Archive for ‘Aromatherapy’

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June 6, 2013

Do Not Use Peppermint Essential Oil in the Bath

Caution when using peppermint essential oil, it is a medium strength remedy.

Do not use with children under the age of two, peppermint is so relaxing it may cause passageways to collapse.

Do not use peppermint essential oil in the bath it may cause hypothermia because it lowers body temperature.

Do not use when breastfeeding unless it is to dry up milk production.

Do not store peppermint essential oil with homeopathic remedies it is really strong.

It is good to use peppermint essential oil to cool hot conditions as long as it is not accompanied by dryness or irritation.

COMMON NAME PEPPERMINT
Latin Name Mentha x piperita
Family Lamiaceae
Country of Origin North America, France, England
Volatility Top/middle note
Extraction steam distilled from leaves and flowers
Colour pale yellow to colourless
Aroma light, sharp, refreshing, a bit pungent, strong
Caution Contraindications Medium strength: Do not use with epilepsy, convulsions, during pregnancy, dry conditions, gastric hyperacidity or with children under the age of two. Do not use if breastfeeding. Do not store with homeopathic remedies. Use in low concentration, may cause skin irritation. Do not use in a bath, it may cause hypothermia.
Primary Uses Digestion: Fortifies liver, stomach, and intestines. Stomach upset, gastritis, indigestion, nausea, colitis, Crohn’s, relaxing digestive, infection, inflammation, spasms

Respiratory: infections, bronchitis, sinusitis, cooling, colds, flu, coughs nasal catarrh, pain,

Nervous: migraines, headaches, stress tension, itching,

Muscular: relaxes smooth muscle, arthritis, neuralgia, aches and pain, sciatica, bruises,
Properties Analgesic, antiallergenic, antibacterial, anticatarrhal, anticonvulsant, antidepressant, anti-emetic, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, anti-galactagogue, antiseptic, antispasmodic (digestive, general, respiratory), antiviral, anxiolytic, appetite stimulant, carminative, cholagogue, choleretic, decongestant, diaphoretic, relaxing expectorant, febrifuge, nervine relaxant, stomachic, tonic tranquilizer, vasodilator, vulnerary,
Constituents Essential Oil: 2%Ketone: menthone,Aldehydes: Esters: methyl acetate,Monoterpene alcohol: Menthol 30%,

Oxide: 1, 8 cineole

Monoterpenes: menthene, phellandrene, azulene, limonene, pinene

 

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June 6, 2013

Healing Properties of Peppermint Herb

Peppermint

Peppermint

Peppermint is best known for its beneficial effects on the digestive system and strengthening action on the stomach and liver.

It calms and relaxes smooth muscles and eases stomach pain, indigestion and nausea.

Its analgesic properties bring pain relief to headaches and all kinds of cramps.

Peppermint is widely used as a flavouring agent in food and cosmetics like shampoo.

Peppermint is a hybrid perennial herb which grows up to 30-90 cm tall. The stems are erect and square-shaped like most mint plants, and it has creeping root stocks called ‘stolons’ that grow rapidly. The leaves are sharply toothed, pointed, and in midsummer dense clusters of tiny pink-purple flowers appear. Mints prefer moist shade with partial sun.

It is invasive and spreads quickly so it is best grown in pots if you don’t want it taking over.

Common Name

Peppermint herb

 
Latin Name

 Mentha x piperita
Family Lamiaceae(Mint Family)
Parts Used Perennial- herb picked all season
Target Organs Digestion, Nervous System, Liver/gallbladder, Stomach, Respiratory, Muscular
Common Uses Digestion: Fortifies liver, stomach, and intestines. Stomach upset, gastritis, indigestion, nausea, colitis, Crohn’s, relaxing digestive, infection, inflammation

Respiratory: infections, bronchitis, sinusitis, cooling, colds, flu, coughs, nasal catarrh, pain,

Nervous: migraines, headaches, stress tension, itching,

Muscular: relaxes smooth muscle, arthritis, neuralgia, aches and pain, sciatica, bruises, inflammation
Properties Analgesic, antiallergenic, antibacterial, anticatarrhal, anticonvulsant, antidepressant, anti-emetic, antifungal, anti-inflammatory (local, systemic), antiseptic, anti-galactagogue antispasmodic (digestive, general, respiratory), antiviral, anxiolytic, appetite stimulant, carminative, cholagogue, choleretic, decongestant, diaphoretic, relaxing expectorant, febrifuge, nervine relaxant, stomachic, tonic tranquilizer, vasodilator, vulnerary.

 
Constituents Essential Oil: 2%

Monoterpene alcohol: Menthol 30-70%,

Ketone: menthone,

Aldehydes:

Esters: methyl acetate,

Oxide: 1, 8 cineole

Monoterpenes: menthene, phellandrene, azulene, limonene, pinene

Other: tannins, bitter
Cautions Medium strength: Do not use with epilepsy, convulsions, during pregnancy, breastfeeding, dry conditions, gastric hyperacidity or with children under the age of two. Older children, seniors take breaks. Essential oil: Do not store with homeopathic remedies. Do not use in a bath, it may cause hypothermia.
Dosage Tincture: 1-4ml

Tea: 1-2 tsp. infuse 10-15 minutes

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June 6, 2013

DIY Aromatherapy Bug Repellent

I don’t like using products with DEET or other pesticides as a bug repellent because of health concerns.

It is easy and inexpensive to make your own natural insect repellents because there are some essential oils that are effective bug repellents.

Citronella grass

Citronella grass

Citronella is the most popular in its research to ward off mosquitoes, but other essential oils are just as good if not better.

Citronella will work for over half an hour but needs to be applied often. I dislike the smell of citronella so it is not overpowering in my blends.

Other essential oils like eucalyptus give over an hour and a half of protection but needs to be applied often depending on conditions.

Neem oil doesn’t deter bugs like eucalyptus and geranium, but it is a toxin and once ingested it will confuse bugs, making them fly away and even forget to reproduce and eat.

Essential oils for Bug Repellent:

Citronella, Lemongrass, Lemon eucalyptus, Eucalyptus,

All varieties of geranium, lavender, mints,

Use rosemary, tea tree, cinnamon, clove and citronella sparingly in the blend.

Use neem for pest control.

All varieties of basil also help to repel flies.

*Citronella and lemongrass come from the Latin Genus Cymbopogon which is a grass family with several lemon smelling species that are all used in similar ways, so go by the Latin name to be sure what you are getting. Citronella has reddish stems while Lemongrass has greenish pseudo stems which is good to know for cooking and other uses.

There is a variety of mediums to mix the essential oils in depending on what you want. I  use a carrier oil and put it directly on my skin.  Also I use a witch hazel water spray to spray on clothing and other surroundings. Essential oils do not mix well in water so add another medium like vodka, witch hazel, vinegar or use carrier oil.

ESSENTIAL OIL BUG REPELLENT RECIPE

Use 40% witch hazel or ethyl alcohol or vodka 40 ml

Mix in 60% distilled water 60 ml

For every  100 ml use 50 drops of your choice of essential oil

Put in sprayer bottle and spray on area

ESSENTIAL OIL BUG REPELLENT RECIPE

For every 100 ml of carrier oil of your choice

mix 50 drops of your choices of essential oil

Carrier oils: soybean oil, jojoba, castor oil, raw sesame, olive oil, your choice

Castor oil is very thick and needs another carrier oil to thin it but provides a skin like protection barrier. Mosquitoes also don’t seem to bite when the skin is wet.

Put oil directly on exposed skin.

Wild catnip

Wild catnip

USING HERBS:

Use either fresh or dried herbs stewed in a mix of water / vinegar or water / alcohol.  This is particularly good for stinky smelling herbs like catnip, which is too smelly to use as an essential oil but is really effective at getting rid of bugs, and everyone else for that matter! I would only use it going into the deep brush at bug time. Use with the other recipe.

TREATING BUG BITES:

If you do get bitten put a mix of baking soda which will neutralize the acid of the bite and mix it with lavender, peppermint or tea tree essential oil as an antiseptic and to help bring down inflammation and swelling. Mixing the oils with witch hazel or adding it too helps.

Caution is advised when using essential oils with children and pregnant and nursing women.

DIY MOSQUITO TRAP

Here is to make an easy, natural, inexpensive mosquito trap and put it far away from your seating areas.

http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf22399231.tip.html

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June 4, 2013

Different Types Of Lilac Bushes

image

I love the way Lilac shrubs/bushes/trees perfume the air in springtime. Come and sit in the garden and smell the fresh scent of lilacs blooming.

This Lilac is blooming now and the smell is really strong attracting humming bees and hummingbird moths.

This lilac bush blooms later and has smaller flowers, but it has a larger fragrance.

This lilac bush blooms later and has smaller flowers, but it has a larger fragrance.

imageOther than purple and white solid colours I love this striped variety of Lilac like this Syringa vulgaris L.

Enjoy the fragrance while it lasts.

Enjoy the fragrance while it lasts.

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April 12, 2013

How to Treat a Bee, Ant, Wasp Sting Naturally

Treating Ant, Bee, Wasp Stings Naturally 

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Remove stinger if present. Baking soda neutralizes the formic acid of the sting. An acid and a base neutralize and balance each other. Formic acid is present in bee, wasp stings and ant bites and stinging nettle stings.

Peppermint essential oil will help ease pain and inflammation while providing antiseptic action along with baking soda to balance the ph level. Lavender and tea tree essential oil work well too.

Recipe:

Mix 2 drops of Peppermint, or Tea tree, Lavender essential oil

with 1 tablespoon of baking soda and enough water or witch hazel to form a paste.

You can add a bit of white clay if available, it help absorbs toxicity.

***If a bee sting allergy is present go to a hospital immediately, anaphylactic shock can be fatal.

Ants usually bite and don’t leave a stinger like a bee or wasp does, but if it does leave a stinger in, remove it as fast as you can no matter how! And then treat it with this baking soda recipe as fast as you can. It is important to remain calm. Put baking soda on right away while creating essential oil baking soda paste.

bee copy

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April 11, 2013

Using Essential Oils in the Laundry

Use essential oils to deodorize, disinfect and make your laundry smell superfresh naturally.

trees 031

In the Washer:

Add essential oils to eco-friendly liquid or powder laundry soap. Alternatively you can make your own laundry detergent with soapwort and herbs.

Always use phosphate free laundry detergent it is better for you and the environment.

Place 5-10 drops of essential oil of your choice in ¼ cup of laundry detergent. 

Add it to your wash in cold water.

Use Borax or Hydrogen peroxide (H202) for stains, they brighten and whiten naturally. Add ½ cup of borax to boost laundry detergents cleaning power. Borax is found in the laundry aisle in the supermarket. 

In the Dryer:

Add a few drops to fabric dryer cloths, or an old facecloth or natural cloth that you can use over and over, and add it to your clothes dryer.

If you want your laundry to smell like the essential oils, put more drops on the cloth right before the end of the cycle.

Excerpt from my e-book Essential Oils and the Five Elements

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April 10, 2013

DIY Aromatherapy Bath Recipes

wild rose hearts

 

Aromatherapy Bath Recipe:

Mix together

½ cup baking soda,

1 cup Epsom salts,

½ sea salt, Dead sea salt or Himalayan salt 

5-10 drops of essential oil

Good for sore muscles, aches, pain and stress

Good essential oil combinations:

Black spruce and Lavender

Frankincense and Mandarin

Add ½-1 cup of mixture to each bath. Relax and enjoy!

Epsom salts increase magnesium levels in the body, which relaxes muscles,   removes lactic and uric acid, and decreases pain and spasms.

Himalayan and Dead Sea salts are for heavy detoxification, fluid balance, and treating infections and skin conditions. ***If you take a salt bath rinse off afterwards.

Baking soda helps prevent the toxins from re-absorbing.

Use this mixture as a body scrub if no bathtub is available.

Foot and Hand baths:  Soak hands or feet in essential oils with medium of your choice. Good to do if you have no bathtub.

Clay bath: Mix ¼- ½ cup of clay with 5-10 drops of essential oils.

lav doc

Directions:

First draw the bath to the ideal temperature. Close windows and doors.

Mix essential oils with the medium of your choice like Epsom salts, himalayan or sea salt, baking soda, clay or any type of milk or oil and put in the bath.

Caution with Essential Oils in the Bath

Do not use essential oils undiluted in the bath, they will float on top of the water because they are not water-soluble, and may cause skin irritation. Dilute 5-7 drops of essential oil in a medium such as carrier oil, bath gel, clay, nutmilk, baking soda, Epsom or bath salts.

Caution: When using carrier oil in the tub it becomes very slippery so make sure you don’t slip and fall. Clean the tub after each use or a greasy ring will build-up when using carrier oil.

Excerpt taken from my ebook Essential Oils and the Five Elements

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February 12, 2013

Ginger

Ginger is such a staple at my house, especially in the colder months because of its warming capabilities. I cook with it, make tea, use the tincture and essential oil. Ginger essential oil is the best anti-nausea remedy for travel sickness and upset stomach. I always travel with ginger essential oil especially if I’m travelling by boat. I mix it with peppermint essential oil to balance the heat with the cooling of the peppermint which is a great anti-nausea in its own right. It is my favourite combination for travel.

Ginger is very popular in many culinary arts and is also used medicinally as a warming stimulant to treat all kinds of digestive and respiratory complaints. It treats colds, digestive upset, soothes the stomach and is especially good for cold conditions like chills, colds, flu, and poor circulation.

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Common Name

 

 Ginger rhizome
Latin Name

 

 Zingiber officinale
Family Zingiberaceae
Parts Used Perennial – rhizome
Target Organs circulatory, cardiovascular, digestion, liver, stomach, spleen, pancreas, reproductive
Common Uses Digestion: stimulates appetite, relieves cramps, indigestion, ulcers, constipation/diarrhoea, liver congestion, motion/travel sickness, nausea, heartburn, gas

Circulation: warming, stimulating,

Cardiovascular: regulates blood pressure,

Respiratory  Immune: fever, flu, colds,

arthritis, fatigue

 
Properties Antiemetic, anticonvulsant, antifungal, antihepatotoxic, anti-inflammatory(local, systemic) antioxidant, antirheumatic, antispasmodic(digestive) antithrombotic, antiulcerogenic, aperient, appetite stimulant, blood pressure normaliser, cardiac, warming carminative, cholagogue, circulatory stimulant, diaphoretic, stimulating expectorant, febrifuge, hypocholesterolemic, hypolipidemic, immune stimulant, nervine, pancreatic, rubefacient, stomachic, neural peripheral vasodilator, hot stimulant,
Constituents Sesquiterpene: camphene -50% bisabolene,

Monoterpenes: zingiberene 20-30% pinene, limonene, phellandrene,

Monoterpene alcohols: >.5% gingerol, gingerone, zingebernol,

Sesquiterpene alcohols:
Cautions mild remedy: Hot stimulant
Dosage Tincture: 5-10% in formulations

Tea: 2 tsp. Grated fresh steep 10 min

Essential Oil

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January 27, 2013

Myrrh Essential Oil

Myrrh is a small thorny species of trees that grows in dry stony soil. The gum is yellow to opaque and gets white streaks in it with age. It is best known for its wound healing properties.

Myrrh resin along with Frankincense tree resin was one of the gifts the three wise men brought to the Baby Jesus according to the Bible in Matthew 2:11. In Egypt it was commonly used in embalming practices.

The Greek physician, Claudios Galenos, known as Galen for short, used myrrh to heal the wounds of gladiators in ancient Greco-Rome.  Galen was the father of medicinal reductionism. All gladiators carried a pouch of myrrh paste into battle with them. Place bottle of essential oil myrrh into hot, warm water to liquefy before use because it is quite thick. Do not take myrrh essential oil internally. Never take resin essential oils internally.

COMMON NAME  

 MYRRH

 
Latin Name Commiphora myrrha
Family Burseraceae(Torchwood Family)
Country of Origin N. Africa, Middle East, N. India, Egypt
Volatility Base /middle note
Extraction solvent extracted from dried resin

 
Colour red, dark brown amber viscous liquid, like molasses

 
Aroma heavy, smoky, slightly bitter, drying,
Caution Contraindications Do not use during pregnancy. Do not consume resins or solvent extractions internally.
Primary Uses Place bottle of myrrh into hot, warm water to liquefy before use.

 

Skin: wounds, cuts, scrapes, eczema, dermatitis, stops bleeding, athlete’s foot, bedsores, boils,

 

Immune tonic

 

Meditation, healing work

 
Properties anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antimicrobial, antifungal, antibacterial, astringent, balsamic, carminative, disinfectant, diuretic, emmenagogue, cooling, expectorant, haemostatic, immune stimulant,  stomachic, tonic, vulnerary

 
Constituents Monoterpenes: pinene, dipentene, cadinene, limonene, caryophyllene,

 

Phenylpropanoids: eugenol

 

Aldehyde: Cinnamaldehyde

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January 23, 2013

Tea Tree Essential Oil

The aborigines in Australia used the crushed ‘Tea Tree’ leaves as a tea infusion to treat coughs and colds, and externally to poultice wounds. The aroma is strong, medicinal and powerful.

T Tree webApply Tea tree  ‘neat,’ which means put it directly on to the skin without diluting it, which makes it ideal to treat wounds and cuts with its astringent and antimicrobial properties. Mix 50/50 with Lavender essential oil for burns and wounds and it is mild enough to use with children.

COMMON NAME TEA-TREE aka Ti-tree 
Latin Name Melaleuca alternifolia
Family Myrtaceae
Country of Origin Australia
Volatility Top note
Extraction steam distilled from the tree leaves
Colour pale yellow to colourless
Aroma strong, pungent, camphor, medicinal
Caution Contraindications Do not use during pregnancy and on babies under three. May cause skin irritations, always patch test first.  
Primary Uses Powerful disinfectant.It can be applied ‘neat’ (undiluted)

 

Skin: mouth rinse for gum and canker sores, thrush, cold sores, foot fungus, oily skin, acne, dandruff, athlete’s foot, lice, wounds, infections, warts

Respiratory: bronchitis, coughs, sinusitis, ear, nose, throat infections, colds, flu, strep throat, cold sores

Stimulates circulation and lymphatic system

 

Insect repellent
Properties Antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, powerful antiseptic, antifungal, antiviral, antibacterial, anti-depressant, antiparasitic, astringent, circulatory stimulant, lymphatic, stimulating expectorant, stimulant, immune tonic, insecticide, vulnerary 
Constituents Monoterpenes: Terpinenes,a + y-terpinene,

terpinen-4-ol(most antimicrobial activity), a- terpinolene, a-pinene, p-cymene

Monoterpene alcohol:

a-terpinol;

 

Oxides: 1, 8 cineole,

aka Eucalyptol

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