Aromatherapy Essential Oils

New Aromatherapy Essential Oils Website

2012-05-11T06:01:00.000-07:00

I'm in the process of retiring this blog and moving all the information to a new website. As information in a post gets moved, I'll update the post with a link to the new page on the new site. If you've been following this blog, thank you. And, I invite you to head over to the new Aromatherapy Essential Oils site and start following it. As I move information, I'm also updating it and, often, adding new information.

Essential Oils for Panic Attacks

2012-04-06T06:01:00.000-07:00

While essential oils for panic attacks are not a cure, they may help you manage or stop panic attacks. If you feel a panic attack coming on, aromatherapist Valerie Ann Worwood in The Fragrant Mind recommends applying undiluted lavender essential oil to your neck and chest.

Later, to help you relax more, take a warm bath with 8 drops of lavender. Or, blend 5 drops lavender with a teaspoon of carrier oil and massage your neck, shoulders, and abdomen.

If you are prone to panic attacks, Worwood recommends this panic attack calming blend:

10 drops lavender
10 drops helichrysum
5 drops frankincense
5 drops marjoram

You can blend these essential oils in a small, dark bottle and keep it with you to use when you feel panic attack symptoms. You can also use a few drops in a bath or make a massage oil.

If you prefer not to carry a bottle of oil, another option is using an aromatherapy inhaler. An inhaler is about the size of a tube of lipstick and contains a cotton wick. You apply essential oils to the wick, and put the cap on the inhaler. When you need it, take off the cap and sniff.

Other Aromatherapy for Panic Attacks

Other blends of essential oils for panic attacks you can try:

2 drops helichrysum + 3 drops frankincense
1 drop rose + 4 drops lavender
1 drop neroli + 4 drops lavender
1 drops rose + 4 drops frankincense

You can:

Make a massage oil blend by adding your preferred essential oil blend to 1/2 ounce carrier oil.
Make a room spray by doubling the number of drops and mixing with 1.5 ounces distilled water in a clean spray bottle.
Diffuse the blend using an aromatherapy diffuser.

Other essential oils sometimes recommended for panic attacks are:

bergamot
Roman chamomile
marjoram
rosemary
sandalwood
ylang ylang

You can experiment to find the oils that work best for you. Also, get more information about other panic attack treatments.

Aromatherapy for Migraine Headaches

2012-04-03T15:39:00.000-07:00

I'm in the process of moving the content from this blog to my new website. The information from this post has moved to Aromatherapy for Migraine Headaches.

What are Aromatherapy Hydrosols and How Do You Use These Plant Waters?

2012-03-16T05:42:00.000-07:00

Hydrosols are scented waters produced in the process of distilling plant material to produce essential oils. Also, some distillers focus just on producing hydrosols, without producing essential oils.

18th Century Rose Water Sprinkler from India, Haa900/Wikimedia [CC0]

Other names for hydrosols are hydrolates, hydrolats, plant waters, or distillates. They are also sometimes called floral waters or flower waters, but that's not really accurate, as many essential oils and their associated distillates are made from parts of a plant other than the flowers.

Distillates have some of the same benefits as essential oils but are gentler and can sometimes be used when essential oils can't. Possibly the most definite book available on this topic is Suzanne Catty's Hydrosols: The Next Aromatherapy.

Quality of Hydrosols

Just as you want to use therapeutic-grade essential oils for maximum benefit, you also want to use therpeutic-grade hydrosols. Plant waters are more easily contaminated in the production and shipping process than essential oils, so finding reputable suppliers is important.

Plant waters are also more fragile than essential oils and don't last as long. Storing the waters in a dark, cool place will prolong their life. Although some plant waters contain preservatives, purists believe it's better not to use preservatives.

Another important thing to know is that mixing essential oils and water together does not create a hydrosol. Hydrosols are created only during the distillation process. So, if you are looking at a floral water, for example, rose water, and the ingredient list is purified water and natural rose oil, it's not a hydrosol and doesn't have the same properties.

Other products on the market that may not be real hydrosols are fruit-scented waters (orange, lemon, and so forth). Fruit essential oils are most often cold-pressed, not distilled, so no hydrosol is produced. Another example is jasmine—this oil is solvent-extracted, not distilled, so, again, no hydrosol.

Uses of Hydrosols

One use of hydrosols is to use them in place of water in making natural lotions, creams, and other skin care products.

Unlike essential oils, which are controversial concerning internal use, you can freely drink therapeutic-grade hydrosols. Although Catty provides many suggestions for internal use, the topic is too big to get into in this post. Here's a recipe she recommends for headaches:

50 ml (about 10 teaspoons) peppermint hydrosol
50 ml Roman chamomile hydrosol
100 ml water

Mix together the peppermint and Roman chamomile hydrosols.
Take 2 teaspoons internally.
Add the water to the remaining hydrosol mix.
Dip two compresses into the water-hydrosol blend.
Place one compress on the nape of the neck and the other on the forehead.
Lie down for 15 to 20 minutes.

See more suggestions for using hydrosols from Aromatics International at Practical Hydrosol Applications and from Jeanne Rose at the Aromatic Plant Project.

Where to Buy Hydrosols

Acqua Vita is Suzanne Catty's company.

Nature's Gift

Original Swiss Aromatics

Prima Fleur

From Nature with Love

Amazon also offers some organic hydrosols.

Aromatherapy Ebook Review: Essential Living

2012-03-06T10:31:00.000-08:00

If you are looking for a collection of easy-to-follow aromatherapy recipes, the 113-page ebook, Essential Living: Aromatherapy Recipes for Health and Home by Andrea Butje offers just that.

Andrea is a clinical aromatherapist and founder of the Aromahead Institute. She has designed this nicely layed-out, full-color ebook for beginners. After a brief introduction to the basics of using and blending essential oils, Andrea provides more than 60 aromatherapy recipes for use around the house in the kitchen, living room, and bathroom, plus recipes for skin care, use with children, and travel.

Although this ebook is geared for beginners, Andrea, as professionals are prone to do, falls into using some jargon without explanation, such as:

Topical application (means using essential oils on your skin)
Base note (refers to essential oils that evaporate slowly; for more information, see my post on aromatherapy notes)
Hydrosol (scented water that is the byproduct of steam distilling essential oils from plant materials)

Early in the ebook, she also mentions trauma oil as a possible carrier oil, which is confusing if you don't know that it's a preblended oil you can buy that contains arnica oil, calendula oil, and St. John’s Wort (she does mention that later in the ebook).

Who this book is for: Anyone who wants a varied, easy-to-follow collection of aromatherapy recipes.

Who this book is not for: Anyone looking to understand the properties of specific essential oils or other in-depth details about using aromatherapy.

Go here to get Essential Living: Aromatherapy Recipes for Health and Home.

[Disclosure: Andrea sent me a free copy of the ebook to review, and the link is an affiliate link.]

Essential Oil Hand Scrub

2012-02-28T11:04:00.000-08:00

I'm in the process of moving the content from this blog to my new website. The information from this post has moved to Hand Essential Oil Recipes.

Using Essential Oils for Soap Making

2012-02-22T14:13:00.001-08:00

You can use essential oils for soap making to create soaps with both a pleasant scent and possible therapeutic benefits (if you use therapeutic essential oils and add them near the end of the soapmaking process).

Although the process of making soap is beyond the scope of this post, here's some basic information, so you know what's involved. For more details, see any of the mentioned references.

To make cold process soaps, you combine fatty acids (almost any oil, from beef tallow to olive oil) and sodium hydroxide (lye).

For cold process soaps, Cathy Winsby of Soap Making Essentials recommends 3 to 4 teaspoons (15 to 20 ml or 0.5 to 0.7 ounce) of essential oil for each pound of base oil. She notes that some people use as much as one ounce of essential oil for each pound of base oil, but that much oil creates a very strong scent that not everyone likes or can tolerate.

You want to add the essential oils near the end of the soapmaking process, after the lye has mostly evaporated, because lye can damage essential oils.

A variation is hot process soaps, where you heat all the ingredients to put the soap through various stages. When the excess water evaporates, the soap is ready to cool and then use.

For melt and pour soaps, you purchase a clear soap base, melt the blocks, add color and scent, and place the melted mixture into molds to harden into solid soap. This approach is especially good if you want to get your children involved.

For the methods that use heat, you also want to add the essential oils near the end of the process to retain the most therapeutic value.

Which essential oils to use? You can use any oil that is not irritating to the skin. It's also important to use only high-quality oils.

Floral scents are popular: jasmine, lavender, neroli, rose, and ylang ylang.

Citrus scents are also popular: grapefruit, lemon, orange, and tangerine.

Men may prefer earthy scents (frankincense, myrrh, patchouli, or vetiver) or woodsy scents (cedarwood or sandalwood) or spicy scents (ginger or nutmeg).

For more about soapmaking:

Saponifier Magazine is all about soap, toiletry, and candle making.

Teach Soap provides many recipes, tips, and tutorials.

Want video instruction? Get this cold process soap making video.

What are Aromatherapy Oil Burners?

2012-02-18T16:19:00.000-08:00

Aromatherapy oil burners (or an essential oil burner) is a device that uses heat to diffuse the scent of essential oils into the air. Burners come in two types: those that use candles and those that use electricity.

Candle aromatherapy burners can lend a nice ambiance to a room, as long as you use them safely. Candle burners can be simple, like this one:

Or something decorative, like this:

Electric oil burners offer the safety advantage of no flame and also come in many decorative types, like this one:

The disadvantage of using heat to diffuse essential oils is that the heat may degrade the therapeutic value of the oils. That's why many aromatherapists prefer cold-air aromatherapy diffusers. Cold-air diffusers use pressure to atomize the essential oils into small particles and release them into the air.

Although cold-air diffusers cost more, they also retain the therapeutic value of the essential oils. Diffuser World offers a selection of cold-air diffusers.

Aromatherapy for Valentine's Day

2012-01-31T11:03:00.000-08:00

Photo: Renata Osinska/PhotoXpress Want a little aromatherapy for Valentine's Day to spark some romance? Diffuse one of the following essential oil blends suggested by Beverley Hawkins of West Coast Aromatherapy.

2 drops ylang ylang
4 drops patchouli
2 drops ginger

3 drops rose
2 drops geranium
1 drop rosemary

Aromatherapy for Dummies warns to use the following sexy essential oil massage blend only if you want to go beyond massage:

8 drops ginger
5 drops myrrh
2 drops jasmine
1 drop cardamom
2 ounces carrier oil

For more aromatherapy for Valentine's Day, see my other posts: three body lotion and massage oil recipes for romance and love or essential oils as aphrodisiacs.

On another site: Valentines Day Gifts - Give a Sensual Massage at A World of Aromatherapy includes massage instructions and three aromatherapy massage blends.

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Essential Oils and the Five Elements

2012-01-14T15:24:00.000-08:00

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the five elements are phases or movements of yin and yang energy. Yin represents condensing energy, the material and substantial, while yang represents expanding energy, the immaterial and non-substantial.

Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons

When the five elements are flowing in balance, you are healthy. Imbalances lead to various problems. Here's a little information about the five elements, potential imbalances, and essential oils for five-element imbalances.

Water is condensed energy in a static yin phase. It's a dormant state filled with latent power. Imbalances in water can lead to:

Edema (swelling). Juniper or fennel essential oils may help.
A feeling of apprehension and overwhelm. Try juniper.
Hyperactivity and feeling unsettled. Try geranium essential oil.

Wood is rising energy in an accelerating yang phase. Wood is about motivation, growth, and harmony in the flow of life. If energy isn't flowing, essential oils with relaxing properties, such as lavender, may help.

Fire is expansive, radiant energy of yang at its peak. Imbalances may lead to:

Nervous exhausion and insomnia. Use cooling, calming essential oils, such as lavender, neroli, and melissa.
Apathy. Try jasmine and oils with similar properties.
Poor self-image and low self-esteem. Use rose essential oil.

Earth is energy in its descending yin stage. Imbalances may lead to:

Sluggish digestion. The essential oils of cardamom, fennel, and thyme may help.
Continually worrying about your children and neglecting yourself. Try lemon essential oil.
Excessive need for sympathy and support. Use marjoram or vetiver essential oil.
Overthinking and mentally going over and over things. Frankincense or lemon essential oil may help.

Metal is energy in a gathering and synthesizing yin phase of transformation. Imbalance in metal can lead to frequent colds. Use eucalyptus or tea tree oil.

For more information on essential oils and the five elements, see Aromatherapy for Healing the Spirit: Restoring Emotional and Mental Balance with Essential Oils.

Chamomile Essential Oil - Roman and German

2011-12-30T13:15:00.000-08:00

The two types of chamomile essential oil used in aromatherapy - Roman and German - have different chemical compositions and different properties. (You might hear of a Moroccan chamomile, but it's not true chamomile, according to Kurt Schnaubelt, Ph.D.)

German Chamomile
By H. Zell (Own work)
[CC-BY-SA-3.0] The common method of extraction for both essential oils is steam distillation of the plant's flowers. German chamomile oil is deep blue, while Roman chamomile oil is pale yellow occasionally tinged with blue.

Roman Chamomile Oil

Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile) is a small perennial herb, with daisy-like flowers, that grows only 4 to 12 inches tall and has an apple-like scent. Roman chamomile essential oil contains about 80 percent esters, making it a gentle, calming oil, appropriate even for young children.

The Fragrant Heavens states that Roman chamomile encourages relaxation, stillness, calmness, softness, gentleness, serenity, spiritual awareness, emotional stability, inner peace, understanding, and cooperation.

Other possible uses for Roman chamomile essential oil include menstrual pain, menopause, PMS, stress, tension, and anxiety. Use it to make a relaxing bath or footbath or to make a massage oil blend.

Roman chamomile also soothes all types of skin, and may help skin conditions such as acne, dermatitis, and eczema.

German Chamomile Oil

German chamomile (Matricaria recutita) has smaller daisy-like flowers than Roman chamomile but is a larger plant, growing to 20 inches. The main chemical component is sesquiterpenes, which makes German chamomile an excellent essential oil for skin care. It may help most skin conditions.

Here's a skin care toner for normal skin:

6 drops lavender
1 drop clary sage
1 drop German chamomile
4 drops lemon
2 fluid ounces distilled water

Add essential oils to distilled water in a spray bottle. Essential oils and water will separate, so shake the bottle vigorously before spraying this blend onto clean skin. Source: Aromatherapy for Common Ailments.

German chamomile also helps fight inflammation. Possible uses include abscesses, boils, colic, cuts, cystitis, dermatitis, insect bites, sprains, strains, and wounds.

The Fragrant Heavens says that German chamomile encourages communication, relaxation, understanding, organizaation, empathy, patience, and calm.

You can get both German chamomile and Roman chamomile from Young Living. (To order, please use Sponsoring Distributor Member Number 1030500 or contact me for more information.)

Essential Oil Facial Masks for Oily Skin

2011-12-15T13:40:00.000-08:00

I'm in the process of moving the content from this blog to my new website. The information from this post has moved to Essential Oils for Oily Skin.

Essential Oil Facial Masks for Dry Skin

2011-12-09T14:27:00.001-08:00

I'm in the process of moving the content from this blog to my new website. The information from this post has moved to Essential Oils for Dry Skin.

Sacred Frankincense: Creating a Deeper Spiritual Connection

2011-12-02T11:06:00.000-08:00

Frankincense essential oil is known for its uplifting and meditative properites. Most frankincense oil is Boswellia carteri; however, another species is Boswellia sacra, which Young Living offers under the name sacred frankincense.

Although some sources indicate that the two species are the same, research conducted by Young Living has shown that carteri and sacra are different. Researchers successfully used gas chromatography (GC) to separate the chiral molecules found in the two varieties of oil. The GC tests showed the two had different optical rotations (a measure of the way light deflects off of molecules).

Producing Sacred Frankincense

Boswellia sacra grows only in Oman. It's also known as Omani frankincense, and some sources believe it's the variety of frankincense that the Three Wisemen presented to the Christ child.

In modern times, Oman didn't export the frankincense, except to the Saudi royal family, until Gary Young negotiated with the Omani government and received permission to build a Young Living frankincense distillery in the country and to take the essential oil out of Oman.

Uses

Frankincense promotes healthy skin and has calming and balancing properties. Although you can use sacred frankincense for any of the reasons you would use Boswellia carteri frankincense, the primary recommended use of sacred frankincense is to create a heightened sense of spiritual awareness and connection. You can:

Put a drop of oil in journals, books, or sacred texts to increase the sense of spirituality.
Diffuse the oil using an aromatherapy diffuser for up to one hour, as often as three times a day. Diffusing during prayer, meditation, or yoga can deepen your experience and spiritual connection.
Take as a dietary supplement: Put two drops in a capsule. Take three times daily or as needed.
Apply 2 to 4 drops directly to your skin. Unless you have sensitive skin, dilution is not required (spot test if you are unsure). Use as needed.

Note: Sacred frankincense is recommended for adults 18 years or older. Consult a professonial if you are pregnant or have a serious medical condition.

Boswellia sacra has a lighter, sweeter scent than Boswellia carteri.

Buy sacred frankincense from Young Living. (To order, please use Sponsoring Distributor Member Number 1030500 or contact me for more information.)

Short video showing frankincense trees and the Young Living distillery:

More Information

Sacred Oman Frankincense - Frankincense research and more from the Sultanate of Oman

The Journey to Sacred Frankincense from Gary Young's blog

Frankincense: Could it be a cure for cancer? from BBC News

Young Living Essential Oils. (To order, please use Sponsoring Distributor Member Number 1030500 or contact me for more information.)

Essential Oils for Christmas

2011-11-25T08:00:00.000-08:00

Many people associate alluring scents with the holidays, from baking with cinnamon, nutmeg, and other spices to enjoying the cedar or spruce smell of Christmas trees. You can create the scents of your choice in your home using essential oils for Christmas.

To use Christmas aromatherapy in your home, you can diffuse any of the essential oils mentioned in this post in an aromatherapy diffuser. You can also use the oils to scent potpourri or place a few drops on a tissue and place in a drawer, cabinet, or closet to scent a small area.

Spiritual Oils

For the spiritual aspects of Christmas, consider frankincense and myrrh essential oils, two of the gifts from the Three Wisemen to the Christ child. According to Healing Oils Of The Bible, myrrh was used as an antiseptic and placed on the child's navel to prevent infection from cutting the umbilical cord.

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The rich, meditative scents of both myrrh and frankincense have made them a part of religious ceremonies for centuries. Diffuse myrrh or frankincense to promote spiritual awareness. For more information, see my posts about frankincense essential oil and myrrh essential oil.

The Scent of Trees

For the earthy, green smell of trees and the outdoors, consider pine, spruce, cedar, or balsam fir essential oil. Enhance the scent of your live Christmas tree by placing a few drops of essential oil in the water of the tree stand.

Or make a room air freshener by blending 30 drops of any of the oils in one-half cup distilled water in a spray bottle. Shake well before each use to thoroughly mix the water and oils.

Aromas of Baking

For the spicy aromas of the holidays, look at cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and clove essential oils. You can even replace the powdered spices in cookies or cakes with the essential oil, as long as you are sure you have a high-quality, food-grade essential oil.

A Fresh Scent

If you are looking for a fresh, clean scent, use a citrus essential oil, such as orange, lemon, or grapefruit. Concerned about eating too much? Diffusing lemon or grapefruit may help curb your appetite.

Peppermint

Peppermint gets it own category. What's Christmas without peppermint candy canes? If you have had too much too eat, dilute a few drops of peppermint essential oil in a teaspoon of vegetable oil and gently massage your abdomen. Peppermint is known for its beneficial effects on digestion.

Considerations for Using Essential Oils for Christmas

The quality of available essential oils varies greatly. For best results, look for therapeutic-quality essential oils. If you are pregnant or have a serious medical condition, use caution and consult a healthcare provider as appropriate. Keep essential oils out of reach of children and pets.

Essential oils can be a fun way to add to the holiday season and create your desired atmosphere. Look for creative ways to use them and have fun!

More recipes for using essential oils for Christmas.

Essential Oils for Thanksgiving

2011-11-17T14:00:00.000-08:00

Spicy, warm essential oils for Thanksgiving can add a fragrant aroma to your holidays. Cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, and ginger are natural choices for aromatherapy this time of year.

Free Photo/PhotoXpress Here's a blend from AromaWeb that you can diffuse to add a holiday aroma to your home:
12 drops sweet orange
3 drops clove
3 drops cinnamon
2 drops nutmeg

Thanksgiving is a time of gratitude, and here's an essential oil blend for thankfulness created by aromatherapist Bev Hawkins of West Coast Aromatherapy:
2 drops basil
6 drops grapefruit
4 drops lavender
3 drops rosemary
3 drops sage

Diffuse the blend or add a few drops to a bath or a massage oil.

Recipes Using Essential Oils

Use only food-grade or therapeutic-grade essential oils for cooking.

Pumpkin Pie Recipe and Cranberry Relish from Essential Oil Education.

Spiced Butternut Squash Soup at the Young Living Circle Blog.

Healthy Pumpkin Protein Smoothie with Ginger Essential Oil at The Aroma Blog.

Feel free to share how you use essential oils for Thanksgiving.

Aromatherapy for Postpartum Depression

2011-11-10T17:05:00.001-08:00

I'm in the process of moving the content from this blog to my new website. The information from this post has moved to Aromatherapy for Depression.

Cinnamon Essential Oil

2011-11-03T10:00:00.000-07:00

The spicy scent of cinnamon oil is familiar to most people. True cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum) is a shrub or small tree in the Lauraceae family. The tree is native to Sri Lanka (formerly known as Ceylon). This cinnamon is also called Cinnamomum zeylancium or Ceylon cinnamon.

Cinnamomum Verum Leaves
USDA Photo Cinnamon essential oil is available distilled from the bark of the tree (cinnamon bark essential oil) or from the leaves (cinnamon leaf essential oil). The chemical composition of the two oils is different. Cinnamon bark contains 40 to 50 percent cinnamaldehyde and a small percentage of eugenol, while cinnamon leaf contains 68 to 87 percent eugenol with a small percentage of cinnamaldehyde.

The high eugenol content of cinnamon leaf oil gives it an aroma that is more like cloves than cinnamon. Eugenol is a phenol that has antiseptic properties; however, eugenol can also irritate the skin.

Both cinnamon leaf and cinnamon bark can sensitize and irritate skin, so you need to use them with care. Even a strong diffusion of cinnamon may irritate the mucous membranes of the nasal passages and eyes. Do not use with children under age five.

Uses

Cinnamon essential oil is an emotional stimulant, physical stimulant, and aphrodisiac, and may help reduce depression. The scent reduces drowsiness, irritability, pain, and headache frequency. You can use the oil in a liniment for tight muscles, painful joints, and menstrual cramps and to improve circulation. It may help fight bacteria, viruses, and fungi. The oil may also be good for digestion, because it increases enzyme action to break down food.

For emotional healing, The Fragrant Heavens by aromatherapist Valerie Ann Worwood suggests using cinnamon essential oil to encourage invigoration, benevolence, strength, energy, confidence, motivation, and generosity. Cinnamon oil also helps promote alertness, focus, and happiness while counteracting nervous exhaustion, instability, fear, and misery.

Aromatherapy: A Complete Guide to the Healing Art indictates that cinnamon repels cockroaches.

Cassia

Another species of cinnamon is Cinnamomum aromaticum (also called Cinnamomum cassia, cassia, or Chinese cinnamon). This evergreen tree is native to southern China, Bangladesh, Uganda, India, and Vietnam. Cassia essential oil contains 70 to 88 percent cinnamaldehyde and can be very irritating to the skin.

Cautions

Low-quality essential oils labeled as cinnamon bark may be adulterated with cinnamon leaf or cassia. Also, read labels: I saw a company on Amazon selling a product labeled as cinnamon bark, but when I read the details, I found that it's actually Cinnamomum cassia. The two are not the same, although cassia does have many of the same energizing properties as cinnamon bark.

Aromatherapy for Health Professionals suggests avoiding cinnamon bark oil if you have a liver condition or alcoholism or when taking acetaminophen (the active ingredient in Tylenol), because cinnamaldehyde may deplete glutathione, an antioxidant that the liver uses to help break down toxins for removal from the body.

Cinnamon Research

Research has suggested that cinnamon may help control blood sugar; however, the effects studied are from cinnamon extract or whole cinnamon and not cinnamon oil.

In the study Cinnamon Extracts Boost Insulin Sensitivity, USDA chemist Richard A. Anderson et al. found that cinnamon made fat cells much more responsive to insulin and also increased sugar metabolism about 20-times in test tube fat cells.

The study Cinnamon Improves Glucose and Lipids of People with Type 2 Diabetes found that taking one, three, or six grams of cinnamon each day reduces blood glucose, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and total cholesterol. The results also suggested that cinnamon reduces risk factors associated with diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.

Cinnamon Sticks

An April 2011 analysis of cinnamon studies, Cinnamon intake lowers fasting blood glucose: meta-analysis concluded that cinnamon extract or whole cinnamon improves fasting blood gluocse in people with type 2 diabetes or prediabetes.

Anderson writes in Cinnamon, Glucose Tolerance and Diabetes that using one-half teaspoon of cinnamon extract a day could produce dramatic improvements in blood sugar, cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides in people with type 2 diabetes. Although some websites extrapolate the effects of cinnamon extract to cinnamon oil, Anderson also states that the active ingredient is in the water-soluble portion of cinnamon powder and is not found in fat-soluble cinnamon oil.

Halloween Aromatherapy

2011-10-26T16:24:00.000-07:00

While handing out those treats to trick-or-treaters, why not create a little atmosphere with some Halloween aromatherapy? While there isn't a pumpkin essential oil, you can buy pumpkin seed oil to use as a carrier oil for essential oils.

Photo by Man vyi, Public Domain

To create a Halloween-related scent around the house, diffuse one of the following essential oils: cinnamon, clove, ginger, or nutmeg.

Some citrus essential oils can also create a fall-like atmosphere. (Indulging a bit too much in the treats? Grapefruit essential oil may promote weight loss.)

West Coast Aromatherapy goes into some of the history of Halloween and gives you a Halloween aromatherapy syngery blend at Halloween in Essential Oils.

Skincare naturals provides a Spooktacular Halloween Soap Recipe or try a Cranberry & Pumpkin Salt Scrub from Bath and Body.

Or enjoy this Healthy Pumpkin Protein Smoothie with Ginger Essential Oil from The Aroma Blog.

Do you have any favorite fall or Halloween-related scents?

Aromatherapy for Alzheimer's Disease

2011-10-20T10:40:00.000-07:00

Can aromatherapy and essential oils help in the care of people with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia? Research seems to indicate they can.

Photo courtesy NIH

The study, Effect of aromatherapy on patients with Alzheimer's disease, found that aromatherapy is an effective non-drug therapy for dementia. The study used rosemary and lemon essential oils in the morning and lavender and orange in the evening for 28 days. All patients had significant improvement in personal orientation related to cognitive function. The authors concluded that aromatherapy may have some potential for improving cognitive function, especially in people with Alzheimer's disease.

Other studies:

On alternate days, lavender essential oil or a placebo (water) was diffused. The aromatherapy significantly reduced agitated behavior. Source: Lavender oil as a treatment for agitated behaviour in severe dementia: a placebo controlled study.
Aromatherapy massage with lavender scent significantly reduced frequency of excessive motor behaviour. Aromatherapy massage was more effective than either aromatherapy or massage alone. Source: Aromatherapy and behaviour disturbances in dementia: a randomized controlled trial.

Thirty-six patients received lemon balm (melissa) lotion on their face and arms, while another 36 patients had sunflower oil applied. The patients receiving melissa showed significantly reduced agitation and social withdrawal and an increase in constructive activities. Source: Aromatherapy as a safe and effective treatment for the management of agitation in severe dementia: the results of a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with Melissa.
A cream containing lavender, marjoram, patchouli, and vetivert was applied to the body 36 patients and compared with inert oil. The essential oil combination significantly improved the mental state of patients but also made then more resistant to care (considered to be due to increased alertness) compared to inert oil. Source: Effects of essential oils and touch on resistance to nursing care procedures and other dementia-related behaviours in a residential care facility

For advice about using essential oils for the elderly in general and for dementia in particular, I recommend chapter 14 of Shirley Price's Aromatherapy for Health Professionals.

For general information about Alzheimer's: Alzheimer's Disease Fact Sheet from the National Institute of Aging.

Properties and Uses of Tea Tree Oil

2011-10-11T09:40:00.000-07:00

Tea tree essential oil is steam distilled from the leaves of the tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia), an evergreen shrub native to Australia. The oil is perhaps one of the best-known essential oils and has a variety of uses. The properties of tea tree oil include its ability to help fight bacteria, fungus, viruses, and inflammation.

Melaleuca Alternifolia
by Raffi Kojian [CC-BY-SA-3.0]

A review of tea tree oil published in the January 2006 Clinical Microbiology Reviews concluded that data supports the long-held belief that the oil has antimicrobial properties and that the properties of the oil include the ability to fight inflammation.

The September 22, 1999, Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics looked at the antiseptic properties of tea tree oil for bruises, insect bites, and skin infections and concluded that these antiseptic properties are partly due to the oil increasing white blood cell production.

Fungus

Tea tree oil is traditionally known as an antifungal. Studies, including one published in the March 2004 Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, support using the oil to fight fungus.

Fungus can infect the skin, causing reddish round patterns called ringworm (tinea). Ringworm can occur on the body, scalp, groin (jock itch), or feet (athlete's foot).

The easiest way to use tea tree oil for ringworm is to dab it directly onto the fungus. Tea tree is generally acknowledged as a safe oil to apply directly to the skin without dilution; however, it's a good idea to spot test first to make sure you are not sensitive to the oil.

Tea tree oil can cause a slight burning sensation, so take care if using on sensitive areas and dilute as needed. Also, be sure to wash your hands after applying, as fungus is easily spread to other parts of the body.

If you don't want to, or can't, apply the oil directly, see these blends containing tea tree oil for athlete's foot.

Acne

A study published in the Oct. 15, 1990, The Medical Journal of Australia concluded that tea tree oil is just as effective as benzoyl peroxide in treating acne. You can dab it directly on a blemish. Again, spot test first.

Cleaning

Because tea tree essential oil is unfriendly to bacteria, viruses, and mildrew, it's also great for making homemade cleaning products. For an all-purpose cleaning spray, mix 2 cups filtered or distilled water with 1 cup white vinegar and about 10 drops of tea tree oil in a spray bottle. Shake well before use.

More

More ways to use tea tree oil at The Aroma Blog.

I recommend Young Living essential oils. You can buy directly at the site, where tea tree is listed as Melaleuca alternifolia. There's also Melaleuca ericifolia, a different variety of tea tree that produces an essential oil that is very gentle and non-irritating to the skin. (Please use Sponsoring Distributor Member Number 1030500 or contact me for more information.)

Palo Santo Essential Oil

2011-10-04T10:42:00.000-07:00

Palo santo essential oil is steam distilled from the wood of palo santo (bursera graveolens) trees that have died naturally.

Bursera Graveolens Tree
Photo: Haplochromis (Own work) GFDL

This tree, found primarily in South America, is a member of the same botanical family as frankincense. Just as frankincense is considered a spiritual essential oil, so is palo santo. The Incas reportedly used the oil to cleanse the air of negative energies.

Uses

You can diffuse palo santo for meditation or prayer. The oil also has a high limonene content that may help reduce inflamation.

The study "The Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Activity of Palo Santo Essential Oil" investigated using palo santo essential oil for antimicrobial and antioxidant purposes. The study found that the oil was active against several microbes at concentrations from 50-16.5 mg/disk, using the disk diffusion method, with activity comparable to the common antimicrobials tetracycline and nystatin. The study also suggested that the oil may work as an antioxidant.

Source: Abstracts of the 2009 MARCUS Conference, October 10, 2009, Sweet Briar College

Testimonials for the use of palo santo oil: pain and inflammation, tendinitis, and injured toe.

Generally, dilute palo santo 50/50 with a carrier oil for use on your skin.

More Information

Top recommended articles: How to Use Palo Santo Essential Oil and A Sacred and Spiritual Scent at The Aroma Blog (by aromatherapist Cristina Proano-Carrion)

Also useful: Palo Santo Essential Oil at Essential Oil World and Uses and Benefits of PaloSanto Essential Oils at Ecuadorian Hands.

In Ecuador, the source of Young Living palo santo essential oil, palo santo trees are protected, and the government must grant permission to anyone who wants to harvest the dead wood. (To order, please use Sponsoring Distributor Member Number 1030500 or contact me for more information.)

10 Useful Lavender Essential Oil Articles

2011-09-27T10:31:00.000-07:00

The Internet contains a lot of aromatherapy and essential oil information, but you have to be selective. Here are ten sources of reliable information about lavender essential oil:

Lavender Essential Oil Profile at AromaWeb.

About Lavender Essential Oil on this blog.

Lavender and Insomnia at West Coast Aromatherapy.

Lavender oil - skin savior or skin irritant? and Lavender oil and pregnancy at Robert Tisserand's blog (he is one of the foremost essential oil experts in the world). Also, some time back, a study linked lavender to possible breast enlargement in boys. Many sources, including Tisserand's Neither lavender oil nor tea tree oil can be linked to breast growth in young boys (PDF), have discussed why that study was inaccurate.

Nourishing with Lavender at Young Living Product Blog.

Love-ly Chocolate Lavender Truffles at The Aroma Blog (they sound yummy, but not for the lactose-intolerant).

Study: Healing advantages of lavender essential oil during episiotomy recovery: a clinical trial at PubMed. The study suggested that using lavender essential oil for episiotomy wound care is better than the conventional treatment of povidone-iodine.

Lavender from the University of Maryland Medical Center includes a long list of supporting research.

How do you like to use lavender?

Essential Oils for Bunions and Corns

2011-09-21T11:25:00.000-07:00

The Essential Oils Desk Reference recommends the following essential oil blends for bunions and corns on the feet.

For Bunions

6 drops eucalyptus radiata
3 drops lemon
4 drops Raven*
1 drop wintergreen

Apply two to four drops on and around the bunion two to three times a day until the bunion is gone. This blend may take six to eight weeks or longer to work. (You can dilute the essential oil blend 50/50 with a carrier oil, if desired.)

*Raven is a blend available exclusively from Young Living Essential Oils. It contains ravensara, lemon, wintergreen, peppermint, and eucalyptus radiata.

For more about bunions and the conventional medical approach to them, see this article on MedicineNet.

For Corns

2 drops myrrh
2 drops blue cypress
7 drops oregano
4 drops basil

Dilute blend 50/50 with a carrier oil. Apply one drop directly on corn two to three times a day until the corn dissolves.

More about corns.

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Essential Oils for Allergies

2011-09-18T15:11:00.000-07:00

Lavender is one of the more commonly recommended essential oils for allergies. Here's how to use lavender for nasal allergy relief:
By mcfarlandmo
[CC-BY-2.0]

Apply one drop to your cheeks, forehead, and sinuses, as needed.
Diffuse lavender in a cold air diffuser for 15 minutes every two hours.
Put one to two drops on the palm of one hand, rub your hands together, and place them near or over your nose. Inhale for four to six deep breaths as needed.

Eucalyptus radiata may also provide allergy relief. You can diffuse or inhale as instructed above. To apply eucalyptus to your cheeks, forehead, and sinuses, dilute one drop of essential oil with one or two drops of olive oil.

Other Allergy Help

Many sources, including Dr. Oz of Oprah Show fame, recommend a neti pot to help clean your nasal passages of pollens, pollution, dust, dander, etc. A neti pot looks a bit like a small teapot-shaped kettle. You fill it with a warm saline solution (salt and water) and pour the solution into one nostril and let it drain out the other nostril.

Note: Do NOT put essential oils in the neti pot. They can irritate your nasal passages.

More Helpful Articles

Essential Oils and Acupressure Points for Allergies from The Aroma Blog

Essential Oil Inhalers for Allergies from Aromahead

Treating Allergies Naturally with Essential Oils from Sparrow Magazine