In this country today we obsessed with germs and sickness (especially
when the Swine flu became an “epidemic”).
You see antibacterial soaps and sanitizers everywhere.
Antibiotics are prescribed to almost any mild condition,
such as common colds. The overuse of all these products
leads to the growing problem of antibiotic-resistant
bacteria.
These methods have been around for many centuries. One well-known of
method is the use of essential oils as antiseptics.
Many essential oils are well known for their ability to kill bacteria.
Essential oils were shown to be a cheap and effective
antiseptic topical treatment option, even for antibiotic-resistant
strains like methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and
antimycotic-resistant Candida species
in a new study (Craniomaxillofac Surg.2009 Oct;37(7):392-7.
Here are the results of recent studies on some essential
oils described in Natural Products Marketplace magazine.
“Several common and hospital-acquired bacteria and
isolated yeasts (six Staphylococcus strains including
MRSA, four Streptococcus strains and three Candida
strains including Candida krusei) were tested for their susceptibility
against eucalyptus, tea tree, thyme white, lavender, lemon,
lemongrass, cinnamon, grapefruit, clove bud, sandalwood,
peppermint, kunzea and sage oil.
Thyme white, lemon, lemongrass and cinnamon oil were
the most effective.
The other oils also showed considerable efficacy.
Almost all tested oils demonstrated efficacy against
hospital-acquired isolates and reference strains,
whereas olive and paraffin oil from the control group
produced no inhibition.”
Essential oils were used for centuries. The use of
essential oils goes back to at least 4500 B.C., when
the Egyptians created perfumes and medicines from them.
The ancient knowledge of the medicinal benefits of
essential oils was preserved by Greek, Roman, and Arab physicians.
Essential oils are effective and they are
safe if used properly (some essential oils are not
recommended during the pregnancy).
So you can easily substitute your regular hand sanitizer
napkins with your home-made anti-bacterial napkins.
You can create your own natural safe anti-bacterial soap
and air sprays.
It is easy to do at home. Here is what you will need:
Choose three or four types of the following essential
oils that are the most appropriate for you.
-
Cinnamon – invigorate and rejuvenate the mind and body, supports the respiratory and digestive systems.
-
Clove – relieve headaches and toothaches, improves digestion, and opens sinus and breathing passages
-
Eucalyptus – promotes alertness, clears the mind, fights cold and congestion, soothes dry cough
-
Thyme – has stimulating and invigorating properties; good for respiratory and digestive system
-
Spruce – opens and release emotional blocks, creates feeling of balance; supports the respiratory and nervous systems
-
Lavender – combats anxiety, stress, and depression; good for nerves, migraines, headaches, tension, and sore muscles
-
Lemon – lifting for the spirit, supporting
-
concentration and the ability to memorize
-
Lemongrass – good for purification and digestion
-
Grapefruit – toning and stimulating, has uplifting, soothing and refreshing qualities
Here’s a recipe for a great non-toxic anti-bacterial
hand soap and basic household disinfectant:
• Fill a spray bottle with water and a squirt of
dishwashing soap.
• Add 3-5 drops each of lavender, lemon and pine
essential oils.
• Shake well before used.
The following mixture is an excellent cleanser for
work areas, cupboards, bathrooms, sinks, tiles,
woodwork, carpets and more. It will kill bacteria
and remove odors. It also freshens and disinfects air.
Combine oils and 2 ounces of water in the glass
spritzer bottle:
• 2 drops rosemary
• 4 drops lemon
• 3 drops eucalyptus
• 4 drops lavender
Shake well before used.
Now for people on the go.
Make your own non-toxic hand sanitizer napkins:
Buy a large size cleansing pads, Hazelets, by T.N.Dickinson’s .
They contain only natural and safe Witch Hazel and
Aloe extract. They come in the round plastic jar.
You can find it in Whole Food stores.
Open the jar and add three of your favorite
antibacterial essential oils. Choose from the list
above.
I like to put 6 drops of each of the following oils:
Lavender, Lemon, and Cinnamon.
Just make sure that you do not drip the oils on the same
spot. Place drops evenly on the round surface of the
cleansing pads. Close the lead and let the rest of the
pads underneath absorb the oils you dripped into the jar.
Carry this plastic jar in your purse or car and use every
individual pad as an anti-bacterial hand wipe.
Essential oils are very safe but remember that they are
very potent too. Do not apply essential oils directly on
the skin. Some of them are so strong that can cause
you a temporary discomfort.
Rosemary oil should be avoided in the first 20 weeks
of pregnancy. Clove, Cinnamon, Thyme and Lemongrass should
be avoided throughout pregnancy.
Also, when buying essential oils be sure that they are
natural and not synthetic. Synthetic extracts are easier
to produce than obtain these substances from plants,
so they are cheaper than pure essential oils.
Quality oils are usually labeled “true” or “pure”
essential oil. They are produced by steam distillation
or expression from natural, usually organic, plant
material.
Remember the benefits of using essential oils instead
of commercial anti-bacterial products.
They are:
Non-polluting
Non-toxic
Non-volatile
100% organic
Safe for you and the planet.
Remember that keeping your immune system strong
is your best bet against any disease. So eat well, sleep enough,
and smile a lot to support your best guard (immune system).
If you would like to learn more about essential oils, please leave
your question or request in the comment area.
Tags: antiseptic essential oils, essential oils, natural antiseptics
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Argan oil
The fruits of the Argan tree are green. They look like an olive but are larger and rounder.
Inside, there is a hard shell nut which represents about one quarter of the flesh fruit weight. The nut can contain up to three kernels from which the argan oil is extracted.
The production of this oil is a demanding and laborious process which was until recently completely realized by hand.
The manual method consisted in first, extracting the nut of the fruit then cracked the hard nut’s shell to collect the kernels. These were roasted by mild heating and once cooled, ground in a stone rotary quern.
Latter the kernels were hand-mixed with mild water to form a dough. It was from the dough that had been obtained that the oil would be extracted by hand.
Recently mechanical presses have been introduced to extract argan oil. This process reduces considerably the time needed to extract 1 liter of oil.
Once the kernels are roasted, the mechanical press takes care of the grinding and extraction. More oil is extracted and since no water is added to press the dough, the oil can be stocked longer.
The most consuming time of the process, cracking the nuts, is still realized by hand.
Neither solvant nor heat is used for this oil extraction. This oil is a cold first pressed oil which means a high nutritive quality.
The argan oil is slightly darker than olive oil and has a nutty flavor.
Fatty acids
Fatty acids are classified in three groups: saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated. (Understand their name and chemical structures).
Oils are made up of a mixture of these three groups but one is always predominant and determines its classification.
As an example, olive oil which contains 13.5 % saturated fatty acids, 73.7 % monounsaturated fatty acids and 8.4 % polyunsaturated fatty acids is classed in the monounsaturated group.
Monounsaturated fatty acids reduce blood levels of LDLs (”bad cholesterol”) without affecting HDLs (”good cholesterol”) as long as they are used as replacement of saturated fatty acids.
Polyunsaturated fatty acids reduce blood levels of LDLs but HDLs too. However they must be part of our diet since they provide the essential fatty acids: linoleic acid and alpha linolenic acid.
In the body polyunsaturated fatty acids are important for maintaining the cell’s membranes and making prostaglandins and leukotirenes.
Health benefits
The composition of argan oil is quite alike peanut oil’s composition: predominately monounsaturated fat with omega-6 fatty acids but no omega-3.
Its high content in oleic acid makes this oil particularly interesting in the regulation of blood cholesterol. Some studies are being done and it seems that 2 Tbsp per day of this oil during a month could considerably lower cholesterol levels.
Argan oil is rich in the essential fatty acid, linoleic acid. This acid is converted in the body in other fatty acids which lead to the production of series 1 prostaglandins.
Arachidonic acid leads to the production of series 2 prostaglandins whereas alpha linolenic acid and its derivatives produce series 3 prostaglandins.
Prostaglandins participate in many body’s functions, including immune, inflammatory process as well as blood clotting.
Prostaglandins 1 (from linoleic acid) and 3 (from alpha linolenic acid) have similarly effects which are stimulating circulation (vaso-dilatation, reducing blood clot…), strengthening the body’s natural defenses, and suppressing inflammation.
Prostaglandins 2 have the opposite effects which we want to limit.
A diet rich in linoleic acid increases the production of prostaglandins 1 and thus is benefic for people with rheumatologic conditions and cardio vascular problems.
Oil rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids have greater tendency than other oil toward oxidation and rancidity. Oxidized oil contain free radicals that promote arterial damage, cancer, inflammation, premature aging of cells and tissues.
Argan oil is rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids but fortunately also contains large amounts of vitamin E . This vitamin is a powerful antioxidant that quenches free radicals and neutralizes destructive oxidation.
The negative point about argan oil is that it does not contain alpha linolenic acid. This essential fatty acid is as important as the others and must be part of the diet. Argan oil cannot be the only oil in your kitchen. It is important to rely on rape seed and soybean oil for this acid.
How to use this oil?
Oils high in polyunsaturated fatty acids must not be heated.
Instead, we recommend steaming or broiling your food and adding the oil afterwards, for flavor only. You can also use it sparingly in salad dressing.
It is better to keep the oil refrigerated and consume it quickly once you open the bottle.
Prefer small and opaque bottles.
Argan oil is also used in the preparation of Amlou (which has aphrodisiac virtues), a mix of almonds, honey and argan oil. It is delicious on toasts.
This oil is also used for its cosmetic properties.
Wow dude, I never knew that, thanks.