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Top Six Essential Oils and their Beneficial Properties

January 3rd, 2009    Subscribe To Our Feed

Probably the most popular essential oil is lavender. lavender has many of the versatile qualities of tea tree oil and of mint oils while also being perhaps the most pleasant-smelling essential oil. What this means is that it’s doubly popular; anything that is effective, but also smells or taste wonderful, is going to win out over something that is effective but has an unpleasant smell or taste. lavender is used for relaxation, for antibacterial properties for insect bites and for keeping the home fresh, especially for room sprays and for linens.

tea tree oil is another of the top six oils. tea tree oil is easily the most versatile oil when it comes to having a wide variety of uses, but it also has a somewhat unpleasant smell in its undiluted form, making this oil second to lavender essential oil. tea tree oil can be used for anything from repelling insects to treating gout. It can also be used for decongestion purposes and can be used to clean out wounds because it has ant-fungal and anti-bacterial properties. tea tree oil is extremely potent and should always be used with caution for the first few times that you use it in order to make sure that you are not allergic to it or that someone in your house is not.

Other popular essential oils come from the mint family. Arguably, peppermint is the most commonly sold essential mint oil although there are many other varieties of mint that are used for similar properties. peppermint is used most notably for relaxation, both physical and mental and can also be used to calm the stomach (although doctors do not generally recommend that essential oils be ingested). Some people even use mint essential oils as a breath freshener, a drop being the equivalent of chewing gum for an hour. Do this with caution though as it can produce a burning sensation and will undoubtedly make your eyes water with its potency.

jasmine also is a hallmark of the top lists of essential oils. This potent flower is most commonly used as an anti-depressant scent. jasmine also has many properties that make it a very useful essential oil for women who are pregnant or post-partem; women who’ve recently delivered a baby find jasmine to be very helpful in relieving symptoms of depression and generally feelings of being overwhelmed. Experience practitioners may use jasmine to intensify labor contractions during childbirth.

chamomile tops the list of calming essential oils, although the above-listed lavender comes in at a close second. Many who find lavender to be too strongly scented use chamomile. Another benefit chamomile has over lavender is that chamomile is considered safe for ingestion, and indeed chamomile absolutely tops the herbal teas section of any store because it has a calming, sedative effective, and, in addition, it is very effective against indigestion—and gentler than mint essential oils used for the same reason. chamomile can also be used to relieve premenstrual symptoms and is effective, for some people, for the treatment of acne and other skin abnormalities.

rose essential oil is one commonly overlooked, but that’s a real shame because its benefits are many. rose is known to have slight effects on many varied complaints, ranging from reduced libido to sore throat. In a nutshell, rose can do almost anything, but in a gentle way that makes the experience a much nicer one, especially for those of you new to the fabulous world of essential oils. Best to start with the gentle before heading on the graduate level of essential oils like tea tree.

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

Aromatherapy Aromatic Hand Soap

November 23rd, 2007    Subscribe To Our Feed

For this you will need One 4-ounce bottle of high quality liquid castile soap
40 drops of up to four essential oils of your choice (see suggestions below)

Combine soap and essential oils in an old lotion or hand soap pump bottle. Add a pump or two of soap to a moistened nail brush and work up a good lather, then rinse thoroughly. Push the cuticle back gently with a hand towel. This is a high concentration of oils, but it is necessary to disinfect and much of it is actually washed down the drain with the dirt and grime.

Suggested Oils: lemon, lavender, Juniper, rosemary, Eucalyptus, Pine, bergamot, Sweet Orange, Grapefruit, Tea Tree, and Clary Sage.If you want to learn more about Aromatherapy I would suggest you have a look at Learn the Power of Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy Diffusers

October 27th, 2007    Subscribe To Our Feed

Have you scented those exotic aromas of essential oils emanating from a wall diffuser? Essential oils emanate a subtle fume of aroma, when diffused slowly over a period of time. Diffusion of aromatic aroma brings a whiff of freshness in to your room, like a fresh forest wind. Diffusion is the process of dispersing essential oils so that their aroma fills a room or an area with the natural fragrance. From the simple to the detailed, many different methods exist for diffusing components oils into your room. Three easy methods exist which can be carried out with equipments you have in your household. Plus, there are numerous diffusers and diffusing devices available from aromatherapy vendors.

The essential advantages of using diffusers are:
1.The complex but unstable aromas of your favorite oil can be diffused slowly over a period of time.

2.You can use any type of oil for diffusing their aromatic fumes.

3.On diffusion, the oil gives out aroma in a calculated manner, from the unstable high note to more stable low note.

4.You can feel progressive onset of different stages of aromas.
You can methods that are simple and can be done in your home itself:

Simple Tissue Diffusion: Drop 3-4 drops of essential oil on a tissue and place it near you. As movement occurs in the room, you will notice the distinct aroma. This method can be used anywhere, how ever this method does not emit much aroma into a room.

Steam Diffusion: Make boil 2 cups of water. Pour the water into a bowl and add up to 10 drops of oil to the water. Use fewer drops if you are allergic. The steam will heat up the oils and cause them to evaporate quickly into the room. This method will quickly diffuse the oil into a room and the aroma is not exceptionally long-lasting and it is highly unstable.

Candle Diffusion: Light a candle and allow it to burn for about 5 minutes. Put off the flame and place 1 drop of essential oil in the melted wax and then relight the candle. As essential oils are highly flammable please be very careful. The aroma is short lived.
Apart from these home made methods, several diffusers are available among many vendors. Decide on what you need to buy, what oils to be used and how much will need to be paid. Here are some of the diffusers that are available in the market today:

Lamp Rings: Lamp rings are in essence a terra-cotta ring that sets directly and correctly onto a light bulb. It has a deep grooved lip that wraps around it. This lip holds essential oil. The heat from a light bulb heats the essential oil in the Lamp Ring and the oil is then gently diffused into the room. Lamp Rings are usually inexpensive. If any essential oil seeps onto the light bulb, the light bulb could burst. Some of the essential compounds might get altered chemically.

Clay Pot Diffusers: A clay pot diffuser contains an opening for adding essential oils. A cork is used to close the opening. The oils permeate through the pot and then diffuse out into the room. The intensity of the aroma depends on the quantity of essential oil that is added to the clay pot. Clay pot diffusers are inexpensive, easy to use, and do not require electricity or batteries. The aroma is strongest in the initial stages and later it dissipates as time passes.

Candle Diffusers: A candle diffuser is a diffuser that uses a small tea light or other candle to gently heat the essential oil to promote diffusion into a room. A candle diffuser is usually made of ceramic or metal. The diffuser has an opening for a candle and a little container for storing essential oil. Candle diffusers are inexpensive, depending on the style and design. Candle diffusers do not require electricity or batteries. There may be a certain loss of essential compounds as the heat will destroy them very gradually.

Fan Diffusers: A fan diffuser uses a fan to blow the essential oils into the air. To use a fan diffuser, essential oils are placed on an absorbent pad or into a tray. The pad or tray is placed into the unit and then the power switched on. The fan then blows air across this pad or tray and transports the aroma throughout the room. Fan diffusers are available in a different brands and styles. Based on the brand and model, they can fragrance a large area. Fan diffusers are very easy to use and are portable. Some times you will need to buy the pad and often these units create some noise.

Electric Heat Diffusers: Like fan diffuser, heat diffusers use heat and a fan to gently heat the oil and disperse the aroma into a room. Electric heat diffusers will disperse aromas over larger areas, depending on the brand and style. They can also help to more efficiently disperse the aromas of thicker oils such as sandalwood and Patchouli. Some of the components of essential oil may get lost during heating.

Nebulizers: A nebulizer is a device that takes essential oils and breaks them into separate molecules before dispersing the smaller molecules into the room. A nebulizer is a small device consisting of two main parts: a plastic base that contains the motor and a very unusual, clear blown-glass looking device that holds and “nebulizes” the oils. It is said that nebulizers can supply greater therapeutic benefit than the use of other diffusers because they break the oils down into smaller molecules. The glass piece is highly breakable and expensive to replace. Some essential oils can not be used with nebulizers as they can clog the opening.

You can pick up any of these diffusers available in the market; but rest assured of their action and get ready to experience the exotic aromas swirling around you, like mists of magic.If your interested in learning more about Aromatherapy have a look at Learn the Power of Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy for Footbaths

October 20th, 2007    Subscribe To Our Feed

Foot baths are especially helpful in treating tired, aching feet, cases of ingrown toe nails, foot fungus problems such as athlete’s foot or ringworm, injuries or sprains.

Foot bath blends usually contain 8 to 10 drops of essential oils to 2 gallons of warm water. One cup of Epsom or sea salts can be added as well.If you want to learn more about Aromatherapy I would suggest you 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.

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