Herbal Aromatherapy |

by Gloria Thornton

Coconuts are a bountiful gift to this planet. In Sanskrit (the mother language of India), the coconut palm is known as ‘kalpa vriksha’, meaning ‘ the tree that supplies all that is needed to live.’ An ancient plant that is distantly related to grasses, the coconut has been used as a food and medicine since the dawn of history. Ayurveda (the art of science and medicine that has its roots in India) has long advocated the therapeutic, medicinal and cosmetic properties of coconuts.

Taking almost nine months to filter each liter of water in its shell, the coconut is an amazing natural water filter. The water is pulled up through micro-fibers which purify it before it ends in the actual nut of the coconut. This clear life-giving fluid isone of the highest sources of electrolytes found in all of nature. Coconut water is a great re-hydrator and makes an ideal sports drink. When we consume a drink consisting of 55% fresh coconut water and 45% fresh green-leaf juice, or blue-green algaes, we create for ourselves an instantaneous infusion of life energy.

In the inquiry on healthy versus unhealthy fats, coconut oil tips the scales in terms of its nutritional value. While it is a saturated fat, not all saturated fats are harmful for us. Coconut oil is cholesterol-free and does not change into a trans-fat, which means it can be used at high heat. It has also been shown that coconut oil is more powerful than olive oil in controlling cholesterol. Also, because it is a medium-chain fatty acid, it is easier for the body to digest, meaning the fat can be used more readily as fuel.

Coconut oil is one of nature’s most versatile and health-enhancing fats. Studies show that coconut oil supports the health of the thyroid gland, which regulates thenecessary anti-aging steroids progesterone, DHEA and pregnenolone. These steroids are required to help prevent heart disease, senility, obesity, cancer and other degenerative diseases associated with aging. Coconut oil also contains capryllic acid as well as lauric acid, both of which are anti-fungal, anti-viral and anti-microbial. It has long been known that caprilyc acid is the most potent yeast-fighting substance, making it an excellent choice for those working with releasing candida and other inner ecology imbalances. Transitioning to coconut oil as one’s fat source also helps to normalize blood sugar levels while increasing energy, building a healthy immune and nervous system and reducing the overall stress on one’s body. It is necessary to note that a ‘therapeutic dose’ of coconut oil consists of daily doses of two to three (or more) tablespoons for an adult.

Not only is coconut a healthy fat choice, but it is also a delicious addition to one’s diet. It can be used as a natural replacement for butter, margarine or other oils. The raw coconuts in their young stage are the most health-enhancing. The soft meat, also known as ’spoon meat,’ consists of mostly pure, raw, saturated fat. The meat can be pureed and topped with bananas or other fruit. Coconut oil, or coconut butter, can be blended into salad dressing or smoothies. Coconut butter can also be used on top of brown rice or oats or spread on your favorite bread with cinnamon or jam.

Repairing and nourishing to the skin, coconut oil has been used for thousands of years as a health-enhancing skin moisturizer because it is ideal for all skins types, including dry, rough and wrinkled skin. Aromatherapy employs two types of coconut oil: fractionated and virgin. Virgin coconut oil is solid at room temperature and blends well with essential oils for a thick, nourishing body oil, which does not leave a greasy feel. The same oil that is used in cooking can be used in body care products. Fractionated coconut is a liquid oil that is made when the coconut molecule is cut to a smaller size. This process does not deplete the oil’s healthy qualities, but instead allows us to use coconut oil in a liquid state - an excellent quality for massage applications. Also, fractionated coconut absorbs quickly, does not have the trademark coconut odor and has an extremely long shelf life, all pluses in many situations. Coconut is also blended with other carrier oils, such as jojoba, to create a luscious cream base. Creating your own body care items with coconut oil and essential oils is a lovely, and easy, way to enhance your personal health.

A final thought on coconuts: in addition to being a medicine, a food and a skin moisturizer, coconut oil is also an excellent erotic oil. The smell and taste of this oil can enhance sexual intercourse. Try making a yummy natural body lotion including coconut oil blended with essential oils of cacao and vanilla. Lather this on the skin of your beloved and enjoy the results.

Coconut is truly an ideal oil to experiment with. Its applications extend from the dinner table to the massage table, and when used with essential oils, its natural splendor is completely enhanced. Try it in its virgin or fractionated state and bring more of coconut’s life-enhancing gifts into your world.

About the Author:
The author is a regular contributor to several sites in the areas of using essential oils and Bach flower remedies. She can be contacted at www.AnandaApothecary.com

by Amy Nutt

If you have ever been to a spa or wellness center and been able to benefit from aromatherapy oils, you have probably wondered if you could carry these benefits home with you. Aromatherapy is something that you can very easily do at home, if you know how to find the best products. With the right oils and a little understanding, you can infuse your home with the beneficial scents that benefit you when you visit the spa.

Understanding Aromatherapy

True aromatherapy is done using essential oils. Essential oils are extracts from natural items, generally plants and flowers, that have the scent of the source as well as oil directly from the source. This combination of natural oil and scent is believed to have healing and therapeutic benefits.

Many products on the market are labeled as “aromatherapy” products but do not, in fact, contain any essential oils. This is misleading. While these items may be perfumed so that they smell like the plant they should smell like, without the essential oil, these products bring no therapeutic benefit.

The key to doing aromatherapy at home is finding a good source of essential oils. Organic sources are the best, because they will be free of any chemicals or toxins that could interfere with the effects of the product.

The Basics of Home Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy is definitely something you can do from home, but benefiting from essential oils is not as simple as just buying some and rubbing them on your skin. These highly concentrated substances can burn your skin and cause serious damage, so you need to handle them carefully. They always must be blended with a carrier before use to dilute the power of the original oil.

Carriers are typically oils, organic soaps, bath products, or water, depending on the use you intend for the final product. You will have to experiment with different carriers to see which ones work best for a particular purpose. The first step is to blend the essential oils and the carriers. Then, store the finished product properly.

Proper Storage

Oil based mixes need to be stored in dark glass containers, which are important for two reasons. First, the oils are extremely delicate, and too much exposure to light could cause them to lose their healing properties. The containers must be glass, because many essential oils are highly acidic and could eat away at plastics. However, if you are making a shampoo or soap product, heavy plastic bottles should be sufficient. Hard soaps can be stored in a zip top plastic bag. Once you have put the product in the right container, stash it in a cool place that is protected from too much light.

Essential Oil Safety

While organic essential oils have amazing health benefits, they can be deadly as well. most essential oils are poisonous if ingested in their pure forms, so never place them where children could get a hold of them. Essential oils have not yet been proven safe for use with children, so do not use them on children or babies, unless instructed to do so by a doctor.

Some oils can raise blood pressure or pose dangers for pregnant and nursing women. Read profiles carefully before using any product, even if you do not have an outstanding health condition. Knowing what to expect will help you if there is a reaction, and allergic reactions to some essential oils are possible, so proceed cautiously the first time you use one.

If you are concerned about the possibility of an allergy, do a skin test. Place a drop of the essential oil in a tablespoon of olive oil and rub it on your upper arm. If you have any redness, bumps, or swelling after 24 hours, do not use that oil. Otherwise, you can safely apply that oil in your intended manner and benefit from its therapeutic properties.

About the Author:
Number one online destination for organic skin care products in North America including natural shampoo sunscreens and hair treatments.