The Holy Oils

The Holy Oils

by | Aromatics, Psycho-Spiritual

The Christmas Story tells of the gifts of Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh. Most people are familiar with gold, but what about the others? The holy oils? Both Frankincense and Myrrh are the resins – think “sap” – of their respective trees. In their raw state, these resins can be crushed or made into tinctures or oils for use in salves and creams. When steam distilled, they become the essential oils we use in aromatherapy care.

Both Frankincense and Myrrh have been fashioned into incense for use in prayer and spiritual practices. The ancient Egyptians burned Myrrh at midday, in praise of the sun god, Ra. It was also used in their Kyphi incense and in embalming. The Romans took a balm of Myrrh into battle, for use in the care of wounds sustained by soldiers. Its antibacterial, antifungal and strong antiseptic properties made it invaluable for wound and skin care. Today, Myrrh is a front-line oil for use with nasty fungal infections that just won’t quit! On a more profound level, Myrrh is the fragrance that resonates with the Wounded Healer – the wounds running deep, carrying the pain of others – for infinity. The fragrance helps one to realize the need to let go of this pain as it is past. And our future demands that we move forward from it (Valerie Worwood’s interpretation).

Frankincense was used to carry man’s prayers to the ancient gods and goddesses. It is still the incense of choice in the Roman Catholic and Greek Orthodox churches. Frankincense is said to have psychoactive properties that can help one transcend time and space, hence its use in spiritual endeavours. Physically, Frankincense has been used to expand lung capacity, which helps with better oxygenation of the blood and body. This ability to deepen one’s breath is also important when meditating as anyone who has done breath work can attest to. It is also noted for its ability to normalize fluids in the body, which makes it invaluable for skin and joint care. On a psycho-spiritual level, Frankincense is often called the Great Protector, for it will support your spiritual journey but will not let you go where you are not yet ready to go. It has the power and authority to ward off lesser energies which try to attach to or attack your energy field (Valerie Worwood’s interpretation).

Realizing the earthly journey awaiting the Christ child, these gifts made perfect “scents”.

Natural Skin Care Ideas

Natural Skin Care Ideas

by | Aromatics

Skin is the largest organ of the body, keeping everything inside that is supposed to be there! It is our first line of defense against infection.  It helps control our body temperature.  It breathes, sweats and secretes natural oils. And it loves TLC!

Here are a few suggestions to help your skin feel like a million dollars – without it costing a million!  Note that you must start with clean skin before using any of these treatments. Essential oils can be added to masks and scrubs to increase effectiveness.  Please avoid the areas around the eyes.

Honey-Apple Mask
Great for normal skin.  Cut a peeled apple into small pieces;  mash with a fork until it is pulp. Add an equal amount of honey and mix. Apply to clean face and rest for 15 minutes. Wash off with lukewarm water, then splash with cold water or hydrosols.

Avocado Mask
Great for dry skin or skin having had too much sun. Mash an avocado with a bit of flax or almond oil – just enough to make it creamy.  Massage into the skin and rest for 15 minutes. Rinse off with warm water or just wipe off and enjoy the lingering oils.

Tomato Facial Peel
Great for all skin types.  Rub fresh tomato slices directly on clean skin. Let dry. The Vitamin C and acidity will make your skin feel soft and look brighter.

Honey-Cornmeal Scrub
Great for blackhead removal.  Mix a tablespoon of cornmeal with a tablespoon of honey. Rub into the skin, especially in area that need extra attention.  Gently wipe off with a cotton cloth, rinse with warm water and finish with a splash of cold or hydrosols.

Aromatherapy Mask
Great for dry or chapped  skin.  Mix these essential oils together:  Sandalwood (2 drops),  Lavender (1 drop), Roman Chamomile (1 drop).  Add to 2tsp. honey, 1 tsp. sweet almond oil and 1 tbsp. clay. Mix to a creamy consistency; apply to face and leave for 20-30 minutes.  Rinse with warm water.  Apply natural  toner and moisturizer.

If you look after your skin, it will look after you! Have fun.

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An Attitude of Gratitude

An Attitude of Gratitude

by | Energetics, Life Reflections, Psycho-Spiritual

Seeing as we are fast approaching the Canadian Thanksgiving,  I thought I’d share a few musings that reflect the spirit of this holiday.  I have a few quotes from Ivan Rados, a Vancouver-based artist and new-age writer/philosopher.  I hope you enjoy them.

“ Life is a beautiful adventure to in all its “unknowable knowingness”.  The mind prompts us to erect barriers to protect us from the unknown, yet none of us know what is going to happen next because freedom is unpredictable.

The capacity to be surprised is a great blessing.  It enables us to move into the unknown with courage and feel the thrill and wonder of an extraordinary existence.  We are simply asked to flow freely with it, weightless, trusting our inner reality.  Then our outer expression becomes a reflection of this flow.  Open to the unknown, we are excited and surprised by every moment, each of which usher us into a greater life.

We do not “practice” gratitude.  Rather, it is a consequence of our trust in the whole.  True gratitude cannot even be expressed because it is beyond words.  It’s an ecstasy of our being, the music of our stillness.  The more we feel grateful for all of life, the more joy and creativity flow to and through us.  Gratitude binds us in closer harmony with the creative energies of the Infinite Universe.”

taken from the book, Transform Your Life Through Sacred Geometry by Ivan Rados

First Aid for Insect Bites

First Aid for Insect Bites

by | Aromatics

Now that summer is here, we are likely to have encounters with little critters that bite.  There are some general first-aid measures that can help get over the initial pain and swelling of those bites.

Wasp Stings:   Wasp venom is alkaline in nature, so the treatment needs an acidic substance to neutralize the poison.  Vinegar (preferably cider vinegar) can be applied to the bite as often as needed, until the pain and swelling have subsided.  To prevent infection, add a drop of lavender or tea tree essential oil to each tablespoon of vinegar.

Bee Stings:  Bee venom is acidic in nature, so the treatment needs an alkaline substance.  Bicarbonate of soda (Baking Soda) mixed with water can create an alkaline solution which can neutralize the poison (use 1 tsp. Baking Soda to one tbsp. water).  Apply the solution as often as needed to reduce the pain and swelling. To prevent infection, add a drop of lavender or chamomile essential oil to the solution.  A cold compress containing chamomile and/or lavender essential oil can also help to reduce pain and swelling.

Ant Bites:  Ant venom is acidic in nature, so the treatment needs to be alkaline.  The same products used for bee stings would work for ant bites.

Mosquito Bites:  According to Valerie Ann Worwood in her book, The Fragrant Pharmacy , if you have one bite, apply 1 drop Lavender essential oil to the bite several times  a day.  If you’ve  been bitten over a large area, combine 1 cup of cider vinegar or the juice of 2 lemons with 10 drops of lavender and 5 drops of thyme (linallol, if possible) essential oils.  Put this mixture in a bath and soak for up to 20 minutes.  Towel dry and apply neat lavender oil directly to the bites.  Each night, rub your body with the following mixture:  Essential oils of Lavender 10 drops, Eucalyptus 10 drops, Thyme 10 drops, Lemongrass 5 drops in 30mls. vegetable carrier oil

Other essential oils that can be used to soothe insect bites include:
Cajeput, Chamomile (German or Roman), Eucalyptus or Lemon .

If your problems with bites are of a more serious nature, be sure to get medical help quickly.  You will  need to keep your Epi-pen handy – and make sure you have Medi-Alert jewelry on you so that others know to deliver quick treatment to you.

Summer Aromatics

Summer Aromatics

by | Aromatics

Now that the weather is becoming warmer and the daylight hours longer, it’s time to look at the natural approach to “summertime issues”. Insect bites and sunburn combine to make life miserable. So what can we do about these things?

Insect Bites: If the bugs will stay away, we won’t get bitten! Essential oils can be added to diffusers, sprays and linens to help keep bugs at bay. If you find the cloying smell of fake fragranced candles annoying, try using natural essential oils instead. Bugs have been found to hate these essential oils: Citronella, patchouli, peppermint, clove, bay, lemon, eucalyptus, cedarwood, sweet basil, and litsea cubeba.

To reduce the pain and itchiness associated with bug bites, an application of peppermint, tea-tree and lavender directly on the bite usually reduces the severity of the pain. Apply several times daily until the bite no longer “bugs” you. If the oils are too harsh on your skin, try mixing them in a carrier oil first before applying to your bite. If you’ve been “eaten alive,” try an oatmeal bath with lavender or chamomile added to the water to help reduce all-over itchiness (this is a tried and true Manitoba recipe!).

Sunburn: Preventing the burn is the best course of action. But if the sun’s rays prove too much for your skin, here are a few suggestions. First-aid treatment starts with cooling down the skin. Using a cool bath, cloth or hydrosol spray from the fridge helps reduce the heat from the burn. Application of soothing, cooling gels helps, too. Those who can tolerate Aloe vera gel report good results. An aromatherapy gel with peppermint, lavender, helichrysum, chamomile and/or tea tree can also be helpful. Organic Honey will help reduce damage and nourish the skin; honey is an old folk remedy that has been used for skin care and wound healing for thousands of years.

Once the burn is under control, replenish the skin with highly nutritious creams and lotions that will give back a healthy look. If you can, add some Sea Buckthorn, Calendula, Carrot Seed or German Chamomile essential oils to the cream or lotion. These are proven skin rejuvenators.

Summer can be comfortable and enjoyable. Mother Nature has given us the means to stay happy and healthy, so let’s accept her help.