Grapeseed

Grapeseed

Grapeseed is often discarded when making wine however the oil that is derived from grapeseed is one of the most amazing sources of antioxidants and an efficient source of anti-inflammatory compounds. Grapeseed oil is chemically manufactured from the seeds of grapes used for wine. The oil is collected and processed into different products or combined with different essential oils for therapeutic purposes.

What makes grapeseed oil effective is its oligomeric procyanidin which is a very powerful antioxidant that can protect the cells of the body from cell and tissue damage due to the effects of harmful free radicals. Grapeseed oil also contains chromium which is known to boost cardiovascular health by reducing bad cholesterol deposits in the body and thus reduces the risk of suffering from coronary diseases and stroke. With the linoleic acid component of grapeseed oil, it may be used to lower blood sugar levels.

You can also use grapeseed oil in reducing pain and swelling that is common in arthritis. This is one of the reasons why grapeseed oil is an ingredient in pain relief medications and arthritis treatments. This essential oil may also be used in diluted form, in capsule form as well as in teas and other preparations in the treatment of pain and inflammation. By taking grapeseed oil-based products every day for at least 7 days you will be able to reduce inflammation effectively.

And aside from the mentioned properties, grapeseed oil may also be used to increase blood circulation which will also help reduce pain and deliver chemicals that help reduce inflammation in the bones, muscles and other tissues of the body. Finally, this oil is also very effective in skin and hair care, for the treatment of gastrointestinal conditions and there are also studies that show that grapeseed oil may also be able to stop premature signs of aging and may also cure cancer.

Grapeseed oil is widely known as a treatment for joint and muscle pains which is why it is considered one of the healthiest oils to use for pain relief.

References:

Grapeseed Oil Benefits, Side Effects and Information. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.seedguides.info/grapeseed-oil/

Health Benefits of Grape Seed Oil. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.homeremediesweb.com/grape-seed-oil-health-benefits.php

Lavender

Lavender (Lavandula officinalis)

Lavender is a plant native to mountainous areas of the Mediterranean. It is a plant has woody branches and small blue-violet flowers which is possibly why the plant is named lavender. The plant is naturally fragrant and this is why it is used in soaps, shampoos, perfumes and even in detergent soaps and fabric conditioners but along with its personal care uses lavender is also popular for its medicinal uses.

Lavender is where lavender oil is derived. The oil is extracted from lavender flowers and leaves and is used in countless medicinal applications. For one, it has antiseptic properties and anti-inflammatory properties. Lavender oil is essential oil that contains terpenes like camphor which is responsible for the oil’s medicinal properties.

Lavender oil is often one of the main ingredients in muscle pain and joint pain relief products. When applied to the skin, it can help reduce pain, decrease inflammation and help manage stiffness of the affected part. The oil may also be used on its own as a topical relief of pain and inflammation. Lavender oil is also useful in a lot of different medical applications because of its natural therapeutic components. It is useful for the relief of insomnia, for the cure of hair conditions like alopecia or hair loss, for the reduction of anxiety and stress and may also be used as a non-medicinal reduction of post-operative pain. Due to lavender’s antiseptic properties, it can be used to fight bacterial and antiviral infections. Lavender oil is conjunctively used with traditional healing strategies like aromatherapy, massage, acupuncture and in performing chiropractic exercises and manipulation.

Lavender is mostly used as a main ingredient in creams, ointments and healing oils but it may be consumed as lavender tea or tinctures. Lavender oil is safe when used accordingly.

References:

Lavandula – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. (n.d.). Retrieved May 22, 2014, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lavandula

Lavender: MedicinePlus Supplements. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/838.html

Lavender I University of Maryland Medical Center (n.d.). Retrieved from http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/herb/lavender

Black Pepper

Black Pepper (Piper nigrum)

Black pepper is basically used as food. It adds zest and spice to a variety of foods that you eat. But black pepper is more than food or a spice it is also used in traditional medicine as a natural treatment of a variety of illnesses including pains and inflammation.

Black pepper comes from a climbing vine and in fact all types of pepper (black, white and green peppercorns) come from a single plant. To make black pepper, the peppercorns are harvested before these begin to open, are fermented and are placed for two to three days out in the sun to dry.

The reason why black pepper is effective as an anti- inflammatory is that it contains about 3% essential oil while the rest is made of valuable compounds like sabinene, beta-pinene, monoterpenes, limonene and other compounds that are seen as helpful for the reduction of inflammation. Black pepper is combined with other essential oils ingredients to create a topical pain reliever. These products may either be ointments, creams, gels or liniments which are applied directly on the skin of the affected area. When the product is applied there is immediate relief of pain as well as reduction of swelling, stiffness and other conditions related to inflammation. There is pain relief and improved mobility on the area.

Black pepper supplements are from the dried whole berries of the plant. After drying for a long time, these are ground and processed in capsule form. But even with these methods, still the most practical way to take advantage of black pepper benefits to pain relief is to use a topical ointment or cream.

Black pepper has been long used as a spice by adding it to food. Local traditional medicine uses it for various ailments as well as pain relief.

References:

Black pepper oil (Piper nigrum) – information on the origin, source, extraction method, chemical composition, therapeutic properties and uses. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.essentialoils.co.za/essential-oils/black-pepper.htm

Black pepper – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. (n.d.). Retrieved May 22, 2014, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_pepper