January 27, 2018

Basic Plant Identification

First, What type of plant is it?      Woody tall plant – shrub or tree Broad leafed  – has leaves and flowers (Angiosperm) Evergreen – has needles and cones (Gymnosperm) 2.   Herbs and other plants Monocot or Dicot Monocots have one root, one seed leaf,  parallel veins on leaves, and floral parts […]
February 15, 2018

Topical Anti-inflammatory Studies for Pine, Juniper, & Cedarwood

Pictured: Juniper Trees used to make Anti-inflammatory Home Remedies Scotch pine / Pinus sylvestris / Family: Pinaceae Juniper / Juniperus communis / Family: Cupressaceae Virginia cedarwood / Juniperus virginia / Family: Cupressaceae By: Kathy Sadowski, MS in Aromatherapy, RA, LMT, RYT Trees standing serene; they bring to us the feeling of […]
April 3, 2018

Antibacterial

There are many types of bacteria, and not all bacteria are bad.  Some good bacteria in the body help aid in digestion and fight infection.  Pathogenic bacteria can cause disease.  Wikipedia does an excellent job of categorizing and listing the most common types of bacteria:  Pathogenic Bacteria List. Antibacterial herbs […]
April 3, 2018

Antimicrobial

Herbs and essential oils are known for their antimicrobial potential, and have been studied for their abilities to inhibits or kill microbes including bacteria, fungi, viruses, and yeast.  It is important to understand therapeutic margin for each botanical, the amount at which a substance is both safe and effective to […]
April 9, 2018

Anxiety / Mood / Anti-depressive

Anxiety can be caused by many things.  Over time, these stressors can have a negative physical effect on the body.  Herbs and essential oils have demonstrated sedative and anxiolytic activities in many human studies. Recipes to Help with Anxiety Blog Articles Here’s a fun article about the how stimulating the […]
April 20, 2018

Myrcene

Myrcene is a monoterpene found in juniper, thyme, rosemary, parsley, hops, lemongrass, verbena, cannabis, bitter orange, mastic, sitka spruce, white pine, and hop, celery leaf, Cape May, and bay.  Myrcene is not skin sensitizing upon oxidation. Links to Plants Containing Myrcene RESEARCH The listings of research below represents a compilation of […]
April 24, 2018

Pinene / Alpha Pinene / Delta Pinene / Beta Pinene

Pinene is a monoterpene found in balsam fir, cajuput, cumin, cypress, frankincense, juniper, angelica, nutmeg, pine, rosemary, and coriander. If oxidation occurs, pinenes can cause skin irritation.  Oxidation occurs when essential oils are exposed to oxygen due to poor storage and old age. Monoterpenes are odorless, highly volatile, prone to oxidation, […]
May 29, 2018

Pine (Pinus sylvestris) Research

Latin Name: Pinus sylvestris Family: Pinaceae Pine extracts have been used for centuries to treat a wide variety of respiratory complaints including viral infections, cough, congestion, hoarseness, and fever.  It has also been used topically to reduce inflammation, wounds, and pain. RESEARCH The listings of research below represent a compilation […]
November 26, 2018

Green Cleaning

What is Green Cleaning? By: Kathy Sadowski, MS in Aromatherapy, RA, LMT, RYT Green cleaning is the use of environmentally friendly ingredients that are also less harmful to humans and pets.  They are low toxicity, noncarcinogenic, and do not bio-accumulate. Commonly used dangerous cleaners like ammonia and bleach can cause […]
January 3, 2019

Sedative / Calming

Certain herbs and essential oils can have a calming effect, lowering blood pressure, and promoting a sense of relaxation and peace. Calming Recipes Blog Articles RESEARCH The listings of research below represent a compilation of scientific articles found on the topic, with a very brief overview description of each article/study.  […]