Tisserand and Young recommend that Calamus oil be limited to 0.2% (about 1 drop per ounce of any other carrier oils) for leave-on products like ointments, creams, and lotions. There is no restriction for body washes, shampoos, soaps, and other wash-off products because the oil does not remain on the skin.
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Latin Name: acorus calamus Alternative Name: sweet sedge, sweet grass, sweet root, myrtle grass, cinnamon sedge, rat root, gladdon, flagroot, beewort Forms Available: essential oil, CO2 extraction
The essential oil of Calamus should be strictly avoided during pregnancy as it has the potent to stimulate contractions in the uterine cavity and induce menstruation, being an emmenagogue and might lead to miscarriage or abortion. It is also advisable to restrict the use of Calamus oil during breastfeeding.
Many studies suggest that Calamus oil may have carcinogenic or cancer causing effects and might be toxic when used in excess. The prime chemical constituents responsible for its adverse effects are β-asarone (about 78.4%), α-asarone (about 6.8%) and methyleugenol (about 2%) in Acorus Calamus oil, which is of Indian origin. Various in vivo and in vitro studies have witnessed the negative potent of β-asarone in inducing the growth of malignant tumors.
The European Council files β-asarone as “substances which are suspected to be genotoxic carcinogens and therefore no MDI can be set”. According to the 1988 European Community Council, both the European Union and the United Kingdom ‘Standard Permitted Proportion’ of beta-asarone in food flavorings must be 0.1 mg/kg.
IFRA (International Fragrance Association) suggests that beta-asarone and alpha-asarone should not be used as fragrance ingredients and the safe level of use of Calamus oil in consumer products should not exceed 0.01%. It also recommends that the highest concentration of methyleugenol in leave-on products like body lotion should not exceed 0.00004%.
Essential oils are highly concentrated substances and must be used in a diluted condition with safe carrier oils like coconut oil. It is meant only for topical application, and it is not recommended to take essential oils internally.
Ingestion of Calamus oil may end up in creating hallucinations, convulsions and potent toxicity. Acorus Calamus is one among the 30 unsafe herbs listed by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration).
According to the studies conducted in 1976 and 1977, Calamus oil is non-phototoxic and non-sensitizing when tested (patch testing with 2% Calamus oil) on 200 consecutive patients with dermatitis.
This warning is relevant to leave-on skin care products like creams, body lotions, massage oils and balms and not for wash-off items like shampoos and soaps.
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Calamus is native to Asia and Europe and has been found growing across Australia, South Africa, North America, New Guinea and Reunion. It has its name mentioned in the Old Testament and was talked about in Exodus as an element of the sacred anointing oil of the Bible.
It was also denoted in the Chester Beatty papyrus VI, which approximately dates back to 1300 BC and Papyrus used Calamus with various other ingredients in preparing a bandage to appease stomach ailments.
Calamus has been a vital part of the traditional healing system of various countries for more than thousands of years in the treatment of numerous medical conditions.
The primeval Egyptians trusted Calamus root as a potent aphrodisiac for its effectiveness in augmenting the health of the reproductive system. Calamus was added to wine in Europe and it also forms a part of absinthe.
The Penobscot people believed that Calamus root helped in healing prolonged sickness that was plaguing the people for a long time. They also steamed all through the homes to ward off illnesses and the dried roots were strung together for preservation.
The people of the Potawatomi community used the dried Calamus root powder for treating catarrh. Indonesians use this aromatic root as a flavoring agent in the preparation of meat, sea foods and other vegetarian cuisines.
The traditional Turks used this herb for all kinds of infections and it is used in preparing cough drops. It is also been used in the Traditional Chinese medicine, Siddha and Ayurvedic healing systems for its carminative, laxative, sedative and diuretic properties.
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Maximum dermal use level: 1.25% to avoid phototoxicity
The International Fragrance Association (IFRA) recommends that Bergamot oil be limited to 1.25% (about 7 drops per ounce of any other carrier oils) for leave-on products like ointments, creams, and lotions used on skin exposed to sunlight. There is no restriction for body washes, shampoos, soaps, and other wash-off products because the oil does not remain on the skin.
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Bitter orange oil exhibits mild photosensitivity effects if the oil is oxidized, which might cause irritation and hyper-pigmentation of the skin when skin is exposed to sunlight within 12 hours of usage. The major cause being the response of the chemical components that are photoactive in nature attracts light and ends up in toxicity via molecular alterations.
The safe dermal use level of Bitter orange oil by the International Fragrance Association (IFRA) is 1.25%, specifically to avoid phototoxicity in the products used for topical application and not for soaps, shampoos and other bath preparations. This No-observed-adverse-effect-level (NOAEL) is based on various studies with Bitter orange oil on mice and swine, where the No-observed-effects-level (NOEL) was found to be 6.25%.
The major chemical constituent responsible for the skin sensitization and mild irritation of Bitter orange oil is Limonene, which accounts to about 90% of this oil, and certain other furanocoumarins.
According to European regulations, essential oils with furanocoumarins should be used in such a way that the overall level of bergapten does not exceed 15 ppm (parts per million) in ready-to-use cosmetic products meant for use on the skin surface that are exposed to sunlight (other than wash-away products) and 1 ppm in sunscreen and bronzing items.
Use Bitter orange oil only for external use. Iingestion of this oil should be avoided strictly, as internal use of this oil has adverse effects according to various reports. Medical research studies state that the presence of stimulants like octopamine, amines synephrine (an alkaloid with almost the related chemical structure to ephedrine in Ephedra – Ma-Huang) and N-methyltyramine are responsible for the cardiovascular toxicity of Bitter orange and this is also reported to cause increase in blood pressure and vasoconstriction.
Bitter orange should be avoided by patients with tachyarrhythmia, hypertension and narrow-angle glaucoma, mainly due its potent to cause additive effects. Overdose of synephrine in children overdose ended up in tachycardia, nausea, quick increase in blood pressure and irritation. Certain researches witness the effect of Bitter orange in restraining human cytochrome P450 3A (CYP3A) in the test tube studies.
Just like Grapefruit, Bitter orange is said to hold back a vital enzyme in the small intestine, and this may possibly have an effect on the levels of blood, when taking certain medications like antiviral, anti-anxiety, antidepressant drugs, statins and calcium channel blockers and along with the intake of caffeine.
Care should be taken if Bitter orange oil is used in massage in the abdominal area, as essential oils penetrate quickly through the skin, reach the bloodstream and may cause adverse effects. It is not recommended to take Bitter orange products when using other prescribed medications, except under strict medical supervision.
Furocoumarins are also used in various remedies on par with long-wave ultraviolet light therapy for the healing of mycosis fungoides, vitiligo and psoriasis.
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Maximum dermal use level: 0.4% to avoid phototoxicity
The International Fragrance Association (IFRA) recommends that Bergamot oil be limited to 0.4% (about 2.4 drops per ounce of any other carrier oils) for leave-on products like ointments, creams, and lotions used on skin exposed to sunlight. There is no restriction for body washes, shampoos, soaps, and other wash-off products because the oil does not remain on the skin. The risk of phototoxicity is reduced for Bergamot oils that are furocoumarin-free or bergaptene-free (designated FCF).
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Latin Name: citrus bergamia Alternative Name: orange mint, orange bergamot Forms Available: essential oil
Botanically called as Citrus bergamia, Bergamot is a member of the Citrus family Rutaceae.
The rich, herbaceous and fruity-aromatic essential oil is cold pressed from the rind of the Bergamot fruit. The thin, smooth peel yields Bergamot oil for “true” eau de Cologne and Earl Grey Tea.
The Bergamot tree can grow up to four meters high, with star-shaped flowers, and smooth leaves, bearing citrus fruit resembling a cross between an orange and a grapefruit, but in a pear shape. The fruit ripens from green to yellow. The name Bergamot is derived from the city Bergamo in Lombardy where the oil was first sold.
Bergamot oil has photosensitizing effects. This may cause irritation and burning of the skin when exposed to sunlight up to 72 hours after the topical application of this oil. This applies to direct skin applications like massage oils, balms, creams and lotions and not for cleansing products like shampoos and soaps.
Studies establish that the phototoxic chemical constituents in Bergamot oil are Bergaptene, Bergamotene and other furocoumarins. It is also stated that furocoumarins (Psoralens) contribute to carcinogenic, photomutagenic, phototoxic and melanogenic properties of Bergamot oil.
These compounds absorb ultraviolet radiation (UV rays A and B), which might cause negative reaction on the skin, leading to chronic sunburn, skin irritation, hyperpigmentation, development of skin lesions, Berloque dermatitis, alterations in the cellular structure of the skin. The resulting burns (like any sunburn) increase the risk of skin cancer.
Surprisingly, Furocoumarins are also remedially used in combination with long-wave ultraviolet light therapy for the treatment of vitiligo, mycosis fungoides and psoriasis.
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The traditional remedial attributes of Bergamot oil are anti-depressant, sedative, antiseptic, analgesic, anti-parasitic, anti-inflammatory, febrifuge, antibiotic, vulnerary, cicatrisant, disinfectant, deodorant, antispasmodic, vermifuge, relaxant, anti-infectious and stimulant.
Aromatherapy & Health Uses: Boils; Cold Sores; Insect Bites; Spots; Varicose Ulcers; Colds; Flu; Fevers; Acne, Tension, Wounds; Coughs; Stress; as an Antidepressant; as an Insect Repellent; Depression; Cystitis; Infectious Diseases; Tonsilitis: Loss of Appetite.
Other Uses: Used for money and protective rituals. Add the distilled bouquet to your bathwater for these purposes. Synthesized versions of the oil abound but should not be used.
Reference Links Substantiating Possible Skin Issues of Bergamot Oil:
Nature is relentless and unchangeable, and it is indifferent as to whether its hidden reasons and actions are understandable to man or not. -Galileo Galilei
Maximum dermal use level: 0.5% to avoid skin sensitization
Tisserand and Young recommend that Bay Laurel oil be limited to 0.5% (about 3 drops per ounce of any other carrier oils) for leave-on products like ointments, creams, and lotions. There is no restriction for body washes, shampoos, soaps, and other wash-off products because the oil does not remain on the skin.
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Latin Name: laurus nobilis Alternative Name: sweet bay, bay tree, baie, daphne, grecian laurel, laurel, laurier d’apollon, laurier sauce, lorbeer, noble laurel, roman laurel.
Bay is an evergreen tree which can grow up to 20 meters high with dark green, glossy leaves and black berries. Bay was very popular with the Romans, who thought it was a symbol of wisdom, peace and protection. The Latin laudis means ‘to praise’, which is why the victors at the Olympic Games were presented with a laurel wreath made of bay leaves.
Bay oil is said to exhibit irritation, sensitization, hepatoxicity and cytotoxicity. Topical application and inhalation of this oil might cause allergies, skin irritation, sensitization in pregnant women, children and nursing mothers, arrest blood clotting and irritate the mucous membranes. It is recommended to avoid Bay oil during pregnancy, even in a diluted form, as it may cause harm to the developing fetus.
The key chemical constituents responsible for the possible skin issues of Bay Laurel oil are eugenol and methyleugenol. Although it is an excellent decongestant and antiseptic, eugenol in undiluted Bay oil can cause rashes, itching, irritation of the skin and the mucous membranes, when applied as a decongestant ointment or during inhalation of the concentrated oil. Always dilute Bay Laurel oil with an inert carrier oil and perform a patch test on your skin before using it for dermatological purposes.
Numerous studies state that Bay oil has cytotoxic effects, which means it can be toxic or deadly to cells. For this effect, Bay oil is used therapeutically in Apoptosis or a genetic line up for controlled cell death, especially in the treatment of Cancer. Chemotherapy (treatment of cancer) solely depends upon the potential of cytotoxic remedies to destroy the existing cancerous cells and thwart the rapid reproducing ability of cancer cells (Antiproliferative ability).
Bay Laurel is often confused with other members of the Laurel family like Mountain Laurel, Cherry Laurel, which are potential toxic agents. It is also confused with Westy Indian Bay.
This warning is applicable to direct skin applications like lotions, balms, massage oils and creams and not for bathing products like soaps and shampoos.
Visit AyurvedicOils.com for more information on the traditional ayurvedic and aromatherapeutic uses of Bay Oil. Learn about the natural chemical components that give Bay Oil its fragrance and therapeutic characteristics.
Bay leaf is known as Tejpatta (Indian Bay leaf or Cinnamomum tamala) in Ayurveda, and it has been used in the treatment of scalp dryness, migraine, amenorrhea, neuralgia, headache, asthma, poor memory, kidney infections, joint pain, uterus infection, arthritis, high blood sugar, menstrual difficulties, flatulence, stress, indigestion, diabetes and certain respiratory problems.
The wood is used to give an aromatic tang to smoked foods, and oil of Bay, from the fruit, flavors some liqueurs. A leaf decoction added to bath water will relieve aching limbs, and diluted leaf essential oil can treat sprains and rheumatic joints but may irritate the skin. The leaf and berry are used in salves for itching, sprains, bruises, skin irritations, and rheumatic pain. The fruit and leaf are simmered until soft and made into a poultice with honey for chest colds. Bay leaf and berry tea makes a bath additive that helps the bladder, bowel, and female reproductive organs. Use two tablespoons per cup and steep for forty-five minutes; add to bath water.
Aromatherapy & Health Uses: Sprains; Colds; Flu; Insomnia; Rheumatism.
Other Uses: Bay leaves were used by the Delphic priestesses. The incense and the leaf are said to produce a prophetic trance. Burn for psychic powers, purification, wish magic, exorcism, healing/health, protection, divination, visions, clairvoyance, energy, power.
Reference Links Substantiating Possible Skin Issues of Bay oil:
Maximum dermal use level: 0.8% to avoid phototoxicity
The International Fragrance Association (IFRA) recommends that Angelica Root oil be limited to 0.8% (about 5 drops per ounce of any other carrier oils) for leave-on products like ointments, creams, and lotions used on skin exposed to sunlight. There is no restriction for body washes, shampoos, soaps, and other wash-off products because the oil does not remain on the skin.
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Angelica root oil is said to exhibit phototoxic effects, resulting in irritation of the skin, redness, allergies, sunburns, blisters, hyperpigmentation and photodermatitis or Berloque dermatitis. These skin maladies might occur if your skin is exposed to sunlight after the dermal application of this oil within 12 to 36 hours of usage.
The underlying principle is the reaction of plant furocoumarins or Psoralens present in Angelica Root oil, namely angelicin. This component makes skin more prone to sunburn. Phototoxic, carcinogenic, genotoxic and mutagenic effects all follow from the increased risk of sunburn.
Research reports state that autoxidation components in Angelica root oil like alpha-pinene, limonene and delta-3-carene might cause skin sensitization. Storage of this oil in dark and airtight container, preferably in refrigerator is recommended.
The International Fragrance Association (IFRA) says that the safe level of dilution for the use of Angelica root oil on the skin exposed to sun is 0.8%, which is about 5 drops per ounce of any carrier oils.
Studies suggest that Angelica root oil should be avoided by pregnant and lactating women mainly due to its phototoxic, emmenagogue and abortifacient properties, as it might cause changes in the cellular structure of the fetus, induce menstruation and lessen the supply of milk (anti-galactogogue) in nursing mothers.
A 2011 study on ‘Angelica archangelica’ published in the International Journal of Nutrition, Pharmacology, Neurological Diseases states that this traditional herb can be a potent alternative for producing harmless and effectual anti-cancer drugs.
The most comforting note is that the coumarins are not the major constituents of Angelica root oil, and while caution should be used for leave-on products like lotions and creams, it is generally safe for wash off products like soaps, shampoos, and other bath preparations..
Visit AyurvedicOils.com for more information on the traditional ayurvedic and aromatherapeutic uses of Angelica Root Oil. Learn about the natural chemical components that give Angelica Root Oil its fragrance and therapeutic characteristics.
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With aromatherapy, you can try almost anything. Apart form self and family use, essential oil recipes can be made into personal gifts and gifted to near and dear ones. Friends and family members who have not had a taste of aromatherapy can be given gifts made from essential oils like shaving cream, scrubber, bath salt, mouth freshener, soap etc. and introduced to the benefits of aromatherapy. This article will provide a few essential oil recipes that can be used to make personal care products.
Aromatherapy gift ideas – Personal Care: Before trying out each and every recipe, make sure that you know about each and every essential oil you use, their aroma profiles, notes, chemical and physical properties and the healing benefits they offer when diffused, massaged or used as bath water. Similarly, while choosing oils for blends, try with a small amount of the oils to avoid waste of money or time if your oils turn out bad. Work with oils that lend a beautiful aroma and also have a soothing effect on your body.
1. Skin soother: If you are one who thinks salt scrubs are too hard or rough for you, try this skin soother blend. You will avoid the salt scratches and will also get rid of dead skin. To make the skin soother, mix a generous scoop of brown sugar with two drops of Sandalwood oil. The aroma will be smooth and relaxing. Gently rub the scrub on the skin and wipe out dull winter or dead skin cells.
2. Shaving soap: All your male friends would love this. You can try different blends and make a shaving soap gel that is aromatic and at the same time, antiviral and antimicrobial. Try this shaving soap recipe: ½ cup of grated soap, 2/3 cups of distilled water (boiled), 2 tbsp of melted coconut oil, 3 tbsp of Almond oil, and 1 tbsp of borax. Dissolve the soap in water and put in blender. Add all the remaining ingredients and whip till you get a fluffy consistency. Add scent and start using. If you are making shaving soap using a homemade soap, add more soap for better lather.
3. Shaving cream: This would come with excellent lather and do a good cleansing job. To make the cream, add ¼ oz of stearic acid with 2 tbsp of Olive or Almond oil and melt both together. Then, combine with the mixture, 1 cup of hot water, 1 tsp of borax, and 2 tbsp of grated soap. Beat the ingredients in stearic acid and whip till you get a creamy consistency.
4. Hand lotion: This hand lotion is the simplest you can ever make. Maybe you can surprise your guests by gifting them a bottle of this lotion while they visit your place. You will make them happy and as well as earn the name of a good aromatherapist. To make a hand lotion, blend Vegetable Glycerine and Rose Hydrosol in a pretty jar. See to it both are blended well and start using the lotion.
5. Lip balm: Ingredients you will need – 1 oz of Beeswax Beads, 1 oz of Shea Butter, Mango Butter or Virgin Coconut and 1 oz of liquid coconut carrier oil like Jojoba, Kukui, Avocado etc. Use herbal infused oils like Chamomile for skin soothing and add essential oils for Peppermint, Lime etc. If you want to clean your baby’s diaper rash, add Lavender and German Chamomile. For a softer balm, use less beeswax or less liquid oil.
6. Body Powder: To make body powder, mix 15 to 20 drops of your essential oil blend per one ounce of cornstarch and unscented talc.
Aromatherapy was initially considered as an aromatic use of essential oils and people bought essential oils to aromate their self, their living spaces and their work spots. Aromatherapy has been in practice right from the time of the ancient Egyptians. Greeks, Romans and Egyptians used essential oils for refreshing their personal spaces and anointing themselves with good scents. Only later, the use of essential oils as a healing massage oil or bath water came to be known. Basically aromatic oils were made to make incense, air fresheners and massage oils. This article will throw light on how to make essential oil air freshener blends.
Essential oil air fresheners recipes: To make an aromatic air freshener, you can try out a simple recipe as the below one. Take a 4 oz of spray bottle with a fine mist setting and use it for spraying. Do not use bottles that have been previously used for cleaning products or hair products such as shampoo, hair spray etc. Add 30 to 40 drops of your favorite essential oil blend with 1.5 oz of distilled water and 1.5 oz of high-proof alcohol. If you are allergic to alcohol, you can increase the amount of distilled water to 3 oz. But understand that only the alcohol can make the aroma linger for a longer time.
Below are a few essential oil recipes that can be used to make air fresheners:
1. Air Freshener Blend 1: To make this blend, add 20 drops of Lime to 14 drops of Bergamot, 4 drops of Ylang Ylang and 2 drops of Rose. Mix well and use in your air freshener or diffuse the oil through the room.
2. Air Freshener Blend 2: This would make a sweet aromatic blend as Lemon and Lavender are involved. Add 15 drops of Clary Sage to 9 drops of Lemon and 6 drops of Lavender. Mix the ingredients well and use them in an air freshener. If you want to add some other oil for more aroma, do so.
3. Air Freshener Blend 3: This is for the fresh and peppy spirited. Add 15 drops of Bergamot to 15 drops of Spearmint and mix well. You can increase the amount of spearmint if you like its aroma.
4. Air Freshener Blend 4: A complete Rosemary blend. Everyone will love it and you can use it anywhere – in your living room, bedroom or even toilet. As Rosemary is both uplifting and aromatic, you can use it with any oil. To make this blend, use 20 drops of Rosemary, 8 drops of Grapefruit , 4 drops of Peppermint and 2 drops Spearmint. Blend well and use with air freshener.
Pet aromatherapy is becoming popular these days. With awareness about essential oils growing day after day, people have started administering aromatherapy for animals, the results of which have been successful so far. But aromatherapy for pets is not an easy joke as the metabolism and biology of an animal – be it a horse or a cat or a dog – is different from that of human beings. Though essential oils can be used to remove fleas, ticks, treat arthritic pain, throat infection etc. in animals, you need to be very careful in their application. Sickness due to wrong application of oils can be unbearable and troublesome. So avoid using oils that are not recommended for animals. This article will throw light upon the safety guidelines you need to follow while using aromatherapy for pets.
Safety guidelines for pet aromatherapy: Animals are very different from human beings when it comes to medicating themselves. They have an innate ability to self-medicate themselves through herbs, plants and other naturally occurring substances. Pets like cats heal wounds just by licking. Dogs too have a separate mechanism for curing their sickness. So, you need to be watchful on whether a particular therapy is to your pet’s liking or not.
Below are a few tips on how to do this:
1. Seek permission from your pet: No this is not a silly advice. We mean what we say. Seek permission from your pets before applying any essential oil on its body. You can easily find out if your dog or cat likes the particular oil or not. If you keep an array of oils, chances are, your pet will choose the oil of its liking and guide you through the application process. Do not force any essential oil on your pet. It can turn to be very annoying to your pet and to you. Your pet may either respond with sickness or react vehemently. Understand that forcing an animal into an scent is like forcing you into something extremely unpleasant or hateful to you.
2. Beware of cat aromatherapy: Aromatherapy is generally not recommended for cats. This is because of their liver’s inability to metabolize essential oils and eliminate them. This leads to toxic buildup of essential oils in the cat’s body, leading to adverse health conditions. However, hydrosols are said to be non-toxic on cats. To avoid trouble, check with a holistic veterinarian or aromatherapist before using hydrosols on cats.
3. Allow your pet to guide you: If you allow your pet to guide you in the application of oils, you will do good to both your pet and yourself. However, if such an application brings forth hives, breathing problems, skin rashes etc. in pets, discontinue it immediately and consult a professional therapist for advice.
4. Don’t keep oils within reach: Horses are said to eat whole bottles of essential oils. So NEVER keep your oils within the reach of your animals. A drop of a strong oil can cause serious problems in animals. It can even turn fatal to your pet.
5. Use sparingly, with professional advice: Do not use essential oils for more than 2 weeks without professional advice. Even if your animal shows interest in the use of aromatherapy, avoid using oils for a long time. Use for about a week or so and check the results of your therapy and then, decide on whether to continue or not. Also, use only therapeutic grade oils that have been tested and proven to be useful. If your animal becomes ill on account of the therapy, consult a holistic veterinarian.
Winter can be frigid and downright bleak sometimes. This is possible especially in the United States where winters are becoming colder than ever. But winter is not an all-bleak season. It is actually the season of holidays and festivities. A season where we get together with friends and family to celebrate life and love. But this also is the season where people can fight with depression, mood changes or blues. Devoid of the natural light of the sun, people can lack the pep and energy to do things or be as active as they are in summer time. No wonder Shakespeare asked his lover, “Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?” With so much scope for seasonal stress, it is better to be prepared to beat the winter blues. This article will elaborate on how to use essential oil blends to combat depression that strikes during winter.
Essential oils for winter blues: Winter blues do not strike all and sundry. It is mostly caused due to heavy stress, jam-packed schedules, overeating of unhealthy food, lack of exercise, reduced sleeping hours or too much of traveling. People who are away from families (during Christmas) or those who have lost their loved ones, or ones who have painful memories of the past, stressful health issues or financial stress etc. may also go through winter blues. In brief, the cause can be overdoing the holiday season or not being able to be enjoy well or physiological changes on account of bleak weather and dropping temperatures. The shorter daylight hours can too have a huge impact on your psyche and body.
Beating the winter blues is possible with aromatherapy. By aromatherapy, we do not mean the fragrance oils that are shelfed neatly in stores, we mean the essential oils that are pure extracts from plants, herbs, barks, flowers and other plant parts. Why is aromatherapy useful? There are several reasons. Aromatherapy gives instant relief from body pain or any other problem in the physiology due its close communion with the limbic system of the brain. Essential oils for stress or fatigue, relax you, uplift you and energize you with liveliness. Aromatherapy can warm up your spirits and fight out any blues syndrome you may have. Above all, they are natural, pure and do not have any side effects, whatsoever.
Blends for beating winter blues: When you live in a gray-skied, bleak winter world, you can naturally become subject of blues. Blues do not mean depression, but lack of energy, activity or vivacity in life. You feel moody, unwilling to do tasks and unhappy or down in the dumps. To fight the sadness, your first respite should be Citrus oils. Essential oils like Orange, Lemon and Grapefruit are ideal to rejuvenate you with enthusiasm and life. You can use such oils in diffusers or add them in bath water or as massage oil.
1. Winter Blues Blend 1: Add 3 drops of Orange to 2 drops of Grapefruit and combine well. Mix with carrier oil if you want to massage on to body. A total of 10 drops of the blend will do for massaging, while you will need about 20 drops for diffuser use.
2. Winter Blues Blend 2: Orange is the prime ingredient here. Combine 4 drops of Orange with 1 drop of Ylang Ylang. You will be refreshed and ebullient on using this blend.
3. Winter Blues Blend 3: This is a Bergamot special. Use 3 drops of Bergamot oil with 1 drop of Neroli and 1 drop of Jasmine. Add to a carrier oil for use as massage oil. Or, pour into diffuser and perfume your living space.
4. Winter Blues Blend 4: Add 3 drops of Grapefruit to 2 drops of Cypress. Combine well and add the blend in your diffuser for your advantage.
Aromatherapy is an alternative system of medicine not just for humans, but for animals too. Ticks, fleas, pain and infections can be treated using essential oils in animals. While dogs and horses respond well to aromatherapy, cats are a bit allergic to oils as they cannot metabolize them in their liver. Owing to this, cats are often administered with hydrosols which are non-toxic and yet useful. This article will provide information on how to use aromatherapy with horses.
Essential oils for horses: A horse is a big animal compared to a dog or a cat. Its reaction (if adverse) to aromatherapy will be intolerable and hence you need to be careful before you start off with application of essential oils in horses. Below are a few tips on how to handle horses when you are administering them with aromatherapy oils:
1. Consult a vet: Consult a holistic vet before you start off with anything. Though horses respond to essential oils well, you cannot be sure of anything until you test it. Anyhow it is safe beforehand to do a checkup or consultation with your vet. Consider going to a holistic veterinarian who would not ignore aromatherapy as humbug.
2. Dilute each essential oil: This is important. Essential oils are natural substances. But that does not mean they are non-toxic substances. Highly concentrated, essential oils can cause adverse behavioral and physiological changes in human beings. To avoid trouble, dilute each and every essential oil before use. Add 2 to 3 drops of essential oil to 5 ml of base oil. For base oil, choose whichever pleases you. Avoid strong or thick carrier oils. Also, do not offer more than 5 oils at a time.
3. Assess the reaction of your horse: You have to do this every time you use essential oil therapy. You need to know if your horse likes it or not. You need to gather the degree of interest too. Decipher the mood of your animal before you start off. This is because an already stressed animal can react badly to aromatherapy.
4. Choose a quiet time: Important for your horse and you. Choose a time that is not food or play time. Let your horse loose in the stable so that it is free to roam. Do not keep the oils close to the horse’s nostrils. Keep at a distance of say at least 8 inches. Since your horse is free, it will come near the oils if it likes them. Then, observe the reaction of your horse.
5. Look for signs of interest: If a horse is interested in an essential oil, it will smell it for a long time, will curl its lips, follow the aroma and even nibble the bottle for sometime. Use the oil twice a day. Don’t overdo as it can have severe reactions. If your horse is just moderately interested, it will take a few sniffs and turn away from the bottle, keep its ears forward, have slightly flared up nostrils and can be easily distracted. In case of moderate interest, use the oil only once a day. If the horse is not interested at all, it will turn away from the aroma, with ears back. Never use the oil in which it is not interested.
6. Application methods: It is better to open the particular oil bottle and keep it near your horse’s nostrils. The horse’s senses are sharp and hence, it will absorb the aroma into its olfactory system and brain quickly. Sometimes, your horse may indicate that it needs the oil to be applied in a particular spot. Notice its actions and do accordingly. When your horse starts inhaling the oils, it may go into a trance-like state. Never worry. Understand that it is keenly intaking the oils into its blood stream. Do not offer the oils for more than 1 to 14 days. If your horse does not show any interest even after 3 days of inhalation, stop administering the oil and switch to others.
Greener Life Diamond – Bio-Healthy Score => 3 – Possible Skin Issues:
