Ginger is fairly common.  Most of us have come across it at some point in our food or beverages, but ginger actually has a lot of really great benefits that you may not know about.  Some great things about using ginger are that it is fairly readily available, inexpensive, and can be used several different ways.  The following is a list of many of the benefits of using ginger, as well as some ideas for how you can utilize it for your health.

If you are just starting to use more natural home remedies, I would absolutely recommend getting ginger.  It is safe for pregnant women, and has a variety of uses such as detoxing, weight loss, nausea relief, cancer prevention and treatment, better circulation, and more.

This month's aromatherapy topic is patchouli.  Patchouli can sometimes get a bit of a bad rap, but it is actually a very beneficial oil to have around.  Patchouli has a very strong, earthy smell that can be difficult for a lot of people, so I would always recommend using this or any other essential oil sparingly.  Remember, a little goes a long way.  Patchouli is safe for topical use, so feel free to apply it directly to your skin.  If you want to take it internally, make sure to buy a brand that is safe for consumption.  Patchouli is safe to use during your second and third trimesters of pregnancy.  Many people suggest avoiding essential oils altogether during the first trimester.  

This month's aromatherapy post is about jasmine.  Jasmine is a climbing plant with small white, aromatic flowers.  It is primarily found in tropical or sub-tropical climates.  Jasmine oil has a warm, flowery, sweet scent.  It is used in a variety of beauty products, but it has many health benefits you may not be aware of.  Jasmine is actually particularly beneficial for women as it helps during menses, childbirth, and the postpartum period, and helps promote breast and uterine health.

It is also important to note that jasmine should not be used while pregnant.  It is however, useful for augmenting labor.  

Tea tree, also known as Melaleuca is considered a must have for people who use essential oils.  It is a powerhouse oil that is used for many things.  Tea tree oil has anti-septic, anti-fungal, and anti-biotic properties, so it is great for healing and cleansing.  It is important to note that tea tree oil is not safe for use on infants under 6 months or animals, and it should not be ingested.

Tea tree oil comes from the Melaleuca tree native to Australia and it is believed that the native Aborigines used the crushed leaves for medicinal purposes for many generations.

When you think of the holidays, you may not think of clove right away, but for many people, the smell of cloves brings back great memories of winter holidays.  Along with feelings of warmth and joy associated with the holiday season, cloves and clove oil have a lot of great uses and healthy benefits.  

As with all essential oils, a little bit goes a long way.  Clove oil is very strong, and you should only need a drop or two.  Clove oil is safe to use during pregnancy, but it is recommended that you not use it directly.  You can diffuse it, use it with a carrier oil on your skin, or add it to food or beverages for consumption.  You can also chew on a clove bud, but be warned, it is very strong.  There is conflicting information as to whether or not clove oil is safe to use on infants.  Many people like to use it for teething, but it is very strong.  If you want to use clove oil on your baby, I would advise that you use 1-2 drops diluted in a carrier oil like coconut oil.  Try it on yourself first to make sure it isn't too strong.

In this installment of the aromatherapy series, I want to talk about lemon.  Lemon is a scent that most of us recognize pretty easily.  Whether you like the taste or scent of lemons or not, there are many great uses for it.

Like the previous scents I have covered, lemon is very versatile.  It is used in food, first aid, cleaning, beauty products and more.  Another great thing about lemon is that it is readily available in many forms, and very cost effective.  You can buy or grow the fruit, use the juice, or buy the essential oil.  

Lemon naturally contains high quantities of d-Limonene which is an anti-oxidant and immune booster.  The most effective part of the lemon to use is the peel.  Lemon essential oil is derived from cold-pressing the peel of the lemon, so essential oil is a great option, and in most cases is safe for consumption in moderation.  

A few weeks ago I began a new series about aromatherapy by sharing some interesting uses for lavender.  Today I am going to share the next installment by talking about peppermint.

Peppermint is one of my favorite oils to use.  It is very versatile and most people either like it, or at least don't dislike it.  I use it all the time around the house, and it is one of the oils that I always make sure to keep in my birth bag for doula clients.  Let's learn a little bit more about peppermint, how it can be used, and how you can benefit from it.

Today I am starting a new blog series about aromatherapy and the use of essential oils.  I will be highlighting a new essential oil with each post in the series.  Don't worry, I'm not trying to sell you on a brand, and I won't do any posts regarding a blend that is only carried by a specific brand.  My intention is to outline the benefits and uses of many of the essential oils that you are probably familiar with, and introduce you to others which may be quite useful.

I would like to start off this series with one of the most popular essential oils: lavender.  Most of us are familiar with the smell of lavender and have probably used it or smelled it at some point.  Lavender is a great oil, not just for its aroma which many find to be pleasing and relaxing, but for its practical uses.