Wednesday, November 18, 2015

Spotlight on Cardomom and Basil Essential Oils

 Another awesome BOGO pair today from doTERRA® .... buy 1 Cardamon and get 1 Basil for FREE today only November 18th 2015!





Cardamon Spotlight

Ellettaria cardamomoum

A close relative to Ginger, Cardamom is known as being the most expensive cooking spice and having a variety of benefits. Cardamom is added to traditional Indian sweets and teas for its cool, yet minty aroma and flavor.



Health Benefits* of Cardamom Essential Oil (source)
  • Antispasmodic Cardamom oil is highly effective in curing muscular and respiratory spasms, thereby giving relief from muscle pulls and cramps, asthma, and whooping cough.
  • Antiseptic and Antimicrobial Cardamom essential oil has very strong antiseptic and antimicrobial properties, which are safe as well. If used as a mouth wash by adding few drops of this oil in water, it disinfects the oral cavity of all germs and eliminates bad breath. It can also be added to drinking water to kill the germs contained there. It can also be used in foods as a flavoring agent, which will also keep them safe from spoiling due to microbial action. A mild solution in water can be used to bathe, while disinfecting the skin and hair.
  • Digestive and Stomachic It is the essential oil in cardamom that makes it such a good digestive. This oil boosts digestion by stimulating the whole digestive system. It is also stomachic in nature, which means that it keeps the stomach healthy and functioning properly. It helps maintain the proper secretion of gastric juices, acids and bile in the stomach. It also protects the stomach from infections.
  • Stimulant Cardamom essential oil stimulates your entire system. This stimulating effect also boosts your spirits in cases of depression or fatigue. It also stimulates the secretion of various enzymes and hormones, gastric juices, peristaltic motion, circulation, and excretion, thus maintaining proper metabolic action throughout the body.
  • Warming: Cardamom oil has a warming effect. This means that it heats up the body, promotes sweating, helps clear congestion and coughs, while also relieving symptoms of the common cold. It also provides relief from headaches that result from illness and can be used to cure diarrhea caused by extreme cold.
  • Diuretic It promotes urination, which helps people lose weight, lower blood pressure, remove toxins and clean calcium and urea deposits from the kidneys.
  • Aphrodisiac Cardamom oil has an arousing effect that can help cure sexual weakness, erectile dysfunctions, impotence, loss of libido, and frigidity.
  • Other BenefitsCardamom oil helps to neutralize the effects of tobacco, insect bites and even the ingestion of mild poisons. Furthermore, it can clear the bowels, cure colic, remove bad breath, heal oral infections, and alleviate the pain of toothaches.
A Few Words of Caution:

No toxic effects have been noticed from consuming cardamom essential oil, but an excessive amount of cardamom essential oil can result in an overdose. This will manifest as unrest and extra heating up of the body and the digestive system, resulting in loose bowels and irritation. Pregnant women and lactating mothers are advised not to ingest cardamom oil, since the irritation or warming effect may harm the baby.

Blending: 
Cardamom Oil blends well with Rose, Orange, Bergamot, Cinnamon, Cloves, Caraway and Cedar Wood Oil.

Chai Tea with Essential Oils
Serves 3 cups
http://www.terra-thrive.com/chai-tea-recipe-cardamom/
Image Source Terra Thrive
 What You Need
  • 1 drop cardamom essential oil
  • 1 drop cinnamon essential oil
  • 1 drop black pepper essential oil
  • 2 drops wild orange essential oil
  • 12 oz water
  • 12 oz milk or milk substitute (I love almond milk myself)
  • 2 bags black tea
  • Sweetener of Choice to taste
What You Do
  •  Boil the water and add the tea bags, allow to steep for 3-4 minutes.
  •  In a separate pan, warm the milk over medium heat.  
  • If you have a a milk frother, use it at this time to create the foam for the ‘latte’ part, otherwise, just pour the warm milk in to the steeped tea.  
  • Then add the essential oils and sweetener of your choice.  
  • Mix well
  • Serve and enjoy while still hot
Other cooking with Cardamom Ideas

 Basil Spotlight

Ocimum basilicum

Basil has a warm, spicy, yet herbal aroma that brings a feeling of calm. Basil is commonly used in cooking to add a fresh, herbal flavor to meats, pastas, and entrée dishes, but it is also cooling and soothing to the skin.


  
Health Benefits* Basil Essential oil (source)
  •  Cosmetic Applications: Basil essential oil is used topically and massaged into the skin. It enhances the luster of dull-looking skin and hair. As a result, it is extensively used in many skin care supplements that claim to improve the tone of your skin. It is also commonly used to treat the symptoms of acne and other skin infections.
  • Digestion: Basil essential oil is also used as a digestive tonic. Since basil oil has carminative properties, it is used for treating indigestion, constipation, stomach cramps and flatulence. It provides immediate relief from the gas in your stomach and intestines. It also has colic qualities and is therefore used to alleviate bowel pain.
  • Illness: Basil essential oil is effective in providing relief from colds, influenza and associated fevers. Due to its antispasmodic nature, it is frequently used to treat symptoms of whooping cough.
  • Respiratory: Along with its function in relieving coughs, it can also be used to treat asthma, bronchitis, and sinus infections.
  • Infections: Basil oil is good for treating a variety of infections such as cuts, wounds, skin infections, and bladder infections due to its antibacterial properties. It is also good for viral infections that attack the body and can enter the body through other wounds.
  • Stress Disorders: Basil essential oil has a refreshing effect when smelled or consumed, so it is used for treating nervous tension, mental fatigue, melancholy, migraines and depression. Due to the calming nature of basil essential oil, it is widely used in aromatherapy.  Regularly using this essential oil provides mental strength and clarity.
  • Blood Circulation: Basil essential oil improves blood circulation and helps to increase and optimized various metabolic functions of the body.
  • Pain Relief: Basil essential oil is an analgesic and provides relief from pain. That is why this essential oil is often used in the treatment of arthritis, wounds, injuries, burns, bruises, scars, sports injuries, surgical recovery, sprains, and headaches.
  • Eye Health: It is ophthalmic and can quickly relieve bloodshot eyes.
  • Vomiting and Nausea: Basil essential oil can be used to prevent vomiting, particularly when the source of the nausea is motion sickness, but also from many other causes.
  • Itching: Basil essential oil is also a good treatment for itching from bites and stings from honey bees, insects and even snakes.
Word of Caution
  • Basil essential oil and basil in any other form should be avoided by pregnant, breastfeeding, or nursing women. On the other hand, some people suggest that it increases milk flow, but more research needs to be done.
Blending
  • Basil essential oil blends well with Bergamot, Clary sage, Clove bud,G eranium, Lime, Lemon, Juniper, Eucalyptus, Marjoram, Rosemary, Melissa and Lavender.

Parsley-Basil Steak
 
Image Source ~ Pinterest

More ideas for cooking with DoTerra can be found below
Roasted Marinara Sauce
Herbed Pasta Sauce
Basil Roasted Red Pepper and Cheese Sandwhiches
 Vegetarian Black Bean Burgers




Have an amazing day!

Margaret
Live Well, Laugh Often, Love Much
Totallyawake4-life

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