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| BIRCH HILL HAPPENINGS
Aromatherapy Newsletter Vol 82 2005 |
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In this newsletter we will try to help you further
your knowledge and use of essential oils.
Physical Ailments
Headaches
This is a very common ailment we are asked about often. So we thought it was about
time we talked about it.
Almost all types of headaches can get relief from the use of essential oils.
Headaches can come from many causes and be felt in various areas of the head & neck.
Getting the flu or a cold - raising body temperatures will cause a headache.
Sinus infections and allergies are another common cause.
Tension headaches and migraines are other types of headaches.
And of course there can be a very serious type of sudden onset head pain which may indicate a stroke. If this
is suspected. Immediate medical help needs to be sought.
First in order to decide what essential oils may be needed to give relief one must try to figure out what
is the cause of the headache.
Sinus Headache
If it is due to Sinus pressure or infections, pain is felt primarily on the face, around the eyes and nose,
even your teeth may
hurt. You will most likely feel some immediate relief by inhaling any of the following oils or a blend of any of them:
Lavender,
Peppermint,
Rosemary and
Eucalyptus .
Sinus headache relief
Rosemary - 3 drops
Thyme - 1 drop
Peppermint - 1 drop
Place all of these in a Personal inhaler and use as needed. Or blend together and place 1 or 2 drops on a tissue and inhale
as needed.
These oils are commonly
used to help relieve congestion and also have great analgesic properties. Some people will get relief if they
put a warm or cool compress on the face. You can add a drop or two of essential oils to the basin you use to rinse your
compress in and apply to the area of the face affected. Holding there for several minutes.
Fever induced Headache
If your headache is due to a fever, you may need to apply essential oils again to a cool compress and apply to the
forehead. Again any of these oils Lavender,
Peppermint,
Rosemary and
Eucalyptus are great to use to help bring down a fever. They may even make you break into a
sweat.
Tension Headache
You've have a very rough day and you feel your shoulders are up by your ears and your upper back is extremely tense.
Your neck and shoulders are tight as a drum and your head is now pounding. You have the classic tension headache.
All those tight muscles are causing your head to ache. Some tension headaches are felt mainly in the back of the head, but
occasionally you will feel the pressure curl up over your head and into the temples. Your eyes can even be affected.
For this type of headache you will want to apply some
Peppermint and
Rosemary added to a small amount of a carrier oil
and massaged into the back of your neck and if you can into your upper back and shoulder areas. Better yet if you
can lie down after you have applied this for just a few moments some of the tension should release and you should feel
better shortly. We like to put a cool compress on our foreheads and sometimes on the back of our neck too, while we
lay down. Do not keep the compress cool, but let it come to your own body temperature slowly while you lay down.
If you can fall asleep all the better.
The Migraine - Headache
The worse type of headache is the migraine. These can be very debilitating and are known to affect your whole body.
Nausea, blurred vision, bright lights hurt, and terrible head pain are common with migraines.
The best way to treat a migraine is before the pain starts. Often people that suffer from migraines can tell when
one is on its way. Now is when you want to start to use aromatherapy. Make a cool compress in which equal portions
of Lavender and
Peppermint
have been placed in the basin. Apply this across your forehead and down onto the temple area.
At the same time place a warm compress where
Marjoram has been place in the water basin.
Place this on the back of your
neck. The
Marjoram and the heat help the blood vessels to
increase in size (known as vasodilatation). Since it is thought
that migraines are caused from the stricture of blood vessels, opening them up (dilating) appears to help the most.
If you know what triggers your migraines, whether it is food or other chemicals, of course your first action is to
avoid these triggers.
Dehydration Headache
Headaches can also be caused from lack of hydration. Headaches around the eyes and sinuses may be nothing more
than a "dehydration" headache. For those, Drink a large glass of water - 16 ounces or more. Drink WATER not another
liquid. Smell some
peppermint and
Rosemary and lay down for a few minutes.
If due to dehydration you'll feel
relief shortly.
Low Blood Sugar Headache
If your headache is due to low blood sugar - you haven't eaten for hours. Of course, get a big drink of water and
get yourself a bite to eat. Rub a little Peppermint and
Lavender on the back of your neck.
Relief will be forthcoming.
More Headaches
If your headache is due to improper alignment of the neck, you may want to seek the skills of a chiropractor.
Many other things may trigger headaches, medications, women's monthly cycle, hormonal imbalances, and many others.
If you can find out the cause, there may be many other essential oils that can be useful for those conditions.
The main essential oils used for headache relief are:
Peppermint,
Rosemary,
Lavender and
Eucalyptus .
Other Essential oils to consider when dealing with headaches include:
Basil,
Rose,
Eucalyptus radiata (sinus congestion),
Juniper (tension),
Melissa(rubbed on temples),
Grapefruit,
Roman Chamomile (tension).
Penny's Headache Relief
I suffered for years with headaches from a falling injury to my neck and upper back as a teenager.
Although my parents took me to see a chiropractor and I had a few 'adjustments' I was plagued for
years with headaches. Since my parents did not believe in using aspirin for headache or for any pain they (and now we)
use the following methods. Which works very well for headaches from injury, tension,
fever, sinusitis and other causes. Now it works even better with the addition of the use of essential
oils.
- Sleep on a contour pillow. This type of pillow helps to restore the natural curve to your neck and relieves allot
of tension. You have to sleep on your back, so be sure to put a small pillow under your knees so you don't end
up with lower back problems.
- Drink a large glass of water - 16 ounces - PLAIN WATER!
- Prior to lying down soak your feet in hot water for 20 minutes - keep it hot but not so hot as to scald them.
Soak just your feet! You can add a couple drops of Peppermint to this basin if you want.
- Get 2 washcloths to be used as cool compresses. After you have one of them wet, place it in a zip lock bag. This one
will be placed behind your head - on your neck. T he other one wring out and place on your forehead.
- lie down and cover yourself lightly.
- Just lay there and relax. Falling asleep is allowed.
- Do not freshen the compresses. Just let them gradually warm up.
- Use essential oils as described earlier in this article.
Other thoughts about Headaches
Figuring out the cause of your headache is half the battle. Do not become dependant on pain killers whether they
are over the counter or prescribed. In an article on the ABC program 20/20 a couple years ago, some pain relievers can make you so
dependent on them, you have to continue to take them or suffer from pain constantly. Weaning off pain meds can take
several months.
Remember there are many causes of headaches. Some are easy to figure out, while others very difficult. Food and chemical
sensitivities, hormonal changes, life changes and the list goes on. Although essential oils may be all that you need.
You may also need to consult with herbalists (for liver cleansing), a Chiropractor (misalignment of the spine), a
massage therapist and your physician (hormonal imbalances and other health issues).
After having suffered from years of headache pain, I can truly say, there is nothing like having a pain free existence!!
Hopefully you will find relief too.
Be sure to e-mail us if you have other ways to get headache relief too.
Emotional Concerns
Tension
A little tension can go a long way to making your day miserable. All kinds of things can
cause the tension you may be feeling. Deadlines at work or at home, too much to do, and not enough time.
Children, spouses, bosses and others that put demands on you constantly. Pretty soon you feel your shoulders
tighten up and your muscles in your back start to spasm. You are tense all over.
You need to take Five minutes and relax. Try to relieve the tension. Inhaling your favorite essential oils
throughout the day will help you to realize you can keep working and relax. Several essential oils can
calm your nerves and help you to relax all those tense muscles.
If you can massage a few blended oils into your shoulders or back of neck even on your temples, you hopefully can
avoid the tension from becoming a headache.
Another great tension reliever is to take a long soaking bath. A great blend to use in the bath for tension is:
Lavender - 4 drops
Marjoram - 3 drops
Roman Chamomile - 2 drops
Cypress - 2 drops
Fill the tub with the water temperature you feel most comfortable in, usually this is fairly warm. Add the essential
oils and swish around before entering the tub. Add more hot water to keep you comfortable. Play some relaxing
music, light a candle or two if you like. Soak for at least 20 minutes.
Other Essential oils to consider:
Bergamot ,
Roman Chamomile,
Cypress,
Frankincense,
Geranium
Jasmine ,
Juniper ,
Lavender,
Mandarin,
Marjoram,
Neroli,
Petitgrain and
Rose,
Sandalwood,
Spikenard,
Vetiver and
Ylang Ylang .
Beauty and Skin Care
Ringworm - a Fungal infection
Ringworm is not caused by a worm, but it is a type of fungal infection.
Ringworm is highly contagious from human to human and even to your pets (you may need to have your pets
checked by your veterinary - if they have ringworm do not use essential oils on them as ringworm in pets
should not be treated with essential oils - most pets do not have the ability remove essential oils from
their body - their livers cannot remove them. Your pets will need to be treated by the veterinarian) .
If you suspect you have ringworm or have been diagnosed with ringworm. Please follow your doctors instructions
or ask if you can try alternative treatment instead of the prescribed medications.
The most commonly used essential oil for Fungal infections is
Tea Tree.
Lavender can also be used or blended with
the Tea Tree
. Both of these essential oils can be applied 'neatly' to the lesions. Simply dab a small amount
on each spot. You should apply this 2-3 times a day for at least 10 days. If no improvement is seen after that
time you should seek medical assistance.
There are other essential oils that can be used these are mixed with a carrier oil or a cream in a 10% dilution.
This is strong but necessary as ringworm can be very hard to get rid of and because it is so contagious
you may want to use these other essential oils. Mixing with a carrier oil or cream allows the essential oils
remain for a longer period of time as when oils are applied 'neatly' they will evaporate more readily from the
skin.
Try this blend
Tea Tree - 25 drops
Lavender - 15 drops
Geranium - 5 drops
Peppermint - 5 drops
1 ounce Sesame oil
1 capsule Vit E.
Blend all together and apply 2 times a day to the affected areas. This should be dabbed on the lesions with a cotton swab.
This is not to be used on large areas.
For Extremely Stubborn Fungal infections
Prepare the following and use 2 times daily on the affected areas.
Thyme - 4 ml
Oregano - 2 ml
Cinnamon - 2 ml
1 ounce Sorbolene Cream or Sweet almond oil
Apply a small amount twice a day for up to 14 days. If no improvement seen discontinue use.
Do not use this around the eyes! If you have ringworm lesions on the eyelids or around the eyes you should seek medical
treatment from your doctor.
Adapted from recipes in "Advanced Aromatherapy" by Kurt Schnaubelt, Ph.D.
Other Essential oils to consider:
Myrrh ,
Clove bud ,
Patchouli,
Geranium ,
Cedarwood ,
Fennel .
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Around the House and Garden
Holiday Scenting
This is such a wonderful time of the year. Everyone is stuck indoors. Aromatherapy can add
to and brighten the atmosphere so easily. The wonderful scents and added benefits of the essential oils make it
even better.
Many of the oils we associate with Thanksgiving and Autumn are also great when it comes to fighting airborne germs.
Orange,
Cinnamon,
Clove bud,
Ginger and others just seem to say it's FALL. The mints,
Peppermint and
Spearmint are just around
the corner in December.
The Evergreen scents of
Pine,
Spruce and
Douglas Fir or Siberian Fir needles.
Juniper and
Cypress are great too.
You may want to experiment now to find the right combinations for all your holiday entertaining.
Every year we are asked what is the smell of a Christmas Tree? The most common essential oil is the
Douglas Fir or Siberian Fir needles
Others prefer the
pine needle or
Spruce needle. We do have a blend, Conifer Blend , which is a
combination of
Pine,
Spruce and
Fir Needle essential oils. This is also very common.
But what about those who want the 'spicy scents' such as
Celebration and
Winter's Warmth are big sellers this time of the
year.
What about other scents -
Frankincense and
Myrrh - how appropriate for this season.
The Christ child was brought these
as gifts. If you have never smelled these - you are truly missing a lot. No wonder they were brought as gifts.
Not only
do they smell wonderful, but they have such wonderful healing properties both physically and emotionally.
Our
Meditation blend has both
Frankincense and
Myrrh along with
Ylang Ylang ,
Sandalwood and
Cistus . This blend doesn't
necessarily need to be used for meditation, it can be used for a quiet evening with quests too.
Inspiration blend,
Refreshing blend and
Revitalizing blend are great blends to use while your buzzing around the house getting all that
fall cleaning and projects done. So be sure to check those out too.
Here is a spicy Blend you might want to try -
Anise - 20 drops
Cinnamon - 20 drops
Ginger - 20 drops
Clove bud - 15 drops
Lime - 10 drops
Blend all together in an amber bottles.
Then diffuse a few drops in your favorite diffuser.
Recipes to try
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Headache oil
Lavender - 10 drops
Peppermint - 5 drops
1 tablespoon Sweet almond oil
Blend well and massage on temples, back of neck and shoulder areas.
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Tension Relief
For your diffuser
Blend the following and add you to favorite diffuser to give some tension relief. Others in the home
will benefit too.
Lavender - 15 drops
Clary Sage- 10 drops
Lemon - 10 drops
Rosewood- 8 drops
Marjoram - 6 drops
Geranium - 4 drops
Ylang Ylang - 3 drops
Blend in an amber bottles - don't forget to label it. Enjoy and relax!
Adapted from a recipe in "A Complete Guide to Understanding & using Aromatherapy for Vibrant Health
and Beauty by Roberta Wilson
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Antifungal oil
Palmarosa - 20 drops
Eucalyptus - 20 drops
Thyme - 20 drops
Sweet almond or carrier oil of your choice - 3 ounces
Blend well and apply a small amount 2-4 times for up to 10-14 days. Discontinue use if no improvement after 14 days.
Adapted from recipes in "Advanced Aromatherapy" by Kurt Schnaubelt, Ph.D.
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Holiday Blend
Clove bud - 8 drops
Cinnamon - 6 drops
Ginger - 6 drops
Orange, - 4 drops
Blend together and use in any diffuser. (This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled if you desire.)
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BIRCH HILL HAPPENINGS NEWS
Hello Everyone,
November is here already. The weather is cooling down around the nation. This will cause
everyone to begin to stay in confined areas. Please be sure to start to diffuse your essential oils
to help ward off all those viral infections. This is the time of year to start to think about
diffusing your oils everyday for a couple of hours.
The Holidays are just around the corner and we have several ideas for gift giving to fit everyone's budget
and level of aromatherapy experience. Just visit
http://birchhillhappenings.com/giftsets.htm
This month we have two new soapstone diffusers.
There is a small leaf design and also one with
Jumping Dolphins.
Both are carved from Soapstone. Very inexpensive gift ideas. See our entire selection of
soapstone diffusers, Click here .
We are very excited to announce Free shipping on orders over $100.00 (and under 3 lbs). Please see
the complete details on qualifying for Free Shipping by CLICKING HERE.
Remember if you use an artificial Christmas tree or wreaths you may want to order your "Christmas Tree" scent.
This is either Douglas Fir or Siberian Fir needles.
Or you may prefer Conifer Blend ,
or Spruce or
Pine needle essential oils.
To use simply apply to a Terra Cotta diffuser, placed in the tree or near the tree or apply to a pine cone and use as a
decoration on your tree. You will need to apply more essential oil to the cone every day. The Terra Cotta diffuser
may last a few days depending on how much you apply. See our
Passive diffusers by Clicking here.
You still have some time to get your Holiday gifts made. Soaps should get made really soon, or they may not have
enough time to dry. Other blends of essential oils can be made anytime, but you might want to test a few
recipes out before making your final decisions. Have fun and experiment.
As always, if we can help you with any aromatherapy question please
send us an E-mail at bhhinfo@birchhillhappenings.com
and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.
‘til next month,
Yours in Aromatherapy,
Alan and Penny
E-mail us at bhhinfo@birchhillhappenings.com
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**Resources for information in this newsletter (including recipes) 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 and Schiller
"The Little Giant Encyclopedia of Aromatherapy" by Schiller and 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
"Aromatherapy through the Seasons" by Judith Fitzsimmons and Paula M Bousquet
"Advanced Aromatherapy The Science of Essential Oil Therapy" by Kurt Schnaubelt, Ph.D.
"Aromatherapy Companion" by Victoria H Edwards
"We have a large reference library and confer with many books while answering questions on Aromatherapy.
"Practical Aromatherapy for Home and Garden Decoder"
"Aromatherapy Decoder"
"Advanced Aromatherapy Decoder"
The Decoders are available from Birch Hill Happenings
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since 1999