Heat Relief
If your climate is anything like ours, here in Middle Tennessee, you have been sweltering for the last few weeks, with little or no relief in sight. Other than never leaving the air-conditioning, I’m finding a chilled atomizer of Spearmint Hydrosol the most refreshing aromatic relief. Somehow when the heat index is out of sight, Mint is the most refreshing scent I know. A tepid bath with just two or three drops of Peppermint EO is also a wonderful “cool-down.”
Insect Repellant / SkeeterBeater
A recipe from a Florida client who found that a carrier oil based insect repellant just sheeted off her in the Florida heat: She adds our Lemon Teatree (about 40 drops) to 2 ounces of witch hazel (the alcohol in the witch hazel dissolves/disperses the EO quite nicely) and then adds another two to four ounces of distilled water to the blend, pours it into an atomizer bottle and sprays all her exposed skin and, sometimes, her clothing. Says it keeps the Florida “skeeters” away better than anything. (Aug 24, 1999)
SKEETERBEATER….this stuff really works, folks. Was at a campfire meeting Sunday evening from just before sunset until quite late. Everyone around us was slapping at mosquitoes, until I shared our SkeeterBeater. Just a few drops of the diluted blend on my wrists and forearms kept me bite free all evening. Hope has been putting a drop of the diluted synergy (15 drops per ounce) on her dogs, just a bit on the back of their necks, once or twice a week. Not only has she not seen any fleas, but they are not bringing ticks into the house either. Now, I don’t know if this blend will repel ticks. But neither she nor I have seen any, and they are usually a real problem with our outside dogs. If you plan to spend any time outdoors, you NEED some of this. A lot of you are already using it; if you are finding no ticks when you normally would expect them, please let me know. We love feedback!
Tip from my daughter the groomer…if your dog has one of those woven collars, rather than a leather one, add two or three drops of undiluted SkeeterBeater to his collar to keep him pest free. She says it works as well as commercial products and it’s a lot cheaper. (And SHE gets a discount on the commercial stuff!) (July 2000)
Read about, and order, our SkeeterBeater Blend here.
Insomnia?
Years ago June Curtice shared two of her favorite blends for those sleepless nights when your brain just won’t stop running:
or:
With either, we’d use a drop or two on a tissue inside the pillow case—or an aromalamp, or an aromastone. Both blends are lovely. For me, the first is more relaxing/sedating; the second just makes tension melt away. (March 2005)
Labor / Delivery
Mari also used our Ylangylang essential oil to control her daughter’s blood pressure during labor and delivery. Says it worked quite well. Mari writes, “She didn’t moan, groan, yell, or scream once during her labor. The physician and nurses were very interested in the Neroli, as they could hear other mothers screaming while they were giving birth. But not Spring, my daughter. Afterward, she said, she felt very relaxed and there was pain, of course, but she felt she could handle it. And handle it, she did. We both swear it was the Neroli. I would just spray it on her each time she asked.” (March 2000)
Migraines
More feedback from friends using our Peppermint essential oil for migraines. Sniffing Peppermint straight from the bottle at the first sign of the aura seems to stop a lot of migraines in their tracks. Handy to know! October 1999)
Oral Care / Plaque Removing Blend
Our friend Barbara, of Alma Del Sol recently gave us permission to share this. It has proven so very effective that she wants to get the word out.
Dear All—
I have come upon a blend that is getting such great reviews that I have to share it, along with a brief case history.
THE BLEND:
Tea tree x 8 (Germicidal)
Myrrh x 1 (Germicidal/anti-inflammatory/astringent)
Clove x 1/2 (REALLY germicidal)
Cardamon x 1/2 (Keeps plaque from sticking, honest)
Put 2 drops on toothbrush with toothpaste and brush as usual, or use in an irrigation device or put 2 drops in a shotglass full of water and use as a mouthwash (try not to swallow, but it won’t hurt you if you do).
THE GREAT REVIEWS:
Dentists saying things like “What are you doing differently?” or “Well, I don’t know what you are doing, but it looks like you may actually be able to keep your teeth.” or “I don’t think we really need to do that gum surgery after all.”
THE CASE HISTORY:
Me, of course, and NO, I am not going to launch into another round of trials. I’m getting enough positive feedback from my dentist and my clients to know it works.
My entire family just seems to accumulate plaque easily and we all need to have our teeth cleaned frequently. In the last few years, I was losing the battle even with daily brushing, flossing, irrigation and professional cleanings every 4 months. My dentist lectured me relentlessly, even though I really was religious about dental hygiene.
I finally got fed up and decided that the solution was not going to be entirely mechanical. I wised up and decided to view my mouth as a part of my body and my dentist as a medical professional. My dentist confirmed that I was dealing with inflammation and bacteria buildup that was eroding gum tissue. He also told me that some people have systems that are too alkaline, which causes more buildup, as well as “sticky bacteria.” I did a quick personal history and immediately thought “What am I doing brushing with a baking soda toothpaste?” (is this an evil conspiracy between the dentists and the manufacturers?), and I also recalled the chronic problems that I and my mother and five sisters have had with bladder infections, another “sticky bacteria” situation.
So I cooked up the blend listed above and mixed it 2% in a solution of vinegar—1 part—and strong cranberry tea—2 parts (here in the US you can get straight cranberry tea bags at any health food store from Traditional Medicinals—it is sold for bladder health). Used it as a mouthwash. Yum-yum. Kept up with the brushing and flossing as usual. I also did research into anti-inflammatory diet, and did some pretty radical diet changes, which were a great improvement in lots of ways.
Six months later, my dentist said “What are you doing differently?” I had actually reversed the periodontal decline.
So for the next four months I just used the blend on my toothbrush and dispensed with the vinegar and cranberry. I held my own. I gave the blend to a couple of friends who called a few months later with “Great news! I don’t have to have the gum surgery.” I have resumed the vinegar and cranberry, and the improvement has continued, but the blend works very well on its own.
Barbara Lucks
Thanks for sharing, Barbara! (October 2003)
Poison Ivy
From Danielle:
I read your article on poison ivy on Agora. Something I tried recently is some essential oil of Citrus aurantium leaf, and Petitgrain. I had poison oak on my hand and it was starting to get to me, seriously. I grabbed the first bottle of essential oil I found, which happened to be Petitgrain. So much for enlightened therapy. Some kind of aromatherapy roulette… I applied it neat. It stopped itching immediately and never itched again. I could not feel it at all. It started oozing right away, and the day after, it was completely dry. A friend of mine tried it, same result. That was impressive. A wider guinea-pig pool would help validate this use for Petitgrain essential oil. If you ever try it, let me know if you have similar results.
Now, I would NOT recommend using Petitgrain neat, especially on broken or disturbed skin. But perhaps a compress of cool water with a few drops of petitgrain floated on top?
Respiratory Blends
Some time ago Donna Groom shared her Respiratory Protection Blend:
This sounds like a wonderful blend for the diffuser or lamp. Thanks for sharing, Donna! (January 2004)
And, my personal favorite — from my mentor Michel vanHove:
Equal parts:
Best used in a nebulizing diffuser. My note, this is best used in daytime, energizing, as well as decongesting! (February 2008)
Frankincense is the first oil I reach for when coughs or congestion come down in my chest. I like to blend it with black spruce, our Sweet Spanish Eucalyptus[We currently carry Eucalyptus Globulus which would be a wonderful substitute.], Atlas Cedarwood, and a bit of Hyssop.
Perhaps two drops of Frankincense, Eucalyptus, Black Spruce, and one drop of the Cedarwood and Hyssop, either in the lamp, or added to a carrier oil and rubbed into the throat and chest. (November 2004)
SARS Suggestion
SARS has to be one of the most frightening health threats to emerge in this new century. With the global community, it can be brought anywhere; and those who are forced to travel regularly are especially at risk.
One of my mentors, Dr. Jane Buckle has shared the following suggestion. (At least one client asked if we made such a blend…we don’t, but we certainly offer all the oils called for.)
As SARS is a corona virus and closely related to the virus that causes flu and colds, I would recommend a mixture of Ravensara Aromatica[substitute Ravintsara], Cymbopogon martini (Palmarosa), Lavandula augustifolia and Eucalyptus globulus. Place a couple of drops on a handkerchief and inhale deeply every half an hour or so. This is particularly important when you are flying or in any crowded environment! (May 2003)
Shingles Relief
I’ve seen a lot of requests on various lists recently for shingles remedies. I’ve not read of an outbreak sweeping the country, but it surely seems that way from here. The “classic” aromatherapy remedy for shingles is Ravensara aromatica (the most strongly antiviral essential oil that I know of) in a base of Calophyllum inophyllum, a rich green sweet-scented base oil from Madagascar. We have made the switch to Ravintsara in Calophyllum recently due to not being able to obtain a trustworthy source of Ravensara that meets our standards of quality.
Pet Skin Care Using Hydrosols
Jeanine Stanley wrote a few months ago about her use of our Hydrosols in caring for her family’s service dogs:
Marge,
Just a note to let you know that I wouldn’t be without your hydrosols and to give you just a few uses for them that might help others.
This spring and early summer have been especially warm and wet in my locale. With 2 golden Retrievers and a newly fenced in yard, we’ve had our share of hot spots and wet smelly ears. 3 of your hydrosols come in so handy that I’m recommending them to all of my guide dog friends as essentials.
Tea tree hydrosol is the best thing to dry out, disinfect and generally clear up oozing nasty hot spots, those patches of skin your dog just loves to chew until raw. Tea tree hydrosol is also an incredible ear wash for killing yeast in dogs’ ears. You can tell if your dog has yeast as a part of the gunk in the ear if the discharge coming from the ear has a sweet almost rancid smell and is crusty.
I saturate several cotton balls with the tea tree hydrosol and clean the ear as usual. If the ear is very crusty or moist, I will apply the hydrosol directly to the inside of the ear. You want to do this outside and allow your dog to shake its head to clear the debris and excess liquid.
Both of our dogs are male, but friends tell me the Tea Tree hydrosol also works to rid female dogs of yeast infections in the vulva. Simply wash that area thoroughly with the hydrosol. For male dogs, some hydrosol on a cloth can help decrease the urine smell around the back legs and stomach.
I also use tea tree hydrosol as an overall body wash for the dog. Just spray some onto your favorite brush or comb and groom your dog as usual. I find the best grooming implement for this is the rubber Zoom Groom brush. Always wash your grooming gear after using any hydrosol, waterless shampoo, etc.
Oregano hydrosol is a life saver for cleaning cuts, insect bites, stings and even those hot spots that have become infected. I will wash the spot first with oregano then apply the tea tree hydrosol as a drying agent. Yes, your dog will smell like a pizza, but he or she will be much happier sans infection.
Finally, as a drying agent and to keep the skin inside the ears at an appropriate PH balance, I love the witch hazel hydrosol. It smells good, is soothing and helps prevent what we affectionately call swamp ears.
As our two dogs are guide dogs, they must be in some pretty tight quarters in public, airplane cabins, elevators, crowded store lines. Using the hydrosols keeps them fresh and clean and free of infections.
Thanks for the great products! (Sept 2004)
Swollen Glands
A client caught mononucleosis from her college-aged daughter. Had lived with swollen glands for some time, and was tired of it. She started applying Cistus Essential Oil to the glands. According to her reports it seemed obvious that the Cistus was “stirring something up.” She started coughing up a lot of nasty mucous, green stained, indicating an infection. She said she just felt that a lot of things were “moving around and loosening up.” After about five days she started feeling much better, and the swelling is almost gone. (I had forgotten that Cistus is sometimes recommended for treating swollen glands; I always use it for spiritual/emotional purposes.)
