The Many-Faceted Life of Lavender: Seasonal Allergies

 

A few Springs ago we made a trip to South Georgia to visit family. Now, being a resident of the Memphis, Tennessee area I am well acquainted with seasonal allergies; but nothing had prepared me for the sneezing, itchy eyes, and total discomfort of the allergy season I encountered there. Nothing at all!

As a reflexologist, I know the value of reflexology for helping to relieve allergy symptoms. Alas, I did not have one available to me. Young Living Essentials Oils, however, are also a big part of my life. Of course, I had a goody bag full of these with me. I had heard others say that lavender on the back of the neck just above the hairline often often provided them great relief. Guess what? I tried it! It worked!! And I used it ALOT!!!

Lavender is often nicknamed the "Swiss Army Knife" of essential oils, because of its many-faceted benefits. I had often used a drop or two on my pillow as a sleep aid. I knew its potential effectiveness for helping to heal burns and skin irritations (diluted please). The benefits list goes on and on.

With Spring a great time of renewal we expect the pollens in the air. A bottle of lavender in your medicine cabinet (or better yet, in your purse or backpack) may be a perfect natural choice for you. If you would like to learn more about lavender essential oil, please leave a message here on the blog. I would love to share more.

To learn more about Young Living Essential Oils, please visit this link.

Just as an afterword here, I've also planted some lavender in my herb garden. Looking forward to some lovely fragrant flowers later this summer.

What's Growing in Your Herb Garden?

April 15th -- a well marked day on most all calendars at least here in The U.S. Tax Day! In the Memphis, TN area it marks an important day for gardeners as well. It is usually considered the safe date for the last frost to be past. Veggies, flowers, and herbs may be safely planted.

New growth belongs to Footsteps In Eden Reflexology's Spring renewal focus in the month of April. My thoughts have turned to an herb garden in a small prepared bed in my backyard. I'm eager to begin and even spent a little time this weekend to clean out some of it and discover a few new sprouts from last year's endeavors. I've also spent a little time investigating cultivation of herbs and have found a couple articles to share with my readers.

The first gives some basic information for planting herbs. It is found at The Tasteful Garden. The second -- and this one may be quite helpful to many of us -- discusses 10 things not to do with an herb garden. I'm perfectly willing to learn from another's mistakes. I'm including it here for you, too. It is found at The Skinny Gourmet. She grows her herbs on a fire escape in Chicago.

Where will you grow your herbs and what will you plant? I'm considering several herbs, and also some edible flowers. For those in the Memphis, TN area, the Memphis Botanic Garden Spring Plant Sale is this coming weekend -- Friday and Saturday, April 19th and 20th. Check their link in this paragraph to learn more. I know there will be lots of choices and lots of folks with 'sage' advice (pun intended) for those who would like to learn more. See you there!

By the way, I have found those poles for my front yard garden and will be ordering them this week. They are actually willow poles made into a planting sort of "tee-pee." Looking forward to my little piece of the garden world this summer. 

Photo from Canstockphoto

Water with Lemon -- Are there Benefits?

Footsteps in Eden Reflexology is spending the month of April focusing on cleansing. Some aspect of this topic will show up each week this month as we prepare our weekly email communication with our clients. A recent challenge faced by a family member has me looking at the various cleansing options of which I am aware. Water with lemon is a common one, and one I believe may have some definite benefits for improving digestion and encouraging bodies toward a more alkaline state.

Rather than rehash it all here, I'm suggesting this link: Energize Alkaline Diet Blog. This blog writer has covered the subject thoroughly. Venture over there and learn much about alkalinizing the body, which may result in increased health and wellness.

High pH water is suggested. Last summer I discovered the BioCerra water system and invested in a filtering pitcher that enhances water with electrolytes and increased alkalinity. I have no vested interest in this product except to say that my family and clients have had the opportunity to benefit from the quality water it provides, and you and your family may as well. You will find this pitcher available at KHT Systems.