Unakite Healing Properties

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Unakite, a gemstone, is best-known for its metaphysical properties. We shall be discussing unakite healing properties ahead in this article. Apart from its healing characteristics, this stone also finds a prominent place in lapidary art.

We all know about the importance of gemstones and their healing properties. Unakite is one such gemstone famous for the same. The name of the stone originated from the Greek word epidosis. Unakite stone meaning implies growing together. Though it is found in many places, it was first spotted in the Unakas mountains of North Carolina in the USA (after which it has been named). Unakite healing properties are related best with calmness and positivity. This gemstone is associated with the heart of our body.

Unakite Stone Properties

Unakite is an emended version of granite, feldspar, green epidote and pink orthoclase. It has a specific gravity ranging between 2.55 - 2.85 and a hardness of 6 - 7 on the Mohs scale, and bears a monoclinic crystal system. This opaque gemstone is also referred to as epidotised granite and is commonly found in South Africa, China, USA and Brazil. Its astrological sign is Scorpio and as per numerology, its number vibration is 9. Unakite healing properties are supposed to have an affirmative effect when it comes to fertility in men and women.

Unakite Metaphysical Properties

This gemstone emits an aura of soothing energy and is believed to enhance personal growth of living beings both physically and emotionally. Apart from its attractive looks, it is best-known for its metaphysical attributes which have been a popular case of study in recent times. It is believed to create an atmosphere of serenity and optimism, and strengthens the spiritual and emotional aspects of self, thereby aiding in garnering focus in life. On health aspects, unakite healing properties enhance the working of the nervous and circulatory system of our body. Due to its positive effects, this gemstone is highly recommended for women during pregnancy. The healing properties of unakite also contribute towards mitigating negative energies that are high in cases of low self esteem, trauma, deceptions and depressions. This stone further helps in destroying the mental and emotional blockages in people who bottle up their emotions and fail to express them. In some cases where people suffer from weight loss, the unakite healing properties tend to facilitate gain in weight and also assist in growth of hair and skin tissue.

In children, this gemstone has a positive influence and alleviates the physical and psychological growth factors in them. Even the harmful smog created by electromagnetic radiations emitted by devices like television sets, computers and monitors is said to be extenuated by the healing properties of unakite. For lovers and couples, this stone is a lucky charm as it symbolizes love. On the spiritual front, unakite healing properties are believed to pave way for psychic visions. Crystal healers use unakite wands to enhance their prowess. In gardens, this stone is placed as a cluster to channel the positive energies and aid in the healthy growth of plants. Hence, unakite is every gardener's favorite.

Apart from promoting health and spiritual growth, this gemstone also finds a conspicuous place in the making of jewelry due to its enticing color combinations of pink and green. It is used in making earrings, bracelets, necklaces, amulets, beads and paperweights.

Gemstones are a gift from nature. Until they were discovered, they were not valued. To know more about gemstones, you can refer our article meaning of gemstones. Unakite healing properties also have a great scope in curing elusive forms of illness. They help people get rid of their past baggage and guide them in making their present lively. This gemstone enhances concentration at work and in meditation. I hope this article provided all relevant information on unakite and its healing properties.

Understanding Depression

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For the vast majority of us, it is getting harder and harder to find warmth, light and love. Yet, it is there. Some of us, with the right tools, are able to find a place within ourselves to keep us safe and positive and build a resistant wall against the knocks of stress and modern day living. But even this safe-haven can be short-lived.

So what happens when this place is not reached and protected? What causes some people to experience and suffer from severe depression that can greatly affect their ability to function on a daily basis?

Causes of Depression

Depression is a complex web of emotions that cannot be directed to one particular factor. Severe or major depression also occurs in those with no family history of the condition. As each individual is unique (and our response to turmoil is relative), childhood issues, a traumatic loss, chronic illness, difficult relationship, financial problem, or any unwelcome change in one’s life and understanding of it can trigger a depressive response that becomes difficult to break.

Very often, a combination of genetic, psychological, and environmental factors is involved in the onset of a depressive disorder. Research and studies indicate a strong genetic factor to certain types of depression. This has been recognized with severe depression, but more particularly in bipolar disorder. However, genetic factors are not a guarantee of developing depression and it is important to understand that it is a combination of various external factors that can cause depression.

Furthermore, stressors that contribute to the development of depression sometimes affect some groups more than others. For example, minority groups who more often feel impacted by discrimination and are disproportionately represented. Socioeconomically disadvantaged groups, for instance, have higher rates of depression compared to their advantaged counterparts.

What are the Different Kinds of Depression?

Major Depressive Disorder:

When people use the terms ‘depression’ or ‘clinical depression’, they are generally referring to major depressive disorder. Major depressive disorder is a mood disorder characterized by a depressed mood, a lack of interest in activities normally enjoyed, changes in weight and sleep, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness and guilt, difficulty concentrating and thoughts of death and suicide. If a person experiences the majority of these symptoms for longer than a two-week period, they may be diagnosed with major depressive disorder.

Dysthymic Disorder:

Dysthymia comes from the Greek roots dys, meaning ‘ill’ or ‘bad’, and thymia, meaning ‘mind’ or ‘emotions’. The terms dysthymia and dysthymic disorder refer to a mild, moderate, or chronic state of depression. Those who suffer from dysthymia are usually able to function adequately but might seem consistently unhappy.

Atypical Depression:

Do you experience symptoms such as improved mood when good things happen, overeating, sleeping too much or sensitivity to rejection? These are symptoms characteristic of atypical depression, which is a type of depression which does not follow the ‘typical’ set of depression symptoms, such as a lack of appetite and insomnia. It is actually more common than the name might imply and differentiates from severe depression in that the latter are not able to experience positive emotions even when good things do happen.

Bipolar Disorder:

Bipolar disorder is an illness that consists of alternating moods from manic, i.e. elevated episodes, followed by depression. These mood swings can range in intensity from mild mania (called hypomania) to more severe, debilitating highs. Periods of mania can last for hours, days, weeks or even months before depression returns. Bipolar disorder is divided into type 1 and 2, with differences being between the severities of the alternating moods.

Postpartum Depression:

Pregnancy brings about many hormonal shifts. These dramatic shifts can sometimes affect the emotional response to their newborn child. This is commonly known as the ‘baby blues’. Postpartum depression can be more than just a case of the blues, however. It can range from mild symptoms that will gradually disappear naturally all the way up to postpartum psychosis, which left untreated, may lead to devastating circumstances.

Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder:

The most frequently reported symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) include irritability, fatigue, anxiety, nervous tension, mood swings, depression, feeling overwhelmed or out of control, physical symptoms of swelling or bloating of the abdomen or extremities, appetite changes and food cravings, aches, and breast tenderness. These symptoms may occur for several days to 2 weeks before menstruation but subside with the onset of the menstrual period. When these symptoms, especially those of mood, are severe, a diagnosis of Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) may be made.

Seasonal Affective Disorder:

Weather changes may be accompanied by a severe drop in mood for some people. If you experience more consistent and apparent symptoms such as depression, sleepiness, weight gain and carbohydrate cravings during the winter months, but feel great as soon as spring returns, you may have a condition called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).

Help for Depression

Whatever the causes of depression, the condition can have serious effects on your life, and should be properly diagnosed before pursuing any treatments methods. Take into consideration finding a specialist that will help provide a holistic approach to therapeutic measures and lifestyle changes.

Alongside many other forms of healing, natural remedies can play an integral part in helping one reach a healthy emotional state of mind. Natural yet gently effective remedies promote emotional and psychological well-being relating to a variety of mood disorders that will work with your body and mind in healing itself, helping you to reach that inner sanctuary enabling you to better understand yourself and deal with the outside world.

Using Scent to Boost Your Memory, Mood and More

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Most of us have a strong association with certain scents, with some immediately triggering a certain memory. For instance, smelling suntan lotion may conjure up memories of trips to the beach, or the aroma of apple pie baking can invoke pleasant thoughts of time spent in grandma’s kitchen. Besides waxing nostalgia, check out some tips on using scent to your advantage!

Improve Alertness/Feel Refreshed

Smell this: Peppermint or cinnamon – great for drivers

Also try: Eleuthero (Eleutherococcus senticosis), a natural energy tonic to support energy and natural vitality, Gotu cola (Centella asiatica), a well-respected adaptogenic energy herb in Ayurvedic medicine, and Olive leaf extract (Olea europea), which has natural energy-promoting properties.

Boost Mood, Increase Relaxation & Induce Sleep

Smell this: Lavendar – great for depression, insomnia or anxiety

Also try: St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum), which has been used for centuries to promote balanced mood and well-being, and Passion Flower (Passiflora incarnata), which clinical studies have shown to provide soothing, beneficial effects.

Increase Memory

Smell this: Rosemary – great for mature adults

Also try: Maidenhair Tree (Ginkgo biloba), which has been used in traditional medicine to enhance memory, and Sage (Salvia officinalis), which has been shown to improve cognitive functioning.

Vanilla Bean Substitute

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If you are looking for information on vanilla bean substitute, then try using vanilla extract, vanilla powder or vanilla sugar. To understand more about these vanilla bean alternatives and usage quantities, read on...

Vanilla is a spice for flavoring, named after the orchid plant, Vanilla from which it is extracted. The fruits borne on the seed pods of this particular plant are known as vanilla beans. The floral flavored vanilla is the second leading expensive spice next to saffron. This high price is mainly because of the extensive labor employed in hand pollinating the vanilla blossoms (within 12 hours after opening), without which there are no fruit formation. Harvesting the vanilla beans is as laborious as pollinating the flowers. They are hand-picked individually during a specific stage, before the fruits become fully matured. The commercial value of the beans is fixed by their maturity and pod length, wherein beans longer than 15 cm are superior products and those measuring between 10 - 15 cm are second quality product. After 6 months treatment, the beans are packaged and sold commercially.

The cured vanilla beans are used in a wide range of recipes, ranging from sauces to sweet candies, cakes and ice-creams. Adding them not only imparts a unique aroma, but they also provide a visual element to the dishes. In order to add vanilla beans in coffee grinding or sauce making, you need to split the beans longitudinally and remove the seeds with a knife. There are not many alternatives for using in place of these flavorful vanilla beans. Nevertheless, you can find some ingredients that can be added as a vanilla bean substitute in preparing recipes.

Substitute for Vanilla Bean

Adding vanilla beans in cakes and other recipes takes longer time for preparation, but they impart the strongest flavor than any other vanilla products. Also, with beans, the dishes are free of alcohol, which is present in case of vanilla extract. Imagine you are baking vanilla beans cheesecake for your guests and in the last minute, you notice that there are no vanilla beans left. Do not fret, you can still have your favorite cake by using any one of the following vanilla bean subtitutes:

Vanilla Extract

Vanilla extract is commonly used for home baking purposes. Prepared by steeping vanilla beans in a solution of water and alcohol, it is a dark colored and highly aromatic liquid. It is the probably the best substitute for vanilla beans. You can use 1 teaspoon (5 ml) of a superior quality vanilla extract in substitution of one vanilla bean. If necessary, you can add a few drops of vanilla extract to get the desired flavor.

Vanilla Powder

Vanilla powder lacks alcohol, which makes them an ideal vanilla bean substitution to make custards and dessert recipes. They are ground after drying and pulverizing vanilla beans. Some manufacturers market sweetened vanilla powder. Hence, ensure that you check the label while purchasing the powder form of vanilla. Substitute 2 teaspoons vanilla powder instead of adding one vanilla bean.

Vanilla Sugar

Another vanilla bean alternative is vanilla sugar, which is available in granulated form, similar to regular sugar. It is nothing but white sugar commercially imparted with vanilla flavor. You can notice fine, dark grains of vanilla beans in the sugar. Using 1 - 2 teaspoons of vanilla sugar provides the same flavor as that of one vanilla bean in sweet desserts. Accordingly, reduce the amount of sugar that you will be adding in the dessert recipe.

Vanillin Sugar

Vanillin sugar is white sugar, manufactured by using synthetic vanillin. Unlike vanilla sugar, it is slightly bitter in taste. Over here, vanillin is extracted from other plants and essential oils that contain vanilla flavor. For example, lignin is widely used for production of synthetic vanillin. You can use 1 - 2 teaspoons of vanillin sugar in one batch of dough or batter. Know more on vanilla extract substitute.

Try the above mentioned vanilla bean substitute and make the best of your cooking. In comparison to whole vanilla beans, the extract form is cheaper and easier to use. You can also prepare homemade vanilla extract on your own and use it throughout the year. In an airtight bottle, take Ð… a cup of rum or vodka (preferably a superior quality rum) and add 2 vanilla beans after spitting them lengthwise. Leave the bottle in a cool and dark place for about 2 months, after which you can use the extract for baking and cooking purposes.

Vanilla Essential Oil

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If you think that the name 'vanilla' is associated only with production of the mouth watering ice creams, custards, pastries, chocolates, soft drinks, biscuits and cakes, then you are wrong. Read on to know about pure vanilla essential oil properties and health benefits.

The vanilla essential oil is extracted by solvent extraction of a resinous substance obtained from fermented vanilla beans. Vanilla plants, scientifically known as ‘Vanilla Planifolia’, are creepers and are mainly grown in Mexico and neighboring countries. These plants bear vanilla beans which contain acetic acid, caproic acid, eugenol, furfural, isobutyric acid and vanillin hydroxybenzaldehyde. Vanilla is widely used as a flavoring agent in culinary, in the food, beverages and pharmaceutical industries but vanilla essential oil has found its uses in the world of medicines.

Vanilla Facts

The familiar vanilla bean pod is obtained when the green pods of the plant are cured, fermented and dried. Then the whole pods go through CO2 process. Finally with the 'total' extract process, vanilla oil is obtained. The CO2 distillation is responsible for producing exceptional quality aromas from pure vanilla essential oil. The unique aroma of vanilla is offered by the chemical component 'vanillin', present in it. Concentration of this component is different in different varieties, from just a few percent in some varieties, to about 27% in the CO2 distillate from Madagascar. You would not get vanilla oil by steam distillation of vanilla beans since CO2 and solvent extraction is necessary to obtain the precious aromatic and flavorful components of vanilla essential oil. Read on essential oil uses.

Vanilla Essential Oil Properties

Relaxing

Febrifuge

Tranquilizing

Anti carcinogenic

Anti depressant

Aphrodisiac

Sedative

Antioxidant

Vanilla Essential Oil Uses

Antioxidant: Anti oxidant property of vanilla essential oil is the most beneficial property as it helps avoid oxidation, which is the biggest cause behind most of your troubles and diseases. Free radicals or oxidizers are responsible for oxidation of living cells and tissues, burning them to death, which leads to weakened immune system, loss of memory, organic and nervous malfunctioning, gradual loss of vision & hearing, mental instability, etc. Antioxidants neutralize the free radicals and thus protect the body against diseases. They also repair the damages already done to the body.

Anti Depressant: Vanilla aroma makes you happy and relaxed.The aroma is exclusive if it is real vanilla, but synthetic vanilla or artificially synthesized Vanillin Hydroxybenzaldehyde also offer good aromas and they also work great for depression. The flavor is so pleasant, sweet and soothing that everybody, ranging from toddlers to elders, loves it. Vanillin Hydroxybenzaldehyde is the component of vanilla essential oil which particularly acts as anti depressant and mood up-lifter.

Aphrodisiac: It is well proven that vanilla essential oil, taken under proper guidance, can help relieve the problems of impotency, erectile dysfunction, frigidity, loss of libido etc. This oil enhances secretion of certain hormones like testosterone, estrogen etc. which results in normal sexual behavior and promotes arousal.

Febrifuge: Some of the elements like Eugenol and Vanillin Hydroxybenzaldehyde present in vanilla essential oil help reduce fever by fighting infections and by reducing inflammation. Being a sedative, it helps reduce inflammation due to fever (Anti Phlogistic property).

Anti Carcinogenic: As seen above, the free radicals or oxidants causing certain type of cancers are neutralized by vanilla essential oil and thus the growth of cancerous cells is prevented.

Sedative: Vanilla essential oil soothes all types of inflammations and hyperactivity in all the body systems. It helps reduce the effects of stress, anxiety, allergy, fever and convulsions.

Tranquilizing: Vanilla essential oil offers you a sound sleep. The sedative and relaxing properties of the oil help lower blood pressure and have a sort of tranquilizing effect on the brain too.

Relaxing: The vanilla essential oil has a relaxing and soothing effect on the brain and the nerves, because of which you can get rid of anxiety, anger, restlessness etc. within short period of time.

Blending: Vanilla oil blends well with other essential oils of orange, lemon, neroli, jojoba, chamomile, lavender, sandal wood, etc.

Other Benefits: It helps regularize menstruation by activating certain hormones like estrogen.

Vanilla Essential Oil Recipe

Vanilla Rose Bath Fizz

Take Ѕ cup baking soda, ј th cup cornstarch, ј th cup citric acid in a glass bowl. Mix them well. Take 1 tsp melted cocoa butter and 1 tsp vanilla essential oil in another small bowl and add to it Ѕ tsp rose otto oil. Now, take 1 tsp rose water and slowly blend the mixture of vanilla and otto oils with butter, in it. Mix everything well. Pack the mixture into molds. Take out by turning it out on wax paper, by slightly pressing the mold. Let them dry for 24 hours and then store them in air tight containers. Every time you can add a fizz to the tub full of warm water and enjoy the bath.

Vanilla bean carbon dioxide or vanilla bean absolute are expensive. You can create an alternative vanilla extract essential oil which is alcohol based.

Vanilla Extract Essential Oil

Ingredients

8 oz. clean, dark glass bottle with cap

Muslin for straining

7-8 ounces of vodka (doesn't matter if you choose an inexpensive variety)

3-4 fresh, high-quality 6" vanilla beans. Remember, vanilla beans should be dark with consistent coloring on the entire bean. If you want more concentrated extract, you can use 1 or two more beans.

Procedure

Cut the vanilla beans lengthwise carefully.

Again cut them into small pieces of about 2 cm.

Put all pieces into the bottle.

Pour vodka into the bottle, leaving some space at the top, so that you will be able to shake the bottle well.

Close the bottle with the cap, tightly.

Place the bottle in a dark area for 30 days, do not forget to shake the mixture daily.

After 30 days, carefully strain the extract through the muslin fabric. All beans and particles should be removed.

Strain the extract as many times as required.

Re-bottle into a clean, dark glass bottle.

Read on:

Vanilla Bean Substitute

Vanilla Extract Substitute

I hope you find the above recipe easy and simple. As you have read the health benefits of vanilla essential oil, I am sure you will agree with me that vanilla essential oil is a feast to nose and palate.