When the latest infection hit, I decided to check out another reference for 'do it yourself' health. My Mother-in-law gifted us Be Your Own Doctor a couple years ago. While I don't agree with, or follow, many things mentioned in it, I still find it helpful.We needed cough syrup. The kids had kept us up all night, and we were doing all we could with hydration, vitamin intake, oil diffusion, and nutrition.
In her book, Rachel Weaver has a recipe for an onion syrup comprised of onion and sugar. According to her, the sugar draws out antiviral and antibacterial fluid in the onion (p.109).
She also recommended the addition of lemon.
I followed the directions, slicing up my onion, then layering it with equal amounts sugar in a glass jar (I just used a quart size canning jar I had).
I decided that including Lemon Essential Oil would be just as, if not more, effective.
After following her recipe, I added 10 drops Lemon Oil to the mixture before mashing it down with a spoon.
Then I let it sit for several hours, and strained it out into a bottle from AromaTools.
I got just under 8 oz of liquid from one onion. Oddly enough, it does taste good (though I smell like an onion!)!
I gave it to myself and all three Littles, even the 23 month old. They didn't cough at all that night! Because Lemon Oil also helps with aches and pains, I thought it would be a good addition to this syrup. It seems to be lessening the duration of my infection, and helping with the achiness that can be associated with coughs and sore throats.
How has Lemon Oil helped you with your health?
About Lemon Oil: It helps with colds, and sore throats. It promotes a healthy immune system, and has antiseptic and antiviral properties. It is safe for children when diluted. Direct sun exposure should be avoided for 12 hours, as citrus oils can cause photo-sensitivity.
Lemon oil can also help with blood pressure. I'm pregnant with my third right now, and with my first two kids, I had high blood pressure through the pregnancies--the first was the worst, but even with my second kid my blood pressure was on the high side of what my doctor was comfortable with. I started with essential oils the same week I found out I was pregnant, and I've been taking five drops of lemon oil in my water at least once daily since February. My blood pressure has been healthy at every visit, but the last visit was the best blood pressure reading I'd ever had, pregnant or not, young or not (I'm 32). I sincerely believe this is due to the lemon in my water, and I will be continuing this regime, because Healthy Blood Pressure rocks!!!
ReplyDelete