Aromatherapy Zine

Aromatherapy Skin Care

Manuel Wiggins — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 18:03:00 +0000

Aromatherapy – an ancient science dealing with application of essential oils extracted from flowers, trees, herbs and resins, is more than sixty centuries old. These oils have healing and cleansing properties and are also delightfully fragrant and mood-enhancing. The ills of the modern life style – fast food, excessive pollution, stress, busy work schedule, lack of proper exercise – affect our physical and mental health adversely. Of late, wisely, a large number of people are reverting back to good old ways to regain equilibrium. Aromatherapy – using essential oils – is also being put into use as a remedy to various problems, skin care being one of them. While practicing aromatherapy skin care the basic thing to be borne in mind is never to apply essential oils to any part of skin without diluting, even while inhaling. Further, the following aromatherapy skin care exercises will be helpful handy for cleansing and cellular renewal of skin, especially facial skin. For deep cleansing of facial skin 3 to 5 drops of essential oil, mixed with a teaspoonful of milk or honey be poured in a pint of hot water. After putting this hot mixture in a stainless steel mixing bowl, the steam from this bowl should be taken on face and inhaled by leaning over the bowl and covering the head with a towel. This method is known as `Facial Steam’. In addition to deep cleansing the facial skin, breathing the steam in this manner also has relaxing effect.

Facial masque is another way of aromatherapy skin care. It assists in maintaining the freshness and hydration of the facial skin. To manage this way, it is important to mix 2 – 3 drops of the basic oils with honey mashed avocado, moistened clay, or egg white. It may apply to a dampened face. The masque can be left on the face for 10 – 15 minutes to allow its dry then the face may be washed thoroughly.

There are many oils that used generally. Some of them are jojoba, frankincense and German chamomile. Their use must be based on the skin’s type. Adding 10 drops of basic oils to a carrier will be helpful to nourish and heal the skin. The mixture will be applied in case of some troubles in the skin. This way is called a facial oil blend.

Another smart way of aromatherapy skin care is skin brushing. It assists in refreshing and stimulating the lymphatic system. To show the easy way, it must mix a drop of the basic oils with a little spoon full of honey. Then, it can apply the mixture on the face using the skin brush.

It must take care in choosing the basic oils. These oils ought to be natural, effective and safe as well. This way may be successful and replace any other ways. Aromatherapy is considered a successful way for traumatic cases treatment. Generally, it must ensure the quality of products.

Getting Real Pain Relief with Helichrysum Essential Oil

Melissa Anderson — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 04:26:52 +0000

Yes, it’s true: Helichrysum essential oil provides fast-acting, effective pain relief for a great many physical ailments. Aromatherapy companies are, by law, prevented from advertising this fact directly along with their products, but it’s true. Many, many individuals are regularly using this very healing oil to both reduce pain and, depending on the injury or ailment, to actually speed healing. As noted by Dr. Kurt Schnaubelt, America’s leading medical aromatherapist, the effects of this oil are “so convincing that it has never met with any kind of criticism.” So what’s special about Helichrysum, where do you get it and how do you use it?

Helichrysum is a totally unique pain reliever and wound healer — not only just in the world of aromatherapy, but in the big picture of the entire world of medicine. It rates exceptionally highly in the two most important criteria, safety and efficacy. In terms of safety, it is sometimes prescribed for direct application to the skin at 100% strength (unlike some other pain relieving oils such as Wintergreen). Very conservative therapists do not recommend the oil to be used during pregnancy or by children under 12. It would be a shame however to discard the use of the oil for young children with injuries — like any essential oil, it should be used with respect as a medicine, only using as much as needed to produce the desired healing effect. The classic and important aromatherapy text ‘Essential Oil Safety’, lists the oil as non-toxic, non-irritating and non-sensitizing.

It’s the efficacy — the ability to reduce pain and heal that is most remarkable about Helichrysum. Nearly every form of pain seems to respond positively to Helichrysum essential oil application. Joint pain, back pain, muscular and connective tissue pain, nerve pain, and pain resulting from injury, surgery and trauma can all be helped. The most common usage of the essential oil is a dilution in Jojoba oil, massaged into the affected areas a few times a day. The oil can also be used completely undiluted if desired for the most severe or immediate situations.

Making our own formulation is very easy to do. It is recommended to start of with lower dilutions and work your way up only if necessary; this helps you conserve the precious oil by only using as much as required for the desired results. Forty drops of Helicrysum in each ounce of carrier oil will create an approximate 5 percent dilution; eighty drops for a 10 percent dilution; etc. The pure essential oil, not diluted in any carrier oil, is recommended when a trauma has just occurred, to prevent further tissue damage due to swelling and oxidative free-radicals. For example, a twisted ankle could receive a few drops of the pure oil from a fingertip, massaged into the painful region immediately after the injury, and several times over the next 24 hours.

Beyond simple pain relief, Helichrysum is known to actually speed the healing of injuries through its antioxidant, anti-inflammation and regenerative actions. This is helpful for not only ‘common’ bumps and bruises, but for surgical sutures and burns as well. Further, the oil is found in 3-5 percent concentrations in skin care recipes to reduce the appearance of skin aging, and to reduce and eliminate scars of all kinds.

The finest of Helichrysum essential oil varieties is considered to be that distilled from plants grown on the island of Corsica in the Mediterranean Sea. The climatic conditions and plant genetics result in a unique natural chemical composition of the essential oil with strong anti-inflammate, analgesic and regenerative actions. This oil may be listed as Helicrysum italicum sub-species serotinum. You may find that other varieties work as well for your needs, and can experiment as you see fit.

Helichrysum essential oil is one of nature’s most profound healers. It works for a great many symptoms of pain, safely and effectively. It is simple to use and readily available through internet sources (it is, as of yet, difficult to find in local health food stores, though this may be changing soon). Whatever your needs for this type of therapy, Helichrysum italicum essential oil is worth investigating.

Proper Skin Care Routine

admin — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 04:37:30 +0000

Some people are genetically predisposed to flawlessly beautiful skin, unfortunately, the rest of us are not so fortunate. Whether it is acne, oily skin, or overwhelming dryness, the majority of people wrestle with some type of skin problem.

Although bathing and moisturizing the entire body is one way to do this, the face tends to need extra consideration. This is because it is the focal point of the body and the first thing people scan upon meeting us. Keeping the face blemish free and glowing speaks of health and can make us look and feel confident.

It is never too late to start on a skin care maintenance system that caters to your skins own individual needs, but first, you must correctly identify what your particular skin ailment is.

Establish your skin type

There are a number of skin care lines, from the expensive to the economical, as well as natural skin care products that can help you care for your skin, but you have to be able to define your problems in that area. For instance, if you are prone to break outs due to oily skin, you will need a product that reduces oil. Likewise, people who suffer from excessive dryness need to find skin care products with moisturizers that nourish and replenish essential oils.

Combination skin, a condition where the face can be both oily and dry, can be the hardest skin problem to combat. There are a number of products that can help; do your homework prior to any purchase to find what will work best for you.

Skin care products

There are plenty of mainstream skin care lines available, but you may want to look into organic goods for your face. All natural products tend to be vegan based and hypo-allergenic.

No matter the skin type, most people will need a cleanser, toner, and exfoliant (a cream or lotion that gets rid of dead skin cells). People with acne may use products like on the spot reducers with saylic acid or benzol peroxide in conjunction with these items.

You would start with the cleanser, followed by the exfoliant and moisturizer daily. Some people finish with a SPF based cream to protect the skin from the harsh rays of the sun.

You can find skin care lines online but if you are uncertain of what to but, it may be best to go to a drug store and ask the pharmacist what brands to try. Turning back the clock

If the prevention or minimization of wrinkles is a concern, an anti-aging regimen may be the ticket.

There are many skin and beauty items that contain tried and true substances like collagen and elastin that can help rebuild skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines, leading to a more youthful appearance.

However, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. If you really want to return the glow of youth to your face, you need to observe your diet, drink water, exercise and reduce sun exposure.

These simple tricks will do more for your skin than slathering on a ton of skin care products.

When to see a dermatologist

Sometimes, despite the best care you can possibly give, you may not see real improvement in your skins condition. For example, you may not be able to treat problems like rosacea or hyper pigmentation with ordinary skin care products. Hypersensitivity to certain chemicals and herbs can also be a factor in skin damage or hard to cure problems.

A dermatologist will be able to assess the damage and/causes to provide a diagnosis.

Everyone’s skin is different, but with a proper skin regimen, anyone’s skin can look and feel its best, at any age.

Practical Aromatherapy: A Primer On The Top Ten Oils

admin — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 02:57:26 +0000

Essential oils provide a fantastic natural alternative to
common ailments we see at home. Those interested in
alternative remedies and natural health, wellness and
fitness will appreciate these natural wonders. The of
essential oils are broad, ranging from topical antiseptics
and anti-inflammatories to analgesics, digestive system
tonics, and anti-depressants. While essential oils should
not be a substitute for professional medical care, they can
be successfully employed for many minor complaints, and as
adjuncts to other therapies. Here we will have a brief look
at ten essential oils which may comprise the ‘basic home
care kit’. While by no means exhaustive, this list will go
a long way to providing effective (and often pleasant!)
treatments for you and your family for things like cuts and
scrapes, burns, digestive troubles, stress related
conditions and more.

Tea Tree Essential Oil – When first examined for it’s
antiseptic properties, Tea Tree essential oil was found to
be 100 times more powerful than carbolic acid – the medical
standard at the time. Tea tree has an extremely broad range
of antibiotic, antiviral and antifungal properties that have
been confirmed by modern scientific research. Often used
topically on small wounds, Tea Tree is also commonly found
in oral hygiene preparations, and can also be effectively
employed for Candida, athlete’s foot and acne, among other
things.

Lavender Essential Oil – As important and useful as Tea
Tree, Lavender oil has been named the ‘medicine chest in a
bottle’. Lavender’s calming and healing properties act on
both a physiological and psychological level. Lavender is
considered to speed wound healing and reduce scarring, and
is the first choice in cases of minor burns. The oil is also
pleasantly calming, and can be used to reduce stress in a
variety of situations – a commonly used technique is to
apply Lavender oil to the soles of the feet of patients
recovering from almost any ailment to bring calm and comfort
during a stressful time. Lavender has been noted as ‘better
than benzodiazepines’ for supporting sleep – use in a
diffuser in your bedroom, or simply sprinkle a few drops on
the bedding before retiring to enjoy this effect.

Chamomile Essential Oil – Well known for its gentle sedative
effects, chamomile has been used in herbalism since
antiquity. Chamomile essential oil works particularly well
for bringing children back down to earth when the household
gets a little (or a lot!) hectic. Massaging a small amount
into the feet or belly works wonders; on infants, instead
use a 1% dilution of Vanilla essential oil in Hazelnut oil
for the same effect. Chamomile can also be inhaled from the
bottle or tissue.

Peppermint Essential Oil – Peppermint is often employed for
tummy troubles and for motion sickness. A drop in a cup of
warm water is excellent for those who can tolerate its
potent taste; a drop in a teaspoon of honey is effective for
younger ones. Spearmint should be used instead for children
under three years. Peppermint is also an excellent mental
stimulant, bringing clarity and alertness (though it should
not be used in cases of epilepsy due to its potency).
Peppermint can be inhaled from a tissue or diffuser (with
care taken not to touch the sensitive skin under the nose) -
it is the oil of choice for use in car diffusers to keep the
driver alert and to clear the stuffy air. Peppermint is also
an effective mosquito repellent, and can be added in small
amounts to neutral skin creams or suntan lotions for this
effect.

Eucalyptus Essential Oil – Narrow Leaf Eucalyptus, also
known as Eucalyptus Radiata, has been called an
‘aromatherapists designer oil’ due to its broad range of
effects and pleasing aroma. It is helpful in many breathing
related conditions when inhaled, it can cool the body in a
light mist, and invigorate in a massage blend. Diffusing in
your home or office can disinfect room air, and can be
effective as support during healing from a great number of
ailments – consult a knowledgeable practitioner for blends
and protocols that can be right for you.

Geranium Essential Oil – Geranium (sometimes known as
‘Geranium Rose’) works wonderfully on both physiological
and psychological levels. It’s floral aroma is brightening
and uplifting, while also working as a sedative. Malte
Hozzel has made this statement regarding this oil :
“Geranium’s vital, sensual presence is not subtle, but
direct & unavoidable, making it one of the oils of choice
for aphrodisiac qualities. (Geranium Essential Oil) inspires
natural beauty & enjoyment, uplifts instantly & “tonifies”
the mind & intellect in a powerful, nearly demanding
attitude. Mobilizing hidden creative & emotional reserves,
helping us to rise to our own earthly & spiritual identify.
A fiery beauty for the spells of all worlds.” Particularly
noted for it’s effect on female physiologic conditions,
Geranium oil can be effective for menopausal problems,
uterine and breast complaints.

Helichrysum Italicum Essential Oil – This is the wonder oil
for sports injuries and bruises of all kinds. Its effects
are recounted time and time again by active sports and
fitness enthusiasts sustaining injuries of all kinds. Highly
regarded in the aromatherapy literature, Helichrysum
Italicum can be applied directly to any impact-related
injury to dramatically reduce healing time. Only a small
amount is needed for each application, and can be used
sparingly if cost is an issue – Helichrysum Italicum oil can
be diluted to 10% in a carrier for regular application to
chronic injuries, aches and pains. It can provide similar
healing action to damaged skin, particularly when blended to
three percent dilution in Rosehip Seed and Hazelnut oils.

Thyme Essential Oil – Thyme is a potent antiviral,
antibiotic, and antiseptic oil. There are many types of
Thyme, with only the linalool chemotype appropriate for use
with children. Thyme can be a first line of defense in cases
of flu or sinus infections, being inhaled regularly from a
diffuser. Alternatively, for sinusitis, a drop can be placed
on a small square of tissue paper, with the paper then
rolled so that the drop is in the inside. The paper can then
be placed in the nostril to the oil can slowly be
‘diffused’ into the sinus cavity. Further research can
help you find particular uses for this wonderful oil.

Lemon Esssential Oil – Say good-by to chemical cleaners and
deodorizers. Just dilute Lemon essential oil in distilled
water (2-10 drops per ounce, depending on the strength
desired) and use as you would other cleaners for your
kitchen countertops. Lemon has a very uplifting aroma in
addition to its gentle yet effective antimicrobial
properties. Studies have shown increased test scores by
students where Lemon was diffused during study. The uses for
Lemon essential oil are extensive – a little research will
help you incorporate this lovely, inexpensive essential oil
into your life.

Clove Essential Oil – The power of Clove essential oil is
noted upon the first sensing of the aroma – it is quite
strong, sharp and earthy. Clove oil has been found to be the
strongest anti-oxidant of any essential oil, and is a
component of ‘longevity’ formulas. It is also an extremely
potent antibacterial, also with analgesic properties,
commonly used to temporarily reduce the pain of toothache.
Clove oil is also a component of anti-parasite protocols,
helping eliminate parasites from one’s digestive system
during times of intestinal cleansing. Its aroma is warming,
and particularly appreciated during the winter months,
blending well with citrus oils such as lemon and orange.

This round’s out a wonderful beginning ‘home care kit’
for the natural health, wellness and fitness enthusiasts.
These oils can offer a wonderful introduction to the world
of aromatherapy, particularly due to their obviously
practical uses. There are a great many more varieties of
oils, with a corresponding number of healing properties for
both the body and the mind. As always with essential oils,
there potent nature demands a certain amount of respect with
their use – start slowly in any case, and consult a
knowledgeable practitioner if you have any questions about
their application. Most of all, enjoy the experience of
including these healing liquids in your life and have fun!

Treating HSV with Aromatherapy

admin — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 13:22:35 +0000

Herpes Simplex is a tough one – a supposedly ‘incurable’ viral infection leading to painful lesions. The lesions come and go, more often for some folks than others, and are somewhat precipitated by stressful conditions where one’s immune system may be compromised. Modern medicine does not as yet offer a ‘cure’ for a herpes infection, only medicine that must be taken on a regular basis to keep outbreaks from recurring (and some medicines that can shorten the duration of outbreaks as well). Incurable, painful, not-so-pretty, and to top it off, depending on the type of virus, the illness is labeled ‘oral/labial’ or ‘genital’ – a little embarrassing to say the least!

This is a personal account – I had herpes outbreaks for several years, and had to deal with painful sores in my mouth and on my lips – sometimes so bad I thought my teeth were falling out! I’ve been through those internal struggles on how to break it to an intimate partner – thankfully their response was never as sever as I expected – hough it still seemed like a big deal to me. I regularly had those telling days of feeling a flu was about to hit, with several days of lesions to follow. What seemed the worst, being an athlete, was that training really hard tended to cause outbreaks almost for certain.

I tried prescription medicines as well as some natural routes. Lysine, a singular amino acid, helped somewhat, but not all the time. I used significant amounts of lip balm, as sun overexposure also tended to cause outbreaks as well. I thought “I’ve got a lot of years left – will I always have to deal with this?”

Then it so happened I got involved in essential oils – the powerful aromatic compounds distilled in small amounts from plants. You’ve probably heard of them – Lavender oil, Sandalwood, Frankincense, etc. They’re getting to be fairly common these days. And then one day I stumbled onto research being performed with a particularly rare essential oil called ‘Melissa’ or ‘Lemon Balm’. Melissa is steam distilled from the leaves of the Melissa herb – and in very small quanitities. The plant yields a small amount of oil relative to all the other aromatic plant species out there. Research has been being performed in Europe for several years applying Melissa oil to herpes outbreaks, with very interesting results. In fact, one German pharmaceutical company extracted the ‘active’ component of the oil and sold it in a prescription preparation for use by herpes ’sufferers’.

Perhaps the most heartening news was delivered by Dr. Dietrich Wabner, a German scientist who had worked with Melissa and herpes sufferers – the Doctor reported that a one time application of the essential oil lead to a complete remission of outbreaks in some individuals. WOW, a CURE! It seemed a bit expensive for what was apparently such a small amount of liquid, but really not so when compared to any other medicine, especially if I had to take any other medicine for the rest of my life!

Further research gave me a better idea of a protocol; direct application of the essential oil may not lead to a complete remission in one application – though healers were finding success with the oil’s regular use through the course of several outbreaks. One drop of Melissa directly applied a few times a day throughout the outbreak, and for the next several times an outbreak was surfacing, might lead to remission of the disease. The regemine was to begin as soon as one felt an outbreak coming on – some folks get an odd sensation at the location where the lesion may occur, and many will feel a general malaise. My outbreaks tended to occur on my tongue at that point – I would get the flu/fatigued feeling, then a few tasted buds would swell and sting, with the occasional cold sore showing itself (and yes, this had been medically confirmed as HSV early on when the sored almost completely covered the roof of my mouth). So I started on the Melissa, placing just one drop in my mouth and ’swishing’ it around a few times a day. It’s a powerful oil, but I actually liked the taste…

Well, I wasn’t one of the fortunate one’s with a complete remission on the first try. But it did help – the outbreaks were shorter, and then seemed to occur less frequently. THEN something WONDERFUL happened – the outbreaks stopped all together. And believe me, my life has been no less stressful – more so if anything. But no matter how hard my days were, how heavy my weight training sessions or other athletic endeavors, the outbreaks have not returned! No more unexplained low-level flu symptoms or sore spots in or on my mouth. I can’t remember the last time this happened, and don’t even keep the bottle around anymore just in case – though I do recommend it to those in a similar position.

Now to those who may have more sensitive skin than I, Melissa can be diluted in a carrier oil (like Hazelnut or Rosehip Seed oil) down to 10% or less of the total concentration and still be just as effective – taking any essential oil orally, and undiluted certainly, should be done with caution – pay attention to your own reaction and proceed accordingly. I haven’t any experience with the ‘genital’ variety of the virus, but I it should work just as well – though this is where the carrier oil might feel a little nicer. But whatever way it’s used, the protocol should be followed as closely as possible: apply the oil a few times a day to the affected area as soon as you feel an outbreak coming on, and stick with it until the lesions have healed. Then do it again the next several times an outbreak is surfacing. There are no guarantees, but I do hope this wonderful natural medicine can provide the same relief for others as it has for me.

For sufferer’s of Shingles, another Herpes virus variety causing lesions of the skin, Ravensara (Ravensara aromatica, or ‘True’ Ravensara) oil has been used. Individuals have found relief using Ravensara in a 50-50 blend with Tamanu Nut oil. The Tamanu Nut sooths the skin during the healing process and keeps the Ravensara in contact with the sores. I have not heard of this offering a complete cure, but I have heard of this blend really helping relieve discomfort of this condition.

If you decide to try these natural methods, when buying essential oils, buy from a trusted source – Melissa oil particularly has been adulterated due to it’s high cost. The ‘fake’ mixture – a blend of Lemongrass and other essential oils oils – do not contain the same antiviral components. True Melissa is typically found in the range of $10 – $20 per milliliter, with organic varieties costing a little more. There are nearly twenty-five drops in one milliliter, and because only one drop is typically used for each application, a few milliliters (1/4 to 1/8th ounce) can go a long way. If you try this natural healing oil, or to recommend it to those in need, I wish the best of success!

Common Uses for Bach Flower Essences

admin — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 22:10:16 +0000

For thousands of years, our ancestors used natural remedies to help individuals with physical or mental health problems. These formulas were passed from generation to generation for centuries until modern medicine came into being. Modern medicine, while it saves lives and does amazing things, may be missing out on the potential benefits associated with natural health products.

The Origin of Bach Flower Essences

Bach Flower Essences are named for Dr. Edward Bach, a British physician. He was an extremely successful physician but felt concerned about the tendency of modern medicine to focus on disease, rather than the patient’s health as a whole. He gave up his practice in 1930 and devoted his time and energy to finding natural remedies.

Dr. Bach found that there were 38 essences that would unblock the natural health potential in himself and his patients. These 38 essences corresponded to various mental states and were composed of refined herbal extracts.

What Exactly Are the Bach Flower Essences?

Bach Flower Essences are natural remedies made using an all-natural process. Natural wild flower infusions are added to spring water by steeping it in the sun or by boiling it. Hand made in England, the 38 Bach Flower Essences are preserved using grape brandy.

The principle behind the use of natural remedies like the Bach Flower Essences is that there is a mind-body connection. If the mind is at peace, then the body will also return to a healthy condition. This natural health approach is based on the idea that dispelling negative feelings like anger, anxiety, and indecisiveness will allow the body to heal itself.

How Animals Can Benefit from Bach Flower Essences

Most animal lovers will tell you that animals also feel emotions. You can tell when your dog is depressed or anxious or when he feels jealous or angry. Animal behavior is also affected by these emotions, so it important to get animal emotions in balance. Bach Flower Essences are one way to help restore emotional equilibrium in your pet.

Bach Flower Essences During Pregnancy

Both your intuition and you doctor will tell you that you must be careful what you consume during pregnancy. There is a long list of forbidden foods and medications. However, Bach Flower Essences are not on that list. They promote natural health and are safe for expectant mothers.

Pregnancy is a time of great emotional turmoil, making it also a very important time to consider natural remedies for emotional issues. Hormonal imbalances and simply adjusting to the state of pregnancy can cause rush of feelings that are difficult to process and can lead to health problems. Bach Flower Essences are one of the safest ways to deal with these concerns.

Children and Bach Flower Essences

Childhood is often described as a carefree time, but most of us know that simply isn’t true. Children, especially the children of today, feel anxious and depressed at times. These feelings can lead to greater health problems and should be resolved as quickly and simply as possible.

Since you don’t want to endanger your child’s health with any unnecessary chemicals, natural remedies are a good way to restore balance to your child’s emotional health. Bach Flower Essences are completely safe for children and babies.

Why Natural Health is Sometimes Better

Conventional medicine is extremely effective in many areas; however, there is a tendency, as Dr. Bach discovered, for many medical doctors to focus on curing specific physical ailments, rather than looking deeper into the patient’s emotional health. In addition, medical remedies often carry warnings about side effects and dangerous overdoses. Natural health remedies are much safer and provide a complementary therapy to regular medical care.

For more information on Bach Flower Remedies, please visite Your Flower Remedies

Instructions To Make Your Own Bath Salts

admin — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 19:05:10 +0000

One common type of aromatherapy is bath salts. You can help relax mind and body using various scents with aromatherapy. The oils used in scented candles, potpourri, and in homemade bath salts are gathered from the essential oils gathered from plants. Depending on what plants are used to obtain the essential oils, your bath salts will have a different smell. Different smells can trigger a diverse array of reactions and emotions is what the aromatherapy experts say.

A bubble bath can be made into a aromatic utopia when you add scented oils. High price is a problem with many of the scented bath salts and oils which are easily available for purchase at quite a few spas and boutiques. If you make your own bath salts, it’s a great way to save a little and still have a pleasant aromatherapy experience at bath time.

One of the great things about making your own bath salts is that it’s a project your whole family can be involved with. You should plan to make your own bath salts on a day when your child is having a sleep over or a birthday party. At the end of the party you can send each child home with a sample of the bath salts they made. Making your own bath salts and giving them as gifts is always an option during the holidays. People you know will be delighted after finding out that one can make your own bath salts.

Bath salts don’t create themselves out of thin air. When you are making your own bath salts you’ll need to gather the ingredients before starting. Epsom salt, (or salt from the Dead Sea) is an ingredient that is necessary when you decide to make your own bath salts along with essential oil in a small bottle (you can chose a scent that is based on your own personal preference) and sodium bicarbonate. Food color can be added to the baking soda to make your homemade bath salts more visually appealing. In addition to the previous items, you will need to procure jars for storing your homemade bath salts in as well.

The good news is that the recipe to make your own bath salts is very easy to follow, almost as easy as making macaroni and cheese. What you must do first is mix a few drops of essential oil, 2 cups of salt, and 2 teaspoons of baking soda together. After you have mixed the ingredients together thoroughly, transfer it to a jar. Fasten the jar. You are now ready to enjoy a bubble bath scented with your own homemade bath salts.

Essential Oils you Must Have in Your Medicine Cabinet

admin — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 23:15:26 +0000

Today, we’re constantly bombarded with so many choices for medications. From TV commercials to drug stores, we’re left deciding upon medications for pain, diarrhea, nausea, upset stomachs, colds and flu and so on.

These medications can be expensive and why are there so many choices?

We can surely waste a lot of time in the drug store searching for the perfect remedy. Reading label after label and hoping we don’t suffer any funky side effects.

I have found that using essential oils can substitute all of my over-the-counter medications. And, I don’t fear getting any side effects.

Essential oils have been used as medicine for thousands of years. And today, the rediscovery of true, medicinal aromatherapy is affecting thousands of people in profound ways.

I feel so fortunate to have access to the healing power of essential oils. I’d be a mess without them!

Please remember not to stop any prescription medications that you are taking. You need these for your health. Always check with your primary doctor before you stop or lower your dose.

To lower a fever: Take 3 drops of Peppermint essential oil and rub it on each foot. I’ve used this remedy many times to lower fevers and it works like a charm. Especially on children. But if your child is under 2, please dilute the essential oil in a carrier oil such as an organic olive oil. 1 part essential oil to 10 parts carrier oil. Besides fevers, peppermint essential oil is also good for headaches, stuffy noses, upset stomachs, focus and concentration and taking the itch out of insect bites. A bottle of peppermint essential oil can replace as many as 6 over-the-counter medicines.

For allergy sufferers: Take 1 drop of lavender essential oil and rub it on your cheeks and under your nose. Lavender essential oil acts as an antihistamine and will help clear allergic symptoms such as stuffy noses, sneezing and watery eyes. Along with lavender essential oil being a natural antihistamine, it also has relaxing properties when it’s inhaled. And, Lavender has high anti-microbial properties that can cleanse cuts and wounds along with healing sunburn and other burns. A single bottle of lavender essential oil can replace many other medications.

For Joint Pain: Rub a few drops of an essential oil blend called PanAway on sore joints, as needed. This blend has helped me with back pain more times than I can count! PanAway essential oil blend contains; wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens), helichrysum (Helichrysum italicum), clove (Syzygium aromaticum) and peppermint (Mentha piperita.) This blend is also helpful to relieve muscle soreness associated with exercising. By using PanAway, you’re able to replace over-the-counter muscle rubs and even common pain reliever pills.

Therapeutic grade essential oils can give you the same results as common medications. What they won’t give you is the wacky side effects. A word to the wise, always use therapeutic grade essential oils when your dealing with your health and healing needs. A low quality essential oil will not offer you any therapeutic value. (c) 2008 Christa McCourt

Tips for Natural Looking Makeup

admin — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 14:05:21 +0000

We’ve all seen women who just plaster their makeup on, looking more like a mannequin than an actual person. If you would rather have a natural beauty, you don`t need to go completely bare, it`s all in how you choose and apply your makeup. Here you`ll learn a few tips to keep your face glowing and lovely without resorting to heavy handed techniques. The trick is to keep it light and to highlight just one area of your face, your eyes or your mouth.

Coverage

When it comes to concealer and foundation, many women tend to cake it on in an attempt to hide blemishes. That tends to result in the cracked face issues that occur a little later in the day. By using the following tips, you can make your face look natural while still covering up those spots and blemishes.

- Opt for tinted moisturizer, it blends and evens out the skin while moisturizing and is so thin that it`s literally unnoticeable. – For heavier coverage, use concealer chosen to blend with your skin to dot over spots and then finish the face with a tinted moisturizer for a lighter look. – Concealers with yellow undertones tend to hide blemishes best.

Eyes

Your eyes are one of the first things people notice, so the last thing you want is for them to focus on how much makeup you`re using! – For long lashes, consider using clear mascara to give them volume without adding too much. – Use foundation lightly applied to your lids for a natural boost. This also brightens the eyes and lays an even foundation for any shadow you wish to apply. – Choose eye shadows that enhance your eye color, blue or green eyes look smoking with pink or brown shadows and brown eyes work well with darker plum shades. – When using eyeliner, stay away from black and unnatural shades. Opt for brown or charcoal grey instead and blend slightly to create a natural line.

Lips

Lips don`t have to be bright to be noticeable. If you want your mouth to stand out, but still aim to look natural make up, leave your eyes simple and focus the color on your mouth.

- Avoid glittery or super glossy lipstick, which looks very made up. – To choose the appropriate color, bite your lips gently to see what color comes up. Match the lipstick color to this. – Make your color last longer with a clear lip gloss to set it. – For days when you want your eyes to be the focus, stick to just a transparent gloss for your lips and let your natural color shine.

Cheeks

Blush should give the impression that you`ve just jogged half a mile, with a natural glow spreading over the cheekbones. Be sure you choose the right colors and don`t overdo it, the attention should be drawn to your eyes or lips, not your cheekbones.

- Check your cheek color after a bit of exercise to choose the right blush. Alternatively, you can just pinch them to bring up the color, but this won`t tell you where the blush should be applied. – Apply blush in the same areas that you naturally color when exercising for a truly natural looking makeup. – Keep it light. You just want a dusting of color, nothing too obvious.

Natural looking makeup lets you look your best without making it appear that you`ve had help. People will be impressed at how fresh your face looks. Even with a very little amount of makeup, you`ll feel beautiful and ready to face the world.

Using The Grace of Essential Oils in Skin Care

admin — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 23:05:31 +0000

Using natural botanical skin care is a wonderful experience. With uplifting aromatic essential oils and other natural carrier ingredients, it is easy to nourish the skin in a very special way. While dramatic effects can sometimes be had using synthetically created products, natural botanical blends can bring about a lasting healthy glow free from the possibility of side-effects.

Simple-to-make essential oil mixtures will use some formula of aromatic oils from plants and flowers, based in a carrier oil, usually cold pressed from seeds or nuts. Balanced aromatherapy blends offer the therapeutic healing effects of essential oils and the nutritive essential fatty acids of the carriers. Creating your own mixtures is a fun, rewarding and money-saving endeavor; you need only a bottle or two for the mixing, and an eye-dropper to dispense the essential oils.

There are a few essential oils most often used in skin care recipes – you can pick and choose from among these depending on your desired results. Other essential oils may be added to enhance the aroma of your blend; many oils used to do so are also are know to relieve tension or bring about a healthy state of mind – and most natural clinicians will tell you that beauty starts from the inside-out. So make something you love the smell of that also helps your skin glow!

Some of the more important aromatherapy oils used in beauty and skin formulas for both men and women include: Helichrysum italicum – a potent skin metabolism stimulator and strong anti-inflammate (inflammation at a cellular level is associated with nearly all skin damage and premature aging). Rosemary essential oil of the Verbenone chemotype – this serves a similar function to the oil of the Helichrysum flowers, increasing skin metabolism and enhancing the removal of cellular waste material. True Lavender, or Lavendula angustifolia, is also a strong anti-inflammate and skin regenerator with a lovely relaxing aroma – it lowers tension in addition to directly treating the skin cells, furthering natural beauty. The oil distilled from the Wild Carrot seed (also known as Queen Anne’s Lace) is very regenerating, bringing life to tired, lifeless skin resulting from high-stress and toxic environments. Palmarosa is considered a ‘wonder oil’ because of it’s brilliant aroma and strong yet gentle antiseptic properties; Niaouli is another essential oil commonly recommended for the same reasons, in addition to it’s ability to tighten and firm the skin.

This includes only a few of the more commonly used essential oils in skin care formulations. Many oils not listed here have properties which can be highly effective for particular skin conditions – further investigation with the specifics of your skin type will likely uncover these for you. Of course, other oils can be added to your blends simply for their pleasing scent; Neroli and Petitgrain, distilled from the flowers and leaves of the bitter orange tree, are often included for this reason.

Essential oils, be they for direct effects on skin metabolism, or for the overall state of wellness of the user, will be diluted in a carrier oil, sometimes known as a base oil. It is important to note that diluting the oils will often actually enhance their effects; essential oils are often too strong to be used directly, and many studies have shown increased efficacy in dilutions down to 1% or less of the total formula. The carrier oils serve several other functions as well; they “carry” the essential oils into the skin, increasing their total absorption. They also nourish the middle and lower layers of the skin with essential fatty acids or EFA’s – compounds now considered critical to the health of all living tissues. Further, some carrier oils have vitamin analogs which assist in skin regeneration and repair.

Some of the carrier oils often found in skin formulations include Hazelnut, Rosehip seed, and Evening Primrose. Hazelnut is a very gentle oil with little aroma of it’s own, and being suitable for virtually all skin types, it use used in a vast number of blends as the primary carrier. To this, Rosehip seed oil is added for it’s concentration of triple-unsaturated fatty acids, and it’s natural trans-retinoic acid; a vitamin-A compound similar in effects to Retin-A without drying side effects. Evening Primrose is often also included in lower concentrations for it’s high levels of GLA or gamma-linolenic acid, and is considered important in cases of eczema and skin showing signs of premature aging.

Making your own blends with these ingredients is truly a fun and rewarding experience – you only need a bottle to mix them in, and some means of counting out drops of essential oil. An eye dropper works wonderfully, and graduated plastic pipettes are readily available. A basic blend to begin with, which is designed for overall health of the skin, is made thusly: to one ounce of Hazelnut Oil, add fifteen drops Thyme Linalool, fifteen drops Rosemary Verbenone, fifteen drops Neroli (or a high-quality Petitgrain if you prefer – it is much less expensive with many of the same properties), and fifteen drops Spike Lavender (a Lavender with strong antiseptic qualities – a little more ‘medicinal’ than the sweeter True lavender). This blend was originally formulated to clear up oily skin, but is now used to support normal skin in daily application.

For overly sensitive and damaged skin (from chemicals or other means) and for skin with weak capillaries (showing spider veins may be a symptom), start with a 5:1:1 ratio of Hazelnut, Rosehip Seed and Evening Primrose oils (3/5 ounce Hazelnut, and 1/5th each of the other oils). Add fifteen drops each of German Chamomile, Helichrysum italicum, true Lavender, and Roman Chamomile. This blend will enhance the regenerative capability of the skin through the action of the Helichrysum and Rosehip seed, provides nutrients through in the Rosehip seed and Evening Primrose, and reduces the inflammation which accompanies any type of damage and aging.

For clearing excessively oily and acne-prone skin, to one oz. of Hazelnut oil, add fifteen drops each of Myrtle essential oil (use the green, rather than red, variety), Eucalyptus Dives, Spike Lavender, and Rosemary verbenone. The Myrtle is special in that it dissolves the sebum clogging skin pores, and the Eucalyptus calms the output of the sebaceous (oil-producing) glands.

If your skin has no particular ‘condition’, but appears tired, lifeless, pallid, or ‘worn out’, try mixing one-fifth ounce of Rosehip Seed and four-fifths ounce Hazelnut oil. Then add 15 drops each of Carrot Seed essential oil (also known as Queen Anne’s Lace or Wild Carrot), Lemon verbena (which helps the skin detoxify), Niaouli (gently tightening the skin), and Rosemary verbenone – this creates an excellent restorative blend. For aging skin needing firming that can be used around the eyes – try this more gentle variety: Mix in five ounces of Hazelnut oil and one ounce of Rosehip seed oil, add fifteen drops of each of Myrtle essential oil (green), Cistus or Rock Rose and Rosemary.

These blends are tried and true combinations of essential oils (see Kurt Schnaubelt’s “Advanced Aromatherapy – the Science of Essential Oil Therapy”). They will help get you started into the wonderful world of natural health and beauty. There is a blend here that can suit the needs of nearly every individual; yet there are no hard and fast rules. You can blend oils to your own tastes and needs, just keep in mind that more is not usually better in natural medicine and therapeutics – a balance is important. Most essential oils work best at concentrations below 5% of the total blend in a carrier. For best results, once you begin to experiment, allow your intuition to lead you to the oils and combinations that work best for you.

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