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When using
Essential oils always choose oils whose aromas you like. Here is a
guide to some of the most commonly used oils.
Chamomile Oil
This is a
soothing oil and is best used in a massage blend. It is a good
anti-inflammatory and can help relieve itchy or dry skin conditions.
Has a cooling effect.
Geranium Oil
This has a very
floral scent and possesses mood balancing properties, good for PMT and
as an antidepressant. Useful for skin conditions and blends well with
other essential oils.
Rosemary Oil
This is a
stimulating and refreshing oil. Common uses - exhaustion, muscular
pains and aches, colds and flu. Makes a refreshing bath oil.
Caution:
Rosemary is unsuitable for those with epilepsy or high blood pressure.
Grapefruit Oil
This oil is
refreshing and uplifting, good as an astringent for the skin, also
clears the mind and lifts emotions.
Eucalyptus Oil
This acts as a
decongestant and antiseptic, great for colds and flu and can relieve
rheumatic pain and muscular aches.
Pine Oil
Used most
commonly as an air freshener as it can give relief from respiratory
conditions. Also good for muscular conditions.
Peppermint
Peppermint can
aid digestion, circulation and the respiratory system. Traditionally
used in the treatment for bad breath, headaches and indigestion among
others.
Marjoram Oil
As Marjoram is a
sedative it is great for aiding sleep. It is excellent for massaging
tired and over worked muscles. Marjoram and Rosemary oil blend very
well together for use in the early evening at the end of a very active
day. See caution when using Rosemary.
Lemon Oil
Good antiseptic
oil. Pressed from the lemon zest, this light oil adds a cleansing
refreshing quality to blends. Lemon also stimulates the digestive
system and works well with other oils.
Caution: Lemon
can cause skin irritation so it should be used in small doses.
Lavender Oil
This oil soothes
and calms and is a natural anti-septic, anti-depressant and de-toxifier
used as a skin healer on bruises and burns. Good before bed as a
relaxant.
Lemongrass Oil
Used in an oil
burner Lemongrass oil will freshen, deodorize and disinfect the air and
like all lemon-scented oils it is a good insect repellent. Lemongrass
is also a powerful antiseptic and bactericide.
Ylang Ylang
This oil has a
rich sweet aroma and lifts the emotions. Has a calming effect, helps
reduce high blood pressure and slows breathing.
Mandarin Oil
This oil lifts
the spirits and aids digestion. It has a tonic and stimulant effect on
both the stomach and the liver. Mandarin also aids the prevention of
stretch marks.
Carrier Oils
When essential oils are used for massage they need to be mixed with a carrier oil, as essential oils are too powerful to be used undiluted on the skin. A carrier oil can be almost any vegetable oil. Those used most often are, Sunflower, Sweet Almond or Grapeseed Oils. The safe ratio is 20mls of carrier oil to 10 drops of Essential oil. You can use up to 4 different essential oils in one blend making sure collectively you still use only 10 drops of essential oil.
To Work Out Dilutions
To use a 1% safe dilution, half the amount of carrier oil to get the required number of essential oil drops. 100mls of sunflower oil and 50 drops of essential oil = 1% dilution
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