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Do you know someone who spends the majority of their free time in front of a computer? Is this their favorite way to spend their leisure time? You may know a mouse potato. Yes, you read correctly, a mouse potato!
In 2007 this phrase was accepted into the Dictionary and is a spin off of the commonly used phrase, couch potato. It is easy to see what these two “spuds” have in common: a lack of physical activity often coupled with unhealthy snacking.
This lifestyle takes its toll upon our bodies, both the young and the old. Mouse potatoes have an increased risk for heart disease, diabetes, pain, poor sleep, and irritability…. you know, as you have heard it all before!!
If you are in need of inspiration or assistance with a wellness plan for you or a loved one, we can help!
Therapeutic-grade essential oils are very different than the aromatherapy novelty products flooding the market today. Where the far less expensive products may be alluring because of their price, they will not provide any healthy or healing benefits. However, a therapeutic-grade essential oil is capable of providing countless healing properties as is shown in this study…
Subject: Rutgers University Study of Myrrh December 06, 2001 NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ
Myrrh, fragrant resin with ancient heritage, may bear anti-cancer agents.
Researchers have identified a compound in myrrh,a bitter-tasting, fragrant resin has been used for thousands of years as anointment, perfume, incense and embalming fluid, that they believe could bedeveloped into a potent anticancer agent.
The compound, which kills cancercells in the laboratory, shows particular promise for the prevention and treatment of breast and prostate cancer, according to the researchers. The finding is the first to identify an anticancer compound in myrrh, they say.
It appears in the current (Nov. 26) print edition of the Journal of Natural Products,a peer-reviewed journal of the American Chemical Society, the world’s largest scientific society. It was published in the Web version of the journal on Oct. 25.
“It’s a very exciting discovery,” says Mohamed M. Rafi, Ph.D., one of the co-researchers in the study and an assistant professor in the department of food science at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey. “I’m optimistic that this compound can be developed into an anticancer drug,”he says. The researcher cautions that the compound has not yet been tested in animals or humans.
As part of a larger search for anticancer compounds from plants, the researchers obtained extracts from a particular species of myrrh plant (Commiphora myrrha) and tested it against a human breast tumor cell line (MCF-7) known to be resistant to anticancer drugs. Research data indicated that the extract killed all of the cancer cells in laboratory dishes. Further investigations to isolate the active component of the extract found it to be a unique and previously unknown compound belonging to a class called sesquiterpenoids, which are typically found in natural products.
Rafi indicated that an increasing number of compounds in this class have been identified as having cytotoxic properties against cancer cell lines, but none has reached the marketing stage.
The myrrh compound appears to kill cancer cells by inactivating a specific protein, called Bcl-2, which is overproduced by cancer cells, particularly in the breast and prostate, the researcher says. Over production of this protein is believed to promote the growth of cancer cells and make cells more resistant to chemotherapy. As cancer is influenced by many mechanisms,the investigators are now in the process of trying to determine whether the compound also has other mechanisms of inhibitory action against cancer cells.
On the basis of initial laboratory tests, the compound does not appear to be as strong as conventional chemotherapy drugs, such as paclitaxel (TaxolZ),vinbalstine and vincristine, which are known to be potent cancer killers. These drugs are highly toxic to healthy cells, however, says Rafi.
The researcher estimates that the compound tested is 100 times less potent than paclitaxel. The compound appears to fall within the moderate strength range of other recently discovered phytochemicals (isolated from plants), including resveratrol (from grapes), genestein (from soy) lycopene (from tomatoes) and catechins (from tea).
The good news is that these compounds all come from food and are unlikely to be toxic to healthy cells,which could mean fewer side effects as a chemotherapy agent, the researcher says. Once the compound is better understood, it’s possible that its potency could eventually be increased, the researcher says, who envisions that it could be developed as an oral drug.
Rafi predicts that there may be other compounds in myrrh that are more potent than the current anticancer candidate though yet to be isolated from the plant. Developing any anticancer drug from myrrh may take five to ten years, says Rafi. Animal studies of the current compound are planned. The researchers are in the process of filing a patent on the anticancer compound.
Myrrh is the dried resin obtained from one of several trees of the genus Commiphora. The bitter-tasting, fragrant resin is mentioned in the Bible; it was among the gifts reportedly presented by the Three Wise Men to the infant Jesus.
As a medicinal compound, it has been used to kill pain, heal wounds and neutralize bad breath. There is some documentation that some ancient civilizations may have even used the plant to combat cancer. If so, the current study represents the first scientific evidence of its effectiveness, the researchers say.
Today, myrrh can be found in health food stores as an ingredient in natural toothpaste and mouthwash, where it is used as an alternative to fluoride to fight dental decay.
It is also available in capsule form, as a tea, and as an extract.
Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station and the New JerseyCommission for Science and Technology provided funding for this study. Rutgers Contact: Michele Hujber 732/932/9000, extension 555 American Chemical Society Contact: Beverly Hassell 202/872/4065.
This press release was prepared and released by the American Chemical Society (ACS). It is released by Rutgers with permission of the ACS. The online version of the research paper cited above was initially published Oct. 25 on the journal’s Web site. Journalists can arrange access to this site by calling either the American Chemical Society or Cook/NAJES/Rutgers contact person for this release.
Mohamed M. Rafi, Ph.D., is an assistant professor in the department of food science at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, N.J.Chi-Tang Ho, Ph.D., is a professor in the department of food science at the university and lead investigator in the study.
Therapeutic-grade essential oils can be found at my website.
The easiest and simplest way of putting essential oils into the air for inhalation is to use an cold-air nebulizer diffuser. A cold air diffuser uses room-temperature air to blow the oil up against a nebulizer. This breaks the oils up into a micro-fine mist that is then dispersed into the air. The therapeutic-grade essential oils, with their oxygenating molecules, will then remain suspended for several hours to freshen and improve the quality of the air.
The anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and antiseptic properties of the oils kill bacteria and help reduce fungus and mold. Essential oils, when diffused, have been found to reduce the amount of airborne chemicals and metallics as well as help to create greater spiritual, physical, and emotional harmony.
All of the essential oils mentioned can be found at my website, please contact me when you have questions.
Recommended Diffusing Time
While a diffuser can run continuously until it is out of oil, the greatest therapeutic benefit is received by diffusing oils for only 10 minutes out of an hour so that the olfactory system has time to recover before receiving more oils. This also helps to conserve your oils. A simple way to do this is to use a programmable timer that can automatically turn on your diffuser each hour for 10 minutes.
Essential Oils for Air Purification
Diffusing essential oils in the home or work place is one of the best ways to purify our environment. The anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and antiseptic properties of the oils, along with the negative ions and oxygenating molecules that are released when therapeutic-grade essential oils are diffused, all help to reduce chemicals, bacteria, and metallics in the air.
Cinnamon bark, mountain savory, oregano, and Theives (a blend by Young Living Essential Oils), were all tested by Weber State University and were shown to kill 99.96% of the airborne bacteria present when diffused into the atmosphere.
The information above is from the Reference Guide for Essential Oils by Connie & Alan Higley, and from KID-Radio broadcast, March 5, 1996 with Lance Richardson & Gary Young
Negative Ions
Negative ions are produced naturally by wind and rain. They help stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system which controls rest, relaxation, digestion, and sleep. If you live in a stressful environment, or an environment full of electronic equipment (which produce positive ions), the diffusion of negatively ionizing oils can help balance the ions in the air and produce a more stress free environment.
Essential oils that ionize negatively when diffused include: bergamot, cedarwood, citronella, eucalyptus (citriodora), grapefruit, lavandin, lavender, lemon, lemongrass, orange, patchouli, and sandalwood.
Positive Ions
Positive ions are produced by electronic equipment and are typically found in man-made environments. They help stimulate the sympathetic nervous system, necessary for recovering, strengthening, and energizing. If you live in an environment with an over-abundance of negative ions, such as in the country or by the ocean, you may benefit greatly by diffusing positively ionizing oils.
Essential oils that ionize positively when diffused into the air include: clove, cypress, eucalyptus, frankincense, helichrysum, juniper, marjoram, melaleuca, pine, ravensara, rosemary, thyme, and ylang ylang.
Essential Oils for the Season: Fall/Winter
Fall and winter connote an earthy, heavy scent, rich with the traditions and memories of the holidays.
Oils that work well during this time include: cinnamon bark, pine, cedar, cedarwood, fir, frankincense, juniper, myrrh, orange, sandalwood, vetiver, nutmeg, oregano, spruce, tangerine, and thyme.
Essential Oils for the Season: Spring/Summer
Spring and summer connote a light, airy scent, full of life, energy, and possibly a hint of romance!
Essential oils that work well during this time include: cardamom, coriander, eucalyptus, geranium, ginger, grapefruit, jasmine, lemon, lime, peppermint, rose, spearmint, and ylang ylang.
Find the mentioned essential oils and more at my website TheVeryEssence.com
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