Written By Paisley Hansen / Reviewed By Ray Spotts In many homes cleanliness is a primary priority; however, what many people don’t realize is that there is a wide range in what cleanliness means. Many families are looking to make the switch to greener and more sustainable strategies to keep their home environments clean. If you are someone who strives for a tidy house but is looking to embrace a more environmentally-friendly lifestyle, here are five ways to help you make that change. Switch to Clean Energy to Create a Cleaner, More Eco-Friendly Home Environment When they were built, many...

Written By Serene Hitchcock / Reviewed By Ray Spotts Flowers aren't just something that look nice and smell pretty. In fact, flowers have some components that provide powerful benefits. Not just the seeds or the weeds attached to the flowers but the blossoms and blooms themselves. This is the case with marigold oil. Its botanical name is calendula officinalis and is a gorgeous yellow and orange hue. The flower is native to parts of the Mediterranean and Egypt. It typically blooms in these areas during the warmer times of year. During late May to mid-October the temperature is perfect for...

When it comes to oils that positively benefit your skin, the list is overflowing. There are truly so many different oils that run the gamut on ways in which they can impact your skin. Plum kernel oil is another great example of an oil that has tremendous power as an entity that is derived from a seed or rind of the fruit, instead of the fruit meat itself. This oil is very high in the skin-nourishing vitamin E and also has a pleasant almond-like smell. If you are looking for another great tool to keep in your skin care arsenal,...

Written By Serene Hitchcock / Reviewed By Ray Spotts Though they aren't nearly as popular and well known as sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds have really started to show up in various places. They are a great item to cook with and a lovely addition to dishes like salads and soups. Not only are they great flavor agents, but they also are packed with nutrient-rich properties that make them a great addition to specific health regimens. Here's why these fatty seeds are great aids to health. Increases Magnesium Levels The oil itself contains over 100% of the magnesium that you should...

Written By Serene Hitchcock / Reviewed By Ray Spotts There is a variety of nuts that we may be unfamiliar with, even if we know the specific variations of them. This is the case with the horse chestnut. It comes from the Balkan Peninsula and the other elements of the leaves, seeds, flowers and blossoms are also incredibly helpful and effective. Traditionally, this nut was used for many different external issues related to the body. Here are ways in which horse chestnut oil can be a great addition to your medicine cabinet. Varicose Veins Those unsightly veins that can cover...

Written By Serene Hitchcock / Reviewed By Ray Spotts   Sometimes your skin can be incredibly finicky. Something works on it for a long time and for whatever reason - brand of product, composition, or your skin changing - it stops working the way that it used to. This can be downright frustrating as you may then start out on a quest to see what will truly and positively impact your skin. While there are many different oils that we have introduced to you here, there's always more to discover. Some oils have similar properties while others impact the skin differently....

It is commonly thought that store bought cleaners are the only way to fight away grime in the bathroom. Yet although the commercials show cute cartoon bubbles and smiling bald men scrubbing away dirt and germs, and leaving a spotless, gleaming white bathroom behind, the truth is still a little grimy. Take a closer look at the labels of those cleansers, and underneath the promises of lemony freshness you’ll find more warnings than assurances. In many cases, bathroom cleansers warn you not to use them in enclosed spaces because the fumes can be dangerous. That may be OK if your...

Break your Plates  That's right! Switch out those old large dinner plates with smaller dessert sized plates. This will keep you from trying to over fill a plate even when you know you're not that hungry. Its a mental thing, but it works. Clearing your plate is more satisfying when you realize you haven't set fire to your diet. Half and Half A really simple rule to follow is making sure that all your meals are half fruits and/or vegetables. If you're at a fast food chain half french fries is not a substitute. Instead, cut your meal in half...

Convenience and value are still what grocery shoppers demand, but many retailers have begun adapting to other changing preferences and needs. Here's a few trends that many of today's supermarkets are implementing. Healthy Living And Fresh Prepared Foods Ninety-two percent of U.S. adults believe that eating at home is healthier than eating out. Consumers often just want to put the finishing touches on an item and avoid the slicing, dicing and marinating that often comes with food preparation. More than half of U.S. households are comprised of just one or two people, according to the most recent U.S. Census Bureau,...

There's lots of positive reasons to hit the gym, but did you know that lifting weights can improve your memory? A new study conducted by the Georgia Institute of Technology shows that intense workout of as little as 20 minutes can enhance episodic memory or long-term memory for previous events by about 10 percent in healthy, young adults.  Our study indicates that people don't have to dedicate large amounts of time to give their brain a boost, says Lisa Weinberg, project leader and Georgia Tech graduate. The study published in the journal Acta Psychologica took a few new approaches in...

We've all heard it before: 6 to 8 servings of fruit and vegetables every day. According to leading health authorities, that's the minimum requirement for optimal health. But who has time to prep, cook, and eat it all? For millions of us, the daily grind trumps good dietary habits every time.  That's where juicing can be a god-send. Juicing veggies and fruit - even a few times a week - can pack a lot of nutritional power into one big gulp.or several sips. Juice in any combination or quantity is not a complete meal in itself, but its a brilliant...

New research published by BMJ Open suggests that fruit and vegetable consumption could be as good for your mental as your physical health. The research focused on well-being and found that high and low mental wellbeing was constantly associated with an individuals fruit and vegetable consumption.  Low mental wellbeing is strongly linked to mental illness and mental health problems, but high mental wellbeing is more than the absence of symptoms or illness; it is a state in which people feel good and function well. Optimism, happiness, self-esteem, resilience, and good relationships with others are all part of this state. Mental...

Most things that taste good turn out to be guilty pleasures. Sugar tastes good, for example, but there's an increasing body of evidence demonstrating that sugar may be to blame for everything from weight gain to liver damage. Salt also tastes good, but most Westerners get too much refined table salt in their diet, leading to high blood pressure and other health problems.  Olive oil tastes good. Most people love olive oil with herbs for dipping fresh bread, they like it in salads, and they like it when it's used for cooking. Olive oil, unlike refined table salt and sugar,...

Even if you are well versed in the many oils available for your different skin, hair and health needs, you may feel like switching it up a bit. There's nothing wrong with having a plethora of options when it comes to what you use, what works best and how. Because of this, we enjoy nothing more than expanding your knowledge and providing you with needed information about the latest and greatest - and sometimes unknown oils. Today our dissection includes an oil with some impressive qualities: candlenut oil also known in many spaces as kukui nut oil. Here are some...

When it comes to butters of the natural variety, you are likely much more familiar with cocoa butter or shea butter, the butters that replenish and nourish skin impressively. Just like oils, there are different types of butters - some much lesser known and they do different things. Illipe is a plant butter that isn't as popular or well-known, yet it packs a powerful punch - especially on hair. Here are all the reasons that this impressive butter should be added to your must-try list.  Restores Hair Elasticity The more elasticity your hair has, the healthier it is. Elasticity speaks...

The amur cork tree is native to parts of Asia - Korea, Japan and China - and has strong medicinal properties. It's a fairly sizable tree and is often left alone due to its gorgeous, tall expanse, aromatic leaves and beautiful fruit. Thankfully though, there are plenty in the region and only a portion of them have to be used to procure this oil. The deciduous trees - with dark leaves and brown, deep corkish bark - can grow to be nearly 12 meters tall. The interesting part about this tree and its benefits is that most trees aren't used...

Essential oils are aromatic compounds produced naturally by plants. James Cook University scientists recently discovered a technique to apply natural plant extracts such as tea tree oil as a coating for medical devices. This process could prevent millions of infections every year. Professor Mohan Jacob, Head of Electrical and Electronics Engineering at JCU, and his team found that an increasing number of unplanned surgeries are being performed to fight infections mostly caused by bacterial activity on medical devices and a subsequent 'biofilm' forming on them. "Just in the U.S., about 17 million new biofilm-related infections are reported annually, leading to...

In recent years the tonka bean and its impressive properties have gained international acclaim for all the ways that it can help. Not only does the bean have a natural pleasant aroma, similar to that of vanilla, it has a whole host of other advantages that go far beyond aromatherapy. Tonka bean is an oil that is an amber color and typically very thick in consistency. Much like coconut oil, tonka bean oil will solidify at lower temperatures. Here are some key ways in which this oil can be utilized.  Antiseptic This oil has been used in traditional practices as...

Comfrey is likely not one of the plants that you are inherently familiar with - even if you are pretty well versed in holistic living and alternative treatments. This plant has a very broad spectrum of offerings which makes it something that should be closely studied and implemented as a method of treatment when certain health issues arise - whether those issues be intrinsic and internal or cosmetic and external. This powerful plant, otherwise known as Symphytum, is a herbal medicine that deserves more acclaim. Here's why.  Heals Wounds Whether you are accident prone or not, you know that sometimes...

A very common tree that can be found in various parts of the world like North America, Europe and Asia, is the beech tree. It produces a nut that is incredibly effective in a myriad of ways. Even though this tree is common, the ways in which it can help shouldn't be diminished. The tree also has other more fundamental uses, like that of firewood or as construction material. The nuts that come from the tree are the focus today. Here are some ways to use the oil that comes from a beech nut tree.  Hair Growth Are you the...

The nutritional properties of seeds can sometimes be under discussed. For many years, specific traditions used the seeds and roots of plants to treat and cure many different types of issues and ailments. In our current, more rapidly changing society, it's nice to know that these seeds and plants can be obtained in an easy-to-use oil form which takes the guess work out of preparation and application. One thing that should be noted about poppy seed oil is that the ripened seeds themselves do not contain narcotic properties like that of the plant. Many get confused about this fact.  Inflammation...

It can sometimes be increasingly difficult to keep track of which oils and fats actually work well in your body and which don't. Contrary to what we've been told throughout the years, fats are essential to our health and a necessary part of our diet. The tricky part comes when we don't eat the right kinds of fats and we run the risk of damaging our health. Here are some important ways in which rice bran oil can benefit internal health.  Neutral Tasting One of the most important aspects of a healthy type of oil that needs to be explored...

Brucea javanica was originally found in Southeast Asia and has been the subject of hundreds of studies regarding its amazing anti-inflammatory propensities. It has been shown to treat many different forms of maladies, including cancer. In a study published in a well-known, international journal called Cancer Letters, researchers discovered that a compound called brucein exists within the plant in copious amounts and had inhibited the growth of three different pancreatic cancer cell lines. This is highly impressive and an exciting discovery for the holistic field of medicine.  What's more is that this plant is available in oil form and can...

Bitter gourd - also known as Karela or bitter melon - is relatively well known in many cultural circles as a fruit that is used in various ways. This fruit, despite its odd shape and texture, is incredibly full and dense with vitamins, antioxidants and minerals that the body needs and thrives off of. This fruit can be used in a number of ways to the betterment of not just your internal health, but your hair and skin as well. Here are some ways that bitter gourd oil can be used.  Skin Issues The skin is one of the most...

A natural substance that provides a strong anti-inflammatory from the high levels of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), borage oil comes from the seeds of evening primrose and borage plants. It typically can't be found in necessary amounts in foods common in the human diet. This requires supplementation. With specific consumption of the oil, it makes using this powerful and impacting oil all the easier. Here are some of the ways in which this oil can be a staple presence in your medicine cabinet. Anti-Inflammation Aid Inflammation can be one of the toughest things to deal with. It can occur and manifest...

There are several plants in the wild that grow languidly that we have likely been seeing for most of our lives. One of those plants could be the sweetly smelling meadowsweet. Traditionally, the plant was used to get rid of the unpleasant smells in old buildings and factories. With a scientific name like Filipendula ulmaria, it has also been known to be used in vinegar, mead and wines. Found in specific parts of Asia, North America and Europe it has been used as an ornament to a functional part of a garden. Luckily for us, it also has healing properties...

The vegetable okra is used in many traditionally Caribbean dishes and has incredible health benefits. It is often found in certain parts of the Middle East, South America and Africa. In certain cultures it is known as lady's fingers and comes from large-leafed perennial plants. From a traditionally generational standpoint, the vegetable has been used for medicinal purposes for quite some time. In the Congo, it was even used in the safe delivery of babies. Here are some key ways that okra oil can be used. Sore Throat Historically, boiled okra used to be prescribed for someone who was suffering...

Amaranth is a grain that is considered a superfood because of all the benefits it can provide in its many forms. The amount of proteins, vitamins, fats, and minerals within it are comparable to some of the most imperative foods you can digest. Because of its integral makeup, it can be used in a myriad of different ways. One of the most impressive things about this oil, and others we've discussed here, is their ability to function in many different ways. Because of their compositional makeup, they work in a plethora of instances. Varicose Veins If you are one of...

If you are even vaguely familiar with the nutritional and health food world, you know that the grain quinoa has been touted as the next big super food. People sing its praises as one of the only grains that has a high amount of protein and a lower glycemic index, which makes it much healthier then rice or potatoes, but with a texture that is almost similar. What's interesting about this new food craze is that its oil form is just as beneficial and advantageous. Here's exactly how. Controls Diabetes As one of the fastest growing health issues in our...

Typically, in the essential oil world, you'll hear of specific oils with a type of unmatched ubiquitous. So much so that you may even find yourself familiar with them and what they are used for before you even attempt to try them out yourself. Then there are the lesser known oils that you may have only heard referenced once or twice. A tier below that are the oils that you don't even know exist. That is definitely where kenaf oil resides. Most people haven't the faintest clue what kenaf oil is or what it does. Skin Benefits Derived from a...

Indigenous to the country of Peru, the oil is derived from the Inca peanut. It is considered a recent discovery in the health and holistic community in America but has roots and history of being used in similar ways in the Amazon rainforest for over 3,000 years. Due to all of the components within the nut, it can be used effectively in many different ways. Here are some areas in which sacha inchi oil can be beneficial to your health. Anti-Stress And Relaxation If you are anything like a good portion of the world, you're typically overstressed and overworked. If...

Your skin and hair need specific ingredients and components to help remain healthy, clear and manageable. Ben oil helps to do this in a myriad of ways. While you may be unfamiliar with the term ben oil, it's also referred to in some circles as moringa oleifera, or moringa oil. Due to the nutrient-rich properties of this oil, it's incredibly beneficial for both your hair and skin regardless of propensity or genealogical makeup. Here are some key ways in which ben oil can be worthwhile in your beauty care regimen. Gives You A Glow One of the aspects of skin...

Traditionally and historically found in the Philippines, there is a nut chock full of many impressive nutrients and positive compounds called the Pili nut. It has been known as an Asian delicacy for many decades but is relatively new to Western culture. Due to its high levels of beta-carotene, fatty acids and other important ingredients, it is known to be an oil that can be used for many different reasons. Here are some of the most popular. Anti-Aging This oil is great for the skin, so much so that it is known to provide the skin with necessary anti-aging benefits....

The amount of nutrients and positive components that are present in the impressively potent oils that we have been learning about is very vital. The reason why there are so many oils that can be used in a myriad of ways is because of where they come from and their natural chemical makeup. There is truly no reason for harmful products and toxic ingredients to be used in your dishes, skin care, hair care or your treatment practices. This is what makes this natural and organic way of living so fruitful and necessary. The exploration of an oil called tigernut...

An oil that is unfamiliar to many people, lallemantia oil, comes from a flowering plant that often appears purple. The seed itself that yields the oil contains a high amount of linolenic acid, up to 68%, which makes it a rich source of the element and makes the oil highly valuable. The lallemantia plant has traditionally been found in specific parts of Europe, such as Greece. Its linolenic acid allows it to be worthwhile and beneficial in a myriad of ways. Since this oil is typically food grade it can be used both internally and externally. This is one of...