Aromatherapy Chat

Remember that the blending of essential oils results in a synergy more beneficial than the sum of the individual oils.

Here is a wonderful organic therapeutic grade synergy blend for easing the physical and emotional stress from PMS and menopause. These oils were chosen because they ease cramps and help to bring balance. The oils used are clary sage, geranium, chamomile and rose. This blend was developed by Healingscents Aromatherapy.

Cinnamon Leaf (cinnamomun verum)

In my last entry I wrote about Hydrosols and how they are made (o5/11/2008). In this  entry I will briefly describe aromatic waters and how they are different from hydrosols. Aromatic waters are simply essential oils mixed with distilled water, put into a spray bottle, shaken well and sprayed into the air or on your skin. You need to shake the bottle because the essential oils rise to the surface and need to be mixed with the water with each use. With hydrosols the fragrance remains mixed with the water, and, therefore the oil does not rise to the surface. The Hydrosols are considered to moisturize better that aromatic waters. However, aromatic waters are less expensive to buy, and if you make your own it is even less costly.

Aromatic oils are used for the same purposes as hydrosols. (05/11/2008). Hydrosols and aromatic waters are excellent for use in facial toners.

Facial Toner (hydrosol) 

A hydrosol is the by-product of steam distillation. Usually the essential oils resulting from steam distillation separates from the water but some of the molecules that are water soluble stay with the water and result in an aromatic compound called a hydrosol. The hydrosol is very fragrant and therapeutic. It has many of the same properties as the essential oil in lower concentrations. The water with the aromatic molecules can then be used for many purposes. And, unlike essential oils, the hydrosol can be put directly on the skin. The hydrosol is usually dispensed into the air or on your skin via a spray bottle.

Some common uses of hydrosols include face moisturizer, facial toner, room freshener, sore throat spray, breath freshener, spray disinfectant, fruit wash, and even animal flea spray.

Rose water is the most common hydrosol spray along with orange water. More hydrosols sold in spray bottles, among others, are chamomile, Lavender, Sandalwood,  Lemon Verbana, and Geranium.

On the next blog I will introduce another way to produce fragrant waters.

Thanks to RelaxYrself for the blog entries while I was away.

Aromatherapy is one of the effective ways to reduce stress. Aromatherapy makes use of various essential oils such as eucalyptus, lavender, chamomile, and tea tree. The fragrances of these oils can relax the mind and even alleviate headaches, insomnia, or depression.

Aromatherapy can be enjoyed at home. You can choose from a variety of oil diffusers and burners. A pottery oil diffuser makes an attractive and fragrant accent to any room. You will need just a few drops of essential oil in water and a burning tea light candle. After a few seconds the aroma of the oil will spread all throughout the room leaving you soothed and relaxed.

Not all moisturizers are made alike. Some body creams may contain harmful ingredients that can irritate the skin. The safest bet is to choose an all-natural and organic body cream. Organic means the ingredients used are devoid of synthetic chemicals and pesticides that can be harmful to the skin.

Usually, organic products are a bit more expensive than synthetic ones. However, the benefits are more evident. You are assured your skin gets nourished properly. Also, your skin will be smoother and suppler after regular use.

From Aromathatherapychat.com : To all folks living in the USA

 Happy Thanksgiving .

I will be going on a trip for a few days. No regular Blog entries until Wed. Dec 3/08. 

Peppermint Supreme ( mentha piperita) 

I found this idea in Aromatherapy Guide by Leah Morgan.

In a glass container, combine 1/2 cup of cornstarch, 5 ml of baking soda and a small amount of fuller’s earth with 5 drops of essential oil or synergy blend. Shake well.

Aromatherapy Candle

Scented candles are very popular and can be found in gift shops, kitchen ware stores, mail order catalogues and in internet stores. Care should be taken to check the quality of the oils that are added to the candles. Synthetic fragrances are often used instead of real essential oils. Synthetic scents are generally overly sweet with a fruity flavor.  With some practice it will become easy to tell the difference.

Simply light the candle and enjoy the wonderful scented atmosphere it creates. One disadvantage of ready made scented candles is that if you leave the candle on a counter top it will continue to emit the scent even if the candle is not lit. You may not want the same scent in the room day after day.

So the other option is to scent your own unscented candles with the essential oils you want. The wick absorbs the essential oils fragrance and when you light it, voila, the scent is realeased to be enjoyed. One disadvantage of this method is that you may need to infuse the wick each time you light it.

 Reviyve Stress Relief Station  supplies candles that can last as many as 75 hours - a good place to start. Check in the Aromatherapy category.

Aromatherapy Terminology and Properties for the Day.

Term: 

Stomachic -  Relievng to gastric complaints. Stimulates the appetite. Substances which give strength and tone to the stomach

Essential Oils that can be used as a stomachic:

There are many essential oils that aid the digestive system.

Some are: Basil, Chamomile, Peppermint, Clary Sage, Lemon, Melissa, Myrrh.

Lemon (Citrus Limonum) 

Almost nobody likes to suffer with pain. Pain, however, has a good reason to exist. It alerts us to the fact that something is physically wrong and something should do something about it. Severe pain is a signal to see a doctor and this is where allopathic medicine can be very beneficial. With minor pain essential oils usually help and sometimes as effective as over the counter drugs and much safer.

Essential oils can help in six different ways.  These are just examples of ways to  relieve pain. 

1) numbing the pain, (as in using a Clove Bud for a toothache),

2) reducing swelling (as in using Lavender for  bruising),

3) producing heat and penetrating pain (as in warming up muscles and connective tissue with Ginger),

4) telling your brain to pretend that the pain isn’t there. How? By depressing the cerebral cortex part of the brain so that the brain doesn’t register the pain. Lemongrass essential oil works here.

5) Dampen pain causing substances such as prostaglandin which causes some types of headaches. Birch essential oils works well for this. It contains the same compound as aspirin.

6) Relaxes and sedates, (as in stiff, sore muscles) causing pain relief. Chamomile and Melissa (lemon balm) work well for this.

The essential oils for pain relief can be used via a massage, compress, gargle (for sore throat). A good aromatherapy guide book will offer many other suggestions for pain such as intestinal pain, insect bites and arthritis.

Aromatherapy Terminology and Properties for the Day.

Term: 

Styptic -  stops external bleeding. Styptics are usually external applications for restraining discharges of blood.

Essential Oils that can be used as an styptic:

Cypress, Lemon