Fall/Winter 1998-99 - Issue #8
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Back Issues by RosemaryEucalyptusPeppermintLavenderSweet OrangeSageFlaxseedRosesGeraniumCatnip
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Table of Contents FAQWhat's NewThe Tea CornerFeatured HerbFlaxseed RecipesFavorite Essential OilsThe Moon... Did You Know?Aromatherapy Fights Infectious OrganismsBook ReviewA Note From Us...
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Q- How do diffusers work in aromatherapy?
A-Heat releases the aroma of the essential oils. Because essential oils are very volatile, using heat during diffusion causes the oils to diffuse more quickly. The more intense the heat, the faster the oils diffuse. With too much heat, the aroma is strong, but doesn't last very long. There are many types of diffusers available,including those that use candles to keep warm water heated at an even temperature. There are also many electric diffusers on the market. From a small "aroma ball" that plugs into an electrical outlet, to a deluxe top of the line diffuser that lets you select 12 different essential oils and enjoy the aroma from each for a 2 hour period, many types of diffusers are available.It's My Nature has a great selection of diffusers to choose from.They are available in our catalog, website or at Dahlia's Secret Garden in Florence, OR.
Q-What are fixatives and how are they used?
A- Fixatives in aromatherapy are materials that slowdown the rate of evaporation of the more volatile ingredients.Examples of fixatives are oakmoss and orris root. Add these toy our favorite potpourri blends to make the scent last longer.
There are many essential oils that are fixatives themselves. That is why they are used so often in the purfume industry. Some examples are Bergamot, Sandalwood and Patchouli.
Basic Sampler ** Office Sampler ** Holiday Sampler
Tea is good and very good for you. Tea rooms are opening almost every day across the nation. Each with a different style and unique foods but with one thing in common. The tea room celebrates the centuries-old tradition of tea drinking. In this"hurry up" world that we find ourselves living in -isn't it nice to find a place where one can slow down, if not but for a few moments. There isn't another beverage of its kind with so much versatility and contrast. Tea can be taken as a private interlude, to soothe, sometimes to stimulate, more often in social settings and occasionally to comfort.
Tea absolutely forces you to slow down. Just by the nature of it, how its brewed, the steeping process. You can't rush it. If nothing else, you can learn a lot about yourself by drinking tea. Tea drinkers tend to have a different attitude,a different experience and a less harried approach to life. Tea lovers are the ones who let you merge into traffic on the Interstate.
A good tea room should make you immediately comfortable. And not only will there be tea, there are usually a variety of delectable treats to choice from, ranging from scones,tarts, breads and tea cakes to sandwiches, short breads and crumpets.
So sit back, have a cup of tea and a little snack. It's a wonderful way to give yourself a break. You will be more relaxed and healthier as a result!
Don't forget, Jasmine tea is green tea. Soothing,satisfying and healthy too. Nature has provided us with so many hidden pleasures just waiting for discovery. Jasmine tea is one of those pleasures. Try it for yourself.
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It's My Nature
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(Linum usitatissimum)
Also known as linseed, the source of linen fiber, linseed oil and linoleum.
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Tinctures are extracts made with alcohol rather than water. They are highly concentrated, so they're more portable than infusions or decoctions. They also remain potent longer. Commercial herb marketers use pure grain alcohol, 198 proof. Home tincture makers can use 100 proof vodka or brandy. A standard recipe calls for 1 ounce of crushed dried herb steeped in 5 ounces of alcohol for six weeks. Some tinctures are available ready-made. Take tinctures with cold water unless otherwise specified. |
| Ylang Ylang
Ylang ylang means "flower of flowers." The tree is a member of the Annonaceae family of plants which grows in tropical Asia; primarily the Comoro Islands, Reunion and Madagascar. Ylang ylang essential oil is distilled from the greenish-yellow, starfish-shaped flowers produced year-round. Ylang ylang blends well with rosewood, jasmine, lavender, lime, lemon, bergamot, clove and many other essential oils. Ylang ylang essential oil has deeply relaxing effects, helping normalize extreme emotions like anxiety, fear and anger. Restraint is the key to success with ylang ylang essential oil. It tends to dominate a fragrance, so use it in small amounts either alone or with other oils. High concentrations of ylang ylang essential oil may produce headaches in sensitive individuals. However, in low doses, ylang ylang evokes an exotic, sensual atmosphere. Soothing Before Bed Bath Try this relaxing blend in the bath before going to bed 3 drops lavender |
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Add a few drops of this blend to a diffuser to ease mental fatigue. 8 drops ylang ylang
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Mix a few drops of this blend with your favorite carrier oil and give or receive a wonderful massage. 2 drops ylang ylang |
Add this blend of essential oils to 10 milliliters of 100 proof vodka for perfumes and colognes. Oils can also be diluted with a carrier oil. 12 drops patchouli |
| Tea Tree
In recent years, biochemists and aromatherapists defined the therapeutic values of tea tree essential oil, and as a result, tea tree has become widely popular as an alternative medicine. Tea tree oil has a warm, spicy, medicinal aroma. Many essential oils are known for their fragrant qualities, but tea tree oil is most often used for its physical properties. It works great in room sprays, antiseptics, gargles, shampoo, soaps and other skin care products. It is excellent for acne, athlete's foot, blisters, burns, cold sores, dandruff, insect bites, oily skin and infected wounds. The bactericidal and germicidal properties of Tea Tree also makes it effective for bronchitis, coughs, sinusitis, colds, flu, fever and infectious illnesses such as chicken pox. Tea Tree blends well with lavender, rosemary, ylang ylang and clove. To sweeten its medicinal aroma, blend with clary sage, geranium or marjoram. Spicy oils, like nutmeg and cinnamon, increase its warm woodsy notes. Cold and Flu Relief Add a few drops of tea tree to a vaporizer at the onset of the flu or a cold. Tea tree can do much to prevent an attack of flu, or to reduce the severity of the illness. Use Tea Tree Undiluted on insect bites to stop itching. |
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12 drops tea tree oil Combine the oil and water in a bottle and shake to blend thoroughly. Moisten a cotton ball with the mixture and gently wipe freshly cleaned skin. |
5 drops tea tree oil Blend well. Use on hands and feet to treat nail infections and fungus. Also helps to strengthen nails. |
5 drops tea tree Add the tea tree to the salt and put into the large bowl of water. Soak feet once a day for at least 5 minutes. |
The moon is the second brightest object in the sky with the same side always facing the earth. Because all parts of the moon get sunlight half the time, like earth, there is no dark side of the moon.
The moon's gravitational pull causes 2 small bulges in our planet. These bulges move with the moons orbit.One in the direction of the Moon and one directly opposite. The bulges are stronger in the ocean water creating bigger bulges and higher tides. Each bulge moves around the earth about once a day, giving us two high tides per day.
It takes the moon 24 hours and 50 1/2 minutes to travel through the sky each day. As we know, it takes the sun only 24. Because the light we see from the moon is only a reflection of the sun, the phases of the moon are determined by its position to the sun. The full moon happens when the moon is rising just as the sun is setting, allowing the full hemisphere of the moon to become illuminated.
Ever heard the phrase "once in a bluemoon?" This saying goes back at least 400 years. The meaning has changed many times throughout history.
Originally it meant "never" "because the moon is white and it cannot change colors!" Later when the moon visually did appear to be blue, and that was rare, the meaning changed to say "an event that was fairly infrequent,but not quite regular enough to pinpoint."
The latest meaning states: Once in a very long interval of time. More particular, the second time a moon is full within the same month.
The effects of the full moon start the day before and last up to three days after. The moon must affect us more than we realize. A sleep lab at Montefiore Hospital in New York claims man's natural day is approximately 25 hours. That time coincides closer to the moon's cycle than with the sun.
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January 31, 1999, March 31, 1999, |
Aromatherapy can be a great aid this time of year not only to ward off colds, but to help you recover quicker if the flu bug gets you.
Diffusers are a popular item in aromatherapy.They evaporate the essential oils into the atmosphere and the molecules become so small, they are lighter than air. When you inhale the molecules, they attach themselves to oxygen molecules.Then they are transported into your lungs. From there they are distributed into the bloodstream where they become circulated throughout your entire body.
Anti-Viral
The common cold and the flu are both viral infections, normally affecting the nose and throat. Flu is more debilitating and includes fever, nausea and vomiting. Both strike when we are stressed or run down. When suffering from the flu or a cold, use garlic, ginger and lemon, cinnamon, cloves and cayenne, yarrow, elder flower and of course, echinacea.
Each effect the body differently, so combine as many of these herbs during your cold as possible. Note: Inhaling essential oils gets the molecules into the blood stream faster than by oral applications. This is why aromatherapy is so effective.
Anti-Bacterial
Most essential oils have bactericidal properties.They promote the production of white blood cells and can help prevent and treat infectious illness. It has been found that people who use essential oils all the time have a higher level of resistance to illness, catch fewer colds and recover quicker when they do.For protection against colds and flu, use tea tree, basil, lavender,eucalyptus, bergamot, clove and rosemary.
Anti-Fungal
Fungal infections are common and can be hard to treat. During treatment it is helpful to use herbs that boost the immune system such as Echinacea. Also cut out bread, alcohol and other foods containing yeast or sugar.
For athlete's foot, candida and ringworm, apply directly to the affected area. Use lavender, tea tree, myrrh,patchouli or sweet marjoram.
For vaginal yeast infections, use an infusion of calendula or tea tree as a douche or wash. Also 1 or 2 drops of tea tree diluted with 3 drops of olive oil on a tampon can be inserted for 2 -3 hours. Use this remedy only once per day.Caution: This may sting. Do not use more than the recommended amount.
A note from us.
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With cold and flu season just around the corner, here are a few ideas for staying well through the fall and winter. 1. Wash your hands frequently. 2. At the first sign of a sniffle or run down feeling, take echinacea. 3. Sip herbal tea (St. John's Wort to strengthen the immune system) and maybe some chicken broth sprinkled lightly with cayenne pepper to help prevent and break up congestion. 4. Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. 5. Take a hot bath and add a few drops of eucalyptus essential oil to the water. Breathe in the steam. |
Book Review- Miracle Cures
by Jean Carper Copyright 1997
Miracle Cures makes a powerful case for why you should try natural remedies and which ones promise the most dramatic results. This book documents the latest findings from leading scientific institutions, research centers and major international scientific journals. Many of these journals have not yet been translated into English or reported into mainstream medical databases.Jean Carper was able to translate the concepts and advice found into a language we all can understand.
Miracle Cures contains information on 21 herbs,vitamins and other natural remedies ranging from Echinacea and Ginko to Coenzyme Q-10. Included are medically verified accounts of people who have successfully cured themselves with these natural medicines.
The first part of the book explains how far behind our medical establishment and federal health regulatory systems are in acknowledging safe and effective natural medicines.Also simply explained is why the research is not being done.
Each chapter starts out explaining why a particular cure is important and what is being said about it. After an usually impressive story or two, she explains exactly what the herb is and how it works. Next comes the evidence, including what countries have done the research and what the findings were, including US testing. The doses tested have been included as well as any safety factors needing consideration. Often at the end of a chapter,Jean Carper includes other uses of the herbs. Since most natural remedies affect the body as a whole, natural remedies often affect more than a single ailment.
Jean Carper has done a terrific job explaining how and why alternative healing has taken so long to get accepted into mainstream medicine here in the states. She explains why it is so important and how crazy we are to consider alternative medicine as a second choice rather the first choice when looking for a cure.
Although this book is not considered an Aromatherapy book, it does contain some convincing information that will send you out to your local health food store.
Pick up a copy of Miracle Cures at Dahlia's Secret Garden in Florence, OR or call us and we will send you a copy.
Water is all around us, often more than we care to see. But it is said that our bodies constantly live in a state of dehydration. We Americans simply do not consume enough water.
We have been told since our school days to drink 8 glasses of water a day. No Way! It can't be done. Well,more is better than none. So try this experiment. Somehow include a glass of water in each day. Even if it is not in one big drink,consume 8 oz more than you consume now, each and every day.
Ways to drink more water; When on your commute to and from work, instead of taking that hot cup of coffee or tea, bring along a small bottle of water and drink, drink, drink.Try to drink as much as you can before you arrive to your destination.Take note of how much you drank, say 1/2 a bottle. Use that as your goal for the next trip. Expect to drink at least that 1/2 a bottle or more next time. Your body will thank you.
If you suffer from headaches, often water can be of great help. Sometimes it takes more water than you might normally drink, but at the first sign of your next headache, stand at the kitchen sink and drink a large glass of water. If the headache does not go away, drink another and even another if you can.
Dehydration really does cause many underlining problems in our health. Even in the winter, when there is water all around us, remember it is important to drink it too. This may sound simple and normal for the summer with the heat, but the winter is equally important.
Susan & Vicki
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