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 Lavender essential oil has long held the title of being the “Swiss Army knife” of essential oils as it has a multitude of beneficial effects on the body. It’s strong, yet gentle properties help with relaxation, inducing sleep and a calm state-of-being as well as with creating mental alertness and increasing concentration (Motomura, 2001, Diego, et al., 1998). The oil is also known to facilitate healing of cuts and wounds and to give skin a healthy glow.
According to Le Musee de la Lavande (the Lavender Museum), the word lavender come from the Latin root “lavare”, which means “to wash”, as it was used to scent baths in Roman times. It was also used to disinfect surfaces in homes and hospitals in Europe during times of viral outbreaks. True lavender takes the scientific name Lavendula angustifolia. It’s plant cousin, Lavandin (Lavandula intermedia) is a hybrid plant used as a cheaper alternative to true lavender in many essential oil formulas, so, as with all essential oils, it is important to know your source and to try to obtain the highest quality oils available. This is why I recommend Young Living Essential Oils – insert link to my purchase page. There are many ways to use lavender essential oil: 1) Aromatically - on a cotton ball, in a spray bottle mister or diffused through a cold water diffuser; 2) Internally - using empty vegetable capsules from the health food store and a carrier oil like almond oil or vegetable oil; or 3) Topically - diluted or neat. I personally like to put some on my pillow at night for a good night’s rest. I also add it to my daily moisturizer routine (along with frankincense oil) to reduce formation of lines and wrinkles. Lavender essential oil is even gentle enough for kids and for pets. But, remember, a few drops of a therapeutic grade essential oil goes a long way. How might you benefit from the use of therapeutic grade lavender oil in your life? Are you interested in learning more about the benefits of therapeutic-grade essential oils? If so, comment below or contact me in the Contact section.
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Green Kale Detox Soup
Recipe reprinted with permission from http://www.nourishingmeals.com/2017/01/green-kale-detox-soup.html Use this easy method of making soup using just about any ingredients! Just simmer some broth, add some vegetables and herbs, cook until tender, then puree. The key is a very flavorful bone broth. 4 to 5 cups homemade chicken or turkey bone broth* 1/2 pound fresh or frozen green beans, chopped 4 small zucchini, chopped (about 1 pound) 1/2 bunch green onions, chopped 2 teaspoons dried marjoram 1/2 bunch kale, chopped 1 large handful fresh parsley sea salt, to taste Place broth into a 3-quart pot and bring to a simmer. Add the green beans, zucchini, green onions, and marjoram. Cover and simmer for about 10 to 15 minutes, or until just barely tender. Add the kale and parsley and simmer 1 to 2 minutes more. Turn off heat and use a stainless steel immersion blender to puree the soup right in the pot. Taste and add sea salt to taste. Serve. Store extra soup in glass mason jars in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat as needed. *Note: This soup really tastes best with a flavorful homemade bone broth, but if you are vegan or vegetarian you can use a homemade vegetable stock or plain water (you may need to add some extra dried or fresh herbs for more flavor if using water). Low-FODMAP Variation: Use only the green parts of the green onion. If you are extremely sensitive to FODMAPS or have severe IBS or SIBO, then consider making a low-FODMAP bone broth using only chicken bones (skin and ligaments removed), carrots, parsley, bay leaf, peppercorns, chives, and other fresh herbs. Some of the compounds in the animal cartilage can irritate the guts of these individuals until full healing takes place. |
AuthorDr. Maltz earned a Medical Degree and Master in Public Health from the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) in Galveston, TX. She completed a combined Internal and Preventive Medicine Residency at UTMB in June, 2011. She then completed a 2-year Integrative Medicine Fellowship at Stamford Hospital in Stamford, CT, during which she simultaneously underwent an intensive 1000-hour curriculum created by The University of Arizona Integrative Medicine Program founded by Dr. Andrew Weil. Archives
October 2020
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