Aromatherapy Essential Oils

Aromatherapy for Dogs: Get Rid of the Smell

2010-03-10T14:41:00.000-08:00

One more post on aromatherapy for dogs before I move to a new topic. When your dog becomes a bit smelly, you can use essential oil sprays to freshen him up a bit. Here's the base recipe:

1 teaspoon vegetable glycerin
1/2 ounce grain alcohol or vodka
1 teaspoon sulfated castor oil
1 ounce aloe vera
10 drops grapefruit extract
6 ounces distilled water

Mix ingredients in a dark or opaque mister bottle. Then add desired essential oils. Shake before use. Avoid spraying the dog's eyes, nose, or genitals.

Suggested essential oil blends:

Minty: 6 drops spearmint and 6 drops peppermint.

Spicy: 4 drops cinnamon leaf, 3 drops caraway, 3 drops black pepper, and 5 drops bay leaf.

Floral: 4 drops lavender, 2 drops ylang ylang, 4 drops rose, 6 drops petitgrain.

Woodsy: 6 drops atlas cedarwood, 4 drops rosemary, 2 drops patchouli, 3 drops vetiver.

Source: Holistic Aromatherapy for Animals: A Comprehensive Guide to the Use of Essential Oils & Hydrosols with Animals, a book I highly recommend if you want to use essential oils with dogs or other animals.

Click here for safety guidelines for aromatherapy for dogs.

Aromatherapy for Dogs: Tick and Flea Control

2010-03-03T10:22:00.000-08:00

Using aromatherapy for dogs as a method of tick and flea control is nearly as effective as toxic sprays and powders. You can try these oils: peppermint, citronella, lavender, eucalyptus, lemon, geranium, bay, and myrrh.

Make your own flea and tick spray by combining about 25 drops of any of the suggested oils into eight ounces of water. Shake the mixture well and spray it on your pet, being careful to avoid the eyes. You can also spray this mixture anywhere that you think bugs may be breeding.

To repel fleas, Holistic Aromatherapy for Animals: A Comprehensive Guide to the Use of Essential Oils & Hydrosols with Animals recommends

1/2 ounce hazelnut or almond oil
4 drops clary sage essential oil
1 drop citronella essential oil
7 drops peppermint essential oil
3 drops lemon essential oil

Blend oils in a dark glass bottle. Apply 2 to 4 drops of the blend to your dog's neck, chest, legs, and base of tail.

For ticks:

1/2 ounce hazelnut or almond oil
2 drops geranium essential oil
2 drops rosewood essential oil
3 drops lavender essential oil
2 drops myrhh essential oil
2 drops opoponax essential oil
1 drop bay leaf essential oil

Blend oils in a dark glass bottle. Apply 2 to 4 drops of the blend to your dog's neck, chest, legs, and base of tail.

Another article on natural flea control.

Click here for safety guidelines for aromatherapy for dogs.

Aromatherapy for Dogs: Essential Oils for the Dog's Bath

2010-02-24T16:13:00.000-08:00

Kristen Leigh Bell, who specialized in aromatherapy for dogs for over ten years, lists 52 safe essential oils for dogs in her book Holistic Aromatherapy for Animals: A Comprehensive Guide to the Use of Essential Oils & Hydrosols with Animals. Here are some of the more common essential oils safe for a dog's bath:

Lavender essential oil is good for skin conditions and is also calming.
Carrot Seed essential oil is useful for dogs with dry, flaky skin that is sensitive to allergens and prone to infection.
Geranium essential oil is beneficial for skin ailments and yeast overgrowth.
Myrrh essential oil may help relieve inflammation, fight viruses, and repel ticks.
Rosewood essential oil is good for skin conditions and may help repel ticks.
Roman chamomile essential oil helps relieve cramps, spasms, and muscle pains.
Sweet orange essential oil is good for calming, deodorizing, and helping repel fleas.
Sweet marjoram essential oil is calming and also useful for wound care.
Valerian essential oil is good for dogs with separation anxiety or who are fearful of loud noises.

To add a single essential oil to the dog's bath, dilute it first in a carrier oil – no more than 10 drops of essential oil in one tablespoon of carrier oil. Use less for smaller dogs.

Essential Oil Dog Shampoo Blends

For a shampoo to repel fleas, add 4 drops clary sage, 2 drops citronella, 8 drops peppermint, and 4 drops lemon to 8 ounces of an all-natural shampoo.

For a puppy shampoo, add 2 drops rose, 2 drops ylang ylang, 5 drops geranium, 2 drops Roman chamomile, and 5 drops petitgrain to 8 ounces of an all-natural shampoo.

For a relaxing dog shampoo, add 3 drops valerian, 2 drops vetiver, 4 drops petitgrain, 3 drops sweet marjoram, and 2 drops sweet orange to 8 ounces of an all-natural shampoo.

Aromatherapy for Dogs Safety Guidelines

Do not use essential oils on medium/large breed puppies until they are 8 weeks old or on small breed puppies until they are 10 weeks old.

Use less essential oil for small dogs than for larger dogs.

Use only the highest quality essential oils and all-natural shampoos for your blends.

If your dog shows any signs of distress (whining, panting, drooling, etc.) around an essential oil, stop using it.

Another article on aromatherapy for dogs.

Essential Oils for Fibroids

2010-02-17T09:59:00.000-08:00

You can use essential oils for fibroids in a compress, in a sitz bath, or for abdominal massage to promote blood circulation to your pelvic area and potentially promote healing.

The first recommendations from the Essential Oils Desk Reference are cistus or lavender essential oil used in a warm compress on you lower abdomen daily. You can also try frankincense, Idado tansy, oregano, pine, or helichrysum essential oil.

Other recommendations include ginger, marjoram, rose, rosemary, or juniper essential oil. How do you choose an essential oil for fibroids? Understand the properties of the essential oil, understand your body and what's going on with it, and experiment using caution. Working with a healthcare professional trained in essential oils is also a good idea.

In Herbal Therapy for Uterine Fibroids, a naturopath describes how to use a sitz bath for fibroids. You can add several drops of essential oils to the sitz bath to stimulate pelvic circulation. Also, Uterine Fibroids – How You Can Help Yourself provides a Chinese Medicine view, which includes essential oils in your bath.

You can also add any of the recommended essential oils to a massage oil for abdominal massage. Here's a video of a simple abdominal massage.

Aromatherapy News

2010-02-12T12:42:00.000-08:00

Today's post is a list of links to some interesting aromatherapy news and essential oils information I've come across recently.

Dr. Mehmet Oz (from the Oprah Show) recommends essential oils as an alternative medicine option.

From the Clinical Journal of Pain: A Novel Treatment of Postherpetic Neuralgia Using Peppermint Oil

If you are interested in astrology: Mercury Retrograde Essential Oils to Use by KG Stiles.

Feng Shui and Aromatherapy

12 Oils of Ancient Scripture: Cedarwood by Gary Young, founder of Young Living Essential Oils.

Articles about aromatherapy from Positive Health Online.

Best Essential Oils for Hair

2010-02-06T15:01:00.000-08:00

The best essential oils for hair care depends on what type of hair you have and the condition it's in. The book Aromatherapy: A Complete Guide to the Healing Art suggests that lavender or rosemary can benfits all types of hair. Other suggestions:

Dry hair: Roman chamomile, palmarosa, rosewood

Oily hair: clary sage, cedarwood, cypress, lemon, patchouli, sage

Dandruff: cedarwood, geranium, juniper, sage, spearmint, tea tree

Hair loss: basil, cedarwoood, peppermint, rosemary, spikenard, ylang-ylang

You can add the essential oils to your shampoo or make this herbal hair rinse:

3 drops essential oil
1 pint herbal tea
1 tablespoon vinegar or lemon juice

Shake well and pour over scalp and hair after shampooing. Leave on for several minutes, then rinse. Store leftover rinse in refrigerator and use within three days.

For a hair treatment, Healing With Aromatherapy gives this aromatherapy recipe:

6 drops lavender
6 drops rosemary
1 ounce jojoba oil

Blend oils and massage into hair and scalp. Wrap you hair in plastic, then wrap the plastic with a towel. Leave on for 20 to 30 minutes, then shampoo.

Note: Use rosemary cautiously if you have high blood pressure because it might raise blood pressure.

Recommended source to buy best essential oils for hair.

Essential Oils for Psoriasis

2010-01-30T12:44:00.000-08:00

Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition involving red patches with silvery scales. The Essential Oils Desk Reference suggests Roman chamomile and tea tree essential oils for psoriasis. The book also suggests this blend:

2 drops patchouli
2 drops Roman chamomile
2 drops lavender
2 drops tea tree

Dilute at least 50/50 with carrier oil (more if you tend to be sensitive) and spot test before applying to a large area.

Another suggestion from Healing With Aromatherapy for a psoriasis flare-up is to drink two to three cups of licorice root decoction a day and use some of the decoction as a compress (caution: do not use licorice root if you have high blood pressure). To make a decoction, simmer one teaspoon licorice root per cup of water for 20 minutes.

Also, I've heard many natural health practitioners suggest that skin conditions are a sign of an overloaded liver. You might want to consider working with a professional for a liver cleanse.

Aromatherapy Recipes for Depression

2010-01-26T15:14:00.000-08:00

Depression can be a serious condition, so get professional help as required. If you want to use some essential oils, the effectiveness of any aromatherapy recipes for depression will depend on your individual mental and physical condition. Here are a few suggestions.

The Essential Oils Desk Reference suggests diffusing either lemon or cedarwood essential oil for 20 minutes, 3 times a day.

For smelling salts to help relieve depression or anxiety, Aromatherapy for Dummies suggests the following blend:

3 drops bergamot
2 drops geranium
1 drop neroli (orange blossom) or 3 drops petitgrain
1 tablespoon rock or other coarse salt

Carry the blend in a closed container and smell as needed.

Here's another article on aromatherapy recipes for depression that includes more suggestions.

Study Identifies Six Anti-Inflammatory Essential Oils

2010-01-21T17:20:00.000-08:00

Aromatherapists have long said that some essential oils help reduce inflammation. A study published in the January 2010 issue of Journal of Lipid Research reports that thyme, clove, rose, eucalyptus, fennel, and bergamot essential oils suppress the COX-2 enzyme, an enzyme responsible for inflammation and pain. The researchers identified carvacrol as the major anti-inflammatory component of thyme essential oil.

Essential Oils for Household Cleaning

2010-01-18T10:22:00.000-08:00

If you want to avoid toxic cleaning products, you can use essential oils for household cleaning. When blending essential oils with water for later use, use distilled or filtered water because the chlorine in tap water will deteriorate the oils.

You can use 1-2 drops of lemon essential oil to remove gum, oil, grease spots, glue or adhesive, and crayon on most surfaces.

Window cleaner: Mix 10-15 drops of lemon oil in a spray bottle with 2 cups white vinegar and 2 cups water.

Clean and sanitize surfaces: Combine 2–3 drops of tea tree oil, eucalyptus oil, or lemon oil with 1/2 cup water.

All-purpose cleaning spray: Mix 2 cups water with 1 cup white vinegar and 10 drops of lavender essential oil.

Clean floors: Add 5-10 drops pine essential oil to 1/2 cup vinegar and a gallon of water.

Room cleansing air spray: In a spray bottle, combine 1/2 cup water, 5 drops peppermint essential oil, 25 drops lemon essential oil, and 30 drops bergamot essential oil. Shake well before each use to thoroughly mix the water and oils.

Surface cleaner: Combine 2 tablespoons baking soda, 1 teaspoon white vinegar, 3 drops tea tree, 1 drop lemon, and 1 drop eucalyptus with just a little water to make a paste. Apply to surface with a cloth using circular motions, then rinse with hot water and a clean cloth.

Note: Spot test delicate surfaces to make sure the essential oils don't damage them.

For a pre-made cleaner with essential oils, Young Living has a cleaner called Thieves using clove, lemon, cinnamon bark, eucalyptus, and rosemary essential oils.

Aromatherapy Facial Masks

2010-01-11T19:02:00.000-08:00

If you are interested in aromatherapy facial masks, one option is green clay facial masks made with essential oils. Estheticians use green clay to tighten pores, exfoliate dead skin, and reveal a smoother complexion. The absorbent properties of green clay draw impurities and toxins from the skin and tone and firm while stimulating circulation. Green clay is readily available online and at natural beauty retailers.

To create the mask base, mix two ounces green clay powder with three teaspoons cornflower and a quarter teaspoon of powdered raw oats. Use this base for the following recipes. Adjust the amount of base used to create a consistency that works for a mask.

General directions: Before applying a mask, clean and dry your skin. Leave the mask on for at least fifteen minutes, then wash off with lukewarm water and pat the skin dry. Apply moisturizer.

Note: If you have never used essential oils or green clay and are prone to allergies, do a patch test on a small area to make sure you are not sensitive to any of the ingredients.

Mix the mask base with one beaten egg white and enough floral water to form paste. Add the essential oils (and sometimes other oils) indicated for your skin type. Mix well and apply.

Mask for Normal Skin: Add one drop geranium oil and one drop neroli oil.

Mask for Dry Skin: Add one teaspoon wheat germ oil or evening primrose oil, plus one drop Roman or German chamomile essential oil and two drops carrot seed oil.

Mask for Oily Skin: Add one drop lavender oil and one drop frankincense oil or juniper berry oil.

Mask for Problem Skin: Add one drop lavender oil, one drop tea tree oil, and one drop neroli oil.

Rejuvenating Skin Mask: Add one teaspoon jojoba oil, one drop Roman or German chamomile oil, one drop frankincense oil, and one drop myrrh oil.

Source: Get Your Mask On!

For more essential oil skin care recipes, see my blog post at Aromatherapy Skin Care or the book Making Aromatherapy Creams and Lotions: 101 Natural Formulas to Revitalize & Nourish Your Skin.

Aromatherapy for Motion Sickness

2009-12-16T11:24:00.000-08:00

If motion causes nausea for you, the first recommendation for aromatherapy for motion sickness is peppermint essential oil. Peppermint has proven anti-nausea qualities. Other essential oils for nausea are lavender, ginger, spearmint, and patchouli.

You can dilute any of the recommended essential oils 50:50 with carrier oil and massage one to three drops behind each ear and over your navel, two to three times each hour.

Or you can inhale the essential oil directly four to six times an hour, as needed.

You can also try this aromatherapy blend from Aromatherapy for Dummies: Mix eight drops chamomile and four drops ginger with two tablespoons carrier oil. Gently massage a few drops over your belly as needed.

To prevent motion sickness, the Essential Oils Desk Reference recommends this essential oil blend:

2 drops peppermint
2 drops ginger
5 drops carrier oil

Rub the blend on your chest and abdomen one hour before traveling.

Essential Oils for Deodorant

2009-12-09T10:13:00.000-08:00

Why use essential oils for deodorant? Although many people try to stop their underarm sweating with antiperspirants, blocking the sweat glands with an antiperspirant interferes with the natural elimination of toxins from the body. Plus, most commercial antiperspirants and deodorants contain aluminum compounds, which some sources believe are potentially toxic.

The most important action of a deodorant is to kill bacteria; it's the bacteria that causes the unwanted odor. I have actually used straight grapefruit essential oil as deodorant and found that it worked as long as I didn't become too sweaty. Although I haven't tried the the following blend from Aromatherapy: A Complete Guide to the Healing Art, it looks promising:

15 drops sandalwood essential oil
5 drops cypress essential oil
5 drops sage essential oil
5 drops coriander or lavender essential oil
2 ounces aloe vera juice or witch hazel
1 tablespoon alcohol

Combine the ingredients in a spray bottle. Shake well before each application. Note: Spot test the formula first to make sure your skin is not sensitive to any of the ingredients.

Here's some more information on using essential oils for deodorant. If you want to purchase deodorants that contain therapeutic-grade essential oils, take a look at the ones from Young Living.

Essential Oils for ADHD

2009-12-02T13:30:00.000-08:00

Are essential oils for ADHD useful? The study Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) by Terry S. Friedmann, M.D., measured the brain waves of children with ADHD. He divided the children into three groups and gave them one of three essential oils to inhale three times a day for thirty days. He then measured the brain waves again. The results were as follows:

Vetiver (Vetiveria zizanioides) calms and balances the nervous system and at the same time stimulates the circulatory system. The vetiver group showed a statistically significant improvement.
Cedarwood (Cedrus atlantica) has high a concentration of sesquiterpenes, which improves oxygenation of the cells of the brain. The cedarwood group showed an improvement but it was not considered statistically significant.
Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) has both a sedative and a stimulating action. The lavender group showed no improvement.

The Essential Oils Desk Reference recommends if you want to try vetiver for reducing the symptoms of ADHD, diffuse it for 15 minutes four to eight times a day.

Also, Young Living makes three blends that might be useful essential oils for ADHD:

Brain Power contains sandalwood, cedarwood, melissa, frankincense, blue cypress, lavender, and helichrysum and is designed to clarify thought and develop greater focus.
Peace and Calming contains tangerine, orange, ylang ylang, patchouli, and blue tansy. It is considered gentle enough for young children.
Clarity contains basil, cardamom, rosemary, peppermint, rosewood, geranium, lemon, palmarosa, ylang ylang, bergamot, Roman chamomile, and jasmine. You can use Clarity to help restore mental alertness.

Carnival of Healing #217

2009-11-27T18:13:00.000-08:00

For this week's Carnival of Healing, I present a short list of health-related posts.

As a massage therapist, I know how prevalent forward head posture is (and how it causes people pain). Sam Visnic at Back Pain Relief Blog posts two videos on Correction Of Forward Head Posture.

For health and fitness tips, Camille Hensley of Phlebotomy Technician Programs presents 25 Essential YouTube Channels for Health and Fitness Tips chosen based on their quality, frequent updates, and the number of videos offered.

To understand the association between stress, inflammation, and heart disease, take a look at Chronic Stress & Inflammation by WP Ho of The Conscious Life.

And, if you didn't already know, Natural Health News reports Stop eating processed and fried foods and you'll restore the body's natural defenses, study finds.

June Tree of The Digerati Life gives us ways to get out of a rut in Stuck In A Rut? How Change Does a Mind and Body Good.

Cari Campbell of Your Joyous Life! reminds us how important it is to Get Into Your Body and Out of Your Head!.

The Life Optimizer blog gives us Anthony de Mello on How to Find Happiness, who reminds us that if we want peace, seek to change ourselves, not other people.

Want more? The November 21 carnival was hosted at Your Joyous Life and the December 5 carnival will be at Mind Mart.

For past carnivals, visit the carnival of healing archive page.

Essential Oils for Weight Loss

2009-11-24T11:08:00.000-08:00

Although essential oils for weight loss are not a magic solution for losing weight, some essential oils may assist you in your overall weight-loss program.

A study, "Weight Reduction Through Inhalation of Odorants," found that when the test subjects inhaled certain scents, including peppermint, when hungry, they lost weight over six months. So, you can try sniffing peppermint essential oil when you feel hungry.

Two essential oils generally believe to improve your metabolism are grapefruit and lemon. Grapefruit may also help lessen your appetite. Some sources state that lemon oil may actually increase your appetite, although another source indicates that the scent of lemon oil instantly short circuits your emotional triggers for sweets and second helpings. Try it and see what happens for you.

Orange and other citrus essential oils are also sometimes recommended to aid weight loss. If emotional stress is causing you to overeat, bergamot essential oil may have a calming effect.

If you any of the citrus oils for massage, just remember that they make your skin more sensitive to the sun for 24 to 48 hours.

Another look at essential oils for weight loss.

Essential Oils for Constipation

2009-11-16T13:43:00.000-08:00

According to Aromatherapy for Massage Practitioners, traditional essential oils for constipation include fennel, rosemary, black pepper, ginger, marjoram, and sweet orange.

Here's a constipation blend, based on a recommendation from aromatherapist KG Stiles.

10 drops basil
10 drops cypress
10 drops sweet marjoram
10 drops sweet orange
4 drops bitter fennel
1 drop black pepper

Ways to Use

Place 3 - 4 drops of the blend on a tissue and inhale deeply for 60 seconds.

Place 3 - 8 drops into a bowl of hot water and inhale. Or make a hot compress and place it over your lower colon.

Mix 4 - 8 drops in 1/2 cup cream or honey and add it to a warm bath.

Mix 1 - 2 drops essential oil blend with 10 - 20 drops carrier oil and gently massage your abdomen and lower back.

Buy essential oils for constipation.

Essential Oils for Hemorrhoids

2009-11-10T10:33:00.000-08:00

Using essential oils for hemorrhoids may provide some relief from their pain and itchiness. Just remember that it's always a good idea to check with your healthcare provider, and definitely see your doctor if you have bleeding.

The Essential Oils Desk Reference suggests this blend:

3 drops cypress essential oil
2 drops helichrysum
10 drops myrtle
15 drops carrier oil

Apply 3-5 drops as needed. It may sting a little; if it stings too much, add more carrier oil to the blend.

For a soothing soak, aromatherapist Judith Jackson, author of Scentual Touch: A Personal Guide to Aromatherapy, suggests adding 20 drops each of lavender and juniper essential oils to a hot, shallow bath. Mix the bathwater with your hand to disperse the oils, and then soak for ten minutes. (Source: mothernaure.com.)

To make a essential oil compress for hemorrhoids, Aromatherapy for Dummies gives the following blend:

3 drops helichrysum
3 drops Roman chamomile
3 drops lavender
1 drop neroli (orange blossom)
1 ounce distilled witch hazel

Buy a jar of witch hazel or aloe vera wipes and pour 2 tablespoons of the blend into the jar over the wipes. Use a wipe as a compress.

I also found this pre-blended essential oils for hemorrhoids product, though I have no knowledge of its effectiveness.

Essential Oils for Grief

2009-11-04T09:11:00.001-08:00

For someone experiencing grief and sorrow, aromatherapy may offer a little comfort. Aromatherapist Linda Lee Smith suggests the following essential oils for grief.

Bergamot (Citrus bergamia) is calming and helps relieve depression. The citrus fragrance relieves anxiety and has mood lifting qualities. It can be used for agitation, depression, and insomnia. It can be diffused or directly inhaled. Avoid applying to skin that will be exposed to sunlight or UV light within 36 hours, because bergamot makes your skin more sensitive to sun.

Roman Chamomile (Chamaemelumnobile) is relaxing, relieves spasms, and reduces inflammation, and it helps detoxify blood and liver. It can be used for relieving restlessness, anxiety, depression, insomnia, and skin conditions such as dermatitis. The fragrance may also dispel anger, stabilize the emotions, and help release emotions linked to the past. You can diffuse it or inhale directly as well as apply it directly to the skin. This oil is very safe and is often used with small children and the frail elderly.

Juniper (Juniperus osteosperma) is a digestive cleanser/stimulant, increases circulation through the kidneys and promotes excretion of toxins, and is detoxifying. The fragrance evokes feelings of health, love, and peace and may help elevate one's spiritual awareness. You can directly inhale or diffuse this oil as well as apply it directly to the skin or dilute it with a good carrier oil.

Lavender (Lavandula angustafolia) is relaxing, relieves pain, and reduces inflammation. It is effective for insomnia and nervous tension. Lavender balances both physically and emotionally and has been shown to dramatically improve concentration and mental acuity. You can directly inhale or diffuse this oil and apply it undiluted on the skin or diluted for a massage. Be sure you are using therapeutic-grade lavender that's not extended with hybrid lavender or synthetic linalool and linalyl acetate.

Linda Lee Smith is Director of the Institute of Spiritual Healing & Aromatherapy.

Source: Essential Oils Can Be an Aid During the Grief and Sorrow Process

Aromatherapy Skin Care

2009-10-26T19:37:00.000-07:00

Aromatherapy skin care is a wonderful way to experience the benefits of essential oils. Here are some skin care aromatherapy recipes. It's always a good idea to spot test first.

Acne Care

Mix with 0.75 oz of jojoba oil:

8 drops tea tree
6 drops bergamot
4 drops lavender

Apply to face every evening, massaging around the pimple.

Mix recipe with cream for daytime use (never go into sun while using this blend). You can also add a few drops of carrot oil to the mixture.

Aromatherapy Skin Care: Dry Skin Wash

Mix with 2 tablespoons of avocado oil:

10 drops sandalwood oil
10 drops bois de rose oil
10 drops lavender oil

Aromatherapy Skin Care: Problem Skin Wash

Mix with 1 tablespoon of borage oil and 1 tablespoon of flaxseed oil:

10 drop myrrh oil
10 drops Palma Rosa oil
10 drops frankincense oil

Reviving Face Mask

Mix with 1 tablespoon of iced water:

2 drops petit grain oil
2 drops lemon oil
2 drops ylang ylang oil

Mix with enough crushed almonds to make a paste. Apply as a face mask. Let dry, then rinse off.

Sun Care Blend

Mix with 4-8 ounces of cold water:

14 drops lavender oil
1 drop peppermint oil

Use in an atomizer on sunny days, spraying yourself as needed.

Aromatherapy Skin Care Moisturizing Cream for Dry Skin

4 fl. oz. almond oil
3 fl. oz. rosewater
1/2 oz. beeswax
10 drops rose
5 drops lavender
4 drops bergamot
8 drops patchouli
8 drops sandalwood

Melt the wax and the almond oil in a double boiler. Reduce the heat and add the rosewater gradually in a thin stream, while vigorously stirring the mixture. As soon as the water is incorporated, remove from heat. When the mixture cools and turns creamy, add the essential oils.

Oily Skin Facial Mask

Mix 3 tablespoons of white corn meal and almond meal (freshly ground raw almonds are better). Add the following essential oils:

10 drops lavender
5 drops bergamot
3 drops of clary sage

Add enough rosewater or orange flower water to make a wet paste. Using circular motions gently massage the mixture onto your face, avoiding the soft tissues under the eyes. Leave the mixture on for 15 minutes, and then rinse off with warm water. Finish the treatment by splashing cold water on your face to close your pores.

Aromatherapy Skin Care Toner for Normal Skin

Add the following essential oils to 2 fluid ounces of distilled water:

6 drops lavender
1 drop clary sage
1 drop chamomile
4 drops lemon

Pour into a spray bottle. Essential oils and water will separate, so shake the bottle vigorously before spraying this refreshing blend onto clean skin.

Sunburn Mist

Add the following oils to 2 fluid ounces of distilled water:

9 drops of lavender
2 drops of peppermint
1 drop of spearmint

Mist lightly over sunburned skin.

Learn more about aromatherapy skin care with online courses.

Essential Oils for Gum Care

2009-10-21T17:25:00.000-07:00

Many toothpastes and mouthwashes on the market contain essential oils such as myrrh, eucalyptus, peppermint, and thyme, which studies have shown help fight bacteria. The study The effect of a mouthrinse containing essential oils on dental plaque and gingivitis concluded "When used as an adjunct to unsupervised oral hygiene, the existing evidence supports that essential oil provides an additional benefit with regard to plaque and gingivitis reduction compared to placebo or control."

If you want to make your own essential oil mouth rinse, Aromatherapy for Dummies gives this recipe: Combine 20 drops tea tree oil, 8 drops myrrh essential oil, and one ounce echinacea tincture. To use, shake well and put 1/4 teaspoon in 1/8 cup water. Swish in your mouth for at least one minute.

For bleeding gums, the Essential Oils Desk Reference recommends cinnamon, peppermint, mountain savory, or myrrh.

As another option for dental care, Young Living offers toothpaste and mouthwash containing the Thieves essential oil blend, which has been university tested and found to be highly effective against bacteria. For more about this blend, see my Thieves essential oil post or go to Young Living (click Product Line, then click Personal Care, and look under Oral Hygiene).

Essential Oils for Neuropathy

2009-10-12T18:16:00.000-07:00

Peripheral nerves are responsible for sending signals to your brain. When these nerves are damaged and do not work properly, peripheral neuropathy develops. The symptoms can be numbness, prickling or tingling, pain, and muscle weakness. Neuropathy most often occurs in the feet or hands.

Although neuropathy has no known cure, essential oils may help alleviate symptoms. Here are two suggested blends from the Essential Oils Desk Reference.

Neuropathy blend #1: 3 drops frankincense, 3 drops geranium, and 3 drops lavender.

Neuropathy blend #2: 3 drops geranium, 3 drops fleabane, 3 drops cedarwood, and 2 drops peppermint.

Depending on your sensitivity to essential oils and the quality of oils that you use, dilute the essential oils 50:50 with carrier oil or use without dilution. Apply 2-4 drops to affected area 3-5 times a day.

Other alternative therapies that may be helpful are biofeedback, acupuncture, and relaxation techniques, according to the Jack Miller Center for Peripheral Neuropathy.

Tea Tree Oil for Ringworm

2009-10-06T08:33:00.000-07:00

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). Tea tree oil (Melaleuca alternifolia) is traditionally known as an antifungal, and modern research supports using tea tree oil for ringworm.

One University of Western Australia study showed that tea tree oil can both prevent fungus and treat fungus (1). Another study from the same university showed that all components of tea tree oil, except one, have antifungal effects (2).

Using Tea Tree Oil

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 is 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. For best results, use a therapeutic-grade oil. Also, be sure to wash your hands after applying, as fungus is easily spread to other parts of the body.

To strengthen the fungus-fighting effects of tea tree oil, the Essential Oils Desk Reference recommends blending 3 drops tea tree, 3 drops spearmint essential oil, 1 drop peppermint essential oil, and 1 drop rosemary essential oil in at least a 50:50 dilution with a carrier oil. Use gauze to apply 2-4 drops of the blend to the affected area 2-4 times a day.

References

1. In Vitro Activity of Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) Oil Against Dermatophytes and Other Filamentous Fungi

2. Antifungal activity of the components of Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) oil

Essential Oils for Rosacea

2009-09-24T13:41:00.000-07:00

Researching essential oils for rosacea doesn't turn up as much information as using aromatherapy for other skin conditions. I'll give you some suggestions I found.

Caution: Skin test on a small area before using the essential oils on a large area because they might trigger a reaction in some people.

Skin with rosacea is already sensitive, and some sources recommend using essential oil in one percent or less dilution (that is, one drop of essential oil in 99 drops of carrier oil or lotion). But you can experiment, testing what works best for you without causing irritation.

German Chamomile is gentle on sensitive skin and helps calm inflammation.

Helichrysum essential oil may help rejuvenate damaged skin and may help heal and soothe inflamed skin conditions such as rosacea.

Lavender essential oil is a balancer and may be helpful for any skin condition or type.

Neroli may help regenerate skin cells and tone sensitive skin.

Cistus essential oil, also known as rock rose, may help regenerate skin cells.

Rosewood essential oil is often recommended for skin conditions.

If your skin is too sensitive for even highly diluted essential oils, consider using hydrosols (floral waters). Hydrosols are the by-product of steam distilling plant materials for essential oils. They are very gentle and can provide some relief.

Also, see these essential oils for rosacea testimonials or this aromatherapy rosacea treatment.

Aromatherapy Head Louse Treatment

2009-09-16T11:27:00.000-07:00

Use caution with the following aromatherapy head louse treatment; it is strong and some people may be sensitive to it. Patch test first, especially on children.

Make sure you keep the solution out of eyes.

At the first sign of irritation, wash the solution out of the hair.

Repeat once a day for three (3) days to make sure you get rid of all lice and hatching eggs.

Blend the following essential oils with four (4) ounces of carrier oil (soy or coconut works best):

20 drops eucalpytus
10 drops rosemary
10 drops juniper
20 drops lavender
10 drops geranium
5 drops ylang-ylang

Apply the blend to dry hair and cover with a plastic bag or shower cap. Wrap the head with a towel to keep the vapors from irritating the eyes.

Leave the blend on for one to two hours.

To wash it out, do not wet the hair but work in shampoo directly to help cut the oil. Then rinse with water.

Shampoo again. Rinse with water and a few drops lavender essential oil.

Note: If you don't have one of the essential oils listed for this aromatherapy lice treatment, substitute tea tree oil.

Source: Aromatherapy: A Complete Guide to the Healing Art

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