PHYSICAL AILMENTS
Arthritis
For those who suffer from arthritis pain, all you can think of is what can I do to get some relief?

Arthritis can be caused from many things and in translation means "Inflammation of the Joints".  There are several types of arthritis with the most common form being osteoarthritis.  Rheumatoid arthritis and gout are also very common. The pain can involve one joint or many.

The pain is often times accompanied by swelling, redness, tenderness and stiffness of the joints.  For most folks you need to keep moving the joints to keep them moving freely.  The pain is what causes most people to refrain from physical activities.

There are many essential oils and blends that will help relieve the pain and inflammation of the joints.  Again, it may be a trial and error to find a combination that will work best for you. 


As always, consult your doctor if you are on special medications and to get approval to try aromatherapy.


There are several oils you may want to try: 
Eucalyptus, Peppermint (or a combination of the two), Cedarwood, Lavender, Benzoin, Nutmeg, Yarrow,  Clove bud and Sage.  These should not be applied directly to the skin but should be mixed with your favorite carrier oil.  Start with a 1% dilution increasing to as high as a 3% if needed.   Massage into the affected areas 2 or more times daily.  To make a 1% dilution mix 6 drops of essential oil to 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) of carrier oil or lotion such as our Massage Lotion.

Currently we have a customer that says Clove bud mixed with a carrier oil and massaged into her knee, gives her relief.   If you want to try this, mix 12 drops of Clove bud in 2 ounces of your favorite carrier oil.  Don't mix it any stronger as Clove Bud can be a skin irritant.

Below we have a recipe for a wonderful bath for arthritic joints. The oils in the bath are also a wonderful combination for relaxation. Enjoy!

EMOTIONAL CONCERNS
Happiness/Contentment
These are two emotions that go hand in hand.  To us we feel the happiest when we have a sense of contentment inside.  When the outside pressures can be left aside and you can have a certain "snuggly and warm" feeling inside.  Happiness to us doesn't have to be all jolly and laughing - you know 'let the good times roll' feeling.


In fact, for many, they need to think about what true happiness is for themselves. Happiness is a very personal state.
Truly happy people have a special aura around them that often times will attract others to them.  


Being content again, is a personal thing. Being satisfied with the way life has been for you and what it is to become will play a part of what makes you happy.  Again, people who are content with themselves will again attract others.  


Essential oils can not bring happiness or contentment. 
What?? But what they can do is help you to clear your thought processes and sort out the things that really do matter in life.  Using essential oils will definitely bring your spirits up and be uplifting emotionally.  Using them around others will produce the same affects. 


Good oils to help with happiness and contentment include: 
Orange, Rose, Coriander, Clove, Benzoin, Jasmine, Ginger, Cinnamon, Geranium, Rose geranium, Bergamot, Sandalwood, Ylang ylang, Cypress, Neroli, Patchouli and Roman Chamomile.

Try this Happiness blend: 
Orange 19 drops, Rose geranium 5 drops, Clove 1 drop, Cinnamon 1 drop.  Blend all and diffuse. You can also add 5 drops to a bath.
Try this Contentment blend: 
Bergamot 10 drops; Clove 5 drops; Sandalwood 10 drops and Ylang ylang 5 drops. Mix together and diffuse.  This blend can be used to settle restlessness too.

Let us know how these blends work for you or if you have others you use.  For a premixed blends you can try our Elation or Inspiration blends.

HEALTH & BEAUTY
Acne
The skin condition,  Acne, can be troubling not only for teens but for anyone including adults to senior citizens.  These sometimes painful and infected skin blemishes have been an affliction of concern for many.

Often times, it seems, like nothing will work.  Again, you may want to try a new skin regime to see if you can eliminate the eruptions and heal your skin.

Recommendations beyond essential oils include: eating a diet in which you eliminate sugar and refined processed foods. (Sugar causes a reaction in many peoples bodies that can cause acne eruptions to appear overnight.) Eating plenty of Vegetables preferably raw, whole grains and lean meats can also help.  Fruit should be limited due to the sugar content.

Number one is to drink plenty of water.  Many people never drink plain water.  As you've been told before drink 6 to 8,  8 oz glasses a day of water, not just fluids. Your body needs real water for internal cleansing and to provide the needed moisture from within for your skin. 


Now onto your new skin care program.

Cleansing: You'll want to clean your skin thoroughly.  Using soap on you face can be very drying.  You may want to try using a specially formulated cleanser for your skin type.  Acne skin doesn't necessarily mean oily skin.   Cleansing your skin should be at least a twice daily routine.
What is acne?  Clogged pores that have become infected. They can appear as full blown eruptions, pimples and at the beginning, black and white heads.  Acne can be caused from oily skin, dead skin cells that are not removed and even medications such as certain types of  birth control and the use of cosmetics. 

Scrubbing: some may need to do a exfoliating scrub once a week. Others only need to do this occasionally. Again, there are recipes to make simple scrubs using a variety of ingredients. Use your favorite.

Toning: After cleansing/scrubbing you will want to use a toner. This is where you will first be using essential oils.  A simple toner is to use a floral water, any will work, use your favorite smell.  Simply apply to cotton balls or pads and gently wipe on face until all signs of dirt and cleaning residue are removed.  Do not use toners that contain alcohol as they are drying to the skin.
An easy to make toner for acne is:
8 oz distilled water or a floral water
2 drops Lavender
1 drop Palmarosa
1 drop Rosewood

Place water in clean bottle, add essential oils and shake.  Apply to the skin with a cotton ball, cleaning off all dirt and residue. Be sure to shake your toner before each use as essential oils will separate out (float on the top) of the water.

If you have oily skin you can use this for your toner:
8 oz distilled water or a floral water
2 drops Geranium
2 drops Ylang ylang
1 drop Lemon
Follow the directions as above.

Moisturize: Next you will want to moisturize.  Moisturizing protects your skin from all the elements of nature. Even oily skin needs protection. You will want to moisturize with the appropriate formula for your skin type.

For those suffering from eruptions you may want to try applying some spot treatments. These can be applied several times a day if needed.

Spot Treatment**
To 4 ml Jojoba oil add Lavender - 20 drops and Tea Tree 20 drops. Mix well. Place a small amount on the blemish. Can be applied several times a day. You do not need to add very much. Just a small amount on the tip of your finger.

Another Blend to try for Blemish treatment**
4 ml of Jojoba add Lavender 8 drops, Rosewood 8 drops, Tea tree 8 drops, Chamomile 4 drops, Geranium 4 drops, Helichrysum 4 drops and Lemon 4 drops.  Blend well and apply a finger tip of this oil to the blemishes you wish to treat. Can be applied several times a day.
A couple other things - Don't squeeze any pimple, blemish, or 'heads'. Doing this spreads infection and damages delicate tissues that might cause scarring.  Also after you are done cleaning, etc. Try to keep your hands off your face. Touching your skin can introduce germs and dirt that might also trigger blemishes.

Please note, when you first begin a new facial cleaning routine you may experience new breakouts. Give it a few days, if not improving, discontinue and seek medical advice. 


Hopefully these formulas will help to improve your skin and get the acne under control.

AROUND THE HOUSE AND GARDEN
Smelly Shoes
No one likes to take off their shoes and get knocked back a few feet.  What can you do to help with the odors coming from your shoes?


Odors are caused from bacteria and dirt.  Warm moist conditions inside your shoes are a perfect breeding ground for odor producing bacteria. 


If possible try to rotate the wearing of your shoes and let them have a 24 hours period between wearing to thoroughly dry.  Also avoiding shoes that trap moisture will help. Lightweight leather, or fabric such as cotton and nylon will help the moisture to evaporate and dry quickly.  Avoid plastic or manmade materials if at all possible. 

Place several drops (6-8) of once of the following oils or oils to a cotton ball and place in the shoes, leave overnight. Remember to remove cotton balls before putting on your shoes! Food oils to use for smelly shoes include: Eucalyptus, Lemongrass, Bergamot, Cypress, Pine Needle and Lavender.  Of course you may have others you want to try.  All essential oils have antibacterial properties to varying degrees.

RECIPES TO TRY
Oily Skin Bath 
Lemon - 10 drops
Cypress or Clary sage - 8 drops
Ylang ylang - 5 drops
Neroli,  Orange or Bergamot - 5 drops
Blend together then put 6-8 drops of blend in warm bath water.

BIRCH HILL HAPPENINGS NEWS
Hello Everyone,
Here it is - A SPECIAL Deal for everyone! 

We love our Customers and love to be able to treat you Extra Special at least once a year.


Yep, It's our 
ANNUAL CUSTOMER APPRECIATION DAYS SALE!!


Every order placed from now until September 30, 2004 will get a huge 10% off your order (excluding items already sale priced and not on shipping or handling).
We normally have this sale in August but we had to delay it this year as we had to be out of the office the end of the month of August.
We know that many of our Long time Customers are wondering what happened this year.  Sorry for the delay.  We still Love you all!
This is our biggest sales event of the year. 
We hope you can use this Sale to think about any holiday gifts you may need to get started on. We know many of you are very creative and give special aromatherapy home made gifts to family and friends.


This is one of the reasons we have our Appreciation day sales in late summer.  Many of you need time to get your gifts made or need to 'experiment'.  We have the products available at discount to help fit your budget.

We also have several new oils Benzoin, Cistus, Litsea Cubeba, Muhuhu, Spikenard and Spruce needle for Essential Oils.  And Camellia Oil for a new Carrier Oil. So please check them too.

We look forward to another Great Customer Appreciation Day Sale and hope you will take advantage of the savings we can give you.


If for some reason the Shopping cart doesn't show you the discount - don't worry, You'll still get the 10% discount.

As always we are here to help you learn about and enjoy the scents nature has given us.  Contact us so we can help you further. We are only an e-mail away.

‘til next month,

Yours in Aromatherapy,
Alan and Penny

NOTE: Please use bhhinfo@birchhillhappenings.com when e-mailing us.

To Our Online Catalog.

Disclaimer:
We do not endorse, nor do we encourage anyone to implement Aromatherapy or any suggestions contained within this site without the consent of his/her medical doctor. We also do not take any liability for your implementation of any oils, recipes, or anything else available through this site, from any book or company recommendation, or available on any site linked from Birch Hill Happenings
 
 

**Resources for information in this newsletter and others were obtained from the following sources:
"Aromatherapy A Lifetime Guide to Healing with Essential Oils" by Valerie Gennari Cooksley
"500 Formulas for Aromatherapy" by Schiller & Schiller
"The Fragrant Veil" by Elisabeth Millar
"The Fragrant Mind Aromatherapy for Personality, Mind, Mood, and Emotion" by Valerie Ann Worwood
"Aromatherapy An A-Z" by Patricia Davis
"Aromatherapy for Vibrant Health and Beauty" by Roberta Wilson
"Practical Aromatherapy for Home and Garden Decoder"
"Aromatherapy Decoder"
The Decoders are available from Birch Hill Happenings

To the beginning of our Catalog at http://birchhillhappenings.com/aroma1.htm

Copyright © 2004-2007 Penny Keay
Please do not use my information without my written permission.