Natural Bath Herbs and Oils
Article by Tina Columbus
There are many herbs and oils that have beneficial properties and make great additions to soap and other bath products. Some have natural astringent, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory properties. Some herbal scents can be uplifting and stimulating and others can be soothing and relaxing. Herbs can enhance the quality of your bath.
Chamomile: With anti-inflammatory properties and a soft apple-like fragrance, chamomile is very soothing and relaxing to the senses and is very beneficial to inflamed and irritated skin.
Citrul Peel: The peels of orange, lemon, and lime are natural exfoliants and have astringent properties. They also have a naturally strong uplifting scent.
Green Tea: Green tea contains antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties and has a refreshing fragrance. Studies show that it can protect the skin against sun damage.
Glycerine: Glycerine is a thick, soft, and clear liquid that comes from animals and vegetables. It is an excellent moisturizer because it holds moisture to the skin and prevents it from drying out. As it is not an oil, it mixes well with water and will not separate.
Lavender: With a soft airy floral fragrance, lavender is very soothing and can relieve stress. It also provides antiseptic, antibacterial and healing properties.
Lemon Verbena: Lemon verbena has a gentle lemony scent and can soothe dry or irritated skin.
Oatmeal: Oatmeal contains natural skin cleansing properties and is very helpful to dry sensitive skin.
Mint: This refreshing herb contains antiseptic properties. It also contains menthol which is cooling to the skin. It has a strong stimulating scent.
Rosemary: Rosemary helps improve circulation and relaxes muscles. It has a stimulating and refreshing pine-like scent.
Sage: Sage possesses healing, antiseptic, and astringent properties and can soothe irritated skin due to insect bites.
Sunflower Oil: Sunflower oil is soothing and light. It is moisturizing as it naturally contains vitamin E oil.
Sweet Almond Oil: This oil moisturizes and nourishes the skin. It is easily absorbed and does not leave the skin feeling greasy.
Vitamin E Oil: Vitamin E is a natural soothing and moisurizing oil that contains antioxidant properties. It is slightly thicker than most other bath oils and works well when blended with other lighter natural oils.
* None of this information is meant to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. It is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care by your physician.
Aromatherapy Essential Oils: Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus is one of the aromatherapy essential oils that is extracted from the leaves of a tree by steam distillation. This essential oil, which has a camphoraceous scent is used for:
1. Arthritis
2. Coughs and colds
3. Mosquito repellant
Eucalyptus essential oil for arthritis
Eucalyptus is one of the most effective aromatherapy oils for managing joint pains and aches. To use it for this purpose, simply add 4 drops eucalyptus essential oil to 20 ml of sweet almond oil or sunflower oil or any other carrier oil of your choice. Use it to massage aching joints preferably after taking a warm bath which relaxes painfully stiff joints.
You can also add 5 drops of eucalyptus to a bowl of warm water and either soak your feet or hands in it depending on whether the arthritis affects your ankles or wrist joints.
Eucalyptus essential oil for coughs and colds
To use this aromatherapy oil to help you manage coughs and colds, simply put 20 drops of eucalyptus essential oil to one cup (8 oz or 250 ml) of water and put it on your facial steamer or sauna. Cover your head with a towel and inhale the steam as it is known to be a potent expectorant.
If your facial steamer comes with instructions, use the number of drops recommended by the manufacturer. If you don’t have a facial steamer, simply put the eucalyptus into a bowl of hot water and cover your head and the sides of your face with a towel to prevent the steam from escaping.
Eucalyptus essential oil as a mosquito repellant
The aromatherapy benefits of eucalyptus include repelling insects such as mosquitoes. To create your own mosquito repellant, melt 2 teaspoons of a petroleum jelly such as Vaseline, add 4 drops of eucalyptus essential oil when cool and then pour into a jar. Carry this with you when travelling to areas infested with mosquitoes and apply it on your hands, legs and any other exposed areas.
Words of Caution
Though most aromatherapy essential oils are safe to use, if you have any medical condition or you are pregnant, you should always consult a certified aromatherapist before using aromatherapy essential oils.
In addition, do not confuse natural essential oils with fragrance oils are the later are purely synthetic and do not have the therapeutic benefits of pure essential oils. Therefore, purchase organic, therapeutic blend aromatherapy essential oils from ethical suppliers and improve you physical, mental and emotional well being.
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Medical Aromatherapy: Healing with Essential Oils
Medical Aromatherapy: Healing with Essential Oils
This distinguished organic chemist shares his in depth knowledge of the particular current value of essential oils, for health on all levels. In an era when Western allopathic medicine has less and less appeal, this self-care method is a potent alternative, with roots going back to ancient times. Dr. Schaubelt has a gift for presenting facts and information in a way that is intriguing and easy to assimilate. In the flood of "coffee table" aromatherapy books currently available, this is a much needed and welcome source for those truly interested in taking responsiblity for their own health.
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Aromatherapy Essential Oils: Lemon
Lemon is one of the aromatherapy essential oils that is extracted from the plant by expression. This essential oil, which has a citrusy scent is used for:
1. Acne
2. Depression
3. Aids mental concentration
Lemon essential oil for acne
Lemon is one of the most effective aromatherapy oils for managing acne. To use it for this purpose, add 20 drops of lemon essential oil to 100 ml of distilled water and use it as you facial toner.
During your weekly facial, you can also have a facial massage using a facial massage oil made by adding 25 drops of lemon essential oil to ½ cup (4 oz or 125 ml) of sweet almond oil or jojoba or any other carrier oil of your choice to create an acne busting relaxing facial massage oil. Note that the lemon in this acne busting facial massage oil will also help lighten any dark acne spots you may have developed on your skin.
Lemon essential oil for depression
To use this aromatherapy oil to help you feel better when you start feeling blue, add 50 drops (2.5 ml or ½ teaspoons) of lemon essential oil to one cup (8 oz or 250 ml) of distilled water in a spray bottle and use it to spray your face, neck and body whenever you need to be refreshed and rejuvenated.
Lemon essential oil to aid mental concentration
The aromatherapy benefits of lemon essential oil also include aiding mental concentration. To use it to keep you mentally alert, simply add 20 drops of lemon essential oil to your room diffuser as you work. If you are going for a long drive, you can also add lemon essential oil to your car’s diffuser according to the manufacturer’s instructions and let the stimulating scent envelope you as you drive.
Words of Caution
Though most aromatherapy essential oils are safe to use, if you have any medical condition or you are pregnant, you should always consult a certified aromatherapist before using aromatherapy essential oils.
In addition, do not confuse natural essential oils with fragrance oils are the later are purely synthetic and do not have the therapeutic benefits of pure essential oils. Therefore, regardless of whether you are buying Roman Chamomile, Peppermint, Eucalyptus, Clary sage, Geranium, Lavender or any other essential oil, ensure that you purchase certified organic, therapeutic blend aromatherapy essential oils from ethical suppliers so that you can improve you physical, mental and emotional well being.
The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils: The Complete Guide to the Use of Oils in Aromatherapy & Herbalism
The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils: The Complete Guide to the Use of Oils in Aromatherapy & Herbalism
The most extensive and systematic reference guide available on the subject. Comprehensive A to Z presentation of over 160 oils.
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Leave a commentQuality Essential Oils – The Essential Key to Experiencing Aromatherapy’s Many Benefits
Article by Ivan Cuxeva
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Posted in quality bath products | Aromatherapy's, Benefits, Essential, Experiencing, Many, Oils, Quality | Leave a commentUsing Essential Oils: A Beginner’s Guide
Aromatherapy, a practice which can be traced right back to the ancient Egyptians, is something that, with a little understanding of the subject, anyone can use at home. It involves the use of essential oils which are extracted from plants, flowers, fruits herbs and trees. The oils have various therapeutic qualities and can help your body in various ways, both physically and psychologically. Depending on which oil or combination of oils you use, the effects can be stimulating or calming, and can help digestion, memory and breathing.
How to use essential oils
The most popular way to use oils is by massage. For a full body massage, 4 – 6 drops of essential oil should be mixed with a carrier , such as grapeseed or wheatgerm oil. This can be made up of up to 3 different oils; there are several books available in libraries, bookshops or from oils suppliers, which suggest good blends. These will also give you a comprehensive list of the properties and precautions associated with each oil.
Another good idea is to add 4 – 6 drops of oil to your bath water. These should be added to the water after you have run the bath, as adding it under the running tap breaks up the molecules and reduces the therapeutic value of the oil.
A third way is to vaporise the oil. This is done by adding a few drops in water to an oil burner, which can be purchased in most shops which supply the oils, or in many gift shops.
You can also create your own shampoos, body lotions and bath foams, by buying unperfumed base products and adding oils at a dilution of around 30 drops of oil to 100 ml of the base. Note that for massage or use in the bath, the dilution of the oils should be halved for children under 2 years and the elderly.
Good oils to start with
Lavender: most people find this very relaxing. It can be used in the bath or for massage. Avoid this one in early pregnancy.
Eucalyptus: this is great for clearing your airway – try putting a drop on a tissue or cotton wool ball and putting it under your pillow to help you sleep when you have a cold or catarrh.
Rosemary: this is said to help the memory, so is useful when you are studying. Don’t use this, however, if you have high blood pressure or epilepsy.
Bergamot: this is an uplifting oil from the citrus family, and is good if you’re feeling lethargic or run down.
Chamomile: another oil that soothes and relaxes. This is a good alternative if you don’t like the smell of lavender.
A good idea is to get to know 3 or 4 oils really well – what they can do and how they blend together. After that, try a couple at a time and pretty soon you will have a good knowledge of what suits you best.
Precautions when using essential oils
If you are pregnant, it is essential that you consult a qualified aromatherapist before using oils, as there are many which are not suitable during certain parts of pregnancy. This also applies if you have epilepsy or high blood pressure.
With the exception of tea tree and lavender, never apply any essential oil directly to your skin.
Do not use more than the recommended doses as stated above – remember that less is more!
Buying essential oils
Buy only pure essential oils to achieve results. Oils that are labelled ‘fragrance oil’, ‘nature identical oil’ or ‘perfume oil’ are not pure; they are oils that have been combined with chemical additives.
Choose oils sold in dark-coloured bottles, as these help the oils to maintain their potency. Oils sold in aluminium containers are also fine, provided that the aluminium is lined on the inside.
Do’s and Dont’s
DON’T: Don’t buy essential oils with rubber dropper tops. The oils will turn the rubber to a gum and ruin their effects.
DO: Be choosy about where you buy your oils. As with any purchase, you get what you pay for, and oils that seem unusually cheap have probably been mixed with other chemicals.
DO: Store your oils in dark glass (amber or cobalt blue) and in a cool, dark place.
DO: Pay special attention to all safety information on all essential oils that you use. This is even more important if you have any medical condition or are pregnant.
Last but not least – have fun experimenting and getting to know what you like!