Lemons and Lemon Essential Oil

The origin of the Lemon is unknown.  Most experts agree that its origins were from Asia, but whether it was Northern India, Burma, or China is up for debate.  Recent research findings in Korea place the origin of Lemon in Southeast Asia about 4000 BCE.
A genetic study on the lemon  found lemons to be a hybrid between a bitter orange and  a citron.

Lemons entered Europe around 200 CE mainly through southern Italy.  From there knowledge of Lemons spread to places like Egypt, Iraq and Persia.  By the 1500s Lemons were cultivated in large number in Genoa, Italy.  And thanks to Christopher Columbus and the Spanish conquest they were introduced to the Americas.  By the mid1700s, Lemons were part of the diet fed to sailors on long voyages in order to prevent scurvy, a disease caused by lack of vitamin C.

Lemon trees like warm climates, so, in the US you will find them growing in warm climate states like California, Florida, some parts of Arizona and the Carolinas. 

Did you know that It takes 3000 pounds of lemons to make 1 Kilo of Lemon EO.  That is about a quart.

Lemon essential oil is obtained by cold pressing lemon rinds.  Lemon Essential Oil has a fresh citric fragrance that is clean and tart. That citrusy aroma makes it refreshing and uplifting.

Up to seventy percent of Lemon Essential Oil is composed of a compound called limonene. 


Lemon Essential Oil supports the immune system, digestive system, the urinary system, the respiratory system, the circulatory system, your skin, your brain and emotions.  

You can diffuse it. You can apply it to your skin. in a concentration of 1:1,  one drop lemon essential oil to one drop carrier oil.  
Because the constituents of Lemon Essential Oil absorb sunlight, it is best to avoid applying it to areas of your body that are in constant exposure to the sun.  If you do, you should avoid exposing that area to the sun for at least 24 hours. One easy way of avoiding this is to apply lemon essential oils to the soles of your feet. 

You can also use lemon essential oil in recipes.  Start with 1 or 2 drops in your recipe and then adjust to taste.  You can add Lemon essential oil to your drinking water for a refreshing drink, and even make a cup of hot lemon tea.  The Lemon Essential Oil in Young Living's Vitality line of essential oils is designated for internal use.
 
 

Happy 4th of July!

I want to wish you all a safe and happy 4th of July.  I want to thank all those who serve and have served to keep this country safe.  There have been many sacrifices made for this country.  Many have given their lives so that we may be free. 

The United States of America is a great country!  I am proud to be an American.  My love for this country does not blind me from the fact that it isn't perfect.  I know it is isn't, but to me it is still the best country in the world. The USA is my home.  It is the land that I love. 

I remember how my flawed thinking adolescent self would find fault with the land of the free.  And, how my young adult self, busy with family and career was cynical and apathetic about the goings on here.  Then, as a mature adult, I realized how very blessed I was to live here.  I realized how privileged I was simply from living here.

I am forever grateful to a father who always saw the good in this country.  He was proud to have served in the Army.  He was very proud of his honorable discharge and later in life joined The American Legion to stay connected with those that had served in WWII.  I am thankful that his pride in being American eventually rubbed off on me.   

The United States of America offers us the opportunity to pursue our dreams.  Stories abound of people who went from rags to riches here.  Through hard work and sacrifice they were able to overcome adversity and become successful.  For those who would argue that this is not the land of opportunity let me drop a few names, Oprah Winfrey, Robert Schultz, Sam Walton, Steve Jobs, and D. Gary Young, to name a few.   These are just a few of those who are known to us.  There are countless others.  Just as I'm sure that there are others who don't enjoy celebrity status, but have a tremendous story
  
It all starts with the word we, as in, "We the people." The Preamble to the Constitution begins with these words.  The Preamble introduces the Constitution and sets off its principals.  "We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America." 



Powerful words!  I especially love "secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity."  The writers looked to what would follow them.   They thought of the future.  They thought of us.  The Constitution is what makes this nation great.  We get to enjoy the blessings! 

And so, on July 4th we celebrate the many blessings that this nation offers.  Some of us do so by attending parades in small towns or large cities, by having picnics and barbecues with family and friends, and watching beautiful fireworks live or on TV.  Some Americans are far from families and friends as they serve in the Armed Forces here and abroad.  They do so to safeguard our freedom.  Some may be Ex-Pats who are overseas remembering their place of birth.  

However, you choose to celebrate the 4th I wish you a happy and safe one!   
 

Peppermint Essential Oil

I just want to take a few minutes to share about Young Living's Peppermint Essential Oil.  Like all the other 10 "Powerhouse" essential oils that come in Young Living's Premium Starter Kit, Peppermint essential oil is no exception.  It is another "Powerhouse" essential oil.  

Before I share a little about the oil.  Let me give you some background on the herb.

Peppermint (Mentha Peperita) is a hybrid mint.  It is a cross between Watermint and Spearmint.  Peppermint is thought to have originated in Northern Africa.  It eventually found its way to Europe and today is considered indigenous to Europe and the Middle East.  Europeans brought this species of Peppermint (Mentha Peperita) to the Americas introducing it to the Native Americans who were already familiar with other varieties of mint.   Because it is a hybrid, it spreads via its root system. In the USA it is considered invasive.  

Mint is mentioned in the Bible in Luke 11:42 when Yeshua (Jesus) refers to the mint tithe.  The mint that He referred to is Horsemint (Mentha Longifolia).  Horsemint is still found in  the Holy Land today and is cultivated in Syria.

Mint has been found in the tombs or Ancient Egyptians.  In Greece and Rome it was an every day part of life.   It was used in teas, food recipes, and to aid in digestion. The Greek word "mintha" means having a sweet smell and refers to a sweet smelling herb or mint.   It is said that in Biblical times, mints and other herbs were scattered on the hard stone floors of places of worship.  So that, when they were crushed by people walking on them , their aromas would fill the air.  Hildegard of Bingen, the medieval healer, also used mint to support the gastro-intestinal tract.

Peppermint Essential Oil is steam distilled from the leaves and stems of the plant.

Menthol is the primay organic compound of Peppermint essential oil producing its cooling sensation. It comprises up to 50% of its constituents.  Followed by Methone and its other components.

Did you know that one drop of Peppermint essential oil is equal to 28 cups of Peppermint tea?

Peppermint essential oil can be diffused on its own or with compatible scents such as Lavender, Rosemary, Spearmint, or Sage! Peppermint essential oil’s scent invigorates and stimulates the mind and senses, while inspiring a sense of peace.

It can be used topically-1 drop of Peppermint EO to 4 drops of a carrier oil, like coconut oil, or olive oil.  Used topically, Peppermint oil creates a cool, tingling sensation on the skin, making it a favorite for sports massage and an important part of Young Living’s Raindrop Technique®.
 
It can be taken as a dietary supplement using Peppermint Vitality.  Peppermint Vitality  can be used in recipes, even put in drinking water for a refreshing pick me up.

When your day is dragging—through a workout, class, or day at work—enjoy some Peppermint oil benefits by applying it to your head and neck. The refreshing aroma will give you a boost of positivity!
 
Peppermint is a key ingredient in PanAway®,  AromaEase®, Aroma Siez™, Relieve It™, and Deep Relief™ Roll-On essential oil blends.

Peppermint essential oil supports your digestive system, your muscles and joints, and your respiratory system.  It can provide support for your emotions and can be used during times when concentration and focus are important.

As with all essential oils, avoid contact with eyes and mucous membranes.  If you accidentally get it in your eyes, do not irrigate your eyes with water, instead use a carrier oil, like olive oil to dilute it.   

It is generally advised that you not use Peppermint essential oil on children under six years of age.  And it is not intended for use on infants.


Lavender Essential Oil


Lavender essential oil has been used since antiquity.  Some believe that the ancient Egyptians used lavender essential oil during embalming procedures, and for beautification.  The Romans, to enjoy the scent, added the flowers to their bath water.  And used it in cooking and soaps.  During medieval times, the healer Hildegard of Bingen (1098-1179 CE), used lavender for lice infestation and to ward off evil spirits.  Her book, Physica, makes mention of it. 
 
Lavender is known for its many benefits to the skin.  A well known story about Rene Gattefosse, a French chemist, and now commonly referred to as the father of aromatherapy, circulates among essential oil users, on how following an explosion at his lab, he used lavender essential oil to treat the severe burns on his hands which he described as rapidly developing gas gangrene.   The year was 1910.  His recovery was nothing short of amazing!    

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) essential oil is known as the "Swiss army knife" of essential oil because of its many uses.  Its name comes from the Latin lavare which means to wash 

Lavender essential oil not only supports the skin, it also supports the gastrointestinal tract by soothing the bowels.  It supports the muscular system by helping to relieve stiffness.  It is even helpful in supporting our bodies immune system.  

Lavender is well known for its support of emotions.  It can balance emotions that are overwrought with stress bringing about a sense of calm and tranquility.   

But not all Lavender essential oil is considered equal.  Most essential oils on the market, including Lavender, are passed off as pure essential oils, but are mostly adulterated with synthetic chemicals and fillers.  These oils may smell like the real thing to an untrained nose, but they are far from it.   
 
True Lavender essential oil has over 1200 components that act to support our bodies in varying degrees unlike their synthetic counterparts.  If your Lavender essential oil is adulterated with the hybrid lavandin, synthetic linalool, and other synthetic compounds and fragrances, of what value is it to your body?  It is of no value, and may even be harmful.  Synthetic compounds are known to cause allergies, disrupt hormones and cause disease.  It makes you think twice doesn't it? 

Back in 1999, just six years after establishing Young Living, Gary Young wrote In an article for Consumer Health Organization of Canada:   

"France is the lavender capital of the world and has been for many years. It has been said that there are 7,000 acres in totality of French lavender production, producing only 20 to 25 lb. of oil per acre. There are approximately 52,000 acres of lavendin in production producing 150 lb. of oil per acre, so the cost of lavendin is substantially cheaper... when you add all of that up you soon discover that there is not enough lavender produced to supply even two oil companies. How can it be? It is called synthetic. The biggest scam that has been perpetrated on the North American continent has been the scam of adulterated and synthetic oils being marketed as pure essential oils... So what are they doing? They are replacing lavender with lavendin. They have found they can heat the lavendin up to 17,000 degrees centigrade and flash off the camphor. In lavender, the camphor runs at 0.2 to 0.5 %... So they are removing the camphor and adding up to 6% synthetic lenolol acetate and that came on the market last year as pure lavender oil in America. They are not just doing this to one oil; this is happening with many oils." 
 
In a post on his blog on April 7, 2011, titled,  Are You Buying Lavender or Lavandin, Gary Young wrote: 

 "Why then are the farmers switching to lavandin hybrid grosso or super? First of all, the yield is five to six times more per acre than lavender. It can be harvested with a four-row harvester, making the harvesting cost four times less, and the same machinery can be used to plant and harvest. 
The big perfume houses do not care about the camphene content in the lavandin, which alters the smell and gives the feel of the oil a bite on the skin. They prefer Lavandin super over Lavandin grosso, because the camphene in super can run from 8 to 15 percent, whereas the camphene in grosso is anywhere from 19 to 30 percent. The percentages depend on soil, nutrients, sunshine, and rain, which can vary substantially 
Oil cartels have discovered how to heat lavandin, flash off the camphene, and then add synthetic linalols and lavandulol to make it smell like lavender. These are the fragrance molecules that create the aroma that is recognized as lavender. 
Now that you have a little understanding of business costs, ask yourself, if you were a farmer, would you grow lavender? This helps to explain why you do not see lavender farms being developed around the world, except in China where wages are $2 to $5 per day. If you farm in China, the Chinese government will give you the land free. Tractors are one-third the price, and so is fuel. Farms growing cloned lavender are being developed in northwestern China, the very area that was heavily contaminated from the Chernobyl atomic energy plant explosion a few years ago. This lavender is not even pure Lavandula angustifolia. 
I leased my first lavender farm in 1991 in Provence, France, the lavender capital of the world, and then bought our present farm in 2000 in the Simiane Valley. Over the years I have watched a steady negative evolution of the lavender industry." 

Having read this now are you comfortable with your source of Lavender essential oil?  That was in 2011.  Now in 2017 with more synthetic chemicals being developed the fragrance industry is booming.  And the price we pay for fake essential oils is high.  Maybe not at the cash register, but with bodies overrun with toxins. 
  
Next time you pick up a bottle of Lavender essential oil make sure it is free of toxins, pesticides, synthetic fragrance and fillers.  Know under what conditions the Lavender was grown and harvested.  See if you can actually visit the farm where it was grown.  Make sure the company that sells it guarantees that it 100% pure therapeutic grade essential oil.  I know of only one company that makes that promise, Young Living.

A last glance at the June 2017 monthly promos

Young Living is all about giving back.  It gives back to the communities where the oils are sourced in more ways then just providing jobs.  It builds schools, gives scholarships and aids in reconstruction efforts after there has been a devastating climactic or environmental event.  On top of that, it gives to us the Young Living distributors on an ongoing,  monthly basis.  I tell ya, just writing this makes me want to   hug  Gary and Mary Young for their generosity!



So, here is what Young Living gave us this past month, depending on what PV (point value) your Essential Reward (monthly shipping program) order was for the month of June 2017:

At 100 PV they gave us a Spearmint Vitality oil.  Here is what Young Living has to say about Spearmint Vitality: 
"Spearmint (Mentha spicata) Vitality™ essential oil is treasured for its unique minty flavor, as well as its ability to help calm tummies* and support normal digestion* as a dietary supplement. With naturally occurring menthol, carvone, and limonene, Spearmint Vitality essential oil can add a cooling effect to foods that is both pleasant and beneficial.  

With a distinctly sweeter, softer mint taste than Peppermint Vitality, Spearmint Vitality oil is perfect for infusing beverages to help cool you down. Because of its versatility, Spearmint Vitality is an important ingredient in Citrus Fresh™, EndoFlex™, GLF™, NingXia Nitro®, and Thryomin™. "

Isn't that enough to make you add it to a glass of water or a cup of tea or to one of your recipes?!

At 190 PV they gave us a 15 ml bottle of Cypress essential oil, a 15 ml bottle of Patchouli essential oil and a 5 ml bottle of Spearmint Vitality.  

Here is what Young Living has to say about Cypress essential oil:
"Cypress has a fresh, herbaceous aroma that can promote a sense of security and grounding."
Yes,  Cypress essential oil supports our emotions!

Here's information on Patchouli essential oil from Young Living:
"Patchouli oil (Pogostemon cablin) is carefully extracted through steam distillation of a low, bushy shrub native to tropical regions in Southeast Asia. Although the plant is part of the mint family, Patchouli essential oil has a powerful, musky scent, and because of its complex aroma, Patchouli oil uses often include perfumes, soaps, incense, and essential oil blends. 

With a rich history and unique aromatic profile, Patchouli oil is perfect for the free spirit. Use its calming, relaxing aroma during meditation or yoga practice or apply topically to improve the appearance of skin. You can also find it in Young Living blends such as Peace & Calming® and Magnify Your Purpose™."
Patchouli essential oil supports our emotions,  and our skin!  

At 250 PV they gave us all the above (Spearmint, Cypress, Patchouli), and also a 5 ml bottle of AromaEase .  AromaEase is an exclusive Young Living blend  (Peppermint essential oil, Spearmint essential oil, Ginger essential oil, Cardamom essential oil, and Fennel essential oil) that can be used aromatically (inhaled) or topically (on the skin).  As per Young Living:
"Aroma Ease™ has a cool, minty aroma and contains powerful essential oil constituents that contribute to a calming aroma.

And now it gets even better!  

At 300 PV we received all of the above plus a box of Ningxia NITRO and a 15 ml bottle of En-R-Gee essential oil.  First, here's what Young Living says about Ningxia NITRO:
"When you need a midday boost, it’s easy to reach for things like soda and energy drinks. Skip the sugary solution and reboot with an option from Young Living. With NingXia Nitro®, you’ll get a quick pick-me-up without the sugar or caffeine overload. Infused with essential oils, botanical extracts, D-ribose, Korean ginseng, and green tea extract, NingXia Nitro supports alertness, as well as cognitive and physical fitness."

 "A great support for body and mind wellness, use NingXia Nitro for running, weightlifting, or getting through your afternoon slump. The naturally occurring caffeine in Young Living’s NingXia Nitro supports normal energy levels and alertness to help you with a busy day or a tough workout.* 
 Ningxia NITRO is a great alternative to the toxic energy drinks available on the market today!  

And then there is EN-R-Gee.  Here's information on EN-R-Gee, another exclusive blend from Young Living:
"Fresh and herbaceous, En-R-Gee essential oil blend offers an invigorating aromatic boost when you need it most. Diffuse or apply it topically during your morning routine or before any activity to enjoy the stimulating, spicy-pine fragrance of Rosemary, Juniper, Lemongrass, Nutmeg, Balsam Fir, Clove, and Black Pepper essential oils."  
Use it when you need a pick me up or need to focus and concentrate.

These products are worth over $200.  Yet, Young Living gives these to us, their distributors, as another way of saying "Thank-You."  What other company does that?  On Essential Rewards we already receive a 24% discount on what we order.  We already receive discounted shipping on those orders.  So why do they do it?  I believe it's because they care enough about their distributors to offer us the best of what they make--essential oils and products to keep us above the wellness line!  And you can't put a price on wellness!  Did I tell you?   I just love Young Living!



 
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