Herbal Aromatherapy |

Most practitioners of aroma-therapeutics hold this opinion: THE most effective use of essential oils for health is for the prevention and treatment of infectious illness. Aromatherapy in the USA is still mostly relegated to New Age “hocus pocus”, and some pretty-smelling little bottles of liquid. However, in recent years scientific researchers have compiled HUGE amounts of data regarding the effectiveness of essential oils in combating bacterial and viral infections. The oils protect us from infection in a number of ways, and it’s very simple to use essential oils at home for their protective effects. Lets look at how to use essential oils for this purpose, and which oils to choose for best results.

What Are Essential Oils and How Can They Help Us?

For the uninitiated, essential oils are the volatile aromatic compounds distilled from plants. In this way, they just happen to be a particular form of herbal medicine, just any other medicinal plant extract. At the same time, they’re quite unique in terms of their health effects: Firstly, they are easily absorbed by our bodies, getting into the nooks-and-crannies of our physiology — some other forms of herbal medicine are difficult to absorb, and require extensive preparation, which is really already done by the person who has distilled the essential oil. Second, in terms of infectious illness, essential oils can do for us EXACTLY the same thing they do for plants: prevent infection from bacteria, viruses and fungus. An excellent analogy would be extracting particular antioxidants from a plant and ingesting this for capturing oxidative radicals in our bodies — the antioxidant serves precisely the same function for the plant.

The Science Behind Essential Oils As Agents For Immune-System Protection

For the treatment and prevention of infectious illness, essential oils are used for two purposes: the general strengthening of the immune system and the direct eradication of viruses. A great many peer-reviewed research papers have been produced showing the efficacy of essential oils for both purposes. Using the database of the National Institute of Health (www.pubmed.gov) one can review the data by searching for terms such as ‘essential oil virus’ (currently producing 93 results) or ‘essential oil immune’ (producing 143 results) and the like. Essential oils have been shown to actually increase the power of lymphocytes and increase the speed at which the immune system produces antibodies to eliminate an infection. And of course many essential oils are highly-regarded antibacterial agents (we all know about Tea Tree and Oregano), and a few of them have been shown to destroy viruses directly (Laurus Nobilis was shown to eradicate the virus causing SARS, and very recently Tea Tree was shown to be effective against the Swine Flu virus).

The Practices for Cold and Flu Prevention

So how can you employ essential oils for the health of your family and children? Or for those in clinical settings, how can oils be used to prevent the spread of infection? There are two primary features to the oils that you’ll want to utilize: their direct eradication of microbes in the air, and their ability to support our immune systems to prevent infection within our bodies. There are two methods of using essential oils for these purposes: Diffusion and topical application. Both these methods are also useful if one has already caught a cold or flu, particularly in the early stages.

Diffusing Essential Oils: Aromatherapist’s Favorite Immune Supporting Method

Diffusing essential oils into your environment provides three primary benefits: First, the oils are directly eliminating microbes in the air, thus reducing the concentration of live pathogens you may be inhaling or touching at any time and reducing the load on your immune system. Second, most essential oils, and particularly the strong anti-microbial ones, have an uplifting effect on the psyche. Many practitioners consider the mind-body link crucial to overall health, and specifically to an effective immune system. Finally, inhalation of essential oils is thought by aroma-therapy professionals to be THE most effective means of bolstering immune system function. Because the respiratory system is often the route of infection, inhalation is the best means to implement the cellular changes essential oils can create (one result of essential oil contact is a change in the electrical potential of cell walls, making it more difficult for pathogens to get inside the cells).

The Right Diffuser For The Job

For disinfecting the air in any enclosed space, you’ll want to use a “nebulizing” diffuser — one that makes a fine mist of essential oils that easily evaporates. There are two styles of nebulizing diffuser: “cold air” and “ultrasonic”. The cold air units make a mist of pure essential oil, while the ultrasonic units mix oils with water. The cold air units will output the highest concentration of oils of any diffuser type; though the ultrasonic units are nice for very try conditions. Be sure to set up your diffuser with a timer system, so the diffuser only cycles on for a few minutes every hour — there’s no need to over-saturate the air. Most therapeutic protocols recommend diffusing the oils for about 7 minutes for every hour; this can be done continually throughout the day and night. Remember that for children, you’ll want to keep the oil concentration to a minimum — perhaps just enough oil in the air so the scent can just be detected.

Topical Application: Massages and Baths

Essential oils are also very effective when topically applied — they readily pass through the skin and into the bloodstream. For this purpose, very simple blends of essential oils and carrier oils can be made. A carrier oil is just any “fixed” oil (one that does not easily evaporate) like Jojoba, Olive, Almond and the like. The dilutions are as follows: for application to the feet, use ten percent total essential oils in carrier, for other parts of the body and for a bath oil, use five percent. A soak in a warm tub, with your oil formula mixed in is an absolutely lovely way to gain all the benefits of the oils: they’re absorbing into the skin and evaporating from the surface for inhalation. For blending: a one-percent concentration is equal to eight drops of essential oil per fluid ounce of carrier oil — from there you can multiply up to whatever volume of blend you’d like to make. For children, cut these concentrations by half, for children under 7, in half again, and under 4 half again. Do not topically apply essential oils to children under two without consulting a professional or highly-knowledgeable practitioner for precise instructions.

Therapeutic Immune-Stimulating Massage

Simple massage can be performed one or two times daily to the most receptive areas of the body. The feet are reputed to be highly receptive for all aroma-therapeutic treatments, including immune-support. Simply massage both feet thoroughly with the mixture; if you have access to a reflexology chart, you can focus extra attention to the respiratory and lymph systems. Of course, these are the important areas of the body to massage directly as well: the chest, the neck, the armpits, and being careful about sensitivity (dilute further if necessary) the sinuses and temples, and the groin area.

Putting It All Together: The Essential Oil Formulas

A few oils are considered both very safe AND highly effective for our purposes. Niaouli is considered by some to be the most potent immune-stimulating oil available, though its “fishy-eucalyptus” smell is a challenge for some. But other oils in the same family are also very effective, and more pleasant to use: Eucalyptus Radiata, Bay Laurel, Melissa, Tea Tree, Thyme (for family use, choose only the Linalool chemotype), Ravensara, Rosemary, Rosalina, Lavender and Hyssop are excellent choices. For home or clinical use, an excellent “starter” formula can be made by choosing any of these three oils and mixing them together in equal parts. Even better, choose one from each “family” of oils shown: Eucalyptus from the “cineol” oils, Lavender from the florals, and Melissa from the herbs. (Because of the high cost and exceptional potency of Melissa, it can be used at about 1/5th portion of the other oils).

Mixing any three of these oils will create an effective synergy (it appears that the more chemically-complex essential oils have greater antiviral action, and blending this way replicates this). A specific formula may be made like this: 1 milliliter each of Bay Laurel, Eucalyptus, and Lavender, plus 8 drops of Melissa. This recipe can be used directly in a diffuser, or blended in a carrier oil as above. In one ounce of carrier, this would make a 10% concentration (for foot use), in 2 ounces of carrier for application to the rest of the body and as a bath oil. Continue diluting the recipe as necessary for children depending on their age. Essential oils are highly potent, so don’t be afraid of really diluted them down for use by children (in fact, this should be the rule!).

Essential Oils: Simple Treatments for Maximum Health

During the cold seasons, these simple uses of essential oils can have profound results for your immune system, and the health of your friends, co-workers, clients, family and children. You can be confident of the scientifically-supported benefits of these wonderful herbal medicines. And as oils have so many positive health effects outside of just supporting immune system function, you’ll open the door to a new realm of natural health.

The author enjoys aromatherapy with therapy-grade oils for lifting spirits in the winter months. Try essential oils like bergamot, the classic antidepressant aromatic and Rose, the heart opening oil.

Often, finding that special gift that is truly appreciated can be very difficult at times, but aromatherapy gifts can be the perfect gift for that stressed out person. On those stressful days, I like to turn on a warm bath in the jet tub and dump in a handful of aromatherapy salts to help me to escape into blissful relaxation. You can choose from many different aromatic scented products like bath salts, bath oil, shower gel, body scrub, lotion, and body spray. Aromatherapy variety packs are a fantastic way to experience them all!

You can find a wide assortment of aromatherapy gifts that are conveniently packaged in practical gift sets and baskets in retail locations like Bath and Body Works or by shopping online. For a more personal touch you can create your own gift basket with any assortment of aromatherapy products that are packaged attractively and very affordably priced.

Even if you are not sure what the person’s personal fragrance preferences are, consider what type of person they are, what type of life style they have, etc. There are aromatherapy gifts for every individual need and pleasure. There’s not one woman I know who doesn’t enjoy a little pampering every now and then, and they may not always take the time or spend the money to do it. If you make the selection, all they have to do is enjoy it. Even if you are selecting a gift for a seasoned veteran, who is knowledgeable in the ways of aromatherapy, you can select an aromatherapy gift or new fragrance or product that they have yet to try. And while you’re at it, why don’t you pick something out for yourself too? You deserve it, you know you do.

If you choose to shop online, check out the retail sites that specialize in aromatherapy gifts, essential oils, burners, candles, bath and spa treatments, and aromatherapy accessories. Generally, information is provided regarding what types of properties certain herbs have, and what works best for specific needs, such as stress reduction, promoting sleep, increasing energy levels, or just making you feel better.

Remember to add a personal touch to your aromatherapy gift selection by including a personal message from you. For those last minute gifts many sites offer express shipping. A little thought when selecting aromatherapy gifts can make all the difference in someone’s day.

Want to find out more about Aromatherapy Gifts, then visit Amy Wallermen’s site on how to choose the best Aromatherapy Gift Basket for your needs.

The benefits of massage are known to all and sundry. They include relaxation, the improvement of blood circulation, relief of stress and pressure, lessening the effects of muscle tension, and the enhancement of both the physiological and emotional states. Of course it is necessary to include the use of the essential oils. They are known to soothe the body and mind. This is mainly the point of aromatherapy massage. It employs essential oils which are added into the base oil. When used, they are easily absorbed deep into the skin wherein they directly go towards the bloodstream. They may also enter the body when they get inhaled through the nose.

Looking into its relevance to the contemporary times, aromatherapy never fails to impose the same healing effect. The secret to it is due to the aroma of the different essential oils which are able to activate the nerve endings in the nose and which in turn deliver the impulses towards the brain area that stimulates memory and emotions. Undoubtedly, the aroma has a soothing and calming effect which leads to relaxation.

The services of the aromatherapist or massage therapist always involve giving you the chance to select the essential oils or blends to be used on you. They can also blend the essential oils as per your request and they may give you what remains so you can bring it home. If you will be seeking this type of massage because you have some problems, then the practitioner will have to use a special mix to help alleviate your worries.

Again, studies reveal that an autistic child can get attached to his parents yet he fails to react and respond properly. Many of these unfortunate children are even confronted with the tactile and sensory issues so they don’t readily respond to the sounds, sights, touches, and smells. They often seem oblivious with what is going on.

Aromatherapy products are sold everywhere. Several companies are manufacturing them nowadays. After all, they are known for their pain relief, cleansing, and healing process advantages both for the mind and the body. There are also a variety of uses to which it applies. The medical arena sees it essential for lifting the depressive mood of the cancer patients. Athletes also enjoy the benefit of such in soothing their tensed muscles. At the same time, it energizes the body.

As you shop around, you will find different products being sold in the market. You will see the aromatherapy components contained in lotions, massage oils, conditioners, shampoos, candles, air diffusers, air fresheners, baby lotions, warm oil burners, laundry products, bath beads, bath salts, shower tablets, and the plug ins. There are products that are meant for both the adults and the children.

It contributes to a person’s alertness. The massage can boost the energy that enables a person to stay active. It alleviates pain. Body pains are best cured using the massage technique with the aid of essential oils. It treats wounds. Wounds heal safer and faster when applied with a right amount of pressure from the massage. The aromatherapy massage is best performed by an aromatherapist. It is best to consult a certified practitioner and honestly tell him of your problems so that you will be given the due solution.

Thank you for reading my article on message therapy, I also right about hair extensions and funky hair, Don’t miss out on reading them as well!

Essential oils are fast becoming recognized as something more than just natural perfumes. Some of their proven major therapeutic actions include direct eradication of bacteria and viruses, boosting immune system function, and acting to reduce stress, uplift spirits and improve rest. The reason these effects are mentioned specifically is that they’re very easy to produce in your own home using one simple device, an “essential oil diffuser.” A diffuser disperses essential oils in the air in your home or office, allowing you and your family to easily inhale the oils (for immune boosting, stress relief, etc.) AND naturally, effectively disinfecting the air.

The Data Is In: The Science of Aroma Medicine

The big interests in home use of essential oils is twofold: 1) They can bring calm to overexcited youngsters while acting as antidepressants for everyone. 2) They have proven antibacterial and antiviral actions; they are able to destroy these microbes in the air, while simultaneously support the strength of our immune system. There’s a good bit of scientific data backing both these claims available for free viewing at PubMed.Gov — start by simply searching for “essential oil” and see where it takes you. Again, the easiest way to reap these benefits of essential oils is to use a diffuser to release the oils into the air in your environment. A diffuser simply evaporates oils faster than they would naturally, getting a therapeutic concentration into your living or office space — but there are many diffuser styles — we’ll help you find the one best suited to your needs.

Diffusers For Antiviral/Antimicrobial Action & Immune Support

For disinfecting the air in your environment, you need to evaporate a relatively high concentration of essential oils. The only way to do this effectively, while conserving the oils to keep costs to a minimum is to use a “nebulizing” diffuser in conjunction with a timer system. While these diffusers will have a somewhat higher initial cost, they’re the only diffusers that will output “therapeutic” doses of essential oils for every possible application. These diffusers “nebulize” the oils, making them into a fine, quickly evaporating mist. This is also the diffuser that will diffuse aroma in the largest area; so even if you’re only wanting a pleasing aroma in your home, for over 800 square feet, this is the diffuser of choice.

The nebulizers come in two styles: “cold air” and “ultrasonic”. The cold air units use only air pressure to diffuse the oils, and output the highest concentration of any diffuser type. The ultrasonic is essentially a small water-humidification unit, where oils are mixed with water and then evaporated. Both styles typically have output controls, so you can turn up or down the amount of oil being diffused. They are also both exceptionally quiet.

Fan And Warming Diffusers for Stress Reduction and Improved Rest

For simple aromatic use — where oils are used for uplifting your spirits, calming or helping your children sleep, or just making your environment smell fantastic, a “fan” or “warming” diffuser is totally appropriate. The fan diffusers work by blowing air from a small fan over a pad that has been saturated with essential oils — the warming diffusers work the same way, but with a little bit of heat (they don’t get so hot as to burn anyone, and are safe to use around kids). The fan units will emit a quiet hum when on, the warming units will be silent — and the fan units will generally emit aroma into a moderately-sized space, while the less-expensive warming units are suited for a single room.

Use Oils Efficiently with a Timer

The best way to use the least amount of essential oil for your needs is to use a timer — either built-in to the diffuser or a readily-available appliance timer. For ANY application, whether simple aromatic use or medicinal needs, one need only be exposed to the diffused oils for a few minutes at a time. Aromatically, your “smell scent” will become quickly accustom to the aroma, and you’ll start to think the diffuser isn’t working anymore. Running the diffuser for only a few minutes every half an hour lets your nose “forget” the oils are in the air. The same principal works for disinfecting the air and immune-system support — there’s no need to over-saturate the air with essential oils. They are so potent that there’s no need to continually diffuse a high concentration for these results.

So What Would You Like To Smell Today?

All essential oils have naturally different chemical make-ups. That’s what gives them their individual aromas and their individual therapeutic actions. For an uplifting, pleasing atmosphere, the “evergreen” oils are very nice: Fir Needle, Spruce, and Juniper Berry. These are excellent antidepressant aromatics too, along with the citrus oils: Bergamot, Orange, Lemon, Grapefruit and the like, plus Rose and other uplifting flower-scents. For calming and better rest, Lavender is the first choice; when folks aren’t a fan of this popular floral oil, Sandalwood and Ylang Ylang are great choices. For all the purposes, its important to use oils you or your family actually like the smell of! There are MANY oils to choose from, and by sampling a few, you’re sure to find something everyone enjoys.

For immune support and air-cleaning, there are many oils highly regarded for their antimicrobial actions. Bay laurel is very nice, and scientifically shown to be an effective anti-viral. “Plain” Lemon and Rosemary oils are excellent antibacterials, as is Lemon Tea Tree (very potent), Lemongrass, and Eucalyptus Radiata (shown specifically to help our white blood cells function better). Most oils that are sharper and brighter will be effective, but be careful as there are some herb-oils that are too strong to diffuse, like Oregano and Thyme, along with the spice oil Cinnamon. In any case, use your judgment with the aromas: if they seem to intense, they are — and either switch to a different oil or turn down the diffuser output. Also be aware that children are MUCH more sensitive to essential oils than adults — adjust your use as necessary, and consult a reputable guide to using essential oils with children.

Conclusion: Diffuse Your Oils for Best Results!

Essential oil diffusers are inexpensive and easily purchased at a local health food store and around the internet. Look for a unit specifically designed for use with pure essential oils, rather than “fragrance oils” (man-made replicates of natural scents — there is no “pumpkin pie” essential oil, for example!). If you’re not sure which oils to start with, there are many guides and great books available, and many aromatherapy companies will have support staff to help get you started. The world of aroma-medicine is available to you, and diffusing oils in your home is a great beginning in this realm of natural medicine.

See more on specific healthful oils such as Egyptian geranium essential oil and other therapeutic aromatics.

The sun, a large source of UV radiation, has been scientifically proven to cause problems such as blemishes, wrinkles and even skin cancer. The risk of these ailments is so high that health authorities have issued several warnings and precautionary measures through the years. Skin care products crowd the store shelves these days, all claiming to be the most effective at safeguarding your skin from the harmful a damaging radiation of the sun. Organic skin care products have recently caught popularity among many consumers as well because of their ability to provide the same protection without all the chemical compounds.

You will probably never notice the immediate effects of all the exposure you have had to the sun, but after years of constant damage the effects will be hard to miss. All of those small effects will build up into a much larger skin problem over time. Tumors of the skin are very common in those that haven’t taken precautionary measures to protect their skin from radiation.

In addition, by not taking the time and putting forth the effort to protect your delicate skin from the suns rays you will probably start to notice spots, discolorations, moles, freckles and in some cases even early wrinkles. All of this is a direct result of the damage your skin is receiving from the UV radiation.

While there may be numerous commercially produced products on the market, obvious from all the advertising you see, they don’t always stand up to the test. While most will contend they can provide you with immediate results and relief, the truth is, most do not. People are buying these products each and every day only becoming disappointed after using the product for some time with no results what so ever. What they don’t think about while they are doing all of this is the added damage they are causing by applying all those chemicals on to their bodies.

The safest and easiest methods you can use on your skin to get rid of or safeguard against skin problems are the organic ones. Aloe vera, for example, is probably the most common ingredient found in anti wrinkle products because it is believed to promote regeneration of the skin by speeding up your natural cell renewal cycle.

Honey is also commonly used, especially in facial moisturizers, because it contains specific silicone’s that can prevent sagging of the skin. Sagging is most common in the neck area for most people.

Almond oil, another great option, is another common ingredient. It is able to penetrate even the deepest layers of the skin quite effectively to provide them with much needed nourishment. It is also able to boost the oxygenation of the surface layers as well.

One more organic option you have is using eggs. Eggs are naturally chocked full of vitamins like B, D, A and even E. These are all very important for keeping your skin healthy. They also contain lecithin that has been shown to be very beneficial for over all skin health.

As you can see, there are numerous natural materials that can be used for a wide range of skin problems so there is never a need to further your troubles with manufactured chemicals. Organic skin care products are the safest way to effectively safeguard your skin.

Beauty store proving organic skin and hair care products for adults and babies. Products include eye and hand cream products.

There is nothing other like a fine massage if you choose to relax and enliven your muscles. There are various types of massages you can enjoy for your wellbeing and revitalized. The Swedish Body Massage, Ayurvedic Body Massage, Japanese Body Massage, etc. Are just a number of the unique types. Though the techniques differ, there is one thing shared in all the types and that is the use of body massage oil.

Body Massage oil acts as a lubricant for smoother movement of hands on the skin. This lubricate does not aid just this purpose. A good number body massage oils are developed from extracts of herbs and flowers and therefore have proven beneficial when the personal property are combined with body massage.

Essential oil has better absorbency than any lotion, a body massage helps it soak in further into the skin. Oils are known to contain lots of nourishment, depending on which one you prefer. This nourishment can restock lost nutrition from the skin. After a massage your skin will become more soft and flexible.

Oils also reduce dryness and increases elasticity. You can use essential oils which can in fact relax your mind as well as body muscles, in so doing granting you complete overall optimistic wellbeing effect. These are also beneficial to skin and relieve aches and pains along with aforementioned positive effects.

You need not go to a body massage parlour regularly, several of these massages can take place at your house. Especially the ones involving face, limbs, hair, etc. However, a body massage parlour would be the best if you feel like to include an all body massage that includes body massage.

There are loads of qualities that body massage oils hold, these are antifungal, aromatic, rich in Vitamin E and proteins, are absorbed better by the skin and increase softness. These also have curative qualities. You may find some of the injuries being resolved after a good body massage. However, these injuries are small injuries like scratches, etc. Large injuries should be taken care of medically.

Body Massage followed with a sauna will provide you a confident wellbeing effect. Sauna’s heat environment will help the skin to absorb Essential oil more effectively. This would mean better effects of massage and sauna as well. It is not a must to use oil prior to sauna. When the oil has been absorbed by the skin, its work has been completed and needs to be removed from the skin. This can be done effortlessly by steam inside sauna. Also ensure you take a lovely bath after massage and sauna.

Body Massage after a sauna will ensure complete relaxation and skin care. I hope you enjoyed reading my article, if you would like to read more about oil massage please click on oil massage now.

Learn more about Oil Massage. Stop by Marc Carson’s site where you can find out all about Oil Massage and what it can do for you. Get a totally unique version of this article from our article submission service

Have you always wanted to try the world’s finest skin care product, but found the prices somewhat outrageous? Ever considered making your own? It’s so easy to do, and you can create a formula precisely to match your skin type, with remarkable effective natural and pure botanicals (plant-based ingredients). Making these yourself will give you a skin care product that matches or exceeds the effectiveness of anything you can buy over the counter at a truly affordable price. Try one of these recipes and you may never go back to fancy labels, boxes and prices ever again!

Concentrated Beauty Medicine: The Essential Oils

The heart of much of the finest natural skin care is made up of volatile plant extracts, otherwise known as essential oils. While some folks still see essential oils as some sort of New Age funny-smelling stuff, the truth is getting out: that essential oils really are medicine, and many of them are some of the finest skin care ingredients money can buy. There’s even a whole bunch of scientific data to back it up (search pubmed.gov for “calendula” or “rosehipseed” and “skin” for example, and you’ll see all sorts of papers). The essential oils make up the “active ingredients” of your formula, and the “carrier oils” into which they’re mixed make up the “base”. Creating a custom recipe is as easy as selecting a few essential oils and one or two carrier oils that suit your skin’s particular needs, and mixing them together just as you would and recipe in the kitchen.

Rose is the Oil of Beauty

On to the ingredients — we’ll look at several, and note which ones are best for each skin type. The heart of every formula for woman’s mature skin care is also the premier beauty oil of all time: Rose Otto. This steam distilled variety of Rose essential oil is nearly miraculous in its therapeutic beauty care benefits for woman’s skin. Rose offers a synergy of effects, being emollient, softening and hydrating in addition to being gently stimulating and cleansing. Amazingly, it is also considered astringent (remember its also hydrating at the same time) and can heal redness, broken capillaries and inflammation. It is somewhat costly, but for your recipe, you’ll only need a few drops — the smallest size available will virtually always be enough, and probably enough for several bottles of your recipe. And oh MY, even those tiny amounts smell simply Out-Of-This-World!

History’s Favorite Skin Soother: Calendula Oil

Calendula oil has been used for hundreds of years for all sorts of skin care uses. Its exceptionally soothing, with the traditional use being for infant’s skin care. The flowers have been hard to work with however, limiting the uses of this magnificent medicinal plant. A new extraction technique now offers us a Calendula oil concentrate, often labeled Calendula CO2. This new extract is highly antioxidant, powerfully wound-healing, and one of the most effective soothers of irritated or damaged skin available on Earth.

Additional Therapeutic Oils for Every Skin’s Needs

One or more of these three oils are excellent companion oils to the Rose and Calendula. Rosemary “Verbenone” is a skin-care specialty oil, distilled from a particular variety of Rosemary herb. Long used in all sorts of body care preparations, Rosemary is thought to work by stimulating cellular metabolism (increasing the amount of nutrients getting into our skin cells), speeding the creation of new cells, and enhancing our skin’s vitality. Helichrysum is even more potently regenerative — often used in wound healing, Helichrysum will also increase new skin cell production, while drawing waste products from skin tissues. And lets not forget Lavender, the Grand-Daddy of skin-care medicine. Lavender is regenerative, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and aids skin conditions where stress may be an underlying factor.

For specific skin care needs, we’ll also include Sandalwood and Myrtle essential oils in certain blends (you’ll see which oils go with which skin type in the recipes below). Both these oils are considered excellent for acne-prone skin. Myrtle is potently antiseptic, regenerative, and commonly found in acne and oily-skin formulas. Sandalwood is hydrating AND an excellent treatment for acne. Myrtle offers a great herbaceous “high note” to your blend, while Sandalwood gives a lovely earthy tone.

Cold-Pressed Oils: The Base of Your Recipe

On to the base of the formula, the “carrier oils”. These are oils cold pressed from nuts, seeds and fruit. Olive oil is an example, but we’ll use ones more therapeutic for woman’s beauty care. Virgin Coconut oil is the foundation of every recipe. It has a host of therapeutic properties itself: it is antibacterial, antioxidant, antiviral (just in case!). Coconut oil is also VERY hydrating and is known to balance hormones in the skin on a cellular level (which can clear up a number of skin “conditions” — acne being one of them, dry irritated skin being another). Kukui nut oil, also from the tropics, is another amazing, healing base oil with numerous skin care benefits similar to Coconut. Kukui oil is beneficial for all skin types bringing a gentle softness and silkiness to the skin. Both of these oils blended in equal amounts make a wonderful base into which to add the essential oils.

Rosehip Seed: A Woman’s Beauty Gift from the Mountains of Chile

For everyone EXCEPT those prone to acne, Rosehip Seed oil is the third important base oil. Rosehip seed naturally balances the incredible tropical nut oils, coming from the high mountain arid regions of South America. Rosehip seed may be the most thoroughly studied carrier oil for skin care use — and with excellent results. Rosehip has been shown to significantly reduce the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines and scars, while smoothing overall skin texture and color. Imagine what its going to do with all these other top-notch therapeutic ingredients…let’s get on to mixing them.

Get Yourself Started With These Ingredients and Instructions

Ingredients: 1 dark glass bottle 30 or 60ml (1 or 2 ounces). Blue cobalt is beautiful. Brown is also appropriate. You’ll want to use a dark colored glass to protect the essential oils. Also: 1 funnel, Essential oils of choice, Coconut oil (warm to make liquid at room temperature), Kukui nut oil

To Mix: Measure into the bottle your essential oils of choice. Fill the bottle with the indicated parts Coconut, Kukui or Rosehip. Spiral the bottle and allow to blend for 2 hours or longer. The scent will become more and more delicious over time. Use 2 x day on clean skin. Each recipe is for one fluid ounce of blend; you can make more by multiplying the amounts however many times you’d like.

Find Your Personal Sensational Skin Recipe:

For dry skin with smile lines: Rose Otto 8 drops, Lavender 12 drops, Calendula CO2 6 drops, based in equal parts Coconut, Kukui oil and Rosehip seed oils.

For mature skin with scars and smile lines: Rose Otto 6 drops, Lavender 8 drops, Helichrysum 6 drops, Rosemary V. 6 drops, based in equal parts Coconut, Kukui oil and Rosehip seed oils.

For irritated or sensitive skin: Rosemary Verbenone 8 drops, Lavender 6 drops, Calendula 6 drops, Sandalwood 6 drops, in equal parts of all three base oils.

For skin that is oily or combination: Green Myrtle 10 drops, Lavender 8, drops, Rosemary V. 6 drops, in equal parts of Kukui and Coconut oils only, no Rosehip Seed.

Four easy recipes to get you started — and there’s so many essential oils to choose from, with a range of therapeutic properties. These blends described here can be VERY effective, and by making them yourself this first time, you’ll open up whole new doors to formulating your personal, customized, high-end skin care at a fraction of the cost of the Big Names in the business. May you have beautiful, healthy skin where every you go!

The author utilizes pure essential oils for aromatherapy. More information is available through The Ananda Apothecary at www.anandaapothecary.com.

You may have been hearing a lot about the therapeutic benefits of essential oils lately on television, on the radio, and online. It’s piqued your curiosity and you’d like to know more about them and what they can do for you. You’re eager to try them but may be thinking, are essential oils suitable for everyone?

That’s an important question but the first thing you may want to ask is what are essential oils? These are, generally speaking, distilled fluids that are extracted from the leaves, flowers, seeds, roots, or bark of various plants. They are highly concentrated and just one drop of one of these oils can be very potent. For this reason, they are often sold in small amounts which, if used sparingly, can last a long time.

How are these all-natural oils used? Because these oils can pack a real aromatic punch, you may think that they are primarily used to make perfume. This is not true. Most perfume is comprised of fragrance oils mixed with synthetic materials in order to produce a specific scent that a company wants to market to consumers.

Fragrance oils and perfumes, however, do not produce the same benefits and are not typically used in aromatherapy treatments. Aromatherapy is a holistic treatment where essential oils are used to treat and improve a person’s psychological and even physical health and well-being. When used in proper dosages, recipients of aromatherapy have reported many benefits including stress relief, mood enhancement and improved immune and circulatory systems.

Different plants are known to have various healing effects on the body and mind. Since these extracted oils are concentrated dosages of plants, it’s not hard to see why so many people practice aromatherapy and why these oils have become so popular in recent years. When looking to purchase aromatherapy products, however, it’s important to make sure that you are actually buying the concentrated oils. Avoid products that advertise therapeutic benefits but mix their oils with synthetic materials in order to dilute the product and increase sales.

The next question you may be asking is this: “Are essential oils suitable for everyone?” That’s a very good question because the oils used in aromatherapy are not presently regulated by the Food and Drug Administration of the United States. Without extensive government testing and regulations, you must be careful before beginning this type of treatment.

Although there are no specific regulations in place regarding the use of these oils, there are some safety precautions that you should take should you decide to explore the potential benefits. Important things to remember include: avoiding contact with the eyes, not consuming oils orally, avoiding contact with broken or inflamed skin and keeping out of the reach of children. It is also very important to avoid topical oil treatments if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. As always, the best thing to do is to consult your primary care physician to discuss the potential risks or effects.

These wonderful, natural oils provide many benefits every day to people all around the world. Are essential oils suitable for everyone? Just like with everything in life, there is no “one size fits all” solution. However, if you’re actively looking for an alternative to traditional treatment methods, you should do some research to find out how these oils could benefit you.

Selling only organic skin care products for adults and babies. Browse our vast selection of mineral makeup, night and eye cream products, hand cream, sunscreens and more.

by Amy Nutt

For decades, men who used moisturizers or other skin care products were ridiculed as being effeminate. These days, though, men realize just how important it is to look after their skin. It’s not a gender thing; it’s about keeping your skin healthy and looking great, which is why we are now starting to see more and more products geared toward the male sector. More and more men are starting to take an interest in a daily cleansing routine.

Cleansers

Just plain old soap doesn’t cut it. Even though men’s skin tends to be tougher than women’s, it will still end up rough and irritated with most regular bar soaps. The best way to deep clean the face and pores is to use a specially formulated cleanser with a balanced pH to keep the skin neutral.

Why is a cleanser so important? It will help reduce the amounts of pimples and outbreaks that even men tend to get and will help keep the skin healthy. Look for products that are as natural as possible, since chemicals and other artificial agents can act as irritants.

Scrub

A good scrub is necessary from time to time to help slough off dead skin and keep the face looking great. Scrubs will also maintain the skin smooth and soft and makes shaving less of a hazard for ingrown hairs. Scrubs should contain small granules and shouldn’t scratch the skin. They don’t need to be used every single day; it’s usually enough to exfoliate twice a week.

Moisturizer

At the very base of skin health is the moisturizer you use. It’s important to keep the skin hydrated and healthy, but you can’t just use any old lotion on your face. Stick to those formulated especially for the face. A light hydration cream applied after the cleansing and shaving is often all that is needed. If you suffer from dry skin, you might want to consider a more intense lotion that is non-greasy.

You may also want to look for a moisturizer that contains sun protection in the form of SPF 15 or higher, depending on how much time you spend outdoors.

Lips

Lips are one of the most important parts of the face, so it makes sense that they would be part of the daily routine. Use a clear lip balm to moisturize them on a daily basis. If the lips get too dry, the balm won’t soak in, so use a toothbrush to gently scrub away the dead skin before applying the moisturizer to your lips. Using a balm with SPF 15 or higher will also help to protect them from the sun.

Caring for your skin isn’t just a girl thing. Men who stay healthy and take the time to cleanse and prepare their skin will find that they have smoother, healthier faces and fewer skin issues to deal with. You don’t need a huge basket of products, either. Just a cleanser, scrub and moisturizers for the face and lips will do.

About the Author:
Just like skin care products, different types of hair gel target different hair concerns. While protecting hair is important, using the right type of natural hand cream is as well. Hand cream and body oils are especially important for winter.

by Amy Nutt

Products for the treatment of hair loss and hair re-growth formulas are a multi-billion dollar industry. For many people, hair loss is an often frustrating experience that can cause deep emotional issues such as embarrassment when going out in public or self-esteem issues caused by the stigma of not having a full head of healthy hair. Thinning or loss of hair can be particularly devastating to women who have a great sense of pride in their manes. The causes of hair loss can seem like a mystery and knowing what kind of treatment to get can be even more confusing.

The actual cause of hair loss, according to research, is a naturally existing hormone called DHT. Usually, this hormone serves an important purpose in the body during childhood development, but once the level of DHT in the body becomes elevated due to illness or age, it attaches to the hair follicles causing them to shrink and fall out. This is typically seen in older males, which is why the hairline begins to recede around the age of 30-45 in most men.

Hair thinning and loss can also occur in women and younger people with hormone issues or those suffering from illnesses that elevate DHT levels. Fortunately, the solution to the problem of hair loss involves reducing DHT in the body which usually results in a reduction in hair loss or assists in the re-growth of hair lost. There are some prescription drugs which reduce the level of DHT and stop hair loss. Nonetheless, these drugs frequently have harmful side effects, poor results and unknown long-term concerns.

A much more effective and safe solution to hair re-growth is by using natural alternatives. Many natural hair re-growth treatments can reduce the levels of DHT to prevent it from binding to hair follicles. However, since they contain only natural ingredients, they do not have any side-effects commonly associated with man-made chemicals. This makes natural hair loss treatments an attractive alternative to prescription drugs.

Below you will find some natural products that you can use to help re-grow your hair.

Saw Palmetto

This natural plant found in the Southeastern United States has been used for many years to treat thinning hair in both men and women. Saw Palmetto is safe to use as it naturally binds to DHT in the bloodstream and helps the body to flush out excess levels which aids in the re-growth of hair. You can find Saw Palmetto inexpensively in health product and natural food and drug stores.

Olive Oil

Massaging the scalp with olive oil prior to shampooing stimulates the hair follicles. This in turn, causes the hair to grow back in over time. Regular use of olive oil also improves the overall texture and shine of hair and restores moisture levels in the scalp, which can prevent other annoying hair and scalp conditions like dandruff and flaking.

Vitamins and Zinc

Taking multivitamins rich in B vitamins and Zinc may help unclog the follicles as well, and restore normal hair growth. Vitamins that contain high levels of Biotin also aid the body in the re-growth of damaged hair and have added benefits of restoring nails and giving the skin a healthy glow.

About the Author:
As Jurlique products allow an individual to achieve flawless skin, it is also essential use sunscreen to prevent the skin from damages. As well, eye creams and massage oils are also notable candidates for achieving a refreshing look.