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When it comes to improving your health, many different options are available. You can eat healthy foods, exercise, and take supplements. You can also use essential oils and other natural remedies. A natural remedy that you may have never heard of is terpenes.

Terpenes are a diverse group of organic compounds found in plants and fruits. They are responsible for the unique scents and flavors of various plants. Terpenes may have beneficial properties, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and analgesic effects. Terpenes may also help improve mood and cognitive function.

What are terpenes, and what do they do?

Leaves and flowers of plants produce terpenes in special glands on their surface. When the plant is disturbed, these glands release the terpenes into the air, providing a defense against predators and pests. Terpenes are also responsible for the distinctive aromas of many fruits and spices. For instance, the fragrant oils giving cannabis its diversity are associated with the various types of terpenes found in each strain. 

The therapeutic effects of terpenes have been known for centuries. In traditional Chinese medicine, terpenes are used to treat various conditions, including pain, inflammation, and anxiety. In the United States, terpenes are increasingly used in natural and alternative medicines.

Four benefits of terpenes that you may not know about

Terpenes have been studied extensively in scientific literature over the past few decades. Here are four known benefits of terpenes:

01

The entourage effect

The entourage effect is one of the most exciting areas of study in terpenes. The entourage effect is the synergistic interaction between different compounds in cannabis that leads to improved therapeutic effects.

02

Anti-inflammatory effects

One of the most well-known benefits of terpenes is their anti-inflammatory effects. These effects might help treat conditions like arthritis and Crohn's disease.

Terpenes may reduce inflammation by inhibiting the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. In addition, terpenes may have the ability to modulate the body's immune response.

03

Antioxidant effects

Another important benefit of terpenes is their ability to act as antioxidants. Terpenes scavenge damaging free radicals and help to protect cells from oxidative damage. This property of terpenes is thought to be responsible for many of the health benefits associated with them.

04

Analgesic effects

Terpenes might also have analgesic effects. This means that they may help to relieve pain. Terpenes work by modulating the body's pain response and inhibiting the activity of pain-inducing enzymes.

How to use terpenes to improve your health

You can use terpenes to improve your health in several ways; You can take them orally in foods or drinks, inhale them by vaping or aromatherapy, or apply them topically in creams. There are many different types of terpenes, each with its unique benefits. Here are some of the most popular terpenes and their effects: 

• Limonene - Limonene is a terpene found in many plants and fruits. It has various beneficial properties, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and analgesic effects.

• Myrcene - When consumed in large quantities, myrcene may sedate and impair locomotion. Researchers discovered that myrcene has anti-inflammatory properties in cells, as well as the ability to slow damage and disease progression. Myrcene's anti-inflammatory properties may aid in the killing of cancerous cells.

• Linalool - Linalool is a naturally occurring essential oil found in many plants and is one of the most common terpenes in cannabis and lavender. It has calming properties, making it helpful in treating depression and anxiety.

Takeaways

In closing, terpenes are generally safe for most people. However, some people may experience side effects such as skin irritation and headaches. If you experience any adverse effects, stop taking terpenes and speak to your healthcare provider. By developing your knowledge of the different terpenes available and their properties, you will be well-equipped when shopping for products that contain them. You will be able to identify the positive effects that you would like to experience and narrow down the most beneficial terpenes for you.

@hellolovelyliving displaying her finds at The Ecology Center in San Juan Capistrano, CA

We’re only a few weeks away from the time when leaves begin to change colors and the weather transits into a colder phase. While many of us look forward to drinking hot beverages and delicious foods that come with the social setting of festivities, the winters can also be depressing for many. To help you mitigate the feelings that arise from the loss of sunlight and warmth, this blog will address five ways to help make winters more comfortable. In the long run, these steps will also help you live a proactive and healthier life. Without any delay, let’s dive right into it!

01

Get your vitamins in check

Several people experience a clinical condition known as Seasonal Additive Depression, but don’t realize the cause. Since it has now been established that depression is not caused due to a change in brain chemicals, it has much more to do with how our mind responds to stimuli. Changes like lessened natural light, shorter days, and an uncomfortable temperature can lead to seasonal depression.

However, the right nutrition can change the narrative and help you sail past these symptoms easily. Top up on your Vitamin C, D3, B12, A, and E from natural foods or supplements. Visit farm stands like The Ecology Center in San Juan Capistrano, California for fresh, organic, garden-to-table produce.

02

Start consuming CBD supplements

If you’re having trouble dealing with symptoms like depression, anxiety, or insomnia, cannabidiol can be an excellent healer. In several research papers, cannabidiol has shown a substantial improvement in the mental and physical symptoms of depression, be it clinical, seasonal, or short-term. These days, the legalized status of CBD and THC also makes it easier to purchase from trusted dispensaries like Purple Penthouse. Founded by local stoner babes in the DC & NY area, you’ll be supporting WOMEN IN WEED by ordering from Purple Penthouse in the male-dominated weed space. Make sure to research your strain on the dispensary’s knowledge base to know your ideal product.

03

Work around the daylight hours

During fall and winter, the amount of natural sunlight we receive reduces substantially. This can also cause a hormonal imbalance in your body, leading to mood swings. Make sure to spend time outside during the daylight hours, or get warm lighting like UV lamps, sodium bulbs, and others to compensate for the loss of warmth.

04

Add habits that bring joy

When times become a bit gloomy, happiness can be created with comforting habits and routines. Take up an old hobby that keeps you busy and your mind occupied. Listen to uplifting music, watch good movies, and give yourself time to rest during these months as per what makes you feel great!

05

Work on therapy

Winters are also known to bring out dark thoughts if we have a history of anxiety and depression. To navigate this path, the help of an experienced professional like a therapist or counselor is essential. If you’re struggling to reign in your thoughts and regulate your emotions, reach out for therapy to receive the support you deserve.

Takeaways

By paying attention to the little things regarding your health, you can lead a happier state, especially during the gloomier months. We hope that the tips mentioned above bring you long-lasting relief from the winter blues, and let you enjoy the season of festivities instead!

Estrogen is the primary hormone in women, just like testosterone is for men. Even though men have deficient estrogen levels, women have it in large amounts. So, women must have enough estrogen since this hormone facilitates the reproductive system. It is a sex hormone that manages sexual development in females. When this hormone is low, a woman experiences various complications. This article is an overview of low estrogen, its causes, and its effects on the body.

What is the Role of Estrogen in Women?

As mentioned earlier, estrogen plays a vital role in women facilitating sexual development. However, this is not its only role. It helps in:

● Regulating metabolism for controlled body weight

● Regulating menstrual cycles

● Promoting cardiovascular health

● Development of bone tissues and prevention of bone loss

● Initiates breast growth in young women

● Reducing insulin sensitivity

The Causes of Low Estrogen in Women

Estrogen is produced by the ovaries, which means the health of your ovaries plays a vital role in the estrogen level in the body. Low estrogen levels are experienced by women mostly in their menopause stage when their ovaries can no longer produce a lot of estrogen hormone. Other causes of low estrogen include:

● Malnutrition

● Excess exercise

● Anorexia and bulimia

● Ovarian cysts

● Chronic kidney disease

● Pituitary gland failure or malfunction

● Turner syndrome

● Chemotherapy effects

Common Symptoms of Low Levels of Estrogen

The symptoms of low levels of estrogen can be mild or severe. Most of these symptoms are similar to menopausal symptoms. However, an evaluation is required before your diagnosis is ruled out as low estrogen levels. A diagnosis may involve examining your medical and family history and blood tests to check your hormone levels. It is crucial to ensure a secure hormone test to know the root cause of these symptoms and get the proper treatment.

Here are the leading and most common symptoms:

Breast Tenderness

Breast tenderness before your cycle is regular. During this period, the estrogen level drops, causing soreness or tenderness in the breasts.

Irregular Menstrual Cycles

Irregular menstrual cycles may also be a result of low estrogen. Remember, estrogen is responsible for menstrual cycles. Once the levels go low, a woman may experience irregular periods, or the periods may disappear entirely. It mostly happens in perimenopause and during menopause.

Night Sweat and Hot Flashes

Hypothalamus is responsible for controlling body temperature. You may start experiencing hot flashes or night sweats when estrogen affects the hypothalamus. These are common symptoms of menopause.

Mood Swings

Estrogen facilitates the production of serotonin, a chemical substance responsible for good mood. Once the level of estrogen hormone lowers, the level of serotonin lowers, too, causing mood swings.

Depression

Estrogen also facilitates mental health stresses in women. Studies show estrogen is a vital hormone that promotes mood and confidence. Low levels may cause complications like depression.

Insomnia and Fatigue

As mentioned earlier, estrogen facilitates serotonin production. Serotonin facilitates melatonin, a sleep hormone. A lack of melatonin causes sleeplessness and fatigue. Therefore, if you have insomnia or feel fatigued most of the time, even when you wake up in the morning, it could mean your estrogen level is low.

Headaches

Headaches like migraines are also a symptom of low estrogen. Remember, estrogen affects the chemicals in the brain responsible for controlling pain. Once the hormone levels go low, you can experience severe headaches that don’t go away quickly.

Frequent UTI

Estrogen is also responsible for helping the Lining of the urethra. It facilitates the job of the Lining to eliminate harmful bacteria. When this Lining fails because of low estrogen, UTI attack frequently.

Bone Loss

Bone loss is also partly a result of low estrogen levels. Bones require estrogen for their density and strength. Therefore, when there is not enough estrogen to support these aspects, you may start experiencing bone loss where you fracture easily.

Treatment  

The most effective treatment for low estrogen is HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy). The doctor may also recommend other remedies like diet and lifestyle adjustments. They may also suggest reducing exercise, eating natural foods and supplements, and balancing weight. If you choose HRT as the best treatment, your healthcare provider may administer it orally through the vagina, injection, creams, and lotions or pellets. However, you must qualify as an HRT candidate. HRT may not be the treatment for you if you have cancer, heart attacks, stroke, or high blood pressure.

A few natural supplements that you may want to look into for female hormonal support that Stina, Hello Lovely Living founder, has tried to much success in managing the following symptoms during the monthly menstrual cycle are:

● Tension headaches

● Hot flashes at night

● Anxiety, depression, mood swings, irritability

● Acne, breakouts

These are the exact supplements Stina uses to treat her PMS symptoms:

● Fenugreek seeds

● Chaste Berry

● Evening Primrose Oil

● Vitamin B Complex

● Vitamin E

● Seamoss

Stina also shares her Natural Migraine Remedies That Work on Kindle and her natural and effective migraine detox remedy on the blog.

Takeaways

From the details above, estrogen indeed plays a vital role in different body functions. It impacts your emotional, physical, and sexual health. Therefore, consider doing more research for a diagnosis and treatment if you have the symptoms discussed above.

@hellolovelyliving

Anxiety is an extremely common mental health concern all around the world. After all, we are all human beings and the pressures of life can affect us all to varying degrees. In fact, it’s the most common mental health issue in the US, affecting up to 40 adults each year. If you’re struggling with anxious feelings, you are not alone. Learning how to cope more effectively will help to lessen the periods of anxiety you experience at any given time.  

If you are someone who struggles with anxious feelings, it can seem difficult to find ways to cope with what you are experiencing. Anxiety can appear difficult to manage, so much so, that at times it can feel almost impossible, but with the right strategy and approach, you can make managing your anxiety far easier to achieve. 

Looking for steps that you can take to make coping a little easier? Below are a few coping strategies that you can apply to help lessen and prevent these feelings from arising. It is far easier to prevent symptoms of anxiety and get to the root cause versus covering your symptoms over with things that only mask the problem. Feelings of anxiousness can be prevented with just a few intentional changes and healthy habits applied to your life.

NO. 1

Stay active

If you’re not already physically active on a regular basis, take positive steps to become more active. Exercise is a great way to relieve stress, so making time to work out each day - even if just for a short period of time - is a great way to keep your stress and anxiety levels low. 

To get started, it’s best to start out slow. Find a form of exercise that you enjoy. Whether that is running or practicing yoga, choose something you love. Aim to exercise or be physically active for at least 20 minutes a day. As a result, you should find that you feel far less anxious.

NO.2

Cut back on caffeinated drinks & nicotine

Both caffeine (found in coffee, teas, and sports drinks) and nicotine (found in cigarettes) can heighten feelings of anxiety and panic due to their chemical reaction within our bodies. It is a good idea to cut back on or put down these substances to keep your mood balanced.

NO. 3

Know your triggers

When it comes to feelings of anxiety, most people have triggers that make them feel anxious or cause them to panic, so it is worth taking the time to identify what these triggers are for you. By identifying the things that cause you anxiety, you can determine what steps you can take to avoid finding yourself in those situations and also learn how to manage those associated feelings. 

NO. 4

Get enough sleep

An important part of managing anxiety is making sure that you are able to get enough sleep so that you can start each day feeling rested and refreshed. When your body lacks energy, this can cause a host of issues with your mental health and can make feelings of stress and anxiety feel far worse than they are.

NO. 5

Know when you need help

Anxiety is a natural human emotion, but it is also a mental health condition that can impact all aspects of your life. If you experience severe symptoms of anxiety, or you feel anxious most of the time, it is important to recognize when you need help.

If you feel uneasy or on edge in environments that are non-threatening to others, you are unable to switch off, or you are relying on alcohol or drugs to help you to relax or feel calm, it is crucial to act. Talking to your doctor, seeking help from a therapist, and exploring treatment options can help.

For alcohol addiction, for example, strategies and therapies range from women’s sober living and intensive rehabilitation programs to medication, talking therapies, and group support sessions. A combination of therapies and treatments is often recommended for mental health disorders and addictions.

NO. 6

Look at treatment options

If your anxiety is not constant, then the idea of exploring treatment options might not seem worthwhile. However, remember that if it could help you feel better, then it could be worth taking the time to explore your options. From talking and group therapies to alternative treatments and natural remedies such as cbd oil, there are many effective natural alternatives when it comes to managing feelings of anxiety. 

“I had been suffering from cycles of anxiety and feelings of depression during PMS very frequently, so I was in search for ways that I could address what my body was lacking, naturally. During our monthly cycle, we are in need of balancing things out. Our bodies tend to be deficient, which causes symptoms to arise or be excacerbated. Upon doing some research recently, I discovered how Chaste Tree Berry, Vitamin E, Vitamin B Complex, and Evening Primrose Oil can have a positive affect on anxiety as it appears in women, specifically. Since taking these supplements together, I have noticed a significant difference and reduction in my anxiety symptoms. So far, this combination has worked for me, and I am continuing to take them daily.”

Stina x Hello Lovely Living

Takeaways

We know ourselves better than we know anyone else, so learning to identify things that you know are triggering your anxiety can drastically help you find ongoing and long-term relief. As a society, we have a tendency to reach for a product or find a reason to excuse the resulting symptom of a much larger picture. Let’s be the ones to take inventory within ourselves and find solutions that will be specific and fitting for us, individually. We do not need a one-size-fits-all approach, just some good ol’ self-love.

Have you found ways to manage your anxiety with success? How about natural anxiety treatments that have worked or are working for you. Let us know in the comments below. We would love to hear about your experiences.