| How to Make Peppermint Oil Posted: 01 Sep 2021 01:00 AM PDT Peppermint oil is commonly used for relaxation and reducing stress, and there's actually evidence that it can help with tension headaches, abdominal pain, and digestion problems.[1] Making your own peppermint oil at home is really simple. You basically just need peppermint leaves, olive oil (or a similar oil) and a jar. That's it! Pretty soon you'll have some homemade peppermint oil that will last you for months. [Edit]Ingredients - Fresh peppermint leaves
- Mild carrier oil (olive, grapeseed, almond, wheat germ, etc.)
[Edit]Washing and Drying the Peppermint - Gather enough peppermint leaves to produce the desired amount of oil. Ideally, the peppermint should come fresh from your garden or a similar source. If that's not an option, it's perfectly fine to pick up a bundle or two at the store.[2]
- Use only the broad, green leaves. Taking the stems from a peppermint plant could cause it to die.
- Unlike other types of essential oils, peppermint oil is technically an infusion. This means that the amount of carrier oil you use to steep your leaves will determine how much you ultimately end up with.
- Wash your peppermint thoroughly with cool, clean water. Place the leaves in a colander or mesh strainer and run a stream of water over them to rinse away dust, dirt, and debris. For a more thorough clean, you can also soak your peppermint in a shallow bowl for 5-10 minutes.
- Inspect your peppermint leaves while you're washing them and throw out any that look diseased, damaged, or discolored.[3]
- Giving your peppermint a good preliminary rinsing helps ensure that no foreign substances end up in your finished oil.
- Allow your peppermint leaves to air dry thoroughly. Shake the leaves gently to remove excess water, then arrange them in a single layer on a countertop, cutting board, or similar surface. If necessary, smooth the leaves with the pad of your finger to keep them from folding or curling as they dry.
- You could also set your still-wet peppermint leaves on a clean towel or layer of folded paper towels to soak up more moisture.
- Your peppermint leaves need to be completely dry before you begin the oil extraction process.
[Edit]Making the Essential Oil - Muddle the peppermint leaves gently with a heavy, blunt object. Use a mortar and pestle, mallet, or the back of a spoon to crush the leaves against a hard, solid surface. Move your utensil using delicate strokes and apply light, even pressure.
- If you prefer, you can also simply tear and squeeze your peppermint leaves by hand.
- Muddling causes plants to release their natural oils, and is one of the most important steps in making various essential oils at home.
- Be careful not to grind the leaves too much, as this can cause them to become bitter and make them harder to strain later on. You just want to unlock their aromatic essence, not mangle them.[4]
- Transfer the crushed leaves to a jar or similar container. Scoop up the leaves and place them at the bottom of your container. Add as many leaves to the container as you can fit, but be sure to leave enough room at the top for its contents to move around a little.
- It's crucial that you select a container with a lid that forms an airtight seal, as exposure to air can cause plant oils to spoil.
- A container made from glass or ceramic will work best, as you won't have to worry about these materials contaminating your oil the way you would with plastic or metal.
- Cover the leaves with a mild, unscented carrier oil. Pour in just enough oil to leave the peppermint completely submerged. When you're done, give the jar a shake to swirl the leaves around and help them become better incorporated into the carrier oil.[5]
- Keep in mind that too high a ratio of carrier oil to peppermint will lower the concentration of your finished oil.
- Leave the jar to sit in a warm, dark place for 24-48 hours. Seal the jar up tight and situate it in a corner of your kitchen, pantry, bathroom, or porch. Any area will work as long as it's not overly hot or cool. For this reason, it's also a good idea to keep your oil out of direct sunlight.
- If you live in a colder climate, place your jar near a heat source or inside an insulated cabinet to keep it at the optimum temperature.
- Warmer temperatures will encourage more of the oil in the peppermint leaves to escape.
[Edit]Straining and Concentrating the Oil - Strain the infused oil through a piece of cheesecloth. After letting your peppermint steep overnight, remove the lid from the jar and drape the cheesecloth over the opening. Tilt the jar over a second container so that the oil flows out through the cheesecloth. Afterwards, remove as many stray leaf remnants as possible by hand.
- Cheesecloth or muslin cloth will provide the best results for straining. Other types of DIY strainers, such as paper towels and coffee filters, may not work well due to the thickness of the oil.
- Stretching a rubber band around the mouth of the jar will help secure the cheesecloth while you work.
- Muddle a new batch of peppermint leaves and add them to your oil. Prepare your second bunch of leaves the same way you did the first, using just enough pressure to break the outer surface and free the oils inside. Avoid grinding or tearing the leaves into too-small pieces.[6]
- Continue steeping and straining to increase your oil's potency. Repeat the initial steps as many times as needed to until your oil reaches the desired strength. This will usually take somewhere from 2-3 days, though you could keep adding new leaves for up to a week.[7]
- With each round of steeping and straining, you'll notice your peppermint oil growing darker in color and giving off a stronger aroma.
- You may not be able to tell much of a difference in the concentration of your oil after about a week.
- Seal the jar and store your peppermint oil for up to 3-6 months. Once sealed, the jar will help preserve the freshness of your oil until you're ready to use it. To maximize your oil's longevity, keep it in a cool, dark place at or slightly below room temperature, and be sure to reseal the jar promptly after each use.
- The shelf life of homemade peppermint oil may vary depending on the exact quantity produced and the amount of plant material left behind.
- If you notice your peppermint oil developing a strange color or odor after a few months, it's best to throw it out and whip up a new batch.[8]
- You can use your homemade peppermint oil as a holistic remedy for head and stomach aches, a relaxation aid in aromatherapy, or meditation.[9]
- Peppermint oil can be used to help reduce stress.[10]
- Mix a little peppermint oil in with your other favorite essential oils to create your own unique blends for different uses.
[Edit]Things You'll Need - Colander or mesh strainer
- Cutting board
- Mallet, mortar and pestle, or spoon
- 2 lidded glass jars or other airtight containers
- Cheesecloth or muslin cloth
- Clean towel or paper towels (optional)
- Shallow bowl (optional)
- Rubber bands (optional)
[Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Play Top Trumps Posted: 31 Aug 2021 05:00 PM PDT Top Trumps is a fun, versatile card game that can be enjoyed by everyone. Top Trumps sports a variety of colorful, educational decks, ranging from pets to famous people and popular landmarks. The object of the game is to collect all of the cards in the deck by having the highest "stats," or numerical values on the card. You can play with as many people as you'd like, as long as you can divide the cards evenly.[1] [Edit]Starting the Game - Shuffle the deck of cards before starting the game. Choose a player to shuffle the cards, making sure that they're all interspersed evenly throughout the deck. Assign this player as the dealer, so you can figure out the play order.[2]
- Top Trump decks are super unique, and have a lot of different colors and designs. Some decks have 32 total cards, while others have 38 or 50.
- Divide the cards evenly between all the players. Check your box of cards to see how many come in a box. Evenly deal the cards so they're face-down, so no one can see what cards any other player has.[3]
- If you have an uneven ratio of cards to players, set a few cards aside so you can divide the deck evenly. For instance, if you have 4 players and a 50-card deck, give each player 12 cards and set 2 cards in the center.
- Hold your own cards face-up in a stack so only the top 1 is visible. Grab your cards and keep them close to you, so no other player can see what you have. Stack the cards so they're on top of 1 another, and only the top card is visible. As you collect cards throughout the game, you'll add them to bottom of the stack.[4]
[Edit]Winning a Match - Wait for the player left of the dealer to choose a card and read 1 of the stats. Invite the first player to read over their card and choose a "stat," or card description, with a high numerical value. Keep in mind that these stats may be a little different depending on the Top Trumps deck you're playing with.[5]
- For instance, if you're playing with a Lord of the Rings deck, you can say something like: "My card has a ferocity score of 65." If you were playing with the dinosaur deck, you can say something like: "My card's height is ."
- Everyone has to play with cards from the same Top Trumps deck, or else the stats won't match up.
- Invite other players to compare the same stat on their card. Go around in a circle and have each player list the same stat from the topmost card on their deck. Once everyone shares their stat, determine who shared the highest number.[6]
- For instance, you might compare the "lovability" stat on each player's card if you're using the dog pack. If the first 3 players say that their lovability stats are 5, 12, and 23, then the third player would be the winner of the round.
- Collect all of the players' cards if your stat is highest. Wait for all of the other players to put their losing card face-up in the middle of the playing area. Stack these cards and place them at the bottom of your card pile.[7]
- Overall, the goal is to have a larger stack than all the other players.
- Start a new round with the winning player calling out a stat. Invite the most recent winner to choose the highest stat from their top card and share it with the rest of the group. As you did before, go around in a circle and share your identical stats. The winning player will collect all of the cards and add them to the bottom for he deck.[8]
- For instance, if you're playing with the baby animals deck, you could read and share the "mischief" stat on your card.
- Place everyone's cards in the middle if there's a tie. Two players might have stats that are equal—in this case, everyone stacks their cards face up in the center of the playing area. At this point, start a new round, with the last winning player sharing their highest stat with the other players. The new winner from this round will add the losing cards to their own hand, as well as the cards from the center of the play area.[9]
- Everyone's cards go in the center! This rule doesn't just apply to the players who tied.
- Play multiple rounds until 1 player has all the cards. Continue going around the play circle, inviting players to share their highest stat for the round. The winner will keep collecting the cards until they're holding the entire deck.[10]
- You can add a rule that players with less than 3 cards can view and have the option to play with any of their remaining cards.[11]
- Take some time to talk about your favorite cards in the deck! Top Trumps decks have a ton of fun, colorful cards that you can talk about with the other players.
[Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Become a Medical Assistant Posted: 31 Aug 2021 09:00 AM PDT As a medical assistant, you'll get to improve the lives of patients by providing empathetic and knowledgeable care. From day-to-day, your work will constantly change as new cases come in and as you switch between administrative and clinical tasks. If you're interested in becoming a medical assistant, you'll pursue on-site training in a healthcare facility or coursework to prepare you for your career. We've compiled answers to your most important questions on becoming a medical assistant so that you'll be ready to get a job in this fast-growing field![1] [Edit]What qualifications do you need to be a medical assistant? - Earn a high school diploma or GED. While you don't need an advanced degree to become a medical assistant, you do need a high-school diploma or similar credential.[2]If you didn't complete high school, you can take the GED (General Educational Development) test. To prepare, you can enroll in a GED training course or study on your own. Once you feel confident in your high school reading, math, social studies, and science skills, you can take the GED.[3]
- Take medical assistant courses to set yourself apart. Getting a degree from a school will increase your chances of getting hired. You can look for a dedicated medical assistant school or check your local community college's website to see if it offers a medical assistant program. Most programs are split up into separate terms that go over general medical knowledge (like anatomy), administrative knowledge (like professional communication), and clinical skills (like giving injections).[4]
- Find a doctor to train you as a Medical Assistant. Given that there are no legal requirements to becoming a medical assistant, on-site training is the easiest, cheapest, and fastest way to learn about medical assisting.[5] Search online for the phone numbers of local healthcare provider offices. When you're just starting out, be open to working at any kind of practice. Call and introduce yourself. Ask if that healthcare facility is looking for medical assistants or if they'd be willing to take on a medical assistant to train.[6]
- If you are hired as a medical assistant without prior experience, you'll receive substantial on-site training. As an added benefit, you'll be paid to learn on the job!
[Edit]How do you choose a medical assistant school? - Find an accredited program. Employers prefer medical assistants from accredited schools, and you'll need an accredited education for certain certifications. Look for programs evaluated by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES).[7]
- Decide how long you'd like to study. If you do decide to go to school for a medical assisting program, you can take either of these tracks:[8]
- Medical Assistant Certificate/Diploma. Choose this option if you'd like to complete your coursework in 9 months to a year.[9]
- Medical Assistant Associate Degree. Choose this option if you'd like more in-depth coursework and would like to study for 2 years.
- Consider your financial situation. Medical assistant programs can cost thousands of dollars. When you're evaluating a program that's out-of-budget, check the availability of academic scholarships and financial aid. [10]
- Pick a program that's respected in the industry. To get more info on a specific program's success in job placement, talk to current students or faculty. Ask about connections between the program and healthcare facilities. Well-connected programs will make it easier to get an externship and/or job after graduation.[11]
[Edit]Do you need to take a certification test to work as a medical assistant? - You don't need certification to work as an MA in most states.[12] However, certification might help you get a job. If you decide to pursue certification, you'll need to have a certificate or degree from a medical assisting program. Once you're ready to take a certification exam, choose a certification provider nationally accredited by the NCCA. The exam will test you on general knowledge of the healthcare field (like medical ethics and risk management), administrative practices (like patient scheduling and establishing records), and clinical knowledge (like anatomy and assisting providers).[13]
- Different certification providers have different eligibility requirements, costs, recertification requirements, and testing methods.[14]
- Nationally accredited certification exams include certifications by the AAMA, AMT, NHA, and NCCT.[15]
- Once you have enough work experience you may be eligible to take a nationally accredited certification exam without having to go back to school. Organizations like National Healthcareer Association, NCCT, and AMT offer some kind of work experience eligibility for their NCCA accredited MA exams.[16]
[Edit]How do you get a job as an MA? - Connect with a potential employer during your externship. Complete an externship (part-time or temporary employment) by working 150 or more hours with a healthcare facility. You can find an externship through your MA educational program or by contacting local hospitals and doctors' offices. If you take initiative, attentiveness, and professionalism (showing up on time, treating others with respect), your extern employer may hire you full-time. Many providers prefer to hire their externs because after completing an externship, you'll already be familiar with the facility and protocols. Even if you don't get hired by your extern site, you'll have gained valuable experience for your resume.[17]
- Search for jobs online or call local healthcare offices. You can use a job search engine to filter your search for entry-level positions at healthcare provider offices. If you don't have experience or MA training, call local care providers to ask if they are willing to hire and train you. You can offer to start as a volunteer while you develop your skillset.[18]
- Network to find a job. If you can't find an MA position, try to find a position at a hospital or doctor's office front desk doing clerical work to get to know the practice. Ask to shadow experienced MAs to learn what they do and see if you like where they work.[19]
- Make sure that your resume and cover letter are specifically tailored to each office to which you're applying. For instance, if you're applying to work at a pediatric office, emphasize why you'd be a good fit to work with children.
- Volunteer in a healthcare facility to gain experience. Contact local hospitals, doctor's offices, and clinics to see if they'll allow you to volunteer as an MA. While you might not be able to work directly with patients, you might be able to observe other MAs and healthcare professionals while adding experience to your resume. More hours and more experience will make you a more compelling candidate![20]
[Edit]What personal skills do you need to be an MA? - Develop your multitasking and analytical skills. Medical assistants engage in a variety of roles from reading charts to preparing patients for appointments to answering hospital phones. Because of the role's versatility, you'll need to be responsible, resourceful, and able to pick up new skills very quickly.[21]
- Practice empathy. The essence of your job, aside from the occasional administrative duties, is helping other people. Medical assisting might be a great career for you if you get satisfaction from the idea that your help makes a difference in other people's lives.[22]
- Be prepared to stomach uncomfortable medical situations. Although they aren't common, serious medical interventions do occur around medical assistants. MAs occasionally need to push past the discomfort of wounds, blood, and obvious patient pain in order to do their jobs effectively. Depending on what kind of clinic you work in, you may have to deal with blood, urine, and other bodily fluids daily. You'll keep patients comfortable with a nonjudgmental, professional attitude.[23]
[Edit]How long does it take to become a medical assistant (MA) - You can typically train to become an MA in 9 months to 2 years. If you know a doctor or healthcare provider who will hire you and give you on-site training, you can start as soon as you have a high school diploma or GED. However, for most people who take medical assisting courses or pursue an associate degree, you'll take 9 months to 2 years depending on your program.[24]
[Edit]What's does day-to-day work look like for an MA? - As an MA, you'll do both admin and clinical work. Likely, you'll be assigned to one clinician and their patients. You'll bring patients to the proper exam room, take their vitals, and update their medical history. On the administrative side, you might take care of a doctor's mail, input info from incoming patient forms, schedule appointments, and put in lab orders. On the clinical side, you might swab for strep or flu, test patients' visual acuity, perform glucose finger stick tests, and more. At some healthcare facilities, you might give injections or draw blood, while at other providers, a CNA or RN will do that.[25]
- You can work part-time, full-time, during weekends, or night shifts.[26]
[Edit]What's the difference between a medical assistant (MA) and a certified nursing assistant CNA? - Become a CNA if you'd like to work more directly with patients. CNAs more frequently assist patients in activities of daily living (ADL) like bathing, transporting, and cleaning patients.[27]
- To become a CNA you likely do need state certification and a state-approved certificate program.
- Become an MA if you're interested in the administrative side of healthcare. In addition to assisting patients, MAs might answer phones, schedule appointments, and compile charts. [28]
- On average, MAs are paid $2 more per hour than CNAs.[29]
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
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