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Asthma is a disease that inflames the walls of passageways that supply air to the lungs. Inflamed airways are sensitive and complicate breathing. Common asthma symptoms include breathing problems, wheezing, coughing, and tightness in the chest. Unfortunately, asthma has no cure but triggers have been identified and with doctors care and diligent selfcare we can limit the number of attacks. Doctors also prescribe medications including inhalers to manage the disease. Inhalers contain anticholinergics and beta agonists, which treat the asthmatic attacks effectively. For those interested in learning a little of which essential oils for asthma are effective in preventing asthma attacks, this blogpost is for you!   9 Essential Oils to limit Asthma Attacks 1. PeppermintPeppermint essential oil has decongestant and antihistamine properties that relieve asthma attacks. Exposure to allergens such as dust mites and pollen trigger your body to release histamines, which in turn trigger asthma attacks. Peppermint inhibits the release of histamine in your body. How to apply: Combine 2 drops of peppermint essential oil with one drop of lemon, 8 drops of lavender, and 20 drops of carrier oil. You can use carrier oils such as coconut oil, sweet almond, olive or jojoba. Rub your chest using this mixture twice in a day to prevent asthma attacks.   2. LavenderLavender is one of the essential oils that have sedative and anti-inflammatory characteristics that are effective in managing asthma. How to apply: Its use and application can be achieved by inhaling a combination of lavender and eucalyptus or peppermint, which can relieve mild asthma attacks.Another way of using lavender for asthma attacks is adding several drops of the oil into a bowl with hot water. Cover your head with a towel and inhale the steam from the bowl, which helps to clear your airways and cleanses your skin.  3. Roman Chamomile and BergamotThese essential oils for asthma are antispasmodics. They relieve asthma symptoms by relieving muscle contractions that narrow bronchial passages. Roman chamomile and bergamot essential oils have sedative properties that relax the body. This relaxation is necessary because tension accompanies asthma attacks. How to apply: Mix a few drops of bergamot and roman chamomile oils with the carrier oil of your choice and use the mixture to rub your chest and back. The mixture relieves mild and severe asthma attacks.   4. Tea Tree OilTea tree oil is an effective expectorant that removes mucous from your system. Mucous causes coughing and wheezing in asthma patients. The essential oil is also effective in relieving respiratory conditions such as coughing and bronchitis. How to apply: Using tea tree oil to treat asthma is simple. Place a clean face towel in warm water, wring, and add a few drops of tea tree oil on the damp, warm towel. Breathe through the warm towel until cool. Repeat the process until you feel relieved.   5. EucalyptusEucalyptus oil has a strong scent that helps in decongesting airways. The oil contains eucalyptol, which breaks any phlegm and mucous in your system and allows you to breath easily. How to apply: Adds a few drops of the oil to hot water, then breathe the steam from this combination to expand your congested airways and relax lung spasms.   6. FrankincenseFrankincense oil has expectorant and anti-inflammatory properties. The oil helps in decongesting lungs and nasal passages during an asthma attack. This essential oil is also useful in relieving anxiety, confusion, and stress. How to apply: One way of using frankincense oil is wafting its scent into the air using a diffuser. Alternatively, you can use the oil to rub your chest with the carrier oil of choice.   7. OreganoOregano oil has antibacterial and anti-fungal properties. It relieves breathing difficulties in asthmatic patients instantly when inhaled. Oregano oil is also effective in preventing respiratory tract infections. How to apply: Combine 25 drops of the oil with 5oz of water in an atomizer bottle to make a mist and then inhale the vapor. Another way of using this essential oil is adding its drops to an essential oil diffuser with water. Never use this oil neat – its a hot oil and needs to be kept out of reach of small hands!   8. CloveClove oil is one of the most effective essential oils for asthma. Clove oil has many properties that relieve asthma symptoms, which include antispasmodic, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory properties. The oil helps in expanding constricted respiratory airways and relieving breathing difficulties in asthma patients. How to apply: You can use a vaporizer or oil diffuser to diffuse clove oil in the air for about 20 minutes. Clove oil is also used as a chest rub. but only with a carrier oil. Like Oregano, Clove oil is a hot oil and should always be diluted before applying to skin. Keep our of reach of kids.  9. Thyme OilThyme essential oil is beneficial in boosting the immune system and strengthening the respiratory system with its antiseptic, antibacterial, and expectorant properties. In fact, it is effective in eliminating all asthmatic symptoms including coughing and colds. How to apply: One way of using thyme oil is combining it with bergamot oil and the carrier oil of choice and using the mixture as a chest rub. An alternative way is to add thyme oil in hot water and breathe through the steam. This steam therapy eliminates breathing difficulties and reduces wheezing.   Tips for Safe UsingUsing essential oils for asthma requires caution and safety. Strong odors trigger asthma symptoms and attacks. Hence, you must ensure that the fragrance of the essential oil you intend to use does not trigger your asthma symptoms. It is advisable to use therapeutic grade oils because they are safe when used in and on your body. This is why I only use doTerra. Another safety precaution when using essential oils is to start with a drop on your skin. Wait for a few minutes and check how your body reacts to the essential oil. You may avoid using the oil if you are sensitive to the oil or dilute it in carrier oil. Use essential oils in small amounts and seek advice from experts, books and other guideline on when and how an essential oil should be used. Consult your doctor before using any essential oil as a new treatment for asthma.

I have had clients ask me what they should eat for their particular blood type. I’ve been doing some research. Could eating a diet based on your blood type — O, A, B, or AB — help you lose weight and get healthier? Some researchers claims that the foods you eat react chemically with your blood type. If you follow a diet designed for your blood type, your body will digest food more efficiently. You’ll lose weight, have more energy, and help prevent disease. As I am Type A myself, this is where I’ll start! Our Strengths We adapt well to changes in our diet and environment We have little need for animal food Our Immune systems preserve and metabolise nutrients easily Our Weaknesses  We have vulnerable immune systems that are open to microbial invasion We have sensitive digestive tracts Health Risks Liver and gallbladder disorders Type 1 diabetes Heart Disease Cancer Anemia Diet Profile – Its recommended that we each mostly vegan/vegetarian Vegetables Tofu Seafood Grains Beans Legumes Fruit Recommended Supplements Vitamin B12 Folic acid Vitamin C Vitamin E Hawthorn Echinace   Recommended Exercise Centering exercises, such as yoga and tai chi Do you know your blood type? Do you notice your body craves different foods based on your blood type? Are you lacking in Vitamins or Minerals based on your blood type? Does your body respond differently to various types of exercise based on your blood type! It’s time to tune in to our bodies! *This is adapted from Peter D’Adamo’s Eat Right for Your Type: The Individualized Diet Solution to Staying Healthy, Living Longer & Achieving Your Ideal Weight

What is the largest organ in the human body and releases over a third of toxins in our body? That’s right! It is our skin. Dry skin brushing is an effective daily practice to help the body detox and remove these harmful toxins, not to mention it opens and unclogs our pores. When we dry skin brush, we are massaging and helping our lymphatic system cleanse itself.  We pull waste from the body as well as remove any lingering toxins from soap, environmental factors, lotions, deodorant, and other things to help improve skin health. What is great is that skin brushing should only take about 5 minutes per day, so it is easily fit into a busy lifestyle and has great benefits! Some of the benefits include: Exfoliation Lymphatic system stimulation Reduce or eliminate cellulite Unclog pores Here are ten simple steps and tips for you to follow to help you get started with dry skin brushing: Get a long-handled, non-synthetic bristle brush. Remove your clothes and stand in the bathtub or on a tiled surface. You will want to do this because you are scraping off dead skin, so you don’t want that to get on your carpet or your rugs. All of your brushing motions should be heart-centered, meaning you will want to have all the motions be moving towards your heart. Start at your feet and use long flowing motions, again, towards your heart. You will want to brush several times in the same area, overlapping your strokes as you continue. For sensitive skin areas, you will want to go easy. Your skin in those areas should become less sensitive with time. Once you have your whole body brushed, hop into the tub or shower. I find that the benefits of an Epsom salt bath are heightened after dry brushing. Alternating cold and hot temperatures help bring the blood back to the top of the skin. Continue this practice daily, but for best results, consider dry brushing twice a day; once in the morning and once before bed. Remember to clean your brush at least once per week.