Overindulging?

Happy Thanksgiving to all South of the Border!!

With American Thanksgiving this week and Christmas just around the corner, this might be a good time to get a little kit together for those times when we overindulge. It can be easy enough to do at the holidays when there are so many parties to go to and good things to try.

Happily there are essential oils that can help us get over this really quickly.

For a hangover: Aniseed has a stablizing effect following a hangover; Basil can be very helpful for hangovers; Fennel is helpful with detoxification from alcohol, nicotine and toxic hangovers. Also be sure to drink as much water as possible, in fact drinking a lot of water while imbibing is important too.

Essential oils that are carminatives and stomachics include: Basil, Chamomile, Fennel, Mandarin and Peppermint. Ginger and Cardamom are other oils to consider, in fact most of the spice oils will have a calming effect on the digestive system.Follow the links to articles on these oils on the main website.

Use the oils singularly or in a blend in a diffuser, a mister, or diluted in a carrier and gently massaged clockwise into the solar plexus and tummy area or check out the Ways to Use Essential Oils on the Newsletter Page of the website.

There is also an article on using essential oils with digestive complaints and another with digestive blends on the main website.

According to this abstract :

Pharmacological properties of citrus and their ancient and medieval uses in the Mediterranean region by Beatriz Álvarez Arias and Luis Ramón-Laca of Real Jardín Botánico de Madrid, Spain and Instituto Madrileño de Investigación, Agraria y Alimentaria, Finca El Encín, Apartado 127, 28800 Alcalá de Henares, Spain respectively; Received 15 June 2004;

revised 19 October 2004;

accepted 21 October 2004.

Available online 15 December 2004.

Abstract

This paper reviews the pharmacological properties of Mediterranean-grown citrus species (Citrus L., Rutaceae), including citron (Citrus medica L.), lime (Citrus × auantiifolia [Christm.] Swingle), lemon (Citrus × limon [L.] Osbeck), bitter orange (Citrus × aurantium L.) and pomelo (Citrus maxima [Burm.] Merr.), as referred to in ancient, medieval and 16th century sources. The virtues of the species reported in these texts were compared to those known to modern science. A much broader spectrum of pharmacological properties was recorded by these early writers than one might expect. The use of the citron and lemon as antidotes for ‘poison and venom’ is recorded in the very earliest material. According to modern scientific literature the citron and the bitter orange may possess anti-cancer activity, lime may have an immunomodulatory effect in humans, and the pomelo may be useful for treating circulatory problems. Lemons might even ease hangover symptoms. Research is required to confirm these properties.

No wonder they do well as a garnish for drinks. I would try adding Lemon to a blend for a hangover too.

Many people find this time of the year emotionally challenging as well. Essential Oils can be a wonderful support for many of the more negative emotions one might be faced with like depression, loneliness, feelings of abandonment and low self worth to name just a few. There is more information on using essential oils with some of these conditions on the Articles Page of the website too.

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