Digestive problems often result in symptoms as stomach pain, constipation, gas, cramps, bloating, and diarrhea.

Constipation (Impacted Bowel)

     The principle cause of constipation are inadequate fluid intake and low fiber consumption. Constipation can eventually lead to diverticulosis and diverticulitis, conditions common among older people.

     The reason constipation creates diverticulosis is because the muscles of the colon must strain to move an overly hard stool, which puts excess pressure on the colon. Eventually, weak spots in the colon walls form, creating abnormal pockets called diverticula.

     These pockets can also be created by parasites that burrow and embed in the lining of colon wall, lay eggs there, and leave waste matter that hardens on the colon walls, kinking and twisting the colon unnaturally. It is always wise to consider the possibility of parasites and their treatment when diverticula are present.

Technically a fruit, pecans are rich in protein and healthy fats, including oleic acid. Human and lab studies show they can reduce LDL and total cholesterol and may cut the risk of breast cancer.

Pecans are often associated with sugary foods like pecan pie, sweet potato casserole, or marshmallows. But to get the most health benefits, skip the sugar-laden treats and grab a handful of pecans on their own.

Technically a fruit rather than a nut, pecans are high in protein, at three grams per ounce. They also contain healthy fats.

There’s a million and a half reasons to work out at home: global pandemics, budgets, little ones, time constraints. Or maybe you just prefer your makeshift gym and personal playlist! Even if you’re not a weekend warrior, you can still get into beast mode at home.

Tips for a successful at-home workout

Just because your gym session is under your own roof doesn’t mean you have to give up on gains! Here are some essential oils for your workout and some trade secrets on how to maximize your exercise.

About 50 percent of American adults currently use some type of alternative or complementary therapy to help manage health conditions. And if you’re battling arthritis, you may just be one of them. Aromatherapy, which uses essential plant oils, is one approach gaining in popularity because of its

After age 40, sleep quality and quantity deteriorate noticeably as melatonin production in the brain declines. Supplemental melatonin has been researched to dramatically improve sleep/wake cycles and combat age-related insomnia.

The best treatment for cold or flu is prevention. Because many essential oils have strong antimicrobial properties, they can be diffused to prevent the spread of airborne bacteria and viruses. Antiviral and antibacterial essential oils, blends, and supplements are very effective as preventive aids in avoiding colds as well as in helping the body’s defenses fight colds once an infection has started. Essential oils such as Eucalyptus Radiata and Ravintsara strengthen the respiratory system, open the pulmonary tract, and fight respiratory infection.

The gall bladder stores the bile created by the liver and releases it through the biliary ducts into the duodenum to promote digestion. Bile is extremely important for fat digestion and absorption of vitamins A, D, and E.

When bile contains excessive cholesterol, bilirubin, or bile salts, gallstones can form. Stones made from hardened cholesterol account for the vast majority of gallstones can form while stone made from bilirubin, the brownish pigment in bile, constitute only about 20 percent of gallstones.

When the bile flow is obstructed due to gallstones, serious consequences can ensue, including poor digestion, jaundice, and severe abdominal pain.

Lemon Essential Oil has earned the nickname ”Liquid Sunshine” for its yellow color, refreshing scent, ability to purify, and for the burst of energy that it provides. The health benefits of lemon oil can be attributed to its stimulating, calming, astringent, detoxifying, antiseptic, disinfectant and anti-fungal properties.   Lemon essential oil is one of the more versatile oils, and it can be used for a plethora of purposes!  It is the oil that we purchase every month because we use it all the time! Sometimes people ask us: “What is the difference between using lemon essential oil and just squeezing the juice out of a lemon?” And it’s a good question.

Our lungs are one of the most important organs of our body, but most people don’t realize how quickly the lungs can be polluted with toxins particularly from our diet our lifestyle or the air that we breathe. What goes into your lungs eventually make its way into the bloodstream. So it is important to be mindful of keeping your lungs free of toxins to stay healthy. Every tissue, organ, and gland must have oxygen. And if your lungs are not getting enough oxygen, then our cells suffer.

The Black Death was a devastating global epidemic of bubonic plague that struck Europe and Asia in the mid-1300s. The plague arrived in Europe in October 1347, when 12 ships from the Black Sea docked at the Sicilian port of Messina. People gathered on the docks were met with a horrifying surprise: Most sailors aboard the ships were dead, and those still alive were gravely ill and covered in black boils that oozed blood and pus. Sicilian authorities hastily ordered the fleet of “death ships” out of the harbor, but it was too late: Over the next five years, the Black Death would kill more than 20 million people in Europe—almost one-third of the continent’s population..

During this time, people resorted to extreme measures in order to survive. One of the most well-known stories was that of the four thieves and the "miraculous" essential oil blend they used, dubbed as thieves oil, to ward off the sickness.

According to the legend, these thieves rubbed botanicals on themself to avoid contracting the plague while they robbed the bodies of the dead and dying. When apprehended, the thieves were forced to tell what their secret was and disclosed the formula of the herbs, spices, and oils they used to protect themselves in exchange for more lenient punishment.