Start Fresh in the New Year with Herbs and Essential Oils

As we bid farewell to the past year and step into a new one, it’s the perfect time to embrace a fresh start. Many of us take this season as an opportunity to focus on our health and well-being, shedding old habits and rejuvenating our bodies and minds. 

While maintaining a balanced diet and staying active are foundational, incorporating the natural benefits of herbs and essential oils can support your body’s natural cleansing processes. Elevate your efforts naturally to make your New Year’s rejuvenation both enjoyable and sustainable.

Key Herbs for Supporting Rejuvenation

• Dandelion Taraxacum officinale: Known for its liver-supporting properties, dandelion root helps in flushing out toxins and improving digestion.
• Milk Thistle Silybum marianum: This herb also promotes healthy liver function, making it an excellent choice for feeling cleansed.
• Nettle Urtica dioica: Rich in vitamins and minerals, nettle acts as a natural diuretic, helping to keep the body free of excess fluids.

Essential Oils for Renewal and Balance

• Grapefruit Citrus paradisi:  This oil is known for its uplifting aroma and ability to support normal lymphatic drainage.
• Lemon Citrus limonum: Renowned for its cleansing properties, lemon essential oil aids normal digestion and supports a healthy immune system. It's perfect for adding to water or diffusing in your home.
• Rosemary Rosmarinus officinalis ct. Cineole: This essential oil supports normal blood circulation and is also beneficial for maintaining mental clarity.

Recipes Using Herbs and Essential Oils

Here are some simple recipes to incorporate into your rejuvenation routine:

Rhythm Restoration Essential Oil Blend
This blend is designed to calm the mind, uplift the spirit, and maintain energy in the body.

Ingredients:

• 10 drops Lavender oil Lavandula angustifolia 
• 7 drops Grapefruit oil Citrus paradisi 
• 4 drops Ginger oil Zingiber officinale 
• 4 drops Peppermint oil Mentha ×piperita

Directions:
Blend the oils. Add 10 drops to 2 teaspoons of  base oil and apply to earlobes, base of neck, and inside of wrists. Or, place 4 to 5 drops in a room diffuser. 

Inner Balance Herbal Tea

This refreshing herbal tea gently supports the body’s natural cleansing functions and promotes a sense of harmony within the body.

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon dried (or 2 tablespoons fresh) Cleavers herb Galium aparine 
• 1 tablespoon dried (or 2 tablespoons fresh) Dandelion leaf Taraxacum officinale 
• 1 pint Purified water

Directions:
Boil purified water. If using fresh herbs make sure to rinse them first. Pour hot water over the herbs in a teapot. Steep for 5 to 10 minutes and drink throughout the day. You can also add this infusion to your water bottle, top it up with filtered water and drink it as a room temperature beverage. 

 

Hormone Harmony Essential Oil Blend

This blend helps maintain balanced cortisol levels, helping you feel grounded and at ease.

Ingredients:

• 20 drops Lavender oil Lavandula angustifolia  
• 15 drops Ylang ylang oil Cananga odorata var. genuina 
• 10 drops Marjoram oil Origanum majorana 
• 2 drops Neroli oil Citrus aurantium var. amara

Directions:

Blend all the oils and shake well. Place 4-5 drops in a room diffuser and diffuse twice daily. Or mix 5 drops of the blend in one teaspoon of carrier oil and massage the blend over the wrist and neck pulse points, and over the chest. 

 

Vitality Herbal Decoction

This blend combines dandelion, milk thistle, cayenne, and juniper berry to promote overall wellness and support the body's natural cleansing processes.

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon dried  Dandelion root Taraxacum officinale
• 1 tablespoon milk thistle seed Silybum marianum
• ½ teaspoon Juniper berries Juniperus communis 
• 1 pinch Cayenne powder Capsicum annuum 
• 1½ pint Filtered water

Directions:

Simmer dandelion root, milk thistle seed and Juniper berries in water for 20 minute and then strain the mixture. Cool and add a pinch of cayenne powder. Take one tablespoon, three times a day.

 

 

Creating Your Rituals for Rejuvenation

Pairing herbal remedies and essential oils with intentional practices like deep breathing, journaling, or a short walk in nature can amplify their benefits. Consider:

• Morning Routine: Start your day with an invigorating herbal tea and a peppermint Mentha x piperita-infused shower.

• Mid-day Reset: Take a mindful moment with lemon balm Melissa officinalis tea and Lavender oil Lavandula angustifolia on your pulse points.

• Evening Wind-Down: Diffuse frankincense Boswellia carterii as you journal or meditate, and end with ashwagandha Withania somnifera tea for restorative sleep.

This season, prioritize gentle, nourishing habits that maintain your energy and calm your mind. With the help of herbs and essential oils, you’ll feel refreshed and ready to embrace the year ahead!

Learn more ways to incorporate herbs in your daily life with HERB 101 Foundations of Herbal Studies offered by American College of Healthcare Sciences. 

This content is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be medical advice. Always use herbs and essential oils with caution and keep out of reach of children. Use particular caution when pregnant or nursing. Always check contraindications and think safety first! The statements herein have not been evaluated by the FDA. Products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease.