Back to School, Studying With Essential Oils.

Do you have a desire for your child excel in school? Of course you do! Most of us would like to see our children do better than we have. We try to teach them good study habits and encourage them to continue to do better. Some children have no trouble while others really have to work at getting good grades. Using essential oils will help your child think more clearly, concentrate better, and increase there memory.

There are many study programs available to help teach your children good study habits. Most of these programs are excellent and deliver the results they claim. If you have your child enrolled in one of these programs, good for you! Help them even more by using essential oils on a daily basis.

Clear your mind. With all the social activities our kids can be involved with in school it is no wonder their minds are all full of clutter. At times they forget where they are and where they are going. An easy way to send your children off to school with a clear mind is to diffuse some essential oils into the air. There are a couple of different blends that are very effective at reducing mental clutter. Use equal amounts of juniper, pine and tea tree or celery, hyssop and lemon. I would recommend using a cold or forced air diffuser. Diffuse these essential oils for 10 to 15 minutes in the morning. This will help clear their minds and help them throughout their busy day. Cold air diffusers provide the greatest therapeutic value because they do not use heat to diffuse the oil.

Concentrate. Does your student have difficulty staying on task? The inability to concentrate is not uncommon with teens. There are so many distractions to overcome. The cute girl or guy that keeps flirting with them, what about their next class, did I pass that last test and what’s for lunch? If you have trouble concentrating try using these blends in your diffuser. Equal amounts of pine, black pepper and rosewood or eucalyptus, petitgrain and thyme. Should you need a little boost during the day, place about 4 or 5 drops of either blend on a handkerchief and take it out occasionally and inhale the aroma. This to will aid in maintaining your concentration levels.

Increased memory. Have you ever told your kids to remember to do something and five minutes later they have forgotten? No! Lucky you! Like most people teens have a selective memory and remember only what they want to. However there are times when they need to remember something and just can’t seem to do it. To assist you in increasing your memory powers try using this blend. Once again use equal amounts. Use marjoram, peppermint and sage. Diffuse this blend for 10 to 15 minutes in the morning you will be surprised at the amount of information you will be able to recall. Place 4 or 5 drops on a handkerchief for a boost throughout the day.

To sum it up. Developing good study habits in school has a major affect on our future success. Let therapeutic grade essential oils assist you in reaching your goals of being a better student. Essential oils will help reduce the amount of clutter in your brain giving you greater mental clarity. You will find you are able to concentrate for longer periods of time and remember what you have read and heard with greater ease.

Remember to use only therapeutic grade essential oils to receive the maximum benefits!

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by Niaomi Brown

Getting your feet wet in therapeutic aromatherapy, beyond burning a scented candle or soaking with a pleasing pre-packaged bath salt blend, can be a little daunting to many people. All those little bottles of pricey liquids, electric contraptions, and fancy-sounding blends – how does one actually use essential oils to improve their health, happiness and well-being? It’s easier than one might think – getting started can open a whole new world of fun and effective natural remedies that can lift your mood, calm your nerves, and support healing of a great many common ailments. The trick, like beginning anything really, is just getting started. Start with some commonly used oils like Lavender and Tea Tree, and you’ll open up the doors to a whole realm of natural medicine for you and your family. Read on for an introduction to a few of the many ways of using these wonderful gifts from nature.

Aromatherapy really has a bad name in North America. Kinda soft and fuzzy, and maybe a little too ‘new age’ for many folks. But essential oils share many traits with other natural medicines; they’re really concentrated plant extracts that just happen to smell exceptionally good. ‘Volatile-Plant-Extract-Therapy’ would be a much more appropriate name. ‘Volatile’ simply means ‘easily evaporated’ – in this sense, essential oils are more like alcohol than oil. But unlike alcohol, essential oils are made up of very complex molecules that have a great breadth of healing properties. These properties vary greatly depending on the plant from which the oil was extracted. Many oils are known potent antibacterials, antivirals, anti-inflammates, and stimulate wound healing. Of course, their aroma’s DO have profound effects as well; laboratory studies have conclusively shown this in clinical settings. Inhalation is the simplest method of using essential oils, and is an excellent place to start with aromatherapy.

When inhaled, essential oils effect our limbic system, the seat of the brain’s emotional centers. Many oils have been found to sharpen concentration, reduce tension and anxiety, and even reduce depression. Blends can be made for very specific psychological and emotional needs. How can we reap these magnificent benefits? There are a few simple, cost-effective ways to prepare essential oils for inhalation and experience these wonderful effects: the ‘handkerchief method’, making your own ‘smelling salts’, and making your own aromatherapy ‘mister’. More advanced users will want to use a cold-air nebulizing diffuser that disperses a fine mist of essential oil throughout your environment. With a little research, you’ll be able to find the right oil or oil combination to suit your needs.

The handkerchief method is pretty straightforward – put a drop or two of an oil or blend on a tissue and inhale (careful with some oils though – peppermint, for example, can burn the sensitive skin around your nostrils if put in direct contact). You can even leave the tissue, handkerchief, or piece of cloth in a room or your workspace and the oil will continue to evaporate and have its effects. Making your own smelling salts is similar, and your preparation will last a while longer. To make the salts, fill a small vial with natural sea salt and drip essential oils into the salt. The amount of oil needn’t be precise – enough that there is detectable aroma, and not so much that the salt gets completely wet. Just unscrew the cap and inhale from the bottle whenever you need a lift, or, like the handkerchief, leave the vial open in your space, letting the aroma slowly fill the area. A mister can be used infuse a room with aroma – just add essential oils to water in a small spray bottle (10 drops per cup of water is a good starting point), shake before each use and spray! When you’re ready for a greater impact from the aromatic use of oils, find a quality cold-air nebulizing diffuser. These units make fine mist of oil, creating a significant concentration in your environment, and can have valuable health benefits beyond stimulating the smell sense – they can purify the air in your home or office, and can help with many infectious illnesses when used as directed by a health practitioner.

Here are a few easy recipes for the inhalation method: For uplifting the mood and brightening the mind – 4 parts of Rosemary, 3 parts of Lavender, 2 parts of Lemon and 1 part of Peppermint, OR 3 parts Clary Sage, 2 parts Bergamot and 1 part Sweet Orange. For calming anxiety – equal parts of Roman Chamomile, Bergamot and Orange, OR 3 parts Lavender, 2 parts Neroli and 1 part Bergamot. For creating a harmonious atmosphere – 3 parts Jasmine, 1 part Ylang Ylang and 1 part Sandalwood, OR equal parts Geranium, Patchouli and Bergamot. For simply bringing calm or inducing sound sleep, pure Lavender oil by itself may be perfect. These and other blends can make wonderful natural perfumes when diluted to 15% in Jojoba oil; Rose and Jasmine oils can be used this way by themselves.

Aromatherapy massage and topical application – Ideally, this is done with a partner, but self-massage will work as well. Creating your own massage oil is a straightforward process – just dilute 10 – 20 drops of essential oil (single or blended) per ounce of carrier oil. There are a variety of carrier oils available; Sweet Almond is a great all-around oil and is recommended for general aromatherapy massage. As for the massage, itself, any technique will do – let your intuition be your guide. The blends listed above will work effectively as massage oils as well, when diluted in a carrier, though here are a few more fun recipes: For a sensual massage, per ounce of carrier oil, add – 8 drops Sandalwood, 6 drops Rose, 4 drops Lavender and 2 drops Ylang Ylang. For opening the heart, try 4 drops Spikenard, 4 drops Lavender and 2 drops of Rose. Finally, for sheer relaxation, use 6 drops Lavender, 4 drops Neroli and 2 drops Bergamot. Note that topical application of citrus oils (Orange, Bergamot, Tangerine, Lemon, Lime, etc.) should be avoided on skin that will be exposed to direct sunlight in the following few days – these oils are known to be photo-sensitizing, and can make the skin more susceptible to burning by UV rays. The feet are excellent receivers of essential oil energy; this is the basis of reflexology. Many oils that can irritate sensitive skin elsewhere can be applied ‘neat’ (undiluted) to the bottoms of the feet; the tops of the feet are more sensitive, though this area will also have significant energetic results.

Don’t be afraid to create your own blends! You will certainly find particular oils that you enjoy – and aromatherapy is like that. It is the oils you find most enjoyable that are likely those that are most effective for you. An important starting note is to change the ratios of oils you are blending very slowly. Start with one drop of each oil in a small vial, mixing them and allowing a few minutes for them to blend before adding more oil 1 drop at a time. In general, citrus oils (Orange, Bergamot, Tangerine, Lemon, Lime) tend to bring alertness while calming at the same time. Herb oils (Peppermint, Rosemary and Basil) tend to be invigorating, while floral oils tend to be relaxing (Lavender, Chamomile, Jasmine, Neroli). This is only a guideline – many oils have complex properties and will affect individuals differently – use your nose as a guide.

Medical aromatherapy, the use of essential oils to treat specific medical conditions, requires a bit more knowledge in many cases. There are a few excellent examples of employing oils for common needs: Lavender works very well for minor burns; it is anti-inflammatory and helps the skin regenerate. Blended half and half with Tea Tree, it can be used in place of other antibacterial agents on small cuts and scrapes. Helichrysum italicum oil is a remarkable healer of bruises and sports injuries; it can be used undiluted or at a 5-10% dilution in Hazelnut oil. Melissa oil is documented as an excellent treatment for the herpes virus. For support for common colds, inhale equal parts Lavender, Rosemary and Eucalyptus. For support in clearing chest and sinus conditions, use Lavender, Tea Tree and Eucalyptus. These blends can be added to a carrier oil and rubbed into the chest, inhaled from a steaming bowl of water (with the eyes closed!) or used in a diffuser. The greatest promise for medical essential oil use lies in their profound ability to eradicate bacteria and viruses – this is where the need of an experienced professional arises, however. As with any medication, matching the correct oil and it’s application with the illness is critical, otherwise the oil may have no effect, and the patient may not heal. When done properly, however, remarkable results have been achieved.

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You can even cook with essential oils if you like. Many folks will use real Vanilla essential oil instead of vanilla extract, or add Peppermint or Basil to dishes for their wonderful flavors.

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How and Where to Buy Essential Oils – Quality Testing & Adulteration Analysis

Essential oils are readily available from many health food and aromatherapy stores, via mail-order, and via companies that have Web sites. Although readily available, the quality of essential oils from one vendor to another can vary drastically whether you buy them locally or not. Additionally, the price charged is not necessarily an indication of the quality of the vendor’s oils.

It is vital to use only high-quality pure essential oils for optimum results. It is most unfortunate that many essential oils available on the market today are of poor quality and, therefore, cannot help alleviate health problems. Essential oil traders supply mostly to the perfume and food industries who are more concerned with the fragrance or flavour of an oil rather than its therapeutic effects.

These industries must always have essential oils with the same chemical formulae if they are to produce the same aroma and taste consistently, so they find it necessary to ‘adulterate’ oils to replicate aromas and flavours. Price is also a major consideration. Factors such as the weather, bad harvests, the variety of the plant, the composition of the soil, the time and the method of cultivation and extraction can affect the composition of essential oils greatly and this creates difficulties for the perfume and the food industries who seek standardisation.

Suppliers of essential oils will often adulterate their oils by adding synthetic ingredients, alcohols, vegetable oil, cheap chemical constituents or low-cost essential oils. They may even substitute an entire essential oil with a cheaper, similar oil for commercial gain (e.g. lavendin may be sold as lavender).

Essential oils used in aromatherapy must, of course, be as pure, natural and ‘whole’ as possible if they are to have the desired therapeutic effects. Synthetic materials which simulate the aroma and appearance of an essential oil cannot have the same therapeutic properties as an essential oil and should not be used in therapy.

Synthetic chemicals also carry the risk of harmful and unpleasant side effects, as do synthetic drugs. It is totally impossible to duplicate an essential oil in its entirety in the laboratory. Vital constituents and trace elements will inevitably be missing. It is the total of the components of an essential oil working together which produces a healing effect.

If oils are referred to as ‘nature identical’ this implies that the oil is synthetic and produced in the laboratory and is, therefore, unsuitable for aromatherapy. Synthetic oils also do not possess the ‘vital force’ or ‘life force’ of essential oils which comes from living plants. Chemicals also do not contain the ‘vibration’ of natural living plants.

Since most aromatherapy suppliers buy essential oils from importers who supply the perfume and food industries it is important to seek a supplier who deals mainly with essential oils intended only for therapeutic use.

Aromatherapy During Pregnancy
Aromatherapy may be used successfully throughout the forty weeks of pregnancy to treat a wide range of conditions. Although no one can guarantee a healthy, normal baby, the risks can be substantially reduced if the mother takes good care of herself and follows a healthy diet and…

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Do You Know What Essential Oils Are?

Plants are the basis of essential oils; these oils in living plants are the immune system of the plant. The oils are extracted from the bark, flower, fruit, grass, leaf, needle, rind, root, seed and wood of various plants and sold in a 100% concentration.

Extraction methods make then very highly concentrated. Small amounts are all that you need for most recipes. Contrary to their name, essential oils do not feel oily; most are clear, but some are amber colored. It is important to understand that absolute oils are not the same as essential oils. Various solvents are used during extraction for absolute oils and these oils are used for making fragrances.

Extraction may be by steam (or water), expression, or supercritical CO2. These methods each have distinct processes and reasons for using them.

Steam: this is the purest and most popular method for extraction plant oils. Plants are steamed in a pressurized container. As the steam pushes through the plant, the oils are evaporated as everything cools, the oils return to their liquid form and are able to be collected.

Expression: this method is less popular simply because it cannot be used with most plants; only oils that are locked in the peel of citrus fruits can be extracted by this method. Citrus peels, which are infused with much oil, are pressed. This literally squeezes all liquid from the peel and this liquid must be filtered to collect the oil.

Supercritical CO2: this method utilizes carbon dioxide (CO2) in the extraction process and is used to extract oils which emanate the truest fragrance for the plant.

Therapeutic grade essential oils are distilled with low pressure and low temperatures, according to the plant that is being used. These oils are used in aroma therapy to achieve various psychological effects. For instance, lavender is considered relaxing while peppermint is invigorating. Inhalation or topical application are the main ways that aromatherapy employs to achieve the desired effects.

Important notes:

Essential oils should not be used on young children and pregnant women.
Essential oils should essential oils be ingested, some are highly toxic.
Essential oils should be kept away from eyes (in case or contact, blot with olive oil and rinse well

Essential oils: How Can You Use Them?

Home use of essential oils usually consists of bath additives and topical application (which may be through use in organic skin care or though massage using organic products).

Essential oils (like lavender) used in your diffuser can create a calming atmosphere for everyone in your house. Effects from essential oils usually last about four hours.

As a bath additive, use an oil that produces a certain effect, for instance, a morning bath may have rosemary as an added oil because rosemary is stimulating. A mere 6 drops of essential oil to your bathwater is enough. Remember that the oils are very highly concentrated.

Topical application through organic skin care is very popular today because many people are making their own skin care treatments at home using organic ingredients. This approach to skin care is a return to yesteryear with a twist.

We have learned so much about skin and this knowledge added to ideas about skin care from much simpler times give organic skin care a step above skin care lines that boast many man made chemicals. The addition of essential oils to the organic systems gives you wonderful psychological effects that are not available through most large commercial lines.

If you are currently using a ready to use organic skin care line that does not feature essential oils as ingredients in the line, contact the manufacturer before you try adding them. There may be reasons that the manufacturer has opted against the oils, and you need to know about possible conflicts in ingredients.

Topical application through organic massage emollients is usually a simple mixture of a preferred organic essential oil (usually a calming oil) to an organic carrier oil. A carrier oil is simply a vegetable oil rich in nutrients.

Many of the carrier oils are extracted through expression. Jojoba is one of the most popular carrier oils (apricot kernel, grapeseed, and olive are just a few of the others). For massage, use about 6 drops of essential oil to 1 ounce of carrier oil. If olive oil is your choice, it is wise to dilute this with another carrier, for example, you would add 6 drops essential oil to 1/2 ounce olive oil and 1/2 ounce jojoba. This is because of olive oils strong scent.

By: Louise Forrest -

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Modern Aromatherapy: Beyond Just Smelling Nice

What, really, is Aromatherapy? In the United States, common use of the term ‘Aromatherapy’ is a bit misleading. The practice has been given a ‘touchy-feely’, ‘soft-science’ status to the general public through mainstream media. In much of the rest of the world, however, the therapeuatic use of aromatic essential oils has a more elevated, scientifically-backed status. In France, for example, one can only purchase essential oils through a licenced Aromatherapist; this is due to the well-known, powerful interaction of essential oils and the human physiology.

The word ‘aromatherapie’ was first used in 1937 by the French cosmetic scientist Rene Maurice Gattefosse after accidentally discovering Lavender oil’s healing effects on burns he sustained in his lab. He was so impressed by the oils medicinal actions, he wrote a book it that began the modern aroma-’therapy’ revolution. Medicinal use of essential oils is widely accepted in France today, where one can receive a prescription for a blend from their doctor, and have it filled as we do with pharmaceuticals here. Using natural scents for uplifting the emotions is just the tip of the iceberg; Aromatherapy includes the entire branch of medicine using volatile (easily evaporated) aromatic compounds naturally occurring in plants. Many physicians and scientists believe the psycho-emotional actions through oils’ inhalation to not be their most important medicinal action. Beyond acting on through the olfactory senses, essential oils have been shown to have effects ranging from broad spectrum anti-microbials and anti-virals to inflammation reducers and even tissue regenerative properties.

Essential oils effects on the nervous system and psyche through the olfactory sense is not to be discounted, however. Studies have shown repeatable results in essential oils’ ability to lift the spirits and sharpen the attention. Students inhaling Lemon and Rosemary essential oils while studying have scored better on tests; other subjects have slept better while inhaling Lavender (one article proclaimed these results with "Lavender Works Better than Benzodiazepines!"). The ‘aromatic’ effect of essential oils is a result of the intimate wiring of the smell sense with certain control systems of the brain. It is the only one of the five senses directly attached to the brain itself; other sense signals are first received by the thalamus. This direct connection has powerful implications for physiological as well as psychological effects.

The olfactory sense is closely tied to the limbic system, which is the center of emotions, plays a significant part in the formation of memories, and affects our sexual responses. The olfactory region also connects to the hypothalamus, which in-turn controls the entire hormonal system through it’s influence of the pituitary gland. One can easily imagine an olfactory sense receptor being stimulated by the mist of an essential oil resulting in downstream stimulation of the brain in a certain way – stimulating, sedating, relaxing, or otherwise – depending on the molecular form of the oil.

Though we shouldn’t get distracted by the wonderful possibilities of aromas! The medicinal actions of therapeutic grade oils go far beyond those induced through the olfactory system. Medical aromatherapy includes topical application, oral ingestion and natural suppository use of aromatic oils as well. Their chemical structures are of a ‘lipophilic’ (fat-friendly) nature, passing through cell walls and tissue membranes without difficulty. They are easily absorbed and well tolerated, for the most part, in small amounts. Essential oils are not cure-alls however, or placebo-effect-inducing nice smells – they are potent plant medicines, each with significantly different actions. Oregano oil is one of the most broad spectrum anti-microbials known; it has been widely studied as supportive for the human immune system to defend itself against bacteria – Oregano is also a potent irritant to the skin and requires experience for correct application. Melissa oil has been hailed as a cure for Herpes Simplex virus infections by German researchers. Ginger oil has brought relief to sufferer’s of motion sickness, rheumatoid arthritis and intestinal parasites – but not to those with the Herpes virus. The list goes on; the take-home message is that oils CAN be effective if used properly, and improper use can not only be ineffective but even dangerous. That doesn’t mean essential oils are something to be afraid of – they deserve the respect given to any powerful medicine. Consult a qualified professional for ANY serious condition, and consider using essential oils if and when appropriate.

Embracing essential oils as medical therapies will likely not happen for some time in North America. There is a lack of knowledge within the established medical community, and qualified aromatherapists are fairly rare, as of yet. With the growing body of evidence validating the efficacy of natural medicines, however, and the failing confidence in our allopathic medical institutions, it may not be long until essential oils find their rightful place in our medicine chests. In the meantime, be cautious, have fun, and do stop and smell the roses, and lavenders, patchoulis, sandalwoods, and all the other great aromatherapies available to you!

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The author is a consultant to Synergy Essential Oils and Ananda Aromatherapy, offering fine therapeutic grade essential oils and aromatherapy supplies.

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