10 Essential Oil Recipes to Make You Better Looking

Posted on August 20, 2014 by suzannerbanks

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

Amazon USA Amazon AU Amazon UK

10 Essential Oil Recipes to Make You Better Looking

I love this pic of the legendary Ursula Andres

Gotcha! Can essential oils make you better looking?

Short answer YES!

Long answer …………

Sort-of but not really. Depends on the way you look at it, and beauty IS in the eye of the beholder.

Tyson Beckford being ridiculously good-looking

When you use essential oils

* they can help change your focus from negative to more positive

* they are beautiful and carry coded information carrying the secrets of the universe

* they allow you to be more kind and compassionate

* they can have a positive change on your moods and emotions

* they help relieve stress

* they can make your body feel less pain and discomfort

* they can make your mind more alert

* they can give you more physical energy too

So if you are less stressed, kind and compassionate, feeling happy, pain-free, awake and alert with more energy are you better looking? Yes! Of course!

I love Elle! pic via http://www.tvrage.com

And now some recipes –

1. Nourishing Body Oil

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”

“Love Your Body, Become Even More Beautiful if That’s Possible”

Ylang Ylang 3 drops

Geranium 2 drops

Patchouli 2 drops

——————————————————————————————————————–

“Oh the Aches and Pains”

Release muscular tension –

Lavender 3 drops

Marjoram 3 drops

Clove 1 drop

Peppermint 1 drop

——————————————————————————————————————–

“My Nerves are on Edge”

Release nervous tension in your body –

Neroli 3% 12 drops * see my article for more info on 3% blends in jojoba

Peru Balsam 2 drops

German Chamomile 3% 6 drops * see my article for more info on 3% blends in jojoba

——————————————————————————————————————–

“Need Some Love Today”

When you’re a bit down –

Lemon 3 drops

Rose 3% 12 drops * see my article for more info on 3% blends in jojoba

——————————————————————————————————————–

“I Am a Supermodel!”

Juniper 3 drops

Orange 3 drops

Cedarwood Himalayan 2 drops

——————————————————————————————————————–

Wowsa!

2. Facial Oil Treatment

Mix one or two drops of essential oil in one teaspoon of carrier oil. You can warm the oil slightly first if desired – it will be very relaxing! Massage your face and rest for 10 minutes. You can also place a cool or warm wet face cloth on your face as a compress over the oil mask. Remove excess oil with a tissue or cloth.

“Hydration Now!”

Frankincense 1 drop

Palmarosa 1 drop

——————————————————————————————————————–

“Youthful Glow”

Bergamot 1 drop

Everlasting 1 drop

———————————————————————————————————————

Miranda Kerr

3. Scent Your Space

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

“Kindness and Compassion for all Living Beings”

Petitgrain 10 drops

Rosewood 7 drops

Rose geranium 4 drops

Black Spruce 4 drops

——————————————————————————————————————–

“Stress-Less”

Lavender 8 drops

Mandarin 8 drops

May Chang 8 drops

Vetiver 1 drop

——————————————————————————————————————–

Rob Evans just can’t stop being beautiful – he must use essential oils – pic via thatgrapejuice.net

4. 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.

Sandalwood Indian – allow your spirit to rise

Fennel – love yourself and unwind

Lime – get happy

Pine – feel the abundance all around you

——————————————————————————————————————–

Remember to treat yourself first, then everyone will benefit.

Argan Oil – “Liquid Gold”

Posted on August 18, 2014 by suzannerbanks

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

Amazon USA Amazon AU Amazon UK

Argan Oil – “Liquid Gold”

The argan fruit - pic via theparakeetslounge.com

The argan fruit – pic via wsj.com Johnny Greig

Argan oil has become increasingly popular in the west in the past few years. The tree is native to south-western Morocco where it happily exits in drought conditions and is perfect for semi-arid soil. The native tree, Argania spinosa also helps prevent soil erosion and even provides the perfect resting spot for goats. In 2007 UNESCO added this wonderful tree to the endangered species act, but since then Morocco has planted many more argan trees to cope with demand. A body was established in 2002 specifically to regenerate the “Arganerie”, which refers to the native populations of trees in Morocco. At this stage I can’t seem to find if the UNESCO ruling has been altered, but the positive effects of new plantations of argan trees has already been felt, especially in regards to employing women.

These tree-dwelling goats love the argan tree

The oil comes from the kernels in the fruit which are split open by hand, mainly by local women. It is labour intensive which is one of the reasons the oil is more expensive than other oils such sunflower, grapeseed and almond, for example.

Sometimes referred to as liquid gold, the oil is high in oleic acid, similar to olive oil. The kernels are roasted if the oil is intended for culinary use (again, in similar ways to oilve oil in the Mediterranean region), but is left natural when the oil is to be sold for cosmetic uses.

Argan oil is used in many hair care products – pic via aloversanthology.com

Argan oil has really made an impact in hair care, but as with any cold pressed oil, it’s great for skincare too. I recently watched a YouTube instructional video by Aromatherapist Danielle Ryman. She makes her facial serum with almost all argan oil, only a few drops of rosehip oil and of course some essential oils. I also have a locally made face serum that contains, but is not limited to, argan oil. I haven’t used this oil straight on my face like I would with rosehip oil – but now I really want to!

You can almost see the oil in the flesh inside the kernel

We must ensure that our demand helps build Morocco and not rape it of its natural resources. Maybe we are so desperate for new things, driven by our consumer attitudes, that we are always looking for the next best thing. Argan oil seems to fit the bill perfectly and various websites claims many properties. We must not forget that many carrier oils do the same thing, so as long as it’s sustainable, embrace this wonderful oil and try it in your new formulas. You could use this oil for –

* warm oil hair masks

* warm oil facial treatments

* face and body oil blends

* cuticle and nail treatments

and just about anything else you can think of.

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

10 Essential Oil Recipes to Help You Be a Much Happier Person

Posted on August 13, 2014 by suzannerbanks

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

Amazon USA Amazon AU Amazon UK

10 Essential Oil Recipes to Help You Be a Much Happier Person

Essential oils can make you happier

How can essential oils make you happier?

1. They smell deliciously like nature intended, no cheap alcohols, no additives, no synthetics therefore you can expect a more pure experience of bliss via mother earth

2. Essential oils effect different parts of the brain to positively enhance moods, and also effect hormone production leading to a body that matches good feelings

3. They can change your focus in 3 seconds – from ugh to ah

4. Essential oils are coded molecules of information, carried by natural scent, and with one whiff, your brain can be transformed by this data into a more cohesive mind

5. Their energy contains magic, and effects the subtle energies of the body, expanding your experience of self and leading to a happier you

Happy shiny people - pic via www.breathezy.com

Happy shiny people use essential oils- pic via http://www.breathezy.com

So let’s check out some easy-peasy recipes to help get your happy on!

Classic oil burner with a twist pic via top3.com.au

1. Scent Your Space

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

“Let’s All Get Along….OK?”

Be nice to each other –

Palmarosa 10 drops

Orange 8 drops

Geranium 7 drops

——————————————————————————————————————–

“Get Yourself Happy First”

Mandarin 8 drops

Lemongrass 8 drops

Cinnamon 6 drops

Cedarwood Himalayan 3 drops

——————————————————————————————————————–

“Release the Day, Embrace Your Soul”

Let go of the blah –

Juniper 6 drops

Bergamot 8 drops

Rose Geranium 7 drops

Clary Sage 4 drops

——————————————————————————————————————–

A warm oil mask can work wonders for an unhappy camper – pic via anshayurveda.com

2. Facial Oil Treatment

Mix one or two drops of essential oil in one teaspoon of carrier oil. You can warm the oil slightly first if desired – it will be very relaxing! Massage your face and rest for 10 minutes. You can also place a cool or warm wet facecloth on your face as a compress over the oil mask. Remove excess oil with a tissue or cloth.

Olive oil 1 teaspoon

Geranium 1 drop

Lavender 1 drop

——————————————————————————————————————–

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

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

Petitgrain 3 drops

——————————————————————————————————————–

a client’s oil formulation

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. 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”

“Tra La La”

Get your body happy too –

Lemon 3 drops

Rosewood 4 drops

Basil 1 drop

——————————————————————————————————————–

“Smiles”

Smile and the world will be your oyster –

Pink Grapefruit 4 drops

Jasmine 3% in jojoba 8 drops * see my article for more info on 3% blends in jojoba

——————————————————————————————————————–

“Grateful”

Be grateful and you WILL be happier –

Lavender 3 drops

Peru Balsam 4 drops

———————————————————————————————————————

Chinese tea cup – perfect for a little perfume magic

5. 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!

“Weeeeeeeeee”

A little squeal of delight never hurt anybody –

Lime 1 drop

Nutmeg 1 drop

Ylang Ylang 1 drop

——————————————————————————————————————–

“Wowsa”

Be amazed –

Neroli 3% straight from the bottle * see my article for more info on 3% blends in jojoba

——————————————————————————————————————–

Remember to treat yourself first, then everyone will benefit.

Supermoon Across The World and The Essential Oils that Add to It’s Power

Posted on August 11, 2014 by suzannerbanks

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

Amazon USA Amazon AU Amazon UK

Supermoon Across The World and The Essential Oils that Add to It’s Power

The supermoon through the trees in my backyard in Sydney

Yep it’s been a supermoon frenzy all over the world with lots of amazing pictures of this gorgeous big round thing in the sky. The moon looks so beautiful and luminescent when it is close to the earth and it certainly has the power to get us talking about it. The perigree moon is the scientific name for the moon when it orbits close to the earth, and this full moon we have just experienced, is definitely the closest moon to the Earth this year. We are also in the middle of 3 supermoons in a row, with September being the next and last.

My friend Amanda took this last night in Positano, Italy

My friend Amanda took this pic last night in Positano, Italy

According to some scientific information, the supermoon plays on illusion, how our minds perceive the moon in the sky. One site says that even though we call it a supermoon, it is only about 14% closer that a regular full moon, but it appears much, much closer. Interesting eh? Is this telling us that our lives are an illusion and we must look deeper within to access the real reality? Or is it simply a reminder of the ebb and flow of the stars and the galaxies that we are intrinsically linked to?

My friend Frank took this is NYC the other night – Aquarius supermoon

In astrological terms this moon is in Aquarius, and I’ve also just read it’s an Aquarius/Leo full moon (as the sun is in Leo and provides the opposing force). As full moons are the culmination of the month, they can be seen as a time of releasing old patterns and energies, and with the supermoon it can be slightly magnified. Or perhaps it’s just an illusion that we are effected more strongly at this time? However you look at it, the supermoon is super gorgeous!

From Molly Hall from Astrology.About.com:

“This is a chance to rebel against deadening conformity, to break free — of ideas about reality, a habitual rhythm, deeply embedded conditioning. Epic ah-has happen at the Aquarius Full Moon, when we bust through our own (often self-imposed) glass ceiling and breathe the air.

The good vibes of Aquarius are best received with an open mind. If it’s time for a radical upgrade in your thinking, there’s often a period of in-between. Aquarius has two rulers — Uranus and Saturn. One is the evolutionary urge, the other (Saturn) shows us how to ground the charge.

Being able to see that the way we organize and perceive reality itself, is up for tweaking, can be liberating. This one-two punch of Aquarius Full Moons celebrates out of the box thinking. If you’ve felt at a dead-end, and stagnant, get ready for unexpected plot twists!”

Beautiful green basil!

Ok so let’s find some essential oils to break free of our self-imposed limits –

Basil – open the upper chakras and connect to universal intelligence

Rosewood – open your heart and flow with the love energy all around you

Sandalwood – allow a deep connection to the divine to move your entire being to a new paradigm

Black pepper - pic via www.seriouseats.com

Black pepper – pic via http://www.seriouseats.com

and radically change our thinking –

Rosemary – stimulate your mind to take action

Petitgrain – the essence of pure potentiality will help you dream up a better way to think

Black Pepper – courage to change and progress

Juniper berries - pic via www.thedrinksbusiness.com

Juniper berries – pic via http://www.thedrinksbusiness.com

and move stagnating energy –

Juniper – release watery emotions

Fennel – dissolve the barriers to releasing – be willing to let go

Lemongrass – get your energy moving!

Using essential oils in everyday life will give you a beautifully scented landscape from which you can prosper, grow and help the world evolve.

Remember to treat yourself first, then everyone will benefit.

10 Essential Oil Recipes to Help Meditation

Posted on August 6, 2014 by suzannerbanks

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

Amazon USA Amazon AU Amazon UK

10 Essential Oil Recipes to Help Meditation

Meditation creates positive ripples in your environment

Many people are still are still unsure of meditation, why we do it and how accessible it is. It is a term for a wide variety of styles and beliefs but the one common thread is that we meditate to connect with the universe within us, and all around us. This includes people in your life, when you have problems, when you don’t have problems, when you want to create something and simply just as a way of attuning to higher consciousness.

One of the biggest myths of meditation is that you can’t do it because your mind is too active. That’s WHY you do it.

Another myth is that it takes too much time. Have you heard the story of the student who says to the master he hasn’t got enough time to meditate for half an hour every day. The master considers the story and then tells him to meditate for an hour everyday. We MAKE time for meditation it’s as simple as that.

If you have access to the internet you can find out many ways of meditating. It could be an “open focus” style meditation where you close your eyes and open your mind to become no body, no thing at no time, in no place. You may learn a mantra meditation by going to a meditation group or you may sit with relaxing music and breathe deeply.

Be happier with meditation

The key to meditation is actually doing it. Sometimes your mind will be quite and sometimes it may not. Meditate anyway. Even if it’s for 5 minutes, just do it.

Positive results from meditation include –

* reduced stress leading to far-reaching health benefits

* a more relaxed body

* deeper, slower breathing in waking states

* reduced blood pressure

* healing of chronic disease

* objectivity

* better sleep

* better relationships

* better communication

and the list goes on. Here are some recipes to help induce slower breathing and meditation –

Take a huge whiff to change your focus in seconds

1. Open The Bottle and Take a Huge Whiff

Frankincense – deeper slower breathing

Lavender – general relaxation

Marjoram – stress relief and relaxation

Orange – sweetness and innocence

Sandalwood – connection to spirit

Patchouli – feel grounded

Puzhen diffuser from the 5 senses series – puzhen.com

Scent Your Space

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

“World Peace”

World peace starts in your heart –

Mandarin 10 drops

Cypress 8 drops

Patchouli 7 drops

——————————————————————————————————————–

“Clarity’

May Chang 8 drops

Lavender 7 drops

Pine 5 drops

Basil 5 drops

——————————————————————————————————————–

“Double Torus”

Get the energy going

Frankincense 10 drops

Geranium 5 drops

Cardamom 5 drops

Rosewood 5 drops

——————————————————————————————————————–

“Fairy Garden”

Open to the magic –

Petitgrain 8 drops

Lime 7 drops

Cedarwood Himalayan 7 drops

Sage 3 drops

——————————————————————————————————————–

The classic Duralex glass dish is handy to make oil blends and quick perfumes in

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!

“The Time is Now”

Meditate for 5 minutes NOW –

Geranium 1 drop

Indian Sandalwood 1 drop

Lemon 1 drop

——————————————————————————————————————–

“Mantra”

Just say ‘om’ as a simple mantra –

Cedarwood Virginian 1 drop

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

——————————————————————————————————————–

“Heart Chakra”

Open the flow –

Rose 3% on its own straight from the bottle * see my article for more info on 3% blends in jojoba

——————————————————————————————————————–

“Release Toxic Thought Patterns”

Juniper 2 drops

Peru Balsam 1 drop

——————————————————————————————————————–

A clay face mask is the best and most natural clarifyng mask. pic vis chiclooking.com

A clay face mask is the best and most natural clarifying mask. pic via chiclooking.com

4. Face Mask

Usually I add 1 or 2 drops of oil to 2 teaspoons of clay, and add water, floral water or hydrosol. Keep the mask on for 5 minutes then rinse off with cool water. Mist with a hydrosol or floral water and moisturise.

Bergamot 2 drops in white clay.

Relax and meditate for 5 minutes with some chilled music.

———————————————————————————————————————

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

Cure Mondayitis with Essential Oil Shower Steams

Posted on August 4, 2014 by suzannerbanks

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

Amazon USA Amazon AU Amazon UK

Cure Mondayitis with Essential Oil Shower Steams

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

Mondays keep rolling around.

They finally turn into Fridays. There’s the week gone.

Then suddenly it’s August 2014 and we are in the future!

We can choose to go against the flow of life, but that won’t get us anywhere or anyplace except stressed, and stress is one of the leading contributors to declines in mental and physical health.

I’m writing about Mondays as a return to work for most people on the treadmill of this game of life. But not me! I’ve never been a 9 to 5’er, or a Monday to Friday worker so I have a different view. Mondays represent chillin out to me and even if I work, it never feels like I’m working because do what I love. Sometimes Monday may mean writing a few blog articles and that’s about it. It does make Friday less of a celebration but I can live with that.

So for those having to get up at stupid o’clock on a Monday morning to start a long work week, this is for you.

Working 9 to 5 what a way to make a livin’

There are some essential oils that can wake you up, others that can relieve stress and some that just make you feel a bit happier. The easiest way to treat yourself with essential oils on a Monday morning is with a few drops of essential oil in the bottom of the shower, Cover the drain with a face cloth or even your foot. Allow the oils to vapourise with the steam, breathe deeply, enjoy the scented stimulation of your senses.

Check out these oils and see what magic they can deliver –

Eucalyptus – wake up, cleanse the cobwebs in your mind, embrace the new day with gusto

Lemon – gently refresh and reload your energy onto the new page of a new week

According to living.msn.com this Pantone colour Lemon Zest was a top colour for spring 2013

Peppermint – enliven your mind, remove headaches and head tension

Rosemary – zap your memory into gear, stimulate your brain

Flowering rosemary in my client’s garden

Basil – open the upper chakras to start channeling new universal patterns and downloads

Orange – inject a little bit of happiness into your Monday morning

Oranges and orange oil can make you happy!

Petitgrain – a zingy green start to the day allowing all possibilities to unfold

Lemongrass – energy now! revitalize

Lemongrass

Ginger – warm your emotions, get the circulation going

Ylang Ylang – release anger and frustration

The spidery, seductive Ylang Ylang flower

Bergamot – calm your nerves

Cedarwood Atlas – remove ego, come from a spiritual perspective

Sandalwood Indian – be Zen, peace and calm

Raw sandalwood and the powder

And if all that’s too hard, eat an orange or mandarin and throw the zest into the bottom of the shower. Squish it up with your feet. Breathe. Continue with your day.

And during the day if you do have some citrus fruit, save the peel (and/or eat some of it too), and let the zest sit on your desk for some instant aromatherapy in the afternoon.

Happy Monday peeps!

Remember to treat yourself first, then everyone will benefit.

Intention – It’s Gotta Be Good!

Posted on July 30, 2014 by suzannerbanks

Use your intention to create something new (via www.tribalharmonix.org)

Use your intention to create something new (via http://www.tribalharmonix.org)

Often when we are magnetically drawn to essential oils it’s because we may need a little bit of help. We may need some inspiration and happiness, less stress, les muscle ache, clarity, cleansing, new beginnings and whatever else you can think of. So when we reach for the little bottle of oil we may not be feeling 100%, and that’s ok.

There is a fine line between treating ourselves when we are down, and using good intention for the result. For example:

You’ve been feeling a bit weird lately – unfulfilled, no energy, no inspiration to go on. You finally get the energy to open a bottle of essential oil and you intuitively take orange and geranium. These little powerhouse oils will help you see the lighter side of life, perhaps even be a generator of happiness and allow you some space to reevaluate. So when you make your oil blend, whether it be for your body, or a mist to spritz all over your energetic field, it’s important to bring in your GOOD intention for the blend.

This doesn’t have to take a long time nor does it have to be complicated. You could simply say to yourself “fulfillment”. When you have your word or phrase for the oil formula, allow it to amplify for a few seconds and gather some energy of it’s own. Breathe. Bring in the POSITIVE vibes, and now CREATE.

This could take 10 seconds. It could take a minute. You may even decide to mediate with the bottle of oils in your hands. Any way you choose to do it, the most important thing is to DO IT!

The classic alchemist “The Magician” from the Rider-Waite Tarot deck

Why?

Because you are more powerful than you realize. You are the alchemist of your own life and you can start to reveal this amazing talent a little bit everyday. By placing your intention (energy) into your oils and your formula, you are communicating with the universe and stating what you desire. The alternative would be to take the bottle of oil, dwell in your negativity, create your oil blend, and hope for the best. The oils will still be beautiful, enchanting and active, but you will have better results when you add your awareness and mindfulness.

DON”T try and put a spell on someone else in a negative way

Always treat yourself rather than trying to make a “spell” for someone else. If you are faced with the negative energy of someone in your environment it is critical that you make your intention positive.

For example; you have a really unhappy person at work who sits next to you. Yesterday all they did was whinge and complain and you don’t really want to hear anymore today.

Choose your oils – this could be fennel, ylang ylang and bergamot. Add your intention “today will fly by at work in a peaceful and happy way”. Get that vibe going, breathe a few times then add one drop of each onto your wrists as your personal perfume for the day.

DON’T make your intention “keep that negative, whiney bitch away from me today I’m sick of her”.

Do you see the difference? Each time you feel yourself being pulled into the negativity of your colleague, take a whiff of your personal perfume on your wrists, breathe and walk away, or pick up the phone, or leave the building.

Go ahead! Start blending with your intention!

Remember to treat yourself first, and then everyone will benefit.

Remember to add your intention to create a meaningful formula.

Ratios for Blending Essential Oils – A Reminder of the Basics

Posted on July 28, 2014 by suzannerbanks

Hello natural beauties and scent lovers everywhere! I’ve written this article just to remind you about general ratios when blending essential oil. Always err on the side of caution and use your intuition too.

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

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

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

I love glass measuring equipment but you don’t need anything like this to make a blend

I have written about this before but I think we need a reminder of the correct ratios to employ when making aromatherapy skin care, baths, face masks, hair masks and anything else you can think of. I’ll also include the amounts to use in vapourisers and oil burners.

It is important to be exact and err on the side of caution when using essential oils on your skin.

It is not important to be exact when you are using essential oils in a vapouriser to scent a space.

Officially it is not recommended you use essential oils on your skin directly from the bottle!

Body oils make lovely legs

1. Nourishing Body Oil Blend

For a coat of your body use 3 teaspoons of carrier oil (approx 15 mls) in a little dish and, add 7 – 8 drops of essential oil. This is a standard ratio of 2.5% essential oils to carrier oil.

20 mls 10 drops

25 mls 12 drops

30 mls 15 drops

35 mls 17 drops

40 mls 20 drops

45 mls 22 drops

50 mls 25 drops

***** 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.

(Also see my article “Aromatherapy – It’s Easy as 1 2 3” for more info)

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

2. Mist – For a Room or as a Personal Aura Mist

The same quantities as above. You can add more if you like but remember not to spray near your eyes.

50 mls 25 drops

100 mls 50 drops

150 mls 75 drops

200 mls 100 drops

Almost fill the bottle with water then add your oils. Shake before you mist. I don’t use emulsifying agents as I like to keep it simple. You can even just buy a mist bottle from a supermarket but once a plastic atomiser top and bottle have been used for essential oils you can’t re-use them (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!)

Don’t fill up the bottle with water and mist your plants as the residue may kill them.

Any carrier oil will be a good base for an oil mask

3. An Oil Blend (or mask) for Your Face, Children and In Pregnancy

Use half the above ratio – 1.25% ratio of essential oils to carrier oil.

20 mls 5 drops

25 mls 6 drops

30 mls 7 drops

35 mls 8 drops

40 mls 10 drops

45 mls 11 drops

50 mls 12 drops

***** 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.

Pregnancy – Some oils are not recommended in pregnancy so it’s best to do some research if you are treating yourself, or ask the advice of an Aromatherapist. I have treated many women through multiple pregnancies and have had great results. The truth is that there are probably many more toxic chemicals in their home environments than essential oils but always use caution!

Children – Same for kids. They respond really well to essential oils but only use oils they like the smell of otherwise you may create a negative experience. You will have more positive results if you create a room/personal mist and gently mist around your child so they treatment is more fun and likely to work quickly. See my articles for more info on babies and kids – Essential Oils and Babies – Do They Go Together? and Essential Oils and Children – Do They Go Together?

Be careful when adding essential oils to your bath

4. In Baths

I would only use up to 6 drops of oil in a bath. I have tried many natural emulsification agents but none work 100%. I like to put the oils into mediums, then add them to the bath. Try adding your oils into –

Dead Sea Salt

Celtic Sea Salt

Coconut milk

Magnesium Salt (Epsom salts)

Bi-Carb Soda

A Natural Bodywash/liquid soap like Castille Soap

** I don’t recommend using essential oils in the bath with kids as it can sting their legs. The oils combined with the heat of the water can be too strong for their beautiful skin. (See me article “Aunty, something is biting my legs” – 10 things NOT to do when using Essential Oils” for more info).

Enjoy the process!

10 Recipes with Himalayan Cedarwood – Cedrus deodora

Posted on July 23, 2014 by suzannerbanks

Stunning pic of Himalayan cedarwood via www.efloras.org credit KK Shrestha

Stunning pic of Himalayan cedarwood via http://www.efloras.org credit KK Shrestha

Himalayan cedarwood has a deep history in Hindu traditions, as a tree that creates sacred forests, spurring a closer connection to Shiva through meditation. In Ayurveda the oil has been used to treat bronchial and lung disorders, urinary tract infections and to release fluid from the body. The oil is also considered a spiritual oil which helps to expand consciousness. In modern aromatherapy it is used for the same issues, and has a much softer, creamier scent than Atlas cedarwood or Virginian cedarwood (which is actually a juniper tree).

Let’s check out some recipes –

Face mask it!

1. Face Mask

Great for oily or acne skin add 1 drop of Himalayan cedarwood to some pink clay for a clarifying and toning mask.

—————————————————————————————————————–

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

2. 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”

“I’m the One and Only”

Respect yourself –

Himalayan cedarwood 2 drops

Orange 4 drops

Lavender 2 drops

——————————————————————————————————————

“Forest of Dreams”

Click into the vibes of the sacred Deodora forests –

Himalayan cedarwood 2 drops

Rosewood 3 drops

Bergamot 3 drops

——————————————————————————————————————

“Energy Now!”

Himalayan cedarwood 3 drops

Lemongrass 4 drops

——————————————————————————————————————

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!)

“Portable Sacred Space”

Himalayan cedarwood 8 drops

Mandarin 10 drops

May Chang 4 drops

Sage 3 drops

——————————————————————————————————————

“Meditation Anywhere”

Himalayan cedarwood 6 drops

Frankincense 12 drops

Lime 7 drops

——————————————————————————————————————

“Overthinking, 0: Feeling, 1”

Himalayan cedarwood 8 drops

Peru balsam 8 drops

Ginger 4 drops

Geranium 4 drops

Vetiver 1 drop

——————————————————————————————————————

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!

“Thankful”

Himalayan cedarwood 1 drop

Lemon 1 drop

Ylang Ylang 1 drop

——————————————————————————————————————

“Changing my Epi-Genetic Markers”

Himalayan cedarwood 1 drop

Jasmine 3% 4 drops * see my article for more info on 3% blends in jojoba

——————————————————————————————————————

“Inter Stellar Travel”

Himalayan cedarwood 1 drop

Roman Chamomile 3% 4 drops * see my article for more info on 3% blends in jojoba

——————————————————————————————————————

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

Himalayan Cedarwood – Cedrus deodora

Posted on July 21, 2014 by suzannerbanks

The shaggy Christmas tree type of Cedrus deodora – pic via plants.plantcrazy.ca

While I was searching for some good pics of Himalayan cedarwood I came across a few species variations, but they all look gorgeous – especially the one above which looks like the perfect Christmas tree to me. This cedarwood comes from the Pinacae family and the genus Cedrus (like Atlas and Lebanon cedars but not Virginian cedar which is actually a juniper).

The essential oil of Himalayan cedarwood is steam distilled from the wood, however I can’t find any evidence to support the notion that the needles are also used. I would have thought some twigs and leaves would also be used in the distillation process, but at any rate it’s a bloody gorgeous oil. It has an almost creamy, spicy, woody scent which seems much more rounded than Cedar Atlas and has roots in Ayurvedic medicine and spirituality on the sub-continent of India. Traditionally in India, the forests of Cedrus deodora have been regarded as sacred places, maybe even where one could reach a clearer connection with Shiva. In one of my Ayurvedic Aromatherapy books, the author Farida Irani claims the wood is offered to Ganesha, the remover of obstacles. Both these Gods are part of the Hindu religion.

It’s also the national tree of Pakistan.

In both Ayurveda and traditional aromatherapy this cedarwood is indicated to treat –

* respiratory tract infections, particularly the lungs as it is a drying oil

* urinary tract disorders

* fluid retention

* oily and acne skin.

Up close and personal with Himalayan cedarwood - pic via www.arbolesyarbustos.com

Up close and personal with Himalayan cedarwood – pic via http://www.arbolesyarbustos.com

As with many essential oils Himalayan Cedarwood is used to treat anxiety and stress related conditions and isn’t it interesting that many essential oils are used for the same thing.

Why?

By smelling an essential oil your brain responds almost immediately to the stimulus and starts to bring about change. This change could be anything from a change in emotion, a stimulus to the hormone producing centres in the brain and/or a shift in consciousness. These moments can start to breakdown resistance to the flow of life and therefore be interpreted as lessening stress. The outcome will be stronger the more you like the scent of the oil, and the more you are willing to release negativity.

One type of Himalayan cedrawood – pic via loneelder.7thcrow.com

Enhanced connection to spirit is often a claim when using essential oils and I wholeheartedly agree with this surmise. Essential oils are little drops of coded information, on which the future of the universe rides. Delve into a scented paradise and try to disprove me; you won’t be able to as you continue to expand exponentially!

Stay tuned for 10 Recipes with Cedrus deodora!

suzannerbanks

scent . intention . consciousness . essential oils

10 Essential Oil Recipes to Make You Better Looking

10 Essential Oil Recipes to Make You Better Looking

Argan Oil – “Liquid Gold”

Argan Oil – “Liquid Gold”

10 Essential Oil Recipes to Help You Be a Much Happier Person

Supermoon Across The World and The Essential Oils that Add to It’s Power

“This is a chance to rebel against deadening conformity, to break free — of ideas about reality, a habitual rhythm, deeply embedded conditioning. Epic ah-has happen at the Aquarius Full Moon, when we bust through our own (often self-imposed) glass ceiling and breathe the air.

The good vibes of Aquarius are best received with an open mind. If it’s time for a radical upgrade in your thinking, there’s often a period of in-between. Aquarius has two rulers — Uranus and Saturn. One is the evolutionary urge, the other (Saturn) shows us how to ground the charge.

Being able to see that the way we organize and perceive reality itself, is up for tweaking, can be liberating. This one-two punch of Aquarius Full Moons celebrates out of the box thinking. If you’ve felt at a dead-end, and stagnant, get ready for unexpected plot twists!”

10 Essential Oil Recipes to Help Meditation

Cure Mondayitis with Essential Oil Shower Steams

Intention – It’s Gotta Be Good!

Ratios for Blending Essential Oils – A Reminder of the Basics

10 Recipes with Himalayan Cedarwood – Cedrus deodora

Himalayan Cedarwood – Cedrus deodora

10 Essential Oil Recipes to Make You Better Looking

Share this:

Argan Oil – “Liquid Gold”

Share this:

Share this:

“This is a chance to rebel against deadening conformity, to break free — of ideas about reality, a habitual rhythm, deeply embedded conditioning. Epic ah-has happen at the Aquarius Full Moon, when we bust through our own (often self-imposed) glass ceiling and breathe the air.

The good vibes of Aquarius are best received with an open mind. If it’s time for a radical upgrade in your thinking, there’s often a period of in-between. Aquarius has two rulers — Uranus and Saturn. One is the evolutionary urge, the other (Saturn) shows us how to ground the charge.

Being able to see that the way we organize and perceive reality itself, is up for tweaking, can be liberating. This one-two punch of Aquarius Full Moons celebrates out of the box thinking. If you’ve felt at a dead-end, and stagnant, get ready for unexpected plot twists!”

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this: