Tag Archives: German chamomile

Gratitude and Essential Oils

Gratitude and essential oils Winter is here. We have been lucky to have such a mild autumn but this month marks the beginning of winter and colder weather. It can be hard to feel gratitude for the cold and wet of winter but without the rainy days nothing would grow and bushfires would be more prevalent in summer.

It can be hard some days to have or feel a sense of gratitude when everything seems to be going wrong but there is always something to feel gratitude or appreciation for if we take the time to look.

There is no need to write long gratitude lists. Simply take a few minutes out of your day to express gratitude or appreciation for something you have no matter how small. You may also like to express your gratitude or appreciation to someone for being in your life.

tap and glass Here in Australia everyone has ready access to clean water no matter how poor they maybe. For most people it is only necessary to turn on their kitchen tap to have instant running water. In some countries, people usually women or children need to walk kilometres to access and carry back drinking water that may contain harmful viruses or bacteria.

Having a roof over your head and somewhere you can sleep and feel safe is another reason for gratitude. There are still too many people who are homeless and sleep in the streets or have a home but don’t feel safe in it for one reason or another.

Having a job or source of income so you can feed yourself and your family is something that not everyone has. In some countries the person may have a job but make barely enough to feed themselves let alone their family.

There are many more reasons for feeling grateful for what you have in your life. Perhaps you can think of three. Having friends and family who support you in your endeavours, having a garden you can enjoy, being healthy or having ready access to medical help if you’re not, knowing about and using essential oils.

Here are eight essential oils you may like to use in your gratitude practice.
Bergamot (Citrus bergamia) helps you through the dark times in your life. She also helps you to see and be grateful for the lessons learnt, for they have helped you to grow into the strong person you are now.

Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens) brings a sense of security and strength allowing you to see and feel grateful for all you have rather than continually working without a sense of balance in your life.

German chamomile (Matricaria recutita) can help you let go of fixed expectations that prevent you feeling gratitude in the now for all that you have.

Grapefruit (Citrus paradisi) brings a sense of lightness and gratitude. She also helps you let go of unrealistic high expectations for yourself and others which can stop you from feeling gratitude for what you have and disappointment over what you don’t have.

Juniper (Juniperus communis) cleanses the negativity that maybe surrounding you allowing you to feel more joy and gratitude for the help and resources you have available.

Mandarin/Tangerine (Citrus reticulata) reminds you to take time out for play and not be overwhelmed by your responsibilities or the continual need to work or worry about what you don’t have but rather enjoy what you do have in this present moment.

Rose (Rosa damascena) reminds you that you are unconditionally loved. She helps heal emotional wounds and scars. She nurtures a sense of gratitude for the love you have in your life even if you cannot always see or feel it.

Sandalwood (Santalum album) brings a sense of gratitude by calming your fears and worries and allowing you to see all that you have and what is really important to you.

You may like to combine two or three of these oils and place 6-8 drops in a diffuser or vaporiser or add 10-20 drops of essential oil to a 100 or 125 ml bottle of distilled water, flower water or hydrosol. Shake the misting bottle well before spraying and take care not to get water or the mist on any furniture or furnishings that can be damaged or stained by the water or essential oils.

If you would like your own personal blend for this or any other issue feel free to contact me and discuss it.

Emotional Spring Cleaning

“You can only start from where you are and you can only begin in the present”.
Patrick McBride

Cleaning supplies In the Northern hemisphere it is spring and people are thinking about doing spring cleaning but you can also do the same here in the Southern hemisphere clearing out what you no longer want or need on a physical as well as a mental and spiritual level.

The following essential oils can help.
Bergamot (Citrus bergamia) is helpful for reflecting on what you wish to release. She can help release repressed emotions bringing in light and happiness.

Clary Sage (Salvia sclarea) brings insight and clarity when you are not sure what needs to be released.

German chamomile (Matricaria recutita) helps you let go of emotional worries, habits and beliefs that no longer serve you.

Clove (Eugenia caryophyllata) helps you release clutter on all levels so that you can open up to new experiences and possibilities.

Cedarwood (Cedrus atlantica) gives you the strength and courage to let go of what is no longer useful in your life whether physical, mental or emotional.

Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens) helps support and protect you during this time of transition.

Fennel Sweet (Foeniculum vulgare dulce) helps you complete what needs to be done so that you can begin the next stage or cycle afresh.

Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens) helps you to rebalance during this time of letting go of the old and bringing in the new.

Lavender (Lavendula angustifolia) reminds you to nurture yourself during this time and to forgive what needs to be forgiven.

Choose up to 3 oils that seem most appropriate for you and make a blend to either vaporise or wear.

If you are doing a lot of emotional clearing you may wish to make a blend to put on your solar plexus chakra. Use up to 2 or 3 drops of essential oils in total in 10mls of cold pressed vegetable oil and massage into your solar plexus while saying the following fragrant change affirmation.
“I have the courage, strength and insight to complete this cycle and begin anew.”

If you prefer I can make a personalised perfume or inhaler for you

Fear and Essential Oils

Fear and essential oils header

Fear is faith that it won’t work out.
Sister Mary Tricky

Someone once said that FEAR is False Evidence Appearing Real but I think the quote above is also true. How many times do you not even attempt do something because you’re convinced it won’t work out and you don’t want to face your fear of failure?

Essential oils are very useful to help you deal with your fears and you will find a list of oils to help you below.

Fear is a form of self-preservation that can present as simple consternation, apprehension, dread, panic or terror. When you are feeling panicked your heart races and you breathe more quickly and shallowly. You may feel like running away or conversely be unable to move.

If it is a more chronic form of fear you may feel the above in a milder form or just have a general sense of unease. You may also feel anxious, frustrated and angry.

Fear can show up as perfectionism, procrastination, lack of self-confidence, feeling insecure and fear of failure, losing control, change or being hurt in love. You may forget the words to a speech or turn down invitations to social events due to your fear.

Fear can alert you to real danger but often it is based on emotion rather than fact. For example you may procrastinate because you fear that you will not do something correctly or others may judge you on the results. Perfectionism is also a form of fear based on feeling vulnerable.

Fear can also paralyse your personal growth when it is a reaction to change and transformation. You cannot know how each change will affect you. The mind sees the death of old patterns and beliefs as a mini death and wants to protect you.

Oils that can help with the issues associated with fear include:
Basil (Ocimum basilicum) – Needing to be in control regardless of the consequences, low self-esteem and self-worth.

Cedarwood (Cedrus atlantica) – Courage to move forward and stand firm in the face of crisis.

Chamomile German (Matricaria recutita) – Helps to let go of fixed expectations, old ideas and beliefs.

Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens) – Cope with and accept difficult change.

Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens) – Perfectionists and those who deny their feelings, panic attacks.

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) – Procrastination, self-doubt, restores initiative and determination.

Juniper (Juniperus communis) – Fear of failure, support in challenging situations, strengthens will-power.

Lavender (Lavendula angustifolia) – Feels oppressed and suffocated by situations or other people.

Rose (Rosa damascena) – Can’t bear to be left alone due to fears of being abandoned, fear of losing control, insecurity.

Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) – Instils courage and self-confidence, strengthens your resolve to overcome obstacles.

Vetiver (Vetiveria zizanioides) – Face challenges, feels threatened by need to change, calm strength, panic attacks.

Ylang Ylang (Cananga odorata) – Fear of intimacy, helps you to recognise whether or not the fear is appropriate and deal with it, anger, sense of peace.

The oils can be used singly or in a blend in the bath, vaporiser, in massage or as an anointing oil. Use on the solar plexus and/or wherever else feels appropriate. For details on diluting the oils click here.

You may need to seek professional help for your fear if it is strongly affecting the way you live your life. The oils will help you to change on a soul level if you so desire.

Children and Essential Oils

Essential oils are a gentle way to help children through some minor illness and first aid issues but if they don’t respond within a short time seek medical help.

First some ground rules
Do not apply neat to the skin as children have more sensitive skins and are more prone to sensitization.

If a skin reaction does occur discontinue using the oil and apply some vegetable oil, wipe off and apply again. Should you or they get oil in the eye wash the eye out with vegetable oil a couple of times.

If by some chance your child should swallow a large amount of essential oils and this could be as little as 5 or 10mls in the case of a very young child don’t delay. Treat it as a medical emergency and take the child to the nearest emergency room. Don’t try and make them vomit it back up as you may damage their lungs.

Dosage is important with young children, under 2 years keep to 0.5%, for those 2 – 7 years 1% is fine. 7-12 years 1.5%. This translates to 2 drops in 20mls of cold pressed vegetable oil for under 2’s, 4-5 drops for 2-7’s and 8 drops for 7-12’s. Once they reach 12 years you can use the adult dosage of 2.5 or 5 % 10 – 20 drops per 20mls depending on use.

The Essential Oils
When buying essential oils it is important to buy oils with the same botanical name as there are many different lavenders, chamomiles and eucalyptus. These are just some of the oils considered safe for children.

Australian sandalwood (Santalum spicatum)
Chamomile German (Matricaria recutita/chamomilla)
Chamomile Roman (Anthemis nobilis)
Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus smithii) – considered more gentle for children
Frankincense (Boswellia carterii/sacra)
Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens)
Lavender (Lavender officinalis/true/angustifolia)
Mandarin (Citrus reticulata)
Spearmint (Mentha spicata)
Sweet orange (Citrus sinensis)

Illnesses
You may choose to use one oil or a combination of 2 or 3. If blending remember that the number of drops above is for the total amount of essential oils in the blend.

Chicken pox – Australian sandalwood, German chamomile, geranium, lavender – as a spray, in the bath, compress or gentle massage
Cold – Eucalyptus, frankincense, lavender in a vaporiser or chest rub
Colic – Roman chamomile, mandarin, spearmint – gentle clockwise stomach massage
Constipation – German chamomile, mandarin, spearmint – gentle clockwise stomach massage
Eczema – German chamomile, geranium, lavender – gentle massage or spray or compress
Measles – German chamomile, geranium, lavender – spray, bath, compress or gentle massage
Nappy rash – Roman chamomile, frankincense, geranium, lavender – spray or add 2-4 drops to a 500ml bowl of warm or cool water and clean area.
Teething – Lavender, Roman chamomile – gentle massage into cheeks and jawline

Usage Guidelines
For massage – use number of drops above in cold pressed vegetable oil. Do not use baby oil, mineral oil or sorbolene cream as the oils will not be absorbed.

For spray – Add up to 15 drops in total to 50mls of spring or distilled water or hydrosol in a mist bottle and shake before each use. If you have a solubiliser or oil to water dispersant, follow the instructions and mix the oil and dispersant together before adding to the water.

Compress – Add 2-4 drops to a 500ml bowl of warm or cool water.

Bath – Add 2-4 drops of essential oils to a dispersant or some full fat milk before adding to the bath water. Do not put oils straight into the bath water as there is a chance of the child getting them in their eyes while splashing.

Vaporiser – Up to 4 -6 drops is usually sufficient in a vaporiser.

5 Essential Oils For Summer

Essential oils are very useful for the minor ailments of summer especially if you spend a lot of time outdoors. Below are 5 oils to help you deal with these minor inconveniences.

Make sure you buy pure essential oils and not fragrant oils. Also note the botanical name of the oil so that you use the same oil in the recipes below. There are many different lavenders, chamomiles and geraniums, etc. Each bottle of oil will contain the botanical name below the name of the oil.

GERMAN CHAMOMILE (Matricaria recutita)
German chamomile is a good oil to have on hand for summer. Use to treat inflamed, irritated skin including dermatitis, boils, acne, nappy rash, eczema, psoriasis and dry itchy skin. She can also be used to relieve the pain associated with burns, sprains, cramps and insect bites.
Emotionally German chamomile helps calm the body and mind and can be used to help stress related symptoms including insomnia and headaches.

Insect bite relief
Mix together German chamomile 3% 6 drops and lavender 2 drops and apply directly to the insect bites to ease the itch. German chamomile hydrosol applied directly to the area can also ease the itching.

EUCALYPTUS (Eucalyptus radiata)
Eucalyptus is useful for bringing down fevers and treating the symptoms of summer colds. She can also be used for easing muscular aches, pains and strains, wound healing and insect bites.

Summer Cooling Mist
Add lavender 10 drops, peppermint 3 drops and eucalyptus 2 drops to 15 drops of oil-to-water dispersant. Add this to 50 mls still, spring or distilled water or lavender hydrosol in a spray bottle. Shake well before each use if you don’t have or use oil-to-water dispersant. Keep in the fridge when not in use to keep cool.

LAVENDER (Lavendula angustifolia)
Lavender can be used in a wide variety of situations including minor burns, sunburn, rashes, bruises, wounds and insect bites. She’s helpful for easing sore muscles and headaches. Apply to minor burns as soon as possible to ease the pain and prevent blisters. Emotionally lavender is nurturing and helps with anger, worry, fear and insomnia.

After sun spray
Keep this in a spray bottle in the fridge and use it to ease the pain of sunburn. Mix lavender 20 drops to 20 drops of oil-to-water dispersant. Add to 50ml still, spring or distilled water. Shake well before spraying onto the skin. You could also use lavender hydrosol.
After sun bath
Add lavender 5 drops, German chamomile 3% in jojoba 6 drops to 11 drops of oil-to-water dispersant. Add the mixture to a bath filled with lukewarm water. If you don’t have any oil-to-water dispersant be sure to swish the water vigorously or add oils to some full fat milk and add that to the water.

PEPPERMINT (Mentha piperita)
A drop of peppermint essential oil rubbed into the soles of your feet can help bring your temperature down if you are suffering from the heat. Peppermint is also useful for headaches due to digestive issues and sinus congestion as well as relieving the nausea associated with travel sickness. Use peppermint to help keep you alert when you feel mentally fatigued due to the heat or driving long distances.

Nausea/travel sickness relief
Add peppermint 2 drops to 5mls of cold pressed vegetable oil and gently massage over the stomach area. It is best to do this 30 minutes before you travel.
You could also fill an empty small glass container (essential oil bottle, pill bottle) with a couple of cottonballs to which 3 or 4 drops of peppermint essential oil have been added. Open the bottle and take a few sniffs whenever you feel nauseous. Make sure to keep the lid on when not in use. You could also use a personal inhaler if you have one.

ROSEMARY (Rosmarinus officinalis)
Rosemary is good to have on hand to ease those aches and pains from too much sport or gardening. It is also useful for headaches and tiredness caused by the heat.

Muscular Aches and Pains
Add rosemary 4 drops, lavender 2 drops and eucalyptus 4 drops to 15 mls of cold pressed vegetable oil and gently massage.

Essential Oils for the New Year

essential_oils_for_the_new_year Often at this time of year people make New Year resolutions with the intention of keeping them but by the end of the month many are forgotten. Perhaps they were too difficult to keep and you are now feeling bad about that.

May I suggest that you either make resolutions that make you feel good and are very easy to keep or that you choose a word that will be your guiding light for 2015.

Some examples of New Year’s resolutions that may feel good could be to have some chocolate or other food you fancy once a week but really take the time to enjoy it and how it makes you feel good rather than feeling bad because you perceive that it is bad for you. Another could be that you will give yourself time for you once a week. This could be as simple as having a regular massage, vaporising some oils, going for a walk or sitting in the garden for five minutes. It really doesn’t matter what it is as long as it is something you enjoy. Give yourself the gift of you. You give so much to family, friends and work so why not give something to yourself?

If you choose a word that will be your guiding light for the year choose one that feels right for you. It may be a word you hear or see several times or you can meditate and see what comes. Know why you are choosing the word and put the power of intention behind it.

You may choose the words release or letting go as a guide to help you clear the clutter in your life whether physical, mental, emotional or releasing unwanted kilos.
You may choose beauty or gratitude so that even in the darkest of times you can see or find the beauty around you or feel a sense of gratitude for something in your life. You may even choose a word like progress or innovative. It doesn’t really matter what the word or phrase is as long as it feels right for you and can act as guiding light to help you through the coming year.

Some oils that you may like to use to help with your potential are
Black Pepper (Piper nigrum) – can help you find and stay focussed on your direction in life and take responsibility for your actions.

Cedarwood (Cedrus atlantica) – can give you the courage to move forward and follow your dreams.

German Chamomile (Matricaria recutita) – can help you let go of old ideas, beliefs, emotions, and habits that you no longer need.

Clary sage (Salvia sclarea) can bring clarity when you are feeling overwhelmed and not sure what you should be doing.

Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens) is another oil to choose if you are beginning something. She can bring a sense of renewal and is also the perfect oil for bringing balance to all aspects of your life, physical, mental, spiritual and emotional.

Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) – motivates you to move past any restrictions or limitations you have put in place.

Peppermint (Mentha piperita) – helps you reconnect with your purpose and passion in life.

Sweet fennel (Foeniculum vulgare dulce) – is helpful if you feel that there are aspects of the past year that you need to bring to a close so that you can begin afresh.

Not Just A Pretty Smell - Explore new Ways of Using Essential Oils