omcadmin's blog

High blood pressure is estimated to be a causative factor in almost 13% of all deaths. The management of hypertension is primarily focused on the use of antihypertensive medications and lifestyle modifications, but many patients have difficulty accepting pharmacotherapy because the duration of therapy will be lifelong and because long-term pharmacotherapy will lead to target organ damage. There are many complementary and alternative therapies aimed at lowering the activity of the sympathetic nervous system in patients with hypertension. Aromatherapy has been claimed to be effective in decreasing one’s BP, and heart rate using the essential oil of plants. Inhaling a blend of lavender, ylang-ylang, marjoram, and neroli essential oils may help support normal blood pressure and reduce stress, to encourage a more relaxed state.

Diffuse 3 drops of lavender, 2 drops each of ylang ylang and neroli, and one drop of marjoram to help support normal blood pressure.

January 24, 2026

The global functional beverage industry has experienced unprecedented growth over the years, fueled by increasing consumer awareness of diet-related chronic diseases and a growing interest in natural, plant-based, health-promoting alternatives to caffeinated beverages. Functional beverages, such as kombucha, probiotic beverages, fortified fruit juices, plant-based milks, and herbal teas, have become popular as consumers are seeking beverages that offer both nutritional and functional benefits.  Coffee and tea are the most widely consumed beverages. However, they both contain caffeine, which, when consumed in excess, can pose negative health risks such as cardiovascular, behavioral, and bone health effects. This has created a gap and, therefore, a need to develop non-caffeinated alternatives that can also provide additional health benefits to consumers. Among emerging options, lemongrass and chicory beverages have gained popularity because of their rich phytochemical profiles and therapeutic effects. Previous studies have shown that chicory and lemongrass confer health benefits to consumers, such as anti-inflammatory properties and anti-cancer potential but they have not been fully exploited, particularly in the development of a functional beverage. Chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) is a perennial herbaceous plant that belongs to the Asteraceae family. Chicory, which is caffeine-free has been used for a long time for nutritional purposes. For example, its roots contain inulin, a prebiotic fiber, that improves gut composition, supports bowel health, as well as high dietary fiber, which exhibits hypoglycemic properties.

January 24, 2026

INGREDIENTS

Yield: 16 servings (2 cups)

• 2 cups blueberries, fresh or frozen
• ½ cup monk fruit, or honey
• 1 cup + 2 Tablespoons water, divided
• 1 Tablespoon cornstarch

This blueberry pancake syrup can be made with fresh or frozen berries.Use a small two quart pot. Best sweetener for blueberry syrup is monk fruit or honey, whichever one you have on hand to the pot.

January 14, 2026

One of the most common gastrointestinal tract diseases is the gastric ulcer. These types of ulcers develop as a result of the disproportion between destructive and defensive features in the gastric mucosa. Stomach ulcers are painful and can seriously reduce quality of life. Medicinal plants and their components have numerous biological actions. The Achillea genus comprises over a hundred species and subspecies, which are dispersed all over the world. Achillea millefolium, family Asteraceae, widely known as “yarrow”, is a frequently used herb in the Middle East as a fresh or dried herb. It is utilized in different forms, such as in tea mixtures, tablets, tinctures, and ointments, among other formulations.

January 7, 2026

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that needs multiple therapeutic approaches. In recent years, aromatherapy has been found as an efficient tool to reduce cognitive impairment resulting from the disease.  Focusing on the herbal remedies used in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, essential oils were found to be very effective because of low molecular weight and high hydrophobicity leading to easy crossing the blood-brain barrier. Various studies have confirmed cholinesterase inhibitory (ChEI) activity and neuroprotectivity of essential oils. Therefore researchers evaluated essential oils extracted from six plants commonly inhaled to improve memory. Based on the results (ability to inhibit acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase, and beta-secretase 1) of the laboratory experiments, they concluded that cinnamon bark essential oil may be helpful for the management of advanced Alzheimer's disease.

December 13, 2025

Migraine is a neurovascular pain syndrome characterized by a moderate to severe recurrent headache that is mostly unilateral and throbbing, and also aggravated by physical activity. Since there is no exact cure for migraine, the main aim of managing migraine is to decrease/control symptoms and increase the quality of life. Non-pharmacological treatments like patient education program and manual therapy have favorable effects on migraine symptoms. Connective tissue massage is a soft-tissue manual therapy focusing on stretching the connective tissue layers. The stimulation of the cutaneous-visceral reflexes by stretching connective tissues via short and long tractions regulates the autonomic nervous system and reduces the dysfunction in the affected internal organs sharing the same innervations with skin. Moreover, its mechanical effects on mast cells in the connective tissue create vasodilation by reducing the sympathetic activity. Based on its physiological effects, Connective tissue massage may be preferred to treat circulatory problems, visceral dysfunctions, sympathetic pain, hormonal disorders, and psychological disorders.

November 7, 2025

The warrior’s shield. A plant of protection, wound healing, and sacred balance — both in battle and in blood.

Imagine walking through a wild European meadow where lace-like flowers sway in the wind. Yarrow is there — subtle but powerful. Known for its resilience and wide-ranging benefits, yarrow has been one of Europe’s most trusted healing herbs for centuries.

Yarrow has a legendary history. It’s named after Achilles, the Greek hero said to have used it on the battlefield to staunch wounds. Yarrow was used also by Germanic tribes for the treatment of battle wounds. European folk medicine embraced it as a remedy for everything from fevers and digestive issues to menstrual irregularities and infections. It’s especially valued for its astringent, anti-inflammatory, and circulatory properties. Yarrow was used to regulate blood flow — both to stop excessive bleeding and to stimulate circulation when needed. Women used it for heavy periods, cramps, and to balance the menstrual cycle. It also played a role in fevers, helping the body to sweat out toxins.

October 29, 2025

Knee osteoarthritis is a prevalent degenerative joint disorder that significantly impairs physical function and daily activities. Patients with knee osteoarthritis experience chronic pain, fatigue, muscle weakness, and joint stiffness, which lead to significant functional impairments in daily activities such as walking, stair climbing, standing, and personal care. While conventional treatments focus on symptom management, complementary therapies such as aromatherapy massage have gained attention for their potential benefits. Several studies have explored the potential benefits of complementary and alternative therapies, including massage therapy, physical therapy, hydrotherapy, and aromatherapy, in improving pain, quality of life, and functional mobility in osteoarthritis patients. Among these interventions, massage therapy is widely recognized as one of the safest and most commonly used complementary approaches. Over 80 massage techniques exist, with effleurage being particularly suitable for osteoarthritis patients due to its gentle nature. Essential oils are frequently incorporated into massage therapy with popular choices including lavender, Deep Blue, sweet almond, ginger, rosemary, black seed, and peppermint oils.

October 20, 2025

Benefits: Supports Immune defenses during cold and flu season. Helps reduce the duration and severity of symptoms, soothes sore throats, and provides antioxidant protection.

Ingredients (Makes~250 ml of syrup)

• ½ cup dried elderberries
• 2 cups of filtered water
• 1 tbsp. fresh grated ginger (or 1tsp dried)
• 1 tsp cinnamon powder ( 1 stick)
• ½ tsp clove powder (or 3-4 whole cloves)
• ¾ cup raw honey (or maple syrup for vegan version)
  

October 18, 2025

Chronic low back pain is a common problem that impairs the activities of daily life. Massage therapy is one of the non-pharmacological treatment modalities in chronic low back pain. Low back pain is defined as dorsal pain; which is localized in the region extending from the 12th rib to the inferior gluteal region and which is accompanied by leg pain in some cases. Low back pain is the most common type of musculoskeletal pain and a symptom that impairs the activities of daily living. A multidisciplinary treatment approach; which requires practicing pharmacological and non-pharmacological methods in combination, is essential for the treatment of Chronic low back pain. Some of non-pharmacological methods are exercise therapy, massage, acupuncture, yoga, cognitive-behavioral therapy, progressive relaxation, spinal manipulation, and intensive multidisciplinary rehabilitation. Massage therapy is a common integrative treatment method for low back pain.