Aromatherapy Chat
Oil blends, bath salts and aromatherapy accessoriesArchive for October, 2008
Tréal and Ali
In Canada, one in 165 children are diagnosed with Autism. Sensory cues such as sound, bright lights, too much activity and other sensory issues make it difficult for an individual with autism to function and adapt in a world that can seem overwhelming. Finding ways to calm down becomes important. Kim Churko at Parentshop.ca has developed a multi-sensory tool bag to help parents and educators deal with autistic children during these stressful times. Although she does not mention on her website that she has included a bottle of essential oils formulated for stress relief in her own personal bag, she will add it to the multi - sensory bag if someone requests it.
The formula includes an essential oil blend of grapefruit, petitgrain, lavender and ylang ylang.
Some suggestion in using the blend:
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a couple of drops on the pillow at bedtime to help your child relax and sleep better
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put some of the essential oils in a spray bottle with some purified water and spray in the room
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put a couple of drops on a tissue to help dampen offensive odors
For more information about the multi-sensory bag check the web site at parentshop.ca
Aromatherapy Terminology and Properties for the Day.
Essential Oil Property:
Cephalic - Stimulates and clears the mind
Essential Oils that can be used as a Cephalic:
Basil, Cardamum, marjoram, Peppermint, Rosemary, Rosewood.
Orange Sweet (Citrus vulgaris)
Since most essential oils are antiviral, antifungal, and antibacterial it makes sense to use them when doing household chores.
You can add a couple of drops of lemon or orange essential oil to your water in the sink or add it to the detergent you are using. Fifteen drops in a 10 ounce bottle of detergent should do it. If you are using a dishwasher just add 2 drops to the soap compartment. At the least, your dishwasher will smell fresh.
Add about 20 drops of an essential oil to a cloth and put it into the dryer with the rest of the laundry. Folding the laundry becomes much more enjoyable. Hand washed items can come out much more fragrant and purified by adding a couple of drops of lemongrass, petitegrain, or bergamot oil to the water.
Add 10 drops to the bag of your vacuum cleaner. It disinfects the bag and you can enjoy the fragrance all at the same time.
Add some tea tree essential oil or eucalyptus essential oil to a piece of paper and throw into your garbage can.
Just use your imagination and you will come up with more ideas.
Aromatherapy Terminology and Properties for the Day.
Term:
antibacterial - Destroys or stops the growth of bacteria.
Property:
Antifungal - stops the growth of fungus and/or kills them
Essential Oils that can be used as an antifungal:
Tea tree, lavender, Lemongrass, Garlic, Myrrh, Eucalyptus
Chamomile Moroc ( Ormensis multicaulis)
Having two grandchildren who have been diagnosed with autism, I try to find information that may be useful in treating autism. And since aromatherapy and essential oils are a special interst of mine I sometimes find interesting research articles about essential oils that may be of interest to my readers.
An interesting article written by Jane Elwood caught my attention recently. Check it out.
Aromatherapy Terminology and Properties for the Day.
Term:
Vermifuge - For killing and/or expelling worm from the intestinal tract
Property:
Anticonvulsive - To control, reduce or alleviate convulsions
Essential Oils that can be used as an anticonvulsive:
Chamomile, Clary Sage, Lavender
Citronella (Cymbopogon nardus)
Citronella Essential Oil, originating from Sri Lanka, is steam extracted from the grass leaves of the citronella plant. There is some evidence that it was used several hundred years B.C.. It’s scent is distinctly lemony.
My first recollection of Citronella was when used as an insect repellant on the deck in our back yard. At that time I had no idea that it was an essential oil. Since then I have learned that it has other uses.
It can be used in bug sprays, flea collars, and candles.
The scent is very relaxing and can help if you have difficulty falling asleep.
Citronella can also be used to treat colds, infections, and oily complexions.
It is a general tonic to the body.
There are no known precautions.
Aromatherapy Terminology and Properties for the Day.
Term:
Adulteration - Contaminates, as corrupting an essential oil in any way.
Property:
Parasiticide - Destroys parasites internally and externally.
Essential Oils that can be used as a parasiticide:
Garlic, Citronella, Lemongrass, Eucalyptus, Lemon
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
Essential Oils can be used quite effectively for hair and scalp treatments. Normal hair, dry hair, oily hair, dandruff, and even hair loss can be treated with essential oils. Some great suggestions on which essential oils to use and how to use them can be found at Essential Oils for Health and Beauty.
Aromatherapy Terminology and Properties for the Day.
Term:
Cutaneous - In relation to the skin
Property:
Cytophylactic - protcts the cell of an organism and encourages the growth of new skin cells.
Essential Oils that can be used as a cytophylactic:
Carrot seed, Frankincense, Helichrysum, Lavender, Neroli, Rose, Tangerine
Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus)
We know all the good that can happen when using essential oils and aromatherapy products. However, we still need to be careful and take precautions.
- Essential oils should not be taken internally unless under the advice of a trained professional.
- During pregnancy use essential oils under the guidance of a health professional.
- Keep essential oils away from children.
- Avoid contact with eyes and mucous membranes.
- Do not put essential oils directly on the skin. Use diluted in a base oil or cream.
- Essential oils are not a substitute for prescribed medications.
- Use only under the guidance of a health professional if you are epileptic or diabetic.
- Do not apply pressure or massage to blood clots or vericose veins.
Aromatherapy Terminology and Properties for the Day.
Term:
Antidontalgic - alleviate toothache
Property:
antiviral - inhibits growth or multiplication of viruses.
Essential Oils that can be used as an antiviral:
Eucalyptus, Garlic, Helichrysum, Ravensara
For Christmas at the office this year we had a dirty Santa party. That’s where everyone brings a gift and then people pick gifts based on a number-drawing system. I was lucky this year—I picked number two.I picked a small, prettily-wrapped present. When I opened it up I discovered vanilla-scented bath salts. I had never used bath salts before and I was pleasantly surprised to find they really helped sooth my stiff muscles in the bath tub.
I love to relax in the evenings with a good book and a hot cup of tea. Sometimes I feel so stressed out after a hard day at work that I have trouble unwinding. Usually the tea and book combo does the trick, but there are times when I need something extra to calm me down.Recently I just started using some lavender essential oil for its soothing effect on my frazzled nerves. I just add some of the oil to my diffuser and let the sweet aroma do its work. I would recommend that anyone dealing with stress in their life try using lavender.
Rose Maroc (Rosa Centifolia)
The ancient Greek herbalist Dioscorides suggested that Anise incites sex. Anise has the smell of licorice.
Indian and Arabic herbalists add cardamom to their aphrodisiac potions.
According to the Persian physician Avicenna, mixing honey with Ginger and rubbed on the penis can bring a rise in male performance (it increases circulation).
In the Middle East , Myrrh is used for spiritual and sexual inspiration. In the Song of Solomon in the bible it is written “My beloved is a sachet of myrrh lying between my breasts”.
In the Middle East, Egypt, and Palestine Corriander is the aphrodisiac choice. It was brought to Europe during the crusades as a love potion.
Of course, we can’t forget the famous ancient text the Kama Sutra where it is written, “give her your jasmine garland, lie her back gently, and massage her body with sweet sandalwood oil“.
Aromatherapy Terminology and Properties for the Day.
Term:
Caustic - burning.
Property:
Emetic- induces vomiting.
Essential Oils that can be used as an emetic:
Violet Leaf, Rose