How to Stay Healthy During Ramadan

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Muslim year and is a time in which fasting is observed from sunrise to sunset. The month of Ramadan is to mark that Allah gave the first chapters of the Quran to the Prophet Muhammed in 610, according to the Times of India.

Not only do Muslims fast during this time, but it is also a time to abstain from other pleasures and pray to become closer to God. It also marks a time of celebration with family.

Since there is fasting during Ramadan, it is essential to take the necessary steps to remain as healthy as possible during this time. Today, we will discuss which essential oils you can use to help suppress hunger while also teaching the importance of keeping your skin hydrated.

Essential Oils to Suppress Hunger

Through appetite control aromatherapy essential oils, you can manage your appetite and control weight gain. The following essential oils are the most commonly used to help suppress hunger:

• Patchouli: this oil also brings peace and acceptance
• Bergamot: helps to regulate your appetite
• Ylang Ylang: helps to ease any anxiety you may be feeling
• Lemon: this helps to reduce the acidity in your stomach
• Orange: helps to calm and soothe the stomach
• Fennel: offers benefits for the digestive system
• Grapefruit: helps to heal, soothe, and stimulate

When fasting, it is important to maintain positive thinking and good intentions. This way, you can gain harmony and balance in your life. This is a good time to sharpen your focus and build your confidence, as well. All of the essential oils listed above can help you do just that while keeping you as healthy as possible during Ramadan.

Keep the Skin Hydrated

During Ramadan, you want to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water in the early morning hours before the fasting begins. While fasting, your skin loses some of its moisture, so you must exfoliate and moisturize regularly as well.

Exfoliating can help stimulate blood circulation in your face and can help guard against water retention and puffiness. Using a moisturizer is also good for helping to make up the lack of water consumption during the day.

You also should not ignore your lips either. Lip balm can help heal cracked and dry lips that are the result of fasting. Peppermint lip balm, for example, contains virgin coconut oil and can add hydration to your lips during Ramadan. It protects, soothes, and moisturizes, while also adding a refreshing cooling sensation to your lips.

Meta: When fasting during Ramadan, it can make your skin dry and your lips crack. To combat this, you can use essential oils to moisturize as well as help suppress your hunger during this time

 

Importance of Hand Washing According to WHO

Yes. There is a right and wrong way of handwashing, and to protect ourselves against sickness, it is important that we understand the proper way of doing it according to WHO (World Health Organization). It is beneficial to know the right kind of soap to use, the frequency you should follow, and how long you should be washing your hands.

How to Wash Your Hands

First, you want to wet your hand with water up to the wrist. The temperature of the water doesn’t matter. You then need to apply a good amount of soap. Lather up the soap by rubbing your hands together, taking care to reach all areas including the back of your hands, your wrists, between each finger, and even under the nails.

You want to continue to scrub your hands for at least twenty seconds. Some experts even say that you can get into the habit of singing the happy birthday song in your head while you wash your hands. This gives you a better idea of how long you should be scrubbing at the sink each time.

Once the time is up, rinse your hands thoroughly under clean, running water and then dry them with a clean paper towel or hand dryer. You should wash your hands before and after handling food before you eat after you care for a sick person after you use the bathroom after you change your child’s diaper, and after you blow your nose, cough, or sneeze.

Dangers of Commercial Soap

Most commercial soap options contain sodium lauryl and laureth sulfate, parabens, and triclosan. These sulfates can strip the skin of its natural oils. When this happens, penetration is increased because the skin doesn’t have that natural layer of protection.

So, all the chemicals found in commercial soap products have a better chance of absorbing into the skin and increases the risk of clogging your pores. Additionally, sulfates are also irritants and can cause rashes for those with sensitive skin or conditions like eczema.

Parabens are the chemicals that are added to soaps and other products to prevent bacteria. They are often used as preservatives in many beauty and care products.

Triclosan is an antibacterial and antifungal agent in some soaps. It can cause the immune system to weaken and can disrupt hormones.

Benefits of Natural Soap

Instead of using soap that is laden with harmful chemicals that can irritate and dry out your skin, consider the benefits of using natural soap to wash your hands. They contain no harmful preservatives or hardening agents.

A good natural soap to use is one that is antiseptic and contains tea tree oil. The antiseptic properties found in tea tree oil acts as a highly effective and natural cleaner. It helps heal the skin and has an invigorating, clean, fresh scent. Tea tree is also antiviral and has properties that have been proven effective against common pathogens.

So, next time you reach for the soap to wash your hands, consider all the benefits you will find when using an antiviral soap containing tea tree to help keep the germs at bay.

Meta: it is important to wash your hands often and thoroughly to remain as healthy as possible and prevent the spread of germs and sickness.

 

Unveiling Utama Spice’s New Roller Blends

Essential oil roller blends are easy to make and convenient to carry around with you. They are also less messy and great for sensitive skin. So, if you want to take the power of essential oils with you wherever you go, then essential oil roller blends are definitely a must.

Roller blends can be applied to the bottom of your feet, behind the ears, on the temples, and the wrists. Applying it to these areas allows you to reap the maximum benefits of these oils, no matter where you are.

With that being said, let’s take a look at some of the new roller blend options Utama Spice has to offer!

Joy Essential Oil Blend Roller, 10mL

If you are looking for a way to lift your mood and spirit while you are out and about, then this is the roller for you. It has a clean citrus scent with orange and grapefruit. It can detoxify the body and fight off feelings of depression. It also contains Ylang-Ylang that can help reduce blood pressure levels. Jojoba oil is used as the base for this recipe. It is quickly absorbed into the skin, moisturizes, and doesn’t leave any greasy residue behind.

Contains: Orange, grapefruit, Ylang Ylang, and jojoba oils

 

Travel Essential Oil Blend Roller, 10mL

If you want a boost of wellness on the go, then this roller offers that and so much more. It helps improve your mood and also contains antiseptic properties to help stimulate your immune system. It also does a great job of calming the mind. Again, jojoba is used as the base for this roller blend. It is great to have for traveling because you can inhale it periodically as well between flights to help heal your body.

Contains: Rosemary, juniper, bergamot, Texas Cedarwood, and jojoba oils

 

Midnight Mint Essential Oil Blend Roller, 10mL

If you have an upset digestive tract or need to ease any kind of stomach upset, then this a roller blend you definitely want to have in your essential oil arsenal. The oils work together to reduce gas and bloating while also aiding indigestion.  You can either choose to inhale the blend to produce a calming effect or you can roll it onto your abdomen for some relief. It has a soothing jojoba oil base.

It contains Mint, lavender, Piper Betel leaf, Palma Rosa, Himalayan Cedarwood, and jojoba oils.

Meta: Utama Spice has some new roller blends that are good for uplifting your spirit, elevating your mood, and healing and come in convenient packages that can be taken with you anywhere you go.

 

DIY Essential Oil Roller: Antiviral Recipe

If you are looking for a way to fend off germs and avoid viruses and bacteria as much as possible these days to stay healthy, then you should consider the power of essential oils. Some essential oils have been found to help fight against the flu and other viruses. Today, we will go over a DIY essential oil roller using essential oils with antiviral properties to do just that.

What You Need

• 7 drops lemon
• 5 drops cajeput
• 5 drops tea tree
• 3 drops oregano

You should also have a carrier oil. We suggest jojoba because it moisturizes the skin, is quickly absorbed, has no greasy residue, and is both odorless and colorless.

What To Do

Begin by filling your roller with jojoba oil. You then need to add the specified drops of each essential oil and shake to mix the ingredients together. You now have an antiviral essential oil recipe you can use throughout the day to fend off sickness and boost your immune system.

Now, let’s take a closer look at each of these essential oils to see how they can benefit us.

Lemon

Lemon essential oil is full of antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties that can help boost the immune system and fight respiratory conditions. It is also one of the biggest essential oils commonly used to fight allergies. It has a refreshing and uplifting scent that is detoxifying.

Cajeput

Cajeput essential oil is commonly used for colds and congestion and can also help with headaches, pain, and other conditions. It is very similar to tea tree oil and has a stimulating and camphoraceous odor with strong yet refreshing quality. If too much cajeput is used in your roller blend recipe, it could cause skin irritation. So, be careful to use the specified amount for this recipe.

Tea Tree

Tea tree oil has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antifungal properties. It is often used to treat bronchial congestion and pulmonary inflammation. Tea tree oil may also effectively kill bacteria and fungus.

Oregano

Oregano oil is loaded with antioxidants and has other powerful compounds that have proved beneficial to our health. It is used as an effective and natural antibiotic that contains carvacrol that can help fight bacteria. It has also shown to be effective against different types of bacteria that have become resistant to antibiotics.

As you can see, this antiviral roller blend recipe is the perfect way to arm yourself against viruses and bacteria and stay as safe and healthy as possible.

Meta: This DIY essential oil roller is an antiviral recipe that can help combat sickness and provide your immune system with a boost.

The Art of Blending Essential Oils

As you may know, when essential oils are used in combination, they have proven to be much stronger and have more beneficial properties than when they are used on their own. However, to reap all the benefits that essential oils have to offer, you need to understand the art of blending essential oils.

Today we will go over some of the do’s, and don’ts when it comes to blending essential oils.

Proper Dilution

When creating beneficial essential oil blends, you need to dilute the oils. A good rule of thumb to remember when diluting your oils is to use one drop of the essential oil per teaspoon of carrier oil. This provides you with a 1 percent dilution.

You can always increase the amount of carrier oil you use as well if needed. So, for one ounce of carrier oil, you should have 6 to 18 drops of your essential oils for personal care application.

If you are using the essential oils for home and air care, then you can use up to 18 drops per 1 ounce of carrier oil for a 3 percent dilution.

You must dilute most essential oils because of their concentrated potency. They can be diluted with a skincare oil or a carrier oil like:

• jojoba
• coconut
• rosehip
• argan oil

Beneficial Essential Oil Blends

Once you learn how to safely and adequately dilute your oils, you need to determine which oils blend well together.

To calm your soul, you can combine three drops of lavender, three drops of frankincense, and three drops of bergamot. It is a zen blend that you can diffuse in the home to nourish and comfort your soul.

To help promote better sleeping habits, combine three drops of lavender, two drops marjoram, one drop orange, and one drop roman chamomile. This combination will help relax you and allow the stress to melt away for a better night’s sleep.

Blending the Oils

Before mixing, group your essential oils together, so they have similar traits. Think about their benefits and their smell. When blending for aromatherapy, you should stick with mixing between two to five essential oils to achieve the best synergy between them.

The success of your essential oil blend depends on the oils you decide to combine. For topical applications, use a 15 mL amber glass bottle and fill it to the top with your carrier oil of choice. Select up to five oils to use and then add in around eight drops of each oil. It is best to stay away from mixing already combined blends.

Meta: The art of blending essential oils starts with knowing how to properly dilute them and then finding that sweet spot when mixing your favorite oils together

Immune Boosting Essential Oils and How to Use Them

In such uncertain times these days, it is crucial to take the means necessary to protect ourselves from the sickness and germs that run rampant. To do this, you can use immune-boosting essential oils.

All essential oils have some kind of antiseptic properties that are good for treating bacteria, fungus, and viruses. Some essential oils have also been found to stimulate the immune system and increase blood circulation, which ultimately supports all of our different body systems.

Today, we will go over some of these essential oils and how to use them so you can prepare to combat the bacteria and viruses that continually threaten your health and well-being.

Immune Boosting Essential Oils

Essential oils are a natural and effective way of boosting your immune system and are an effective way to protect your home.

Tea Tree Essential Oil

This essential oil has antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties and can prove to be an excellent first defense when it comes to some of the more common pathogens. Not only can tea tree oil support your immune system, but it can also act as a stimulant. It can be used as a disinfectant for the air and can kill several types of germs that may be floating around and causing sickness.

Tea tree oil has also been used to protect against many virus strains and was found to be effective against influenza strains. It can be used in aromatherapy or applied topically to combat viruses and bacteria. It can be inhaled through diffusing and other aromatherapy techniques.

Lavender

Lavender essential oil is beneficial because it encourages your body to get the restorative sleep that it needs during a sickness. High stress levels and little sleep both contribute to lowered immunity.

Clove

Clove is considered an expectorant and helps reduce inflammation and expel mucus more naturally. It contains high levels of antioxidants that help your body fight off oxidative damage and free radicals.

Lemon

Lemon is high in Vitamin C and is a powerful antioxidant that can boost the immune system. It also has antiviral and antibacterial properties to help protect your body. In addition to diffusing lemon, it can also be used to make a cleaning spray for the home.

Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus essential oil contains natural decongestive and expectorant qualities. It can also help you when you are feeling weak and exhausted during sickness. It is known to be an anti-inflammatory and analgesic oil.

Cajeput

Cajeput offers more targeted immunity and is a natural remedy for colds, the flu, throat infections, and headaches.

Turmeric

Another natural way to boost immunity is with turmeric. Its active compound is curcumin and is found to be a powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. It helps increase the immunomodulating capacity of the body and is particularly helpful when you are experiencing high levels of stress and during flu season.

The best way to use these essential oils is through aromatherapy. However, lemongrass can also be used to create a disinfectant spray for the surfaces in the home as well. Simply mix 30 drops of lemongrass oil with a liter of water and vinegar and spray it around the home to help fight off sickness and give your immune system a much-needed boost.

Meta: To avoid sickness and boost your immune system, there are few essential oils you can use during aromatherapy to combat viruses and germs.

Why Blend Essential Oils?

If you are new to aromatherapy and essential oils, then you may not know that you can blend different essential oils. You can blend the oils to make your own personal fragrance that you absolutely love.

Essential oils generally work better when they are mixed with other essential oils. This is because each essential oil has a vast number of compounds and properties that have beneficial healing properties. When working together, they are not as weak as their counterparts alone.

The Power of Synergy

Various oils complement one another and bring out notes that you may not have otherwise sensed when using single essential oils. While there is no right or wrong way to blend essential oils, it is good to pay attention to what your nose is telling you. You can tell pretty quickly if the combination isn’t quite right. You may find that some smells may be unappealing or even flat.

When essential oils combine and interact with one another, they bring out effects that can’t usually be seen with just one essential oil alone. This is known as synergy in aromatherapy.

Synergy says that the essential oils are far more powerful in combination and can release more appealing fragrances and therapeutic benefits that are different than the individual properties of each essential oil.

Properties of Essential Oils

When combining essential oils, it is good to know how they can be grouped to reap their many beneficial properties.

• Anti-Inflammatory: Clove, ginger, helichrysum, orange, Roman chamomile, and turmeric blends are useful if you are looking for an anti-inflammatory combination.
• Antiseptic and Antimicrobial: Cinnamon, citronella, eucalyptus, lemon, rosemary, and tea tree. Lavender also has useful antimicrobial properties. For the best combination of antimicrobial properties, you want to include a tea tree in the blend.
• Antiviral: Some antiviral essential oils include tea tree, oregano, cajeput, lemon, turmeric, eucalyptus, clove, lavender, and rosemary. Antiviral essential oils have been found to kill bacteria and fight against influenza and other viruses. They can also help relieve the symptoms associated with these conditions as well.

With the right essential oil blends using these oils that have antiviral, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties, you can begin to protect yourself against sickness and provide your immune system with the boost it needs.

For Immunity

Essential oils can help boost immunity. These oils include rosemary, tea tree, mint, lemon, and turmeric. These oils help stimulate the immune system. They do this by increasing blood and lymph circulation while also providing some much-needed support to other body systems. These oils can also be diffused to help prevent the spread of airborne germs.

Meta: Blending essential oils can bring out more beneficial properties and can make them a lot stronger than when they are used individually.

Why are Rose, Jasmine, and Neroli Oil So Special?

Rose, jasmine, and Neroli are three oils that are well known for their emotional benefits. They have been found to enhance one’s libido and help with promoting healthier skin. They are usually some of the costlier essential oils but have great benefits, which is making people eager to get their hands on them.

Rose

Rose can help reduce the appearance of skin imperfections, promote even skin tone and a healthier complexion, and can be emotionally uplifting. It also promotes feelings of relaxation and can aid in boosting libido. It can be applied to the pulse points of the body. This oil comes from the Bulgarian rose and requires a very labor-intensive process to produce.

Just one ton of roses equals 1 kg of rose oil. Rose oil is known as an absolute. Absolutes are produced through solvent extraction or enfleurage. When an aromatic oil is extracted in this way, it is referred to as an absolute, rather than an essential oil because it is far more concentrated.

Rose is also seen as the universal icon of love and romance and has a sweet flowery scent that is feminine and light.

Jasmine

Jasmine can provide you with a calming and euphoric aroma that can lift your mood and promote a more positive outlook. It can also help reduce the appearance of imperfections and promote a healthier complexion.

Jasmine has a deeper floral scent

Neroli Oil

Neroli oil can promote a more positive mood, reduce the feelings of anxiousness, soothe the skin, encourage relaxation, and help increase libido. It can be used topically to soothe the skin and can be combined with lavender, Ylang Ylang, and marjoram. It is harvested from the same bitter orange tree that orange essential oil comes from.

These three oils are often looked at as some of the more romantic oils. They are used in massage as well as perfumery and blending. Due to the specific extraction process that is used to get the oils and fragrances from these plants, they are classified as absolutes. However, this is what is necessary to extract their very aromatic oils.

Absolutes are highly aromatic. Even though solvents are used in the extraction process, they are removed during the final stages of production, and only a trace amount will be left behind. A little of these absolutes will also go a long way because of their potency.

Meta: Rose, Jasmine, and Neroli oil are absolutes and have a much higher potency than other oils, and this is due to the extraction method used to retrieve the oils from the plants.