Bottled Heaven by Mimay

07/10/2024

Did you know you that you can incorporate essential oils into castor oil packs for added benefits? Find out how in my blog post.
https://authorscott.com/how-to-create-a-castor-oil-pack-with-essential-oils/

21/04/2024

Bronchopneumonia is a lung infection characterized by inflammation of the bronchi, rapid breathing, shortness of breath, and chest pain when you breathe or cough. A case report showed that inhaling peppermint for 15 minutes daily for five consecutive days improved respiratory function (slowed rapid breathing) and reduced respiratory mucus accumulation in children under age five with bronchopneumonia.
https://journal.mahardika.ac.id/index.php/jkm/article/view/209/177


This case study is interesting because peppermint must be used with caution in children under three, particularly premature or developmentally delayed children, because it can reduce their respiratory rate.

20/01/2023

Guava leaf essential oil is uncommon but has well-known constituents like limonene and beta-caryophyllene. A preclinical study evaluated the biological activities of guava leaf CT limonene essential oil and the ability of its constituents to bind to target enzymes. The researchers found that it inhibited enzymes and through this activity could support healthy blood sugar levels, cognition, and the ability to brighten the skin.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9781903/

05/01/2023

Skin aging involves the loss of collagen and elastin fibers in the extracellular matrix of the dermis and lack of support within epidermal layers. This lack of support creates fine lines and wrinkles. The enzymes elastase and collagenase are responsible for degradation of matrix fibers, therefore inhibiting their activity can reduce skin aging. Laboratory research shows that helichrysum essential oil inhibits both of these enzymes and could help maintain youthful-looking skin.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31199702/

30/10/2022

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a painful condition that occurs when the median nerve in the wrist is compressed in the narrow passageway surrounded by bones and ligaments on the palm side of your hand. Compression of the median nerve results in tingling and weakness in the hand and arm.

A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial evaluated the benefits of topical German chamomile CT bisabolene oxide essential oil in people with mild to moderate carpal tunnel syndrome. Eighty-six subjects were randomly divided into the intervention group that applied essential oil or a placebo group that used 10% sesame oil in paraffin with 0.1% chamomile oil to simulate the aroma. Five drops of German chamomile oil (diluted in sesame oil) or placebo were applied to the palmar area of the wrist every morning and evening for four weeks and both groups used a standard wrist splint at night. At the end of the four weeks the German chamomile group experienced significant improvements in symptom severity and functionality when compared to placebo. In addition, the German chamomile oil improved median nerve activity and function.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28107852/

27/10/2022

As overweight and obesity rates increase, scientists, medical professionals, and the general public are searching for solutions to support a healthy weight. In the hierarchy of fat loss, nutrition, exercise (especially strength training), and protein intake are the most important factors, but natural remedies like essential oils can also be helpful.

A review article concluded that essential oils may promote fat loss by accelerating fat burning and reducing fat accumulation. In my opinion, and based on supportive research, they can also reduce appetite. The article highlighted several citrus essential oils like grapefruit and lime, and their main constituent limonene, as effective.
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10412905.2016.1213668

14/10/2022

Copaiba essential oil is one of my top five favorites. It is traditionally used for inflammation and wound healing, but research suggests that it also may support normal stomach function and digestion.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9720615
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15306165

01/09/2022

Fatigue is a term used to describe an overall lack of energy or feeling of tiredness. Many people today reach for energy drinks or shots loaded with caffeine to avoid fatigue. However, this may be making things worse and actually contributing to your fatigue.

First off, about 10% of humans don't clear caffeine from the body efficiently due to polymorphisms in the CYP1A2 gene, which controls the expression of enzymes that breakdown and clear caffeine. Genetics aside, consumption of caffeine triggers the release of cortisol. High caffeine levels can negatively effect cortisol and energy levels. Too much caffeine can even overwork your adrenals (to produce cortisol excessively) and make them work less efficiently.

A more natural solution for fatigue may be peppermint essential oil. A review article reported that menthol in peppermint may increase cellular energy metabolism by stimulating the central nervous system. Specifically, menthol stimulates the adrenal cortex to enhance energy. In addition, clinical research shows that peppermint increases alertness and improves mental freshness.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0753332222009489

Inhale peppermint when feeling fatigued or place one drop on your tongue to promote alertness and mental freshness.

29/04/2022

More than 10% of the adult population has high cholesterol, with the number of people experiencing this increasing with age. Several essential oils have been investigated in preclinical models for their ability to reduce cholesterol. After discovering that melissa essential oil reduces total cholesterol and triglycerides in laboratory research, researchers evaluated the benefits of oral administration of melissa essential oil in a preclinical model. What they found was that oral administration of melissa essential oil reduces triglycerides by altering several lipid metabolic pathways, including bile acid and cholesterol creation (synthesis), and fatty acid metabolism.
https://academic.oup.com/jn/article/142/3/432/4630857

29/07/2021

The number of people with diabetes has roughly quadrupled since 1980. An increase in calorie intake, high consumption of sugar and processed foods, overweight/obesity, and decreased physical activity have contributed to this alarming statistic.

An experimental model of type 2 diabetes found that oral administration of peppermint essential oil reduced blood sugar levels, and increased insulin secretion, red blood cell count (decreased during diabetes), and C-peptide levels (a marker for pancreatic beta cells ability to produce insulin; low levels indicates permanent damage to beta cells), and enhanced overall antioxidant status (important to protect against damage caused by oxidative stress during diabetes). Overall, the research suggests that peppermint essential oil warrants further investigation in human trials for diabetes.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28922713/

28/07/2021

there's always something new that's good to know 💓

People with depression exhibit decreased brain serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) levels and function and elevated cortisol levels in the bloodstream. Serotonin deficits are often treated by selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) drugs with significant side effects, such as weight gain, sexual dysfunction, insomnia, anxiety, agitation or restlessness, and stomach disorders.

An experimental model of depression evaluated whether basil essential oil could correct abnormal serotonin and cortisol levels in depressed subjects. The study compared serotonin levels in three groups: 1) control, non-depressed, 2) depressed, no treatment, and 3) depressed, oral administration of basil essential oil for four weeks. Oral administration of basil essential oil decreased cortisol in depressed subjects, however it didn't decreases levels fully back to normal. Remarkably, basil oil significantly increased serotonin levels, which exceeded that of the depressed (untreated) group and the normal group. The results suggest that basil essential oil may help support a healthy mood.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31777626/

28/07/2021

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) describes a set of symptoms women experience at certain days of their menstrual cycle. These symptoms include mood swings, tender breasts, abdominal cramps, acne, back or joint pain, food cravings, fatigue, irritability, and depression. A clinical study found that inhaling neroli essential oil for five minutes per day on five consecutive days reduced psychological PMS symptoms.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30057033/
A follow up study concluded that inhaling neroli or rose essential oil reduces mental, physical and social symptoms associated with PMS. Rose was more effective than neroli in this study.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6820386/ - by Scott A. Johnson