Rest and Relax With Lavender

Lavender, that beautiful little purple flower that has been found to help us calm down, rest, and relax. Lavender has been used for years for everything from soaps, oils, lotions, a flavoring component as well as medicinal purposes. 

The oil from the flower is believed to have anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties.  It has been used to help heal everything from bug bites to minor burns. Even the medical community has endorsed this wonder plant:

From Medical News Today:

Lavender oil could be used to combat the increasing incidence of antifungal-resistant infections, according to a study published in the Journal of Medical Microbiology. The essential oil shows a potent antifungal effect against strains of fungi responsible for common skin and nail infections. 

It has also helped those with digestive issues such as gas, bloating, nausea, and upset stomach.

Having trouble sleeping?
Having anxiety attacks?
Restless?
Depressed?
Have headaches?
Muscle sprains and strains?
Bloated?


Lavender may help.  You can burn a candle, put on some lotion, use a hand sanitizer, use lavender soap, use the oil in a diffuser or make your own disinfectant spray. Head to your local Organic Market and pick yours up today.


Lavender is also called Spikenard in the Bible (from the Greek name for lavender, naardus, after the Syrian city Naarda).

1. Song of Solomon 1:12
   [ The Shulamite ] While the king is at his table, My spikenard sends forth its fragrance.
2. Song of Solomon 4:13
   Your plants are an orchard of pomegranates With pleasant fruits, Fragrant henna with spikenard,
3. Song of Solomon 4:14
   Spikenard and saffron, Calamus and cinnamon, With all trees of frankincense, Myrrh and aloes, With all the chief spices—
4. Mark 14:3
   [ The Anointing at Bethany ] And being in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, as He sat at the table, a woman came having an alabaster flask of very costly oil of spikenard. Then she broke the flask and poured it on His head.
5. John 12:3
   Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil.

Source: www.biblegateway.com

Photo Source: http://hdwallpapers.mi9.com/

Article Sources:

http://everything-lavender.com

http://www.lavenderfarm.com
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/265922.php
http://www.naturalnews.com/042405_lavender_cold_and_flu_season_essential_oils.html

Healing with Aloe

There is healing in the leaves, and healing in the oils from the plants that are around us everyday. Yes, many of us head right to the Drug Store or  the Dr. with our ailments. But what about the healing that we can receive from what God has already planted?  What has he given us to use?

Many of our modern drugs are made from plants and plant materials.  The first one that comes to mind is ALOE.  This little plant is supercharged with healing!  The Aloe plant is in the Succulent family.  It has been used widely in the alternative medicine and cosmetics/beauty industries for years. You can use it topically as a lotion/cream for its soothing, moisturizing, and healing properties, swallow it as a pill for its medicinal properties, or even drink it as a juice or gel.  There are many ways to get your ALOE!


The aloe plant itself contains: 

• Water
• 20 minerals
• 12 vitamins
• 18 amino acids
• 6 natural antiseptics able to kill mold, bacteria, funguses, and viruses
• 200 active plant compounds (phytonutrients)

In fact, the plant is so powerful that researchers and scientists are looking into its potential as an AIDS and cancer-fighter.  

40 Ways To Use Aloe Vera

1. Pamper yourself to a soothing body rub. Slice aloe leaves lengthwise and use the inner sides as a biodegradable body scrub in the shower.

2. Treat burns from minor mishaps in the kitchen—from grease splatters or hot utensils.

3. For more major kitchen mishaps like a scald, mix some aloe gel and vitamin E oil into a little jar for a homemade burn healer.

4. Banish black and blue bruises by swapping on the good goo.

5. Soothe and heal sunburns the feel-good way. Aloe contains cooling properties similar to menthol.

6. Take the sting or itch out of insect bites.

7. Reduce tissue damage from frostbite.

8. Alleviate mysterious rashes.

9. Make feet baby soft with an exfoliating foot mask by mixing together a half cup of oatmeal, a half cup of corn meal, four tbsp. of aloe vera gel and a half cup of unscented body lotion.

10. Help heal herpes outbreaks.

11. Fight Athlete's Foot.

12. Swab over blisters for quick relief.

13. Use as an antidote to allergic skin reactions.

14. Replace creams and lotions as a general moisturizer for dry skin. Aloe is fast absorbing!

15. Prevent pesky pimples and treat acne.

16. Soothe Psoriasis.

17. Prevent scarring and stretch marks.

18. Help rid of Rosacea.

19. Shrink warts.

20. Reverse signs of aging skin and wrinkles. Cleopatra did!

21. Help eliminate Eczema.

22. Brighten skin. Aloe can decrease pigmentation and dark spots.

23. Make skin new again with an exfoliating, organic sugar scrub by mixing together two tbsp. of aloe vera, 2 tbsp. of organic brown sugar and 1 tsp. of organic lemon juice.

24. For rougher patches mix together an organic salt skin scrub using two cups of sea salt, one cup of aloe vera, one cup of organic coconut oil and two tbsp. of local, organic honey.

25. Speed up hair growth by massaging aloe into the scalp, letting it sit for 30 minutes, and rinsing.

26. Reduce hair dandruff by mixing aloe vera juice with coconut milk and wheat germ oil. Massage into scalp and rinse.

27. Replace aloe with conditioner for silkier, smoother hair.

28. Remove eye makeup.

29. Treat minor vaginal irritations.

29. Treat minor vaginal irritations.

30. Drink aloe vera juice to relieve gastrointestinal disorders like indigestion.

31. Sip it to aid in elimination. Many times, it's recommended for its laxative effects.

32. Take a swig to reduce symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome including bloating and discomfort.

33. Take aloe orally to relieve heartburn, arthritis and rheumatism pain.

34. Boil leaves in a pan of water and breathe in the vapor to alleviate asthma.

35. Drink to lower blood sugar levels—especially for diabetics.

36. Strengthen gums and promote strong, healthy teeth by taking orally or use toothpaste with aloe vera ingredients.

37. Drink to help ease congestion, stomach ulcers, colitis, hemorrhoids, urinary tract infections and prostate problems.

38. Take orally to reduce cholesterol and triglycerides for a healthy heart.

39. Sip to minimize inflammation and infection of the eye and ear.

40. Toast to its general detoxifier and health boosting qualities!

I found 5 different references to the use of ALOE in the Bible.

1. Numbers 24:6
   Like valleys that stretch out, Like gardens by the riverside, Like aloes planted by the Lord, Like cedars beside the waters.
2. Psalm 45:8
   All Your garments are scented with myrrh and aloes and cassia, Out of the ivory palaces, by which they have made You glad.
3. Proverbs 7:17
   I have perfumed my bed With myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.
4. Song of Solomon 4:14
   Spikenard and saffron, Calamus and cinnamon, With all trees of frankincense, Myrrh and aloes, With all the chief spices—
5. John 19:39
   And Nicodemus, who at first came to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds.

Source: Biblegateway.com

New King James Version (NKJV)

The Holy Bible, New King James Version Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.


Now I am not a Dr., but I am going to give ALOE a try. I have used ALOE for sunburns, but I had no idea that there were so many more healing properties in this little plant!

(And again, do not overuse or overdo. Read and follow all label directions for the aloe product you purchase.  More is not better in this arena.)


Article Sources:

http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-5880/5-Awesome-Uses-for-Aloe-Vera.html

http://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/natural-medicine/herbal-remedies/amazing-aloe-vera.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aloe_vera

http://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/natural-medicine/herbal-remedies/amazing-aloe-vera.htm

Healing Rain

Healing With Music - "Healing Rain" from healingprayersandpromises.blogspot.com

Ambient music and ethereal video designed to help you relieve stress and relax. 

Travel to another place, receive refreshing water for your weary soul. 

Be healed, let go of stress, and be made whole.