Tulsi Tea

I just learned about Tulsi Tea and always try things out before I post about them. Currently I am going through a very stressful time in my life and a friend on mine suggested Tulsi Tea. Tulsi Tea is Holy Basil helping the body to relax and still stay alert. So I gave it a try. This tea is amazing. I am hooked. The taste is wonderful, it is organic tea, and really helps relax the body. “Increases the capacity to cope and adapt to
changing and challenging environments, and reduces the negative physical and psychological
effects of stress (adaptogenic).”

Please open this link to read the wonderful article of Tulsi Tea and it’s benefits:

http://www.organicindia.com/pdffiles/tulsi-article.pdf

What is Tulsi ?

What is Tulsi (Holy Basil)?

"The Queen of Herbs" – is the most sacred herb of India. Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum), although also known as Holy Basil, is a different plant from the pesto variety of Basil (Ocimum basilicum). Tulsi has been revered in India for over five thousand years, as a healing balm for body, mind and spirit, and is known to bestow an amazing number of health benefits. ORGANIC INDIA is pleased to offer Organic Tulsi, for the first time, as a stress-relieving, energizing and delicious tea. For our ORGANIC INDIA Tulsi Tea Collection we utilize a proprietary combination of 3 varieties of Tulsi: Rama Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum), Krishna Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum) and Vana Tulsi (Ocimum gratissimum). Each variety lends its own distinct and characteristic taste that contributes to the delicious flavor and aroma of our blend.

What are the health benefits of Tulsi?

Tulsi is rich in antioxidant and renowned for its restorative powers, Tulsi has several benefits:

• Relieves stress / adaptogen
• Bolsters immunity
• Enhances stamina
• Provides support during cold season
• Promotes healthy metabolism
• A natural immuno-modulator

http://www.organicindia.com/tulsi-facts.php

Where can I buy Tulsi Tea?

At most health food stores.

Picture by Antoine Henrich‘s http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/view_photog.php?photogid=1046

Health Disclaimer

All material on this website is provided for your information only and may not be construed as medical advice or instruction. No action or inaction should be taken based solely on the contents of this information; instead, readers should consult appropriate health professionals on any matter relating to their health and well-being.

Anise Tea

I just got back from Germany and bought a lot of tea while I was there. Growing up in Germany we used tea for about any illness and ache. I love Anise Tea, I like the smell of Anise, that’s why I like Licorice so much. Here is a wonderful link with interesting facts about Anise Tea.

http://www.teabenefits.com/herbal-tea-benefits/anise-tea-benefits.html

Anise Tea Benefits

Anise Tea Benefits have been recognized in the annals of folk remedy for centuries.

Anise is a member of the family of plants that includes carrots, caraway, cumin, dill, fennel, and cilantro. Anise is also known as aniseed, pimpinel seed, and sweet cumin. Its latin name is pimpinella anisum.

Anise’s sweet and strong fragrance and its essential oil are due to to trans-anethole, making up to 90% of the oil. Other components of the taste and smell of anise include estragol (iso-anethole), anise aldehyde, anise alcohol, p-methoxy-acetophenone, pinene, limonene, and gamma-himachalene (2%).

Due to the strong flavor of anise, it has been used to give licorice candy its flavor. Anise seeds can also be steeped in boiling water at home to produce a natural mouthwash; many mouthwashes and toothpastes sold in natural foods stores also contain anise.

To extract the antiseptic and antispasmodic beneficial essences of anise, anise tea can be made by steeping 2 teaspoons of crushed anise seeds in 1 cup of hot water for 10 to 15 minutes.

In some sensitive individuals, anise can cause inflammatory skin conditions, including rosacea and acne. Large doses of anise can also act as a narcotic in the system. So anise tea is best taken in moderation.

Anise Tea benefits for the health include the following:

• Anise Tea makes an excellent expectorant as it helps loosen phlegm in the throat and lungs.

• Anise Tea may help in the overall treatment of such respiratory ailments as colds, pneumonia, bronchitis and sinusitis.

• Anise Tea may help enhance the supply of mother’s milk.

• Anise Tea may help in the treatment of colic.

• Anise Tea may be effective in the treatment of an upset stomach and may reduce flatulence.

• Anise Tea may help in getting rid of hiccups.

Natural Skin Care

I love sharing beauty secrets and would like to help you understand why it is so important to use all natural skin care. I have been using MyChelle products about 3 years now and I am very satisfied with the product. Most of all it is non-toxic, supports tissue respiration, Vegetarian and Cruelty Free, and it is effective.

You won’t find any artificial coloring agents, parabens, or fragrances in the products. It is all organic. Watch the video below about the variety of products Mychelle has to offer.

http://www.mychelle.com

Jasmine Tea

I am back from China and learned so much while we stayed there. With every meal in China you were offered Jasmine Tea and in China they have a lot of Tea places where folks gather, drink tea and change stories. Our guide drank Jasmine Tea in a bottle I have never seen before. The matter of fact is, that every Chinese person had a bottle like that with their tea. She told me that the tea is very good for the eyes and gives you beautiful skin. Well, that was enough for me to buy 6 big bags of Jasmine tea,the bottle, and check out the benefits of Jasmine Tea.

Here is a web-site where you can buy the travel press bottle.  http://www.goldenmoontea.com/Bodum_Travel_Press_P66.cfm

And the Jasmine Tea. http://www.goldenmoontea.com/Jasmine_Tea_P36.cfm

Tea Ceremony in Guangzhou, China.

The Health Benefits of Jasmine Tea

Can Sipping This Fragrant Drink Have Medicinal Benefits?

© Kristie Leong

Apr 27, 2009

Sipping jasmine tea may be more than just a thirst quencher. It appears this natural tea may have significant health benefits.

Sipping a warm cup of jasmine tea may do more than titillate the taste buds. It appears that the leaves from this flower may have disease preventive properties ranging from cancer prevention to lowering elevated cholesterol levels. Although larger studies are needed to confirm these benefits, the possibilities are intriguing. What are the health benefits of jasmine tea?

Health Benefits of Jasmine Tea: Cancer Treatment and Prevention

Several studies in animals have demonstrated the ability of jasmine to slow down the growth of cancer cells. One study carried out in rats showed a chemoprotective effect for breast tumors, while another showed benefits against prostate cancer. In fact, Israeli researchers have developed an anti-cancer drug using Jasmonate, a component from the jasmine plant, that’s believed to protect the plant against injury. The researchers discovered this new, natural drug derived from the jasmine plant can inhibit the action of a certain enzyme known as hexokinase that allows cancer cells to grow and prosper. They’re hoping that one day this drug derived from the jasmine plant will be used alongside other cancer chemotherapy drugs to help them work more efficiently. Such is the power of the incredible jasmine plant.

Health Benefits of Jasmine Tea: Anxiety Relief

A study carried out in Japan showed that the smell of jasmine tea had a calming, sedative-like effect on a group of twenty-four volunteers. When the volunteers were allowed to smell the odor of jasmine tea, their heart rates dropped and they became more calm and relaxed. A cup of jasmine tea could offer significant advantages over traditional anti-anxiety medications.

Health Benefits of Jasmine Tea: Lower Cholesterol

A study conducted on hamsters showed that green tea catechins extracted from jasmine green tea lowered cholesterol and triglyceride levels in hamsters when the animals were given a high fat diet. Although more studies are needed to confirm that this effect holds true in humans, jasmine green tea could hold health benefits for those who eat a fatty diet.

Health Benefits of Jasmine Tea: Anti-bacterial Properties

In a study carried out at Kansas State University, it was shown that jasmine tea has the ability to inhibit the growth of certain bacteria that can cause food borne illness such as Salmonella and Listeria. This may have applications in the food industry where natural means of killing bacteria that cause food poisoning are needed.

Read more:

http://naturalmedicine.suite101.com/article.cfm/the_health_benefits_of_jasmine_tea#ixzz0XuNBgGKp

How to avoid Jet Lag

I have suffered a great deal of Jet Lag in the past on my trips to Europe. It seems to be worse flying Eastward and had little effect on my body flying Westward. There were a couple mistakes I made that did not help the Jet Lag and perhaps made it worse. Last year when I went back to Europe I followed some tips that are mentioned below and I had no problem at all.

Here are a couple of tips to prevent Jet Lag:

• Exercise the day before the travel.
• Drink plenty of bottled water on the plane.
• Avoid alcohol, because of altitude, pressurization and dehydration, one drink during your flight has the alcoholic equivalent of nearly two and a half on the ground.
• Trip stretching while you are still traveling
• Don’t take any naps at the new time zone, try to stay awake until 11 pm to get into the natural rhythm.
• Eat plenty of healthy food before the travel, during the travel and after the travel.
• Eat brown rice , Melatonin is also synthesized by various plants, such as rice.
• Take over the counter Melatonin after travel.
• Take a yoga class or practice in the hotel room
• Reflexology, very important to stimulate the Pineal Gland, part of your Endocrine System
• Take walks after the long flight, get as much fresh air as possible

Melatonin 

Melatonin is a hormone (N-acetyl-5 methoxytryptamine) produced especially at night in the pineal gland. The pineal is a key element in the maintenance of the body’s endocrine regulation (hormone balance), immune system integrity, and circadian rhythm (daily metabolic balance).The pineal gland functions as a biological clock by secreting melatonin (along with many other neuropeptides) at night. The pineal gland serves as the timekeeper of the brain, helping to govern the sleep-wake cycle and, in animals, seasonal rhythms of migration, mating, and hibernation. Secretion of melatonin is stimulated by the dark and inhibited by light. The secretion of melatonin follows a daily rhythm governed by the body’s master clock. Melatonin levels are low during the day. At sunset, the cessation of light triggers neural signals which stimulate the pineal gland to begin releasing melatonin.

Melatonin is synthesized from the amino acid tryptophan

. Tryptophan (l-tryptophan) is an essential amino acid formed from proteins during digestion by the action of proteolytic enzymes. Tryptophan is converted to serotonin and finally converted to melatonin which is an indole. The tryptophan during the day is converted into serotonin, a brain chemical involved with mood. Serotonin, in turn, is converted into melatonin. Synthetic melatonin and melatonin derived from bovine pineal glands are available as over-the-counter dietary supplements. Melatonin occurs naturally in some foods but in fairly small amounts. Of all the plant-based foods, oats, sweet corn and rice are richest in melatonin, containing between 1,000 and 1,800 picograms of melatonin per gram. Ginger, tomatoes, bananas and barley have about 500 picograms per gram. In the human population, melatonin levels are highest in children. Healthy young and middle-aged adults usually secrete about 5 to 25 micrograms of melatonin each night. The amount of melatonin the body secretes tends to decline with age, a possible link with an age-related rise in difficulty sleeping.

Exercises to do during travel:

What to avoid:

Another great link to watch: http://www.ihealthtube.com/aspx/viewvideo.aspx?v=5e28865bf33c36d1

http://www.vitamins-supplements.org/hormones/melatonin.php

Amalgam Fillings/Mercury Fillings

The argument continues, is it safe or isn’t it? I had all my Amalgam Fillings replaced and can only judge for myself in the weeks and months to come how it did affect my body. I am not making a claim, but you have to make your own decision about what you have put into your body and not assume it is all safe. Safe by who’s standards anyway? Have you ever thought about it? Enjoy the next couple of videos and google it for yourself, see what you find.

What is your Dosha?

Ayurveda is considered to be a form of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) within the western world, where several of its methods—such as herbs, massage, and Yoga as exercise or alternative medicine—are applied on their own as a form of CAM treatment.

More than simply medical care, Ayurveda offers a philosophy whereby one may prevent unnecessary suffering and live a long, healthy life. Known as the mother of all medical systems, Ayurveda has undergone continuous research, development and refinement over past 5,000 years. Originally from India, Ayurveda is currently experiencing world-wide popularity as a revival sweeps in all continents. Ayurveda employs the judicious application of nutritional guidance, herbal medicines, exercise therapy, transcendental meditation and many special rejuvenation and purification therapies. Preferring to focus on the type of person who has the disease, rather than just understanding the type of disease the person has, Ayurveda is a patient-orientated system of healing.

Ayurveda and the 3 doshas

In Ayurveda, different people with the same disease sometimes receive different diets and herbal plans. Each person’s constitution and the imbalance found in each individual is taken into account.

With Ayurveda, we acknowledge that beneficial daily habits are different for each person, because each person is a unique combination of the 3 fundamental biological principles, which are called "doshas": Vata, Pitta and Kapha. Everybody has all 3 energies – although people experience each of them to a lesser or greater degree.

VATA

A Vata’s frame is usually thin and low in weight with prominent bones and joints. They have thin skin which is dry and rough with a tendency for prominent veins and cold to the touch. Vata usually will have curly, coarse, dry hair. Their teeth will usually be large, crooked and protrude. Both their head and eyes will be small, quick and unsteady. Vatas have variable and scanty appetites. They will be thin as children and have trouble gaining weight. Vatas like sweet, salty and sour foods like cake, crackers, and pickles. They find oily foods comforting and benefit from ghee, a form of clarified butter. Their thirst varies and they will nurse hot drinks to keep them warm. Their bowels are usually hard and dry, and they are prone to constipation. Vatas are hyperactive and can exhaust easily with restless minds that fantasize. They are extremely creative, artistic, with extreme moods of joyfulness and fear, accomplishment and insecurity, and are often anxious. Vatas are erratic and always unpredictable. They are light sleepers with scanty, interrupted sleep patterns.

PITTA

Pitta stands with a medium build, height, and bone structure, with soft, oily skin that’s warm to the touch. They have fair complexions and burn easily. Pitta’s hair is soft and oily and will bald and gray early. They have moderate size, yellowish teeth with soft gums that bleed easily.

Pittas have strong appetites and need large meals to be satisfied, but will not snack. They like sweet, bitter and astringent foods, like candy, green salads and bananas. Pittas like cold drinks. They have frequent bowel movements with soft, oily, loose discharges. Pittas must evacuate immediately when they feel the urge. They are moderately active, but with intensely competitive spirits.

Pitta can be overly assertive and aggressive, highly organized and intelligent, with nearly photographic memories. They become teachers, doctors, lawyers, politicians, – and get angry when not fed on time! Pittas
are easily irritated and can be dangerous when jealous, which happens often. Pittas are fanatical about their faith.

Pittas sleep short and deep, with fiery dreams of war and violence. They are good orators, but can be sharp and cutting with their speech.

KAPHA

Kaphas are large, big boned, thick and strong. They stand not too tall, but often as the foundation of society. Kaphas have a tendency to be overweight and can become heavy by just looking at food. Their skin is thick, smooth, cool and oily with a tendency to be pale.

Kapha’s hair is thick, wavy, oily with strong even white teeth. They seldom get a cavity. Kaphas have small appetites and eat slowly – many small meals a day – they are the big snackers of society. They like pungent, bitter, and astringent foods like spicy dishes and green salads. But Kaphas especially like dry, crispy things. They rarely drink, and have one full and heavy bowel movement daily.

Kaphas are not very active and must study repeatedly to understand, but will never forget once they learn. Therefore they often prefer repetitious jobs where little innovation is necessary. Kapha people in general are slow, steady and reliable. They are extremely compassionate, forgiving, loving, and patient, often becoming social workers, nurses, and the clergy of different religions. They have a deep, steady faith and highly developed spiritual feelings.

Kaphas sleep deep and long, often dreaming of romantic settings by lakes and rivers, or swimming. They speak slowly in a monotonous voice.

It is important to keep in mind that each of us is a combination of the 3 doshas. In Ayurveda, once you understand your body type or dosha, you can structure a diet for yourself which will really work to make you feel totally balanced and harmonized. Similarly you can design an exercise plan which will benefit your dosha – Kaphas need more stimulation than Vatas, who get frazzled more easily, for example.

Text by: http://www.healingdaily.com/conditions/ayurveda.htm

There is a wonderul web-site I found and have tried their products, they offer products that are right for your Dosha.

http://www.bindi.com/about.asp

Tea Tree Oil an Essential Oil

I believe that every home should have the Essential Oil Tea Tree Oil handy. Recently when my husband and I did our daily outside workout it proved again the benefits of Tea Tree Oil. While my husband was being chased by pestering insects, I had peace and quite during my morning walk. Always use this oil with caution. It is very strong and has been known to cause rashes in some people. If you use it on your skin, always dilute it with another essential oil such as jojoba. I mix about 3 – 5 drops into the sun-block. Please use your own common sense when using Essential Oils and do your own study, everybody is different and has different reactions.

Attached are a few articles about Tea Tree Oil that will be of interest to you.

Tea Tree Oil Uses and Benefits

Grown in the islands of the south Pacific and Australia, tea trees got their name because their bark, leaves, or twigs were historically used by settlers and travelers as a tea substitute. Australian tea trees, the main source of tea tree oil, are not trees at all, but rather green shrubs that grow in the wet coastal regions of Australia. These shrubs grow very quickly and can reach heights of 7 to 8 feet when mature. Australian tea trees have soft, thick, white bark, and white flowers that bloom in the summer.
The light yellow tea tree oil is produced by steaming the pine-needle-like tea tree leaves to force out the oil which is used mainly in medicine, but also for industrial lubricants and cosmetic products. The oil has a nutmeg-like smell.
Tea tree oil contains chemicals known as terpenoids which are believed to provide the oil its medicinal properties. Australian standards were established for the amount of one particular compound, terpinen-4-ol, which must make up at least 30 and preferably 40-50 of the oil for it can be considered medically useful. Tea tree oil contains yet another compound, cineole, which should make up less than 15 and preferably 2.5 of the oil.
Tea tree oil kills fungus and bacteria, including those resistant to some antibiotics. Tea tree oil is used topically as an antiseptic and anti-infective for bacterial infections, acne, and fungal infections such as athlete’s foot. It is also used in connection with insect bites, sunburn, and other minor skin irritations.
Tea tree oil has also been used to kill bacteria in the mouth before dental surgery and to lessen the mouth irritation caused by dental procedures. In patients who suffer from oral candidiasis, a fungal infection of the mouth and throat, tea tree oil mouth rinse may prove effective in reducing symptoms. Other studies have indicated that tea tree oil is also effective when used in connection with nose, throat, and vaginal related infections.
NutritionalTree.com is a great consumer resource that collects user reviews for tea tree oil products.
Tea Tree Oil Dosage and Administration
The amount of actual tea tree oil in various marketed preparations can range anywhere from 1 to 100. Often, the stronger products are used for hard-to-treat infections such as toenail fungus, while 5 to 10 tea tree oil gels have been used successfully to treat acne.
Commonly used dosages and durations include:

• For treating fungal infections of fingernails or toenails use 100 tea tree oil twice a day for 6 months
• For treating athlete’s foot use 10 tea tree oil twice daily for up to one month
• For acne use 5 to 10 tea tree oil once a day indefinitely
• For oral candidiasis use one tablespoonful of 5 tea tree oil solution as a mouth wash taken up to 4 times a day. (Make sure to spit out)

Source http://www.nutrasanus.com/tea-tree-oil.html

Another great source to learn more about Tea Tree Oil is http://www.teatreewonders.com/.

This oil is toxic if ingested. Be very careful when using around domestic animals and when using as an antiseptic in your mouth.

Aromatherapy for healing Cuts and Wounds

It’s been almost two years that my son has a wound on his leg. They have medicated it, checked his blood, and did a biopsy. All came back negative. Which is good, but the wound still did not heal. The Dermatologist looked helpless last time we visited and told us to give my son a sleep aid for deeper sleep in case he scratches the wound at night. Well, that I won’t do. So I am trying something myself. I have been reading a lot about the benefits of Essential Oil and will give it a try. The outcome is still to come. Here is a wonderful link I came across by www.altmd.com.

Aromatherapy/Essential Oils for Cuts and Wounds

Your skin acts as a barrier between your body and the outside environment. A cut or wound on the skin may not be serious but it has the potential of allowing pathogenic organisms into the body. To treat a cut or wound with aromatherapy means applying essential oils to the skin. Certain essential oils can help decrease bleeding, decrease risk of infection, promote wound healing and decrease scarring. You should seek medical help if your wound is from a rusty object, if it bleeds heavily, if it is a deep puncture or if it does not get better in a few days.

Essential oils are produced from herbs by distillation. They are typically used by dissolving them in a carrier oil. Besides essential oils, another form of aromatherapy uses watery distillates or hydrosols that are extracted from herbs by distillation. These products are much more dilute, and thus safer to use on the skin in many cases.

How to Use Essential Oils for Cuts and Wounds

Most essential oils should never be applied directly to the skin undiluted as they are very concentrated and can cause irritation upon application or worse can cause sensitization. You can dilute your essential oil in a carrier oil, which can be almost any type of vegetable oil. Most people have olive oil at home—this makes a good carrier oil. Other carrier oils include walnut oil, almond oil and grapeseed oil.

The rule of thumb for dilution is to every 2 tablespoons of carrier oil add 15 drops of essential oil from a dropper. This will give you a 2.5 percent dilution. You can use slightly more concentrated oil if you are applying it to a small, localized area of the body. Once you make this healing oil, you should use it on the injured area several times a day.

Essential oils can also be used in the bath. Before adding them to the bath, dilute as instructed above so that the essential oil itself does not contact the skin undiluted. The essential oil will typically float on the surface of the water.

How Can Aromatherapy Help Treat Cuts and Wounds?

The first step in treating a cut or wound is to stop the bleeding. If there is severe bleeding, first apply direct pressure to the wound until the bleeding stops. The wound should then be cleaned and treated to prevent infection. Clean the wound with plain water or an herb tea, such as peppermint tea. An herb tea will give some of the beneficial properties of that herb, which include antiseptic action. A wound will heal better if it is open to air so that oxygen can reach it. Don’t apply an oil or balm immediately.

Once the wound is cleaned and examined for severity, you can apply an ointment made from essential oils. Many essential oils have been found to have antibiotic properties and are suitable for treating a wound.

Essential oils that can be used for this purpose include:

• Clary sage (Salvia sclarea)
• Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus citriodora, E. globules, E. radiata)
• Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare)
• Frankincense (Boswellia carterii)
• Geranium (Pelargonium spp.)
• Grapefruit (Citrus paradisi)
• Juniper (Juniperus communis)
• Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
• Lemon (Citrus limonum)
• Melissa (Melissa officinalis)
• Myrrh (Commiphora myrrha)
• Orange (Citrus aurantium)
• Oregano (Origanum vulgare)
• Patchouli (Pogostemon cablin)
• Peppermint (Mentha piperita)
• Pine (Pinus sylvestris)
• Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)
• Sandalwood (Santalum album)
• Tea tree oil (Malaleuca alternifolia)
• Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)
• Ylang ylang (Canangium odorata)

Of these essential oils, lavender oil is probably the most readily available, safest and most versatile of all.

Making a Healing Oil

To make your own healing oil, combine the following ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil or grape seed oil
• 10 drops lavender essential oil
• 5 drops tea tree oil or thyme oil

Mix well and apply to your wound.

If the wound is inflamed you may want to use some essential oils that decrease inflammation, which include:

• Helichrysum (Helichrysum italicum)
• German and Roman chamomiles (Matricaria recutita; Chamaemelum nobile)
• Clary sage (Salvia sclarea)
• Myrrh (Commiphora myrrha)
• Myrtle (Myrtys communis)
• Yarrow (Achillea milleflorum)

Make an oil blend similar to the one above using one of these oils. The use of herbal distillates or hydrosols might also be beneficial for reducing inflammation. These distillates can be used directly on the skin by applying with a cotton ball or spraying with a spray bottle.

Stimulating cell growth to hasten healing can be done with calendula oil. This is not considered an essential oil; it is rather an oil extracted from the calendula (Calendula officinalis) flowers. Studies have found that this oil can stimulate wound healing.

To prevent scarring of the tissue, some people have found that the essential oils of lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), frankincense (Boswellia carterii) or helichrysum (Helichrysum italicum) can help.

Is Aromatherapy for Cuts and Wounds Safe and Effective?

There is much scientific literature that documents the antiseptic activity of essential oils. There are only limited studies examining the use of essential oils on the skin to prevent infection and heal wounds. Several small studies have found benefits to lavender, tea tree and chamomile essential oils. Most documentation of the effects of essential oils on wound healing is in the form of testimonials or historical uses.

The danger of using essential oils includes skin irritation, skin sensitization and photoxicity. Irritation is a minor and temporary effect of the skin becoming red and itchy. This effect can be reversed by removing the essential oil from the skin. Sensitization is more serious and involves an immune system reaction similar to an allergy. In sensitization, the person will typically have no reaction with their first exposure to the sensitizer, but the second exposure will cause a severe skin reaction involving itching, redness and pain. Phototoxicity will cause a more intense reaction to the sun resulting in a deep burn.

Diluting the essential oil can decrease the risks of all of these side effects. Be careful when purchasing essential oils. There are unscrupulous vendors who may encourage unsafe practices, such as using essential oils undiluted directly on the skin. These are marketing ploys and may cause sensitization.

Although essential oils will not support growth of bacteria or fungus, the watery distillates will. Do not use a watery distillate that does not contain an appropriate preservative to prevent growth of microbes. Essential oils are generally said to last a year, but in most cases they can last far longer than that.

Can Yoga teachers get stressed out?

You sit in a Gentle yoga class with about 10 or 15 people, the music is calm, candles are lit, the room is dim, and the atmosphere is serene. As a Yoga teacher you’ve got a perfect job. Then why is it that so many teacher burn out or stop teaching all together. I have met teachers that have had a complete burn-out and I thought to myself that I will never let it get this far. Wow! Be careful little mouth what you say…After teaching 12 classes week after week for almost 1,5 years the burn out happened to me as well.

Symptoms of a Yoga teacher burn out:

Lack of self practice

Lack of sleep

Irritable with your students

Lack of joy in the class

Heart Palpitations

Very sleepy

Low immunity

Less is truly more, once you feel like you have just overdone it, it is a good time to slow down, perhaps ask another teacher to take some of the classes over for you until your body rested enough, and for you to take some time to re-focus. Sometimes we remain hurried, and continue this kind of fast life style, it is only the fear of being less successful. We think we need to own the whole world, to get our name out there. This fear and hurried life will drain your creativity and your energy. How much easier it is once we slow down, we are able to re-focus, concentrate, and give the students a class to remember. After all they paid a high price to come to your class.

Some suggestions I would like to mention, get a massage once a month, take a Yoga class yourself, buddy up with a yoga partner and talk about concerns (shared worry, is only half the worry), focus on what kind of yoga you like to teach, and live your yoga. Be the example for your students. Enjoy your yoga!