Although adrenal fatigue is not a medical diagnosis, it is a problem that has increased in frequency over the years. For this reason, researchers continue to seek out remedies to alleviate this problem. One popular solution at the moment is the use of essential oils, which have various applications. Certain essential oils have the ability to counteract the negative effects of adrenal fatigue. 

What Is Adrenal Fatigue?

Technically speaking, adrenal fatigue classifies a collection of nonspecific symptoms, including digestive troubles, fatigue, body aches, sleep disturbances, and more. The adrenal glands produce hormones that the body needs to function optimally. Adrenal insufficiency is a medical term that describes the insufficient production of one or more of those hormones that results from an underlying condition or surgery. 

The most frustrating part about adrenal fatigue is that most medical experts cannot explain the persistent symptoms. Health experts theorize that adrenal fatigue sets in when the adrenal glands cannot keep up with the demands of fight-or-flight arousal. If the body is in a constant state of stress, for example, the adrenal glands work overtime. Cortisol is the stress hormone produced in the adrenal glands and too much cortisol not only wrecks adrenal function, but also the immune and digestive systems. Blood tests won’t detect a small decline in adrenal function, but the body does. That’s why it’s important to recognize and understand the symptoms of the condition. 

What Can Be Done?

The good news is that many essential oils offer calming properties for people with adrenal fatigue. They contain concentrated plant nutrients, oxygenating molecules, vitamins, trace minerals, and enzymes. They are 50-70 times more potent than the herbs themselves. Because of their highly concentrated nature, it’s integral to properly dilute essential oils. No matter if you inhale them or apply them topically, dilute the essential oils in water or carrier oils to reduce the risk of potential reactions. The following essential oils are excellent for adrenal fatigue.

Lavender Essential Oil

This oil works to promote healthy balance, offering relaxing and soothing properties. If the adrenals are stressed, the body is most likely in a fight-or-flight mode. Lavender can help normalize stress levels, kicking it out of that intense mode that causes adrenal fatigue. Additionally, lavender may help to shut off the sympathetic nervous system and activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which puts the body in the rest and digest state. 

Rosemary Essential Oil

Common in various culinary applications, this fragrant spice in essential oil form offers incredibly relaxing properties. According to aromatherapy research, the scent of rosemary essential oil works to reduce the body’s cortisol levels within minutes. This translates to quick stress reduction. Adding it to a diffuser and inhaling the vapors is a great way to reap the benefits, but you can also dilute it in a carrier oil and apply it near the adrenal glands. The skin will also absorb its relaxing properties. 

Clove Essential Oil

Clove essential oil is known for its ability to improve circulation, relieve fatigue, and enhance digestive health. Several reports say that, after diluting the oil, it’s best to apply it directly behind the ears on the jaw bone. This area connects to the adrenal glands and can help reduce adrenal fatigue as a result. Don’t ingest or inhale clove essential oil because it has a potent smell that can negatively affect the senses. Lastly, clove essential oil can boost mood and reduce stress that accumulates in the body. 

DIY Essential Oil Blend For Adrenal Fatigue

Ingredients:

• Rosemary essential oil
• Clove essential oil
• Jojoba oil

Instructions:

• In a small essential oil bottle, or any amber glass bottle, add three drops each of rosemary essential oil and clove essential oil. This is for long-term use.
• Long-term use requires a 1% dilution, and that means that you add two teaspoons of jojoba oil to the bottle with three drops of each of the essential oils. 
• Short-term use calls for a 5% dilution. Drop seven drops of each essential oil in the bottle and mix it with two teaspoons of jojoba oil. 
• To use, massage the oil mixture daily on lower back where the adrenals sit just above the kidneys

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Nobody wants ants in their home, but everyone deals with them at some point. The summer heat is essentially a giant invitation for ants to come inside the home. That doesn’t mean your home is filthy; rather, it just proves that ants have a willpower to survive. Typically, people use chemical ant treatments to get rid of these pests, but spraying them increases the presence of harmful pesticides and chemicals in the home. Fortunately, there is another way to get rid of ants. 

Before you reach for the natural alternative to chemical sprays and traps, you have to make the home unappealing to ants. Check kitchen cabinets and pantry shelves for crumbs or open food sources and seal them up if they aren’t infested. Keep the sink and food preparation areas clean and free of food scraps or waste. Check the baseboards, windows, and doors and seal them up with the appropriate caulk. Lastly, wash the insides of garbage bins or recycling containers and keep pet bowls free of food. 

Essential Oils Repel Ants

Believe it or not, essential oils help repel ants because they have powerful aromas. The strong fragrances are pungent and ants don’t like them because they interfere with pheromones that ants use for coordination. Essential oils basically mask pheromone trails, and that deters ants from entering the home. You cannot just use any essential oil, though. There are specific essential oils that are more effective than others. Some of the most effective ones are detailed below. 

Peppermint Essential Oil

Peppermint essential oil is high in menthol, which is beneficial for sore throats, headaches, and clogged nasal passageways. It is also an effective ant eliminator because they dislike the minty aroma. Some studies found that it also repels lice, mosquitos, fleas, moths, and spiders. 

Citronella Essential Oil

Mosquitos, spiders, and ants all hate citronella. The aroma confuses their navigation, making it impossible for ants to coordinate. Laboratory tests found that citronella essential oil effectively killed 50% of the ants within 30 minutes after they encountered it. Furthermore, it killed 100% of the ants after 24 hours. 

Clove Essential Oil

You have to be careful when using clove essential oil because too much can harm human senses. This is why you must properly dilute it before using it in the home. Similar to peppermint essential oil, clove essential oil interferes with pheromone trails that ants use to coordinate their movements. Several studies found that it is also effective at killing ants when sprayed on them.

Eucalyptus Essential Oil

Eucalyptus essential oil is very similar to citronella, which is effective against mosquitos and ants. According to anecdotal reports, it also works to repel ants. It’s also included in various insect-repelling candles, which confirms its efficacy against ants. Apply this to an area that ants have infested and they’ll be out of there or dead within a day. 

Tea Tree Oil

Last, but certainly not least, is tea tree oil. Not only can tea tree oil eliminate the scent of ant trails and put a halt to infestations, but the oil can also kill ants when they encounter it. The combination of tea tree oil with peppermint essential oil suppresses scents and kills ants within 24 hours. 

DIY Ant-Killing Spray

Ingredients:

• 6 drops each citronella, clove, eucalyptus, tea tree, and peppermint essential oils
• Distilled water
• 8-ounce spray bottle

Instructions:

• Remove the nozzle from the spray bottle and add six drops of each essential oil to it. 
• Fill the rest of the bottle with distilled water, screw on the top, and shake to combine.
• Make sure that you shake the bottle before each use. You can spray this near windows, doors, or any place that you see ants. 
• Spray as often as necessary. 

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It’s that time of year again, folks…and we couldn’t be happier to start the fall season with a pumpkin spice foaming hand soap. The pumpkin-flavored or pumpkin-infused recipes will be coming soon, but regular hand washing takes precedence at the moment. Rather than just using the same old boring unscented soap, this pumpkin spice soap embraces the fall season.

One of the things to know about store bought scented soaps is that they contain dangerous chemicals. In fact, several studies found that the artificial ingredients and chemicals in those soaps disrupted endocrine function. The endocrine system produces and secretes hormones that the body uses to carry out various functions, so disrupting this system can lead to hormonal imbalances. Keep your endocrine system healthy by taking 10 minutes to make a homemade, all-natural, scented soap.

Clove Essential Oil

Clove has a signature spicy aroma and the essential oil has powerful anti-aging properties. That’s why you see clove essential oil on a lot of cosmetic creams or oils. It works to remove dead skin cells and increase blood circulation, which contributes to healthier, youthful skin.

Ginger Essential Oil

Another staple spice in the pumpkin spice blend, ginger exhibits anti-inflammatory properties and antioxidant activity. In fact, ginger essential oil has some of the highest antioxidant activity, according to several studies. It can actually help to moisten your skin, reducing roughness, which is more common as a result of increased hand washing protocol.

Cinnamon Essential Oil

Cinnamon essential oil can stop the creation of protein biomarkers that contribute to inflammatory skin conditions. If you experience any rash or acne, cinnamon’s anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties are very beneficial. Just make sure to mix it with a carrier oil to avoid skin irritation.

Nutmeg Essential Oil

Nutmeg is a signature baking space, but it has a history of use in traditional medicine. Many people have used nutmeg essential oil to ease digestive discomfort or muscle spasms. This spicy oil has a woody aroma and a little goes a long way. Nutmeg essential oil has antiseptic and antibacterial properties, making it a great ingredient for hand soaps.

DIY Pumpkin Spice Foaming Hand Soap

Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons unscented Castile soap
• 1 tablespoon fractionated coconut oil
• 5 drops vitamin E oil
• 10 drops cinnamon essential oil
• 6 drops clove essential oil
• 3 drops ginger essential oil
• 3 drops nutmeg essential oil
• 1 cup distilled water
• Foam soap dispenser

Instructions:

• Pour the Castile soap into the foam soap dispenser bottle and stir in the fractionated coconut oil. 
• Add in the vitamin E oil and essential oils. Give the bottle a few swirls to blend the mixture together. 
• Next, fill the bottle with distilled water, place the pump on, give the bottle a good shake to combine the ingredients, and then you’re good to go!
• Pump the soap when you wash your hands and you’ll smell that pumpkin spice deliciousness. 

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The hands are constantly exposed to the elements. Whether they are digging in the dirt to plant flowers, washing dishes or cleaning house, wielding a sledgehammer to tear down walls, or handling a jackhammer, they can easily become cracked, calloused, dry, or unhealthy. Don’t neglect the health of your hands because they deserve the same attention you give to your facial skin. Nourish those hardworking hands by using the salve in this article.

When it comes to making sure the hands are sufficiently hydrated and moisturized, you need to take action because they won’t get healthy on their own. They open jars, wash dishes, dig holes with shovels, rake, knead loaves of bread, assemble furniture, and touch all kinds of bacteria-ridden surfaces. If you want “old-looking” hands then that’s fine, but we prefer not to head down that road. That’s why we picked some beneficial ingredients for your hands!

Clove Essential Oil

According to Ayurvedic medicine, clove essential oil can be used in myriad natural remedies, but is especially beneficial for the skin. It has been known to draw out impurities from pores, prevent acne breakouts, improve skin tone, slow the signs of aging, and inhibit bacterial growth on the skin. Clove essential oil helps to remove dead skin cells and improve blood circulation once the skin absorbs it. This helps to keep the skin hydrated and radiant.

Wild Orange Essential Oil

This is one of the best-selling essential oils in the world. Extracted from orange rinds, this essential oil is commonly used in aromatherapy, but it can also be applied topically with a carrier oil. It contains high concentrations of vitamin C, which has collagen-boosting properties, and powerful anti-inflammatory properties that help to fight free radicals and eliminate fine lines.

Beeswax

Beeswax is one of the best natural beauty products because it helps to heal and protect your skin. It is a potent antibacterial agent and when applied to the skin, it creates a protective barrier, which doesn’t clog your pores, between the skin and the environment. Beeswax is also high in vitamin A, a powerful antioxidant that supports cell reconstruction. If you have dry skin, beeswax is perfect for you! Because it is a humectant, beeswax attracts water to keep the skin hydrated and supple.

DIY Hand Salve For Working Hands

Ingredients:

• ¼ cup organic beeswax pellets
• ½ cup unrefined coconut oil
• ½ cup organic Shea butter
• 1 teaspoon vitamin E oil
• 10 drops clove essential oil
• 10 drops wild orange essential oil

Instructions:

• Add the beeswax, coconut oil, and Shea butter to a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the ingredients are melted and well combined.
• Remove from the heat and spoon the mixture into a heat-safe glass bowl. Place the bowl in the fridge for about 5-10 minutes, until it has just begun to form a solid surface.
• Remove the bowl from the fridge and whisk in the vitamin E oil and essential oils, stirring until fully incorporated. 
• Spoon the mixture to a small jar with a lid. Store it in a cool, dry place and apply as needed. If your hands are dry or cracked, it is wise to apply the salve after every time you wash and dry your hands, since that is when they are the driest.

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