Seeds of Wellness

Bayberry Candle Christmas & New Year’s Eve Tradition

November 26, 2019 By Seeds of Wellness Leave a Comment

Giving and lighting a bayberry candle on Christmas Eve and/or New Year’s Eve has been a long-time American tradition. The history dates back to colonial times.

The early colonists of North America discovered bayberries gave off a greenish-white waxy residue when boiled. By saving the bayberry wax, they used it to make taper candles. However, it was time-consuming and took many bayberries – “nearly 18 pounds of the berries to get about 2 pounds of wax” – to make enough wax for a single candle. “Some communities passed laws to protect the bayberry crop from an early harvest. The result was a high value; bayberry candles became a luxury item, saved for special use.”

Adding beeswax to the bayberry wax helped the candles hold their shape and not break due to the brittleness of the pure bayberry wax. Most of these candles were only burned during the darkest times of the year. Therefore, a ritual of burning the bayberry candle at Christmas Eve and/or New Year’s Eve became a tradition.

This candle was lit at a specific time, so it stays burning after midnight. The candle remained alight until it burned out on its own. “If the candle burned down to the socket, abundance would bless everyone participating in the ritual,” according to the tradition.

Candle Poems

Verse 1

This bayberry candle comes from a friend
So on Christmas Eve burn it down to the end.
For a bayberry candle burned to the socket,
Will bring joy to the heart and gold to the pocket.

Verse 2

Here’s a Bayberry Candle that’s meant just for you,
With Holiday Tradition that’s tried and true.
When you light this candle on Christmas Eve Day,
Love and Luck come to you when it’s burned all the way!

Verse 3

To bring good luck for a year,
you must burn a Bayberry Candle on Christmas Day.
And if the flame burns bright, and the light shines clear,
then heaven will bless you all the year.

“A slightly different version of the invocation delivers the same message: ‘A bayberry candle burned to the socket brings luck to the household, food to the larder and gold to the pocket.’”

We hope that burning this candle on Christmas Eve and/or New Year’s Eve will bring you good fortune and prosperity for the coming year.

If you are looking for this candle, Seeds of Wellness sells bayberry votive and pillar candles made by Sacred Path Candles.

Too Stressed to Sleep: How to Sleep Well When Everything is Going Wrong

November 15, 2019 By Seeds of Wellness Leave a Comment

Article by Cheryl Conklin

You know the feeling. It’s the one you get when your car breaks down the day after a family member passes away, or your boss announces mandatory overtime right before all of your kids catch the flu. Sometimes, it feels like everything that could go wrong does. And to make it all worse, you’re too busy worrying and stressed out about everything to catch a wink of sleep.

Man with sleep problems — Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash

It’s common to face sleep problems in times of high stress, but this is when you need rest the most. The worse you sleep, the worse your stress gets. If you don’t get your stress under control, it could lead to depression or anxiety. According to Harvard Medical School’s Division of Sleep Medicine, people with insomnia are five times more likely to develop depression and 20 times more likely to develop anxiety than people who get a healthy amount of rest. A few good nights of sleep, on the other hand, could dramatically boost your mood and make what’s stressing you seem manageable after all.

If you’re too stressed to sleep, do something about it. These tips will help you get to rest so you can take on life’s challenges with your well-being intact.

Make your bedroom a sleep haven

Your bedroom should be a place you look forward to at the end of the day. Keep anything that’s not related to sleep out of the bedroom, including work, TV, and your kids. If you associate the bedroom with activities other than sleep, you’re more likely to think about them when lying in bed.

Eliminate anything else that threatens to disrupt your rest. Light creeping under doorways, noise from outdoors, and hot, stuffy temperatures all need to go. If your old mattress has you waking up with back pain, recycle it and buy a new one. Don’t worry about driving a mattress home or what to look for in a mattress store. With all of the bed-in-a-box mattresses available today, you can research, buy, and receive a mattress without leaving your house. Most are cheaper than what you’ll find in a mattress store, too. Purple mattresses, for example, fall in the middle of the bed-in-a-box price range at $699-$1,299, depending on size.

Establish a regular sleep schedule

Consistency is the most important part of healthy sleep habits. When you go to bed and wake up at the same time each day, your body’s biological clock adapts to that schedule. That makes it easier to fall asleep at night and wake up in the morning. It’s fine to vary your sleep and wake times on weekends but stay within 30 minutes to an hour of your normal sleep schedule to avoid disrupting the routine.

It can be hard to adopt a bedtime if you’re not accustomed to it. To help your body adapt, shift sleep times gradually — about 30 minutes to an hour per day — and do something relaxing before bed to wind down for sleep. Instead of using electronics, which keep your mind alert, try reading a book, journaling, meditating, stretching, or listening to relaxing music. Avoid thinking about anything stressful before bed. If there are bills to pay or chores to be done, make time in the morning.

Find time for exercise

It’s counterintuitive, but when you’re stressed, exhausted, and can’t sleep, working out is one of the best things you can do. Exercise is a natural mood booster, improves the quality of your sleep, and helps you feel alert during the day. You’ll reap even more benefits if you exercise outdoors, as sunlight helps regulate your body’s biological clock and lifts your mood. You may want to avoid vigorous exercise right before bed, however. Some people find aerobic exercise before bed interferes with sleep. If that’s the case for you, schedule intense workouts earlier in the day and stick to yoga and stretching before bed.

The times when life feels out of control are when you need self-care the most. Sleep, while often neglected, is one of the most powerful forms of self-care there is. Whereas sleepless nights make everything seem harder, quality rest is the fuel you need to take life’s challenges in stride.

Seeds of Wellness offers a variety of products to help you sleep better including CBD products. Call 440-933-7733 or stop in to learn how we may be able to help you sleep better.

Essential Oils to Decrease Anxiety

November 1, 2019 By Seeds of Wellness Leave a Comment

Life is filled with problems–stress, diseases, toxins, pain, grief, bugs, annoying people, etc. Unfortunately, for some of us, these problems result in anxiety, stress and panic attacks. Anxiety is not triggered by actual events but by our thoughts about those events. Adding essential oils to your daily routine may help.

According to the American Psychological Association, “Anxiety is an emotion characterized by feelings of tension, worried thoughts and physical changes like increased blood pressure.”

Even though “anxiety can be very annoying. It is a challenge. There is always a benefit in every adversity. Anxiety forces us to become wiser and more courageous. It turns us into heroes. – Dr. Detlef Beeker”

So what can we do to help reduce our anxiety and stress? Smelling one or more essential oils using a diffuser. Also, try sprinkling a few drops on an object or clothing may help. Amanda Lattin, chair of aromatherapy at the American College of Healthcare Sciences, says “how a person reacts to aromatherapy is very individualized. ‘Part of what makes aromatherapy effective is how our brains and our central nervous systems respond to this olfaction stimulus,’ she says. ‘It’s absolutely true that what works for one person may not work for another, or could even have the opposite effect.’” (1)

“According to experts, while essential oils have a very strong aroma, it is not the aroma itself that has a beneficial effect. The overall chemicals used in making the essential oil have a chemical and physiological effect on the body and brain chemistry.” (2)

Are you experiencing severe anxiety, panic attacks, and phobia? Please seek medical help before trying these essential oils.

Lavender

We know lavender for its calming effects. “The new study, published in Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience, suggests that sniffing a compound in lavender–called linaloo–affects the same parts of the brain as anti-anxiety drugs, only without impairing movement the way medicines like Valium can. Linalool was also found to affect the brain by smell alone, without being absorbed into the bloodstream—another potential plus for people worried about medication side effects or interactions.” (1)

“In research done by Diego and his colleagues, it has been proven that the people who received lavender oil olfaction for about 3 minutes felt significantly relaxed and had a decrease of anxiety scores. They had also improved their mood and increased their EEG, an indicator of one’s level of alertness.” (3)

Bergamot

As one of the most popular essential oils for depression and anxiety, bergamot helps reduce nerves, agitation, and insomnia. “When compared to people using a placebo, bergamot blended with lavender oil caused a significant reduction in pulse rate and blood pressure with participants rating themselves more relaxed and calmer than those who used the placebo.” (4)

“It has been proven that bergamot essential oil reduces corticosterone response to stress and applying on the skin helps in treating anxiety and depression. This oil also reduces the pulse rate and blood pressure in an individual. People tend to feel more relaxed and calm after inhaling this essential oil.” (2)

Chamomile

Many people drink chamomile tea to help them relax and to fall asleep. “While many studies have shown how chamomile can help calm your mind, it can also help to relieve stress and improve digestion. Additionally, a study conducted at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine that focused on the antidepressant effects of chamomile found that, in addition to decreasing anxiety, chamomile essential oil may also provide clinically significant antidepressant activity.” (5)

Sandalwood

“Looking for increased mental clarity and focus? When you’re dealing with the challenging demands of the daily grind, having a moment of harmony and peace is essential for your overall well-being and mental health. Sandalwood oil, with its amazing woody aroma, has a powerful therapeutic effect on the brain’s limbic system and is an excellent emotional balancer.” (6)

Ylang-Ylang

Extracted from a tropical tree native to the Philippines, Ylang-Ylang goes directly to the brain when smelled. “It’s said to expand one’s heart and release anger, jealousy, and other negative emotions. Thus, it’s an effective anti-depressant and is often used to treat natural depression and mild anxiety. Its mild sedative effects can lower stress response like high blood pressure and fast heartbeat.” (3)

“A Korean study published in 2006 found that a combination of ylang–ylang oil with lavender and bergamot oil helped reduce blood pressure as well as stress response and human cortisol levels. In the study, patients inhaled the combination of oils twice a day for a period of 4 weeks.” (4)

“People should be careful while handling ylang-ylang essential oil because it can be irritating to sensitive skin. You also need to avoid this essential oil if you have low blood pressure. Other than that, the relaxing and calming aura of this oil will bring you immediate calm and peace.” (2)

Want to learn more about essential oils to help decrease your anxiety? Seeds of Wellness offers classes on essential oils with doTERRA Wellness Advocate, MaryAmber Hughes. Visit our Events & Classes webpage or call us at 440-933-7733 to learn about our upcoming essential oils class.

Sources:

(1) “Do Essential Oils Work for Anxiety – and What Are the Best Ones?” on Health.com

(2) “The Best Doterra Essential Oils for Anxiety” by Lea Harrison on Essential Oil Diffuser USA

(3) “Essential Oils that Help with Stress and Anxiety” by Emma Carter on Essential Oil Haven

(4) “7 Essential Oils for Anxiety and Depression” on Healthy Focus

(5) “11 Best Essential Oils for Anxiety (2019 Aromatherapy Review” on Developing Good Habits

(6) “Top 17 Best Essential Oils for Stress and Anxiety – And How to Use Them” on Up Nature

Essential Oils or Fragrance Oils?

September 30, 2019 By Seeds of Wellness Leave a Comment

People ask for essential oils, but most of the time they actually want fragrance oils. Both oils come in a variety of scents, but how the oil is made and used differ.

Lavender flowers used in essential and some fragrance oils. Image courtesy of pixabay.

When distilled flowers, herbs, roots, etc. contain no carrier oil, the resulting products are called genuine essential oils. Because of the pure distillation, these oils cost more due to a large number of plants needed to produce a small amount of oil. Also, natural does not mean 100% safe. The effects on the body can be both good and bad so learn about the herbs and oils before using them. While these oils can be expensive, a little oil goes a long way due to the high plant concentration. Therefore, the oils should be diluted before using them. Use water or a neutral oil like olive, almond or grapeseed oil.

Fragrance oils, on the other hand, cost less than essential oils. They are almost always synthetic and may not contain true floral or herbal essence. Some fragrance oils blend essential oil with carrier oils. However, the concentration of the essential oil varies from brand to brand and scent to scent. While some fragrance oils can be used on the skin, hair and some craft items, their sole purpose is to produce an aroma.

Unlike essential oils, fragrance oils have a consistent aroma. Climate, season or location of the raw materials causes no change to the aroma. However, the ingredients included in fragrance oils do not need to be disclosed to the public. Therefore, if you are sensitive to fragrances and/or certain chemicals, you may have a negative reaction to these oils. Due to being copies and mimics of natural scents, fragrance oils have no health benefits and do not dissolve well in water.

If you are looking for aromatherapy oils only, fragrance oils work the best. The aroma lasts longer and costs less. If you need oils for therapeutic reasons, for cooking, or with no chemicals, choose essential oils.

Seeds of Wellness carries several essential oils. Stop in and choose from our selection of oils to care for your family’s everyday health needs. Call us or visit our Events & Classes webpage to learn about up-coming essential oil classes.

The Different Types of CBD Products: Full-Spectrum, Broad Spectrum and Isolate

September 3, 2019 By Seeds of Wellness Leave a Comment

When purchasing Cannabidiol (CBD), it helps to know about the different types of CBD products and which one works best for you. The three types of CBD made from hemp (the Cannabis Sativa plant) – CBD isolate, full-spectrum CBD and broad spectrum CBD – offer different benefits.

Hemp-Cannabis Sativa Plant — CBD products from the hemp plant (Cannabis Sativa)

Full-Spectrum CBD

Full-spectrum CBD (also called whole plant CBD) contains all of the properties, phytochemicals, and a nearly identical cannabinoid profile to the hemp plant. “The hemp plant naturally contains over 100 cannabinoids that, similar to CBD, provide their own unique benefit. …Scientists have found that plant components interact with one another to create an enhanced effect (compared to the component alone).”*

The different types of cannabinoids in the hemp plant include CBD, CBN, CBG, CBC, and more than 100 others. This includes a detectable amount of Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) that is less than 0.3% as stated by the law. The small amount of THC doesn’t cause a high, but if you use this product regularly, THC may be detected in a drug test.

Because full-spectrum CBD contains almost all the nutrients of the hemp plant, you receive the full benefits of the plant. This also means you avoid the bell-shaped dose-response curve. It “is a visual representation of how certain stimuli—in this case pure CBD—are least effective when taken in very small and very high doses. Because of this effect, CBD isolate requires precise dosages to achieve the maximum therapeutic benefits, whereas full-spectrum CBD extracts offer health benefits even at very low doses.”**

“Most full-spectrum CBD oils will contain vitamins A, C, and E along with complex B vitamins such as niacin, riboflavin, and thiamine. An increasing number of people don’t consume beta-carotene, but it is abundant in full-spectrum oil. Essential minerals contained in full spectrum hemp extract include zinc, potassium, iron, calcium, and phosphorus.”***

Since these products contain the whole CBD plant, they are the least processed type of CBD products. They may also taste and smell like the hemp plant. The smell and taste can vary from batch to batch due to the changes in the hemp plant’s environment, weather, temperature, etc. Many full-spectrum CBD products contain other natural or artificial flavors to reduce the hemp plant taste. Despite the aroma and taste, full-spectrum CBD may be more effective than the other types of CBD for some people’s symptoms.

Broad Spectrum CBD

When a product contains several of the different cannabinoids, terpenes, and other phytochemicals in the hemp plant, but no detectable THC, this product is called broad spectrum CBD. The number of cannabinoids, terpenes and other nutrients varies in each brand. Some broad spectrum CBD products start with a CBD isolate and then terpenes, other cannabinoids, and phytochemicals get added back in to make the final product.

Less research on the benefits of broad spectrum CBD has been done compared to full-spectrum CBD and CBD isolates. However, if you are concerned about THC, broad spectrum CBD may be the product for you. Because it contains many of the properties of the hemp plant, you may receive more benefits from these products than those made from a CBD isolate.

CBD Isolate

Hemp processed in a way that nearly 100% CBD remains is the last of the different types of CBD products called a CBD isolate. The products made from a CBD Isolate contain no terpenes, additional cannabinoids, and other plant components found in the hemp plant. Therefore, these products also contain no detectable THC. Since these products contain only CBD, people have fewer sensitivity problems like allergic reactions, interaction with medications, etc. If you need to take a high dosage of CBD, many experts recommend a CBD isolate over the other types of CBD.

“With CBD isolate, there is no guesswork. You know exactly what you’re getting: cannabidiol and nothing else. Some brands will add terpenes back into the mix to provide natural hemp flavor but for the most part, isolates are made with CBD alone. For that reason, CBD isolate can make it easier to achieve the exact dosage that works for you without having to guess if there are other ingredients diluting your dose.“**

Because the CBD isolate has no flavor or odor, it works well in edibles and topical products. When using a topical CBD product, many people get good results from the CBD isolate products because it helps reduce inflammation and pain.

“One of the most important studies relating to full-spectrum CBD oil took place at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in 2015. It compared the performance of a full-spectrum cannabis extract with one that contained CBD only. The study concluded that, in mice, the full spectrum extract was more effective for pain and inflammation. In fact, scientists claimed that the whole plant cannabis extract was “ideal for clinical uses” as compared to isolated CBD.”*** For some people CBD isolates products work very well, while others get better results from the other types of CBD products containing more components of the hemp plant including THC.

Final Thoughts on the CBD Types

Always refer to the manufacturer’s Certificates of Analysis (COA) from an independent lab to find out how much CBD, additional cannabinoids and THC are detectable in the product before purchasing it. Some manufacturers claim to be a particular type of CBD. However, the COA results show you if the product is a CBD isolate, containing only CBD, broad spectrum with no THC or full-spectrum with less than 0.3% THC. Also, check the COA to ensure it is organic – not containing contaminants like mold, heavy metals, or pesticides.

It is best to talk with your physician before using CBD. “Again, it is important to have a conversation with your primary physician because while generally well tolerated, CBD oil can interact with popular medications like certain antidepressants and antibiotics.”** Also, some of the carrier oils can interfere with prescription medications like safflower and grape seed oil.

Because everyone reacts differently to CBD, please give yourself time to experiment with doses and the different types of CBD products.

Want more information about CBD? Come into Seeds of Wellness to learn about our products and their benefits. Also, check out our other blog posts about CBD:

Cannabidiol (CBD) Hemp Oil – What Are the Benefits?
Cannabidiol: from Abusive Drug to Potential Cure
What Is a Tincture, and How Do I Use It?

Sources:

* “Whole Plant Hemp and CBD Isolate: What Is the Difference?” on Made By Hemp

** “What’s the Difference? CBD Isolate vs. Full-Spectrum CBD Oil” on CBD Oil Review

*** “What Actually Is Full-Spectrum CBD Oil?” by Jeff Yauck on MarijuanaBreak

“Full Spectrum vs Broad Spectrum vs CBD Isolate: Difference Explained” on Royal CBD

Make Your Own Insect Repellent Using Essential Oils

June 26, 2019 By Seeds of Wellness Leave a Comment

It is amazing how many chemicals are in commercial insect repellents, and what exactly is DEET. I don’t know about you, but I want to reduce the number of chemicals I put into and on my body. So is there an alternative to these commercial bug sprays that work? Yes, you can make them yourself with essential oils.

Plants create chemicals to repel predator bugs and attract pollinating insects. There are several plants known to repel insects like citronella, clove, lemongrass, eucalyptus, lavender, and cedar to name a few. Of course, some plants repel certain bugs better than others as shown below (from Tasty Yummies):

Mosquitoes – citronella, lemon, eucalyptus, peppermint, catnip, basil, clove, thyme, lemongrass, geranium, lavender
Fleas – cedarwood, citronella, eucalyptus, tea tree oil, lemongrass, lavender, orange, pine
Ticks – rose geranium, juniper, rosewood, thyme, grapefruit, oregano

Natural Insect Repellent

eucalyptus leaves and flowers — Eucalyptus Flower

Make sure you purchase therapeutic grade essential oils for your insect repellent because they don’t contain any man-made toxins. Fragrance oils, on the other hand, are made using chemicals to recreate a plant’s scent. (See “Essential Oil or Fragrance Oil?” to learn more.) To make your insect repellent, you need the following:

4 oz. dark colored spray bottle (preferably glass)
2 oz. boiled or distilled water
1 oz. vodka or witch hazelssential oils of your choice from list above

Fill the 4 oz. spray bottle with the water, vodka or witch hazel. Add 50 to 75 drops of essential oils from the plant list above. (For example, 30 drops of citronella, 15 drops of eucalyptus, 10 drops of lavender, 10 drops of lemongrass, and 10 drops of oregano) Because essential oils don’t dissolve in water, you must shake your bug spray before each use. Therefore, don’t fill the bottle completely full to allow shaking room.

To reduce the strength of the insect repellent, decrease the number of drops and/or different types of essential oils you add to the spray bottle. Apply your insect repellent to your skin every few hours for maximum effectiveness. Your homemade bug spray can also be used on fabrics, carpet, plants, and more.

Would you like your bug spray to contain a skin moisturizer? You can add coconut, olive, almond, grapeseed or jojoba oil to your mixture. If you want your insect repellent to be a lotion instead of a spray, put 8 oz. of your favorite lotion in a dark colored jar. Add 50-75 drops of essential oils and stir the mixture.

Be sure to use a dark colored container or spray bottle (preferably glass) because essential oils deteriorate (oxidize). They also lose their benefits over time when exposed to sunlight or continuous heating up and cooling down. Glass is preferred because some essential oils, like cinnamon, eat at plastic, which contaminates the oil. Read more about storing essential oils on AromaWeb.

Natural Essential Oil Blend

If you don’t want to purchase all these essential oils, we sell a proprietary essential oil that repels insects. This blend includes lemon, eucalyptus, citronella, and lemongrass as well as 12 other essential oils in a fractionated coconut oil base. Use this essential oil in the following ways:

Apply small amounts directly on your exposed skin.
Diffuse it into the air using a diffuser or by applying 1-2 drops on a string or ribbon, and hang it in the area where you want to keep out insects.
Make a spray by adding 2-3 drops of the essential oil to 1-2 oz. of witch hazel or distilled or boiled water in a small spray bottle and shake well. You can apply this bug spray to your skin or small openings where bugs may be entering the area.
Dilute 3-5 drops in 1 tablespoon of carrier oil like coconut or olive oil and apply to your skin.

This essential oil lasts up to six hours when used full strength. If you diluted this essential oil blend, you will need to reapply it every four hours.

Warnings

It is always best to test your insect repellent on a small area of your skin to make sure you are not sensitive to the mixture. If your skin is sensitive to full strength essential oils, dilute them as stated above and test again on a small area of skin.

Watch spaying your repellent around animals. They may be sensitive to one or more of the essential oils. Please consult your veterinarian before using your insect repellant on any animal, especially cats. Due to the way cats process and filter what they eat, they are more sensitive to essential oils and can be allergic to them (ex. Melaleuca or Tea Tree Oil).

Want to learn more about essential oils and plants that repel insects? Read Reclaiming Your Backyard: Reviewing the Efficacy of 20 Popular Natural Mosquito Repellents by Clayton and Clayton.

If you would like to try our proprietary essential oil or make your own insect repellent, stop into the store. We sell essential oils like eucalyptus, oregano, lemon, lavender, peppermint, and many others. Call 440-933-7733 for more information.