Archive for the ‘essential oils’ Category
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ENJOY ESSENTIAL OILS !
Monday, February 1st, 2010
The popularity of natural perfumes is at a peak providing us with opportunity to select essential oils of every kind in the current market. Instead of beautiful perfumes being a luxury they have become an integral part of modern toiletry. The insistence upon quality is an indication of the continuing demand for the unadulterated, natural essential oils that offer wonderful benefits and pleasure and used in aromatherapy, with their subtle but effective healing potential.
The more sophisticated blends of expensive perfumery, with complex and often chemical ingredients, will always keep their allure and be used for personal enhancement. However, natural oils have an advantage in that they can be used alone or blended at home for use either as body perfume or as massaging oil. This allows personal experimentation until you find your favourites.
Essential oils are the only safe ones that can be used in healing and the developing science of aromatherapy. This science is pointing the way to a wide range of application from relieving sore muscles and strains, for pain relief, headaches, sinus, and pulmonary complaints. In the latter case eucalyptus oil is usually selected as one of the best, along with pine and peppermint.
Some oils are specifically antiseptic, such as tea tree and thyme oils. Others are exquisitely perfumed and used for direct inhalation when deep breaths draw their beneficial properties to nourish brain and nervous system as in the case of rose or lavender when we hardly need more encouragement to take a deep breath.
Lavender has also proven to be a deterrent for mosquitoes and many burn it at barbeques and outdoor gathering for this reason. Other oils can be similarly used.
We can inhale fragrances such as frankincense applied on our skin or onto an incense stick to help us relax and create an atmosphere for meditation. It is still retained in church use in incense.
Perfumes always have their fascination for both men and women and there are many occasions when we can enjoy them. Their elusive qualities keep us wanting more of the lovely ones. It is a voyage of discovery to find perfumes that suit your particular personality, or provide a particular influence at work or in the home. Enjoy!
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ALL ABOUT ROSES
Sunday, January 24th, 2010
Roses are unquestionably the most elite of flowers and considered as the Queen of Flowers with good reason.
Ancient fossils show that the rose has existed since prehistoric times over 35,000,000 years. Evidence has been found in pictures of the rose found from ancient Crete dating back to the 16th century BC and earlier in coinage from the Island of Rhodes when it was used on its official coinage.
The life of a rose bush can be extremely long. There are many that were planted by settlers in earliest times and that survive for over a hundred years. Others such as Glastonbury Cathedral by legend claim an age dating far longer. It is no wonder that the oil of rose is a trusted rejuvenator.
Throughout history roses have been grown for ornamental value. Many people have developed excessive fondness for this flower, the most well documented perhaps being the Roman Emperor Nero who spent lavishly to ensure an endless supply of roses to satisfy his cravings for rose petal mattresses and pillows, rose perfume, rose scented finger bowls, petals in his food and many other more extravagant uses.
Above all, the rose is a universal symbol of beauty, love and harmony – qualities that are associated with the influence of the planet Venus and the human expressions of these properties. The different colours represent the different expressions with red being the most intense and passionate, yellow representing the more generalized, less personal emotions and white being the purest, quality of spiritual love and ideals. Roses take a pride of place in artwork and artistic design.
We can thank the Empress Josephine for accumulating hundreds of species from all over the world in her garden, with many surviving to allow their involvement in modern rose breeding. Various groups of rose types are recognized today.
Rose species and varieties include habits of climbing, scrambling, bush, or even ground cover with modern rose breeders claiming thousands of new creations, colours and forms. However it is the old species that possess the most suitable perfumed oil content for making essential oil of rose or attar of rose, that is then broken down for its various commercial products and uses. The main species cultivated for this purpose are Rosa gallica, R. centifolia, R. damascena and R. muscatta.
As1000 kilos of roses are required to produce 520 gms of essential rose oil, it is no wonder that it is renowned as the most expensive of the natural perfumed oils with a price that is prohibitive for the average person. Adulterants are used including Guaiac Wood oil from Bulneesia sarmienti and we are aware that most of us must compromise and settle for a good quality synthetic rose oil.
But we can drink rose hip tea, flavour our food with rose essences, crystallise rose petals as confection, include rose petals in our salads, use rose perfume in personal toilet, massage good quality synthetic rose oil into our bodies for healing through aromatherapy, burn it in our incense, and most importantly, best nourish our brain and our minds by inhaling the pure perfume directly from the garden flower.
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Five Basic ‘Must-Have’ Oils
Wednesday, October 28th, 2009
Everyone makes their own selection in choosing perfumed essential oils for personal enjoyment and we all have our favourites. It is also usual to have a degree of aversion to some scents. These olfactory preferences regarding natural aromatics define our particular personalities and tastes.
However in beginning to build up a range of pure natural essential oils at home there are some useful ones to purchase as a basis, as they have health value, many practical applications and all people find their scents are delightful to inhale.
So the suggestion is to first consider –
Lavender – Lavandula angustifolia There are many species of lavender and all have provided traditional and very popular cottage remedies when used as an analgesic, antidepressant or nerve tonic. Its gentle, sedative influence is well known and popularly used in modern commercial perfumery and toiletries as well as in aromatherapy.
Its soothing influence makes it invaluable for inhaling when any nervous tension needs attention. It is safe for children to inhale as it is for adults. Lavender can be blended with almond oil for massaging. It can be applied directly to burns.
Women in particular benefit from its use. Inhalations offer healing agents in cases of insomnia, migraine, premenstrual tension, headache or dizziness.
Lemon -Citrus limon
This wonderful oil from the rind of the lemon fruit has many important roles to play in the home. It is looked upon as one of nature’s most potent antiseptics. A drop of the oil can be smeared upon the back of the tongue at first sign of contracting a cold or any contagious disease. With care in placing the oil so that no contact with teeth occurs, children can be included in this simple defence against illness.
Direct inhalations help to cleanse the mind of troubled thoughts. The oil is also recommended for aiding concentration when studying.
As an air freshener, its sharp, clean scent in bathrooms, toilets and storage places is appreciated.
The pure oil is powerful and can be damaging in direct contact with materials, furniture and even plastics so care must be taken to safeguard any possible damage.
Although strong, it is not toxic but as with all substances, including essential oils, children should not have access to it.
Peppermint Oil Mentha piperita
This is a well known aromatic that is used in confectionary, pharmaceutical products, toothpastes, toiletries and in embrocations for external application.
It is related to lemon with its clean, sharp influence.But whereas lemon oil is not used directly on the skin, peppermint is a fine ingredient in massage oils for relieving spinal conditions as well as muscular strains. It is proven effective in use by naturopaths, osteopaths and chiropractors for these purposes.
In home use a few drops in almond oil, massaged gently for any muscular strains gives relief and produces a mixture of sensation of heat and cold. When administering this oil, caution is given to the masseur in a reminder to wash hands immediately afterwards as the intense fumes can irritate the eyes.
Peppermint is usually valued for its use by direct inhalation to relieve colds and ‘flu, asthma or any respiratory conditions when the eyes must be closed. Steam inhalation in a mechanical inhaler is effective also.
Pine Oil -Pinus sylvestris
This wonderfully warm and delightful aromatic oil has great value as an energizer when inhaled directly, easing muscular strains and nerve pain. Its recognized chemical attributes make it an accepted antimicrobial, antibacterial and antiseptic.
This is an oil for general use in the family but is particularly helpful for males and frequently their choice in personal toiletry or as a deodorant.
Directly inhaled is not only pleasant but has the effect of well being and improving vitality of body and mind. It is recommended for various physical applications but the subtle benefit for those suffering stress of depression is of primary importance. It can assist in strengthening self confidence.
It is used in massaging oil, for arthritis, fatigue, cystitis, gout, muscular aches and rheumatic pain. It is safe to use direct (after skin test) or blended with almond or eucalyptus oils. It is also a fine direct inhalant for relief of respiratory difficulties and chest troubles.
Tea Tree – Melaleuca alternifolia
This unique oil from Australia offers a remarkable one that has many useful applications and deserves a pride of place in your family health cabinet although usually not selected for its perfume.
Application of tea tree oil has a miraculous power to eradicate physical skin problems related to fungal conditions in particular. The problem symptom of ‘germ under the nail’ that has a history of stubborn resistance to any medicine is cured by direct application of this pure oil.
When first discovered it was found helpful as a mouth wash in gum and dental treatment and remains a common practice in many homes today as an alternative to the chemical products that often have side effects or cause allergic reactions. Following usual tooth brushing practice, a mouth wash with a drop or two of tea tree oil in warm water is a refreshing experience and results in fine method for maintaining oral hygiene that can be used by the whole family.
TO ENLARGE UPON THIS BASIC SELECTION WILL TAKE YOU ON A PLEASANT PATH TO INCREASED UTILIZATION AND ENJOYMENT OF THE RANGE OF AVAILABLE CONCENTRATED NATURAL ESSENTIAL OILS THAT OFFER US REMEDIES FROM NATURE’S LABORATORY.
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ABOUT ESSENTIAL OILS
Wednesday, October 28th, 2009
Most of us can be quite definite in voicing our appreciation of a perfume we find pleasing. We are equally decided about what we find unpleasant. Our unique sense of olfaction directs our choice of personal perfume and demonstrates our own particular taste in aromatics. In regard to selecting our personal perfume, it is entirely our own choice. We are free to choose our personal scent to enhance a particular quality of our personality or to suit our passing mood.
When we are thinking of general use of essential oils and perfumes, however, we have to be aware of the fact that others may differ in their appreciation or distaste for certain perfumes or may even be allergic to a particular scent. So we must use perfumes with sensitivity and err on the side of subtlety for greatest appeal when we anticipate sharing a perfume with others around us.
When using essential oils as remedies for personal health reasons, we must be guided by the science of Osmics as well as being sensitive to our own responses to a perfume. In addition to some oils being sedative and others more stimulating, each has a specific chemical make-up and offers unique properties in healing.
Perfumery has become an integral aspect and an important one, in modern life as we become more aware of the power and influence that aromas have upon us, both consciously and unconsciously.
Apart from the sheer pleasure of enjoying beautiful perfumes through deliberate inhalation there are many ways we can help to increase our environment through the judicious use of natural scent.
Here are some hints as to methods of employing and enjoying aromatics.
Inhale essential oils directly or use a vaporizer which is essential in relieving respiratory problems.
Use essential oils in perfumed sprays in bathrooms, and toilet areas.
Bath oils are used to provide a delightful way of relieving stress.
Burning incense sticks provide a means of perfuming the immediate environment through their subtle and fascinating fumes.
Alternatively, we can directly apply appropriate perfumed oil to our hands or skin to aid our quality meditation.
Physiotherapists, naturopaths, and aromatherapists use perfumed massage oils on skin.
Scented pillows as favoured for sleep inducement.
Oils can be added to pot pourri in order to scent a room.
Use scented oils to keep away flies and insects and so avoid the use of harmful chemicals.
Select your favourite essential oil for use as a body perfume and deodorant.
In a variety of ways we seek to indulge our sense of olfaction as we continue to increase the use of perfumes in our lives both through essential oils and sophisticated perfumery as well as our limitless opportunity to enjoy the natural scents and delights in our walks in the wild, in our garden, or when inhaling the delicate scent of a single rose.
Look for information in our catalogue listing of oils and their special influences upon mind and body.
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