10 Essential Oil Recipes to Help Deal with Road Rage and Traffic

Posted on July 9, 2014 by suzannerbanks

Traffic!

When looking for inspiration for articles one of my readers suggested I apply the 10 Recipes series to minimising road rage and dealing with traffic. Great idea so here goes.

If you are someone that has to deal with traffic congestion on a daily basis, and gets frustrated by it, then these oils may be for you.

Or, are you someone that just can’t handle what others do on the road and then completely freak out about it? Road rage? It seems sad that we now have a widely accepted term for this anger on the roads and that’s not good at all. This is just a reflection of how angry we are as a society, and how we are not coping with modern day life. You definitely need some oils.

Look people, just calm down ok? Release anger, and have a more “go with the flow” attitude when driving. If you can’t do that then stop driving. If you really hate the traffic on your way to work try and find solutions that put you in a less stressful situation (public transport, car pooling).

If you must drive and tend to get a bit stressed then try these 10 recipes to start your day;

An essential oil steam in the shower will do wonders for your mind and energy levels – pic via completehealthcircle.com

1. Put A few Drops Of Oil into the bottom of the Shower

This works in a similar way to just taking a whiff straight from the bottle, but if you’ve got an extra minute, it will give you a completely different experience. Your whole body will be immersed in an essential oil steam. Just cover the drain with a cloth or your foot for a couple of minutes and breathe in the medicinal goodness.

Peppermint – clarity, happiness

Tea Tree – cleanse your aura and energy

Mandarin – happiness, allowing

Lemongrass – stimulating and refreshing, happiness

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Rub oil into your body – it’s good!

Nourishing Body Oil Blend

For a coat of your body use 3 teaspoons of carrier oil in a little dish and, add 7 – 8 drops of essential oil. It’s always best to patch test first, before you apply all over.

***** Always put the drops of essential oil into the bottle or dish first, then add the carrier oil. It gives the scents time to create a synergistic fusion.

For a 50ml bottle of oil add 25 drops and see my articles “Ratios for Blending Essential Oils – A Reminder of the Basics” and “Aromatherapy – It’s Easy as 1 2 3”

By doing this in the morning, while using your good intention, you will start your day with scented positivity. Allow this feeling to infuse good vibes all day long.

“Patience is a Virtue”

Sure is –

Lemon 3 drops

Frankincense 3 drops

Patchouli 2 drops

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“I Wonder What Good Things Are Coming My Way?”

Open up to possibility –

Lavender 4 drops

Petitgrain 2 drops

Cedarwood Virginian 2 drops

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“I Heart You Even Though You Didn’t Let Me Merge”

Ylang Ylang 3 drops

Orange 2 drops

Rosewood 2 drops

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“Repeat the Happy Mantra”

Lemongrass 3 drops

Peru Balsam 2 drops

Spearmint 2 drops

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A personal mist is easy to make! pic via ebay.com.au

3. Personal Aura Cleansing Mist & Room Mist

In a 50ml mist bottle filled with water add 25 drops of oil

(depending on the packaging you have, you may need to use a little alcohol -like vodka- at the bottom of your bottle first, so the oils disperse into smaller drops to prevent clogging the atomiser top. I’ve found sometimes it works just with water, and sometimes it doesn’t – very annoying!)

“Smile and Wave, Smile and Wave”

Let others drive the way they drive, practice being kind anyway –

Basil 6 drops

Mandarin 12 drops

Lemon Myrtle 7 drops

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“1, 2, 3”

Count to 3 and then breathe deeply, release anger –

Juniper 8 drops

Lime 10 drops

Vanilla CO2 6 drops

Vetiver 1 drop * see my article for more info on CO2 extracts What are CO2 Extracts in the World of Aromatherapy?

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“Bubble of Love”

You’re in control of your little space (and headspace) –

Bergamot 10 drops

Black Spruce 7 drops

Marjoram 6 drops

Clary Sage 2 drops

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Anoint yourself with pure essential oil blends

4. Pure Pulse Point Perfume

In a little dish mix these oils and anoint your pulse points or chakras – 3 drops of essential oils and dilute with a few drops of carrier oil – always patch test first!

“Sniff and Go”

A quick natural perfume for your wrists to sniff in the middle of traffic to help release anxiety –

Neroli 3% a few drops straight from the bottle

* see my article for more info on 3% blends in jojoba

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“Sniff and Go Too”

You are the benevolent Queen –

Rose 3% a few drops straight from the bottle

* see my article for more info on 3% blends in jojoba

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My New Book – “Revelation! Reveal Your Destiny with Essential Oils”

Posted on June 30, 2014 by suzannerbanks

Books are cool! E or the old-fashioned kind

I’m happy to say my new book is being designed by the publishers now and will be ready for sale soon.

In my book I write about aromatherapy and how essential oils can help you find your purpose in life.

Essential oils are for all seasons

I talk about oils that can bring you HAPPINESS.

Access your spirituality with essential oils

Find out which oils enhance your SPIRITUALITY.

Love rules

Make a love potion with the oils on the LOVE list.

Aura

CLEANSE your space and your energy field with essential oils.

Clean with essential oils too, and have an aromatherapy treatment at the same time!

Is the fountain of youth real?

Access YOUTH and ABUNDANCE with essential oils. How? You’ll find out very soon.

Lavender is unassuming yet powerful – pic via fanpop.com

Which oils can give you strength and courage? This and much more will be revealed in my new book “Revelation! Reveal Your Destiny with Essential Oils”.

Thank you for reading my blog and sticking with me.

Peace!

Peace my brothers and sisters.

Essential Oils for Summer Wellness

Posted on June 23, 2014 by suzannerbanks

Summer is helped by essential oils

As promised, here’s a summer guide to essential oils for all my northern hemisphere buddies. There are lots of cooling oils and these can be used so well in summer to take the heat off your skin and cool down your energetic flow.

Lavender is the most versatile essential oil we have and it can be used all through the year

1. Lavender

Why?

* perfect for sunburn when diluted with a carrier oil. Lavender is great for all burns and I apply a drop direct for a small heat burn coming from the toaster or stove or anything you can think of

* takes the itch or sting out of an insect bite

* helps relax you and may help induce sleep on a hot summer’s night

* brings solidarity and strength so you can get all the summer fun things you want squished into a day

The divine scent of the rose is not the only thing it has going for it

2. Rose

Why?

* wonderful for cooling the body in an oil, and even rosewater has cooling effects and that’s why in Indian cuisine you can drink a rosewater lassi, made not only for the beautiful taste but for helping the body deal with heat – delicious! Remember NOT to drink the essential oil though.

* it’s a self-nurturing oil so remember to treat your self first and then everyone will benefit – just like Cleopatra did!

* great for a facial oil if you’ve had a bit too much sun (for all the reasons above)

* usually comes (in retail) in a 3% blend in jojoba ready to use direct on your skin as a perfume (see my article on 3% blends in jojoba for more info)

Hairy vetiver root that makes the essential oil

3. Vetiver

Why?

* called the “Oil of Tranquility” in India this oil is not only very grounding and calming, it is also another oil that can be used to cool the body down

* only use a drop or two in any formula as it is so strong it can take over any of the other oils you have used

* wonderful to cool down over-heated kids throwing tantrums – use a drop on yourself and cuddle your child as they begin to settle

Bergamot – pic via globalhealingcenter.com

4. Bergamot

Why?

* this oil has a fresh summery citrus scent and can help release tension and anxiety

* wonderful for a body oil blend to nourish your skin, but only use AFTER sun not before, as it has some photo toxic properties

* brings an aura of cool and calm

A jasmine blossom in Sydney

5. Jasmine

Why?

* enhances summer sensuality

* brings a beautiful feminine scent to your aura and helps confidence in your sexuality – wear it as a scent when you go out for a dance and watch your magic unfold

* usually comes (in retail) in a 3% blend in jojoba ready to use direct on your skin as a perfume (see my article on 3% blends in jojoba for more info)

Delicious lemongrass

6. Lemongrass

Why?

* a great insect repellent either for cleaning, vapourising or wearing on your body in an oil blend

* lemon myrtle and citronella can also be used in place of lemongrass to ward off the biters

* gives a fresh boost to your energy if you are lagging in the heat

If you have a few people in your home, especially if you have kids, I recommend you diffuse oils in your home at night during summer, not only to create a lovely scented atmosphere, but to lend a little bit of cooling anti-bacterial magic to the mix. When using essential oils, remember they exist to not only help you create a wonderful feeling, but they can help you feel a little better, more comfortable and a little cooler too.

Remember to treat yourself first, then everyone will benefit.

Happy blending and remember to use your intention when you are creating your formulas. See my article about intention.

Essential Oils and Children – Do They Go Together?

Posted on June 9, 2014 by suzannerbanks

Last week I wrote an article on babies and essential oils “Essential Oils and Babies – Do They Go Together?” and similar rules apply to kids too.

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Please check out my new book REVELATION! – Reveal Your Destiny with Essential Oils

Barnes & Noble Booktopia AU Amazon UK

and many other stores worldwide as an ebook and paperback

**************************************************************************************************************

“Babies – only use essential oils in their environment – not on them!

Can you use essential oils on babies?

Short answer = YES – but not on them directly.

Long Answer = YES but you must use caution and follow these rules.”

suzannerbanks

So when it comes to kids, 3 years to about 12 years old, I would stick with similar recommendations. The ratio of essential oils for kids and in pregnancy, and on the face,lav is half than that of an adult. See my articles “Ratios for Blending Essential Oils – A Reminder of the Basics” and “Aromatherapy – It’s Easy as 1 2 3” for standard adult ratios.

It is better to use essential oils in the environment of children as they respond really well to the scent as it goes to work through their brain. As children get older you can use more variety of essential oils compared to babies, but in general I’d always stick with lavender and a few others.

Kids respond really well to essential oils used in their environment

I would apply these same rules to kids as I would to babies, paying particular attention to keeping them out of reach –

* do not use essential oils, diluted or neat, on your child unless you seek medical advice.

* do not put essential oils into the bath, diluted or neat.

* always wash you hands before you touch your child if you’ve been using essential oils

* keep bottles of essential oils away from reach, as even a couple of drops may hurt them

Essential oils can be poisonous if ingested so make sure kids cannot get to the bottles.

ouch!

Cuts and Scrapes

I have always used this method with all my nieces and nephews – clean the wound with saline or warm water (or whatever you usually use), then put 1 drop of lavender onto the gauze/absorbent part of the band aid. You don’t have to worry about the oils going directly into the skin and stinging as it just provides a tiny source of anti-inflammatory action and some minor pain relief.

Kids Crying and Whingeing – Stress and Sleep Blends

I would put a drop of vetiver oil on myself and then cuddle my child, as it is a very powerful stress reliever and a grounding agent.

You could also make an aura cleansing mist, and mist around your child (avoid eye contact), or in the car before you put them in. This also works as as energetic space cleansing mist for their room and your house too.

Any mist bottle will do – although the heavier the plastic in the pump the longer it will last

Personal Aura Cleansing Mist & Room Mist

In a 50ml mist bottle filled with water add 12 drops of oil (usually 25 drops of oil for an adult)

“Anytime Chill Out”

Lavender 4 drops

Orange 4 drops

Petitgrain 3 drops

Vetiver 1 drop

“Close Your Eyes”

To help induce relaxation and sleep – try misting a little on the sheets –

Lavender 4 drops

Mandarin 4 drops

Marjoram 4 drops

Fun times – pic ia ksoo.com

Some oils suitable for children are the premium oils already presented in a 3% jojoba blend. For more info on these blends see my article on 3% blends in jojoba. You may use a little of these oils on them but also use your intuition.

Depending the age of your child I would probably use a few drops and then add the same amount, or more, of carrier oil to get to a softer ratio.

You can –

* use on the temples, back of the neck and wrists to help your child feel better and cool the body in a fever

* use few drops of your blend on your own hands, then stroke the forehead, chest and whatever you think you need to do to calm them down

* apply a few drops of your blend to you hands an gently stroke the stomach chest and lower back for stomach pain and sorrow

Rose – cool the body, nurture their spirit

Neroli – to help relieve stress and anxiety

Roman Chamomile – great for stomach cramps this oil has a beautiful scent and may even help with sleep and for generally relaxing

Puzhen diffuser from the 5 senses series – puzhen.com

Other oils for the diffuser or vapouriser could include –

bergamot – relieve tension, inspire happiness

orange, mandarin – kids love the smell of these oils, so they are already working on their attitude through their brains – but once again don’t use these oils on their bodies!

frankincense – great for asthmatics as it inspires deeper breathing and total relaxation

peppermint – to relieve nausea in the sick room and to freshen the energy

*******

I have used essential oils on all the kids in my family in some form or another for the past 20 years. Always use caution. Always use your intuition and always seek out more information if you are not sure.

Happy blending and remember to use your intention when you are creating your formulas. See my article about intention.

Lavender – Simple and Complicated All at the Same Time

Posted on April 7, 2014 by suzannerbanks

Lavender rules the essential oil library

The scent and uses of lavender are the easy bits to understand. What’s a little more complicated is the different types of lavender and where they are grown. There’s English lavender, French lavender, Australian lavender, New Zealand lavender, Bulgarian lavender and so much more. Some of these lavenders are the same botanical species and others are different. There’s Spike lavender and Lavandin too so what does it all mean when it comes to essential oils?

Lavandula angustifolia from Köhler’s Medizinal Pflanzen

True Lavender/English Lavender; Lavandula angustifolia

Lavender essential oil usually refers to any of the botanical lavenders in general but the most commonly grown lavender for essential oil production is Lavandula angustifolia – sometimes referred to as “true lavender”. This used to be called Lavandula officianalis which is an older classification, and is also still called English Lavender. I have also seen this oil called “fine lavender”.

A typical analysis of this oil shows a high linalyl acetate and linalool content. This accounts for the scent of lavender among many things, and linalool has also been shown to have a calming action. As for most essential oils, there may be a few primary chemicals but there are often many other constituents. It is the oil as a whole that gives it a unique character.

I have two different bottles of Lavandula angustifolia wild harvested from the same island off the Yugoslav republic. They have slightly different scents even though it’s the same plant, it just comes from a different area.

Spike lavender – pic via http://www.cadima.com

Spike Lavender; Lavandula latifolia

This lavender is Lavandula latifolia and is also grown for essential oil production. It can also be classified as Lavandula spica and the difference between this lavender and true lavender is the chemical composition. Spike lavender is much higher in camphor and also 1-8 cineole (high in eucalyptus oil). It is more pungent and the scent of camphor is strong.

This variety is grown in Spain, Portugal and France and they do vary in scent. I haven’t used or smelled Spanish Spike Lavender, but is is claimed by two Aromatherapists I admire, that the French Spike lavender is a lot softer and sweeter than the Spanish oil. The French oil has less camphor. It is interesting to note here that there are many ways an oil can vary in scent even when it is the same cultivar. The makeup of the soil and local temperatures play a big role in these variations.

True lavender tends to be the prettier plant with a prettier scent.

Lavandin and true lavender- ic via www.marvellous-provence.com

Lavandin and true lavender- ic via http://www.marvellous-provence.com

Lavandin; Lavandula x intermedia

Lavandin is grown in France but I’m not sure where else! It is a cross between Lavandula latifolia and Lavandula angustifolia. It s often used in place of lavender in body products, and any lavender product you can think of. I have a huge bottle of lavandin a friend recently brought back from France and it’s lovely. It has more camphor then true lavender so I have been using it as I would spike lavender. I would say lavandin and spike lavender oils are great for warming for muscles, aches and pains and to move cold energy out of the body.

ah lavender!

This only scrapes the surface of all the lavender out there and if you’re a gardener you’ll know this is somewhat simplified. These are the main lavenders used for essential oil production and I love and use them all!

Exfoliating Your Face and Body

Posted on March 24, 2014 by suzannerbanks

Salt scrub – pic via themethuselahcenter.com

Our skin is one of the largest systems in the body called the Integumentary System. It is our protector against the environment and something that holds us all together. We absorb nutrients through the skin and this is why I love to use nourishing essential oil blends on a daily basis. We eliminate toxins through our skin too.

Our skin is just as important as our other organs like the liver, pancreas, thyroid and everything else we are made of. It forms part of our personality by giving us a certain look and comes in a variety of colours. Our skin can easily be ignored but we really need to give it a helping hand. Moisturising is a must which will definitely keep skin looking younger and feeling more supple. Exfoliating is also a great benefit to skin to keep it healthy so it can do all the jobs we need it to do. It can help with general feelings of lethargy and will definitely wake you up too.

We exfoliate automatically as new skin cells are made and old cells dying make their way back into the universe, however, sometimes our skin needs a helping hand and we need to manually exfoliate for health and vanity reasons. Skin varies in texture and colour in different parts of the body so what is good for scrubbing your body, may not work very well for your face. We could use a few methods for exfoliation of the body:

Exfoliating Gloves - pic via www.aliexpress.com

Exfoliating Gloves – pic via http://www.aliexpress.com

1. Exfoliation Gloves

* environmentally friendly because they last a long time

* inexpensive

* use a little soap in the bath or the shower and don’t rub too hard it will hurt!

* once or twice per month is enough

dry skin brushing – pic via slenderresults.com

2. Dry Skin Brushing

* lightly done on dry skin

* benefits are said to be varied from minimising cellulite to stimulating new cells growth and getting rid of old cells, improving the elimination of toxins

* once or twice a week is enough and shower afterwards

Body-Scrub – pic via blog.freepeople.com –

3. Scrub with a Product

* use a product that you love or make your own body scrub or face scrub

Face and body scrubs can be made easily at your place with lots of different ingredients that you may find in your cupboard.

almond meal – pic via urbanposer.blogspot.com

Face Scrub

I often use almond meal but if I need more oomph I use LSA (a blend of linseeds, almonds, and sunflowers). Just mix a little water or coconut water with it and gently rub on your face. It’s not very user-friendly so do it over the bathroom sink so the little bits can fall off in that rather than on the floor. I rarely use essential oils with this one because it’s divine on its own.

When you add liquid to the almond meal it becomes milky and soft straight away. This almond milk is lovely and combines with the natural oil n the almonds will make your face so soft. It’s easy and it’s a winner. Try it! After rinsing off you wont even need to moisturise.

Sea salt – pic via cooks.ndtv.com

Body Scrub

I recommend using sea salt as a base and adding ingredients to that. I think I may have to write an article on the benefits of sea salt its an amazing treatment! You could choose Celtic or Dead Sea salt or a locally produced sea salt. Use fine grade as the coarse grade will scratch your skin. This is best done in a bath so you can soak in the salt afterwards. If you only have a shower then wet your body, step out of the stream or turn off the water, scrub then rinse.

If you are a lover of essential oils then try adding about 5 – 8 drops of the oils you choose, into 2 cups of salt and slosh in some oil to make a gooey, grainy paste. It can be olive oil, almond oil, coconut oil, sesame oil or anything you have in the cupboard. You could even try coconut milk or coconut cream to take you away on an island holiday in your mind.

Then get creative by adding spices and extract from your cupboard like, cinnamon, nutmeg or vanilla extract. For a more comprehensive list of suggestions see my article It’s Easy to Make Your Own Body Scrub.

Happy blending and remember to use your intention when you are creating your formulas. See my article about intention

Equinox Ahoy! And an Essential Oil Treatment

Posted on March 19, 2014 by suzannerbanks

The seasons, equinoxes and solstices - pic via www.universetoday.com

The seasons, equinoxes and solstices – pic via http://www.universetoday.com

It’s that time of year again when we slowly make our way into a different season. For me in the southern hemisphere I get a bit upset and try to hold onto summer for dear life. Fortunately in Sydney the weather is great for the beach for at least another month. The sea water temperature is wonderful too. Enough about me! All you lovely people in the north are getting excited for summer around the corner and your world is giving you little signs of spring.

“Simply put, an equinox occurs twice a year – spring and autumn – when the Sun crosses the plane of the Earth’s equator. Derived from a Latin term meaning “equal night”, an equinox is not actually an entire day, but happens at two specific moments each year when the centre of the Sun is observed directly above a certain location on the Earth’s equator. But science aside, in folklore equinoxes are mystical moments whose magical power still touches the Earth today.” urbanghostsmedia.com

So whether you are about to experience the Vernal Equinox (spring) or the Autumnal Equinox (autumn), it seems there is a little it of magic going on that gives us a glimpse into the universe at large, and traditions here on earth. Many Celtic festivals are held on these days, and in Japan they are national holidays. In some parts of the world that hail from Persia the sun and the moon are said to have equal power.

Stonehenge – pic via guiddoo.com

In stone circles (particularly found in the UK) the sun and the moon are very important in the way their visual levels interact with the structures. Although there is still much intrigue around these amazing structures, it is clear that the ones who built these circles had wonderful knowledge of the seasons and the stars.

Essential oils can help you move into the season and it’s very important to use your intention when you are making your oil blend and using it on your body. This is a great time for prayer/asking, and a wonderful time for giving thanks too.

Vernal Equinox (Spring)

Spring

Of course depending on your location to the equator, the beginning of Spring could be mild or still bloody freezing and snowing! However the general vibe of Spring is to shake off the stagnating energy of winter, come out from under the blankets and jump into life. It is a time of baby animals and flowers, newness and renewed vigour.

The essential oils for you will be those that get your energy going both physically and mentally.

As a treatment try using this blend for 1 week after the equinox to bring yourself up to speed with the earth –

Nourishing Body Oil Blend

For a coat of your body use 3 teaspoons of carrier oil in a little dish and, add 7 – 8 drops of essential oil.

***** Always put the drops of essential oil into the bottle or dish first, then add the carrier oil. It gives the scents time to create a synergistic fusion.

For a 50ml bottle of oil add 25 drops and see my articles “Ratios for Blending Essential Oils – A Reminder of the Basics” and “Aromatherapy – It’s Easy as 1 2 3”

“Speed Up”

Lemongrass 2 drops

Pink Grapefruit 3 drops

Cypress 2 drops

Cardamom 1 drop

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Autumnal Equinox (Autumn)

Autumn

Once again if you live quite close to the equator the seasons are mild and the temperatures are quite even throughout the year. The further you get from the middle, the more extreme the weather patterns. For those about to receive Autumn, the energy is about coming closer to the earth and settling down. It is giving thanks for a wonderful summer and sewing the seeds of intention (and food), that will come to fruition next summer.

The essential oils best for us, will be those which calm us down, and that are soft and gentle.

As a treatment try using this blend for 1 week after the equinox to bring yourself closer to the earth –

Nourishing Body Oil Blend

For a coat of your body use 3 teaspoons of carrier oil in a little dish and, add 7 – 8 drops of essential oil.

***** Always put the drops of essential oil into the bottle or dish first, then add the carrier oil. It gives the scents time to create a synergistic fusion.

For a 50ml bottle of oil add 25 drops and see my articles “Ratios for Blending Essential Oils – A Reminder of the Basics” and “Aromatherapy – It’s Easy as 1 2 3”

“Slow Down”

Mandarin 3 drops

Peru Balsam 2 drops

Patchouli 2 drops

Fennel 1 drop

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Happy blending and remember to use your intention when you are creating your formulas. See my article about intention

10 Recipes with Basil Essential Oil – Ocimum basilicum

Posted on March 5, 2014 by suzannerbanks

Beautiful aromatic basil

Basil is a herb from the Lamiacae family and the genus Ocimum, and has been flavouring our foods and healing us for centuries. It is a scent you won’t forget – green, herbabceous sweet and pungent. As an essential oil basil (sometimes referred to as sweet basil) is stimulating to the mind opening the upper chakras and giving the brain a cleansing, refreshing scent.

In aromatherapy basil oil is used –

* as a cephalic which means it stimulates the head in general so if used in small amounts it could help a headache. Some basil oils can be high in linalool oil which is present in large amounts in lavender.

* to ease stress and tension and calm mild anxiety (you may notice lots of essential oils are attributed to this use which shows that they can be easily used to help you relax – even if it’s just for a couple of minutes)

* as an anti-inflammatory agent for joint pain

Sneakily borrowed from thepoofairy.com (hehehehe)

There are many types of culinary basil but so far the winner in terms of essential oil production is this basil – sweet basil. When using this oil it can be tricky to get the proportions right because it’s so strong. Sometimes a drop is all you’ll need.

Let’s check out some recipes –

Take a huge whiff to change your focus in seconds

1. Open The Bottle and Take a Huge Whiff

This “recipe” is one for those who need to –

* wake up

* open to universal intelligence

* chill out and stop freaking out

* have a headache or have mental fatigue?

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There are lots of great essential oil diffusers on the market now - pic via www.aliexpress.com

There are lots of great essential oil diffusers on the market now – pic via http://www.aliexpress.com

2. Scent Your Space

In a traditional oil burner with a candle or a diffuser add 25 drops of oil

“Can’t.Wake.Up”

When your brain needs a boost –

Basil 8 drops

Rosemary 4 drops

Peppermint 4 drops

Orange 9 drops

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“Summer Evening”

Add some basil to your gin and tonic too –

Basil 10 drops

Geranium 6 drops

Petitgrain 8 drops

Vetiver 1 drop

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“Oh Man What a Day!”

When you need to relax after a challenging day –

Basil 8 drops

Bergamot 12 drops

Lemongrass 5 drops

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“Living the Dreams”

For a slumber full of dreams –

Basil 4 drops

Lavender 12 drops

Mandarin 8 drops

Spikenard 1 drop

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Chinese tea cup – perfect for a little perfume magic

3. Pure Pulse Point Perfume

In a little dish mix these oils and anoint your pulse points or chakras – 3 drops of essential oils and dilute with a few drops of carrier oil – always patch test first!

“Ascended Masters”

Tap into this great wisdom –

Basil 1 drop

Nutmeg 1 drop

Lime 1 drop

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“Big Day Ahead”

Basil 1 drop

Palmarosa 1 drop

Lavender 1 drop

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“Bon Courage”

Basil 1 drop

Black Pepper 1 drop

Peru Balsam 1 drop

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“I Invite Understanding”

When you need a nudge to gain understanding –

Basil 1 drop

Ylang Ylang 1 drop

Pink Grapefruit 1 drop

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Nourish your body with a beautiful oil blend – pic via redbookmag.com

4. Nourishing Body Oil Blend

For a coat of your body use 3 teaspoons of carrier oil in a little dish and, add 7 – 8 drops of essential oil.

***** Always put the drops of essential oil into the bottle or dish first, then add the carrier oil. It gives the scents time to create a synergistic fusion.

For a 50ml bottle of oil add 25 drops and see my articles “Ratios for Blending Essential Oils – A Reminder of the Basics” and “Aromatherapy – It’s Easy as 1 2 3”

“Bring it On!”

For a kickstart to the day –

Basil 2 drops

Rosemary 2 drops

Orange 4 drops

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Happy blending and remember to use your intention when you are creating your formulas.See my article about intention.

10 Recipes with Clary Sage Essential Oil – Salvia sclarea

Posted on February 12, 2014 by suzannerbanks

Please check out my new book REVELATION! – Reveal Your Destiny with Essential Oils

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10 Recipes with Clary Sage Essential Oil – Salvia sclarea

10!

I tend not to use Clary sage very often but maybe that’s just a phase I’m going through – I used it frequently when I was first introduced to essential oils. It belongs to the Lamiacae family and the genus Salvia. It is a strong sweet, heady oil with an herbaceous note. Clary sage is an expansive oil I consider it to be a very spiritual oil, as it relates well to the crown and third eye chakras. It seems to have the ability to open our conscious minds, and stimulate the subconscious to stir. I use Clary sage as a stimulus for the dream dimension – daydreams and night-time dreams, which can help shape our lives.

Looking back over the centuries it has been employed to help people over come depression and melancholy. Clary sage is an inspiring oil and has been to referred to as an oil of euphoria. We can connect to the creativity of the universe too when we encounter Clary sage.

The essential oil is made from the flowering tops and the foliage

It is also powerful as an analgesic particularly in regards to period pain and I’ve used this oil with pregnant clients in preparation for labour and even in oil blends in a birthing suite. It also works well for symptoms of menopause.

Let’s check out some recipes –

1. Nourishing Body Oil Blend

For a coat of your body use 3 teaspoons of carrier oil in a little dish and, add 7 – 8 drops of essential oil.

***** Always put the drops of essential oil into the bottle or dish first, then add the carrier oil. It gives the scents time to create a synergistic fusion.

For a 50ml bottle of oil add 25 drops and see my articles “Ratios for Blending Essential Oils – A Reminder of the Basics” and “Aromatherapy – It’s Easy as 1 2 3”

“I’m Ready for You Baby”

For the birthing suite or getting prepared for labour –

Clary Sage 3 drops

Jasmine 3% 10 drops * see my article for more info on 3% blends in jojoba

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“Untangle”

When you have pain and can’t relax –

Clary Sage 2 drops

Peppermint 2 drops

Lavender 3 drops

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Take a huge whiff to change your focus in seconds

2. Open The Bottle and Take a Huge Whiff

Take a GENTLE whiff of this oil to open your consciousness or when you can’t see past the little nitty-gritty parts of your day.

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A personal mist is easy to make! pic via ebay.com.au

3. Personal Aura Cleansing Mist

In a 50ml mist bottle filled with water add 25 drops of oil

“Universal Consciousness”

Expand beyond your self-imposed limitations –

Clary sage 6 drops

Mandarin 12 drops

Rose Geranium 6 drops

Cinnamon 3 drops

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“I Just Love Everything Right Now”

To help convince yourself life isn’t so bad when you are having a challenging day –

Clary Sage 7 drops

Frankincense 10 drops

Orange 8 drops

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“I Can Dream”

Dream big – it pays off –

Clary Sage 5 drops

Cedarwood Virginian 8 drops

Petitgrain 12 drops

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Anoint yourself with pure essential oil blends

4. Pure Pulse Point Perfume

In a little dish mix these oils and anoint your pulse points or chakras – 3 drops of essential oils and dilute with a few drops of carrier oil – always patch test first!

“Oh Wow I Created That”

Feel supported by the universe –

Clary Sage 1 drop

Sandalwood Australian 1 drop

Lime 1 drop

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“It’s Been A Long Day”

Anoint yourself after a long day at work to settle in and relax –

Clary Sage 1 drop

Lavender 1 drop

Marjoram 1 drop

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“I’m Over These Hot Flushes”

Clary works well for menopause symptoms too –

Clary sage 1 drop

Fennel 1 drop

Palmarosa 1 drop

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“Infinite”

You are……..

Clary Sage 1 drop

Myrrh 1 drop

Bergamot 1 drop

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Happy blending and remember to use your intention when you are creating your formulas.See my article about intention.

Sandalwood from India to Australia

Posted on January 22, 2014 by suzannerbanks

Mysore sandalwood now grown in Australia

I was recently asked to contribute to an article called “Sandalwood Dreams” appearing as an 8 part series by perfume officiando and writer Jordan River.

It started with a surprise present in the post via my friend and perfume blogger Portia Turbo from Australian Perfume Junkies. I was happy to open the package to find a cute little bottle of sandalwood oil and a beautiful colour brochure, almost a book! This was a sample of Santalum album, commonly known as Indian sandalwood or Mysore sandalwood. The big difference is that this Indian Sandalwood is grown in Australia, from seeds obtained from India, and it packs a powerful punch. This oil is now being offered by one of my trusted suppliers and it’s more expensive than the Mysore sandalwood has ever been, however it’s now sustainable and offers the world a great solution to the previous shortage.

Click here to access Jordan’s magnificent series on this wonderful oil grown in Australia.

I appear in Part 7 which is titled “What Does It Smell Like?” that also asks other experts on the scent of Indian sandalwood grown in Australia.

Australian Sandalwood - pic via www.australian-aridlands-botanic-garden.org

Australian Sandalwood – pic via http://www.australian-aridlands-botanic-garden.org

I have also previously written about the two types of sandalwood on Australian Perfume Junkies (so click here for the original story, with excerpts from the story below):

An essential oil from a wood can draw us in to world of intrigue and secrets, ancient knowledge and divine scent. Wood oils bring an oil formulation together and can be considered “grounding” and “centering” – due to the fact the tree roots delve deep into the earth. Oils from woods have been used for thousands of years in sacred ceremonies, embalming techniques and in traditional healing. Cherish these beautiful gifts from nature.

Today most oils come from renewable plantations but in the case of Sandalwood we have seen a decline in the tree population for many years. Indian Sandalwood has been over farmed, which has led to a crisis in the industry and in our forests. Illegal felling of young trees has also led to more stringent controls from the Indian government to help sustain production long-term. This is the one driving factor in the huge price increase in the last 10 years, and is also the reason why the Australian Sandalwood industry is booming.

Australian sandalwood – pic via watoday.com.au

The Indian type “Santalum album”, and the Australian sandalwood “Santalum spicatum” have similarities but are wonderful in their differences. The Indian wood is the classic deep, sweet exotic scent that we have come to know and love and in the Australian oil, you can actually smell the bush. It really is beautiful. I use both oils, and both are considered to be premium oils and are more expensive than common oils.

Traditionally Sandalwood has been used for spiritual ceremonies and the spread of the use of this oil is claimed to have come hand-in-hand with Buddhism. If anyone has been to India you would know the widespread use of the scent in incense and temples, in soaps and perfumes.
It is used therapeutically to treat acne, urinary disorders and infections and as a nervine tonic to ease stress and anxiety.

Sandalwood and oil - pic via www.fengshuidana.com

Sandalwood and oil – pic via http://www.fengshuidana.com

There is also an oil produced called West Indian Sandalwood but this tree comes from a different species and is sometimes called amyris oil. I’ve never used this oil, and have never seen it anywhere. It apparently has a slight sandalwood scent (hence it’s name) and is used in perfumes and fragrant body products.

Sandalwood is an oil for softening the edges in your life. Breathe it in and you wont be disappointed.

suzannerbanks

scent . intention . consciousness . essential oils

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Sandalwood from India to Australia

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