Tag Archives: rosemary

The Therapeutic, Emotional and Subtle Effects of 10 Essential Oils in the Lamiaceae Family

Many of the aromatic plants that can be found in your herb garden belong to the Lamiaceae family. They are generally aromatic in all parts and easily propagated by stem cuttings. Many (but not all) have square stems, with leaves oppositely arranged, featuring flowers grouped in clusters with 5 united petals and 5 united sepals.

Labiatae, the original name of this family referred to the fact that the flowers typically have petals fused into an upper lip and a lower lip (labia in Latin).

Essential oils from the Lamiaceae family include basil, clary sage, hyssop, lavender, marjoram, melissa, monarda (Monarda didyma), oregano (Origanum vulgare), patchouli, peppermint, rosemary, sage (Salvia officinalis), savory (Satureia montana), spearmint (Mentha spicata), spike lavender (Lavendula latifolia) and thyme.

This plant family has sedative, diuretic, tonic, antispasmodic, antiseptic, antidepressant and nervine properties in common.

Why not try growing a few of these in your garden? Seeing how they grow can help connect you to the plants and the oils they produce on a deeper level.

Basil Sweet (Ocimum basilicum)Basil has been used as a culinary and medicinal herb for millennia. It is a strongly aromatic annual herb, reaching 20 inches (50 cm) in height, with shiny green oval leaves and whorls of small white flowers.

Therapeutic effects
Sweet basil is helpful for respiratory conditions including sinusitis, colds and flu. It is useful also for digestive complaints of nausea, vomiting, hiccups and cramping. Because of its febrifuge qualities it has been used in compresses for fevers.

Emotional and Subtle
It is helpful for fear, sadness, depression, stress and insomnia. It can ease anxiety, relieve intellectual fatigue and bring clarity.

Gabriel Mojay states that basil is indicated for those in whom despondency and dejection are coupled with a heightened need for emotional support and reassurance.

Precautions
Avoid using on individuals with hypersensitive, diseased or damaged skin. There is a low risk of skin sensitization. Some sources also recommend not using basil during pregnancy or on children under 2 years of age.

Sweet basil with its high percentage of linalool is safe to use in aromatherapy but care must be taken with the methyl chavicol, eugenol and methyl cinnamate chemotypes. It is not recommended to use these chemotypes on the skin or in dilutions of more than 2%. The oil should not be taken orally.

Clary sage (Salvia sclarea)

Clary sage is a biennial or perennial herb that can grow to a height of 4 feet (120cm) with hairy heart shaped leaves and numerous, small pale blue, lavender, pink or white flowers.

Therapeutic effects
Clary sage is useful for women. It can ease premenstrual tension, encourage labour, lessen post-natal depression and help with hot flashes, night sweats, headaches and the irritability that may occur during menopause.

Clary sage’s antispasmodic properties can relieve muscular aches, pains, stiffness and tired aching legs. It can also help asthma sufferers by relaxing the bronchial tubes spasms and easing their anxiety about breathing.

Emotional and Subtle
Clary sage helps to relieve deep seated tension allowing the person to relax and also helps to stimulate mental clarity which can be clouded by confusion and constant mind chatter.

Clary sage feeds the soul and helps us get through rough and meagre times. It is useful for people involved in creative work and opens the path to the unknown, unusual, creative and intuitive. It has also been said to encourage vivid dreams and assist with dream recall.

Precautions
Some sources recommend not using clary sage during pregnancy while Patricia Davis also recommends not using it when drinking alcohol as it can induce nightmares.

Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis)Hyssop is a perennial herb up to 22 inches (60 cm) with a woody stem and purplish blue, pink or white flowers.

Therapeutic effects
Hyssop is another good oil for colds, sore throats, flu, bronchitis, sinusitis and asthma but should be used in low dilutions. It is also useful for digestive issues including relieving stomach cramps, abdominal bloating, to increase appetite, as a mild laxative and to expel worms.

Emotional and Subtle
Hyssop can be used for poor concentration, enhancing alertness and mental clarity and to centre you during meditation. It is said to ease emotional pain by bringing deep feelings into focus.

Precautions
It is important to know which variety of hyssop you are using as hyssop can be obtained in 2 varieties. In both cases it is wise not to use the oil above a 2% dilution.

Hyssopus officinalis var. decumbens has no known hazards while Hyssopus officinalis CT pinocamphone should not be used during pregnancy, breast feeding or on children under 2 years of age. It also should not be used on individuals with epilepsy and high blood pressure.

Lavender (Lavendula angustifolia)Lavender is an evergreen woody shrub that grows up to 3 feet (1metre) tall with green narrow linear leaves and violet blue flowers in terminal spikes borne on slender stalks.

Therapeutic effects
Lavender is useful for respiratory complaints, coughs, colds, flu, bronchitis, asthma, catarrh and sinusitis. It is also works well for wounds, ulcers, dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis. Lavender’s antispasmodic properties help ease tension headaches, period pains, muscular aches and pains. Lavender is well known for healing and lessening the pain of minor burns and sunburn.

Emotional and Subtle
Lavender is a calming oil when used in small amounts but can be very stimulating in larger amounts. It is helpful for depression, insomnia, nervous tension and stress. Gabriel Mojay calls lavender an aromatic ‘Rescue Remedy’ that works to calm any strong emotions that threaten to overwhelm the mind.

Precautions
None known.

Marjoram Sweet (Marjorama hortensis)Sweet marjoram is a perennial plant that grows up to 30 inches (80cm) high with a hairy stem, dark green oval leaves and small white flowers in clusters.

Therapeutic effects
Sweet marjoram is effective for muscular aches and pains, strains, sprains, painful periods and dispersing bruises. It is also a good digestive and carminative helping to alleviate constipation, colic and flatulence.

Emotional and Subtle
Sweet marjoram relieves stress, anxiety, nervous exhaustion, calms the mind and helps quiet obsessive thoughts.

It has a comforting and warming effect which eases loneliness and grief but should not be used to excess as it can have a deadening effect on the emotions.

Precautions
None known.

Melissa (Melissa officinalis)

Melissa is also known as lemon balm or balm. It is a bushy herb which grows 11 to 23 inches (30 – 60cm) high with serrated oval to heart shaped leaves and tiny white or pink flowers.

Therapeutic effects
Melissa is an antiviral oil that has been shown to be effective for cold sores and shingles when applied to the blisters in the early stages. It is a good digestive oil alleviating nervous indigestion, nausea and flatulence. Its antispasmodic properties can assist in the relief of menstrual pain and tension headaches.

Emotional and Subtle
Melissa is helpful in depression especially in those who are emotionally sensitive and do not respond well to pressure and are easily traumatized by confrontation.

It has been said that Melissa aids us in finding inner contentment and strengthens the wisdom of the heart.

Precautions
Possibly sensitizing and should not be used on hypersensitive, diseased or damaged skin. Don’t use in pregnancy or children under 2. Best not used in dilutions above 1%.

Know your source of melissa as there are imitations of the oil made using citronella (Cymbopogon nardus), may chang (Litsea cubeba), and lemon (Citrus limonum) plus various isolates and synthetics.

Patchouli (Pogostemon cablin) Patchouli leaves and flowers Patchouli is a perennial bushy herb up to 3 feet (1 metre) tall with sturdy hairy stems, large furry leaves and white flowers tinged with purple.

Therapeutic effects
Patchouli is a very useful skin oil helping to heal rough cracked skin, sores, acne, eczema, dermatitis and wounds. It is also used for fluid retention, cellulite and diarrhoea.

Gabriel Mojay believes it is one of the most important remedies for snake and insect bites.

Emotional and Subtle
Patchouli is a very grounding oil that is helpful in cases of anxiety and depression. It helps keeps one in touch with their physical body.

Precautions
There is none known for dermal use but possible inhibition of blood clotting if taken orally which is not advised.

Peppermint (Mentha piperita)Peppermint is a perennial herb up to 39 inches (1 metre) high with underground runners, sharply toothed, lance shaped leaves and white occasionally mauve flowers.

Therapeutic effects
Peppermint is effective for both respiratory complaints including colds and flu, sinus congestion and chronic bronchitis.

It is well known for helping digestive issues, flatulence, colitis, indigestion, colic, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting and travel sickness. It is also effective for muscle pain, lumbago and bruising.

Emotional and Subtle
Peppermint refreshes the mind when mentally fatigued bringing clarity and also facilitates the digestion of new ideas. It can also assist in reconnecting you to your vital passion.

Precautions
It is possibly sensitizing, low risk mucous membrane irritant and should not be used in cases of cardiac fibrillation or G6PD deficiency. Don’t apply to or near the face of infants or children.

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)Rosemary is a shrubby evergreen bush up to 50 inches (180cm) high with silvery green, needle shaped leaves and pale blue flowers.

Therapeutic effects
Rosemary is available in 3 chemotypes each suited to a different purpose.
Rosemary 1, 8 cineole is a good respiratory oil helping with colds, flu, catarrh, sinusitis and asthma.

Rosemary camphor is useful for relieving the pain of rheumatism, arthritis and tired, stiff overworked muscles. It also warms cold feet and hands and energizes tired legs.

Rosemary verbenone is excellent for skin care and tissue repair. It is gentler than the cineole chemotype and can also be used for respiratory issues.

Emotional and Subtle
Rosemary has been known as an oil of remembrance since ancient times, helping us to not only remember on a physical level but also on a spiritual level our true selves.

It strengthens our mental clarity and awareness, improves poor concentration and is uplifting and stimulating.

Precautions
Tisserand and Young suggest not applying rosemary on or near the face of infants or young children while others suggest not using it at all on children under 2 years of age.

Some sources also suggest not using it during pregnancy or with those who have epilepsy.

Rosemary verbenone is considered the safest of the three while the camphor chemotype maybe neurotoxic depending on the camphor content and amount used.

Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)Thyme is a perennial evergreen herb up to 15 inches (45 cm) high with a woody root, grey green leaves and white to lilac flowers.

Therapeutic effects
Thyme comes in various chemotypes with the geraniol and linalool being the gentlest. The thymol and thujanol chemotypes are harsher and require more care in their use.

Thyme is a good respiratory oil helping with colds, flu, coughs, sore throat, bronchitis, asthma and whooping cough.

It is also useful for relieving the pain of rheumatism, arthritis, sciatica and muscular aches and pains.

Emotional and Subtle
Thyme is stimulating and relieves anxiety, nervous and mental exhaustion, enhances concentration, uplifts the spirit and helps with poor self-confidence.

Precautions
Use in low dilution as it can irritate the mucus membranes and possibly cause skin sensitization. Some sources suggest not using on children under one year of age.

In many cases it is preferable to use the linalool and geraniol chemotypes as they have many of the same properties as the thymol and thujanol chemotypes but are gentler oils with a softer aroma.

References
1. Salvatore Battaglia, The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy, The Perfect Potion (Aust.) Pty Ltd 1995
2. Tisserand R and Young R, Essential Oil Safety Second Edition, Churchill Livingstone Elsevier, 2014
3. Gabriel Mojay, Aromatherapy for Healing the Spirit, Hodder and Stoughton, 1996
4. Susanne Fischer –Rizzi, Complete Aromatherapy Handbook, Sterling Publishing Company. Inc. 1990
5. Patricia Davis, Subtle Aromatherapy, The CW Daniel Company Ltd, 1991
6. Robbi Zeck, The Blossoming Heart, Aroma Tours, 2003

This article was originally published in the May 2017 issue of AromaCulture Magazine (www.aromaculture.com) and has been adapted for use here with permission from the publisher.

Using Essential Oils To Relieve Stress

Essential oils are an easy and pleasant way to help you cope with the symptoms of stress.

What Is Stress?
Stress is a state of mind, usually accompanied by physical and emotional symptoms. We all experience stress at some time in our lives. As we are all unique, what acts as a stressor to one person, may not cause any reaction in another.

Stress can be caused by work pressures, boredom, family issues, finances, school or university exams, the death of a loved one or something as simple as being caught in a traffic jam. Stress can lower your resistance and increase your susceptibility to illness, especially if it is allowed to continue for long periods of time. Stress can cause muscular pain, especially in the neck, back and shoulders, high blood pressure, chronic headaches, weight loss, anxiety, insomnia, lethargy, shallow breathing, loss of appetite, difficulty concentrating, loss of your sense of humour and mood swings.

To avoid the many health issues associated with stress, it’s important to take appropriate action on a regular basis, to release stress physically and emotionally.

Using Essential Oils To Treat Stress
Essential oils are a safe and effective treatment to help you cope with stress. They help boost your mood, energise you and can help ease muscle tension and pain.

Massaging with essential oils is one of the best ways to calm the mind and release muscular aches and pains. A monthly aromatherapy massage works wonders in keeping your stress under control.

If you suffer from headaches and don’t have time for a professional massage, self-massaging with essential oils, especially to the neck, shoulders and the scalp can be very helpful . Add 1 drop of essential oil to 2 mls of vegetable oil or 5 drops of essential oil to 10mls of vegetable oil.

6-8 drops of essential oil can be used in a warm bath to help ease tired muscles and calm the mind. Run the bath, add the oils and swish the oils in the water. The oils will sit on top of the water. If you want to disperse the oils through the water, place the drops of essential oils in a cup of full cream milk and add to your bathwater.

Alternatively, after showering place 4-6 drops of essential oil on a face cloth or sponge and rub the cloth briskly over your body.

Allow your feet to soak in a foot spa to which 4-5 drops of essential oil have been added. Following up with a foot massage will help relieve your aching feet, as well as your stress.

Placing 4-6 drops of essential oil into a diffuser can help calm or liven up your mood. Using essential oils such as lemon and orange can also help increase your appetite if stress has caused a loss of appetite.

You can place your favourite essential oil on a tissue to smell when needed or place 4 drops of your favourite essential oil on a cotton ball, insert in a small bottle with a tight fitting lid and open the bottle and inhale the fragrance, as and when you need. another option is to use a personal inhaler

Finally, you can wear your essential oil blend as a perfume. To create this blend, just follow the same steps as described above for massage.

Essential Oils to Relieve Stress
Although there are many oils that can be used to help with stress, the following oils are readily available and relatively inexpensive.

Chamomile Roman (Anthemis nobilis)
Chronic tension, insomnia, muscular aches and pains, headaches and nervous indigestion. She is also useful for calming irritable children and colicky infants. (Can be bought in a 3-5% blend in jojoba.)

Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus)
To ease muscular aches and pains, helps to calm the mind and restore a positive outlook and vitality.

Frankincense (Boswellia carteri)
To help with anxiety, slows down breathing, calming and centring the mind.

Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens)
For lethargy, chronic anxiety, eases frustration and irritability, nervous exhaustion due overwork and stress.

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia or Lavandula officinalis)
Lavender is one of the most useful oils for stress. She calms and soothes the nerves, relieves tension both muscular and emotional. She helps with stress headaches and insomnia. Lavender is considered an aromatic rescue remedy helping to relax the body and mind and is useful for panic and anxiety attacks.

Orange Sweet (Citrus sinensis)
Poor appetite, nauseous headaches, tension, insomnia, eases frustration, moodiness and irritability.

Palmarosa (Cymbopogon martinii)
Insomnia, anxiety, nervous exhaustion, calming and uplifting, poor appetite.

Peppermint (Mentha piperita)
Enhances concentration and study, apathy, mental and physical fatigue, uplifts the spirit.

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)
Poor concentration, anxiety, muscular stiffness and pain, can help bolster self-confidence and calm an overactive nervous system

Some Blends To Get You Started
Here are some blends to get you started. Enjoy making your own combinations using your favourite essential oils.

Anxiety
Lavender 2 drops, palmarosa 2 drops, geranium 1 drop in 10mls vegetable oil for massage or in a diffuser to vaporise.

Sore, stiff or tight muscles
Eucalyptus 3 drops, lavender 2 drops, rosemary 1 drop in 10mls vegetable oil for massage.

Tension headache
Lavender 2 drops, geranium 2 drops, sweet orange 1 drop in 10mls vegetable oil for massage. Massage neck, shoulders and temples with the blend. You can then massage the scalp without the blend if you wish.

Nausea
Peppermint 2 drops, sweet orange 2 drops in 10mls vegetable oil massaged into the stomach area.

Exhaustion
Peppermint 2 drops, eucalyptus 2 drops, rosemary 2 drops in a diffuser.

I am available to do aromatherapy massages on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays in Padstow. Phone or email for an appointment.

Essential Oils for Cleansing

essential oils for cleansing header

September is the month when many people decide to do some spring cleaning here in Australia. You may wish to clear the build-up of negative energy from your home, workspace or self.

There are many essential oils that can help you. These include:
Cedarwood (Cedrus atlantica) – helps clear the mental clutter. She clears and cleanses a room and brings in positive energy.

Clove (Eugenia caryophyllata) – helps release and cleanse the physical, emotional and mental clutter.

Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus radiata) – cleanses negativity in people and their environment, giving a sense of freedom and spaciousness.

Frankincense (Boswellia carterii) – helps break ties with the past that may be weighing you down.

Grapefruit (Citrus paradisi) – dissolves emotional energy blocks and heavy negative feelings, especially blame, anger and frustration.

Juniper (Juniperus communis) – cleanses and clears a room or person of negative energies and protects against negativity.

Lemon (Citrus limonum) – clears emotional confusion. Clears and cleanses the room.

Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) – clears and cleanses a room. Dispels negative energy and releases limitations.

Lime (Citrus aurantifolia) – clears feelings of agitation and heated emotions. Purifies the mind and body.

Pine (Pinus sylvestris) – clears and cleanses a room. Repels and clears negative energy.

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) – clears and cleanses a room. Provides protection from negative influences.

Spruce (Picea mariana) – clears and cleanses bringing a sense of spaciousness.

How to Use
Cleansing and Protecting Your Aura
Use juniper or pine to cleanse or protect your aura before or after visiting crowded places, for example a shopping mall or train. Put one or two drops of the oil in the palm of your hands and stroke them lightly over the physical body and/or through your aura. Make sure the strokes touch the ground and sweep away from yourself or the person you are cleansing.

Bath
Add up to 6 drops of essential oil to half a cup of full fat milk and add to the bath water. (The milk helps the oil disperse through the water rather than sitting on top of it. You could also use a solubiliser for this purpose). Lay in the bath and breathe in the cleansing aroma. If you use frankincense you could also visualize cutting all the old ties that are weighing you down.

Vaporiser
Use up to 4 drops in the vaporiser to clear the room after an argument or heavy healing session.

Spray
Make a spray using 50 mls of spring water and up to 15 drops of essential oils to spray your room (don’t spray furniture) or self (make sure your eyes are closed). This is also useful for cleansing areas after you have de-cluttered a space or your wardrobe.

Essential Oils For Winter

Winter has arrived and although the days are relatively warm and sunny there will be days when it seems spring will never come. You will be exposed to people with coughs and colds on the bus, train, in shops and at work or perhaps in your own family. During this time I use essential oils to help lessen the chances of me catching a cold and if I should catch one to get over it very quickly.

The oils below can be used for many of the minor and not so minor inconveniences of winter.
Black Pepper(Piper nigrum)
A very warming oil ideal for massaging sore, tight muscles and warming cold hands and feet. On a spiritual level she is about taking responsibility for your own actions and loosening blockages that maybe holding you back from following your path in life. Use 2-6 drops in a bath or footbath to warm cold feet and get your circulation moving.

Ginger(Zingiber officinale)
Ginger is another very warming oil but she also helps you to get going if you have been procrastinating as well as rebuilding your stamina and energy after illness. The Chinese believe that drinking hot ginger tea at the first sign of a cold prevents you from getting one.

Ravensara(Ravensara aromatica)
Ravensara is a very powerful antiviral oil that I put in my clients blend when they have a cold. She helps them fight the cold and protects me from getting their cold. On a spiritual, emotional level she helps you set boundaries. In the case of a cold or flu your boundaries are set as most people will keep their distance for fear of catching your cold. Ravensara is also very good for cold sores. Use a cotton bud to apply to the cold sore 4 or 5 times a day.

Eucalyptus(Eucalyptus radiata or Smithii)
Eucalyptus Smithii is considered gentler to use with young children. Put 2 drops in some bubble bath or full cream milk and add to a warm or tepid bath to help bring down a fever. Make a blend of eucalyptus, teatree and ravensara to help ease the symptoms of cold and flu. Add black pepper or rosemary if their neck, shoulders or chest is tight from coughing. You can use a combination of any of the above. Add 15 drops to 20mls of vegetable oil and rub into neck, back and chest 3 or 4 times a day. Use eucalyptus in a vaporiser to help kill bacteria in the air and in steam inhalations to ease a tight chest.

Tea Tree(Melaleuca alternifolia)
Although it tastes terrible you may want to try gargling with teatree to help ease a sore throat. You may even be able to avoid the symptoms of cold or flu if you gargle at the first sign of a sore or ticklish throat. Add 2 drops of teatree essential oil to a cup or glass of water. Gargle, spit out and don’t swallow. Use with eucalyptus in a vaporiser to help kill any bacteria in the atmosphere.

Rosemary(Rosmarinus officinalis)
Rosemary is excellent for sore, tight muscles and works well in a chest blend. Along with eucalyptus she can help open congested nasal passages. Try placing 1 or 2 drops on a tissue or if you are in public you can put a few cotton balls in a small bottle such as an empty essential oil bottle, add 3 or 4 drops of rosemary, eucalyptus, ravensara, teatree or any combination of these and close the lid. Open the bottle and sniff whenever your nose is feeling blocked. You could also take deep breaths from your tissue or bottle whenever someone with a cold has coughed on or near you to lessen your chances of catching a cold. Another alternative is to use a personal inhaler.

Sweet Orange(Citrus sinensis)
Sweet orange is perfect for those dark dull days of winter when you think the sun will never shine again. She helps lift the spirits of those sick with cold and flu. Use in the vaporiser to bring some cheer or combine with eucalyptus or teatree to lighten the aroma.
You could also use lemon or mandarin for this purpose.

Finally remember to rest in bed for a few days to help you get over your cold or flu quickly. To prevent getting a cold in the first place keep active, eat nourishing, warming food, use your essential oils and take time out for yourself.

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)

There’s rosemary, that’s for remembrance; pray you, love remember.
And there is pansies, that’s for thoughts.
William Shakespeare

Family: Lamiaceae

Synonyms: R. coronarium

Aroma: Penetrating, refreshing, herbaceous.

Colour: Clear to pale yellow.

Plant: An evergreen shrub that grows up to 2 metres high with silvery grey needle shaped leaves and pale blue flowers. As the plant ages the leaves lose part of their oil and the plant becomes progressively odourless.

Main Growing Areas: Tunisia, Spain, Morocco, France.

Major Constituents: There are 3 chemotypes, 1,8 cineole, camphor and verbenone. The amount of each constituent varies with the chemotype but all include 1.8 cineole, alpha-pinene, camphor, alpha-pinene, borneol, borynl acetate.

Interesting snippets: Rosemary essential oil was first distilled in the 13th century.
The Ancient Egyptians used Rosemary as a ritual incense in the tombs of the Pharaohs to assist them to recall their former life.

The Greeks and Romans regarded Rosemary as sacred, a symbol of remembrance, loyalty, and scholarly learning. Throughout the ages, Rosemary garlands and headdresses were worn at all important occasions as a symbol of trust.

The herb was used in former times to delay the putrefaction in uncooked meat.

The French used it as a disinfectant in hospital wards during epidemics.

Part of Plant used / Extraction: Leaves and flowering tops by steam distillation. A complete distillation takes around one and a half hours.

Therapeutic actions: Colds and flu, catarrh, sinusitis, muscular aches and pains, arthritis, rheumatism.

Emotional and Spiritual: Clears and refreshes a tired mind and improves concentration. Helps clear mental confusion in the elderly. Can renew enthusiasm and improve self-confidence.

Robbi Zeck writes that when familiar patterns, conditions, habits and beliefs keep resurfacing and manifesting in your life, rosemary moves you onward freeing you from restriction, sluggishness and mental fatigue.

Gabriel Mojay writes that as a Herb of Remembrance, it helps us not only to recall loved ones, but to remember our own true path.

Aromatherapy Insight Card:
CREATIVITY
Rosemary gladdens the spirit, invoking confidence to command creative energy into action. Believe in yourself, you can manifest anything if you believe in it. Explore your creative side and free yourself from life’s restrictions. Rosemary allows you to explore outside your everyday world. Find your own personal expression of creativity and paint your life the colours that you want.

Courtesy of J. Jefferies & K. Osborn.

Fragrant Change Healing Card: I am a creative person who finds creative solutions to my problems

Contemplations for the Soul:

Have you forgotten your creativity or even that you are a creative being?
Are you feeling mentally fatigued and apathetic?
Have you forgotten who you truly are and what you can accomplish?
Have you forgotten your path and purpose in life?
We think of rosemary for remembrance but she is also a creative force.
Stop today and think of all the ways you are creative in your life.
People may comment on your creativity in a certain area but you may not see it because it seems so natural to you.
Slow down and remember the creative person you are and acknowledge your worth.

Safety: Non-irritating, non-sensitising, non-toxic

Sources: Battaglia S, The Complete Guide To Aromatherapy. The Perfect Potion, Australia (1995)
Bowles E.J, The A to Z of Essential Oils. New Burlington Books (2003)
Hodges C, Contemplations for the Soul (2016)
Hodges C, Fragrant Change Healing Cards (2015)
Jefferies J, Osborn K, Aromatherapy Insight Cards. Living Energy, Aust. (2nd Ed. 2005)
Kerr J, Rosemary Essential Oil Profile. Aromatherapy Today, Vol.24 (2002)
Mojay G, Aromatherapy for Healing the Spirit. Hodder and Stoughton (1996)
Zeck R, The Blossoming Heart. Aroma Tours (2004)

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.

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