I just found this article over at https://tajspecialtyfoods.magellanshop.com/blog/2010/04/basil-anyone/
Enjoy!
I could not believe this article when I read it…I ‘ve just always thought of basil as an Italian spice, not a health food for varicose veins. The article can be found in FIRST for women magazine, September 14, 2010 issue. The article states four reasons to love this spice.
First, it seems, that the calcium in basil supresses the body’s output of calcitriol, which is a hormone that promotes belly fat storage. The researchers at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville (go Vols!) found that abdominal fat melts off 81 percent faster when this herb is eaten. In addition, basil is a great source of manganese, which is the mineral that stabilizes levels of blood glucose-regulating insulin to help stave off cravings and minimize sugar highs and lows.
Second, basil can be used as a quick pain reliever. How, you may ask? Just a generous sprinkle of basil over whatever you are eating at the time; pizza, vegetable soup, hamburger soup, spaghetti, salad, or any other dish of your choice. The article states that this can be just as effective as a standard dose of aspirin, but without the drug’s stomach-irritating effects. This study comes from Michigan State University in East Lansing. It seems that a component of basil, called eugenol inhibits a key enzyme from synthesizing the inflammatory prostaglandins that oversensitize nerves.
Third, how would you like to have sexy legs??? Consume two tablespoons of fresh basil and you will get 60 percent of the recommended daily allowance of vitamin K. This is the vitamin that stimulates the body’s production of thrombin, which is a clotting protein that obstructs circulation to damaged veins and reroutes blood to larger healthy vessels. Researchers in the Netherlands discovered that this stimulation can cause spider veins and varicose veins to shrink and fade in as little as six weeks. WOW!!!
Fourth, if you regularly eat basil you can improve the appearance of wrinkles by 66 percent in as little as 10 days. Scientists at Kasturba Medical College in India have found that the herb’s high concentrations of flavonoids like orientin and vicenin help the body synthesize collagen. And, the vitamin A in this herb speeds skin cell turnover to ensure a glowing, youthful complexion.
Hmmm, I think I’ll have some basil for lunch to help keep me varicose vein free!
Here’s an interesting read on using various essential oils to help treat varicose veins.
Cypress pure essential oil has a distinctly clean, fresh, sweet, woody, balsamic aroma that’s light and clear with a hint of spice and is reminiscent of pine and juniper berry. The oil is steam distilled from the leaves (needles) and cones of the column shaped, evergreen Cypress tree from the Mediterranean region of Europe. It’s primary chemical family is monterpene.
Keywords: Powerful Astringent, Cleanser & Detoxifier
Cypress pure essential oil strengthens the Heart energies and has been used for ritual cleansing and to promote health since ancient times. It was considered a symbol for life after death and in the ancient temples of Egypt was burnt along with Pine and Juniper to cleanse the atmosphere. Cypress essential oil’s medicinal uses were inscribed on papyri and its wood was often used to fashion the sarcophagi of the Egyptian aristocracy.
Often planted close together to act as a screen from the elements the Cypress tree is commonly seen in many gardens of southern Europe and frequently found in cemeteries there. The ancient Greeks dedicated the Cypress tree to the god Pluto, Lord of the Underworld. The Greek philosopher Aristotle was reported to have said that Cypress was conducive to health.
Cypress oil is a comforting fragrance and often recommended during times of uncertainty and to smooth life transitions for both male and female, especially those associated with grief and the loss of love.
Cypress essential oil’s effect upon our human energy system is decidedly Yang. It has an ability to stabilize and give direction and purpose during times of confusion. In perfumery Cypress is often used in colognes and men’s aftershave lotions.
Cypress oil’s natural effect is to unify and give practical structure to the day-to-day matters of life. Its essence gives helpful support for the visionary process and for bringing dreams into reality!
An antidepressant Cypress oil gives comfort, stimulates mental energy and strengthens one’s capacity to concentrate and supports the ability to focus and develop new structures in the face of evolutionary change. A grounding oil Cypress helps curb excesses in body, mind and emotions!
A hemostat and a decongestant Cypress essential oil has the most powerful astringent action in aromatherapy. Its properties act to strengthen and tone the circulatory and nervous systems and relieve circulatory and lymphatic congestion.
Cypress is the essential oil most often used to strengthen and support healthy functioning of the heart and circulatory system. It has often been recommended for softening walls of hardened arteries and to strengthen weak connective tissue. Its astringent properties make Cypress effective for treating conditions associated with congestion of lymph or blood circulation such as rheumatism, arthritis and sinusitis.
A powerful vasoconstrictor Hippocrates is said to have recommended Cypress for treating severe bleeding hemorrhoids. Prepare Cypress pure essential oil as a topical salve to treat hemorrhoids.
CYPRESS HEALING SALVE
(Makes about 2 ounces)
¼ CUP PURE LIGHT COCONUT OIL
1 TBSP (HEAPING) BEES WAX – less makes your salve softer, more firmer
30-40 DROPS CYPRESS PURE ESSENTIAL OIL
OPTIONAL: May add a 1-3 drops of Helichrysum oil. Put the bees wax into the Pure Light Coconut oil and heat in a double boiler. Heat on the stove until the bees wax melts.
Remove the pot with melted beeswax and coconut oil from the pan. Cool slightly before adding your Cypress Pure Essential Oil and optional Vitamin E oil. Gently stir the mixture with a sterile stainless steel spoon.
Pour Hemorrhoid Salve into individual containers with lids and refrigerate. You may affix your own personalized label to each container after the salve has completely set. Long shelf life, keeps almost indefinitely!
APPLICATION: Gently apply over your hemorrhoids for fast relief and to promote healing. May also use as a topical treatment for varicose veins.
Cypress oil is an effective treatment for VARICOSE VEINS, SPIDER VEINS or BROKEN VEINS on the face. Blend Cypress pure essential oil in a carrier oil like pure Jojoba or Pure Light Coconut oil.
GENERAL DILUTION amounts of Cypress pure essential oil per one ounce of carrier oil – For Broken veins of the face 8-10 drops of Cypress oil. For varicose and spider veins 10-15 drops of Cypress oil. and apply lightly to areas being treated.
Cypress oil helps regulate hormonal action. Stimulates the onset of menses. An effective treatment for female hormonal imbalances and to regulate menstrual cycles, as well as problems associated with menopause. Use Cypress oil to reduce severe hot flashes!
HOT COMPRESS:
Excellent for topical application to ease congestion and pain from colds and flu, strained muscles, menstrual cramps, etc. Disperse 4-8 drops of Cypress oil in a teaspoon of milk or honey and add to a small stainless steel bowl of hot water. Absorb the “HOT” water into a wash cloth, using protective gloves, wring out excess water and apply compress to area of discomfort, repeat when your cloth cools. You may cover the warm cloth with a plastic sheet or a towel to keep it “HOT” longer.
Helpful as a diuretic. Use to relieve edema, swelling, fluid retention and bloating. Add Cypress oil to your favorite shampoo to control dandruff.
SKIN CARE: Cypress oil promotes cellular regeneration and its astringent properties make it effective for balancing oily skin and controlling acne outbreaks!
An effective treatment for cellulite blend Cypress in a one to one ratio with Pink Grapefruit pure essential oil. Use this CELLULITE BLEND in a dilution of pure light coconut oil and massage into areas of treatment.
Use Cypress pure essential oil in a Sitz bath to treat a WEAK BLADDER or CHRONIC CONSTIPATION.
SITZ BATH:
Fill your basin or tub with warm water, add 5-8 drops of Cypress pure essential oil that has been mixed in a dispersant such as a carrier oil, milk or cream, or a spoonful of honey, swish to disperse in the water. Relax in the warm waters until they cool.
Cypress oils has been used to treat pancreatic disorders and may help restore healthy functioning of the pancreas.
May decongest the prostate gland.
An Immune stimulant Cypress oil is antiseptic and anti-infectious with mild anti microbial properties.
Cypress oil is helpful for treating respiratory conditions like cough and bronchial congestion. Its Spasmolytic properties make Cypress oil an ideal remedy for whooping cough, or a hacking type cough.
COUGH RELIEF:
For immediate relief use Direct Inhalation of 1-4 drops of Cypress pure essential oil on a tissue or cotton ball. An aromatic mist of Cypress oil is also very effective for relieving coughing fits!
Cypress oil is also helpful for controlling excess PERSPIRATION and BODY ODOR.
REFRESHING FOOT BATH:
Blend 5-8 drops Lemon pure essential oil and Cypress in a dispersant of 1 tablespoon of honey and add this mixture to a warm basin of water. May add a 1/4 cup each of Epsom Salts (muscle relaxant, detoxifier) and Baking Soda (skin softener) to your foot bath. Relax in silence or listen to your favorite Relaxation inducing music for a 10-15 minute foot bath!
AROMATIC MIST:
This is a favorite way of mine for using aromatic oils. You may use as a facial toner, an all over body freshener, or as a room spray and deodorizer. The amount of oil you use depends on the purpose of your aromatic mist!
DIRECTIONS – To 2 ounces of distilled water add your Cypress blend of pure essential oils, shake well and spray!
1) Facial Mist – 8-15 drops
2) Body Mist – 20-40 drops
3) Air freshener & Deodorizer – 60-80 drops
An antispasmodic Cypress oil is an excellent oil to use for sports injuries, strains and sprains, aches and pains. Add it to your massage lubricant to stimulate blood circulation and speed healing.
MASSAGE LUBRICANT:
Add Cypress oil in a blend with Lavender pure essential oil for relieving sore muscles and to calm the mind and emotions. To one ounce of carrier oil add 10-15 drops of your pure essential oil blend. Allow to synergize for 2-3 hours or more for best therapeutic results!
According to Ayurvedic Medicine, an ancient system of healing practiced in India, the spicy wood aroma and astringent and bitter qualities of Cypress oil are ideal for pacifying imbalances of the Pitta and Kapha bodymind. Symptoms of Pitta imbalance are high blood pressure, anger, frustration and emotional upsets. Symptoms of Kapha imbalance are high cholesterol, low metabolic forces, slow to lose weight, fluid retention, stagnation and blockage, lethargy and depression.
You receive six FREE aromatherapy publications about using pure essential oils as a gift when you purchase PurePlant Essentials Organic Aromatherapy Products.
CLICK TO ORDER CYPRESS OIL: http://www.kgstiles.com/moreinfo/cypress.htm
CLICK FOR PUREPLANT ESSENTIALS COMPLETE MENU http://www.pureplantessentials.com
PLEASE NOTE: There are many cheap, synthetic copies of aromatic oils, but these are not recommended for therapeutic use. For best results purchase the highest quality oils you can possibly find. Use certified organic essential oils, or oils that have been tested and are pesticide free.
Aromatherapy is a gentle and noninvasive complementary health care system used for balancing and synchronizing your body, mind, spirit and emotions to enhance your health. Properly administered essential oils are a natural, safe and effective way to enhance your health and well-being and may produce satisfying results where other methods have failed. Please consult with your physician regarding serious health concerns and do not attempt to self diagnose.
KG Stiles is a clinical aromatherapist, and Founder of PurePlant Essentials organic aromatherapy. More Info? Contact: KG Stiles at Springhill Wellness Center, Ashland, OR (541) 941-7315 or visit http://www.kgstiles.com
Now you’re armed with a whole lot of solid info on how to use essential oils for your health including the treatment of varicose veins.
I have recently seen a doctor about my varicose veins. I have had several days after work where my ankles have very swollen and tender to the touch. After examining my problem, the doctor recommended for me to
get support hose. She told me to buy a moderate compression hose. I sighed slightly, but after researching on the Internet and finding out that this issue is not just cosmetic, I agreed to do as I was told.
The first adventure was finding some. It seemed like all of the hose out there was mild or firm compression. When I finally found a moderate compression hose, I then had to find the right size. I am a plus size compared to normal standards, not my own. So finding a moderate compression hose in a plus size was not any funny. The price of one stocking was also the price of a full hose. This price is really expensive. I am certainly not going to buy very many of these.
This morning was my first chance to put them on. Like many hose it was difficult to put on. However, it seemed more difficult to pull up probably because of the compression component. I had to stand up and shake and shimming around to pull the top over my behind. Before I left for work, they seemed to fit pretty well.
After two hours of working on my feet, the top of the hose started fall down. I felt like my behind was showing, but I did have pants on too. I could not get over the thought that I was showing the world my backside. After going to the restroom to adjust them they seemed to stay put. I suppose they had to be stretched a bit. The biggest complaint I have about them during work was that they were really hot. I am normally warm at my work but this was so hot it was hard to think of anything else. I had long pants on so I don’t know had it would have been with a skirt. That might be a better idea if you have to wear them for long hours.
My feet did not swell like they usually do, but they still hurt. I suppose one day may not be enough to evaluate their over all use. All in all, compression hose are about like regular hose. However, the worse part about them is their temperature, so be prepared to wear them with skirts or shorts. Other than they, they can be a great help in treating your varicose veins.
Compression stockings are specially made stockings used to help with blood circulation in the legs with conditions like varicose veins. These stockings keep blood from pooling in the legs by life forceful at the foot while covering the leg from the foot’s arch to the knee. They are like regular stockings in this regard except they may either fit either above or below the knee or fit like panty hose.
As implied, compression stockings are typically used for medical reasons. They are beneficial in helping to keep the blood circulation going, particularly for those who may be at risk or suffer from venous skin ulcers. Medical compression hosiery is maybe the most effective way struggle fluid buildup in the legs. If one has already developed venous skin ulcers, these stockings or socks may help with speedy recovery. In fact, any type of medical compression hose is useful in the treatment of varicose veins or spider veins.
Anti embolism stockings may not be limited to stockings or hosiery. Compression socks cover the entire foot. They may range from the thick athletic type socks to thinner type trouser socks. In fact, compression socks come in a larger variety than the stockings. This may be due to the fact that athletes training in various sports such as running might also use compression stockings. These socks may be cushioned and available with assorted features such as ribbing or zippers.
When choosing compression stockings, one must consider his or her individual needs. Although they are frequently used in the treatment of the issues mentioned above, some may find their hosiery uncomfortable and hard to adjust to the long-term use. For instance, in some cases one must wear the hosiery at all era even in the shower for about a week. Those with sensitive skin may have to wear underwear or some sort of cushion under their stockings to prevent skin irritation. If one has any type of distress putting on socks due to arthritis or other medical conditions, he or she may need to find a small removal device to help in both placing and removing the hosiery.
Some compression stockings are available without a prescription but are usually prescribed for medical reasons. Stockings in the panty hose may be more expensive than stockings that only fit to the knees. Furthermore, non-prescribed compression stockings may not prevent venous skin ulcers because the level of compression is not as high as those in prescribed stockings.
Overall, it’s a touch to consider if you have varicose veins.