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Aromatherapy Essential Oils

May 1st, 2008    Subscribe To Our Feed

Here is a quick rundown of Aromatherapy Oils that should give you a quick introduction to the benefits of each aromatherapy oil. They are is no particular order, and they should have a link to an article with more information, if not I am working on it.

chamomille : calming
Useful for premenstrual pain/tension, indigestion, mildly antiallergenic, rhinitis, acne, eczema, and other sensitive skin conditions.

Eucalyptus : antiseptic
Useful for coughs and colds, bronchitis, viral infections, muscular aches, rheumatic conditions.

geranium : mildly astringent
Useful for cuts, sores, fungal infections, as an insect repellant, soothing skin problems, eczema, bruises, mildly diuretic, anti-depressant.

jasmine : antidepressant
Useful for depression, postnatal depression, strengthening contractions during labor, aphrodisiac

lavender : mildly analgesic
Useful for headaches, wounds, bruises, antiseptic, insect bites, oily skin, acne, swelling, calming insomnia, mild depression.

marjoram : Mildly analgesic
Useful for menstrual pain, headache, sore throat, mildly sedative, insomnia, warming, improving circulation, acne.

neroli : Mildly sedative
Useful for insomnia, anxiety, nervous depression, mildly warming, improving circulation, acne, premenstrual tension/pain, backache.

rose : mildly analgesic
Useful for sore throat and sinus, congestion, puffiness, mildly sedative, insomnia, premenstrual tension/pain, menopause, reduced libido.

rosemary : Mild Stimulant
Useful for physical and mental fatigue, forgetfulness, respiratory problems, asthma, rheumatic aches and pains.

sandalwood : Mildly Antiseptic
Useful for dry, cracked, or chapped skin, acne, calming relaxation during meditation, aphrodisiac

angelica : Invigorating
Useful for premenstrual pain/tension, indigestion, blood purification and reducing inflammation

bay : Anti inflammatory
Useful for Dandruff, hair care, neuralgia, oily skin, poor circulation, sprains.

bergamot : Mildly antidepressant
Acne, abscesses, anxiety, boils, cold sores, cystitis, depression, halitosis, itching, loss of appetite

lemon Verbena : Mildly digestive
An excellent digestive, tonic, bath perfume and sedative

mint : Mild Digestive and antiseptic
Digestive, anti-spasmodic and antiseptic properties, mouth rinsing.

myrrh : antiseptic, anti-microbial
It helps to clear ailments such as colds, catarrh, coughs, sore throats and bronchitis

peppermint : Antiseptic and ant flatulent
Useful for Asthma, colic, exhaustion, fever, flatulence, headache, nausea, scabies

Sage :A nti oxidant and anti microbial
Useful for fever, headache, sore throat, mildly sedative, insomnia, warming, improving circulation.

vanilla : Aphrodisiac
Useful for food industries and as an aphrodisiac.

ylang ylang : Mildly sedative and Calming
Useful for insomnia, anxiety, nervous depression, mildly warming, reducing heart beat

If your interested in learning more about Aromatherapy have a look at Learn the Power of Aromatherapy

Essential Oils

July 11th, 2007    Subscribe To Our Feed

Essential oils are distilled from plant leaves, flowers, roots, seeds, bark and resins, or are expressed from the rinds of citrus fruits. It generally takes at least 50 pounds of plant material to make one pound of essential oil (for example, a pound of rosemary oil requires sixty-six pounds of herb), but the ratio is sometimes astonishing - it takes 2,300 pounds of rose flowers to make a single pound of oil!

Because they contain no fatty acids, essential oils are not susceptible to rancidity like vegetable oils - but protect them from the degenerative effects of heat, light and air, store them in tightly sealed, dark glass bottles away from any heat source. Properly stored oils can maintain their quality for years. (citrus oils are less stable and should not be stored longer than six months after opening.

ESSENTIAL OIL TIPS
1. Always read and follow all label warnings and cautions.

2. Keep oils tightly closed and out of the reach of children.

3. Never consume undiluted oils. Cook only with those oils approved for
food use.

4. Don’t use undiluted oils on your skin. (Dilute with carrier oil).

5. Skin test oils before using. Dilute a small amount and apply to the
skin on your inner arm. Do not use if redness or irritation occurs.

6. Keep oils away from eyes and mucous membranes.

7. If redness, burning, itching, or irritation occurs, stop using oil
immediately.

8. Avoid use of these oils during pregnancy: bitter almond; basil; clary
sage; clove bud; hyssop; sweet fennel; juniper berry; marjoram;
myrrh; peppermint; rose; rosemary; sage; thyme; and wintergreen.

9. These oils can be especially irritating to the skin: allspice; bitter
almond; basil; cinnamon leaf; cinnamon bark; clove bud; sweet
fennel; fir needle; lemon; lemongrass; Melissa; peppermint; tea tree;
wintergreen. In addition, angelica and all citrus oils make the skin
more sensitive to ultraviolet light. Do not go out into the sun with
these oils on your skin.

10.Sweet Fennel, hyssop, sage and rosemary should not be used by
anyone with epilepsy. People with high blood pressure should avoid
hyssop, rosemary, sage and thyme.

11.For someone who tends to be highly allergic, here is a simple test to
use to help determine if he/she is sensitive to particular oil. First,
rub a drop of carrier oil onto the upper chest. In 12 hours, check for
redness or other skin irritation. If the skin remains clear, place 1
drop of selected essential oil in 15 drops of the same carrier oil, and
again rub into the upper chest. If no skin reaction appears after 12
hours, it’s probably safe to use the carriers and the essential oil.

12.After applying citrus oils to the skin, avoid exposure to sunlight, since the oils may burn the skin.

13.When spilled on furniture, many essential oils will remove the finish. It’s best to be careful when handling the bottles.

14.Don’t buy perfume oils thinking they are the same thing as essential
oils. Perfume oils do not offer the therapeutic benefits of essential
68 oils. Even if you only intend on using aromatherapy in your lifestyle
for the sheer enjoyment of the aroma, essential oils that are breathed
in can offer therapeutic benefits. These benefits do not occur with the
use of perfume oils.

15.Don’t buy essential oils with rubber glass dropper tops. Essential oils are very concentrated and will turn the rubber to a gum thus ruining the oil.

16.It is also helpful to note the country of origin for the oil. Most good essential oil sellers will readily supply the botanical names and
country of origin for the oils that they sell. When comparing one
company’s oils with another’s, also pay attention to if either
company’s oils are organic, wild-crafted or ethically farmed.

17.It is wise not to purchase oils from vendors at street fairs, craft
shows, or other limited-time events. Some vendors know beginners
have no recourse against them later. This is not to say that there are
not highly reputable sellers at such events, but this is a caution for
beginners who are not able to reliably judge quality.

18.Be selective of where you purchase your essential oils. The quality of essential oils varies widely from company to company. Additionally,
some companies may falsely claim that their oils are undiluted or
pure when they aren’t.

19.If essential oil is ingested, rinse mouth out with milk, and then drink a large glass of milk. Seek medical advice immediately. If essential oil gets into eyes, flush with large quantity of water immediately.
Seek medical advice immediately. If essential oils are splashed onto skin and irritation results, apply carrier oil to the area to dilute.