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In this newsletter we will try to help you further
your knowledge and use of essential oils.
Physical Ailments
Influenza and Colds
These are the buzz words this time of year. Already, we are hearing about 'flu' shots
and getting prepared. Most folks that are interested in aromatherapy are more interested in natural
remedies for these ailments.
Most people want to use some type of prevention or a preventative approach.
Always start with the most basic prevention.
Number 1 is for you and your family to wash your hands often and avoid touching your face and eyes especially
when you are near people that are ill.
Numbers 2, 3, 4 and 5 are to Eat nourishing foods, drink lots of good old plain water,
get plenty of rest and exercise daily, outdoors if possible.
Avoiding ill people if at all possible and if not, use essential oils to help you keep your immune system
strong to help fight off those nasty germs.
Upon looking up information in our reference books for this topic several authors recommend diffusing Eucalyptus
globulus and Eucalyptus radiata if you have been exposed or feel as though you may be afflicted with the first
signs of a cold or flu.
Taking a hot shower and letting the steamy essential oil filled air help give you the added relief you need before
things get worse.
You may also want to diffuse a little Ravensara, Niaouli and/or Bay Laurel, according to Kurt Schnaubelt in his
book Medical Aromatherapy , as these oils are also known to help with viral conditions.
Other essential oils found to have antiviral properties as found in several of our reference resources include
(not listed in any particular order):
Black Pepper, cinnamon, clove bud, cypress, eucalyptus, hyssop, lavender, oregano, peppermint, rosemary,
bay laurel, niaouli, tea tree, sandalwood, thyme, pine, and sweet marjoram.
Our personal preference is using our Purifying Blend or our Thieves Blend.
Purifying is a blend of eucalyptus, bergamot, grapefruit, cinnamon and thyme.
Theives Blend has clove, lemon, cinnamon, eucalyptus, rosemary as its main listing of essential oils.
These have helped us fend off the flu, colds and other symptoms many many times over during the past few years.
We can't say we never had or get the flu or colds. If we feel like we were getting ill after being exposed to those
around us that were, we would begin using our essential oils and typically only felt a little ill for a day or so.
Unlike those around us that were out sick (down in bed) for several days to a week.
This happened several times while we were out in the working world. Al worked both in a hospital for several years
and then up until last Christmas for a very large university.
I worked the reception desk of a very busy Veterinary Clinic.
Did we get sick? Nope!! Just felt a little under the weather a couple of times.
Like we said, we would diffuse our Purifying blend or our Thieves blend every day and/ or make a little bottom of
the foot rub using one of these blends mixed with a little carrier oil. This blend was applied to the bottom of
our feet at bed time (socks worn through the night as carrier oils can stain the carpeting or make hard floors
very slippery!)
These blends of essential oils are our first defense against the flu.
You might want to think about having these handy too.
There are several essential oils that may be helpful and give you comforting relief if you or your family
should be inflicted by the flu or a cold.
One of the ways essential oils may help is to by giving you a little relief of the unpleasant symptoms of the
common cold and flu.
Congestion, chills,
aches, pains including
headaches,
sore throats, and fevers.
Once you have any of the above symptoms you should be able to find essential oils that will help you feel more
comfortable and speed you along at recovery.
Please visit our Health and Beauty index that will cover several of these ailments in more detail and will
include several essential oils and recipes that may be of help.
Always scary, would be an epidemic of a very fast moving virus. The best advice here is to avoid those
that have become ill. Hopefully they will stay home and away from the public eye.
Use essential oils, diffusing them in the air in your home during a flu or cold outbreak is also a ver bood idea.
Once you have symptoms, treat them as desired and selectively with essential oils. Do not overuse essential oils.
Stop using essential oils once you are well. Typically, using them, should shorten the duration of your illness
if you have a fairly strong immune system to begin with.
To help with that, see the next article.
More Info on
Immune building
This is related to fending off the daily bombardment we all experience from all those germs.
When you have a strong immune system, you are less likely to get ill or if you do get caught off guard your
body will be able to easily defend itself.
Bacteria and germs are not always the enemy. We all have a certain about of bacteria on our skin and in our
digestive systems. They are necessary for us to survive. They are the friendly bacteria. Our body needs them
to help us digest our foods, for our body to assimilate the nutrients in our foods. Most bacteria on the
skin are harmless.
Of course, we all get exposed to some really nasty germs too.
We have been asked many times about taking essential oils internally to help build the immune system. Well,
frankly, ingesting essential oils is not ever recommended. Essential oils are strong concentrated chemicals and
ingesting them, is usually not beneficial, but can be very damaging to the lining of your esophagus and
stomach. Not to mention they can be fatal in large quantities (and not so large too).
The most beneficial way for you to get the most from your essential oils is by smelling them. Hence, the term
Aromatherapy.
When you inhale, breath in, or diffuse into the air essential oils, they go directly to the lungs. There they are
quickly absorbed into the blood stream as they cross the airway/capillary system. From there the molecules of
essential oils are transported throughout the body and into each and every cell.
Since it only takes a few minutes for blood to circulate throughout the whole body, the essential oils you have
just inhaled will be throughout your entire body within a few minutes.
When you ingest oils, not only will your stomach acids destroy much of the essential oil, but the oil can also damage your
stomach and intestinal linings. Ingesting oils could take as long as 30 minutes to an hour to attempt to help, that is
if they are not destroyed first. Also since they are strong, any essential oil constituents that do survive may actually,
destroy some of the beneficial bacteria, etc found in our intestines. So please do not ingest essential oils.
This includes placing essential oils in gelatin capsules. This is very dangerous. Essential oils should only be ingested
IF prescribed by a Physician and only a Physician!!
What about gargling? Mouth rinses? This on the other hand is almost as beneficial as inhaling. The mucous membranes
in your mouth will quickly absorb essential oils into the blood stream also. When you are using an essential oil
in a mouth wash or gargle, you will not swallow the mixture, just swish it around and spit it out. Also you will never
ever use more than a drop or 2 per ounce of water for this type of rinse. Sometimes it may be only one drop in
8 ounces of water!
Again, even though a mouth rinse may be beneficial for mouth sores and sore throats, it should not be an
everyday occurrence as we have stated before, inhalation is the preferred method of using essential oils.
What about massage oils? Won't they help?
Yes, using essential oils in a massage blend or rub is very helpful. The essential oils will be absorbed slowly and
over a several hours period of time. I like to say it is our 'time released' method of aromatherapy.
The skin is the largest organ of the body, and essential oils can easily penetrate the layers of the skin and
be absorbed into the blood stream. When we add them to carrier oils and lotions, they absorb more slowly and
safely.
With a few exceptions, essential oils should always be diluted into a carrier oil or lotion before being applied
to the skin. Some oils can cause a sensitive skin reaction, which should pass quickly once removed. Some oils contain
very strong chemicals constituents and if used undiluted can actually cause damage.
Now onto essential oils that may actually help build the immune system.
The first group of essential oils are thought to increase the activity in different parts of your immune system.
Those included in this group are Bay laurel, Cinnamon leaf, Eucalyptus, Frankincense, Oregano and sage.
This group of essential oils for the most part are fairly strong and are suggested to be used when you have been exposed
to viruses or other disease producing organisms.
This next group are actually the oils that may help your body build up your immune system. They keep your white blood cells
in production according to Kathi Kevilles' book Aromatherapy for Dummies.
Included are Bergamot, Chamomile, Lavender, Lemon, Myrrh, Pine Sandalwood, Tea Tree Thyme and Vetiver.
Kathi states that these essential oils work with the body to fight infection and to help it heal itself.
When dealing with a lot of stress the top immune stimulating essential oils according to Valerie Ann Worwood
are Geranium, Rosemary, Lavender and Tea tree.
These oils are wonderful and gentle enough for daily use. Diffusing these or blends incorporating these oils will
be a pleasant way to help you help yourself.
All About
Blending
Some of the frequently asked questions we get each week are about blending essential oils.
Here are a few helpful suggestions about blending.
When blending your essential oils remember to measure carefully.
Most of the time you will be measuring drops of essential oils.
Almost all recipes are given by numbers of drops that are added. Many recipes are proportional - meaning
that if a recipe calls for 5 drops of this oil, 3 drops of that oil, you
can always mix 5 ml of this oil and 3 ml of that oil.
If you are trying to mix your essential oils with a water based product or in water. You may
need to first mix it with an Emulsifier. This will help the essential oils to blend with your water based products.
When mixing essential oils with carrier oils to be used for massage
you should never make a stronger blend than 2-3%.
How to figure out how much is in a 2% or 3% solution?
First think of things in drops. If you have 100 drops of something you would have a 2 percent solution if
2 drops were an essential oil and 98 drops were a carrier oil.
or 2 ml of essential oil and 98 ml of the carrier oil.
Of course, neither of these may help you as most people have teaspoons or tablespoons to measure with for their
carrier oils or shampoo, etc.
Looking at the first example. 2 drops of Essential oil - that is easy. But the 98 drops of carrier oil that is
not so easy, but you can do a little more math and convert the drops into teaspoons. Since there are about 20
drops per ml and 5 ml per teaspoon you can easily figure it out.
98 divided by 20 is approximated 5. So you have 5 ml or 1 teaspoon (or 98-100 drops of carrier oil).
A 2% solution would be 2 drops essential oil per teaspoon of carrier oil.
3% would be 3 drops per teaspoon.
If you have any problem figuring out percentages for blending, don't hesitate to write.
Some essential oils prefer to be mixed with different carrier oils. So if you see your essential oils
not mixing with particular carrier oil, you will have to experiment with another carrier oil.
Or you may need to use less essential oil.
Some essential oils and absolutes will become 'saturated' into a carrier oil. When this occurs you can
not get any more essential oil or absolute to mix in with the carrier oil.
You will see it initially being in solution, but if you let it set for a day or two, you will either
see the absolute sitting on the bottom, or the essential oil sitting on the top of your carrier oil.
Actually, this can happen with any unscented base product used. Shampoos, conditioners, and lotions
are all prone to having the essential oil separate out.
Simply shake, or stir your bottle of product to mix the essential oils back into the product before using.
There are a few essential oils when blended together that will not mix or they actually will cause a chemical
reaction and become a solid chunk of 'goo' in the bottom of your bowl, bottle or jar. Fortunately, this is rare.
Do not let anything stop you from being creative. Essential oils are oils composed of several different
chemical constituents. When mixed together you will sometimes see them get cloudy, then add another
essential oil and the mixture will become clear. Sometimes the blend will cause sediment to form.
This is normal when you mix certain essential oils together. Please note we are not chemists, but we have
observed these reactions when blending different oils or when making up our blends.
Next:
Store your custom blends of essential oils in amber bottles and then use a drop or two without having to mix each
time you want to enjoy your favorite blend.
When mixing massage or bath blends we suggest you mix the essential oils together first before
you add the carrier oil. Then let the mixture "age" or blend for several days before using.
Remember also that pure essential oils will disintegrate rubber and certain types of plastic
materials. Never leave your bottles stopped with rubber bulbed caps.
In just a few days the rubber will be a terrible blob of black goo!
To blend essential oils with carrier oils you can mix them in PET plastic or Glass bottles.
PET plastic will not deteriorate with essentials oils, other types of plastic bottles may.
All in all, have fun being creative. If you have more questions concerning blending, just send us an e-mail.
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Around the House and Garden
Homemade Holiday Gifts
Or what I like to call "Gifts from the Heart"!
As the holidays keep becoming more and more commercialized many folks try to find ways to bring back the
common sense of gift giving. True gift giving, as far as I'm concerned, is not how much you spend on an item
but the 'heartfelt' joy in what you are giving. When they are made by the gift giver, all the more special.
When you create a simple, yet personal gift for someone, it usually will not go unnoticed, but welcomed with much enjoyment.
When making homemade gifts with aromatherapy in mind, you can make something very simple and yet helpful and maybe
even healthful.
As you make your holiday gifts, try thinking about the person you are making it for, it puts that extra little
part of love into the gift. You can think about them all the way to the wrapping part.
A few ideas include: Taking any unscented base product, Shampoo, Conditioner, Lotion, etc. Add the correct amount
of an essential oil or synergy blend. Put your own special label on the bottles stating it was made
especially for "(Fill in the blank)" by yours truly.
This is a simple yet inexpensive gift.
Of course you can assemble a few bottles of essential oils, a small diffuser in a gift box too.
How about making some bath salts?
We have a basic recipe as follows but scenting is very personal and many folks will make a special
or "personally yours" type scent.
To make basic bath salt use:
1 1/2 cup dead sea salt
1 1/2 cup Epsom salt
(you can use any combination of various salts - there are many different types of sea salt - you can use any sea salt, dead or not!!)
To this add 15-35 drops of essential oil - any single note or any synergy blend depending on what you would like to have
it do - calming, relaxing, energizing, etc.
Add the essential oils to 1 tablespoon of Fractionated coconut oil or other carrier oil - Sweet Almond or
Sunflower are commonly used.
Add this to the salts and mix completely. Place in a glass jar, seal and let "age" or "ripen" for a few
days. Stirring or mixing every day.
Add 1/2 to 1 cup to running bath water, mix well to be sure salt has dissolved.
If you wish to make a Salt scrub, use the basic recipe from above, but add enough carrier oil to completely
cover the salt in your jar. (Don't add more essential oils though as you don't need more of those.)
Again, you will scoop a little on your fingers and rub over the body parts you want to exfoliate.
Rinse off and wash with a mild cleanser to remove excess oil.
Another popular scrub and softer and gentler on you face is a Brown Sugar scrub. This would also make a very nice
personalized gift.
Use 2 cups brown sugar, add 1 cup of carrier oil - a nice blend such as coconut and almond is very nice.
Then add your favorite mixture of essential oils. Use up to 90 drops of essential oils or blends.
A nice Citrus - lavender blend of oils to use
30 drops Grapefruit
30 drops Lavender
20 drops Lemon
10 drops Orange
Add to the brown sugar - oil mixture. Again let "age" for a few days before using.
Scoop a little on your fingers and gently massage your entire face. Gentle
wash off any excess oil with a mild cleanser.
Be sure the person receiving the gift understands this is not to be
eaten!! So don't forget to include a card or tag with directions on how to use your gifts!
These are just a few suggestions. But you can make many others. Potpourris, Silk Flower arrangements,
bath oils, perfumes, and the list is endless.
I'm not too crafty but many of you are. If you have some simple Holiday gift ideas please send them to me and we'll
include them in the next issue of the Newsletter. There should be plenty of time for others to make a few of your
suggestions. Send them to me at recipes@birchhillhappenings.com and put in the subject - Home made Holiday Gift ideas.
Just think, your gift suggestion, may help someone give that special homemade gift that is "made especially from the heart"!!
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