Good Health with Herbal Teas

Herbal teas are known for their refreshing flavour and calming properties. They are prepared either by mixing herbs with tea or by simply brewing the herbs. Besides being gentle and readily available, they are also associated with number medicinal and therapeutic properties. Here is a list of top 8 herbal teas with great health benefits you can brew and enjoy.

Peppermint tea
Peppermint tea is mild and is very refreshing. The main component of the tea is peppermint oil which contributes to all the therapeutic effects. The tea is rich in minerals like calcium, magnesium and potassium and contains very low calories. It is best known for its properties to soothe the stomach and promote digestion. A warm glass of peppermint tea can also help to effectively relieve nausea. 
 
Chamomile tea
Chamomile tea is mild and reviving. It is found very powerful to treat a number of maladies. It has sedative properties that can relieve both sleeplessness and anxiety. It has also been shown to be helpful in relieving skin conditions such as dermatitis and eczema.

Lemon balm tea
This herb belongs to the mint family and has been used for centuries to treat indigestion, anxiety and sleep disorders. This herb is good for the digestive system and is helpful in reducing flatulence and indigestion. Being antispasmodic in nature, it is also effective in easing menstrual cramps.

Ginger tea
Ginger tea is known for its prized medicinal benefits. It is best known for its ability to fight nausea. It has anti-inflammatory properties that can help to relieve muscle soreness after exercise. Drinking ginger tea during periods can also be helpful in reducing menstrual pain.

Lavender tea
Lavender is known for its bright purple flowers and pleasant aroma. Lavender is an antidepressant, expectorant analgesic and an antiseptic. Lavender tea is primarily used to ease anxiety, insomnia, stress and depression. The tea is also good for relieving indigestion and nausea.

Lemongrass tea
Lemongrass tea has a strong lemony fragrance. Lemongrass contains a lot of volatile oils that are rich in antioxidants and can protect your cells from damage caused by free radicals. It also has anti-inflammatory properties and can help to reduce pain in conditions such as arthritis.

Rosehip tea
Rosehip is the fruit of rose plant that is typically red or orange in colour. It not only has beauty benefits, but it can also ward off many diseases. Being rich in vitamin C and flavonoids, rosehip tea has good antioxidant properties. Antioxidants can play a role in preventing arthritis, heart diseases and cancer.

Cardamom tea
Cardamom is often added in teas for a strong and refreshing flavour. Cardamom tea has been used as a digestive aid for centuries. It is also an effective herbal remedy for treating worms in your intestine. Cardamom can help you detoxify your body and flush out toxins from your digestive and circulatory systems.

Original post: http://www.thehealthsite.com/news/health-benefits-of-herbal-tea/

Winter Solstice

Late dawn. Early sunset. Short day. Long night. For us in the Northern Hemisphere, the December solstice marks the longest night and shortest day of the year. Meanwhile, on the day of the December solstice, the Southern Hemisphere has its longest day and shortest night. This special day is coming up on Sunday, December 21 at 23:03 UTC (5:03 p.m. CST). A fun fact about the coming solstice is that it occurs within about two-and-a-half hours of a new moon. No matter where you live on Earth’s globe, a solstice is your signal to celebrate.

What is a solstice?

The earliest people on Earth knew that the sun’s path across the sky, the length of daylight, and the location of the sunrise and sunset all shifted in a regular way throughout the year. They built monuments such as Stonehenge in England – or, for example, at Machu Picchu in Peru – to follow the sun’s yearly progress.

But we today see the solstice differently. We can picture it from the vantage point of space. Today, we know that the solstice is an astronomical event, caused by Earth’s tilt on its axis, and its motion in orbit around the sun.

Because Earth doesn’t orbit upright, but is instead tilted on its axis by 23-and-a-half degrees, Earth’s Northern and Southern Hemispheres trade places in receiving the sun’s light and warmth most directly. The tilt of the Earth – not our distance from the sun – is what causes winter and summer. At the December solstice, the Northern Hemisphere is leaning most away from the sun for the year.
At the December solstice, Earth is positioned in its orbit so that the sun stays below the north pole horizon. As seen from 23-and-a-half degrees south of the equator, at the imaginary line encircling the globe known as the Tropic of Capricorn, the sun shines directly overhead at noon. This is as far south as the sun ever gets. All locations south of the equator have day lengths greater than 12 hours at the December solstice. Meanwhile, all locations north of the equator have day lengths less than 12 hours.
For us on the northern part of Earth, the shortest day comes at the solstice. After the winter solstice, the days get longer, and the nights shorter. It’s a seasonal shift that nearly everyone notices.

Where should I look to see signs of the solstice in nature?

Everywhere.

For all of Earth’s creatures, nothing is so fundamental as the length of daylight. After all, the sun is the ultimate source of all light and warmth on Earth.

If you live in the northern hemisphere, you can notice the late dawns and early sunsets, and the low arc of the sun across the sky each day. You might notice how low the sun appears in the sky at local noon. And be sure to look at your noontime shadow. Around the time of the December solstice, it’s your longest noontime shadow of the year.

In the Southern Hemisphere, it’s opposite. Dawn comes early, and dusk comes late. The sun is high. It’s your shortest noontime shadow of the year.

http://earthsky.org/earth/everything-you-need-to-know-december-solstice#where

Magus Books: Product Highlight

Ravener & Others: Six John Dee & Edward Kelley Occult Mysteries

Author: Tyson, Donald

Six exciting esoteric tales of Elizabethan magician Dr John Dee and his skryer Edward Kelley, using their wits and angelic magic to battle a range of supernatural foes and threats.

The Curse - one of the Queen's lady's-in-waiting is threatened by an African curse.

Hackley Grange - terror from beyond the stars strikes close to home.

Black Dog - Edward Kelley meets an old treasure-hunting friend, and gains a familiar, but will it save or kill him?

The Shewstone - Dee and Kelley battle powerful foes to save the realm from destruction.

Nonsuch House - the vengeance of a dangerous ghost endangers John Dee's wife, Jane.

The Ravener - an ancient evil stalks Queen Elizabeth I and her courtiers on a hunt, and the only salvation lies in the wits of John Dee.

About the Author:
Donald Tyson is best known as the author of numerous nonfiction books on the traditions of Western magic. He has written about such varied topics as the Tarot, the runes, the Kabbalah, Enochian magic, astral projection and spirit evocation. He is also the editor of annotated modernized editions of the occult classics Demonology by King James the First, The Three Books of Occult Philosophy by Cornelius Agrippa, and Agrippa's Fourth Book of Occult Philosophy. He originated the unique divination systems of rune dice and rune astrology, and designed the Necronomicon Tarot deck.

He is the author of a biography of H. P. Lovecraft, as well as an original version of Lovecraft's dreaded Necronomicon and several other works based in Lovecraft's Necronomicon Mythos. Tyson's novels include Alhazred, about the life of the author of the Necronomicon; and The Tortuous Serpent, about John Dee and Edward Kelley's occult adventures in Bohemia. Donald Tyson presently lives in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, with his wife, Jenny, and his flame-point Siamese cat, Hermes.

Winter Astrology

As the Sun enters CAPRICORN, nature takes a rest. The Earth is barren and the animal kingdom is seeking refuge for the winter months. There is an air of austerity, and the world is awed by the transition that has taken place. When functioning in the Capricorn area of your life, you project that same austerity and demand respect for your capacity to survive. Just as animals are finding protection from the elements, you instinctively build a wall of protection around your feelings of vulnerability to the environment. 

 

At the midpoint of the winter season, when the Sun moves into AQUARIUS, the air seems electrical. There is a freshness that both cleanses and stimulates. Electrical energy is so potent now that touching certain objects is literally shocking. And so is the energy of the Aquarian personality. In your Aquarius-ruled experiences (house) intuition often strikes you like the lightening of the season. Just as ice crusting over the Earth seems shattered by the seasonal thunder, you have the power to break through barriers that limit creative expression.

 

The cycle nears its end as the Sun moves into the last zodiacal sign, PISCES. Winter is almost over; spring is almost here. All of nature seems in a state of limbo. Faith is the keynote for survival.  You often feel out of step with the rest of the world when functioning in the Pisces-ruled area of your life. You don't fit into the patterns that have been; yet you remain unable to open the gates to what lies ahead. Just as Mother Nature is making a commitment to start anew, you must commit your life to some future cause, a fantasy or a dream; an ideal or an illusion.

When spring returns, promises are filled; the Piscean faith is rewarded; a new life begins as the cycle renews itself.

 

http://www.joannewickenburg.com/id6.htm

 

Rosemary Cookies

An evergreen, one legend says that rosemary was a study aid in ancient Greece, worn behind the ear in preparations for exams. It was thought to improve memory. Modern studies bear that out. A little rosemary essential oil, or a sprig of the fresh herb does help recall.

Rosemary's association with having a good memory lead to its use in weddings to help the bride and groom recall their vows, and later at funerals to help those attending remember the deceased.

This herb is a mild analgesic and sedative that works with the liver, improving the body's ability to cleanse itself of the debris that can build and worsen joint problems.

Rosemary is not well known for its ability to help balance the thyroid, but it can do wonders with many thyroid issues and can be worth a try if there might be hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism. It also helps a wide variety of other ailments, so try a little in your next molasses cookie or hearty stew.

ROSEMARY COOKIE RECIPE

3/4 c. butter
1 c. sugar
1 egg
1/4 c. molasses
2 tsp. ground dried rosemary
1 3/4 c. sifted flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. ground cloves
1/2 tsp. ginger

Cream butter and sugar. Add egg and molasses. Stir in remaining ingredients and mix well. Drop by scant teaspoons on greased cookie sheet.Bake 10 to 12 minutes at 325 degrees. Makes about 5 dozen cookies.

What is Wellness Care?

Wellness care is about achieving and maintaining optimal health. Many people go through life, sometimes for a day, or a week, sometimes for years, feeling "out of it", or lacking vitality. The stresses we have in our lives everyday can wear us down, making it harder and harder to recharge at the end of the day. It becomes all too easy to become unbalanced and drained of energy. There may not be anything "really wrong," we might just be too run down to truly live our best lives.

Wellness care is the remedy for our busy, stressed out lifestyles. This is not primarily care that happens in the clinic, although that plays a role in wellness care, too. Rather, wellness care is primarily focused on little changes in habits and activities that can be done every day. Experiencing ways to maximize health first hand, on a daily basis, the client becomes more pro-active in their own health.

Information and strategies are a cornerstone of wellness care. Learning to communicate with one's body is key to a healthier life. Understanding basics, such as the difference between hunger and thirst, as well as more intense information, like the body crying out for a particular nutrient and how to get that needed nutrition in a healthy way. In learning to read our bodies better, we can make healthier choices that lead to a happier experience.

LIZ JOHNSON

Four Healthy Herbs to Grow Indoors this Winter

During dreary winter months, fresh herbs can add vibrant flavor to your cooking. Even better, many herbs have health benefits. So why not bring your herb garden indoors?

Many plants fare well on a sunny windowsill or kitchen counter, even as the snow and ice pile up outside. According to gardening expert Kim Pezza of the blog New Century Homesteader, there’s still time for many of us to take cuttings from our gardens. “And of course,” she adds, “there are always plant-swapping parties.”

If you don’t have access to plants or if it’s too late to take cuttings, visit a garden store for new seedlings or seeds. Choose perennial herbs, and you can even move your plants outdoors when springtime comes.

Gardening expert Angela Price of Eden Condensed says you should grow the herbs you like and will use. “Basil, thyme, rosemary, and mint are popular and easy-to-grow choices,” she says.
Basil
Basil is common in world cuisines—from Italy (it’s the primary ingredient in pesto sauce) to Thailand—and it can add a kick to many salads. Basil is rich in vitamin K, vitamin A, potassium, and calcium. A recent study suggests that varieties of basil commonly used in Ayurvedic healing reduce inflammation and may potentially be effective in treating arthritis. Because of its concentration of carotenoid pigments, such as beta-carotene—a powerful antioxidant—basil may contribute to cardiovascular health, and basil essential oil has been shown to inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria.

Thyme
Thyme has long been prized in cooking (it’s used to flavor poultry and pork, as well as tomato sauces) and as a medicinal herb. A generous source of antioxidant compounds, thyme has long been taken for sore throats, for upset stomachs, as a diuretic, and even as a germ killer in mouthwash.
Some evidence suggests that thyme’s essential oils provide relief from the inflammation and airway constriction caused by COPD. Researchers recently showed that it helps to clear mucus from the airways of animals. It may also help airways relax, which can improve airflow into the lungs.  

Rosemary
A fragrant, flowering, perennial herb, rosemary is used to flavor roasted meats and stuffings, and it’s become a staple herb in many kitchens, turning up in everything from bread to ice cream.
In Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Ophelia says, “There’s rosemary, that’s for remembrance”—and recent studies show that Shakespeare might have been onto something: in a series of tests, researchers found that smelling rosemary oil increased the chances of people remembering to do things by between 60 and 75 percent. A similar study found that the scent of rosemary oil improved mood. In addition, rosemary has long been a popular home remedy for migraines, digestive problems, and other ailments.

Mint 
Mint has a distinctive taste but is incredibly versatile; it adds character to both savory dishes and sweet ones. And it’s not just for fresh breath. Mint is rich in vitamin C and iron. Teas brewed from peppermint or spearmint leaves can ease digestive problems, including irritable bowel syndrome, thanks to mint’s antibacterial and antifungal properties. These properties also help reduce asthma and allergy symptoms. Many people believe that mint is a mental stimulant, as well as a digestive one. Mint has also been shown to have anti-inflammatory powers.

Starting Your Herb Garden
Price offers the following tips for growing an indoor herb garden:

• Pick the appropriate containers: Pots should be at least four inches
 deep and have drainage holes. Place a tray underneath to catch the water runoff.
• Give them sun: “A sunny window is key,” Price says.
• Water them only when the soil is dry: If you are not sure, stick a finger in
to the dirt. Too much water may “drown” the plant and attract
 gnats or mildew.
• Trim herbs regularly to encourage new growth.

And she has one final word of advice: “Don’t forget to experiment and have fun!"

Originally published on Healthline

Cassia Vs. Cinnamon

A close relative to cinnamon, Cassia has a wonderful fragrance and thousands of years of historical use. It promotes healthy digestion, supports healthy immune function, and has a warming, uplifting aroma.

Although related, cinnamon and cassia are not obtained the same plant. They should be treated as separate foods, both from a nutritional and a health standpoint.

Scientifically speaking, there is only one true cinnamon, which is most commonly called "Ceylon cinnamon," and comes from the plant Cinnamomum zeylanicum. An alternative scientific name for Ceylon cinnamon is Cinnamomum verum, which simply translates as "true cinnamon."

The term "cassia" never refers to Ceylon cinnamon but rather to other species of cinnamon, including Cinnamomum cassia (alternatively called Cinnamomum aromaticaum) and Cinnamomum burmannii. While most simply referred to as "cassia," you'll often find Cinnamomum aromaticaum being referred to as "Chinese cinnamon" or "Saigon cinnamon," and you'll find Cinnamomum burmannii being called "Java cinnamon" or "Padang cassia."

Ceylon cinnamon is typically more expensive than any of the cassia versions, and it is also the cinnamon more closely associated with potential health benefits involving blood sugar regulation. However, since both forms belong not only to the same family of plants (Lauraceae, the laurel family) but also to the same genus (Cinnamomum). They share many characteristics, and in some studies on rats and mice, the cassia cinnamons have shown blood sugar regulating ability as well.
What true cinnamon and cassia do not have in common is their coumarin content. Coumarins are naturally occurring plant components that can be quite toxic in large amounts. These toxicities tend to affect the liver and nervous system most directly. While the level of naturally occurring coumarins in Ceylon cinnamon appears to be very small and lower than the amount that could cause health risks, the level of naturally occurring coumarins in the cassia cinnamons appears to be higher and may pose a risk to some individuals if consumed in substantial amounts on a regular basis. For this reason, organizations like the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment in Berlin, Germany have recommended that large amounts of the cassia cinnamons be avoided.

Unfortunately, there is no way to tell the difference between cinnamon powders that have been made from Ceylon/true cinnamon versus the cassia cinnamons. If you are buying cinnamon powder to use in a recipe, we recommend purchasing a cinnamon product that identifies the source of its cinnamon or calling the manufacturer to obtain this information.

When used in ordinary seasoning amounts occasionally in the diet, it is unlikely that you will face added health risks from the cassia cinnamons. We do not see a reason to avoid the cassia forms of this spice when consumed on this limited basis. However, if you are an avid cinnamon lover and likely to consume large amounts of cinnamon, we recommend Ceylon cinnamon (true cinnamon) as your best choice. Regardless of your Ceylon versus cassia decision, we always encourage you to purchase organic cinnamon, along with organic versions of all spices and seasonings.

References

• Anderson RA. Chromium and polyphenols from cinnamon improve insulin sensitivity. Proc Nutr Soc 2008;67(1):48-53. 2008.
• Dugoua JJ, Seely D, Perri D, et al. From type 2 diabetes to antioxidant activity: a systematic review of the safety and efficacy of common and cassia cinnamon bark. Can J Physiol Pharmacol 2007;85(9):837-47. 2007.
• Mang B, Wolters M, Schmitt B, et al. Effects of a cinnamon extract on plasma glucose, HbA, and serum lipids in diabetes mellitus type 2. Eur J Clin Invest 2006;36(5):340-4. 2006.
• Matan N, Rimkeeree H, Mawson AJ, et al. Antimicrobial activity of cinnamon and clove oils under modified atmosphere conditions. Int J Food Microbiol 2006;107(2):180-5. 2006.
• Vanschoonbeek K, Thomassen BJ, Senden JM,. Cinnamon supplementation does not improve glycemic control in postmenopausal type 2 diabetes patients. J Nutr 2006;136(4):977-80. 2006.
• Verspohl EJ, Bauer K, Neddermann E. Antidiabetic effect of Cinnamomum cassia and Cinnamomum zeylanicum in vivo and in vitro. Phytother Res 2005;19(3):203-6. 2005.

Brighten Your Holidays

Frankincense is perhaps the most precious of the ancient oils. It is highly versatile in its uses and benefits, helping build and maintain a healthy immune system, promoting cellular health, and reducing the appearance of scars and stretch marks.

Frankincense (Boswellia carteri) has a sweet, warm, balsamic aroma that is stimulating and elevating to the mind. Useful for visualizing, improving one's spiritual connection, and centering, it has comforting properties that help focus the mind and overcome stress and despair.

Frankincense is considered the holy anointing oil in the Middle East, where it has been used in religious ceremonies for thousands of years. More recently, it has been used in European and American hospitals and is the subject of substantial research. Frankincense is also a valuable ingredient in skin care products for aging and dry skin. The ancient Egyptians used it in rejuvenation face masks.

How to Keep from Getting Sick During the Holidays

For those rushing out the door on the way to Grandma’s house for the holiday, here’s the most important safe-travel tip we can offer. In three words: Wash your hands.

Wash them long enough to sing the ABC song, says Dr. Laura Hanson of Texas Woman’s University. Otherwise, microorganisms you’ve brought to the surface with that initial scrub won’t be completely washed away.

During the holidays, more people get sick because colder weather forces us indoors, says Jan Jowitt, director of nursing and infection-control officer at the University of North Texas Health Science Center. “You have a lot more contact with individuals in closed areas.”

Plus, the same people who may stay home the rest of the year when they’re sick feel compelled to stagger into public places during November and December. Every time you touch a doorknob, refrigerator-door handle, remote control, water faucet, gas nozzle, or you reach into a bowl of peanuts — all well-utilized places, especially during the holidays — well, let’s just say you’re not the first person to do so.

Although sometimes getting sick is inevitable; simple steps can stack the stay-well odds in your favor.

IN GENERAL
Maintain your routine. Make sure you’re meticulous about this, says Christina Vargas, a Dallas Ayurveda health practitioner and yoga therapist. Veering from your usual bedtime, types of foods eaten, as well as sleep and exercise regimens can throw off your schedule and thus, your immune system.  “Our bodies are made to protect us from getting infections,” says Dr. Emily Hebert, a preventive medicine physician at the Cooper Clinic in Dallas. “But when we’re in the prime for illness — lack of sleep, stress, coming off a recent illness — that revs up our risk.”

Carry hand sanitizer. “I’d never even given thought to the gas pump,” Jowitt says. “But you can imagine, thousands and thousands come through and start pumping gas. You don’t know where their hands have been. Then after you touch the pump, you get into your truck and see, ‘Oh, there’s my McDonald’s burger.’ That’s how people get what they call the stomach bug. There may be fecal matter present that doesn’t belong to you. I know it sounds disgusting.”

Exercise. Even if you can’t do what you normally do, modify. “Exercise helps with metabolism, it helps with our good humor, it keeps us (to be) energetic and healthy,” Jowitt says.

RESPIRATORY-WISE
 Cough and sneeze into your elbow. Particles from a sneeze can contain the influenza virus, Jowitt says. “If you’re having a conversation and use your hands or a tissue to catch the sneeze, some of the particles come through your fingers and through the base of the Kleenex. Say I’m standing next to you and about the time I need to take a deep breath to go on about my conversation, that’s where I can be exposed.”

ON AN AIRPLANE
Wear a mask if you’re sick. Preferably, don’t travel at all. “You also don’t know what other people have,” Hebert says. “There could be a cancer patient, and if you give them the flu, that could be potentially fatal.”

Bring your own snacks. Maria-Paula Carrillo, a registered dietitian nutritionist with Lemond Nutrition in Plano, makes sure to have packets of nut butters, which she spreads onto fruit or onto whole-grain crackers.

Limit sodium intake and carbonated beverages. “You risk feeling bloated,” Carrillo says. “By the time you get off the plane, your shoes may be tight. You may not feel so good.” Limit alcohol intake, too, she says; it’ll hit you a lot harder when you’re 35,000 feet above the Earth.

Rely on water, and if it makes you use the bathroom more often, so much the better. Moving is a good thing. Plus, it will help limit your risk of blood clots. One warning: Airplane restrooms are notoriously germ-ridden, so be sure to use a paper towel to touch the flush lever or faucet.

Carry essential oils. “Lavender oil is antibacterial, antimicrobial, antiviral,” Vargas says, as well as calming. “Put a little on a napkin or handkerchief and just inhale it.” Peppermint oil can reduce motion sickness, she says. “Take the oil in a container and hold it to your abdomen and slowly bring it to your chest till you smell it,” she says. “It’s also great for the respiratory system.”

IN A HOTEL ROOM
Use hand wipes liberally. You’re more likely to encounter unwanted microorganisms on light switches, remote controls and bedside lamps than on the more obvious places like the toilet, says Hanson of TWU. Still, “It wouldn’t hurt to wipe down the flush handle either. It won’t take very long. It’s quick, easy stuff.” Change wipes frequently so what you wipe off one thing won’t end up on the next. One study, she says, showed that an hour after someone with a cold left a hotel room, more than half the people who touched items that person had handled would pick up the virus from what they touched.

Don’t go barefoot. Wear flip-flops, slippers or socks.

IN A RESTAURANT
Bring out more hand wipes. Most travel infections reported come from restaurants, Hanson says. “Just do a quick wipe down. How do you know the last group who sat at your table didn’t have a kid who sneezed and then reached out for the ketchup bottle or the syrup?” Additionally, she says, despite the “Employees Must Wash Hands” signs in restaurant restrooms, studies have shown sometimes as few as 5 percent of employees heed them.

FOOD-WISE
Be diligent about eating produce. Chances are, holiday meals will offer more starches than greens. That’s fine, but include the good-for-you colorful foods, too.

Take probiotics. Whether in pill form or in yogurt, they can help if you have a sensitive stomach and are eating foods you’re not used to, Hebert says.

Stay hydrated. “Drink tons of water,” Hebert says. Not ice water, Vargas warns, because it “reduces our digestive fire, our metabolism. Soda, coffee, alcohol, excessive amounts of sugar weaken the immune system.”

Don’t share. If your sister’s drink or your kid’s mashed potatoes look delicious, get your own, Jowitt says. Saliva is, after all, a bodily fluid, and “other people’s forks, food and glasses have plenty that could be contaminated with virus bacteria.”

A final reminder about the most important step:

Wash your hands. The experts just can’t seem to say that enough, with a caveat.

Leslie Barker, The Dallas Morning News 

Aromatherapy Tips to Manage Holiday Blues

As joyful as the holiday season is supposed to be, the days leading up to Christmas can be filled with stress, chaos, hectic schedules, deliciously tempting but unhealthy food, lack of quality sleep and dealing with disagreeable loved ones and fellow shoppers.

The reality of Christmas Eve and Christmas day can also be a difficult time for those that cannot be with their loved ones at Christmas, for those that are in dysfunctional families, for those that have painful past memories associated with Christmas, for those with financial stress and for those that are enduring health issues of their own or those of a loved one. And often, those that are caught within one or all of these categories tend to remain silent about their feelings around the holidays so that they do not put a damper on the joyful mood of those around them.

The shorter hours of daylight during winter as well as the increase in cloudcover, cold and snow can also make it difficult to maintain an energetic, cheerful, positive disposition.

The following tips may help to naturally uplift your spirits, calm your nerves and energize your mood:

• Citrus oils are emphasized because they are energizing and uplifting oils. Orange, lemon and grapefruit oils are inexpensive (especially orange) and are also favored by many people, so your whole household may enjoy the aroma.

• Proper nutrition and exercise is not just essential for physical health, but it also nourishes and strengthens your nervous system, your emotions and your ability to focus and think clearly.

When you're down, stressed and immensely busy, it's easy to forget to give yourself a moment to take an aromatic bath, enjoy a brief self massage or diffuse your favorite essential oil blend. It's also harder to eat well and exercise. If you need to, set up a way to help yourself remember and be sure to carve out the time needed to care for yourself. You deserve it!

www.aromaweb.com

Chinese Medicinal Plant May Help Treat Obesity and Diabetes

Washington: A new study has revealed that a component of a flowering plant used in traditional Chinese medicine thwarts development of obesity, type 2 diabetes and hepatic steatosis.

According to the study, a component found in the plant, Glycyrrhiza uralensis, may inhibit the development of metabolic disorders by stopping the activation of NLRP3, a protein involved in the disease process and the researchers identified isoliquiritigenin as having the ability to attenuate high-fat, diet-induced obesity, type 2 diabetes and hepatic steatosis in mice.

Kiyoshi Takatsu, Ph.D., a researcher involved in the work from the Department of Immunobiology and Pharmacological Genetics, Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Science for Research at the University of Toyama in Toyama Japan, said that identification of small compounds that inhibit the NLRP3 inflammasome is required to design effective therapeutics and they hope that their findings will provide new information and strategy that can be exploited for development of new herbal medication of those diseases.

Scientists stimulated mouse macrophages with different inflammasome activators in the presence of isoliquiritigenin, before activating NLRP3 inflammasome, which was examined by measuring IL-1beta production in the culture supernatants.

The results showed that relatively low concentrations of isoliquiritigenin were highly effective in inhibiting IL-1beta production compared with known NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitors, such as parthenolide and sulfonylurea drug glyburide. For animal studies, three groups of mice were used. The first group of mice was fed a normal diet and the second group of mice was fed a high-fat diet. The third group of mice was fed a high-fat diet supplemented with 0.5 percent isoliquiritigenin. High-fat diet feeding for 20 weeks induced obesity, type 2 diabetes and hepatic steatosis in mice, but supplementation of ILG markedly improved these disorders. Finally, supplementation of isoliquiritigenin inhibited high-fat diet-induced IL-1beta production in adipose tissue.
The study was published in the Journal of Leukocyte Biology.

Originally Published:india.com.