The Effect of Aromatherapy with Geranium Essential Oil on the Fatigue and Sleep Quality of Critical Care Nurses

Agust 11, 2024

Evidence suggests that nurses' injuries, infections and illnesses are associated with fatigue and sleep disorders. Nurses with poor sleep quality are more prone to burnout, depression, and anxiety.

Studies have demonstrated that non-pharmacologic interventions in psychology and complementary medicine, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, music therapy, progressive muscle relaxation, meditation, and acupuncture, effectively reduce fatigue and improve nurses' sleep quality. Furthermore, aromatherapy is a complementary medical method which is easy, safe and relatively inexpensive to implement.

Essential oils have a refreshing effect, primarily with inhalation. The sense of smell activates the limbic system and hormones, reducing stress, depression, and fatigue by increasing mental and physical stability. In the study, geranium was shown to be effective on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and has sedative effects by reducing glucocorticoid levels. In addition, geranium can reduce anxiety, anger, restlessness, and emotional depression due to its antioxidant effects. The antioxidant activity of geranium essential oil can be attributed to the presence of monoterpene identified in its chemical composition including geraniol. In another study, the effectiveness of aromatherapy massage with a combination of essential oils of lavender, geranium, and chamomile in reducing anxiety and fatigue of nursing students was reported in the first clinical experience. Another study showed reduced stress, fatigue, and improved mood in operating room nurses after inhaling aromatherapy with a mixture of lavender, geranium, and marjoram.

Two-Minute Essential Oil-Infused Salad Dressings

August 2, 2024

Grocery store salad dressings are full of all sorts of questionable ingredients these days—not to mention excess fat, sugar, and sodium. Use these recipes to whip up your own and feel good knowing exactly what’s in them, plus enjoy incredible essential oil flavor. The best part? These homemade salad dressings will be ready in less time than it takes to heat up that frozen burrito.

Sweet and Tangy Balsamic Vinaigrette

Ingredients

  • 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
  • 2 teaspoons honey
  • 4 drops Grapefruit, LemonLime, or Orange Vitality essential oil
  • 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

Directions: Whisk all ingredients together until well combined. Pairs well with fresh basil, Roma tomatoes, and mozzarella balls.

Homemade Blueberry-Lavender Ice Cream

July 31, 2024

When these two flavors are combined, they make the perfect ice cream. Blueberry lavender ice cream is a light, refreshing treat that just exudes summer flavor!

It takes five minutes and five ingredients to make this healthy homemade ice cream recipe! The flavor of lavender is becoming increasingly popular in desserts, but many of them don’t even contain real lavender. They instead rely on artificial ingredients and coloring. But not this ice cream—or should we say “nice” cream? Blueberries give this blend a lovely purple/blue hue, while pure Lavender Vitality™ essential oil adds an extra dimension of flavor and sophistication. Delicious, plant-based, and waistline friendly, this dessert is the perfect finish to a backyard party or just a hot summer day.

Chamomile Tea Helps Prevent Thyroid Cancer and Thyroid Conditions

July 21, 2024

As for traditional evidence, chamomile may be one of the first herbal medicines ever recorded. Ancient Egyptians used chamomile as a remedy for fevers and dedicated the plant to the sun. Later in ancient Greece, chamomile was a popular medicine for headaches, as well as liver, kidney, and bladder diseases. From the Victorian era to today, chamomile has been recommended to soothe anxiety and indigestion. Chamomile tea is one of the healthiest of the herbal teas commonly available at coffee shops and restaurants. But did you know that chamomile tea helps prevent thyroid cancers and other thyroid conditions? Not long ago it was examined the ability of chamomile tea to extend lifetime. A study of 1,677 men and women found that chamomile tea was able to extend life by nearly a third for adults 65 years and older. Now we find that regularly drinking chamomile tea will reduce our risk of thyroid cancers and other thyroid disorders. How did they determine this?

Lemongrass Oil for Improvement of Oral Health

July 18, 2024

Lemongrass essential oil has been used for decades to treat respiratory infections, sinusitis, bladder infections, high cholesterol, digestive problem, varicose veins and also for regeneration of connective tissue. It has anti spasmodic, anti-pyretic, anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-septic, insect repellent, sedative, vasodilator and flavoring properties. In china, it has been used traditionally as a remedy for stomach and liver diseases and also to treat rheumatism. Since lemongrass oil possess various pharmacological actions, it is also quite useful in dentistry.

Petitgrain Essential Oil for Memory Enhancement

July 13, 2024

Essential oils multiple mechanisms of action and neurological properties make them leading solutions to preserve and restore memory function. Petitgrain essential oil is derived from the water distillation process on mandarin (Citrus reticulata) leaves. The Citrus genus is known for its contribution to medicinal activities. Petitgrain essential oil is derived from the leaves and green twigs of the mandarin plant (Citrus reticulata). It has numerous uses in herbal medicine. This oil has a very good reputation as a nerve tonic.

 Rosemary for Memory and Alzheimer’s

July 5, 2024

In folk medicine, rosemary has been associated for centuries with having a good memory.  The plant takes its name from rosmarinus, a Latin term meaning sea dew. Ros (meaning dew) and marinus (meaning sea), which translates to dew of the sea or sea dew. According to Greek methology, rosemary was draped around the neck of Aphrodite as she rose from the sea, and hence the name dew of the sea.The Rosemary plant not only smells nice and looks nice when growing in our garden. It also appears that it increases our brain power.

A study published in the Psychogeriatrics journal found that rosemary oil aromatherapy can boost memory, prevent and slow Alzheimer's disease in 28 elderly patients with dementia and Alzheimer's. Rosemary has also been associated with relieving stress and anxiety. One study suggests that rosemary, combined with other pleasant-smelling oils, may lower cortisol levels and help reduce anxiety.

Water with the Essential Oils

June 29, 2024

Ahhh! There’s nothing quite as refreshing as drinking a tall glass of water. But there’s much more to water than meets the eye—or dry mouth. For instance, did you know that your body contains more water than any other substance? Or that every system in your body needs it to function properly?

Water gets rid of waste, regulates body temperature, provides cushioning for joints, and can protect sensitive tissue—along with a sea of other benefits. But are you a fish out of water when it comes to hydration? 

Whether you’re looking for a creative way to increase your daily water intake, cutting down on sodas or sugary drinks, or wanting to reap the internal benefits of a particular essential oil, adding essential oils to your water is one of the most effective ways to meet your goals, while enjoying a tasty drink

Ylang-Ylang Essential Oil for the Topical Treatment of Scalp Psoriasis and Dandruff

June 15, 2024

Scalp psoriasis and dandruff are common dermatological conditions affecting a significant portion of the population worldwide. These conditions can cause scalp itching, flaking, inflammation, and discomfort, negatively impacting the quality of life. Traditional treatments for scalp psoriasis and dandruff often involve the use of corticosteroids and antifungal agents, which may have side effects and limited efficacy. Therefore, there is a need for alternative therapies that are safe, effective, and well-tolerated.

Cananga odorata, commonly known as Ylang-Ylang, is a tropical plant native to Southeast Asia. It is known for its aromatic properties and has traditionally been used with various therapeutic purposes, including treatment of skin disorders. Ylang-Ylang essential oil extracted from the plant possesses antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties, making it a potential candidate for treating scalp psoriasis and dandruff.

Antidepressant-like Activity of Patchouli Oil

June 9, 2024

Depression is difficult to treat with available drugs because individual responses to these drugs vary so widely. Commercially available antidepressants have limitations related to the slow onset of action and low response rate. In addition, they also have adverse side effects, such as abnormal bleeding, indigestion, and even sexual dysfunction. The distressing side effects of antidepressants have inspired the exploration of other effective alternative treatments with fewer side effects. Recently, researchers have hypothesized that factors beyond neurotransmitters (like serotonin) contribute to depression, such as neuroinflammation and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels. This has led researchers to increase their efforts to find a natural solution for depressive-like symptoms.

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