Aromatherapy Chat

Renew Body Cream

Are you sick and tired of skin problems that stay with you?  

Skin conditions such as dermatitis, psoriasis and  eczema that manifest as inflamed, red, itchy and flaking skin can be treated with skin healing and anti-inflamatory essential oils in aromatherapy products. Some very qualified essential oils are lavender, chamomile, tea tree, melissa and neroli.

How do you do it? Try a ready made store-bought dermatitis salve with calendula and comfrey (2 oz. jar). Add 10 drops of tea tree oil, 8 drops lavender oil, and 5 drops chamomile oil and mix. Put it directly on the skin 2 or 3 times a day. Now you have an aromatherapy product that should work to help heal the skin condition.

Lavender Bulgaria (Lavandula latifolia)

The more I learn about essential oils the more I am amazed at the versatility of Lavender oil. Check 2008-10-22, 2008-10-16, and 2008-09-17 for other blog entries. As with most essential oils Lavender can be used alone or with other oils. Here is a recipe you can make yourself that is popular in Europe as a facial oil.

• 8 drops geranium oil
• 5 drops lavender oil
•  5 drops carrot seed oil
• 4 drops chamomile oil
• 2 drops sandalwood oil
• 1 drop patchouli oil
• 1/4 cup hazelnut oil (0r apricot kernal oil) as a carrier oil

Lavender oil can help to keep a burn from blistering. Just add 2 or 3 drops directly on the affected area. It’s great for sunburn too - mix one ounce of lavender oil with one ounce of aloe vera juice and apply to the burn.

Tired? Try dabbing your wrist or temples with lavender oil. It promotes calm and at the same time it revives.

Sore throat?  Add one drop of lavender and one drop of sandalwood oils to 4 ounces of warm water and gargle.

Aromatherapy Terminology and Properties for the Day.

Term: 

Escharotic -  treats warts

Essential Oils that can be used as an escharotic:

Cinnamon Leaf, Garlic, Lemon, Santolina

Ylang Ylang (cananga odorata) 

Had a hard day? The kids are stressed? Feel a little blue? There are several essential oils that can be used to help you and your family relax. Here is a suggestion for a recipe that really works.

Combine these ingredients.

5 drops of lavender oil

1 drop chamomile oil

1 drop Ylang Ylang oil

Aromatherapy Terminology and Properties for the Day.

Term: 

Aperitif -  stimulates the appetite.

Essential Oils that can be used as an aperitif:

Caraway, Ginger, Fennel, Thyme, Caraway, Cardamum

I’m always looking for unique ways to use essential oils. Browsing through the book Aromatherapy for Dummies by Kathi Keville I came across this easy to make Oatmeal scrub. All of these ingredients may already be in your kitchen.

• Grind 2 tablespoons of oatmeal in an electric coffee grinder.
• Add 5 drops of Lavender Essential Oil
• Add 1/4 cup distilled water
• You can also add 1 teaspoon of cornmeal (optional)
• Mix ingredients together to make a paste.

Gently massage your face for 2 or 3 minutes.

Try it and see how wonderful your skin feels.

Aromatherapy Terminology and Properties for the Day.

Term:

Antitoxic - Neutralizes poisons

Property:

Antisudorific -  Reduces perspiration.

Essential Oils that can be used as an antisudorific:

Clary Sage, Cypress

Ginger (Zingiber officinalis) 

If your’re looking for a romantic evening, this combination of essential oils might do the trick.

1 drop cardamom

2 drops jasmin

5 drops myrrh

8 drops ginger

2 ounces sweet almond oil (or a carrier oil of your own choice).

Spruce

Most people love being massaged. Why not increase the benefits of a massage with essential oils.

You will simply relax but still be alert enough with this great massage blend.

• 8 drops Lavender
• 4 drops Geranium
• 2 drops Clary Sage
• 2 drops Spruce
• 2 ounces Almond Oil

Add the essential oils to the almond oil, mix well and use as a massage oil.

Or you can try a Healingscents essential oil blend already made up for stress relief.

An effective way to  disinfect a room without using chemical sprays that drugstores sell is to use a blend of essential oils in a spray bottle. Just add the essential oils to water in a spray bottle and use when needed. Here is a suggestion.

4 ozs. water

12 drops each of lavender, eucalyptus and orange oil

5 drops thyme oil

Shake the bottle before using and spray.

A great way to use essential oils is when you bathe. Either a full bath, a foot bath, or a hand bath. As a full bath you can use different oils for different purposes. If you want a skin-healing bath choose oils that will be helpful for that. For example, tea tree oil is a good anti-fungal oil, and therefore suitable for athletes foot. Tea tree oil can also be used for other skin infections. If you are looking to soothe tired, aching muscles try lavender and cypress.

Some suggestions for baths:

1. Muscle relaxing bath: 2 drops each of juniper berry, lavender and cypress.
2. Evening bath: 2 to 3 drops each of of lavender and chamomile (very helpful for sound peaceful sleep)
3. For a meditation bath: check my blog entry on 28.08.08

Of course, I sometimes add some soothing music, scented bath salts, and candles.

A great place for more more information can be found in “Aromatherpay Guide” by Leah Morgan.