|
In this newsletter we will try to help you further
your knowledge and use of essential oils.
Physical Ailments and Emotional Concerns
Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia
Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia go hand in hand. The oils we suggest for
Alzheimer's will be beneficial to those suffering from dementia also. Dementia
caused from strokes, or other illness such as encephalitis, anemia and other
health reasons can all benefit from the use of essential oils.
The link between the sense of smell and memories is very strong and certain aromas can be used
to spark different results. Often times it is the sense of smell that will bring the
mind back into present day by allowing the patient the ability to recognize
and associate quality care/ friendship with a particular scent.
Not only the patient, but also those caretaking, whether they are family, friends or
health care professionals can benefit from the use of these precious oils.
As many of you know, Penny, lost her father to Alzheimer’s disease.
"I feel that had it not been for the use of our Essential Oils and Aromatherapy
for the past several years, I would not have managed the emotional tolls this
disease has taken on my well being." "Unfortunately for me, my father would not
accept any essential oils we tried to diffuse around him." I hope this will not be the case for you.
Some essential oils we often suggest to start with are
Lavender ,
Bergamot and
Ylang ylang .
After a week or so of
Lavender try
Bergamot . Then a week later
Ylang ylang .
Sometimes you need to try a combination of two of these. Most often you will see a calmer,
more accepting change in the individual. If these don't work see the list below for some more suggestions.
Restlessness and interrupted sleep can usually be remedied by using
Lavender , especially
at bedtime. Other helpful oils include
Rose,
Neroli,
Geranium ,
Jasmine and
Roman Chamomile.
Other oils than may be helpful for dementia and Alzheimer’s include
Basil,
Ginger,
Rosemary,
Black Pepper and
Cardamom. These oils should be tried during waking hours as they can
evoke memories and in some cases cause too much stimulation to the brain for later in the day use.
We all know that Alzheimer ’s and Dementia patients also have poor appetites. Oils that may
help to stimulate appetites and help with memory include
Lemon,
Lime,
Nutmeg,
Clove,
Coriander,
Orange,
Grapefruit,
Cinnamon,
Ginger,
Cardamom, and
Black Pepper.
Now to help those special people that are the Care Takers. Husbands, wives, sons and daughters
and the many other friends and relatives. And we don't want to forget those working with these
patients in the nursing care and assisted living facilities. Essential oils are very beneficial to these folks too.
Anyone who has taken care of Alzheimer or Dementia patients understands the demands you
have had to endure. Feelings of being so helpless while watching your loved one slowly lose
touch with their ability to take care of themselves and losing their memories, slowly watching
them drift away, both emotionally and physically from the person we all once knew.
We know there are many essential oils that can help the caretakers too. Any oil that is used for
depression is helpful. Oils that make you feel happy and are uplifting can also help.
Again,
Lavender ,
Ylang ylang and
Bergamot can help the caretakers too!
Here is a special blend to give you comfort.
Benzoin, - 10 drops
Rose - 7 drops
Orange, - 6 drops
Jasmine - 7 drops
Blend together and diffuse.
Simply put a drop or two on a cotton ball and smell throughout the day.
At one of the nursing homes, we have helped with several of their patients, found that pinning a cotton ball
(they call it a "flower") on their patients collar and putting a drop or two of essential oils on them makes their
patients feel special as they get their "flower" each day! Not to mention the other benefits they receive.
Although Alzheimer’s and Dementia can be awful to endure, rest assured that even though we
don't have a cure, we do have hope and we do have aromatherapy to help us until then.
God be with you all!
Health and Beauty
The Art of Bathing
This is a daily ritual for many folks, for others it's something they can only enjoy occasionally.
In either case, taking a bath can help you relax, and yet although calming can make you feel refreshed and rejuvenated.
To have a wonderful aromatherapy bath fill the tub with warm water first, then add 5-10 drops of essential oil or a synergy blend.
Close the bathroom door and leave for 5-10 minutes. Then upon your return enter the tub and soak for a minimum of 10 minutes.
This time is needed to receive the benefits of the essential oils.
But then again, you shouldn't be in a hurry now, it's your time to enjoy!
Add more hot water as needed.
To enhance your experience play some soothing music and light a few candles.
Simply enjoy.
Some folks like to add about 1 teaspoon of Sweet Almond, or Apricot or Grapeseed oil to the tub.
These oils can soften the skin while bathing. Please do be careful when leaving the tub as adding oils can make the tub slippery.
Others like to add bath salts, this too is very soothing. Epson Salt mixed with Dead Sea salt added to the tub while filling.
Usually for a half filled tub 1/2 cup of salts if plenty. Adjust though for your own needs.
If you are enjoying your bath earlier in the day or evening, don't forget to turn off the telephones, televisions,
lock the house doors, you don't want to be interrupted!
Taking baths regularly with essential oils can help with stress, muscle aches and pains, and help to alleviate tension and anxiety.
Helpful hints to enjoy your bath: Make a cup of tea or hot cocoa to enjoy while soaking. Turn on the music, turn off the lights
(only if you have a few candles lit).
Don't forget to arrange your after bath towel, soft and comfy. Apply lotion or creams if you did not use a carrier
oil in the tub.
Again, Enjoy your bath!
Below in the RECIPES TO TRY section in a Blend of Essential Oils for Relaxation.
Around the House & Garden
Which Diffuser should I use???
We are asked this many times each month.
This article will describe the different types of diffusers and
give you suggestions for use of each kind.
The applications and proper
ways to use them in different situations.
Atomizers These are very powerful tools and for the normal or everyday aromatherapy
enthusiast we do not recommend using them. They diffuse a large amount of essential
oil into the air quickly and can easily put too much oil into a room.
We only recommend these to be used in very large rooms or if treating a
type of ailment where the air must be very saturated with essential oils. This is an exception
and not commonly needed in everyday use of essential oils and aromatherapy.
Tealight Diffusers
The Tealight candle Diffusers are usually the type diffuser used when
many of us experience aromatherapy for the first time. They can be made out of many materials.
Glass,
Ceramic,
Metal,
Soapstone (coming very soon to Birch Hill Happenings.)
to mention the most common.
They all use a small tealight candle as their source of heat. They are simple to use.
Add water to the bowl, then several drops of essential oil is added to the water. Light the candle and you will soon have diffusion into the
air.
This type of diffuser is great to use for a romantic or quiet evening of entertaining at home. There is nothing
more relaxing then the flicker of a candle flame in a dimly lit room to add to the ambience.
The tealight candle will usually last about 2-3 hours before totally disappearing.
The biggest caution is there is an open flame so use common sense as to where you have your diffuser sitting.
Also you need to monitor the level of water in the diffusers bowl. If the bowl should go dry,
DO NOT put more water or oils in until your diffuser has completely cooled. The metal tealight diffusers we
carry have a very deep well and if you need several hours of diffusing, you might want to consider one of these units.
Also water and oils can be added while they are still warm without the risk of breaking the glassware since they are
totally made of copper and metal.
Keep all these types of diffusers out of the reach of children!
Aroma Shell - The Aroma Shell is a low temperature aromatherapy diffuser.
It is simple to use - again like the ceramic tealights, you add water to the small stainless steel bowl and a few drops of oil
.
This unit gives several hours of diffusing. Another nice feature with this unit - because it is very low temperature you don't
need to use water in the stainless steel bowl if you don't want to - the essential oils can be placed directly in the
bowl.
Because the lid is left open you do need to be extra careful and make sure this unit is out of the reach of children.
They may not be burned but could potentially get into the essential oils.
The Aroma Shell is easy to use and to clean.
This unit is safer to use than the ceramic Tealight diffusers.
Scent ball - The
Scent Ball
is probably the most versatile of our small diffusers. They are very easy
to use and are very portable.
They can be easily moved from room to room. Easily have the scent pads changed so
a different essential oil or blend can be used in the new room.
They are easy to pack when traveling. They can be used when you are not present.
The Scent Ball
uses a low temperature heat source to quickly diffuse your favorite oils into the
air. Since their cost is low, many people buy several for different rooms in their home.
Since you are only applying a few drops on the pad at a time, they are ideal to use in a room prior
to going to bed. Just a drop or two is needed.
If you have a strong cooking odor in the kitchen, a few drops placed on the
Scent Ball
again will take
care of the offending odor rather quickly.
Used for this most versatile diffuser is endless.
Small vases,
Ceramic Shells,
and Discs
These are best used in small or personal areas.
They work great near your computer or desk. Then of course there is always, closets, dresser drawers, chests etc.
Guest bedrooms, or bathrooms. They will put a slight scent into the area in which they are placed. Typically they are
not very over powering unless you use very strong essential oils in them.
Depending on what oils are used the scent will be present from 1 day to a week or more.
These make wonderful gifts for showers, holidays, housewarming or any other special occasion you feel like giving a little something. .
Fan Diffusers
Currently we sell 4 different fan diffusers:
Personal Diffuser,
Natura,
SpaScenter
and Fan Fuser (aka Aroma Stream)
.
Each one of these units can be used safely around the elderly, children and pets. Each unit though is more easily adapted
for certain applications.
The Personal Fan Diffuser
and Natura
are easily packed and can be used for travel. Everyone that stays in hotels and motels know
that even though these rooms are kept clean and tidy, they still don't smell like home.
When you take the
Personal Fan Diffuser
or the Natura with you can run them in the room.
They both use batteries so you won't need to find an outlet in the room to use
them.
Of course you can use both these diffusers at home, in bedrooms or even in other small rooms. Not everyone
has a 500 sq foot living room, many folks have living rooms that are much smaller. Both these units may be all that you want in the
living room or kitchen.
If someone is ill, these can be placed and used by the bedside. Although no motor is absolutely quiet these units are fairly quiet.
The SpaScenter
and the Fan Fuser
are diffusers used mainly in larger rooms and offices.
The SpaScenter
has a variable speed fan and the Fan Fuser
has a high and low speed fan. For a constant diffusion of your oils, you will want to use the slower
fan speeds. Use the higher fan settings to permeate the room more quickly with oils.
We use a SpaScenter
in our bedroom (about 225 sq ft) not only for diffusing but also for what we call 'white' noise.
A low sound that helps us sleep easier. Again, the motors on both these units are quiet but not silent.
We sell many of the Fan Fusers to Offices and Nursing Homes and of course homeowners. The larger cartridges hold
more oil and therefore will not need to be reapplied as often. And are more suited to larger rooms. Both these units
can easily be used in rooms of up to 1500 sq ft. Although rooms this large may benefit from 2 diffusers instead of just one.
Hopefully this will help you decide on which Diffuser will work best for you. As always if you aren't sure, just
E-mail us at bhhinfo@birchhillhappenings.com
and we will gladly help you choose the right diffuser for your situation.
Recipes to try
|
since 1999