Essential Oils for Trying Times

During times of loss or transition using essential oils can be quite beneficial. Many essential oils are calming and grounding and can be very comforting also. They may be used in a relaxing bath or with a massage. They may be simply inhaled or diffused into the atmosphere. The following oils are useful during difficult times:

CYPRESS: bereavement, times of transition, end of relationship
ROSE: bereavement, melancholy, depression, resentment, anger
BERGAMOT: mental exhaustion
GERANIUM: depression
ROSEWOOD: stress related conditions, feeling overburdened
MELISSA: bereavement, balances emotions

Cephalic Oils

Cephalic oils are essential oils which have the ability to both clear and stimulate the mind simultaneously. They may spark creativity and imagination. They also improve memory, increase alertness, aide concentration and enhance mental clarity. Some examples of cephalic oils are basil, rosemary, peppermint, cardamom, black pepper and lemon.

In the 1970's studies were done using EEG (electroencephalogram) to evaluate the effects of many essential oils. Specifically, the essential oils of basil, rosemary, black pepper and cardamom were found to elicit beta predominant patterns which are associated with aroused attention and alertness. Conversely, studies done using chamomile and lavender revealed changes in alpha waves which are associated with a relaxed state and a clear mind.

Cephalic oils are particularly useful at times of mental block, when there is a need to move forward with a project or even when looking for new ideas. They are generally refreshing and uplifting and overall stimulating, so do not use them at bedtime!

Spiritual Awakening

Essential oils have many applications and may improve all aspects of your well being including physical, mental and emotional. Perhaps the most undeniable use is their ability to awaken the mind and open the spirit.

The following essential oils may be used to facilitate spiritual awakening:

Peace - Cypress, Rose
Grounding - Cedarwood, Black Pepper

Centering - Rosemary

Enlightenment - Frankincense. Sandalwood, Neroli

Self Awareness - Clary Sage, Jasmine, Myrtle, Pine

Balancing - Lavender, Juniper

Contact me for a consultation and personalized synergistic blend.

Nostalgia

Ahh, nostalgia. Smells, sights and sounds that evoke memories from the past which are intimately connected with our emotions. When one of your senses triggers a nostalgic memory you are brought right back to that moment conjuring up emotions and sensations making you truly feel back in that time in a way that your memory alone could never do. The sensory connection is intimate and very different. It is what makes you FEEL the same as that remote moment you are recalling and not just remember it. It is likely that our senses are closely connected to memories for protection and survival reasons on a primitive level.

Basking in this authentic experience can be profound and enlightening, reminding you of where you have been and where you are going. Those smells, sights and sounds are often captured and bottled for recollection during what may appear to be ordinary moments in time, moments which have no apparent greatness or seem unremarkable. It is those times however, which you are really living connected to your senses taking it all in, living in the moment.

Know that you are an eternal and purposeful being. Be secure and serene with no need for compliments or reassurances that you are in any way more special or distinct from others.
~Dr. Wayne Dyer~

Product Ingredients

Now that you read food product labels, do you also read the labels of all of the personal care products that you use daily? You may be surprised at what you find when you begin to look at various labels of products that you use in your daily regimen and discover some of the long term effects of them. Many cleansers, fragrances and preservatives are known irritants, endocrine disruptors and carcinogens. Start informing yourself by visting the skin deep cosemetic safety database at http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/ and start checking the ingredients of the products you consume daily.

Carrier Oils

Carrier oils are oils made from seeds, nuts and kernels and are used to dilute essential oils and make them suitable for application to the skin. Some examples of carrier oils are sweet almond oil, grapeseed oil, apricot kernel oil, rosehip seed oil and coconut oil to name just a few. These oils are "fixed" meaning that they are stable and have a slow evaporation rate thereby making them suitable for massage and other topical applications. Macerated oils which are carrier oils that have been infused with plant material, can be introduced to further supplement a blend for their added anti-inflammatory and vulnerary properties.

Each carrier oil lends additional benefits to a blend or formulation providing nourishment such as vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and essential fatty acids. Some of the considerations when selecting carriers are absorption, rancidity and viscosity. Often using a combination of carriers is most beneficial in attaining an individual desired effect.

Other useful carriers include dead sea salts, aloe vera gel, vegetable glycerin and witch hazel.

Essential Oil Therapeutic Properties

Essential oils do not just smell nice they have many therapeutic properties which have been proven for centuries. Many people are aware of the anti-inflammatory properties of oils such as lavender and chamomile, but there are hundreds of essential oils which have a multitude of healing properties. Commonly, essential oils are found in many bath and body products, but sadly they are often combined with potentially allergenic and harmful ingredients. If you do some minimal research on some of the chemicals that are added to the products that you use every day your findings will likely alarm you. When used properly and responsibly essential oils can be a natural alternative to over the counter remedies in many cases.

Some of the therapeutic properties that may occur in essential oils are antibacterial, antiviral, astringent, carminative, antidepressant, decongestant, vulnerary, diuretic and many, many more. When essential oils are combined with therapeutic carrier oils, dead sea salts, waxes, aloe and other natural ingredients, an array of handmade products can be made to treat just about any ailment.

Essential oils can be further classified into stimulating or calming which refers to the response of the sympatic nervous system when used. Oils such as rosemary and lemon which can aide concentration are stimulating. In contrast, oils such as clary sage and valerian are calming and even sedating. There are many mental and emotional states that can benefit from the use of essential oils. As you can see there are many uses for essential oils but I have just begun to scratch the surface in detailing the healing properties of them. Using essential oils will help you smell great and feel well also, naturally.