Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Vaporizing Essential Oils

G'morning everyone....*hope* you had a good "wake up"! I figured with all this info regarding oils and vaporizing, I should give some detailed info on actually using the vaporizer etc....

So relax with another cup of joe and here we go....


With essential oils you can simply leave a few drops out on a saucer or add it to potpourri. The following methods will help it evaporate faster.

How to use vaporizer oil

You can use undiluted essential oils in a vaporizer, or buy special blends. In both cases, you need to add up to five drips to the vaporizer bowl.

Please note! Oils that are ready-blended for use in massage are usually not suitable for use in vaporizers

Electronic Vaporizers

In electric vaporizers electricity heats the oil. One kind of electronic vaporizer consists of a ceramic dish that plugs into a socket. Put water and a few drops of oil into the dish, and as it heats up, the will evaporate.

Another type is a small ceramic loop that fits over the bulb in a table lamp or ceiling. The bulb's heat evaporates the oil.

Using Candle Vaporizers

Candle vaporizers consist of a small bowl of oil and water suspended over a candle. The heat from the candle causes the oil to vaporize and evaporate into the air.

Fill the vaporizer bowl with water, and add in three to five drops of oil. As the candle heats the bowl, the oil evaporates more quickly.

Use a scented candle to blend your favorite aroma with the oil vapors.

Homemade Heaters

If you don't want to buy a vaporizer, a good way to make your own is to simply put a small saucer or ceramic bottle on top of your radiator.

You can also put a few drops onto a wet hankie and drape this over a radiator or heater.

The last two options can be dangerous and should not be done without adult supervision.

Monday, August 30, 2010

The Best Essential Oils To Use In Your Vaporizer

G'morning everyone!

I hope you are all doing well! I am in a s*** load of pain this morning, but that won't stop me from bringing more info to you all!!!!

So today I am going to share with you the best essential oils to use in your vaporizer...so grab your coffee, kick off your slippers and settle in...


Energizing~To help you wake up in the morning

Bergamot
Black Pepper
Lemon
Pepperment
Rosemary

Relaxing~To help you unwind in the evening

Lavender
Mandarin
Sweet Marjoram
Melissa
Neroli

Antiseptic~To help keep the air free from germs

Benzoin
Eucalyptus
Juniper Berry
Tea Tree
Thyme

Sensual~To help create a romantic mood

Cedarwood
Lavender
Patchouli
Rose
Ylang Ylang

Ease Tension~To help overcome anxiety and nerves

Geranium
Juniper Berry
Marjoram
Rose
Sandlewood

Headaches~To help soothe away the pain

Chamomile
Lavender
Marjoram
Neroli
Rosemary

Saturday, August 28, 2010

Thank You So Much!

I would like to say thank you to my first 5 followers!! I like to take time from the computer on most weekends and spend quality time with my partner and our pets, but I wanted to hop on real quick like and say "thanks!"

I will be back on Monday bright and early to share more wonderful aromatherapy tips with you! Have a Blessed weekend!

~Peace~

Sherri

Friday, August 27, 2010

How To Choose an Effective Oil

Good Day!

Well I hope everyone had a good nights rest! Today I am going to tell you about choosing the right effective oil for you. So grab your cup of joe, sit back, put your feet up and enjoy......


How to choose an effective oil

Anti-inflammatory oils

The anti-inflammatory actions of some oils are due to the presence of:

Esters~These reduce inflammation-for example, the linalyl acetate in Chamomile eases swelling caused by sunburn, stings and sprains.

Sequisterpenes~These are strongly anti-inflammatory, for example farnasene in rose oil. Carrier bases such as Aloe Vera cream or lotion are also anti-inflammatory. Aloe Vera contains anthraquinone, which helps to make it effective in reducing inflammation when used alongside oils such as Lavender or Chamomile.

(Rich in Farnasene, Rose is a pleasant oil that is safe for all ages)

Decongestant Oils

Many spice and tree oils are effective against colds and flu. They contain:

Ketones~These act as expectorants and relieve congestion-for example, Camphor, found in Sage and Rosemary and Menthone, found in Pepperment, are all good oils for clearing head colds.

Oxides~These are also great decongestants-for example, Linalool Oxide in Eucalyptus and rosemary and Eucalyptol, found in Eucalyptus and Cajeput, are all highly effective.

(Inhale decongestant oils to help relieve the discomfort of a blocked nose)

Relaxing Oils

Relaxing oils are usually rich in Esters, but Ketones also contribute to many oils' soothing effects.

Esters~These are soothing to the nervous system and ease tension. The most sedative oils are Roman Chamomile, Jasmine, Petitgrain and Benzoin; Some comprise more than 70% Esters.

Ketones~The Keytones found in some essential oils , such as the Cis-jasmone in Jasmine, work in conjunction with Esters to help you relax.

(Relaxing oils such as Chamomile can help to ease your headaches)


Antiseptic Oils

Many oils have valuable antiseptic properties due to the presence of:

Phenols~These chemicals are powerful antiseptics but can irritate the skin, so they are best used in a vaporizer, incense, or room fumigant rather than in a massage or bath oil.

Alcohols~More gentle than Phenols, alcohols are still strongly antiseptic-for example, antiviral terpineol in Eucalyptus, antibacterial santalol in Sandlewood and the Farnesol in Rose Oil.

(Antiseptic oils are ideal for treating cuts , grazes and insect bites)

Invigorating Oils

Invigoration oils stimulate the mind and body. They contain the following:

Monoterpenes~These impart a feeling of health and well-being, lifting the spirits and reviving the body-such as Limonene, found in citrus oils.

Phenols~Many spice oils are uplifting due to the presence of Phenols-for example Eugenol in Cinnamon and Clove. These oils banish mental fatigue, but because of their potency, they should be used only in low concentrations.

Alcohols~Alcohols are invigoration-for example, menthol in Peppermint oil, which has a refreshing action. High doses can be sedative.

Warming Oils

Many oils that come from spices, such as Black Pepper, Cinnamon and ginger are warming because they stimulate the circulation to the extremities of the body. Oils that make great additions to massage blends contain:

Phenols~Phenols such as Eugenol and Myristol are stimulating and warming to the mind and body. Both are found in Black Pepper oil, making it an ideal addition to a muscular rub.

Alcohols~These have a warming effect on the body as they open blood vessels, bringing more body heat to the skin-for example Linalool in Coriander oil and Terpineol in Eucalyptus Oil. Add these to a warm bath, hot compress or chest rub on cold winter nights.

(Black Pepper oil will warm your muscles during the cold winter months)

Well I hope this installment has you wanting more! Next we will explore the best essential oils to use in your vaporizer

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Essentail Oil Active Ingredients

G'morning fellow bloggers & readers!

Today I am going to give you all some info on the active ingredients found in essential oils. The active ingredients are what determines the healing properties & fragrance of a particular oil.

A single essential oil can contain several hundred different chemicals that together make up it's individual character, aroma & therapeutic action. The relative amount of each chemical in an oil can be a guide to it's effect.

Active ingredients often act in combination to increase the oil's therapeutic action or balance one another out. Citral in lemon oil, for example, is an irritant, but limonene in the same oil is a "quencher", canceling out citrals harmful actions.

MAIN CHEMICAL GROUPS OF ESSENTIAL OILS

Alcohols~Alcohols are very uplifting and have antiseptic and antiviral properties. They have the suffix "-ol" example being Citronellol. Cleansing oils such as Eucalyptus are high in alcohols.

Ketones~Ketones are sedative and pain-relieving. The ketones in plants such as Jasmine can help you drift off into a peaceful sleep.

Esters~Esters are soothing and anti-inflammatory. They have the suffix "-ate", example being Geranyl Acetate. Relaxing oils such as Chamomile are high in Esters.

Aldehydes~Aldehydes are cooling and calming. They tend to end "-al", example being Citronella. Aldehydes are often responsible for the strong smell of plants such as Citronella and Lavender.

Phenols~Phenols stimulate the immune and nervous systems. Phenol-rich oils such as Thyme aid healing.

Terpenes~Terpenes are a vaast family of chemicals ending in "-ene", example being Pinene. Monoterpenes are found in citrus oils such as lime and are analgesic and antiseptic. Sequisterpenes are calming and balancing.
***********************************************************************************

WARNING Avoid oils that contain ketones if you are pregnant!

Phenolic ethers such as those found in Fennel are not safe for children!

Citrus oils can make you more prone to sunburn

If you have sensitive skin avoid oxides, phenols and aldehydes

If you have epilepsy or high blood pressure you should not use oils that stimulate the nervous system or circulation.
*************************************************************************************

I hope you have found today's post to be interesting and informative! Next post will show you how to choose an effective oil.....see ya then chicki-poos!

Aromatherapy part 1

Well folks I have finally decided to start a blog. For the longest time I wrestled with idea after idea of what to say, alas all sounded boring and not worthy of your attention. Then it hit me..BAM....I have spent quit a chunk of change over the past few years receiving my monthly packages to complete my Mind Body Spirit Collection and I think it a great idea to share with you it's contents.

So with that being said, I am going to start off with


Aromatherapy, Choosing the right scent:

There is a mass array of aromatherapy fragrances to choose from, but it's easy to get a hang of picking the one that's just right for you.

Some frangrances will help you sleep, others the opposite, they wake you up. Some relax you and ease away stress and anxiety; others still are revitalizing and will pick you up for that all important job interview or business meeting. You can soon get to know each plants individual properties and it's healing effects.

Oils that smell very similar often have verr different effects. Lemon is a stimulant, yet lemongrass is a sedative....exact opposites! Rosemary and peppermint, on the other hand, smell nothing alike, but both are great for fatigue.

essential oils work wonderful for aromatherapy, though some oils work better on certain areas of your body than others. Here is a list of some oils and what they work great for.



To Ease Hay Fever (Side of neck)
Chamomile
Eucalyptus

To relax sore and aching muscles (where needed)
Frankincense
Ginger
Sweet Marjoram
Rosemary

To Ease Stomach/Period Pains (Above Navel)
Aniseed
Clary Sage
Juniper Berry
Lavender
Marjoram

To ease stomach upsets (Above Navel)
Ginger
Mandarin
Peppermint

To help oily skin (Where needed)
Cypress
Lemon
Mandarin
Tea Tree (also good for acne)


To ease headaches (Forehead)
Eucalyptus
Lavender
Peppermint
Rosemary

To clear a blocked nose(sniff)
Bergamot
Eucalyptus
Ginger
Rosemary

To ease a sore throat (Dab on throat)
Frankincense
Jasmine
Sandalwood
Tea Tree oil

To Ease Eczema (Where needed)
Chamomile
Geranium
Juniper Berry
Lavender

To moisturize dry skin (Where needed )
Bergamot
Chamomile
Jasmine
Rose
Sandlewood
Ylang ylang

To improve cellulite (Where Needed)
Juniper Berry
Geranium
Rosemary


For Hair (apply to hair)
Cedarwood
Cypress (for oily hair)
Rosemary (for dry hair)
Tea Tree Oil (for dandruff)