All Things Herbal

        

             Looking After Your Essential Oils

         Guest post by Gwendoline Ford

 Imagine going to a friend’s house and discovering that they’ve invested in a bottle of this year’s Grange to give to their newborn son on his eighteenth birthday. These friends—who are by no means wine buffs—have invested a significant amount of money in this bottle, and are fervently hoping that in eighteen years’ time the wine inside will be in peak condition. Then you find out that they’re storing the wine vertically in a glass-fronted cupboard directly above the stove—poorly-oriented and exposed to heat and light. It will be a miracle if the wine is drinkable in three months’ time, let alone in peak condition in eighteen years’ time! You’d tell them straight away to store it somewhere more appropriate, wouldn’t you?

Many aromatherapists feel much the same way when they see how poorly many people store their essential oils. Essential oils are the most volatile components of the plant, which means they are particularly susceptible to being damaged by heat, light, and oxygen. As I’m sure you’re all aware, essential oils are not cheap—even the most abundant oils such as Eucalyptus are relatively expensive, while the cost of a CO2-extracted rose absolute or a 100% pure jasmine enfleurage are astronomical! Yet despite this, many people don’t store or look after their essential oils properly—essentially throwing money away when they realise that their oils have lost their vital spark. Here are some tips to help you get the most out of your essential oil collection at home:

 

1. Know how long each oil will last, and use each bottle up before its ‘use-by date’. Most essential oils will last around five years, but some have shorter or longer lifespans, depending on the oil. Most cold-pressed citrus oils will only last two years, for example. Patchouli is an interesting exception to the rule: as patchouli oil ages, it becomes mellower, richer, and more fragrant, ageing like wine. 

 

2. Keep your essential oils away from heat, light, and oxygen.  Heat, light, and oxygen all accelerate the chemical processes that destroy the potency of your essential oils, so it therefore follows that you should do your best to keep them away from these. Keep your essential oils somewhere cool and away from sunlight (the refrigerator is fine!), and make sure you have screwed the lid on tightly. If you buy your essential oils in bulk, you may wish to split a larger bottle into smaller bottles in order to reduce the amount of oxygen the oil is exposed to as the bottles are emptied. Because of the heat and humidity of the shower, the bathroom is not the best place to store your essential oils.

 

3. Hygiene first when making blends. The base oil used to create an aromatherapy blend can go rancid when heat, light, and oxygen allow microbes within the oil to multiply and break the fatty acids of the oil down into their basic acid components (hence the sharp, acrid scent of rancid butter). In order to prevent this happening to your blends, make them in as sterile an environment as you can manage, and decant them immediately into sterilised dark glass bottles.  The darkness of the bottles will keep out light, and the glass is non-reactive (as opposed to plastic, which can be damaged by the essential oil’s components).  To sterilise bottles, boil them in a pot of water for five minutes, or rinse them with pure ethanol and dry them with the hot air from a hairdryer. Adding the contents of a vitamin E capsule to a blend can help preserve it longer.

 

4. Safety first. Essential oils can be harmful if ingested, so make sure that they are kept out of the reach of children.

 

Gwendoline Ford is the principal of Health and Harmony Colleges, the Aromatherapy College of Australia, and Career Accelerators. She has extensive training in aromatherapy, herbal medicine, natural therapies, and hypnotherapy, amongst other qualifications. Find out more about Gwendoline at her blog: http://gwendolineford.com/about

 

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                 Tea Tree Oil & Viruses

Tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) is native to Australia although other varieties are cultivated elsewhere but M. alternifolia is not produced outside Australia and mainly in New South Wales. Its ‘uses are based on a very long history of use by the aboriginal people of Australia’. 1  Julie Lawless states that ‘it has been extensively researched by scientific methods with the following results:

• The oil is unusual in that it is active against three varieties of infectious organisms: bacteria, fungi and viruses.
• It is a very powerful immune-stimulant, so when the body is threatened by any of these organisms ti-tree increases its ability to respond.

It is considered non toxic, non irritant although with a possible sensitisation in some individuals. 2

To use in the home as means for keeping viruses, the cold and flu at bay it is best to use an electric vaporiser. Electric vaporisers help to avoid the inhalation of carbon monoxide and other harmful gases when burning candles. It is one of the easiest ways to enjoy aromatherapy. Just add 2-3 drops of oil and it can be used in any room in the home, beside the bed or in the workplace. Make sure it is only 2-3 drops when there are children or elderly in the home.

Use a couple of drops on a wet cloth to wipe down areas in the kitchen because it has an antiseptic action. One or two drops when washing clothes in the washing machine will also help.

Reference

1 & 2. Julie Lawless. 1992. The Encyclopedia of Essential Oils. The Complete Guide to the Use of Aromatic Oils in Aromatherapy, Herbalism, Health & Well-Being.  Thorsons.

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Essential Oil Blend for Arthritis

Massage Blend

30 mils of sweet almond carrier oil

5 drops of ginger

5 drops of Orange Sweet (dark)

5 drops of black pepper

Leave the blend for 2-3 days to synergise and then massage twice daily morning and night on the affected area.

Profile of Oils

Ginger was chosen for its warming properties and ability to give relief for rheumatism, black pepper for pain and muscular relief, and orange for dry skin often associated with arthritis. Sweet almond as the carrier oil because it also relieves soreness and dryness and is suitable for sensitive skin.

Caution

Do a skin test patch first before using and if any sensitisation appears do not use. Keep out of the reach of children, do not use if pregnant and keep away from eyes.

Tips

• It is a good idea to change blends from time to time to get the best results from essential oils.
• Another helpful tip for arthritis is to use Epsom salts in a bath. It is made out magnesium sulphate and can help reduce joint pain and has been a remedy for arthritis for many years. Use 2 cups in a bath of hot water.

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                                     Ginger & Lemon Tea

                       Grated ginger tea is a pleasant way to help relieve the symptoms of colds and the flu. It helps sweat out the infection, reduce fever and clear catarrh. It helps stimulate your immune system and warms you up. It can be added to your usual cup of tea or make your own ginger tea as follows:

• Peel and grated some ginger about two teaspoons is a good amount
• Pour over boiling water and let stand for 5-10 minutes
• Strain and then flavour with honey and lemon juice

Ginger is helpful when feeling nauseous and can be used for travel sickness and is safe for morning sickness during pregnancy. Ginger also has anti inflammatory properties and helps relieve the pain of arthritis.

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                  Lemon Balm Infused Oil

• 1 cup of oil
• 1/2 cup of fresh herb washed and dried
• Let stand for 4-5 days at room temperature and the herb will settle to the bottom. Put into clean jars, discard the herbs and store in the fridge for up to 6 months. 1

Try ading one clove of garlic cut in half to this recipe and drizzle over vegatables to be baked in an oven or skillet.

For more lemon balm recipes go to this link.

Reference

1. The Epicentre. Encyclopedia of Spices. Lemon Balm.

www.theepicentre.com/Spices/Lemonbalm.html

                                                          Colour Therapy & the Pink Study

Have you noticed some days when you go to the wardrobe you choose one item of clothing in preference to another? Often it is because you are drawn to a colour and intuitively choose the colour you need to balance your energy for the day because colours can affect moods, emotions and our physiological processes. 

Colour therapy is healing with colour and used to stimulate our body’s own healing process creating a balance in our body’s energy centres, known as Chakras. There are seven primary colours and each corresponds with the seven energy centres in our body.

There are variations of the primary colours that have therapeutic effects and a study on the colour pink by Alexander G. Schauss has shown to reduce aggressive behaviour.

                                                       The Pink Study

In 1979, Alexander G. Schauss, Ph.D, experimented with the use of a particular shade of pink and its affect on mood and behavior. He called the color Baker-Miller Pink. It was found that this pink color was associated with a short-term decrease in aggression. Subsequent experiments also found that this shade of pink could also act as a natural appetite suppressant.

In 1979, Commander Miller and Warden Gene Baker at the U.S. Naval Correctional Center in Seattle painted the walls and ceiling of one admissions cells the color pink that Dr. Schauss would later name after them. After 156 days, they reported to the U.S. Navy’s Bureau of Naval Personnel, Law Enforcement and Corrections Division, Washington, D.C. that “Since initiation of this procedure on March 1, 1979, there have been no incidents of erratic or hostile behavior during the initial phase of confinement.” 1.

Apart from your clothing there are many different way in which you can use colour to balance your energy system and here are a few that you can try.

Colour Lamps

• Lamps are a way of bring colour into you environment without having to redecorate or repaint your home 
• A coloured lamp allows you to control coloured light and to also bring coloured light on to your body 

 

Coloured Filters  (Lighting Gels)

• More precision is gained with coloured gels that are used for stage lighting especially in theatre and music and they are cheaper to buy and easier to use than coloured glass or coloured lenses. Filters create colour by subtracting certain wavelengths of colour. Thus, a red filter absorbs blue and green, allowing only the red wavelength to pass. The process is subtractive, not additive, so the light source must emit a full spectrum. For more information on filters go to: http://www.rosco.com/us/filters/roscolux.asp



 Light Irradiation

• Coloured light can be used to flood the whole aura. This type of overall light therapy is known as light irradiation. By combining coloured light with the burning of essential oils, the energy in the room becomes more persuasive. A simple way to do this is to use an aromatherapy light bulb ring and a coloured light bulb.

 

Colour Compresses

• A selection of coloured flannels Warm colours for poultices or boils and cool colours for inflammation, headaches and swellings.
• Fill a basin with hot water and saturate the coloured flannel in the water leaving it there and adding a few drops of essential oil making sure it is well dispersed. Take the flannel from the bowl and squeeze out the excess water and place over the area to be treated. Repeat process

 

Irradiated Water

• To irradiate water, fill a jar or bottle with water. You can use coloured glass or simply wrap the it in a coloured cloth
• Set the jar in the morning sun. The sun activates the colour and transmits its vibrations into the water.
•  Even a coloured stone or crystal can be used to energize the water.
• Energizing time is 1-3 hours in the morning sun. You can charge several bottles and store them for a few days.

 

Coloured Glasses (Spectacles)

• Coloured therapy glasses are a convenient way to incorporate therapy into your life. Simply out on a pair of these glasses and voila instant colour therapy.
• Red: Strength, pioneering spirit, courage, alertness, sense of power, vitality, overcoming negative thoughts
• Orange: Social confidence, cheerfulness, resourcefulness, enjoyable relationships
• Yellow: Concentration, mental clarity, optimism
• Green: Balance, peace, stress reduction, calmness, self control, hope
• Aqua (turquoise): Openness, confidence, relaxation, soothing feeling, sensitivity
• Blue: Mental relaxation, peace, calmness, vitality, creativity, clear communication
• Indigo: Serenity, imagination, accurate perception, understanding, strong deep sleep
• Violet: Inspiration, calm nerves, reduced irritation, creativity, beauty
• Magenta (Rose): Relaxing, soothing, gentle, balance of emotions (both over and under emotional)
• Baker –Miller Pink: Calming aggression, relaxation, stress release, appetite suppressant.   http://www.colorglasses.com

NB: Do not wear while driving because they may change the colour perception of traffic lights etc.

 

Coloured Meditation Session

• Colour can be used to focus and still the mind for meditation
• Crystal can be used for mediation and placing a clear quartz over a filter on a light box produces a beautiful relaxing light

Morning Meditation

• Work with visualization in colour when you wish to relax
• Visualize a peaceful scene – woods and stream or beach using as much colour as possible
• Visualize sunrises and sunset for practicing visualizing colour
• Inhale each colour in turn
• Breath in filling your diaphragm while focusing on a colour
• Slowly exhale sending the colour throughout your body.
• Breathe in each colour three or four times taking note of how the colours affect you

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1. Reference

TherapyColor.com. Baker Miller Pink. The Pink Study. Accessed online 21^st May, 2011.http://www.therapycolor.com/BakerMillerPink/

 

                    

          Essential Oils for Colds & Flu

 

Colds and the flu make us miserable in the winter months and I like to use  natural alternatives to relieve the symptoms and essential oils are one of my favourites. Research has shown:

 … that with their immune-stimulating properties, essential oils enhance and support the building of the immune system, whether they are inhaled or rubbed on the body topically. Even those who contract a cold or the flu, recover 70 per cent faster when using essential oils. Valnet and other doctors in the field of medical aromatherapy discovered that blends of certain essential oils are not only more powerful than when used singly, but that the mysterious factor of synergy is at work – the effect of say three essential oils will be three times more effective but perhaps 30 times [more in synergy]. 1

 

                                Oils for Blending                                                       

• Essential Oils: Eucalyptus, Lemon, Tea Tree, Petitgrain                                                       

           Action: Antibiotic

           Description: Combats the life of microorganism in the body

• Essential Oils: Black Pepper, Pine, Fennel, Helychrysum, Lavender, Lemon, Lemongrass, Tea Tree, Myrrh, Rosemary, Spearmint

            Action: Antimicrobial

            Description: Reducing microbes

• Essential Oils: All essential oils are antiseptic in some form. The most effective are: Bergamot, Eucalyptus, Juniper, Lavender, and Tea Tree

           Action: Antiseptic

           Description: Inhibits bacteria growth

 

                                      RECIPES FOR BLENDS 

There are a number of different ways that you can use essential oils and here are a few that you can try. Make sure that you are using 100% essential oil and not fragrant oils because fragrant oils do not have the same therapeutic effect. When using the recipes for children or the elderly halve the quantity of oils used.

Vaporiser 

Blend three oils of your choice of 15 drops of each oil and leave to synergise for a few days and use between 3-6 drops in a vaporiser. Remember with essential oils that less is more effective than using larger quantities of essential oil. 

Massage 

To make a recipe to be used on the body use 30 mls of a carrier oils such as sweet almond oils and add 5 drops of 3 separate oils of your choice. Leave to synergise for a few days and then massage the body with the blend.  

Dry Inhalation 

On a tissue handkerchief place 1 drop of lemon, 1 drop of lavender and 1 drop of eucalyptus oil and inhale through your noses and then exhale through your mouth.  

Steam Inhalation 

In a basin of hot to boiling water add 5 drops of lavender, 5 drops of lemon and 5 drops of tea tree oil and hold your head 45 cms above the basin and inhale the steam. Be careful of the hot water when using it for children.   

Bath 

Choose a combination of 3 oils that you like from the above list and add 5 drops of each to a bath making sure the oils are well dispersed before getting in to it. 

Antiseptic & Antibacterial Cleaning Recipe 

See the blog for the recipe for ‘Lavender and Lemon Essential Oils for Cleaning’ to use in the home to keep the bacteria at bay in the aromatherapy category.  

If you would like to comment on this blog you can email me on this link. 

Reference

1. Health and Harmony Colleges. Aromatherapy Practitioner Course, Lesson Seven. P.7. 2010.

 

        

                   Lemon Balm Research

An extract from ‘Lemon Balm: The Neglected Herb’

A research project about Lemon Balm was finished for my Masters of Natural Therapies for Health and Harmony Colleges in January 2010. The aim of the research was to find out ‘What claims made by Folk medicine about Lemon Balm’s (Melissa officinalis) medicinal properties are supported by scientific evidence?’

 

The research was carried out across the United Kingdom, Turkey, Bulgaria, Iran and Germany and the project has shown that the claims made by Folk medicine about Lemon Balm are supported by scientific evidence.

The claim that Lemon Balm is a mood enhancer for depression, anxiety, nervousness and extreme emotional states can be said to be supported to some extent by the study on ‘Modulation of Mood and Cognitive Performance’ in 2003 by Kennedy et al which showed that mood could be modulated with single doses of Lemon Balm extract in healthy young volunteers. The 600 mg of Lemon Balm extract increased the mood and had a positive effect on calmness and alertness. [1]

The knowledge passed down through the generations, combined with experience, reaches many of the same conclusions as scientific evidence. Folk medicine cannot be easily discounted as a source of reliable information. What is scientifically proven and what is handed down by the generations are two different methods of arriving at a conclusion.

Find out more about the research and some recipes: Lemon Balm: The Neglected Herb.

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 Reference

 

                       

                      Essential Oil Blend for Insomnia

Have you had one of those nights when you can’t get to sleep or wake up later in the night and can’t go back to sleep? I have found that essential oils work well in these situations and create an ambiance which encourages sleep by relaxing the body and the mind.

I have developed a blend that I have found works well and can be used as a massage prior to going to bed, or in an electric vaporiser beside the bed or as touch point oil. Make the blend for the vaporiser and store in a dark bottle and use 3-4 drops in the vaporiser. The touch point oil can be used in the same as perfume as one drop on the wrists and can be used one hour prior to going to bed. Do not use all three at the one just select two of them. Use the table below as the guideline for each blend.

 

Deep & Restorative Sleep
Oils	MassageBlend	VaporiserBlend	Touch Points Blend
Ylang Ylang	5 Drops	15 Drops	1 Drop
Chamomile	5 Drops	15 Drops	1 Drop
Lavender	5 Drops	15  Drops	1 Drop
Sweet Almond Carrier oil	30 Mls	Nil	3 Mls

 

Sweet Marjoram is also a  specific oil for insomnia and can be substituted as an oil in this blend. Make sure you use 100% essential oils because fragrant oils do not have the same therapeutic effect. 100% essential oils should not used directly on the body but always combined with a carrier oil and make sure they are kept away from eyes and check with your medical practitioner if you are pregnant before using.

Research on lemon balm has has shown that it is a mood enhancer for depression, anxiety, nervousness and extreme emotional states. If these are the cause of insomnia go to this link to find out more  about lemon balm.

Sleep well!

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Lavender and Lemon Essential Oils for Cleaning

The recipe below for lavender water combined with equal parts of vinegar is the only disinfectant I use in the home. I will often substitute lavender for lemon essential oil and I don’t always include the vodka. Its purpose is to combine and disperse the oils more easily, but I find a good shake of the bottle before using works just as well and it is less expensive. White vinegar is a natural antiseptic and, combined with lavender or lemon essential oil, is a natural antibacterial agent. It can be used safely and without the fear of harmful interactions caused by many cleansers and air fresheners.

Lavender Water Mixture

4 cups of distilled water

5 tablespoons of vodka in a non-reactive bowl (glass or ceramic)

Add 30 drops of essential oil of lavender to the lavender water mixture, being careful to avoid direct contact with your skin

Stir the mixture

Pour mixture into a spray bottle using a small funnel

Allow mixture to blend 24 hours before using

Shake mixture vigorously before each use. Store the mixture in a cool place or in the refrigerator.

Uses for Lavender Water

• Combine the lavender water mixture with equal parts vinegar for an inexpensive, all-purpose disinfectant.
• When washing bedding, include mixture in the rinse cycle.
• Pour mixture directly into your iron to make clothes smell sweet, or keep nearby in a spray bottle.
• Spritz lavender water onto a handkerchief or sachet and place under your pillow to help promote sound, restful sleep.
• Wash stove tops and microwaves with lavender water or lavender disinfectant to remove the odour of burnt food, garlic or onions.
• Rinse trash containers with lavender water or lavender disinfectant to keep them smelling fresh and clean.
• Use lavender water to clean your car’s upholstery, carpeting, dashboard and ashtray. It will help mask the odour of stale cigarette smoke, mould and mildew. 1

 Some information about vinegar and its standing as an anti-bacterial agent:

The disinfectant properties of vinegar have been verified by numerous studies including those conducted by the Good Housekeeping Institute, as reported on 48 hours (on CBS) in 2000. A straight 5% solution of vinegar kills 99 percent of bacteria, 82 percent of mold, and 80 percent of viruses, however in the USA,Heinz can’t claim on their packaging that vinegar is a disinfectant since the company has not registered it as a pesticide with the Environmental Protection Agency. However, it seems to be common knowledge in the industry that vinegar is powerfully antibacterial. Even the CBS news show “48 Hours” had a special years ago with Heloise reporting on tests from The Good Housekeeping Institute that showed this. 2

If you are interested in Melissa (Lemon Balm) essential oil go to the Book Shop

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 References

 1. ehow.com. How to Make Lavender Water. Accessed online 12^th July, 2010 at 6.05 am. http://www.ehow.com/how_4424765_make-lavender-water.html#ixzz0tPEOvplM

2. Natural Healthy Home Cleaning Tips. Vinegar and the Baking Soda Cleaning Recipes. Accessed online 24th April, 2011 at 8.41 am. http://www.natural-healthy-home-cleaning-tips.com/vinegar_baking_soda_cleaning_recipes_htm