Herbs That Lower Blood Pressure

Posted on April 26, 2013 by revroger

patchouli

When most people hear the word ?High Blood Pressure?, they automatically associate it with elderly people.  However, that’s not the case.  Any person, at any age can have High Blood pressure.

As a matter of fact, the American Heart Association states that nearly one out of three people have blood pressure problems. Nearly one-third of those people don’t even know they have problems with their blood pressure.

Today many people take medications to lower or fix their blood pressure problems.  However, what we heard from our grandmothers or parents about herbs that can lower blood pressure was something that most doctors would turn their nose up at. That?s not the case anymore, as most doctors now recommend those same herbs.

Here are some natural ingredients and herbs that could lower your blood pressure.

1. Garlic- I know, I know, you thought it was just for pizza and fighting vampires. Well, this one stinky herb not only allows your breath to smell bad, it also breaks up toxins that can lead to high blood pressure.  Garlic also reduces the chances of clotting with in the blood vessels; it also keeps blood platelets from sticking to the blood vessel walls.

2  Vitamin C- Growing up we heard that we need to drink our orange juice to get our vitamin c so we won?t get sick.  That turned out to be true, (see, our parents did know what they were talking about)

Researchers found out that if a person can take in its recommended dosage of the vitamin c, then it can greatly reduce the risk of their getting hypertension aka high blood pressure.

3.Dandelion- Who would have ever thought a weed could help you get healthy. Well there is at least one, the dandelion roots and leaves can be used to make tea which can act as a mild diuretic.

These are just a few herbs that can help lower a persons blood pressure. Know this, using herbs alone should not be the only way a person should attack this situation. Always check with your physician to see if medication is required and that the herbs you use will not conflict with your blood pressure medication.

And for gosh sakes don’t forget to exercise at least 20 to 30 minutes every day. A brisk walk can work wonders for your mind, body and spirit.

If a you will combine the things mentioned in this article  to your everyday life, you will have a much better chance at defeating high blood pressure. Giving you the freedom to concentrate on your loved ones and friends.

 

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Avoid Stress And Stay Calm With These Tips

Posted on April 26, 2013 by revroger

meditation incense

Many people are experiencing unavoidable and unwanted stress these days, and it is not only unpleasant but can also be detrimental to health. If you are one of those people who are going through a stressful time, read on for facts to help you better understand your stress, and tips to help you overcome it.

For sounds that can soothe your stressful day, get a table-top fountain. The sound of running water is therapeutic in calming the mind. These fountains come in all sizes and can be conveniently placed on a table at home or in the office. So whenever you feel stressed out, just have some quiet time and listen to you mini-waterfall.

A lot of your stress is directly caused by the food that you put in your mouth. To limit the stress level in your life, cut back on the caffeine and coffee that you drink on a daily basis. This will make you feel calmer inside so that you can maximize how you feel.

Monitor your stress. Stress that becomes excessive to the point where it takes a toll on your daily life can frequently lead to depression. To avoid getting to this point, try to eliminate as much stress from your life as possible. Learn to say ‘no’ to others, and be sure to surround yourself with positive people and things. Try to use humor as a coping skill, as research indicates that this helps to reduce stress.

Think of a calm scene. Simply placing your thoughts on a calm beach or a cozy fireplace can be enough to distress a situation to make it more bearable. This works because it distracts your mind, but also because it helps you recreate the good feelings you feel about the relaxing scene.

If you have a lot of stress in your life, plant a garden. This will give you something to look forward to every day and a hobby to get your mind off of the difficult things at work or school. Watch your garden grow to reduce your overall level of anxiety.

A great tip for managing the stress in your life, is to create a mantra that you can repeat whenever you are feeling anxious, overwhelmed or stressed. A good mantra is a great way to affirm positive feelings and get rid of any self doubt that you may have about yourself.

Sit back and try guided imagery. This is when you close your eyes and picture yourself in the most calming surroundings. This has to be a place where you would feel calm and relaxed and not have distractions all around you. Picture every small detail of your quiet place and concentrate on them. You will feel much better in a few minutes.

Now that you are equipped to better handle the stresses of your everyday life, you have the ability to steadfastly remain calm under pressure and resilient under fire. This will help you greatly as you move forward with your life, in pursuit of the things that best bring you the most joy.

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Greetings All ~ New Goloka Indian Incense

Posted on March 31, 2013 by revroger

burnerartGreetings All

It has been a while since my last post and I wanted to up date you on some wonderful new products.  If you love Nag Champa the Goloka Indian Incense line has been expanded. This line is a wonderfully mild and unique line of fine masala incense using the finest blends of rare herbs, flowers, resins, oils and forest products. Not only does the manufacture have a fantastic product at very reasonable prices but they are also very conscious of the less fortunate. The Goloka Seva Trust is aiding charitable activities in India by contributing to unique programs like Akshaya Patra (a program for providing mid-day meals to under-privileged school children in rural and corporation schools.” Goloka

Give this fantastic line of purely handcrafted all natural incense a try now. You will be so glad you did. Purchase Goloka Indian Incense here …

 

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Happy Hari’s Classic Incense Series

Posted on March 10, 2013 by revroger

ihHappy Hari’s Classic series, New Yoga Series and the “King Series”

A couple of years ago a man by the name of Paul Eagle started a company called Small Happy Eagle. Happy Hari, as Paul called himself, was an aficionado of fine incense from way back. He had traveled widely, and found that the incense he loved the most came from India.

He used his connections and world knowledge to begin gathering a small loosely-knit group of master incense craftsmen in India. They used only the best natural and organic ingredients, blended according to recipes passed down through the generations.

Their methods of making the incense was also traditional, with hand assembly, rolling and packaging being the method of choice. Produced with devotion and love, these pure creations by artisans of an ancient craft are now widely recognized as among the finest incenses available anywhere in the world. And now you experience Happy Hari’s incense in your own home or workspace.

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Frankincense and Myrrh a History

Posted on March 4, 2013 by revroger

The Three Wise Men were famous for bringing the gifts of frankincense and myrrh. You know the story. These were obviously highly cherished over 2,000 years ago, but the history of these two tree simple tree saps goes back several Millennium, winding its way back the lost ages of time.

Let’s take a look at just what frankincense is. We are aware of its aromatic quality’s when burned producing a pleasingly pungent and unique fragrance. Frankincense also known as olibanum starts as tree sap produced and excreted from tree known as the Boswellia grown by the Arabian Sea. The sap is collected and then dried into a granular resin; it has also been used as perfume, and medicinally in some traditions.

Frankincense is known to have been used for at least 5,000 years. Numerous ancient texts show that it has been traded on the Arabian Peninsula and North Africa for at least 3,000 years before the time of Christ. There are depictions of sacks of frankincense in the Egyptian temple of Queen Hatshepsut which date to 1458 BCE. It is interesting to note that the Egyptians obtained much of their frankincense from The Land of Punt, a mysterious place which scholars today still have not pinpointed the location of. They believe Punt may have been somewhere deeper into the African continent to the south and east of Egypt.

Frankincense is referenced frequently in the Hebrew Talmud. It was used in ancient Hebrew religious ceremonies. It is also known as “levonah” by the Hebrews and is still important in traditional Jewish celebrations today.

Frankincense was used in later history by the ancient Greek and Roman culture. After the Roman Empire fell, frankincense became relatively rare or unknown in Europe, but it was reintroduced in Europe by the Franks, who brought it back from their incursions into the Mideast during the time of the Crusades.

Frankincense has long been valued for medical purposes, especially in the ancient Vedic system of medicine known as Ayurveda. This tradition comes out of ancient India and dates back at least 5,000 to 6,000 years. In Vedic tradition, Frankincense is processed and called “dhoop.

Myrrh like frankincense the familiar granular resin starts also as tree sap which is produced from the small and thorny Commiphora tree. From the Aramaic language the word Myrrh pronounced “murr,” translates to mean “was bitter.” Myrrh resin was of major worth, almost to that of gold in the ancient times, and it as Frankincense was widely used as a perfume, incense and sometimes as a medicine.

Myrrh was well known and used by the ancient Chinese as well as the many cultures of the Mideast. It is thought to have been used in the mummification process of ancient Egyptian Royalty. Interestingly, myrrh is still used today in religious ceremonies, especially by the Catholic Church during celebration of Mass as well as the Eastern Orthodox Church.

Myrrh was also a significant component of Ayurveda medical practices. It was valued as a tonic and some have said it to have rejuvenatory properties. Many Ayurvedic practitioners’ continue to use frankincense and Myrrh today in the healing process of a variety of conditions.

Frankincense and myrrh is much easier to obtain and do not commanded the value as it did in ancient times, but these are products commonly used and very popular by thousands of people today for use as incense, essential oils and in natural healing products. Together or burned separately processed it stick form or just the resin burned over charcoal is a wonderful addition to any living area or occasion…. Live, Love burn incense…. Peace!

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Give Japanese Incense a Try

Posted on February 15, 2013 by revroger

I find Japanese Incense far superior to most commercial stick incense. I believe it starts with the fact that there is no “stick” and the fragrance is pure. The traditional incense starts as high quality wood powders of either fine Sandalwood or Aloes wood. Then an array of other pure and natural ingredients such as pure gum resins, herbs, flower blossoms, frankincense, star anise, cinnamon and other spices can be added. The creation of this incense is an extraordinarily delicate process and performed in time-honored methods for over 300 years. The method and recipes have been handed down from generation to generation in an unbroken secret oral tradition. The mixtures is carefully combined is then extruded to make a wonderfully pure burning medium. There are a variety of newer formula mixtures that do not contain the fragrant woods just the resins, spices and herbs and other aromatics.

Most other types of incense are made around a core. The first type has ingredients such as wood powders, resins, herbs and oils are mixed together in a paste, rolled and formed around a bamboo stick. With this method the smell of the burning bamboo is present. The second method which is far worse, the incense starts as a punt blank, which is what is used to light fireworks. The punt often is manufactured in China or third world countries where its contents can be questionable. This “punt” is then dipped into fragrance oils which can be natural or synthetic or a combination of both. The fragrance oils are cut with a chemical extender such as DPT – Dipropylene Glycol before the punt is soaked in the mixture. Then it is dried for you dried and packaged.

To be fair, there a handful of the quality “Bamboo Stick” type incense manufacturers that do produce premium quality goods and there fragrance is delightful. These companies use very high quality ingredients and are carefully formulated as not to contain any artificial fragrance and / or harmful chemicals. This type incense is usually a bit more economical and usually easier to find.

However, there is still the issue of the burning stick. For the purest, I highly recommend trying the Japanese type.

Give this wonderful gift from the Japanese a try. The premier manufactures in Japan have been perfecting the craft of incense making for centuries. As soon as you burn some you will transcend into an aroma heaven, and you will never go back to your department store commercial incense again.

Enjoy! Roger

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Happy Hari’s Classic series, New Yoga Series and the “King Series”

Posted on January 27, 2013 by revroger

ihA couple of years ago a man by the name of Paul Eagle started a company called Small Happy Eagle. Happy Hari, as Paul called himself, was an aficionado of fine incense from way back. He had traveled widely, and found that the incense he loved the most came from India.

He used his connections and world knowledge to begin gathering a small loosely-knit group of master incense craftsmen in India. They used only the best natural and organic ingredients, blended according to recipes passed down through the generations.

Their methods of making the incense was also traditional, with hand assembly, rolling and packaging being the method of choice. Produced with devotion and love, these pure creations by artisans of an ancient craft are now widely recognized as among the finest incenses available anywhere in the world. And now you experience Happy Hari’s incense in your own home or workspace.

Each package is 10 grams unless otherwise noted, between 1 and 10 sticks depending the thickness and type of incense. But always 10 grams.

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California White Sage –The Healing Herb

Posted on January 17, 2013 by revroger

California White Sahe SmudgeThe genus Salvia encompasses more than 750 species of herbaceous perennials, shrubs and annuals widely distributed across the world’s dry and stony regions. The term Salvia is derived from the Latin word salvare which means “to cure’ as these herbs are touted for their healing properties. No wonder an ancient proverb says, “Why should a man die who has a sage in his garden? Of all the 750 varieties of sage occurring worldwide true white sage is considered as the best one for smudging.

Description of California white or salvia Apiana:

Salvia Apiana is an herbaceous perennial shrub which is a native of the South Western United States and North Western Mexico. It is also called as the white sage, buffalo sage, bee sage or the sacred sage. This striking evergreen shrub grows up to 3 to 5 feet tall and wide. The young leaves are gray in color and the mature leaves are white. The long leathery green foliage has a distinctive aroma. The aromatic leaves contain oils and resins which when processed and dried are used traditionally for making smudge sticks. The silver gray leaves are simple, waxy, widely lance shaped, tapered at the base with dense hairs and minute teeth. The flowers are white in color with a touch of lavender and bloom generally during the summer. White California attracts humming birds, bees and butterflies. They are a great nectar plant for the bees and other insects. The bumblebees, hawk moths and wasps pollinate the California white.

Uses of California white or Salvia Apiana:

1. As California white is rich in cineole it exhibits antiseptic, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, anti-viral and pain alleviating properties.

2. Consumed as a tea may reduce ulcerative symptoms. When the leaves are burnt and inhaled it clears mucous secretions, relieves lung congestion, cures sinus and facilitates easy breathing.

3. The anti-inflammatory properties contained in this herb are highly beneficial for skin irritations, abrasions and infections.

4. The seeds of this plant are incorporated in an eye wash to cleanse the eyes.

5. The leaves of the plant are crushed with water and used as a hair shampoo, dye and hair straightener too. It is also used as a deodorant to reduce body odor.

6. The leaves when chewed, smoked or used in a sweat house is an excellent remedy for common colds.

7. This aromatic herb has been used as incense and in smudge pots for ceremonial use. It was because of this it was called as ceremonial sage

8. The leaves that are dried and traditionally made into smudge sticks are burnt to cleanse the mind and to generate positive energy.

9 The seeds are an excellent food source. Grinding them can make exceptional soups and hot cereals.

10. This herb is also touted to stimulate and boost memory.

As this herb contains amazing healing qualities it has been traditionally used across the globe by every culture mainly in rituals and ceremonies for cleansing and purifying. The smudge sticks are also used to get rid of negative energy and bad spirits. Yes, the smudge sticks prepared from this plant is great for ceremonial burning or just everyday smudging.

Please use caution when ingesting or smoking any herb, always check with a health care professional first!

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Incense there is Something for Everyone

Posted on January 17, 2013 by revroger

burning-on-black
It has long been belief that incense was more for those people that were involved in the hippie lifestyle with various aromas drifting through their rooms helping to create a psychedelic atmosphere and mask some undesirable ‘aromas’. However, the truth of the matter is that this is not the case and indeed incense is something that can be used by everybody and for a whole host of reasons.

In order to explain this a bit better, it is perhaps best to spend some time looking at why you would use incense. In the first place it is something that has been used by millions of people for various reasons. One of the first examples is that it is fantastic at masking a verity of odors that most of which one would rather not smell. The Incense fragrances will replace them with something that is much more pleasant for the nose and with the selection of scents that are now readily available on the market it is almost impossible not to find something that you would really enjoy.

Another reason is that for centuries people have seen the burning of incense as being a fantastic way to rejuvenate inner energy as well as clearing negative energy from rooms .This is the part that perhaps one would relate to the hippie era when, in actual fact, it has been long used in indigenous tribal cleansing ceremonies and for medicinal purposes in Tibet and Asia for hundreds and in some cases thousands of years. Using incense and fragrant botanical products in this way may be accomplished by either using them in smudge bundles, loose herbs or in the preferable, pre-prepared incense stick form used in burners and censers. The type of use really does come down to one\’s personal beliefs and preference as to which one you use. However this does lead us into the main reason why people use incense, which is for aromatherapy.

The idea behind aromatherapy is that certain aromas can help us in various ways and will easily utilize the wide variety fragrances that are now available in the world of incense. This then leads us to discovering that the likes of chamomile is associated with helping to increase our motivation and confidence and frankincense has been found boosts our creativity while also helping people to fight the onset of depression. This section alone is massive and it certainly deserves spending some considerable time in reading about the subject to see how the various aromas may be helpful to you.  If you feel a bit lethargic or need a little mental boost, then perhaps you should give a try. There are no side effects and you have nothing to lose by giving it a go.

The beauty of incense is that it does tend to be very inexpensive and easy to use and the burners, incense and or smudge bundles will last you for quite some time. The investment is minimal and with the internet you never have to leave home. It is also possible for you to make your very own unique combinations by burning multiple types at the same time, however with the global market literally at your fingertips the premade formulations are almost endless and you are sure to find just the correct combination. One especially created to fit your every need and preference.

Hopefully now you will see that incense really is for everybody and the only way to find out if it is something that you love is by buying some and trying it in your own home. Experiment with the different scents that are around and do spend some time trying to learn about the aromatherapy aspect and what the different aromas can do for the sake of clearing your mind, soothing you, or fighting a number of issues such as depression or even insomnia. Even if they do not help you personally at least your home will smell great.

Always consult with a medical professional if you do have a serious illness or medical condition.

Posted in Aromatherapy, Gonesh, Healing incense, Incense, incense burners, Incense Ingredients, Indian Incense, Japanese Incense, Meditation, Reviews, Spirituality, Tibetan Incense | Leave a comment

Aroma Therapeutic Benefits of Incense

Posted on December 31, 2012 by revroger

aromatherapy incenseAromatherapy is the oldest and the most popular method of healing, equipped to rejuvenate the body, mind and spirit with the use of fragrance or aroma. This alternative branch of medicine utilizes physical as well as psychological effects of herbal essence to treat a variety of health conditions. The essential oils are used to promote health and to treat conditions such as stress, anxiety, depression, pains, hair fall, sleep disorders, recurrent infections and many other health conditions.
There are a number of ways by which people can avail the benefits of aromatherapy. This includes scented candles, herbal smudge, incense cones and fragrance oils. These aromatic products provide a relaxing and calming effect on mind and create a gentle, uplifting atmosphere in your home. For those who believe in the therapeutic and relaxing capabilities of aromatherapy, herbal incense is a crucial element. Aroma-therapeutic incense is a fragrant incense made from natural aromatic organic products like gums, resins, herbs or oils. Essential oils are the fragrant oils present in plants. They are found in the glands, veins, grass, tree or sacs of the plants. These fragrant oils not just affect ones olfactory senses but also the emotional and spiritual well being.
Aromatic incense sticks are popular due to their simplicity and ease of use. They are a cost effective way to infuse fragrance in the room and enhance the ambiance of your living space. Before you use some aromatic s or herbal smudges, you should be familiar with the different types of fragrances and their benefits.

Sandalwood
For over thousand years, sandalwood fragrance has been known as an invaluable resource due to its several health benefits and its pleasing, delicate aroma. Sandalwood incense has woody as well as floral scent. It is a mild aphrodisiac.

Rose
Perhaps no flower is more recognizable and no aroma more evocative than that of rose. The rich, elegant scent of rose has been shown to be both stimulating and calming at the same time. The tart and the sweet smell of rose have a soothing effect on mind as well as the body. Rose aromatic oil is also known as “The ultimate woman’s oil”, because it has a reputation of improving hormonal balance, treating premenstrual syndrome and menopause, and increasing sexual desire. The incredible aromatic power and many therapeutic health benefits of the rose aroma make it one of the most popular selling incense.

Lavender incense
Lavender has been known for its aromatic properties. Lavender fragrance, traditionally used as an antiseptic agent, is now predominantly used as a relaxant, sedative and carminative in aromatherapy. Using of aromatic lavender incense may benefit people having stress and anxiety. It lifts the spirits, releases stress and chases melancholy. Due to its antispasmodic and tranquilizing effects, lavender is used as an effective headache remedy.

California white sage) (Salvia Apiana)
By far the most popular botanical used for aromatic smudging, as many people believe in its miraculous power of healing and removing bad spirits and negative energy. Sage has a series of health benefits: it has been long used to treat strep throat and it is widely known for its antibacterial properties.

Tea tree oil
The aroma of tea tree oil incense is warm, spicy, medicinal and volatile. Extracted from the leaves of Tea tree, tea tree oil provides you a wide range of aromatherapy benefits. Burning Tea tree oil scented incense can be used to treat conditions such as muscle and joint pain, infectious illnesses such as cold, coughs and sore throat and body odor.

Jasmine
The delicate aroma of jasmine relieves stress, and helps the body to mobilize the hidden reserves. Jasmine incense creates a romantic atmosphere and helps in enhancing the sensuality. Jasmine is a perfect aromatherapy recipe for calming anger.

Lemongrass
Lemongrass incense has a strong, lemony grassy aroma that provides a cleansing effect in the room. Therefore, it is used as a room spray to remove insects. It is also used to remove negative energies from the place and vitalize your body as well as mind. Hence, Lemongrass incense is used in many ceremonies to ward off negativity.
Fragrant aromatics have the ability to help stabilize your emotions, and heal your body. The scents not only provide relief in physical ailments, but also elevates your state of mind, uplift your energy levels and act as stress-buster. Aromatic incense is a great way to promote physical, mental as well as spiritual well-being.

Enjoy your incense time….  Namaste  Roger

 

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