Lavender oil has a chemically complex structure with over 150 active constituents.

9 This oil is rich in

sters, which are aromatic molecules with antispasmodic (suppressing spasms and pain), calming, and
imulating properties. The chief botanical constituents of lavender oil are linalyl acetate, linalool (a non
oxic terpene alcohol that has natural germicidal properties), terpinen-4-ol, and camphor. Other
onstituents in lavender oil that are responsible for its antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory
roperties include cis-ocimene, lavandulyl acetate, 1,8-cineole, limonene, and geraniol.
Lavender oil is known for its calming and relaxing properties, and has been used
romatherapeutically for alleviating insomnia, anxiety, depression, restlessness, dental anxiety, and
ress. It has also been proven effective for nearly all kinds of ailments, from pain to infections.
Relieve pain. It can ease sore or tense muscles, joint pain and rheumatism, sprains, backache,
and lumbago. Simply massage a small amount of lavender oil onto the affected area. Lavender oil
may also help lessen pain following needle insertion.
Treat various skin disorders like acne, psoriasis, eczema, and wrinkles. It also helps form scar
tissues, which may be essential in healing wounds, cuts, and burns. Lavender can also help soothe
insect bites and itchy skin (lavender oil can help ward off mosquitoes and moths. It is actually use
as an ingredient in some mosquito repellents).
Keep your hair healthy. It helps kill lice, lice eggs, and nits. The Natural Medicines
Comprehensive Database (NMCB) says that lavender is possibly effective for treating alopecia
areata (hair loss), boosting hair growth by up to 44 percent after just seven months of
treatment.11
Improve your digestion. This oil helps stimulate the mobility of your intestine and stimulates th
production of bile and gastric juices, which may help treat stomach pain, indigestion, flatulence,
colic, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Relieve respiratory disorders. Lavender oil can help alleviate respiratory problems like colds
and flu, throat infections, cough, asthma, whooping cough, sinus congestion, bronchitis, tonsillitis,
and laryngitis. It can be applied on your neck, chest, or back, or inhaled via steam inhalation or
through a vaporizer.
Stimulate urine production, which helps restore hormonal balance, prevent cystitis
(inflammation of the urinary bladder), and relieve cramps and other urinary disorders.
Improve your blood circulation. It helps lower elevated blood pressure levels and can be used
for hypertension.

Thyme is a fragrant herb that makes a wonderful addition to your cooking, in part
ecause it is rich in antioxidants. Thyme contains health-boosting flavonoids including
pigenin, naringenin, luteolin, and thymonin, and has been shown to protect and increase
he percentage of healthy fats found in cell membranes. As reported by the George
Mateljan Foundation: In particular, the amount of DHA (docosahexaenoic acid, an
mega-3 fatty acid) in brain, kidney, and heart cell membranes was increased after
ietary supplementation with thyme.
Thyme is also nutrient dense, containing vitamin C, vitamin A, iron, manganese,
opper, and dietary fiber. When used in cooked dishes, thyme may also help inhibit
lycation and the formation of dangerous advanced glycation end products (AGEs) in you
ood, making thyme a potential preventer of heart disease and premature aging. Due
o thyme oils antibacterial, antispasmodic, antirheumatic, expectorant, hypertensive, an
alming properties, it also has a long list of topical uses, including:
Home remedy Thyme oil is used to relieve and treat problems like gout, arthritis,
wounds, bites, and sores, water retention, menstrual and menopausal problems,
nausea and fatigue, respiratory problems (like colds), skin conditions (oily skin and
scars), athletes foot, hangovers, and even depression.
Aromatherapy oil The oil can be used to stimulate the mind, strengthen memory
and concentration, and calm the nerves.
Hair product It is said that thyme oil can prevent hair loss. It is used as a
treatment for the scalp and is added to shampoos and other hair products.
Skin product Thyme oil can help tone aged skin and prevent acne outbreaks.
Mouthwashes and herbal rinses Like peppermint, wintergreen, and eucalyptus
oils, thyme oil is used to improve oral health.
Insecticide/insect repellent Thyme oil can keep insects and parasites like
mosquitoes, fleas, lice, and moths away

Ginger is one spice that I recommend keeping on hand in your kitchen at all times. Not only
it a wonderful addition to your cooking (especially paired with garlic) but it also has
nough medicinal properties to fill several books.
Ginger is best known for its antinausea effects but also has broad-spectrum antibacterial,
ntiviral, antioxidant, and anti-parasitic properties, to name just several of its more than 40
cientifically confirmed pharmacological actions. It is anti-inflammatory, making it valuable for
ain relief for joint pain, menstrual pain, headaches, and more.
The pain-relieving potential of ginger appears to be far-reaching. Along with help for muscle
nd joint pain, ginger has been found to reduce the severity of migraine headaches as well as
he migraine medication Sumatriptan with fewer side effects
Ginger also shows promise for fighting cancer, diabetes, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease,
sthma, bacterial and fungal infections, and it is one of the best natural remedies available for
motion sickness or nausea (from pregnancy or chemotherapy, for example).
Taking one gram of ginger daily may help reduce nausea and vomiting in pregnant women
r those with migraines and ginger has been shown to work better than a placebo in relieving
morning sickness.
Ginger is also a must-have if you struggle with indigestion, and it does more than simply
elieve pain. Ginger contains powerful protein-digesting enzymes and helps to stimulate the
mptying of your stomach without any negative effect, and its an antispasmodic agent, which
may explain its beneficial effects on your intestinal tract.
Many people enjoy ginger tea on a regular basis, and this is one of the simplest ways to use
. Simply chop off a couple of inches of ginger root and let it steep in hot water for fresh ginger
ea. I would advise against using it daily as it can lead to an allergy and is what happened to me
bout twenty years ago.
You can also peel the root using a paring knife and then slice it thinly (or grate it or mince i
o add to tea or cooked dishes. You cant go wrong by adding ginger to stir fries or even your
avorite homemade chicken soup. For serious issues, a natural health care provider can help you
et the maximum therapeutic benefits of ginger.

Peppermint offers benefits to the respiratory system, including for coughs,

olds, asthma, allergies, and tuberculosis. In terms of digestive health, peppermint
il capsules have been described as "the drug of first choice" in IBS patients, and
eppermint oil is an effective alternative to drugs like Buscopan for reducing coloni
pasms.
It may also relax the muscles of your intestines, allowing gas to pass and
asing abdominal pain. Try peppermint oil or leaves added to tea for gas relief.
nhaling the peppermint aroma may offer memory enhancement and stress relief,
nd peppermint oil acts as an expectorant and decongestant, and may help clear
our respiratory tract.
Use peppermint essential oil as a cold rub on your chest or inhale it through a
aporizer to help clear nasal congestion and relieve cough and cold symptoms.
eppermint oil may also help relieve tension headache pain. For headache pain, try
abbing a few drops on your wrist or sprinkling a few drops on a cloth, then inhaling
he aroma. You can also massage the oil directly onto your temples and forehead.
eppermint essential oil is ideal for muscle and chest rubs headache pain, dental
are, and aromatherapy. You can even add it to your homemade cleaning supplies
or extra antimicrobial power and natural fragrance.
When selecting peppermint for your own use, the fresh leaves will impart a
uperior flavor to dried leaves (such as for use in tea). Look for fresh leaves that are
reen in color without any dark spots or yellowing. In addition to using fresh mint
eaves in tea, you can add them to soups, fruit salad, or gazpacho. Additionally, it is
eally easy to grow peppermint yourself and the plant works as a highly effective
eterrent to many insects that might invade your garden or your home.

Chamomile is most popular in tea form for use to calm upset stomach and
elp support restful sleep. Germanys Commission E (a government
rganization) has even approved the use of chamomile for reducing swelling
n your skin and fighting bacteria. Chamomile is a powerful anti-inflammatory
hat also has antibacterial, anti-spasmodic, anti-allergenic, muscle relaxant,
nd sedative properties. It is used to treat psoriasis, eczema, chickenpox,
iaper rash, slow-healing wounds, abscesses, and gum inflammation, and
ccording to Herb Wisdom may also be useful for the following conditions.
The oil serves many medicinal purposes, but one of the best-documented
ses is for relaxation. The oil has a calming effect on people, and can be used
o help induce sleep, ease frayed nerves, and promote a general sense of
almness and well being. It is great for those with nervousness or anxiety
roblems. Aside from having mental calming properties, chamomile is also
ood at relaxing sore muscles and tight joints.
It can ease menstrual cramps and back aches, as well as relax the
igestive system to ease upset stomach or indigestion issues. When applied
opically to the skin, it soothes redness and irritation. For this reason, it is a
ommon ingredient in skincare. It also eliminates itchiness and is good for
hose with allergic reactions. Sometimes chamomile is used on rashes.
ecause of its anti-inflammatory properties, it can work to take down swelling
aused by rashes or skin irritants.