In this newsletter we will try to help you further your knowledge and use of essential oils.

Physical Ailments

Cuts and Abrasions

Everyone encounters small cuts and abrasions. Hopefully not on a daily basis, but most everyone will have some sort of 'boo boo' every now and again. Children of course are much more prone to these minor accidents.

Most small cuts - such as paper cuts or catching yourself on something sticking out and scraping off a little 'hide' still need attention. Children may easily fall on the pavement or outdoors and put dirt and debris into the top few layers of skin.

An explanation of the meaning of the minor cuts we are talking about include: a break in the skin where there is usually a small amount of bleeding or a puncture to the skin such as removal of a splinter or other puncture- tear type wound or grazes where the top layer or two of skin is abraded and may ooze a clear liquid with a few small bloody spots.

Again, the skin has been compromised and you should seek the aid of your First Aid kits.

Severe bleeding or a true gash through all the layers of skin will require suturing - Apply direct pressure with a clean cloth and seek medical attention.

Back to our minor cuts and abrasions. Common sense tells you to wash and cleanse the area with warm water to remove any dirt particles.

A simple and easy antiseptic wash involves placing a couple drops of Lavender and Tea Tree in a basin of a couple of cups warm water. Gently wash the affected area. The Lavender will help with pain and the blend of both oils are great as the first line of defense against bacteria.

After cleaning the area and patting dry you may want to apply a single drop of Lavender - 'neatly' to the wound. Optional, if you need to apply a bandage or other covering, is to apply a drop or two to the gauze pad of the bandaid.

Change the bandaid as needed. Using essential oils on the bandaid will aid and speed the healing process.

Other essential oils that have been used include a Helichrysum (this one is great especially when there is a little bit of bleeding or an area that has been grazed - these can be more painful and the analgesic properties of Helichrysum works wonders as does it's property for controlling bleeding; Lemon; Neroli; Frankincense; Myrrh; other aromatherapists write the following can also be useful Roman Chamomile, Eucalyptus, Douglas Fir or Siberian Fir needles, Pine needle, Geranium, Rosemary, Bergamot, Thyme, Juniper, Patchouli and Lemongrass

Our favorites to use for Cuts and scrapes - Lavender and Helichrysum. Just a drop or two once the wound is cleaned will help it heal in no time!

Emotional Concerns

Sadness

Sadness - just what do I mean by this?

I'm not talking about full blown depression, although sadness can occur with depression. With depression, many people feel totally hopeless and sometimes desperate.

I'm not talking about the 'blues' either. To me the blues is when you feel extremely out of sorts for a while, you feel like you need to cry, but the tears just won't come.

Sadness is that mildest form of the above two emotional situations. As example, you had a couple of upsetting things happen throughout the day and you feel a little down. In some cases you may actually be 'grumpy'.

This is a case where your favorite essential oils or some that are energizing and uplifting can really help.

Of course my other rule is that you must put a smile on your face, even if you don't feel like smiling.

Read a couple of jokes that make you laugh. Most everyone has a favorite joke or two that always brings a smile to your face - every time you hear it.

Now there are many blends and single oils that usually will bring a smile and will make you feel happy. Any of the Citrus oils Lemon, Orange, Grapefruit, Lime, Mandarin , etc are all uplifting. So are the mints - Peppermint and Spearmint. Juniper is also uplifting

Several floral essential oils and absolutes will also help: Rose, Jasmine and my favorite to make you feel happy and sometimes down right giddy is Ylang Ylang . We have seen this particular oil make a roomfull of people become very happy and almost silly.

So next time you are feeling a little sad, diffuse a few of your favorite oils or try any one of our blends that are uplifting, revitalizing, citrus blend, mint energizing or any thing else.

Before long you won't feel sad any more. (Now, Where is that Smile???!!!!!)

Beauty and Skin Care

Body Odors

Feeling fresh and clean and free from body odors. Sweating and perspiration are normal every day body functions. Sometimes, people have bacteria and fungal infections although not bad enough to cause or show any sign of a problem, none the less they are there and are odor producers.

These days many people prefer to find natural ways to help with this situation or due to allergies to some of the ingredients found in over the counter deodorants and antiperspirants they can not use them without compounding the situation.

Most all essential oils have anti-bacteria and anti-fungal properties to varying degrees. Some of course are much more pleasant to smell than others.

If you are like me and others that cannot use commercial preparations you might want to try some of these suggestions.

I put several drops of Lavender on a dampened cotton ball or cosmetic pad, then wipe this in my underarms. I have never been able to tolerate any type of under arm deodorant or anti perspirant (these I don't believe in at all as perspiration is a normal and healthy thing - blocking this can be more detrimental to your health).

For me, the Lavender swabbing works best. In fact, I usually only need to do it a few times a week. I have rarily had to use it on a daily basis. I have found that on 'shaving' day, especially, swabbing should be done.

You can also add several drops of Lavender to a small piece of a scent ball replacement pad and insert the pad into a bottle of unscented Talc Powder, also works very well.

Your body will still be allowed to perspire but you won't feel quite so conscientious about the sweat factor.

Other essential oils you may want to try are: Bergamot (is said to be especially wonderful for its deodorizing properties), Neroli, Juniper, Cypress, Thyme, Sage, Geranium and Lemon. If you think the odor is due to a fungal infection you may want to try adding a little Tea Tree too.

Blending any of the above essential oils may be more appealing than just using a single one. You may need to experiment to find out which ones will work best for you.

Around the House and Garden

Synergy Blends - The Multitaskers of the Aromatherapy world

Synergy Blend: The increased effect of two or more medicinal substances working together. Synergy comes from two Greek works meaning "working together".

When you blend more than one essential oil together the power of the chemical constituents is compounded. This makes essential oils work more than double or triple duties.

One thing I wanted all of you to be aware of about our synergy blends and in fact any blend. "That which we call a rose by another name would still smell as sweet". Okay, I know here I am talking the words of another and probably confused you even more!

What I want you to understand is even though we may call a blend - " Allergy Tamer blend ", " Calming blend ", " Mint Energizing blend", " Purifying blend " and so on, does not necessarily mean that those are the only properties or problems these blends can be used to work on.

As an example - Although Allergy Tamer blend has all the essential oils that will work great at helping with allergy problems, many of the same essential oils will work great for cuts, abrasions and burns. How about the emotional aspect of the oils in the blend? They are all calming and used to help restlessness. So although it will work great for allergies, you can use it after a rough day at work to calm your nerves or in an emergency to apply a drop to a cut or abrasion.

Just because we give it one name you may be able to use the synergy blends for other purposes. So think of our synergy blends original name as a starting point but by no means is that the only duty it may be able to fulfill.

When we are asked a health concern question, first we will do a little research using several of our books in our reference library. We write down a list of essential oils and mark the ones most commonly used for that particular problem. Then we will go through our lists of synergy blends to see if one or more of them might have some or several of the oils we have written down. Then we will also look for recipes given by several of the aromatherapists in their books. Our answer which normally will include several single essential oils, one or two of our synergy blends (if we can find ones we feel are appropriate) and of course a recipe or two for them to try.

If you have used our synergy blends for things other than "What their Name states", please let us know so we can share them with our customers and visitors.

Product Review

Sunflower oil - Helianthus annus - high Oleic Acid

Sunflower oil is pressed from sunflower seeds. High Oleic acid sunflowers are grown to obtain seeds rich in this very nourishing fatty acid.

Sunflower oil is a very common carrier oil used for massage, and in many cosmetic products from lotions to soaps etc.

It is very high in Vitamins A, D and E. Sunflower oil can be used for all massage and bath applications. It is a good oil for all skin types.

Our High Oleic acid Sunflower oil is a rich light yellow oil. If you have never tried Sunflower oil in your bath or massage blends, give it a try.

Recipes to try

BIRCH HILL HAPPENINGS NEWS

Hello Everyone,

It's our 9th Anniversary !! Another wonderful year. We can hardly believe it has been 9 years since we began this aromatherapy business. So as we have done in the past we are having a Storewide Sale.

It's Our 9th Anniversary Sale!! From April 1 - 30 all items (except those already on sale) will be given a discount.

Not just on one order, but on any or all orders placed during the month.
Don't forget you will also get free shipping when your total of items ordered is greater than $100.00. Click here for free shipping details.

We only have a couple sales a year and the next one is not until the fall. You might want stock up now for your spring and summer needs.

Special Attention to all Massage therapists. We have been asked to give a presentation at our local Massage Therapy school about aromatherapy and the use of essential oils as used by massage therapists. As you know we have always given information and helped many of you with specific problem areas for special clients. What we would like to know is what kind of information would have been or has been helpful in the use of essential oils for your massage therapy clients?

Any information you can provide us would be greatly appreciated. If we get enough responses Penny will even make a page to share this information on our website with other massage therapists. All information and recipes, etc are welcome. Thank you in advance for those of you willing to help us. Click here to send us an E-mail at bhhinfo@birchhillhappenings.com with your "helpful hint or information"

"Special Deal for you!" Beginning in May we are hoping to provide a one product a week at a SUPER savings of up to 50% off. But there is a catch. In order for you to 'hear' about this you will need to "OPT IN" to receive the e-mail notice. You can always unsubscribe from the notifications at any time. For more information and to sign up for this special program visit our "Special Deals for you" page by Clicking here

The New diffusers have been ordered and we are awaiting their arrival. We will announce their arrival and availability within the next few days. Please watch our site or sign up to be notified when new products are available by updating your profile and preferences (the link to update is on the bottom of the e-mail announcement you received to let you know about this current newsletter).

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

**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