Heading into July and the great weather we are experiencing, made me think that this might be a good time to remind everyone of some wonderful ways to use essential oils during the Summer and on Vacation. There is a great little artile on using essential oils to help with all the challenges one encounters on Vacation. To view Vacation Time with Essential Oils. You can also find interesting blends at Summer Blends and More Summer Blends
Keep safe and don't forget the sunscreen.
Friday, June 30, 2006
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
Essential Oils and the Common Cold
The weather has finally warmed up nicely here and summer is right on our doorstep. What a time to come down with a cold! Time to reach for the essential oils.
I have a couple of different blends on the go at the moment, one in a cream base to apply to my nose and chest to clear all the passages, another to spray as a disinfectent on my hands to keep the source of infection down and another to mist around myself to clear the air.
I had family visiting over the weekend and one of them had a cold, I didn't expect to get it myself but yesterday the symptoms started. On my website there is a more indepth article on Aromatherapy and the Common Cold. Also check out Blends for the Common Cold.
Diffuser blend I'm using myself today: Thyme linalool 3 drops, Ginger 2 drops, Lemon 5 drops.
I have a couple of different blends on the go at the moment, one in a cream base to apply to my nose and chest to clear all the passages, another to spray as a disinfectent on my hands to keep the source of infection down and another to mist around myself to clear the air.
I had family visiting over the weekend and one of them had a cold, I didn't expect to get it myself but yesterday the symptoms started. On my website there is a more indepth article on Aromatherapy and the Common Cold. Also check out Blends for the Common Cold.
Diffuser blend I'm using myself today: Thyme linalool 3 drops, Ginger 2 drops, Lemon 5 drops.
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
Grapefruit Essential Oil
The essential oil I feel most drawn to today is Grapefruit so I thought that I'd post a little on this oil.
Grapefruit (Citrus x paradisi) is thought to be a hybrid of the sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) and the pomelo or shaddock (Citrus maximus). The pomelo was brought to Spain from tropical Asia by Arab traders during the 12th century. It was introduced into the West Indies by Captain Shaddock in the 18th century. This lead to the New World cultivation of the grapefruit. Apart from its use in aromatherapy, it serves as a fragrance component in perfumes, cosmetics and soaps and as a food flavouring. A yellow-green essential oil is obtained from the rind of the fruit through cold expression and it is mainly produced in the U.S.A., Cyprus, the West Indies, Africa, Israel and Brazil. Botanically it was not distinguished from the Pomelo until the 1830s, however its true nature as a hybrid was only determined in the 1950s and its name was changed from (Citrus paradisi) to (Citrus x paradisi)
On a subtle level, Grapefruit helps to calm mental chatter. It dissolves emotional energy blocks especially frustration and self-blame. It promotes confidence, as well as increasing intuition and mental clarity. It brings inspiration. It can be used when the ego gets in one’s way. It can assist in the digestion of new concepts or ideas. It can be used for cleaning and to remove negativity. It is a powerful purifier. Do not use before exposure to sun or UV rays.
For more information see my mini profile on my web site: Grapefruit
My Blend for today: Grapefruit 3 drops, Juniper 1 drop
Grapefruit (Citrus x paradisi) is thought to be a hybrid of the sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) and the pomelo or shaddock (Citrus maximus). The pomelo was brought to Spain from tropical Asia by Arab traders during the 12th century. It was introduced into the West Indies by Captain Shaddock in the 18th century. This lead to the New World cultivation of the grapefruit. Apart from its use in aromatherapy, it serves as a fragrance component in perfumes, cosmetics and soaps and as a food flavouring. A yellow-green essential oil is obtained from the rind of the fruit through cold expression and it is mainly produced in the U.S.A., Cyprus, the West Indies, Africa, Israel and Brazil. Botanically it was not distinguished from the Pomelo until the 1830s, however its true nature as a hybrid was only determined in the 1950s and its name was changed from (Citrus paradisi) to (Citrus x paradisi)
On a subtle level, Grapefruit helps to calm mental chatter. It dissolves emotional energy blocks especially frustration and self-blame. It promotes confidence, as well as increasing intuition and mental clarity. It brings inspiration. It can be used when the ego gets in one’s way. It can assist in the digestion of new concepts or ideas. It can be used for cleaning and to remove negativity. It is a powerful purifier. Do not use before exposure to sun or UV rays.
For more information see my mini profile on my web site: Grapefruit
My Blend for today: Grapefruit 3 drops, Juniper 1 drop
Tuesday, June 06, 2006
Using Essential Oils during Pregnancy
Although today we are seeing more advertisements for “Aromatherapy” products for anything from dish detergents to household fragrance, the truth is that essential oils have long been used as an ingredient in many regular freely available products. Essential oils are used all the time for flavouring in the Food Industry and are found in many products including alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages, frozen dairy products, candy, backed goods, gelatins and puddings, meat and meat products and fats and oils. However the amount of essential oils to be found in these products is in fact very small. The actual amount used will depend on the essential oil being used but it is in the region of about 0.003% to 0.1%. So in fact very little goes a long, long way. The Cosmetic Industry uses many essential oils extensively as a fragrance component in soaps and detergents. They are also used in creams, lotions and perfumes. Again the maximum safe use level dilution will depend on the essential oil in question but it will be well under 1%. So you can see that we are all exposed to small amounts of essential oil every day hidden in all sorts of products. Most people who have problems with fragrance will find that their intolerance is to the man made fragrance oils and not the genuine essential oil.
During pregnancy women are often much more sensitive to aromas then usual, a good built in safety mechanism. So while pregnant women will be exposed to the essential oils contained in many products in the same way as the rest of us are the amount of essential oil in these products is very small. However when it comes to using essential oils for their therapeutic and emotional properties and creating unique blends and synergies care should be exercised. While there is some controversy as to whether essential oils, in their entirety, are able to penetrate the skin, it is accepted that at least some of the components found in essential oils do indeed find their way through the skin and through inhalation into the bloodstream. The reason for contra-indicating the use of many essential oils during pregnancy is not always because of the fear of causing a miscarriage but more often because of the fact that these essential oil components once in the mother’s bloodstream are able to pass across the placenta into the developing fetus. Experience has shown that using certain essential oils in very low dilutions no more than ½ - 1% during pregnancy is quite safe. However the old adage, when in doubt - don’t, remains true.
The level of active essential oil components finding their way into the bloodstream varies depending on the method of application.
1. Internal Use. The most potentially toxic and hazardous method of using essential oils is through Internal Use. By ingesting the oils or using them in suppositories the whole essential oil, and all of its components, find there way directly into the body. So unless one has had extensive training in this area, and very few people have, this is something that should be avoided altogether, not only during pregnancy.
2. Application to the skin. When essential oils are applied topically to the skin the absorption rate into the body is slower and more selective than through internal use. Not all the essential oil applied to the skin will be absorbed and find its way into the bloodstream. Some of the essential oil will in fact evaporate off into the air. Things to keep in mind when choosing essential oils to be applied in this way includes whether they have any cautions with respect to skin sensitizing, phototoxicity or skin irritation. When applying essential oils topically during pregnancy stay with blends that are in dilutions of 1% or less. When essential oils have been applied topically one can’t help but smell them so some of the molecules will also find their way into the body through inhalation. An easy rule of thumb would be that for every 2 teaspoons of carrier oil used (10ml) you use 1 drop of essential oil or essential oil synergy for ½% dilution or 1 drop of essential oil or essential oil synergy to ever 1 teaspoon of carrier (5ml) for a 1% dilution.
3. Inhalations. Here the essential oil molecules are dispersed into the air and then breathed in. Some of these molecules will be absorbed in the lungs and find their way into the bloodstream while the rest of the molecules will be breathed out. Once again we would use lower dilutions for pregnant ladies, in any case as mentioned above their sense of smell is often heightened at this time and so they can only tolerated higher dilutions.
How cautious you need to be during pregnancy will depend on the individual. If one is prone to miscarriage or problem pregnancies it might be best to avoid most essential oils until later on in the pregnancy. Having given you all the precautions and warnings I do have to say as well that using essential oils during pregnancy can be very helpful, one just needs to limit the oils one uses to those that are safer at this time and one does need to keep the percentage of essential oil used right down.
Rather than give the laundry list of the essential oils to avoid during pregnancy it might be easier to list those that are considered safe to use: Bergamot, clary sage, frankincense, geranium, grapefruit, lavender, lemon, mandarin, sweet marjoram, neroli, orange, patchouli, petitgrain, rose, rosewood, sandalwood, tangerine, vetiver and ylang ylang are generally safe to use after the first trimester. It is recommended that one use caution during the first trimester and avoid the use of most essential oils where possible.
Some blends to consider:
Morning Sickness: I have had a lot of success my Morning Sickness Blend which is 3 parts lavender, 1 part ginger. I make this up first and then add just 1 drop of synergy to every 10ml of carrier oil. I like to use the 10ml roll on applicators. I have also found that this can be helpful for headaches.
Stretch Marks: 1 drop of mandarin in 10 mls of jojoba oil and apply to tummy, buttocks and thighs.
During pregnancy women are often much more sensitive to aromas then usual, a good built in safety mechanism. So while pregnant women will be exposed to the essential oils contained in many products in the same way as the rest of us are the amount of essential oil in these products is very small. However when it comes to using essential oils for their therapeutic and emotional properties and creating unique blends and synergies care should be exercised. While there is some controversy as to whether essential oils, in their entirety, are able to penetrate the skin, it is accepted that at least some of the components found in essential oils do indeed find their way through the skin and through inhalation into the bloodstream. The reason for contra-indicating the use of many essential oils during pregnancy is not always because of the fear of causing a miscarriage but more often because of the fact that these essential oil components once in the mother’s bloodstream are able to pass across the placenta into the developing fetus. Experience has shown that using certain essential oils in very low dilutions no more than ½ - 1% during pregnancy is quite safe. However the old adage, when in doubt - don’t, remains true.
The level of active essential oil components finding their way into the bloodstream varies depending on the method of application.
1. Internal Use. The most potentially toxic and hazardous method of using essential oils is through Internal Use. By ingesting the oils or using them in suppositories the whole essential oil, and all of its components, find there way directly into the body. So unless one has had extensive training in this area, and very few people have, this is something that should be avoided altogether, not only during pregnancy.
2. Application to the skin. When essential oils are applied topically to the skin the absorption rate into the body is slower and more selective than through internal use. Not all the essential oil applied to the skin will be absorbed and find its way into the bloodstream. Some of the essential oil will in fact evaporate off into the air. Things to keep in mind when choosing essential oils to be applied in this way includes whether they have any cautions with respect to skin sensitizing, phototoxicity or skin irritation. When applying essential oils topically during pregnancy stay with blends that are in dilutions of 1% or less. When essential oils have been applied topically one can’t help but smell them so some of the molecules will also find their way into the body through inhalation. An easy rule of thumb would be that for every 2 teaspoons of carrier oil used (10ml) you use 1 drop of essential oil or essential oil synergy for ½% dilution or 1 drop of essential oil or essential oil synergy to ever 1 teaspoon of carrier (5ml) for a 1% dilution.
3. Inhalations. Here the essential oil molecules are dispersed into the air and then breathed in. Some of these molecules will be absorbed in the lungs and find their way into the bloodstream while the rest of the molecules will be breathed out. Once again we would use lower dilutions for pregnant ladies, in any case as mentioned above their sense of smell is often heightened at this time and so they can only tolerated higher dilutions.
How cautious you need to be during pregnancy will depend on the individual. If one is prone to miscarriage or problem pregnancies it might be best to avoid most essential oils until later on in the pregnancy. Having given you all the precautions and warnings I do have to say as well that using essential oils during pregnancy can be very helpful, one just needs to limit the oils one uses to those that are safer at this time and one does need to keep the percentage of essential oil used right down.
Rather than give the laundry list of the essential oils to avoid during pregnancy it might be easier to list those that are considered safe to use: Bergamot, clary sage, frankincense, geranium, grapefruit, lavender, lemon, mandarin, sweet marjoram, neroli, orange, patchouli, petitgrain, rose, rosewood, sandalwood, tangerine, vetiver and ylang ylang are generally safe to use after the first trimester. It is recommended that one use caution during the first trimester and avoid the use of most essential oils where possible.
Some blends to consider:
Morning Sickness: I have had a lot of success my Morning Sickness Blend which is 3 parts lavender, 1 part ginger. I make this up first and then add just 1 drop of synergy to every 10ml of carrier oil. I like to use the 10ml roll on applicators. I have also found that this can be helpful for headaches.
Stretch Marks: 1 drop of mandarin in 10 mls of jojoba oil and apply to tummy, buttocks and thighs.
Friday, June 02, 2006
Home Facial with Essential Oils
Aromatics have been used in cosmetic products for centuries and adding essential oils to our own mini spa treatments at home make them extra special.
There are six main steps to follow when giving oneself a home facial:
* Cleansing
* Exfoliating
* Steaming
* Massage
* Mask
* Moisturize
You can enhance these steps by adding the right essential oil or essential oil synergy to your base product before applying. Just remember that the skin on your face is very delicate so you want to use a very high dilution 1% or less for this area. An easy rule of thumb to work with if you are only making small amounts is that 1 drop of essential oil or essential oil synergy added to 1 teaspoon (5ml) of carrier product equals around 1%. When you are using more than one essential oil in your blend it is best to mix up your synergy first in a small bottle which can be used several times. Then all you need to do is add one or two drops, depending on how much product you are using.
Some Essential Oil Suggestions for Different Skin Types
Dry Skin : Jasmine, Myrrh, Neroli, Patchouli, Rose, Rosewood, Sandalwood, Ylang Ylang.
Inflammed/Irritable Skin: Clary Sage, German Chamomile, Roman Chamomile, Jasmine, Juniper, Lavender, Myrrh, Myrtle, Peppermint, Rose, Sandalwood, Ylang Ylang.
Mature Skin: Clary Sage, Cypress, Fennel, Frankincense, Geranium, Lavender, Neroli, Rose, Sandalwood.
Normal Skin: Clary Sage, Geranium, Lavender, Neroli, Patchouli
Oily Skin: Clary Sage, Cypress, Fennel, Geranium, Juniper, Lavender, Lemon.
Sensitive Skin: German Chamomile, Jasmine, Lavender, Neroli, Rose, Rosewood
A blend I like using on my face at the moment is 2 parts Rose and one part German Chamomile.
There are six main steps to follow when giving oneself a home facial:
* Cleansing
* Exfoliating
* Steaming
* Massage
* Mask
* Moisturize
You can enhance these steps by adding the right essential oil or essential oil synergy to your base product before applying. Just remember that the skin on your face is very delicate so you want to use a very high dilution 1% or less for this area. An easy rule of thumb to work with if you are only making small amounts is that 1 drop of essential oil or essential oil synergy added to 1 teaspoon (5ml) of carrier product equals around 1%. When you are using more than one essential oil in your blend it is best to mix up your synergy first in a small bottle which can be used several times. Then all you need to do is add one or two drops, depending on how much product you are using.
Some Essential Oil Suggestions for Different Skin Types
Dry Skin : Jasmine, Myrrh, Neroli, Patchouli, Rose, Rosewood, Sandalwood, Ylang Ylang.
Inflammed/Irritable Skin: Clary Sage, German Chamomile, Roman Chamomile, Jasmine, Juniper, Lavender, Myrrh, Myrtle, Peppermint, Rose, Sandalwood, Ylang Ylang.
Mature Skin: Clary Sage, Cypress, Fennel, Frankincense, Geranium, Lavender, Neroli, Rose, Sandalwood.
Normal Skin: Clary Sage, Geranium, Lavender, Neroli, Patchouli
Oily Skin: Clary Sage, Cypress, Fennel, Geranium, Juniper, Lavender, Lemon.
Sensitive Skin: German Chamomile, Jasmine, Lavender, Neroli, Rose, Rosewood
A blend I like using on my face at the moment is 2 parts Rose and one part German Chamomile.
Home Spa Blends using essential oils.
Essential oils are a wonderful addition to your own beauty routine and here are some blends that can be easily incorporated. In fact these are all blends I have on the go myself.
I don't have the easiest cuticles to deal with and I find the nail and cuticle blend really helpful so I have that made up in a roll on ball applicator for easy application on a regular basis. Add 10 drops of the blend to 10ml jojoba oil in a 10ml roll on bottle. 2 parts lemon essential oil to 1 part lavender essential oil.
I change the blends around quite a bit for the hand and foot blends as it is nice to have some variety and one doesn't want to be using the same blend all the time anyway. Your essential oils can be added directly to any basic cream or lotion base. Hand Blend 1 part Roman Chamomile, 1 part Lavender, 1 part Patchouli. Foot Blend 3 parts Cypress, 2 parts Juniper, 1 part Peppermint.
I like to give myself a salt scrub at least once a week but when I get busy it's more like once a month. For this I choose the oils based on what is going on for me at the time, but when I'm finished my skin feels wonderfully soft and pliant. Mix 1 cup (250ml) epsom salts, 1 cup (250ml) sea salt. Add 6 drops essential oil or blend of essential oils. Add 1 – 2 tablespoons of carrier oil. Mix well together. Wet your body with warm water. Rub the salt mixture into your skin starting from the top and working down. When it is rubbed in all over, stand for 2 minutes in the shower and let the steam open the pores. You can continue to rub the salt in. Finally rinse all the salt off. Salt Scrub Essential Oil Blend: 3 parts Grapefruit, 2 parts Juniper, 2 parts Cypress.
I don't have the easiest cuticles to deal with and I find the nail and cuticle blend really helpful so I have that made up in a roll on ball applicator for easy application on a regular basis. Add 10 drops of the blend to 10ml jojoba oil in a 10ml roll on bottle. 2 parts lemon essential oil to 1 part lavender essential oil.
I change the blends around quite a bit for the hand and foot blends as it is nice to have some variety and one doesn't want to be using the same blend all the time anyway. Your essential oils can be added directly to any basic cream or lotion base. Hand Blend 1 part Roman Chamomile, 1 part Lavender, 1 part Patchouli. Foot Blend 3 parts Cypress, 2 parts Juniper, 1 part Peppermint.
I like to give myself a salt scrub at least once a week but when I get busy it's more like once a month. For this I choose the oils based on what is going on for me at the time, but when I'm finished my skin feels wonderfully soft and pliant. Mix 1 cup (250ml) epsom salts, 1 cup (250ml) sea salt. Add 6 drops essential oil or blend of essential oils. Add 1 – 2 tablespoons of carrier oil. Mix well together. Wet your body with warm water. Rub the salt mixture into your skin starting from the top and working down. When it is rubbed in all over, stand for 2 minutes in the shower and let the steam open the pores. You can continue to rub the salt in. Finally rinse all the salt off. Salt Scrub Essential Oil Blend: 3 parts Grapefruit, 2 parts Juniper, 2 parts Cypress.
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