A Popular Choice

Throughout time, people have learned how they can benefit from the different available resources that can be used to obtain relaxation and other means to pamper oneself.

One of the most popular methods that is being used up to this day for such purpose is the method of aromatherapy.  This method has gone a long way since it was first coined in the 1920”s by a French chemist. This is a vital element in various forms of massage that you can apply in the comfort of your own home or you can  attend a commercial establishment that provides these services.  With the busy world that we are living in, it is only understandable that people are going to seek out various  methods that can help them ease their tired body. By undergoing a massage, you will be able to regain your strength back by alleviating the stresses and tensions that your environment has thrown at you.

How does an aromatherapy massage heal when used in massage?  This is mainly due to the essences that come from the oils that are being utilized in the process. Various oils contain healing properties that can solve different medical conditions. You just have to make sure that your doctor authorized you to adopt the method before you perform anything on yourself. Other people may have allergic reactions towards such oils. It is bestto consult a professional to be safe.  The aromatherapy oils come from the extracts of plants and herbs. These can be mixed with water and other types of oils as well as commercially available lotions. This way, you will lessen the chances of developing any allergic reactions towards the solution.  Undiluted essential oil should never be used directly onto skin.

When used in massages, the essence of the oil that is being applied in the body goes straight to that person”s limbic system. This is the part of the human brain that controls the emotion and the nervous system. This is also responsible in controlling the heart rate and regulating the blood flow. By utilising an aromatherapy massage, you will have an easier time in digesting your food.  And you will also be able to think sound and straight after smelling such essences. Overall, this is beneficial for your overall health as this type of therapy  can make your hormones function better.  As you are being treated with the massage, you are able to free yourself with the stresses that your hectic day has brought about. This is ideal for people who work in an environment where they feel like they always have to perform at the top of their game or else they will lose the momentum and may lessen their chances of achieving the top.  When diffused with various scents, the oils will create various effects depending on the combination created. Now you can select the type of combination that will answer whatever medical situation you are faced with.
Suggested essential oil blends for use are as follows:-

If the essential oil is combined with lavender, geranium and chamomile, it will create a calming effect.

If it is mixed with rosemary, neroli and rose, the effect will be uplifting.

If  combined  with tea tree leaves and eucalyptus, it will assist with decongesting.

Aromatherapy offers solution to your every dilemma with regards to you feelings and physical strength. You just have to mix and match the right oils that contain the kind of essences that can help you with your condition.

For relaxing and creating ambience

A wonderful way to add fragrance and change the mood in any room is by using aromatherapy candles which have been made with essential oils. Aromatherapy candles are usually made of natural substances, such as beeswax, soybean wax or even vegetable oil. So not only are these candles environmentally friendly, they can also have therapeutic effects on both mind and body.    When essential oils are added to candles for aromatherapy purpose, the oil & molecules will be diffused into the environment  as the wax heats up and melts.  So when being in a room while this type of candle is burning, you will  also be inhaling a  soothing, relaxing or even revitalising aroma as well as enjoying the wonderful glow of softly burning candlelight.  Since aromatherapy essential oils are derived from a variety of plants, leaves, flowers, berries and bark, there is a large  selection available for you to find the right fragrance for your need. Whether it’s to heal or relax, there is an aromatherapy  candle just right for you.

When purchasing candles for aromatherapy, it’s important to check the label to see what ingredients have been used. Not all candles are equal so  try to select candles that are made with natural ingredients.  The most effective candles are Soy candles made with essential  oils and are now commonly available.  These are an excellent choice as they are non toxic, biodegradable and renewable.  They  also burn slower and have less smoke than other types of candles ; so throw away those chemical air fresheners which are of  little benefit anyway.

 Suggested essential oils for use are as follows:-

Frankincense is warming and is useful for getting a good nights sleep.
Peppermint is strong and minty. Can aid with alertness.
Lemon is also a stong scent and can help dispel fatigue.
Jasmine smells as good as it sounds can help spark romance.
Grapefruit is another citrus scent that can lift your spirits.
Vanilla is very rich and helps to relieve tension and irritability.
Lavender is fresh and floral and helps in creating a relaxing and peaceful atmosphere. Great for destressing.
Sandalwood can help ease feelings of anxiety and stress.
Mandarin, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg or a blend of these are ideal for use during Christmas or the colder months.
Peppermint, lemon, rosemary or bergamot either used separately or  blended can help stimulate or refresh the senses.

Pro Tip:-

In an emergency,  you can quickly make your own aromatherapy candles by dabbing some essential oil around the top of a candle – not too close to the wick.  When the candle is lit, the heat from the wick  will warm the oil and release a subtle fragrance.

Burning aromatherapy candles scented with pure essential oils is a wonderful way to add fragrance to a room. Not only does an  aromatherapy candle smell and look nice, it can have therapeutic effects on the body and mind, so give it a try.

Caution: Never leave a burning candle unattended and keep out of reach of children and pets.

Today many people suffer from lower back pain. This may be a result of poor posture, standing too long at work, or from a previous injury. For those who deal with back pain, they know that the pain can become unbearable. Back pain can cause great discomfort and can hinder the enjoyment from a person’s life. Living with chronic pain can take its toll on the emotions as well, and can lead to mood swings and a negative outlook of life. The best remedy is to avoid injuring the back to begin with.

One of the best ways to prevent back pain is to watch your weight. Being overweight can lead to chronic back pain. When the abdomen becomes overstretched, the back muscles will be used to counteract the effect of slack abdomen muscles. By keeping the abdomen toned and not becoming overweight you can save your back a lot of injury in the future.

Pregnancy is another cause of back pain. When a woman is pregnant, the growing baby will stretch out the abdomen and the back will feel the effects. You may even have a mental image of a pregnant woman standing with her hands held on her lower back. Some women even have greater amounts of back pain during pregnancy when the baby sits on the Sciatic nerve. This may result in excruciating and debilitating back pain. Thankfully, this type of back pain is temporary and will subside once the baby is born.

It is important that you prevent back injury at the workplace as well as at home. This may mean that you wear a back brace at work when picking up heavy objects. Also, you should always bend at your knees when picking something up. Many people make the mistake of bending at the waist to pick up heavy objects and this can result in strained back muscles, or back injury.

If you are suffering from back pain then you should schedule an appointment with your chiropractor or family physician. It is important that you nurture your spine, and if you suspect an injury do not put it off. You may need to take a course of prescribed treatment so scheduling an appointment is very important.

Aromatherapy also offers some great benefits to easing back pain. Along with Aromatherapy, you can also do some gentle Yoga stretching exercises. Always check with your chiropractor or doctor before starting any exercise, but Yoga is wonderful for the spine and most likely will be recommended by your doctor.

You can take hot oil baths to relieve the pain as well as have hot oil massages on your back. There are many natural essential oils that will help relieve the pain.

Suggested essential oil blends for use are as follows:-

To make a great hot aromatic pain-relieving bath, use 10 drops of Eucalyptus and 10 drops of Peppermint added to your bath. Soak in the hot bath for at least 20 minutes to achieve the full therapeutic benefits. If you are pregnant, make sure that you read the safety precautions on the label of any essential oils that you are using.

An essential oil is the liquid taken from flowers, plants, trees, etc., by means of a special process. Essential oils (when left in their purest form) have a 100% kill rate on harmful viruses, bacteria, fungus, and mold.

The crucial thing to using an essential oil in the ways described here though is to make absolutely certain you 1) know your source 2) because you’ll are looking for the oils derived from certified organic plants not grown with pesticides in order to benefit from the full effect of the oil.

Aromatherapy is often a word you’ll find associated with essential oils. The term was created by French scientist Dr Rene M Gattefosse in the early 1900’s.  Whilst he was at work in his lab, he unfortunately had an accident which caused a serious burn to his arm and hand. His immediate reaction was to plunge his arm into what he thought was a vat of water but actually it was a vat of lavender oil.  So, he continued to use the lavender oil to care for his burn which healed totally and left no trace of a scar.

Most of the essential oils in the current market have synthetics added as they’re basically made for the cosmetic industry and are not nutritional. Fortunately, there are a number of outstanding therapeutic grade oils which are pure oils and may be used internally, upon the skin or even inhaled and are potent immune system builders.

While these essential oils designed for the most part have been produced for use with people as their primary purpose, numerous individuals are using these essential oils as a part of their pet care quite successfully.

The essential oils work in harmony along with the entire body to help maintain, repair, and renew down to the level of DNA. The “oil” coming from the plants is comparable to our blood and the body’s immune system therefore they work very harmoniously inside of our bodies.  Therapeutic grade oils can oxygenate and detoxify our blood simultaneously as well as produce an environment where bad bacteria can’t survive.  Also even more amazing is when the oils are either immediately inhaled or diffused (utilizing a cold air diffuser) they are going to cross the barrier and cleanse the petrochemical.  Because of their special characteristics they go into our bloodstream, cells, and so on, and search for where they are required.

There’s a chance you’re thinking, that you and your pets don’t have any petrochemicals in your brain or blood.  You better think again. we use numerous different chemicals in our environment and these can get into our systems and make us sick. Things such as pesticides and even certain types of cleaning chemicals we make use of in our homes. For some sensitive people, the toxicity is obvious immediately: many of us get a headache, get sick or feel nausea through the fumes or some other contact.

Sometimes the toxicity is subtle and even may build up leading to persistent problems and illness (such as allergic reactions, cancers or even miscarriages) which can be considerable and even fatal over time. We sometimes actually put toxins on our domestic pets to manage ticks as well as fleas and other bugs, not really knowing that these chemicals aren’t healthy for us nor our pets.

Pesticides normally include many types of petrochemicals. If we all do not take on responsibility for our health and the health of our animals, we can easily end up sicker and sicker as a result of using almost all these pesticide sprays, herbicide, and chemical cleaning products in homes. What affects us will often impact our domestic pets much more rapidly and much more easily since they’re resting upon the chemically washed flooring as well as in the chemical in our gardens.

However, by using therapeutic grade essential oils, we all can easily get rid of a lot (if not all) of the poisons from our own properties as well as in the human body – and that also includes our animals as well.

While making use of therapeutic grade essential oils, you are able to use them in a pure form – undiluted – on skin, inhaled, or even sometimes internally along with some other essential oils. For you to use on your own animals, you could decide to diffuse them in a diffuser until your pets adjust to the oils. With cats it is actually normally a great idea to play it safe and either diffuse the oils or apply it very diluted to their back feet (using more carrier oil than essential oil) or tips of their ear. Never use pure essential oils directly upon a cat. It is vital that you do some research before starting out on the oils for your own pets, particularly with cats. Always check with your Vet before using essential oils on your pet.

Lavender oil has so many uses benefits such as : for use with burns, cuts, scrapes, sunburns and is an all-purpose calming oil . It can be applied on bee stings and insect bites also and is a good oil (when diluted along with an organic carrier oil such as olive or almond) for cleansing your dog ears (note – use this with extreme care and very highly diluted on a cat!). When you use any of the oils (neat or straight/ undiluted) the oils can repel insects. This oil is actually an excellent repellant to fleas, flies, mosquitoes, and ticks

Peppermint oil: this oil is fantastic for alleviating canine wind (and for human beings as well), diarrhoea, indigestion, as an anti-inflammatory, and may decrease fevers. You may also put it to use prior to or even during exercise to enhance your own mood and reduce exhaustion – It can also decrease your appetite. This oil is actually great at eliminating these pesky insects such as spiders, ants and aphids, fleas and flies, lice and even moths.

Truth be told there are numerous oils to assist anyone for pretty much almost every healthcare situation for you as well as your animals.

Rosehip seed oil has become widely recognized as an effective skin and beauty care agent in the last decade, with great interest surrounding its scientifically-validated beauty-enhancing effects. The oil has been heralded as a miracle cure for skin, useful for a great myriad of conditions, from premature aging and sun damage to scarring and other damage. What is this wonderful red liquid, where does it come from, how does it work, and most importantly, can it work for you?

Rosehip seed oil is made from the seeds of the fruit of wild thorny rose bushes native to mountainous regions of South America. Also known as ‘Rosa Mosqueta’, the oil has been used by native people for hundreds of years.

The red colored oil can be either solvent extracted or ‘cold-pressed’ – cold pressing is the really way to go, as there is no chance of any solvent residues remaining in the final product, and it is easier on the environment. The cold-pressed oil is the closest to nature; it has a high essential fatty acid content, and is considered more delicate than other seed oils. For this reasons, pure Rosehip seed oil should be kept in a cool place, out of direct light, and should be used within 1 year of purchase. Otherwise the more fragile of the fatty acids could begin to turn bad, and your skin might not be so fond of them.

The oil is one of nature’s best sources of vitamins E and A. Retinoic acid, the acid derivative of vitamin A, is the active ingredient found in Retin-A, which has been used for years as a wrinkle cure because of its ability to speed the time it takes for your skin to regenerate. Rosehip seed oil has been studied for many of the same actions attributed to this pharmaceutical preparation, and has been shown effective without side effects that the man-made version may have.

The first major study on Rosehip seed oil was performed in 1983 by a team of researchers at the University of Santiago, Chile. The study’s participants included individuals with diverse forms of skin damage: deep wrinkles and other premature aging, UV damage, radiation damage, acne scarring, burn scarring, dermatitis, and other problems of this type. Rosehip seed oil was shown to have significant, noticeable effects in regenerating the skin, reducing wrinkles and scars, and helping the skin to regain its natural color and tone.

A second major study was done with middle-aged women with noticeable premature skin aging.  Again, Rosehip seed produced noticeable, significant effects in smoothing the skin, leading to a younger texture and appearance.

In addition to it’s skin regenerative properties, the oil is also a fantastic moisturizer and nourishing agent due to it’s high essential fatty acid content. The oil easily penetrates the skin and is well absorbed – it does not leave an oily feeling, but rather one of healthy skin moisture.

Rosehip seed oil may be used directly on the skin daily – It may also be blended with other oils like jojoba and sweet almond, and will still give noticeable results at one-tenth of the concentration.  In addition, Rosehip seed oil makes an excellent carrier oil for aromatherapy, blending it with essential oils having skin regenerative properties will make an exceptional natural skin care product.

Suggested essential oil blends for use are as follows:-

For improvement of scarring, a simple blend of 20 drops of Helichrysum Italicum per 1 ounce of Rosehip seed oil, applied daily to the area, can be helpful. Helichrysum is known for its content of regenerative ‘ketones’.

For a more luxurious beauty blend, try the following in 4 ounces of rosehip seed: 5 drops Helichrysum 5 drops Lavender 3 drops Sandalwood 3 drops Neroli 3 drops Carrot Seed 3 drops Geranium 2 drops Roman Chamomile 2 drops Jasmine 1 drop Palmarosa 1 drop Ylang Ylang.  Even simply the Helichrysum and Lavender will go a long way – Lavender oil is very gentle, and is also known to have regenerative properties.

A little Rosehip seed oil will go a long way – and once you use it, you may forever include this wonderful natural botanical in your skin care collection. It is truly a beauty-care miracle from mother nature.

The Essential Oil with Many Uses

Melaleuca oil, also known as tea tree oil, is truly nature’s natural antiseptic.

This topical oil, which comes from an Australian tree called the tea tree, is a naturally safe oil that is effective as an antibiotic, anti-viral, and fungicide. Tea tree oil was first used by the Aborigines living in the Northeast Corner of what is now New South Wales, Australia. They would pick the oil-covered leaves of the tea tree and rub them on their skin to alleviate cuts, bites, burns, and other skin ailments. They made a dressing for wounds by grinding the leaves into a paste. They also crushed the leaves to use as an insect repellent.

There are several kinds of tea trees. Yet, the most potent medicinal oil is called Melaleuca Alternifolia. Dr. A. R. Penfold, a chemist in Sydney, found that tea tree oil was 13 times stronger in killing bacteria than carbolic acid, the universal standard antiseptic in the early 1900’s. The Medical Journal of Australia published a study that tea tree oil was effective in treating pus filled infections of the skin and infected nail beds, and helped speed recovery from sore throats when the oil was gargled.  Bottles of tea tree oil were given to Australian soldiers during the First World War.  Another study published in the Medical Journal of Australia in 1990 found tea tree oil as effective in treating acne as benzoyl peroxide, with fewer side effects. It is also effective in treating burns, thrush, and bacterial and fungal infections. Tea tree oil can also be used for animals :- Bites, cuts, stings, rashes, dermatitis, lice, mange, ringworm, fleas  and ticks are just a few of its veterinary uses.  As always, please check with your Vet before using any oils on your pet.

Melaleuca oil may be applied full strength or diluted in water or other types of carrier oil like olive oil. Most tea tree oil that is produced is added to skin and beauty care products, such as deodorants, shampoos, and mouthwashes. Industrial-grade oils are used as disinfectants, floor detergents, and can be added to air conditioning and ventilation systems to kill mold and fungus. Tea tree oil also has a beneficial effect on arthritis.  The oil is able to penetrate and desensitize irritated nerve endings.

Suggested essential oil blends for use are as follows:-

For relief from pain caused by the various arthritic afflictions (rheumatoid arthritis , osteoarthritis, etc.), combine 18 drops of tea tree oil with 1/8 cup of almond oil. Put in a dark bottle and shake before applying it topically two to four times a day as a massage oil.

Putting 2-3 drops of tea tree oil into a warm bath is also a great way to alleviate the joint pain associated with arthritis.

Boils can also be treated effectively using Tea Tree oil by simply dabbing a drop or 2 directly onto the boil and covering it with some gauze. Repeat as often as possible.

We are fortunate to live in an age where scientists are rediscovering nature’s natural medicines through modern research.  Natural therapies are often as effective as drugs, but without the side effects. Many medicinal drugs contain properties to heal that no synthetic drug has been able to imitate.

Aromatherapy for the Mind Body and Spirit.

Sandalwood is unquestionably among the world’s most extensively used essential oils, highly valued for its scent in perfumery, because of its therapeutic effects in Eastern traditional medicine systems, as well as for its capacity to center your mind in meditative yogic traditions.

The Sandalwood essential oil is generally produced by using steam distillation from the wood from the Sandalwood tree, together with the heartwood from the roots creating the greatest possible superior essential oil. Sandalwood is distinctly an evergreen, growing to some height of 9 meters, with leather like leaves and small crimson flowers. Native to southern tropical Asia, the tree is parasitic, attaining its nutrition from a number of other tree species. Because of the very fact it must be exclusively  grown this unique way, and because of its apparently strict specific group of environmental conditions, Sandalwood is hard to propagate. To increase the difficulty of effective cultivation, Sandalwood takes more than 25 – 30 years to mature before producing oil of any worth.

Sandalwood essential oil has a wood like, balsamic, sweet and slightly musky smell; it’s a pale yellow, greenish or brown liquid with excellent tenacity (the aroma includes an inclination to last a long time) and superior fixative qualities. You will find generally several types available, with Santalum Album is regarded as the most important therapeutically.  The Mysore region of eastern India is recognized as producing the very best high quality of the oil, though its cropping is triggering a stress about the area’s natural atmosphere.  Lately, an oil from the particular Austrocaledonia species has been created about the island of Vanuatu from effectively cultivated Sandalwood trees. This oil includes a fantastic aroma, plus a woodsy, smoky scent that may easily help remind you of being by a tropical beach.  It is also a superb base note in perfume and cosmetic blends.

Within the Western world, Sandalwood oil is unquestionably most broadly known as  natural and woodsy, with a sweet body perfume and used ‘as is’, or like a familiar aroma in several cosmetics, aftershave’s and the like. Within the Far East, however, Sandalwood’s importance in cultural and spiritual traditions can not be overstated. The wood is created into furniture, religious symbols, used to build temples and burned as incense celebrating a range of events. The oil is required to anoint the dead, helping their transition to another existence. In Burma, women sprinkle it on passersby and on other family members . In Hindu traditional culture, Sandalwood is burned inside a tent to ensure that the smoke surrounds the bridal couple. For the meditative yogi, the oil and incense encourage a tranquil state of mind, supporting alignment with the self and the universal Self.

Within the ancient medicine system of Ayurveda, Sandalwood is valued for it’s capacity to cool the hot pitta temperament. It’s indicated for inflammatory conditions, for example inflamed skin, or intestinal and genito-urinary issues that require cooling. Modern aroma therapists view the oil as an effective skin care agent for dried up skin, general irritation and acne it may assist in case of bronchitis, dry coughs, laryngitis or an irritated throat; it may relieve nausea, and may assist in cases of cystitis.

Sandalwood essential oil really is an excellent tonic for a hyper-active mind. In practical terms, the oil is regarded as being an anti-depressant through it’s capacity to alleviate hot, irritated emotional states, and to aid in release from over-thinking and worry.  More esoterically, the aroma is regarded as ‘divinely sweet’ and softly balsamic, qualities which stimulate the grounding of the worldly element. It’s thought to release one from the ‘tyranny from the intellect’ which could easily cloud a person’s true character, delivering about an infinitely more peaceful condition unifying body, mind and spirit. Through this quiet, unified condition, meditation may influence profound transformation.

Suggested essential oil blends for use are as follows:-

For ‘obsessive’ thinking – try 4 drops of Sandalwood and 2 drops of Vetiver in a single tablespoon of carrier oils (such as jojoba)

To obtain detached analytical thinking – try 3 drops Geranium, 2 drops Sandalwood and 1 drop Patchouli in a single tablespoon of carrier oil.

For a great perfume also with soothing characteristics –  mix 3 parts Sandalwood and 2 parts Vanilla oil – the blend produces a wonderful tropical island aroma .

These blends may also be used inside a diffuser by omitting the carrier oil. The doses apply for general massage, reflexology, or utilized on the heart beat points and temples.

Finally, Sandalwood is among one of the few essential oils which enhances as time passes. Because of growing demand from clients, the oil’s cost is climbing considerably every single year. It may be useful to purchase a bit more than you believe you will need immediately, as storing it for a while  will simply create a stronger oil for future use.  Obviously, samples are an economical starting point, as you’ll be able to find a Sandalwood variety that appeals the most to you.

The mysterious frankincense has been used for thousands of years throughout many ancient cultures of the world, including the, Roman,  Babylonian, Persian, Egyptian, Hebrew, and  Greek  civilizations. Frankincense was highly sought after and was valued a lot more in comparison with gold.  It is actually still used today by the majority of the world’s religions.

Frankincense is one of the few resins that come from a tree which can be burned as incense (frankincense tears) or used as an essential oil.

The frankincense tears are extracted from a tree (Boswellia  Carteri) which only grows in dry desert conditions. The tears are extracted by shallow cuts into the bark of the tree. The resin then flows out, dries and hardens and is then harvested and dried naturally in the sun.  The trees themselves are not harmed during this process and there are trees still producing this resin after hundreds of years of harvesting.  The older the tree, the better the quality of the frankincense tears.

Frankincense has many properties that can assist in healing.  One of it’s major uses in the past was as an antiseptic. The pure oil would be spread across a wound which would prevent infection.

It is also said that Queen Cleopatra would use pure Frankincense oil in her beauty regime and Kohl – the black eye liner that the Ancient Egyptians were so fond of – was produced from the burned remains of frankincense tears. The Ancient Egyptians would burn literally tons of frankincense during their rituals.

Frankincense when burned has an extremely calming effect, helping the mind and body relax.  It is best to burn pure frankincense resin on a special charcoal disk.  It is highly recommended that you do this at night or when you are preparing to go to bed as it is extremely relaxing.  Used in combination with cedar wood oil, it will provide you with a very deep sleep – naturally.

Modern day research has shown that frankincense does indeed have a number of therapeutic effects. Scientists have found that frankincense oil has a positive effect on arthritis, rheumatism and other inflammatory ailments.  Frankincense is also known to have anti-depressant properties and also helps strengthen the immune system.  It seems like the ancients were onto something.

Sesquiterpenes are a component of Frankincense oil , and this stimulates the limbic system, the hypothalamus, the pineal and the pituitary glands.

Burning Frankincense tears will slow down your breathing so this is an ideal fragrance to use when meditating. You may also use frankincense tears in a vaporizer if you have a cold or bronchitis/laryngitis as frankincense helps clear the lungs. You may also use frankincense essential oils in a bath to help relieve a cold or any aches and pains you have.

Adding 5 -10 drops of pure frankincense essential oil into your face cream will benefit mature or aging skin.

Frankincense is truly one of aromatherapy’s best kept secrets. It will calm both your mind and body, help you sleep, take care of your beauty needs,  acts as an antiseptic, assist with getting over coughs and colds and help ease your aches and pains.