Oil of the Month
FENNEL ESSENTIAL OIL
Rejuvenates Mature Skin

There are a few months of the year that seem to have one major event in them that overshadows the rest of the entire month.  What Valentine's Day is to February, Thanksgiving is to November.

November is a month of "too much."  It starts on November 1, with too much candy for Halloween, and moves quickly into too much gray in the skies and chill in the bones.  Then, of course, there is the too much of Thanksgiving feasting, coupled with too much football.  And then the month closes out with too much hoopla over the next upcoming event, the official first day of the Christmas season.

The symptoms of "too much" can affect everyone in the family.  From your children's overindulgence in candy, to the adults' overindulgence in holiday food .  Ad of course, in any month women can have "too much " PMS.

That's why you couldn't find a better oil for November than Fennel.  Fennel is a herb used in some breads and cookies.  It's a plant that looks like celery but tastes like licorice. We're sure you'll find Fennel just right for fighting off that November feeling of too much.

Fennel is made from the seeds of the herb.  These are the same seeds used in cooking.  The Fennel used for producing the essential oil is primarily grown in Mediterranean countries.

Fennel's most noted attribute is the help it provides for digestive problems. It is great as a stomach tonic and antispasmodic, it helps reduce flatulence and remedy abdominal cramps, even in children.

Since Fennel helps neutralize toxicity in the body, it is a great warrior against the "too much" syndrome of November.  Whether you overindulge in alcohol, nicotine, food, or all of the above, Fennel might just be the oil you are looking for.

You may also be interested to know that Fennel plays a pleasant part in a woman's life.  Its estrogen-stimulating properties make it useful for treating PMS by relieving menstrual pains and helping to regulate weak, irregular periods.

The versatility of Fennel continues:  It serves as a wonderful treatment for fighting wrinkles, dehydrated skin, and puffy, dark-shadowed eyes.  It is also used in creams and body lotions to tighten and enlarge breasts.  When added to face and boy lotions, Fennel acts as a moisturizer.

If the hectic holiday planning and preparation makes you a bit frazzled, you'll find that Fennel calms the body and mind, which in turn reduces stress and nervousness.

There are several ways to gain benefit from Fennel; many blends use Fennel in a massage oil. These are particularly helpful for indigestion and digestive problems that cause upper abdominal pain and flatulence.

Fennel oil can also be used to massage the breasts of mothers who are nursing to increase the production of breast milk.

A massage blend that includes Fennel is a terrific treat for your face, especially if you start off giving yourself a facial sauna.

Fennel is equally effective when mixed in water, particularly in baths to calm yourself, or as skin tightener in a facial sauna.

 Ideas for Using Fennel Essential Oil

MOMMY, MY TUMMY HURTS

Every parent or spouse has heard "my stomach hurts" several times in their life, usually late in the evening and usually following a hectic day.  The following a ways that Fennel can help with this indulgence.

HICCUP CURE

For hiccups, put 1 drop of Fennel in a brown paper bag.  Hold it over your nose and mouth and breathe deeply and slowly through your nose.

FENNEL FAVORITES FOR FEMALES

Fennel is a favorite for females because it helps us through very significant events in our lives.  We all remember our first menstrual cramps and how we thought there could be no pain worse than that.  Fennel can help with the crampiness and by reducing the emotional impact of PMS that leaves one apathetic, tired, and listless.

KEEP USING IT

To gain the greatest benefit from this recipe, massage every day of the month, including those during which you have your period. Research suggests that it takes between two and three months of continual use to notice a substantial effect.  But just think --- from then on, we don't have to lock ourselves away for a few days each month.

If you happen to be one of those not-so-lucky women who experience not only the symptoms of PMS but the ensuing menstrual cramps that are so severe that you want to stay in bed for days with a hot-water bottle, help is on the way.

TWICE THE RELIEVE

To gain the greatest benefit from this recipe, massage every day of the month, including those during which you have your period. While you could use both the PMS and cramp massages at the same time each day, you might want to use one massage in the morning and the other in the evening.

Can Pregnant Women Use Essential Oils?

For pregnant women, we suggest that you do additional research about pregnancy and aromatherapy because there are several wonderful lends for each phase of pregnancy, delivery, and afterwards. 

Always check with your health care practitioner before you use any essential oils during any trimester, or if you might suspect that you are pregnant.  Some essential oils may be beneficial during your pregnancy, and some others you will want to avoid.  The information that follows below is not intended to recommend, prescribe or diagnose.

 The following essential oils may benefit after the First Trimester:

• LEMON:  great for energy and helps assist the immune system

• ORANGE:  calms, uplifts and promotes joy

• LAVENDER:  calms and balances (Use after 12 weeks)

• TANGERINE:  used to help reduce stretch marks

• BERGAMOT:  may relieve stress and emotional  imbalances

• GRAPEFRUIT:  may help with water retention and cellulite

• ROMAN CHAMOMILE: helps with inner tension and  is calming.

 Use ½ % - 1 % dilution of essential oil to Neways Mixing Oil or Tangible Lotion during pregnancy.  Avoid all essential oils during the FIRST TRIMESTER if miscarriage is a concern or has been a concern.

The following oils may induce a menstrual flow, so you should NOT use these during the FIRST TRIMESTER: 

Cedarwood, chamomile, geranium, juniper berry, lavender, peppermint, rosemary.

The following oils should be avoided during ALL THREE TRIMESTERS.  They are considered abortifacients.  This means they have potential to stimulate abortion.  We  do not distribute all of these oils, but we list them for your information and your education.

Angelica Root, basil, bay leaf, birch, bitter almond, calamus, camphor, carrot seed, caraway, cinnamon, clary sage, clove leaf, marjoram, myrrh, nutmeg, oregano, sage, tansy, while or red thyme, wintergreen.

Recipes & Tips for using the Essential Oils During Pregnancy refer to the Simple and Essential book by Cathy Gileadi.

The following two recipes have proven to be extremely effective in dealing with increasing the production of breast milk and assisting with postnatal depression.

BABY, YOU'VE GOT SOFT SKIN

Wouldn't it be wonderful if our skin could feel soft for all our years?  While aromatherapy is no fountain of youth, you can bathe in many of its healing blends to help combat wrinkles and lessen the effect of puffy, shadowed eyes.

Fennel can come to the rescue.  These next two recipes take just a little bit of time and yet can have such a big impact on how you feel about yourself.  These blends work best for normal to oily skin.

THE "TOO MUCH" BATTLE OF NOVEMBER

For those of you who are going to admit right here and now that you are going to overindulge during the holidays, give yourself credit for being honest with yourselves and taking responsibility for your overindulgence.

The following recipe has been found to be extremely effective for hangover.

As we can all appreciate, knowledge is power.  Enjoy your knowledge, enjoy these recipes, enjoy  Fennel, enjoy November and most of all, enjoy your health

Does your family use personal care products that contain
these potentially harmful ingredients?