Archive | Essential Oil Recipes RSS feed for this section

Benefits and Uses of Frankincense Essential Oil

5 Aug

The essential oil of Frankincense is quite popular in our modern era. And, with good reason. Frankincense has been valued since ancient times for its medicinal, aromatic, cosmetic and spiritual applications. Today, we know that this essential oils is naturally beneficial for:

  1. Better respiration
  2. Anti-Inflammatory properties
  3. Helping to relieve stress and anxiety
  4. Helping to support the immune system
  5. Skin care

Below I have shared a couple of recipes that have been popular with attendees to my sessions on the Benefits and Uses of Frankincense Essential Oil. Our next class is scheduled for August 12th at our Annapolis location starting at 5:30pm. These classes are free. Your Body Needs…Frankincense is sold undiluted in 5ml or 10ml, it is organic and from a sustainable source. You will love the quality of our Frankincense.

Stop the Noise Blend.

To help slow down and deepen breath.

  1. Bath: Add 3 drops frankincense, 2 drops clarysage and 2 drops lavender essential oils. Take deep breaths as you inhale the aroma.
  2. In a diffuser: Add 4 drops frankincense, 3 drops clarysage and 4 lavender OR 4 drops frankincense, 2 drops rose, 2 drops ylang ylang and 3 drops orange essential oils.

Anti-Inflammatory or Joint Conditions.

  1. In 15ml of cold pressed carrier oil (almond, grapeseed, safflower) add 5 drops of frankincense, 7 drops of lavender and 2 drops of thyme essential oils. Apply as needed.

July’s Essential Oil of the Month…Cedarwood!

3 Jul

PAP_YBN-3-webBotanical Name: Cedrus atlantica

Source: Wood

Overview:

The aroma of Cedarwood essential oil can be described as sweet and woody. Cedarwood essential oil is best known for its ability to soothe and calm the nervous system.  Therapeutic properties of Cedarwood essential oil include, anti-fungal, antibacterial, antiseptic, astringent, stimulant, sedative properties.  Cedarwood essential oil also works as a natural insect repellent.

Cedarwood has historically been used by the Egyptians for embalming the dead and has also been used by the Native Americans to enhance their spiritual practices.

Experience Cedarwood essential oil in your massage this month.  Our July aromatherapy blend of the month,  “Sweet Summertime”, features a blend of Cedarwood, Grapefruit, Palmarosa and Rosemary essential oils.  Call or email us to schedule your appointment!

Uses & Facts:

  • Used by the Egyptians for embalming.
  • Soothing and calming to the nervous system.
  • Useful for acne, bronchitis, arthritis and stress reduction.
  • Use during meditation for a calming and grounding effect.

Recipes:

Meditation Blend

In a diffuser or nebulizer add the following essential oils:

Cedarwood essential oil– 5 drops

Juniperberry essential oil– 3 drops

Lavender essential oil– 4 drops

*Experience this aromatic diffusion in this month’s Guided Aromatherapy Meditation on Wednesday July 17th at 6:30 PM!

Bug Away Blend

In a 4 oz spritzer bottle combine the following:

Cedarwood essential oil– 13 drops

Lemongrass essential oil– 10 drops

Lavender essential oil– 10 drops

Peppermint essential oil– 4 drops

Eucalyptus essential oil– 8 drops

Fill bottle 50% distilled water and 50% apple cider vinegar

To Use: Spray on body and face (close eyes when spraying face) while outdoors for bug control.

 cedarwood

Come on in and shop our studio or on-line!

For the month of July receive 10% off your Cedarwood Pure Essential Oil purchase!

As always, check out our website at www.YourBodyNeeds.com for more information and recipes!

June’s Essential Oil of the Month…The Chamomiles!

3 Jun

PAP_YBN-4-hi-res Botanical Name: Matricaria recutita (German chamomile) & Anthemis nobilis (Roman chamomile)

Source: Flowers

Overview:

German and Roman chamomile come from two different plants.  The properties of these essential oils are somewhat similar however their chemical make- up are very different.  Both German and Roman chamomile are somewhat similar in odor,  herbaceous and sweet.  German and Roman chamomile have been used medicinally since ancient times.  Roman chamomile was used up until World War II as a disinfectant and antiseptic in hospitals and surgeries.   The chamomiles are some of the gentlest essential oils.

Uses & Facts:

Recipes:

 After Sun Soother

4 drops German Chamomile essential oil

5 drops Lavender essential oil

PAP_YBN-5-hi-res

1 drop Peppermint essential oil

Combine the essential oils with one ounce of Sweet Almond Oil.  Massage into skin for relief.

Breathe Better Diffuser Blend

4 drops German Chamomile essential oil

3 drops Eucalyptus essential oil

5 drops Frankincense essential oil

Add essential oils to a tea light diffuser or nebulizer.

Stress Ease Diffuser Blend

4 drops Roman Chamomile essential oil

4 drops Orange essential oil

4 drops Lavender essential oil

Add essential oils to a tea light diffuser or nebulizer.

chamomile

 

 

Come on in and shop our studio or on-line! For the month of June receive 10% off your German and Roman Chamomile Pure Essential Oil purchase!

As always, check out our website at www.YourBodyNeeds.com for more information and recipes!

Essential Oils for Travel

21 May

MP900387604Memorial Day weekend is around the corner and before you know it, summer will be here.  The travel season is fast approaching   Before you pack your bags and head out the door make sure you have essential oils on hand for your travels.  Weather you are traveling by car, plane, train or boat  essential oils will come in handy for you and your family.

The Essential Oil Travel Kit

Pick and choose what you need from this list.  You may want to take them all or just a few, decide what works best for your needs.

Travel:

Motion sickness

Flying

Blend one ounce of grapeseed oil with 7 drops of lavender essential oil and 3 drops of Roman chamomile essential oil.

Jet lag

  • Avoid wasting precious vacation time trying to get your sleep/wake schedule back on track.
  • Use essential oils of peppermint, eucalyptus and grapefruit in the in morning.  Use these either by placing a drop of each oil on a tissue, in a morning bath or massage onto neck, chest and shoulders.  These oils will help to keep you awake and energized.
  • In the evening get sleep with lavender and Roman chamomile.  Use  this combination in the bath if you can.  You may also want to create a spritzer blend to spray in the room and on your linens too.
  • For best results keep using these essential oil combinations for the first 2-3 days while your body adjusts.

For energy, blend 2 drops of peppermint, 5 drops of grapefruit and 4 drops of eucalyptus essential oils into one ounce of grapeseed oil.

In the Hotel Room

  • Room sprays are a must, make it feel like a home away from home!
  • Use tea tree and lavender essential oil to disinfect surfaces.  It’s a good idea to spray this combination on the bed linens too.

PAP_YBN-71-hi-res

Other Uses and Tips

  • Place a few drops of tea tree essential oil on a couple of cosmetic pads and place in your suitcase for freshness.
  • Be sure to pack tissues and or cosmetic pads, these make the best portable aromatherapy diffusers!
  • Small spray bottles with water come in handy for making room sprays, disinfectant sprays and aromatic spritzers for the face and skin.

Enjoy your travels wherever they may be. Your essential oils are essential,  don’t leave home without them!  Safe travels everyone.

May’s Essential Oil of the Month…Clary Sage!

1 May

PAP_YBN-7-web Botanical Name: Salvia sclarea Source: flowering tops and leaves Overview:  The aroma of clary sage essential oil can be described as earthy and herbaceous.  Clary sage is an excellent essential oil for the nervous system, it truly does induce a calming effect and is useful during times of stress, depression, anxiety and insomnia. While clary sage essential oil is known to be calming to the nervous system, other systems of the body benefit too.  Clary sage essential oil is helpful to the female reproductive system in all stages.  It can be used to help reduce menstrual cramps, when combined with geranium essential oil provides menopausal relief and it can also be used during childbirth (consult with your physician and an aromatherapist before using any essential during pregnancy or childbirth).  

  • Clary sage essential oil is also effective for those suffering from asthma; inhaling this essential oil can provide relief to spasms of the bronchial tubes and open up the lungs for better breathing.

It has also been said that clary sage essential oil helps to overcome creative blocks, diffuse while working on a paper, speech or anything else where you need your creativity to soar!
A word of caution, do not combine the use of clary sage essential oil with alcohol as this essential oil can induce a narcotic effect. Don’t miss out on stocking up on clary sage essential oil this month!  And be sure to book your massage and try our blend of the month, “Clarity” featuring essential oils of clary sage, lavender, lemon and juniper berry.

Facts:

Recipes:

clarysage Creativity Blend Use this blend when you have to work on a project, write a paper or anything else where you need to tap into your creative potential!

Clary sage essential oil– 3 drops

Black Pepper essential oil– 5 drops

Grapefruit essential oil– 4 drops

Add essential oils to a tea light diffuser or nebulizer and create away.

So You Can Sleep Blend

Clary sage essential oil– 3 drops

Neroli essential oil– 5 drops

Roman Chamomile essential oil– 3 drops

Add essential oils to an electric diffuser (nebulizer) to use at bed time and during sleep.  Sweet dreams!

Menstrual Cramp Relief Blend

Clary Sage essential oil– 5 drops

Rosemary essential oil– 4 drops

Roman Chamomile essential oil– 5 drops

Add the above essential oils to 1 ounce of grapeseed carrier oil and massage over abdomen 2-3 times a day as needed for pain relief.  

Come on in and shop our studio or on-line! For the month of May receive 10% off your Clary Sage Pure Essential Oil purchase! As always, check out our website at www.YourBodyNeeds.com for more information and recipes!

Got Allergies? Try Essential Oils for Relief.

22 Apr

These past few weeks we have seen a lot of clients at the studio suffering from seasonal allergies.  With that in mind we decided to pull this blog from our archives to help you out!  May you seek relief soon.

Using essential oils is a great way to help bring some relief to allergy suffering.  If you have been a sneezy, itchy, watery eye mess this season you are not alone.  Let’s take a look at which essential oils will help bring some relief and how to use them.

Itchy watery eyes soother

Use a compress.  Place a small amount of cool water in a bowl (about 1/4 cup) add to it 2 drops of Roman Chamomile (anti-inflammatory) and 3 drops of Lavender (anti-inflammatory).  Soak a washcloth in the water and wring out.  Place over eyes (5-10 minutes) for soothing relief.

Runny nose, sneezing relief

Use essential oils for decongesting: Cedarwood, Eucalyptus, Peppermint, and Rosemary.

Inhaling any one of these essential oils directly from the bottle can provide quick and easy relief.  You can also put a few drops of the oils on a tissue to take with you.

Hay Fever Diffuser Blend

Cedarwood: 5 drops

Eucalyptus: 3 drops

Peppermint: 2 drops

Rosemary: 3 drops

Place the above essential oils into a tea light diffuser or nebulizer.  Breathe in the aroma to find comfort and relief.  For best results diffuse for at least two-hour intervals.

*Use this blend in an electric diffuser at bedtime.  Omit the Peppermint essential oil (too stimulating for sleep) and add a total of 7 drops of Cedarwood essential oil in its place.

Steam inhalations are a great way to clear up nasal passages if you are congested or experiencing sinus congestion and pain .  A great blend is 1 drop of Peppermint and 2 drops of Eucalyptus in a bowl then add to it about a cup of boiling water.  Breathe in the steam; keep eyes closed when doing this as Peppermint can irritate the eyes.

Asthma and lung congestion

Cedarwood, Frankincense, Eucalyptus, Peppermint, Rosemary and Sandalwood.  These oils help to open and soothe the lungs and expand breathing.

Breathing Expansion Diffuser Blend:

Frankincense: 4 drops

Cedarwood: 3 drops

Sandalwood: 4 drops

Rosemary: 2 drops

Place the above essential oils into a tea light diffuser or nebulizer.  Breathe in the aroma to find comfort and relief.  For best results diffuse at two-hour intervals.

*Use at bedtime with and electric diffuser for relief while you sleep.

Stay Healthy Tips

In addition to using essential oils make sure you are drinking water to keep your body hydrated.  Also ensure you are getting adequate amounts of sleep.  Allergies can take a toll on our immune systems so rest is important.  Because our immune system is working hard Thyme is another essential oil to keep handy as it provides support to our immune system.

Try using a tea light diffuser  or electric diffuser in your bathroom during your morning shower routine using one of the above blends or with Thyme essential oil.  The steam of the shower and the diffusion of the essential oils help to clear nasal passages and open your lungs.  Be sure to place the tea light diffuser in a safe place so nothing comes in contact with the candle flame.

Here’s to finding some allergy relief this season!  Take care everyone.

…And one last quick tip…place one to two drops of Eucalyptus essential oil on your shower floor right in front of where you are standing.  The aroma will envelope you and open your respiratory system!

April’s Essential Oil of the Month…Geranium!

2 Apr


PAP_YBN-11-webBotanical Name
: Pelagonium graveolens

Source: leaves and stems

Overview:

Geranium essential oil has an up-lifting  fresh and floral aroma; welcome spring with this lovely essential oil!  Geraniums are a popular plant, that come in a variety of colors; in fact, there are over 250 different species of this plant.  Geraniums originated in South Africa and were introduced in Europe during the 17th century.  An interesting fact about geranium plants is their beautiful aroma comes from the leaves not the flower!

Geranium essential oil is extremely balancing to the body this includes hormones, skin and the nervous system.  Because geranium essential oil is a hormone balancer it is useful for relief of PMS and menopause.  In skin care, geranium is an excellent choice as it balances sebum (oil) production therefore  helpful for those with dry skin, oily skin or combination skin types.  On an emotional level geranium essential oil is both calming and uplifting.  Geranium essential oil can be used in massage, bath, a compress, skin care, diffused or through direct inhalation.

Don’t forget to book your massage  this month and try geranium essential oil in our blend of the month, “April Blossoms“.  This month we bring you a delightful happy blend of Geranium, Lavender, Ylang Ylang, and Jasmine essential oils.

Uses & Facts:

Recipes:

Spring Clean Window Cleaner

8 ounces distilled water

8 ounces white distilled vinegar

geranium

20 drops geranium essential oil

16 ounce spray bottle

Add all ingredients to a spray bottle.  Shake before each use.

Use this to clean windows, mirrors and other surfaces that are dusty and grimy.

Happy Spring Cleaning!  Learn more about how to clean your home with essential oils and other products in the Clean Your Home Naturally workshop.

Cleansing Spring Bath Salt Blend

1 cup sea salt

1/4 cup baking soda

1/2 cup rose petals (available for purchase in our studio!)

10 drops orange essential oil

5 drops geranium essential oil

Combine sea salt, baking soda and rose petals in a bowl, stir well.  Gradually add the essential oils being sure to stir well after every few drops.

Store your bath salt in a sealed jar.  Use in bath by either adding a few generous scoops to your water or place the amount you are using in a muslin bag so the petals do not clog your drain.  Soak and enjoy!

Come on in and shop our studio or on-line! For the month of March receive 10% off your Geranium Pure Essential Oil purchase!

As always, check out our website at www.YourBodyNeeds.com for more information and recipes!

Aromatherapy for a Good Night’s Sleep

22 Mar

Unmade Bed

We have all been there.  Long nights  laying there with thoughts zooming around in your head, your mind won’t stop, the to-do list just keeps going and going with endless thoughts churning like an ocean during a storm.  You simply cannot sleep and time keeps ticking by leaving you awake while the world is at rest.  A sleepless night is miserable to say the least.

In order to function and perform daily tasks we need good quality sleep.  We spend an average of one-third of our lives asleep.  Sleep is necessary in order to recharge our minds and our bodies.  According to Harvard Medical School the average American adult gets 6.9 hours of sleep on a weeknight and 7.5 hours of sleep on  weekends and about 70 million of us sleep poorly and for more than half of Americans poor sleep is a long-term problem.  Sleep helps with memory function, attention and awareness to our surroundings, reduces stress, makes us less prone to accidents, increases  our creativity and more.  If you are not getting adequate sleep or if you want to enhance your sleep, the use of essential oils can truly help.

How Aromatherapy Can Help

Diffusing certain essential oils in your bedroom can help you get the restful sleep you need.  Essential oils will not cure insomnia or the cause of it however, using essential oils with therapeutic properties for calming the nervous system can help to promote a good night nights sleep.  Many of us are familiar with tea light diffusers however nebulizers (electronic diffusers) are perfect to use while you sleep; there is no candle and they turn off automatically.  You can fall into a slumber and not worry about a thing!

Here’s a list of essential oils to use for a restful nights sleep:

Chamomile, Roman– Helps to promote calm and restful sleep.

Clary Sage– Balancing to the mind, calming.

Frankincense– Helps to reduce anxiety and stress.  Also

helps with the respiratory system.

Lavender– Calming.  Helps to reduce mental stress and anxiety.  Very helpful for insomnia.

Neroli– Has sedative properties, soothing.  Useful in times of insomnia.

Orange–  Calms the nervous system.

Rose– A sedative for the nerves.  Helps to alleviate irritability and insomnia.

Sandalwood– Helps to relax the nervous system.  Useful for insomnia.

Aroma Blends for a Good Nights Sleep

Here’s a few sleep inducing blends to get you started.  These blends are based on using a nebulizer– in each case add distilled water to your nebulizer along with the essential oils.

photo

Tips for a Good Night’s Sleep

  • Place an aromatic blend in your nebulizer about 15-20 minutes before turning in; the aroma will fill your room before you get there making it a sanctuary for sleep.
  • Take an aromatic bath using essential oils listed above.  Use no more than 6-10 drops total in your bath.
  • Avoid caffeinated beverages after noon.
  • Avoid rigorous exercise at least 3 hours before bedtime.
  • Avoid falling asleep with the television on, better yet, remove the television from your bedroom completely.
  • A few minutes of meditation can help and gentle yoga stretches can also help you relax after a busy day.

Take time to wind down before bed so your body has time to switch gears from the activity of the day.  Perhaps spend some time reading or writing out your to-do list for tomorrow.  Find a routine that works for you.  You may find that you look forward to bedtime with the use of a nebulizer and essential oils and wonder how you lived without it!  Combining the use of aromatherapy with an evening routine to wind down is a healthy habit in which you will be rewarded with shut-eye, a well rested body and mind to take on the day!  Good night and sleep well everyone!

 

March’s Essential Oil of the Month…Rosemary!

1 Mar

PAP_YBN-26-hi-resBotanical Name: Rosmarinus officinalis

Source: flowers and leaves

Overview:

Rosemary is a popular aromatic herb.  It grows wildly in the Mediterranean region near the sea and the botanical name for rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) reflects this; the Latin ros, means dew and marinus, means sea.  Rosemary essential oil is energizing and stimulating which makes it perfect for this time of year as we transition from the slumber of winter to aliveness of spring.

Rosemary is a versatile essential oil; use it for depression, fatigue, memory, headaches, chest congestion, flu, in household cleaning and in hair care.   Rosemary essential oil is an analgesic which makes it useful to use for muscular and arthritis relief.  Diffuse Rosemary essential oil while working or studying in order to get the mental boost this essential oil provides.  Feel the energy Rosemary essential oil brings, use it first thing in the morning to get that “wake up” boost to get your day going or during that mid day slump when energy is waning.

Don’t miss out on your massage this month with our Blend of the Month!  This month we bring you “Love Your Life” featuring essential oils of RosemaryNeroliGrapefruit and Palmarosa.

Uses & Facts:

Recipes:

 Hair Care Tip:

1. Add a small amount of shampoo to your hand.

2. Add one drop of Rosemary essential oil to the amount of shampoo in your hand.

3.  Massage into hair and scalp.

Repeat the above steps with your conditioner too.  Not only will this awaken your senses but your hair will feel soft and manageable too!

Concentration Booster Diffuser Blend

Use this blend when you need that extra boost to focus.  Use at work, while driving*, before a meeting, while studying for that exam and any other occasion where you need that extra boost to focus.

Add the following to a tealight or electric diffuser:

Rosemary essential oil– 4 drops

Peppermint essential oil– 1 drop

Grapefruit essential oil– 4 drops

Lavender essential oil– 3 drops

*When using a car diffuser cut the number of drops in this recipe by half.  Use no more than 6 drops total of essential oils in a car diffuser.

Counter Top Spring Cleaning Disinfecting Spray

Add the following to a 4 ounce spray bottle:

Rosemary essential oil– 12 drops

rosemary

Lemon essential oil– 14 drops

Lemongrass essential oil– 5 drops

White Distilled Vinegar- 2 ounces

Distilled Water- 2 ounces

To use:

Shake before each use.

Spray on counter tops and wipe off with a clean sponge.

For an extra boost add one drop of the essential oils to your sponge before use.

Making your own disinfectant sprays is a great alternative to using commercial cleaning products that are filled with harsh chemicals.  Learn more by attending the Clean Your Home Naturally workshop.

 

Come on in and shop our studio or on-line! For the month of March receive 10% off your Rosemary Pure Essential Oil purchase!

As always, check out our website at www.YourBodyNeeds.com for more information and recipes!

February’s Essential Oil of the Month…Thyme!

1 Feb

PAP_YBN-29-hi-resBotanical Name: Thymus vulgaris

Source: flowering tops and leaves

Overview:

We are excited about this month’s essential oil as thyme is a favorite at Your Body Needs (ok, you got us, we say that about all of our essential oils)!  The aroma of thyme essential oil can be described as sweet, herbaceous and strong.  One of the best therapeutic properties of thyme is its antimicrobial strength.   Use thyme in your home- made cleaning products and hand sanitizer.  Place a couple drops of thyme essential oil on your kitchen sponge before wiping the counter tops; not only will your kitchen smell fantastic but it will kill germs that linger about!  Diffuse thyme in your home to cleanse the air and keep those nasty winter germs at bay.

The aroma of thyme essential oil brings with it a feeling of warmth and comfort.  Diffuse thyme when you are feeling like you need extra comforting.  It helps with the nervous system in cases of mental fatigue, excessive worry and depression.  For a quick on the go pick me up place a couple drops of thyme essential oil on a cotton pad and you have your own portable diffuser! Breathing the aroma of thyme essential oil also helps to relieve stress headaches.  Overall, thyme essential oil is beneficial for the immune system, nervous system and respiratory system.  There are so many good things to say about thyme essential oil.  If thyme is not hanging out in your essential oil collection there is no need to wait any longer!  Everyone could use more thyme (could not resist), pick yours up this month either in studio or on-line!

Experience thyme essential oil in our massage blend of the month; “Orange You Amazing”.  This blend consists of thyme, rose, patchouli and orange essential oils.  It smells amazing and you are amazing so get that massage!

Uses & Facts:

Recipes

Hand Sanitizer

This is a must for those of you who can’t leave home without hand sanitizer.  Make your own, it is better than those alcohol laden ones.  This version is all natural and kinder to your skin.  Plus its easy to make too!
Here’s what you need:

Fresh Thyme

Thyme essential oil– 9 drops

Tea Tree essential oil– 3 drops

Lavender essential oil– 12 drops

Aloe Vera gel- 1 ounce

Distilled water- 1 ounce

2 ounce spritzer bottle

Add the above ingredients to the 2 ounce spritzer bottle.  Shake to combine.

To use: Shake before each application and spray on hands and rub together!  Say goodbye to those other hand sanitizer products!  Those are like lighting a candle with a blow torch!

Germ Fighting Diffuser Blend

This is a blend to keep your immune system healthy.  Diffuse this blend as a preventative or when you or someone  in your household is under the weather.  A great blend to diffuse during the winter months; it is not the cold that makes us sick, rather being indoors more often.  Cleanse the air in your living space with this thyme blend!

You can also diffuse thyme essential oil all by itself.  It makes the space feel warm, cozy and safe all while strengthening your immune system!

Thyme essential oil– 4 drops

Cinnamon essential oil– 5 drops

Eucalyptus essential oil– 3 drops

 

Come on in and shop our studio or on-line! For the month of February receive 10% off your Thyme Pure Essential Oil purchase!

As always, check out our website at www.YourBodyNeeds.com for more information and recipes!