| How to Make Aromatherapy Oils Posted: 13 Dec 2020 04:00 PM PST Aromatherapy oils can make your home smell nice, help you unwind after a long day, or even boost your mood. With a variety of oils on hand, you can concoct refreshing, invigorating scents for any occasion. Play around with different essential oils and accessories and see what you can come up with! [Edit]How to Get Oils - Use pre-made essential oils if you'd like to save time. Search online or in your local wellness store for bottles of essential oils. These oils can be a bit pricey—still, shopping for pre-made oils can save you time if you're eager to start playing around with different scent combinations.
- Certain essential oils cost more than others. For instance, of lavender might cost at least $16, while of orange essential oil might cost under $6. Other scents, like rose and chamomile, tend to be more expensive as well.[1]
- Make your own essential oils if you plan on using them a lot. Real essential oils, like the ones you see online and in stores, are often made with "stills," or large containers crafted from stainless steel. This equipment can be a bit pricey upfront, but may be worthwhile if you plan on making essential oils very frequently. [2]
- You can find still equipment on most all-purpose online marketplaces. These are pretty pricey and cost at least $100.
- Craft your own infused oils by soaking your favorite herb or plant in oil. Fill a clean glass bottle or jar halfway with the herb or plant of your choice. Add in a carrier oil over the herbs, like olive, grape seed, or coconut oil, so there's around of oil on top of the herbs. Place a square of wax paper on top of the glass jar before securing the lid in place. Wrap the jar in a paper bag, leaving it in a sunny spot for 1-2 weeks. Strain the infused oil through a cheesecloth into a new, clean jar, giving the new oil a day to settle.[3]
- It helps to roll the jar around in your hands once every 1-3 days while the oil heats up in the sunlight. This helps the herbs infuse into the rest of the oil.
- Store your jar in a cool, dark place when you're not using it.
- Infusing oils is a lot easier than making your own essential oils. It can also be safer than using essential oils, which need to be diluted before they can be applied to the skin.[4]
[Edit]Fragrant Essential Oil Blends - Pump up your energy with lavender, rosemary, lemongrass, and eucalyptus. Create a base for your refreshing mixture with 12 drops of lavender oil. Round out the scent with 8 drops of rosemary oil, along with 6 drops of lemongrass oil. As a finishing touch, stir in 4 drops of eucalyptus oil. Before applying this mixture to your skin, dilute it with 2 drops of a carrier oil, like calendula oil, or of distilled water. This refreshing, energizing blend of oil can really kickstart your workouts.[5]
- This can be a great essential oil mixture for a diffuser in your bedroom. When you wake up each morning, you can enjoy a fresh boost of natural energy!
- Boost your mood with bergamot mint, tangerine, and lavender. Dilute your mixture with of distilled water, which will make your essential oils a lot less potent and safer to apply to the skin. Add in 12 drops of bergamot mint oil, along with 10 drops of lavender oil and 8 drops of tangerine oil. This combination creates a soothing, refreshing scent that can really improve your mood.[6]
- Mix lavender, ylang-ylang, and orange together for a citrusy aroma. Concoct a gentle citrus scent with 3 drops each of ylang-ylang oil, orange oil, and lavender oil. You can also try a different spin on this scent with 3 drops of bergamot, orange, and cypress oil. This creates a really soothing scent that's great for relaxation and winding down.[7]
- Recreate a flower garden with ylang-ylang and geranium. Create a simple floral mixture with 3 drops of ylang-ylang oil, along with 3 drops of geranium oil. This combination creates a wonderful floral scent that can really brighten up your home![8]
- You can always experiment with your favorite floral oils and see what kinds of combinations you can come up with.
- Tap into holiday nostalgia with orange, cinnamon, cardamom, and clove. Mix 3 drops of orange oil, along with 2 drops of cardamom oil, cinnamon oil, and clove oil. Add this mixture to your diffuser, inhaler, or other essential oil appliance whenever you need to get in the holiday spirit![9]
- This creates a spicy, nostalgic scent that will get your home ready for the holidays.
- Whip up a refreshing but grounding scent with a basil base. Create the base of your aromatherapy fragrance with 10 drops of basil oil. Add in 4 drops of rosemary oil, along with 3 drops of vetiver oil. Finish off the mixture with 2 drops of pine oil and 1 drop of peppermint oil.[10]
- This is a fun blend—since there are so many different oils at play, the fragrance tends to change if you let it diffuse for an hour or so.
[Edit]How to Use Aromatherapy Oils - Sniff an oil-soaked cotton ball for a refreshing scent. Squeeze a few drops of your favorite essential oil (or oils) on a clean cotton ball. Smell this cotton ball to get a good whiff of these oils as you go about your day.[11]
- You can also leave the cotton ball in your general workspace. This way, you can still get a mild whiff of your favorite aromatherapy oils.
- Spread fragrances through the air with a diffuser. Follow the manufacturer's instructions to see how much oil and water you need to add. Typically, oil diffusers use specific amounts of aromatic oils and water to spread a pleasant scent throughout the room.[12]
- For instance, you can diffuse a lavender scent throughout your bedroom if you're looking to relax after a long day.
- Breathe in the oils safely with hot water. Fill a bowl or container with hot water, then drip a few drops of your favorite oils on top. Breathe in the scented steam to enjoy your different essential oil scents.[13]
- Soak up fragrances with a diffuser bracelet. Shop online for a special bracelet designed specifically for aromatherapy.[14] Pour a few drops of essential oils over the clay beads, which will soak into the bracelet. Wear this bracelet throughout the day and enjoy the subtle scent![15]
- Always add the oil to the outside of the accessory so it doesn't touch your skin directly.
- You can also use other diffusing accessories with essential oils, like necklaces and keychains.[16]
- Apply fragrances to your skin as a body oil. Dilute essential oils with carrier oils, or less potent oils that won't hurt your skin. As a general rule of thumb, mix 1 drop of essential oil with of carrier oil.[17] Once the oil is diluted, relax and unwind by rubbing the massage oil into your skin.[18]
- Some great carrier oils are avocado oil, jojoba oil, sweet almond oil, and apricot kernel oil.[19]
- Create a fragrant mist with water and essential oils. Mix 4-5 drops of your favorite essential oil into a spray bottle filled with of water. Mix these ingredients together, then spritz the mixture around your living space.[20]
- For instance, spritz it over the bottom of your pillowcase to freshen your sleeping space without worrying about skin irritation.
- Mix 1 drop of essential oil with several drops of carrier oil, like coconut oil, and rub it over a small area of your skin first. This way, you can get a sense if you're allergic or not.[21]
[Edit]Warnings - Never apply raw essential oils to your skin, as these oils are very strong. Always dilute essential oils with a carrier oil before using them as a massage oil.[22]
- Don't eat your essential oils—although they smell great, they can be very bad for you when ingested.[23]
- Double-check the safety instructions on your oils before using them. Certain oils shouldn't be stored in direct sunlight.[24]
- Essential oils are flammable and can start a fire when left next to a heat source.[25]
- Always follow the recommended instructions with pure essential oils. Some essential oils can be eaten, while others are only meant for cosmetic use.[26]
[Edit]References |
| How to Grow Truffles Posted: 13 Dec 2020 08:00 AM PST Truffles are considered a delicacy and they are incredibly flavorful. They are also more difficult to cultivate than other edible fungi. Growing truffles can be a lucrative agricultural venture for this reason. It will take at least a few years before you can start harvesting truffles, so get started now to grow your own truffles. [Edit]Planning Your Truffle Farm - Choose black or white truffles if you want a lucrative crop. The main types of truffles are black and white. Black truffles may be more lucrative, but both types are valuable. The type of truffles you grow is really up to you.[1]
- Keep in mind that black and white truffles will only grow in regions that have 4 distinct seasons, so they may not grow well in the southern United States, or in countries where it does not get very cold in the winter.[2] However, some truffles are known to grow even in harsh climate regions.[3]
- You will need to purchase inoculated seedlings to grow truffles. These are young trees that have been injected with truffle spores. Check with the company that sells the trees to find out which types of truffle varieties they offer.
- Make sure to purchase inoculated seedlings from a certified grower to ensure that they are high quality.[4]
- Choose burgundy truffles if you do not have 4 distinct seasons. If you live in a region that does not have 4 distinct seasons, then you may consider a truffle variety that grows in a moderate climate, such as the burgundy truffle. Check with the company you buy inoculated seedlings from to find out which variety will work best for your climate.[5]
- Find a large, open area to grow your truffles. You will need a large, open area to plant your trees. Due to the high cost of truffles, you may have the occasional intruder, so plant your trees in a secure location, such as well within the borders of your property.[6]
- Avoid growing truffles near a road or on a piece of land that you cannot monitor easily.
- Choose trees that support truffle growth. The company you purchase your seedlings from will use a truffle supporting tree, but you can select which one you want to use. There are several tree varieties that support truffle growth. These include:[7]
- Oak
- Hazelnut (Keep in mind that the nuts are unlikely to be of high quality since most of the tree's nutrients will be diverted to the truffles.)[8]
- Beech
- Birch
- Hornbeam
- Pine
- Poplar
- Put up a good fence around the area to keep out intruders. Truffles are coveted by animals and humans for their flavor. Humans may also try to steal truffles because of the high price that they can fetch. To protect the fruits of your labor, consider putting a high fence around the area where you will be growing the truffles.[9]
- For added protection, you might even consider putting up barbed wire or installing an electric fence.
[Edit]Planting the Trees - Make sure the soil's pH level is between 7.5 and 8.3. A high pH level is ideal for growing truffles. The soil should have a pH level between 7.5 and 8.3 for truffles to grow. Check with local agricultural organizations. They may off free or low-cost soil testing.[10]
- If the soil is not within the pH range for growing truffles, then you may want to select a different area to grow them. It may be difficult to change and control the pH of such a large area.
- Develop an efficient irrigation system to water your trees. Your trees will require lots of water to grow and this will help the truffles to thrive as well. Consider installing an irrigation system to provide the trees with of water per week.[11]
- For a smaller operation, you may be able to provide your trees with plenty of water using a long hose. However, for a larger operation, a good irrigation system is a must.
- Plant between 10 and 1,000 trees. You will need to fill an area with lots of trees to ensure that the fungus spores spread and thrive. If you are just experimenting with truffles, try planting 10 inoculated tree seedlings within a few feet of each other. To get a larger crop of truffles, plant between 100 and 1,000 trees on the plot of land you will be using to grow truffles.
- Avoid planting an inoculated tree near one that might host other types of fungi, such as a poplar, oak, conifer, or nut tree.[12]
- Weed with a hoe during the first couple of years. Weeds and other types of plants will pull valuable nutrients away from the truffles, so it is important to remove them when you spot them. However, mowing in the first 2 years is not recommended. Instead, use a hoe to dig up any weeds or other plants that spring up near the base of the trees.[13]
- Do not use weed killer or other toxic chemicals on the trees or surrounding areas as they may seep into the ground and poison your truffles.
[Edit]Harvesting the Truffles - Wait to harvest until the trees are at least 5 years old. Expect to wait about 5 years to harvest your first truffles. Some truffles may be ready for harvest as early as 3 years after planting or not until 10 years after planting, but 5 years is the average.[14]
- Avoid digging into the base of your trees before the truffles are ready. You may end up damaging the growing truffles and losing profit as a result.
- Plan to harvest in the winter. Your truffles should be ready to harvest at the beginning of winter. Wait for the temperatures to drop and then check to see if any truffles are ready for harvest.[15]
- Plan to harvest in early winter before the ground starts to freeze. If you wait too long it may be difficult to dig up the truffles.
- Watch for dead grass at the base of the tree as a sign of growth. The grass will look like it has been burnt right around the base of a tree that has truffles growing underneath it. This is because the fungus is killing off the other plants in the area around the tree.[16]
- The dead grass around the base of the tree is called the "brulee."
- Consider training a dog to find truffles. A well-trained dog can make harvesting truffles much easier for you. You can train the dog to find, dig up, and bring you the truffles. Use positive reinforcement to teach your dog to find truffles and bring them to you. For example, every time your dog retrieves a truffle, make sure to offer lots of praise and a treat.
- You can also use a female pig to find truffles for you, but you have to watch the pig closely when they find a truffle because they will eat it.[17]
[Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Stay Hydrated in the Winter Posted: 13 Dec 2020 12:00 AM PST It can be tricky to stay hydrated in the winter months, especially if you aren't feeling that thirsty. Unfortunately, dehydration can rear its ugly head at any time, no matter the season. Also, winter weather often goes hand in hand with dry skin and hair, especially if you've got the furnace blasting. Don't worry—there are plenty of ways you can stay hydrated and keep your skin from drying out without changing up your usual routine too much. [Edit]Healthy Hydration Habits - Set a water drinking goal for yourself each day. Staying hydrated in the winter can be tough, especially if you're not feeling that thirsty during the winter months. According to experts, men need 15½ cups (3.7 L) of fluids each day, while women need 11½ cups (2.7 L).[1] About 20% of our daily fluid intake comes from food—with this in mind, set your water drinking goal to about 12½ cups (3 L) if you're a man, and 9.2 cups (2.2 L) if you're a woman.[2]
- Carry a bottle of water with you wherever you go during the winter. Grab a reusable water bottle that's easy to bring with you whenever you're on-the-go, even if it's cold outside. This way, you can stay hydrated throughout the day, no matter where you are![3]
- For instance, bring a water jug with you to work so you don't get dehydrated during the workday.
- You may not feel that thirsty in the cold weather, but it's still important to stay hydrated![4]
- Drink plenty of fluids after you exercise in the winter. Step on the scale before and after you exercise to get an idea of how much fluids you lost in the process. Ideally, drink of water to replace every you've lost in the process.[5] Don't worry about drinking this all at the same time—instead, slowly replenish your fluids over the next 2-6 hours.[6]
- If you aren't a fan of water, you can always rehydrate with low-calorie sports drinks.[7]
- Set reminders so you remember to drink water during the colder months. Schedule alerts in your smartphone, which can remind you to drink a glass of water throughout the winter day. Set up these reminders when you're least likely to stay hydrated, like while you're at work.[8]
- For instance, you can set reminders at 10:00 AM, 2:00 PM, and 4:00 PM.
- It can be easy to forget about drinking water in the winter, especially when you aren't sweating as much.[9]
- Check if your urine is light-colored to make sure you're hydrated. Take a peek in the toilet bowl after you use the restroom. Ideally, your urine will look light yellow or clear if you're drinking enough water during the winter months. If your urine looks dark, you need to give your hydration levels a boost.[10]
[Edit]Creative Ways to Hydrate - Snack on foods with high water content. Fresh fruits and veggies are a clever way to keep yourself hydrated without downing several glasses of water. Add some of your favorite fruits into your meals and snacks, like watermelon, cantaloupe, strawberries, peaches, and oranges. You can also boost your hydration with other foods, like lettuce, celery, cucumbers, zucchini, and bell peppers.[11]
- Skim milk, cottage cheese, plain yogurt, and light meat chicken are also great options for staying hydrated.
- Mix fresh ingredients into your water to make it more appealing. Regular water can get boring after a while, especially if you aren't feeling thirsty during the colder weather. Visit your local supermarket and pick up some fresh limes, oranges, lemons, cucumbers, and any other tasty produce of your choice. Slice up these fruits and place them in your water for a tasty infusion of flavor![12]
- Cucumbers, berries, pomegranate seeds, strawberries, and raspberries are great options to consider.
- Enjoy a mug of herbal tea. Glasses of pure water aren't the only ways to stay hydrated. Instead, pour yourself a mug of decaffeinated tea. Herbal teas and cider can provide a lot of seasonal flavor that won't normally get from a glass of water.[13]
- Some studies show that tea can be just as hydrating as regular water.
- Opt for room-temperature or warm fluids instead of cold drinks. You may feel colder if you drink ice water, so warm or room-temperature drinks might be a good option! Grab a mug of tea or hot cocoa if you'd prefer a little more flavor in your drink.[14]
- Experts agree that enjoying a cup of warm water in the morning can give your GI tract a boost.[15]
- Stay away from alcoholic drinks. Alcohol can be a common crutch during the week, especially if you're hoping to unwind after a long winter day. Instead, enjoy your favorite drinks in moderation—as great as these beverages seem, they tend to leave your body very dehydrated. Instead, opt for water-based drinks instead, like tea and cider.[16]
[Edit]Skin and Hair - Apply moisturizer after you get out of the shower or bath. Dry yourself off with a towel so you're not dripping wet. Grab your go-to moisturizer and rub it all over your skin once you're nice and clean. Try to cover as much of your skin as possible, especially any sections that tend to get dry.[17]
- Try to do this a few minutes after your bath.
- This is great to do in the winter, since cold weather and low humidity can make your skin extra dry. Additionally, if the heat's blasting in your home, your skin might be feeling a little extra dehydrated.[18]
- Pick out unscented ointments and creams for your skincare routine. Visit your local beauty shop or drugstore and see what kinds of skincare products they have to offer. Dermatologists recommend ointments and creams, as opposed to regular lotions. Look for products with nourishing ingredients like jojoba oil, olive oil, or shea butter. Search for unscented moisturizers, which won't be too harsh on your skin.[19]
- Products with lactic acid, hyaluronic acid, glycerin, mineral oil, and lanolin are great for dry skin.
- Dry skin is a really common side effect of colder weather, and ointments can make it a lot easier to cope during the winter months.[20]
- Limit your baths and showers to 10 minutes or less. Long showers may seem like the cure towards dry skin, but this isn't actually the case. Stay in the shower for less than 10 minutes, using warm water instead of hot. Clean yourself off with a gentle cleanser, then rinse off and towel-dry your skin afterwards.[21]
- Always moisturize your skin after leaving the shower or bath!
- Ditch any heat styling products that dehydrate your hair. Resist the temptation to go through your hair with a curling iron or straightener. These tools will suck the moisture out of your hair, leaving it dry. Instead, look for safer styling alternatives, like wraps and pin curls, which won't dry out your hair.[22]
- Blow dryers can also suck out a lot of moisture. Try to dry your hair naturally, instead.
- Wear lip balm in the cooler weather! This can prevent your lips from chapping.
[Edit]Warnings - Watch out for signs of dehydration, like dizziness, dry skin, excess thirst, and fatigue. If you experience any severe symptoms, contact a doctor or medical professional right away.[23]
- Snuggle up with blankets instead of sitting right in front of a fireplace or heater. This can really dry out your skin.[24]
- Don't go outside after taking a bath or shower. If your hair is damp when you go outside, it might freeze and break in the cold weather. Instead, let hair dry off indoors so it can stay healthy and nourished.[25]
[Edit]References |
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