Showing posts with label peppermint. Show all posts
Showing posts with label peppermint. Show all posts

Monday, March 27, 2017

Essential Oil Room Humidifier and Diffuser

VicTsing Essential Oil Diffuser and Room Humidifier
I typically write and review things I already own and use that make me happy. Occasionally I write about things that are owned and recommended by friends - things I covet. Today I am writing about my new excitement about room humidifiers and essential oil diffusers. I just learned about these dual purpose items yesterday and am shopping one for today. I believe it is exactly what I need to make my office more comfortable.


Making the Office More Pleasant with Essential Oils


I have already written about the need for pleasant scents and room deodorizers in the work place along with my concern about sprays and chemicals. I am increasingly aware of people and their chemical sensitivities.  

I currently use essential oils and baking soda to create a subtle fragrance in my office in an attempt to refrain from over-powering sprays. I try to be mindful of people who may have allergies or asthma and I am ever-conscious of possible migraine triggers for myself.

Yesterday, I walked into a co-worker's office and just stopped, stood, and sniffed. There was a fairly new and strong scent in her office. For a split second I wondered if this somewhat strong scent was going to trigger a migraine. But she also suffers from migraines. As I stood, taking in the peppermint scent, I found it soothing to the slight headache I had at that moment.

While I've been aware of the Reed Diffuser styles for some time, I didn't care much for most of the scents people chose to use with them.  They were often too strong for my personal preference.  So I was never very tempted. Although, in hindsight, I bet I could find some scents that suit me.

Essential Oil Reed Diffuser


But the diffuser in my co-workers office seemed different. The scent was strong, but not overpowering. The subtle glowing light was soothing. I instantly liked her diffuser and wanted to just sit and stay awhile. Perhaps I felt like that because I am partial to peppermint. But perhaps the way the diffuser works makes it more pleasing. I'm not sure.  Regardless, I liked it enough to start shopping for one as soon as I had a moment.


Essential Oil Diffuser and Room Humidifer


While shopping for this electric diffuser, I was still a bit skeptical and thinking that I would stick with my baking soda and essential oil method.  I really like the simple method. It is inexpensive and about as natural as you can get.

Then I realized that many of these electric diffusers are also room humidifiers. PERFECT!  Maybe that is why her office felt so welcoming.

My office is often extremely dry. As a result, my hair gets so full of static that it becomes bothersome.  Not to mention the dry nasal passages, itchy dry skin, the plants in my window that are struggling, and other signs of a dry environment. I am tired of the sparks that go flying every time I touch my metal file cabinet! 

Viva Naturals Aromatherapy Diffuser

I'm very excited about these diffusers and their ability to humidify a room. And there are so many styles to choose from. I'm not yet sure if I prefer the tall, vase-like version or the short, squat, round versions. I like both the lighted diffusers with the changing colors and the faux wood grain styles. So many of the version are visually pleasing and choosing the "right" isn't as easy as I had expected.

If you are sold on essential oils and need increased humidity in a room, this may be exactly the thing for you too.


Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”


Friday, January 20, 2017

Why Drink Peppermint Tea?

Why Drink Peppermint Tea - a Twinings Peppermint Tea Review
Twinings Peppermint Tea - Photography by Lou's Designs
As I review Twinings Peppermint Tea Bags let me also answer the question 'why drink peppermint tea?' - you might be surprised at the range of benefits this delicious beverage has.

I will admit to a bias - I love, love, love peppermint tea, but who wouldn't?  I touched very briefly on why I enjoy peppermint tea on my fun tea infuser review as I usually enjoy fresh peppermint leaves steeped in boiling water.

Sometimes, however you need another source and my go to commercial brand is Twinings Pure Peppermint tea bags.

When you're unable to use fresh leaves for whatever reason then tea bags are a great idea, but I've also just discovered (thanks to Amazon) that you can buy Twinings peppermint tea in K-Cups as well which I know a lot of people use.


Why Do I Recommend Twinings Peppermint Tea Bags?


Twinings Pure Peppermint is a tea that I really enjoy and I first came across it a few years ago when I managed to kill my peppermint plant - apparently they can't be killed, but as I've said to my daughter on numerous occasions there's no such word as can't!   I had to find a replacement as I'd come to really enjoy my cup of peppermint tea after lunch so I set off on a mission to find some peppermint tea bags.

Looking at my supermarket's tea selection I couldn't find the two brands that I had previously tried (when living in New Zealand) so it was really luck of the draw that I decided to try Twinings Pure Peppermint.  Well not just luck, but three very good reasons - 
  1. The name Twinings is synonomous with good tea
  2. They were available in a 10 bag size - ideal for sampling
  3. They were on a very good special
Once I sat down to my first cup I was very happy that I had decided on this brand as it really is delicious.   I work a few days a week in an office so I leave a few peppermint tea bags there so that I don't have to miss out on my peppermint tea when I don't have my plant handy (although making my own is my still my favorite way of enjoying this beverage).



Why Drink Peppermint Tea?


The main reason I enjoy drinking peppermint tea is because it's delicious and I love the taste!   There are lots of health benefits for drinking it as well, though and it's always nice when something that is good for you also tastes delicious!

Here's some of the benefits of peppermint tea -


  • Aids digestion, including bloating, cramping, vomiting & nausea - even motion sickness can be helped with peppermint tea.
  • Boosts your immune system - it has known anti-bacterial properties which means it can help ease symptoms of illness (especially colds, flus and sinus problems) and it can also act as a preventative.
  • Helps bad breath - it doesn't just make your mouth feel fresh and smell clean from the menthol (that's what gives you the minty flavor), but because of the anti-bacterial properties it can kill off germs that cause haliotis.
  • Helps with concentration - more on that below!
  • Can provide stress relief - menthol (an active ingredient in peppermint tea) has natural sedative and anti-spasmodic properties which combined together really helps to ease stress while the anti-inflammatory properties can help to lower blood pressure allowing you to relax.
  • Helps with headaches and migraines - because of how it helps with stress and sinus (two causes of headaches) peppermint tea can be very helpful.
  • Offers sinus relief - menthol is a natural decongestant which means it provides relief from sinus pressure, it also soothes a sore throat which is handy if the sinus congestion is from a cold or flu.   I've seen it recommended to add honey to peppermint tea for sinus, colds and flus, but I've never added honey myself.

There are lots more health benefits, it's almost sounding like a superfood isn't it?   I should add however that when taking herbal infusions for a medical reason you should always talk to your doctor.  Menthol has been known to cause typically mild allergic reactions in some people so if in doubt consult a medical professional.


Why I Drink Peppermint Tea At Lunchtime


I always enjoy my peppermint tea after eating my lunch (I sometimes enjoy it at other times, but this is my favorite time).  As I've said I enjoy the flavor, it leaves my mouth feeling lovely and fresh and I also think it helps with my digestion.

I have also discovered that I concentrate better in the afternoon if I've had a peppermint tea after lunch - no more '3pm fog brain' for me.  I had been wondering if this increased concentration was just a placebo effect, but apparently there have been scientific studies (and here was me thinking I'd 'discovered' this all by myself!).

A study published in the International Journal of Neuroscience found that peppermint tea can increase focus and concentration.   Another study by the University of Cincinnati found that the scent of peppermint was even better at boosting alertness, concentration and improving memory than actually drinking the tea.

Now I'm not going to just sniff the tea and not drink it, but I take the study to mean - sit down, relax, cradle your cup/mug of precious peppermint tea and inhale the scent while also sipping slowly on it. Once it's finished you'll be set for a very productive afternoon!

Twinings Peppermint Tea Bags
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Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”


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