never ingest essential oils, either by drinking them or by sprinkling them over food. Essential oils can cause health issues if taken internally.



http://www.ehow.com/how_2084935_use-essential-oils-safely.html

How to Use Essential Oil Blends

How to Use Essential Oil Blends



Essential oils have a variety of uses. Most often, the essential oils are used as blends of various oils. Some of the uses of these oils are for massage, aromatherapy, perfumes and deodorizers. In some instances, they are used in their pure form where others require a dilution in a carrier oil.







Things You'll Need:





Essential oils with scents that you like




Bottle to store the mixture in




Carrier oils for dilution









1


Place a few drops in areas that you would like to smell especially nice. This can be in the linen closet to freshen the smell of the towels and sheets. You can even place a drop or two on a terry cloth and throw it into the dryer to give your laundry a nice fresh smell. You can choose oils that have scents that complement each other. To get a few ideas, visit the local grocery store, look at the scents of air fresheners and write down a few blends that you like.





2


Place a few drops of the blend in a spray bottle of water and use it as an air freshener around the house. Simmering a few drops in a pot of water will dispel cooking odors and make it smell as if you have potpourri everywhere in your house.





3


Add a few drops to the wax used to make candles and now you have scented candles. The same trick can be done if you make soap at home; add a drop or two and your bathroom will smell like a garden just from the soap balls or shapes.





4


Take a volume of carrier oil and add about 20 drops of the blend to the oil and you now have fragrant massage oil. Many practitioners of aromatherapy utilize oil blends placed into oil burners or simmering pots, or placed at strategic locations on the body to aid in relief of pain, tension or stress.





5


Place a few drops of the oil blend that has been diluted in a carrier oil on your pulse points as a perfume. You can have your own unique scent by using this technique.








Tips & Warnings










There are many other uses of essential oils. Aromatherapy sites are a wealth of knowledge and insight on the power of essential oils for healing and well being.








Never apply an essential oil directly to the skin unless you know that it is safe. Some oils can cause skin irritation in undiluted forms.



http://www.ehow.com/how_2095629_essential-oil-blends.html

How to Use Chamomile Essential Oil for Nerves

How to Use Chamomile Essential Oil for Nerves



The fruity smell of chamomile is used frequently in aromatherapy, often to reduce anxiety. Both the essential oil and the flower itself have soothing properties to calm your stressed and jagged nerves. Brew up a cup of chamomile tea, add some essential oil to your surroundings and watch your anxiety begin to melt away.







Things You'll Need:





Chamomile essential oil




Lavender essential oil




Chamomile flowers, or tea




Almond oil




Diffuser









1


Mix chamomile with
lavender
for a fragrance that will soothe the entire system. Put a few drops of each essential oil on a handkerchief and inhale when necessary.





2


Drink a cup of chamomile tea while getting a back massage with chamomile oil mixed in almond oil. The scent of chamomile will help to reduce the nervous tension that can be caused by menopause or an irregular cycle. It also helps to regulate the menstrual cycle. Chamomile inhalation therapy has long been used to reduce the effects of PMS.





3


Ease the worry of a hypochondriac by adding 5 to 6 drops chamomile oil to a pan of steaming water and let the odor permeate the area. Chamomile calms anxiety while promoting a feeling of overall well-being, which helps a hypochondriac develop a better awareness of his actual physical state.





4


Draw a bath and add 5 to10 drops of chamomile oil into the warm water to help reduce the pounding effect of a migraine headache. Many times migraines can be brought on by nervousness. The warm bath and scent of chamomile will help to relax.





5


Put a few drops of chamomile into a diffuser in the bedroom to help cure insomnia. Chamomile is noted for its properties that work with anything that involves over stressing the nervous system. Insomnia can sometimes be a result of anxiety.








Tips & Warnings










To make a soothing bath for
children
, use 3 to 5 drops chamomile oil.








Chamomile can cause an allergic dermatitis in some people.



http://www.ehow.com/how_2095628_chamomile-essential-oil-nerves.html

How to Take Gotu Kola for Health

How to Take Gotu Kola for Health



Gotu kola (Centella asiatica) is also known by other names such as centella, Indian pennywort and marsh pennywort. It is a creeping plant that grows in tropical and subtropical swamps. The aerial parts of the plant are used medicinally. The following steps will help you decide whether or not to take this herbal supplement.









1


Read about the historical uses of gotu kola. It has been used for thousands of years in China, India and Indonesia to heal wounds, improve mental ability and treat leprosy and psoriasis.





2


Look at modern uses of gotu kola. Western herbalists use it to treat swelling in connective tissue and to improve the memory. It is also applied externally to treat wounds.





3


Consider the results from modern scientific testing of gotu kola. It contains triterpenoids which do aid in wound healing, but it is unclear that the dried extract has enough to be effective.





4


Study the usage guidelines of gotu kola. Continued use longer than six weeks is not recommended. Patients with a history of skin lesions should not take it. Asiaticoside is a component of gotu kola and has been associated with tumors in mice.





5


Take no more than the recommended dosage of gotu kola. Common dosages are a 1- to 4-gram capsule of the powdered herb three times per day. A standardized extract of 40 percent asiaticoside is given in 50 to 250 mg amounts three times per day. Gotu kola may also be taken as a tea.


http://www.ehow.com/how_2068079_take-gotu-kola-health.html

How to Shop at Ann Taylor

How to Shop at Ann Taylor



Ann Taylor offers sophisticated, stylish women's clothing, from career separates to stylish weekend outfits. Ann Taylor is a well-respected name in ladies design, and the Ann Taylor clothing label is appreciated by fashion-conscious women across America. Here's how to make the most of your Ann Taylor shopping experience.







Shopping Online




Step
1



Take your measurements, following the Ann Taylor size chart for guidelines on measuring your waist, bust and hips. Knowing your correct size is important when shopping online since you can't try the clothes on.




Step
2



Go to the Ann Taylor website and begin browsing the Ann Taylor collection of clothes. Check out the "Outfits" section for ideas. You'll find "Suits That Work," a section for "Relaxed Work" sets, "Weekend Casual" outfits and special occasion clothes. Take a look at the Ann Taylor ideas.




Step
3



Select the clothing separates in your size that fit your taste and budget, paying attention to the basics, which are the staples of your wardrobe.




Step
4



Check out after completing your shopping at Ann Taylor. Enter credit card and shipping information. Create an account to shop more quickly next time.




Step
5



Receive a confirmation email from Ann Taylor and wait to receive your clothes.




Step
6



Return any items that do not fit or are not what you expected. Ann Taylor has a simple return policy, with information on their website to make the process smooth.


Shopping at Ann Taylor Stores




Step
1



Find a store near you and choose a good time for your outing. Avoid busy times, such as Saturday afternoons, for a quieter shopping experience.




Step
2



Select the Ann Taylor clothing items that appeal to you, keeping an eye out for career basics such as work suits and silk blouses. Also search for weekend casual pieces such as stylish denim and fashionable tops.




Step
3



Try on the cute Ann Taylor shoes and purses as well to accessorize your outfits.




Step
4



Earn Style Rewards Cards for your purchases. Every time you spend $100 during a Style Rewards earning period, you can earn a $50 gift card good on a purchase of $100 or more. See the store for details, or look for information on the Ann Taylor website.


http://www.ehow.com/how_2125093_shop-ann-taylor.html

How to Shoe Shop With Your Wife

How to Shoe Shop With Your Wife



If you are a man and you've ever been "stuck" in shopping with your wife for shoes, you can either find yourself getting extremely impatient or find yourself irritating your wife to death. Or both. But did you know there is a way to actually shoe shop with your spouse efficiently, hassle-free and everyone leave happy? There is. I developed a method and it has my wife's stamp of approval!







Things You'll Need:





patience



drop your "man pride"



love of your wife









Step
1



Know the colors in your wife's closet. If your wife wears a lot of blue, the red shoes that she's been staring at most likely won't match. You know what she wears everyday. If you don't take time to find out. Rifle through those clothes. Does she have more blue than brown? Does she wear light-colored shirts? How about blue jeans? Having a general knowledge of what she has in her closet can help YOU help HER make decisions later on.




Step
2



Carefully select and expand your vocabulary. If you are stuck there, she's going to ask your opinion. Since you've memorized step one, you may actually have a valid opinion! "Honey, what do you think about these yellow shoes?" You can actually answer "they might look nice, but they don't go with anything in your closet." If you answer "I don't know", she may be staring at those shoes for a while. But answering with knowledge can shave countless minutes of staring at shoes that may look cute but don't match anything she owns.




Step
3



Learn economics. Now that you know the colors of her clothes and what shoes would generally match, you can better steer her to buying shoes that she could actually use more than once and not just once for that one outfit she wears every two years. For example, if there was one pair of $85 heels that would match one outfit she doesn't wear, but there were 3 pairs of shoes that would cost $75 total that could match countless outfits and give her more variety, then guess which is the better deal? But remember step 2 when you say it! Do not say "those three are cheaper "... say "you know, honey, you could do a lot more with those three pairs of shoes instead of just that one pair. But it's up to you; I want you to be happy."




Step
4



Be prepared to throw step 3 out every once in awhile. Sometimes it's just going to be the red heels for $85. That's o.k.. sometimes. Just think of the $100 you spent on the basketball game that sucked, or the $59.95 on the fight that was over in two rounds. It happens. Do not panic. She'll remember your support.







Tips & Warnings









take pictures of outfits she's trying to match and bring them to the store. This will save time thinking about IF the shoes match or not








understand that light blue shoes don't always go with dark blue clothes just because "blue" is the common color.








You may, at times, feel a little less "manly" for knowing your woman's clothes. Suck it up! Every once in awhile you wish she'd cheer for your team and know why the play was good, don't you?



http://www.ehow.com/how_2112588_shoe-shop-wife.html