the conscious decision blog
Baby-safe Essential Oils | Lavender
Aromatherapy is the therapeutic practice of using aromatic essential oils from plants to improve and support the wellbeing of the mind, body, and spirit. Essential oils can be safer alternatives to conventional medicines and harsh chemicals.Lavender essential oil can be a powerful tool in the holistic home and we love that it is gentle and safe enough to use for for baby when properly diluted. Essential oils are highly concentrated and should never be applied directly to the skin. Instead, we recommend adding a few drops to an organic carrier oil, cream or lotion, or adding a few drops to a diffuser if you want an ultra simple and pleasant way to experience lavender’s extraordinary benefits.There are many ways that your newborn baby can enjoy the benefits of lavender essential oil. Here are a few of our favorites. Calms the body - Lavender essential oil has a calming scent which makes it an excellent tonic for nerves and anxiety, perfect for a new baby. Try diluting lavender essential oil in organic carrier oil and soothe baby with a pre-bedtime massage. This will calm the baby’s body and mind and help whisk her/him away to sleep. It’s also nice to apply lavender essential oil to baby’s bath! If you prefer a pre-blended option, check out this Nighty Night Bath Essence a perfect blend of oils for a calming bath after a long day of playing. Helps with Ear Aches - Lavender oil is magic for alleviating ear pain and is actually beneficial in an aromatherapy capacity. To assist with ear pain, apply diluted lavender oil to a cloth that has been dampened with warm water and rest against your baby’s ear for five minutes. Helps with Respiratory System - When used as a vapor inside a cold air diffuser, lavender can help relieve colds and coughs. It can also be applied to the back of the neck if diluted properly. As always, we recommend using the highest quality lavender oil for infants. Did we miss one of your favorite ways to use lavender oil in the home? Leave us your holistic remedies in the comments below.
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Eucalyptus: Your Rainy Weather Companion
If you have been following the weather in Los Angeles, you know that we have had an unusually wet winter, creating the need for additional wellness support. With excess rain comes colder weather which may cause some to experience aches, congestion and a decline in motivation. To combat this uptick in water weather, we are turning to one of the most versatile botanicals in our arsenal, our good friend Eucalyptus. Topical Treatment Eucalyptus is known to invigorate and stimulate your body and can help reduce respiratory problems. It’s a natural decongestant which is why you’ll find Eucalyptus in most store-bought vapor rub products. Eucalyptus is a staple ingredient in our Sniffles Organic Chest Rub for Babies. Eucalyptus is also used to help with pain and inflammation. Do you have any relatives that claim the wet weather causes aches? Our Breathe Body Oil might be the answer they are looking for. You can rub it anywhere on the body and it will also leave your body feeling super moisturized. You can also create your own eucalyptus oil blend by adding a few drops of essential oils to a carrier oil such as coconut or almond oil. Essential oils are highly concentrated on their own and should be diluted when applied to the skin. A little goes a long way! Herbal Tea Eucalyptus is said to be antibacterial, antiviral and anti-inflammatory, making it a go-to for any health ailment you’ll meet this season and something we have on-hand all year long. In addition to using eucalyptus in topical treatments, you can use eucalyptus leaves to make tea if you're under the weather or just to reap its benefits. You can purchase dry organic eucalyptus leaves at the market and steep 1 cup of boiling water with 1/2 teaspoon of dried leaves for 10 minutes. Then just strain and enjoy! If you like your tea sweeter, you can add honey to flavor. Aromatherapy Eucalyptus is also a powerhouse when used in aromatherapy and offers motivational mood shifts. When inhaled, its cooling and uplifting aroma helps dispel the things that are weighing us down, and inspires us to forge ahead. We know when it rains, it can often be easier to stay cuddled in bed than to get up and face the day and eucalyptus aromatherapy benefits can be used to pep us up. In addition to using the essential oil topically, you can add a few drops of eucalyptus essential oil to a warm bath and breathe deeply or add to a diffuser to spruce up the room! Keep Bugs at Bay Lastly, now that we have had all of this rain, we have water puddles that can attract mosquitos! Eucalyptus is one of the most common ingredients in natural bug sprays. We want to keep ourselves and our kiddos healthy and our buzz spray works to fend off these pesky bugs without toxic chemicals that can be damaging to our health. Using eucalyptus in a diffuser as mentioned above will also help keep bugs at bay! To make your own pest spray, add a few drops of eucalyptus essential oil to water in a spray bottle, shake well, and spritz away! You can also use it in the garden to keep insects away from your plants. The health benefits of Eucalyptus are well-known and have been especially useful during this wet winter in Los Angeles. If you’re looking for a few products with Eucalyptus that will help with healing this season and beyond, we encourage you to browse our site and get familiar with the selection of organic products that we offer.
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The Four Best Essential Oils for Weight Loss
Summer is just around the corner and we can’t wait to head to the beach, plan outdoor workouts and have a few poolside cocktails (organic, of course). It is time to leave the sweatpants and hoodies behind and get ready for trail running and rooftop yoga. But before you get overwhelmed by the pressure to slim down and tone up for Summer try a few tips from nature help boost your transformation. Essential oils have been used in traditional medicine for mind/body wellness for thousands of years and they are fun and easy to use. Here are the four best essential oils that help with weight loss. Grapefruit Essential Oil:Zesty, bright and citrusy the aroma of grapefruit essential oil is said to work as an appetite suppressant, increase energy and inspire endurance. How to use it?Diffuse grapefruit essential oil in a steam diffuser during your morning workout for an extra boost. You can also add a few drops of grapefruit essential oil to your favorite carrier oil and massage onto troubled spots, while inhaling the benefits. Peppermint Essential Oil:Another essential oil that helps lose weight is peppermint. The aroma is super fresh, herbaceous and of course, minty! Simultaneously energizing and soothing the aromatic benefits are said to reduce appetite and heighten alertness. It is also known to calm and elevate moods. How to use it? Diffuse in the morning while getting ready for work, or before a weekend hike to inspire focus and a balanced mood. Try diffusing in a low temp USB diffuser in the car or at work to distract the senses and avoid over-snacking! Cinnamon Essential Oil:Cinnamon is wonderfully familiar aroma with its earthy, spicy attributes. In aromatherapy it is said to encourage self-confidence and emotional balance. Cinnamon has also been shown to suppress appetite.How to use it?Dilute use 2-3 drops of essential oil with a teaspoon of carrier oil and add to bath, relax and breathe in the benefits. Or diffuse in a steam diffuser throughout the day to distract the senses. Bergamot Essential Oil:Bergamot essential oil is similar to zesty grapefruit with more warm, floral notes. In aromatherapy it is known to have a deep grounding and centering effect. The aroma is also known to have an invigorating and motivating effect. How to use it? Dilute with carrier oil and add to bath, or use as a massage oil. For the aromatic benefits diffuse at home or work to support mood and balance. The deep grounding effect makes it perfect for meditation, or yoga. We hope you enjoy these tips from nature. Let us know if you have any weight loss tips to share and how these tips work for you!
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