Essential pine oil and neroli essential oil, used for massages or dissolved in the bath water, help the body regain lightness and relaxation, even on the hottest days.

What is neroli essential oil and how to use it
The holidays bring with them a sharp change of environment, climate, habits and times that is not always priceless: we often pay it in the form of insomnia, nervousness and tiredness. To avoid these problems, let’s not forget to bring a precious ally with us: the essential oil of neroli. Among the therapeutic properties of the neroli essential oil extracted from the orange flowers, the ability to act on the psychic sphere, in particular on the central nervous system and on the epiphysis, stands out, whose balance guarantees the correct functioning of our biological clock. Its aroma helps to regain balance, sedating all states of nervousness, anxiety, palpitations, dizziness and gastrointestinal disorders of clear nervous origin.

The essential oil of neroli relaxing and rebalancing, also has an interesting aphrodisiac property: it was no coincidence that once the brides used to dress their heads with a wreath of orange blossoms, which had the function of relaxing the tension towards the first night wedding

For massages: in the morning, after a shower, massage the base of the neck with a mixture obtained by pouring 5 drops of neroli essential oil into 50 ml of almond oil. In the tub water: for a balancing and soothing bath, mix 4 drops of neroli essential oil with a tablespoon of orange honey, pour it into the bath water (not too hot) taking care that it melts completely and stay immersed for about 15 minutes.

What is mugo pine essential oil and how to use it
Widespread in our forests even at low altitudes, mugo pine is a bush conifer known for centuries in the Alpine valleys for its healing properties, particularly valuable for the respiratory system. Even today in the mountains, in fact, it is used to prepare aromatic baths, balsamic cushions and fumenti that cure sore throats, colds, sinusitis and cough thanks to the expectorant virtues of the essential oil contained in the twigs of the plant. Its resin, on the other hand, was once added to ointments for the treatment of rheumatism and joint pain in general.

The essential oil of mountain pine, applied in the evening (and never before sun exposure) on the skin through the massage, also has the ability to stimulate blood circulation, fatigued by heat and summer heat, thanks to its marked action refreshing and detoxifying, which helps to reduce the density of the blood: the result is that the limbs deflate, veins and capillaries become less evident and the legs are lighter.

The needles of mountain pine can also be used to prepare aromatic pillows to keep in bed or – even better – to place under the ankles before going to bed, to refresh and tone the legs during sleep.

For massages: dilute 2 drops of essential pine oil in a tablespoon of jojoba oil and massage the legs from the bottom upwards, moving up towards the knees and thighs. For steam baths: even though we are in the summer, steam baths are excellent for purifying the skin and freeing it from the waste that weighs down the circulatory activity. Just add 4 drops of essential pine oil in the boiling water of the tub, sit on the edge and expose the body to the vapors. Once the water has cooled, you can make a real bathroom.

Against insomnia and circulatory problems: neroli essential oil and pine essential oil
Furthermore, the August heat causes two very frequent disorders: insomnia and circulatory slowdown. To overcome these problems, aromatherapy suggests a mix of essential oil of neroli and essential oil of mountain pine, detoxifying and tonic, which mainly acts at the level of circulation.

These natural remedies show their effectiveness by relaxing and purifying the body, both when they are used for baths and massages and by inhalation.

Tip: pour 2 drops of neroli essential oil or mugo pine essential oil over a handkerchief to keep in your pocket, to be smelled repeatedly when the illnesses increase. Alternatively you can pour a few drops of oil on the pillow.

SOURCE: Riza

It has the size of a lemon, an intense aroma and a sour and sweet taste at the same time. Passion fruit is an exotic fruit with a reddish-brown leathery skin. The hollow interior contains an orange-green, almost phosphorescent, gelatinous pulp, very rich in small supersatious seeds. The fruit is similar to an egg and can also be eaten as such, by cutting into the upper cap and drinking its sweet content.

Passion fruit, its name derives from the passion of Jesus
Passion fruit comes from an edible variety of the passionflower tree also called maracuya or granadilla, small pomegranate, due to the richness of seeds. In most countries the name is linked to Christian symbolism, because of the flower that evokes the crown of thorns, the nails and the hammer. In some places it is called “clock flower”, due to the inflorescence somehow similar to a quadrant. Passion fruit is precious for stomach and bowel disorders, it is a natural sedative and an antifame thanks to the seeds that are chewed for a long time.

Passion frutit contains a formidable trio of antioxidants
Passion fruit contains many antioxidants and fibers, which are essential for the well-being of the digestive system. It brings iron, zinc, magnesium, selenium, Omega 6, citric acid, traces of ascorbic acid, starch and aromatic substances. It is rich in potassium, which regulates pressure and is good for the heart: in 100 g there are 348 mg. A passion fruit has the potassium of 2-3 small bananas!

Passion fruit contains good amounts of beta-carotene and lycopene.
The first prevents neoplasms, protects skin and mucous membranes and acts as a shield against infections and polluting atmospheric agents. It also strengthens bones and teeth and is beneficial to the eyes. Lycopene is also valuable for skin, heart and eyes (which defends against cataracts and senile maculopathy) and protects the prostate. Finally, vitamin C makes this fruit useful to keep the skin elastic, to favor iron absorption, prevent infections and fight oxidative stress.

It does very well in the intestine
A portion of passion fruit supplies 98% of the daily fiber requirement. The fruit contains in particular pectin, which helps the intestinal regularity and nourishes the bacterial flora. The mucilages of the pulp, like the leaves of passionflower, contrast gastric spasms, performing a good digestive action. The content of vitamins B2 and B6, as well as pectin, soothes the mucous membranes and promotes blood circulation. This is why it is useful against ulcers and inflammation of the digestive system.

Promotes relaxation and peaceful nights
Passion fruit contains passiflorina, a substance that acts as a mild sedative, effective but not invasive. Relaxes the nerves, promotes nocturnal relaxation and sleep. The harman is also present in the pulp, a compound linked to a reduction in insomnia and nervous anxiety. The abundance of potassium relaxes the vessel walls. improving the blood supply. The tribes of the Amazon use the fruit as a sedative and painkiller: its anti-inflammatory abilities are confirmed by a study by the University of Arizona.

Do you want a silhouette at the top? Passion fruit is the right choice!
The prized exotic fruit rich in pulp (97 g each pound) is suitable for those who must lose weight. The first merit goes to the pectin, which in the stomach assumes a gelatinous consistency, has a satiating effect and gives a stop to the desire for greedy foods. Furthermore this fiber delays the absorption of carbohydrates in the intestine and facilitates the metabolism of fats, with beneficial effects also on glycaemia. The semi-crunchy that abound in the pulp must be chewed for a long time and give a feeling of great satisfaction, while the marked flavor saturates the palate immediately.

Guide for buying passion fruit
This exotic fruit surprising for health is now widespread also in Italy. You can buy it in the large supermarket chains, in the well-stocked fruit markets and in the best shops with the availability of exotic fruits. Attention because the appearance can be deceiving: if the passion fruit the smooth and leathery peel may not be completely ripe: therefore, the pulp could be rather acid. When it is ripe and therefore sweeter, pasion fruit is less beautiful to look at: it has a rather wrinkled and wrinkled surface, but promises a more juicy and sweet pulp. To taste it, just cut the top with a knife, remove the cap and eat the passion fruit pulp with a spoon just like a dessert. Most of the fruits we find on the market come from abroad. However, it is also possible to find Italian passion fruit from regions with a mild climate such as Liguria and Sicily. The hot sun, the dry wind and the Mediterranean climate give these fruits a unique taste and nutritional properties.

How to preserve the passion fruit
The thick skin protects these exotic fruits rather well, so their conservation is not difficult. If they are ripe, they can be kept perfectly in the refrigerator for up to a week. If you intend to store them and then use them in the kitchen, in sweet or savory preparations, you can also freeze them in hermetically sealed freezer bags. You can freeze the whole fruit or just the pulp.

SOURCE: Riza