Really? Perfume for clothes? Yuck!

Posted on February 18, 2013 by suzannerbanks

Scented washing products

In the commercial for this product (a scented fabric softener), the gorgeous woman in her LBD (see my article on the LBD ), has run out of all her glamourous perfumes. She looks everywhere. I think she lives in Paris and wears designer clothes. She’s wearing stockings with a seam at the back and maybe she’s going out for an intimate dinner. Oh no, what is she going to do without her perfume? Here’s a brilliant idea…… take off your dress and wash it with this fragrant product – just like perfume for your clothes. NO!!!!!!

Have you ever smelled these vile, toxic, synthetic, over-scented products? They are so strong and so false, they exude out of the container and assault you when you are walking down the laundry isle in the supermarket. It’s not just this particular brand, but many brands. Clearly I can’t stand them. Any of them. My recommendation is to buy an unperfumed washing soap, and if you really feel you need some fragrance, chuck in a few drops of lemon or eucalyptus essential oil. Or even just the juice of a lemon – and squeeze the rind into the juice too (as this contains the essential oil).

the lovely lemon

We have completely gone overboard with synthetic fragrance. It screws with our sense of smell and interferes with healthy living. It prevents us from turning scent into valuable information. It dominates over the beauty of nature and our divine natural connection to the earth. Chemicals are absorbed and stored by our bodies – is it any wonder that western society has sickness and disease? Don’t for one minute think that a little bit of perfume won’t harm you. Extended exposure to toxicity within and without, is bad.

So what could have our glamourous lady from the ad, scented her beautiful skin with? In a couple of minutes our lady –

* could have found some citrus fruit, cut some rind, and squeezed the essential oil on her skin and hair – grapefruit, lemon, lime, orange, mandarin.

the amazing vanilla pod

* could have used some vanilla extract from the cupboard and dabbed a little on her wrists, behind her ears. Or rubbed a vanilla pod on her wrists.

* could have bought or picked a single scented flower for her hair

Billie Holliday with gardenias in her hair

* could have ground up some black pepper, cinnamon or any spice with a little oil, and used that as a perfume. How delicious would a little bit of nutmeg and pepper be?

I’m sure you can think of a few more too. But if she didn’t have the scented fabric softener she probably could have sprayed her highly toxic, scented deodorant all over her – yep that would have worked!

Hey – instead of fabric softener use half a cup of bi-carbonate of soda. It works and you can always add some essential oils to the mix.

Please be mindful, and informed. Choose wisely.

Eucalyptus Oil and a Song About A Kookaburra

Posted on February 13, 2013 by suzannerbanks

the great Australian Kookaburra

A kookaburra has recently moved into my hood – which is only 10 minutes from the city of Sydney. He, or she, has been singing every morning, and according to folk tale when the kookaburra sings. it will rain. That crafty Aussie bird hasn’t been wrong yet. What happened to our long, hot summer? Anyway, the cute little song we’ve been singing for almost a century in Australia goes like this:

“Kookaburra sits in the old gum tree,
Merry merry king of the bush is he.
Laugh, Kookaburra, laugh, Kookaburra,
Gay your life must be!”

So the kookaburra sits in a gum tree. A eucalyptus tree. There are many types of euclaypts in Australia and quite a few essential oils are produced from them. Here’s a few I know about:

Eucalyptus globulus

1. Eucalyptus globulus

This eucalyptus tree – the “blue gum” – is the one most used to produce the essential oil. You are probably going to get Eucalyptus globulus when you buy eucalyptus oil. This oil is sharp, strong, clean and fresh and is the classic, most identifiable eucalyptus scent.This oil has been produced for nearly a century and the main production now comes from China. There are many of these trees in the USA too and other warm climates. The tree is easily able to adapt, and because of this it has been the most planted eucalyptus tree in the world.

Eucalyptus radiata

2. Eucalyptus radiata

This is also called the “narrow-leaved peppermint gum” and there seem to be quite a few chemotypes (different scents). I buy this as my everyday eucalyptus oil, as it’s a bit milder and sweeter in scent than the globulus. It still has the same amazing qualities of globulus, and in fact all the eucalypts (as with the melaleucas – see my post http://wp.me/p2R7rE-55) share similar properties. I recommend trying this lovely oil next time you need some eucalyptus oil.

Eucalyptus polybractea

3. Eucalyptus polybractea

This is the ‘Blue mallee’ tree. The oil from this tree has a high cineole content (1,8-cineole is one of the particular active ingredients in eucalyptus tree), which gives it a camphorous and pungent scent. Penetrating and sharp, it is less likely to be found when searching for “eucalyptus oil”, but I have bought blue mallee oil from supermarkets here in Australia and it’s inexpensive and gorgeous. I think there is one brand I found in a supermarket that’s also organic. Even looking at these three pictures it’s hard to distinguish the difference in the look of the leaves and flowers.

Eucalyptus citriodora

4. Eucalyptus citriodora

Yep if you guessed lemon scented you’d be right. It has a citronella/lemon scent, a bit like lemon verbena too. It is high in citronellal and that would explain the scent. It is a warm, almost herbaceous lemon scent and has different shaped leaves to the others discussed so far. I don’t really use this oil although I do carry it in my kit. I would probably use a classic eucalyptus with another lemon scented oil if I need that combination.

Eucalyptus dives

5. Eucalyptus dives

This eucalyptus tree is also used to distill essential oils, but I don’t really use this one a lot either. In fact I don’t think I even have any. Its common name is “broad-leaved peppermint” (radiata was called narrow-leaved peppermint). It has a couple of chemotypes that produce oils and once again the constituents are particular to its type but include the 1,8-cineole, common to all eucalypts. I can’t describe the scent as I can’t remember the last time I used it or smelled it. It is however used for its high piperitone content which gives it a pepperminty-camphor scent.

Eucalyptus piperita

6. Eucalyptus piperita

Wikipedia claims this is called “Sydney peppermint” but I’ve never heard that. Can’t say I ever smelled the oil either but this one is also high in piperitone too. I’ve never looked for it for sale but I’m sure someone makes it. The English phyto-chemist H. G. Smith who moved here in the late 1800’s, wrote a paper on the volatile oil of Eucalyptus piperita and also wrote a book with his colleague on the Eucalypts of Australia.

Eucalyptus smithii

7. Eucalyptus smithii

This is the “gully gum” also found in South Africa where this is the main eucalyptus for oil production. It was named after Mr Smith (from the paragraph above) and is quite high in 1,8-cineole. It has that classic eucalyptus scent and all the qualities you would expect:

decongestant, astringent, analgesic, anti-septic, expectorant and the list goes on. It’s typically used for colds, flu, coughs and many respiratory complaints and is warming and refreshing.

I love Eucalyptus!

My Top 5 Oils for Brides

Posted on February 11, 2013 by suzannerbanks

aaaaahhhhhhhh!!!!!

Essential oils are great for anybody to use but there are some stand-out oils for brides. Why? The wedding planning can be stressful and it can also take up a lot of time. Of course it’s different for everyone and whether you have a casual beach wedding or a party in a 5 star resort, you do have to think about a lot of fine details. You are also entering into a contract with your husband, and quite possibly changing your life forever. You are entering a new phase of your life too, with lots of new family members you are required to be nice to. There are lots of issues surrounding your wedding and marriage and essential oils can be your scented support system on the journey.

Essential oils not only smell beautiful, they can help minimise stress, and help you focus on the things that really matter – like your health and happiness rather than the seating plan. Essential oils work in an holistic way with your own energy, emotions and thoughts to provide a connection to the divine spirit within you.

orange blossom = neroli

1. Neroli

Neroli is a traditional oil for brides as it’s best qualities are those of relieving anxiety and tension – the flowers being strewn over the marital bed to ease tension. The word Neroli comes from the name of an Italian princess who brought the oil into popular culture a few hundred years ago. It is therefore quite a new oil to the filed of Aromatherapy, as many oils and tinctures of plants have been around for thousands of years.

It is a wonderful oil to use as a perfume straight from the bottle from the moment your wedding fever kicks in. Use it when you are stressed about something not going the way you want it, or simply as a scent to help you cope with any mild anxiety. it is a beautiful scent to wear on your wedding day to give you a stunning, floral perfume and support your emotions and the butterflies in your stomach. This oil is an expensive oil and usually comes already diluted in jojoba to lower costs. The label will say “Neroli oil in 3% Jojoba.

Men tend to love this oil to as it has a bitterness about it – it’s not too flowery or sweet. Great for men for the same reasons as women – relieve stress! A drop on his solar plexus chakra wouldn’t go astray on the big day.

the beautiful rose

2. Rose

Rose oil is the oil of Cleopatra – the oil of queens. It is sometimes referred to as the Queen of Oils too! Rose is the oil of loving yourself, and others. Whatever you think a Queen embodies – then so does this oil. Not only wonderful for skin, and as a regulator for heat, rose oil will bring a sense of calm and inner strength. This really is a woman’s oil. It is the essence of femininity and strength, of subtlety and fortitude.

As for Neroli, rose will often already be diluted in 3% jojoba. Use it a perfume straight from the bottle, use it in your skincare regime in some rosehip oil and even give some the other women in your life who support you. Nurture yourself with rose oil.

lavender is spectacular

3. Lavender

Lavender is the oil of calming, soothing and grounding. It brings all your scattered energy together. Lavender can be used to help induce sleep, to use in a bath when you a feeling overwhelmed, and to vapourise around you when you need to make difficult decisions. if you could only have one oil in your life it would be lavender as it has so many uses. It is the perfect first aid all because it helps cuts and wounds heal, helps burns lose their sting and is perfect for shock. Take some lavender with you to the wedding and have a huge sniff straight from the bottle to give you a blast of solidarity. Share it amongst the bridesmaids and if anyone has a headache a drop on the temples will aid the pain.

Geranium in my street

4. Geranium

This oil is made from the flower and it very definitely a strong floral oil! Geranium is another good oil for skincare -face and body. It is an oil of happiness and playfulness and is bright and full. I use geranium oil when I feel I need a boost, and when I need a bit of stability in my emotions. It’s great for brides who are quite emotional and teary and will help you on the lead-up to your wedding when you need help looking for the fun and joy in the process. It’s easy to get bogged down in the “doing” of the wedding but it’s just as important to enjoy and be present in this process too.

frankincense resin – the oil is steam distilled from this

5. Frankincense

Frankincense is the oil of breathing deeply. By taking deep, slow breaths you will automatically relax. Vapourise frankincense oil in your home for relaxation and as an oil to help you connect more deeply with your spirit. Traditionally used in the Catholic church to inspire the congregation reach a meditative and spiritual state, it is also used as a symbol of faithfulness to God, a ritual in worship. This oil is also good in skincare and is particularly indicated for more mature or dry skins. Once again add some of this stunning oil into your rosehip oil and use a a facial moisturiser. I use rosehip everyday on my face and I couldnt recommend anything better and more simple. When you add some essential oils to it, it becomes a powerful softening and nourishing treatment.

Stay tuned for My Top 5 OIls for Brides – Part 2 for recipes and a more detailed description of how to use them.

Remember to treat yourself first , then everyone will benefit.

Essential Oils from Herbs are Spectacular!

Posted on February 6, 2013 by suzannerbanks

oh lovely peppermint!

The Lamiacae family of plants groups together lots of great herbs we know and use frequently. It used to be called the Labiatae family (and sometimes still is), but I’m glad we’ve upgraded the name!

You may never have guessed it but these plants, that make wonderful aromatic oils, belong together:

Basil

Clary Sage

Hyssop

Lavender

Melissa (lemon balm)

Marjoram

Oregano

Peppermint

Patchouli

Sage

Spearmint

Thyme

So when you smell lavender, even though the flowering tops are used in the distillation process (as well as other parts of the plant), it really is a herb. Try smelling hints of marjoram in the oil and it can give you a very different opinion of it.

thyme

Thyme and oregano also have those marjoram notes too, even though they are very strong oils and less user-friendly than marjoram in massage and skincare.

Hyssop has a spicy scent, and once again very herbaceous. It smells similar to sage, lavender and marjoram.

Basil is quite distinct, but two or three seconds into a good long whiff, you will also detect hints of the other herbs.

Clary Sage is a very heady oil and quite different to Sage – but you can almost smell a little hyssop in there.

patchouli – looks a bit like mint

Patchouli is another oil that tends to stand out in this group as it has very individual notes. The earthiness however, connects a little bit to the sages, and even thyme.

melissa – can you see the similarity in the leaves of all these herbs?

Melissa is a premium oil and is the only lemon scented herb of the group. It is a lot more subtle than other lemon scented oils like lemongrass, may chang and lemon scented tea tree. I would definitely consider it to be quite special and very talented.

The mints are very different and spearmint often gets a bad wrap because of its use in toothpaste and gums. Some people find it hard to relate to as an essential oil but I love it in mists and use it in skincare too. It’s great to use when peppermint is too strong for an oil blend for the body, and when you want a herb that’s sweet and light.

This lovely Lamiacae family deserves our praise and thanks for serving us for thousands of years. And now we have the beautiful aromatic oils they provide, yay for us!

We live in a scented paradise!

What Do I Mean when I Say “Use Your Intention”?

Posted on February 4, 2013 by suzannerbanks

Hello natural scent lovers far and wide!

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, less 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.

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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.

Body oils make lovely legs

This doesn’t have to take a long time nor does it have to be complicated. You could simply say to yourself “fulfilment”. 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 realise. 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.

look within – not without

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”.

may all your vortexes be charged with positive energy

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 rush to the toilet.

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.

Lavender is the “Little Black Dress” of the Oil Wardrobe

Posted on January 30, 2013 by suzannerbanks

absolutely stunning lavender fields via reddit.com

Lavender is the “Little Black Dress” of the oil wardrobe. The L.B.D. It is. Let me explain.

The other night I was going to a 20’s Prohibition themed 40th birthday party and didn’t really have time to get an outfit together – or really had no idea what to wear. My friend said “oh come on all you have to do is wear a little black dress and stick a flower in your hair”.

Right. Of course. And then the fact that I didn’t own a L.B.D became the issue. Off I went to the new year sales and after hours of trying on dresses I found my L.B.D. It wasn’t what I had imagined so now I realise it may be necessary to own a few. So anyway the L.B.D. is the item in your wardrobe you can take anywhere. You can wear it out to dinner, to the opera/symphony/theatre, to a party, to an intimate evening at home, to lunch and pretty much anywhere. It’s how you accessorise that counts. You can dress it up or dress it down, and mould it into something new every time you wear it. In fact it could just be a little black slip and still work.

the L.B.D via groominglady.com

Lavender is the same. It is a MUST have oil for any collection! Even if you aren’t into aromatherapy in a big way, it’s a must have for any household due it’s amazing first aid properties. Burns, cuts and abrasions, panic attacks, stress, headaches and anything else you can think of. It’s the fortifying oil, the oil of bringing energy together.

Lavender has cell regenerating properties too so it’s great in skincare and haircare, helping scars heal and helping sunburn. Here’s a few body oil blend recipes for lavender:

“I’ll Have a Sour Plum Margarita Thanks”

Take lavender to a cocktail bar – in 3 teaspoons of carrier oil add

Lavender 2 drops

Ylang Ylang 3 drops

Orange 3 drops

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“I have No Idea What She is Singing”

Take lavender to the dress circle at the opera – in 3 teaspoons of carrier oil add

Lavender 3 drops

Frankincense 3 drops

Patchouli 1 drop

Nutmeg 1 drop

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“Behind Closed Doors”

Take lavender into the bedroom – in 3 teaspoons of carrier oil add

Lavender 1 drop

Jasmine in jojoba 12 drops

Sandalwood 1 drop

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dance floor at Sydney Mardi Gras 2007

“I like the Extended Dance Mix Better than the Radio Edit”

Take lavender to the dance floor – in 3 teaspoons of carrier oil add

Lavender 1 drop

Cedarwood Atlas 2 drops

Bergamot 4 drops

Cinnamon 1 drop

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“I’ll Save Room for Dessert”

Take Lavender to a dinner party – in 3 teaspoons of carrier oil add

Lavender 3 drops

Fennel 1 drop

Roman Chamomile in jojoba 8 drops

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“What’s the Wi-Fi Password?”

Take Lavender into a business meeting – in 3 teaspoons of carrier oil add

Lavender 2 drops

Neroli in jojoba 12 drops

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lavender

Lavender is a fantastic, versatile herb that should never be overlooked. It is powerful!

I hope you have fun with these recipes and please feel free to tell me about your experience of lavender in the comments section.

Remember to treat yourself first, then everyone will benefit.

Deep, Cool, Grounding Vetiver

Posted on January 28, 2013 by suzannerbanks

Hairy vetiver root

Vetiver essential oil (Vetiveria zizanoides) is steam distilled from the root or “rhizome” of the plant. As you can see from the pic above the rhizome is hairy and fine, exposing as much surface area as possible to the surrounding soil. This scent of vetiver is similar to damp soil, although this is a simplification. It is an essential oil that is used extensively in perfume as a “fixative”: bringing all the scents together and binding or fixing them into a cohesive blend. It is used in many scents for men due it’s strong, deep, smoky aroma- but having said that it is also used in women’s perfumes too.

In aromatherapy it is therapeutically used for many things, and is also used the bind a formula together. I would use 1 drop of vetiver in a formula to make this possible. The most important thing to remember about vetiver is that the scent is so strong, less is more! One drop is enough in a small oil blend for your body.

less IS more via zazzle.com

I would chose one or two drops of vetiver to treat a client who is unsure, confused, overwhelmed and spends too much time in their head. It is often referred to as a “grounding” oil as it has the ability to draw energy into the ground. Patchouli works in a similar way too. Hysteria, especially in kids, can be stopped immediately with a drop of vetiver oil. You could do this by placing a drop in your hands, rub them together, and smooth all over the energetic body – ensuring your child gets to smell the oil. It’s the scent of the oil, traveling through the nasal epithelium and into the brain, that makes this possible. With aromatherapy, the scent is of the oil has one of the most powerful effects, and using them in a mist is a lovely way to do it.

use a drop of vetiver on a screaming child

Here are a few recipes using vetiver oil:

Chill Baby

for a mist that will help anyone chill out – in a 50ml mist bottle

orange 15 drops

lavender 8 drops

vetiver 2 drops

I’m Freaking Out (I need to Get Myself Together)

for a body oil blend to nourish your skin and help you calm down – in 3 teaspoons of carrier oil add

rosewood 2 drops

mandarin 4 drops

vetiver 1 drop

Oh No I Think I’m Sunburnt!

for a body oil blend to cool your skin – in 3 teaspoons of carrier oil add

rose in jojoba 12 drops

vetiver 1 drops

Vetiver is sometimes referred to as “The Oil of Tranquility”, especially in India where it is commonly used, and produced. If you just remember this little phrase you will automatically know what to use vetiver oil for. It can also be used in hair care and skincare as a moisturiser for dry skin, and you can use any essential oil as an antiseptic.

The last time I was in Bali a shop was selling the root, and the scent was absolutely divine. I have read that the root is dampened and hung in windows to cool everyone down. The mild scent of the root is just a hint of what the power of the oil smells like.The essential oil is strong so use sparingly!

Remember to treat yourself first, then everyone will benefit.

Peru Balsam – I LOVE you!

Posted on January 23, 2013 by suzannerbanks

Myroxylon balsamum – Peru or Tolu Balsam (pic sneakily borrowed Fragrantica)

I placed an order with one of my suppliers the other day and was upset to find they will no longer stock peru balsam essential oil. The customer service operator said there has been a lot of negative publicity lately about the oil as a skin irritant, and that it was used more in perfumery. Yeah! That’s why I want it! I want it for the scent. So I’ll be looking for this stunning oil from somewhere else and hope I can find a lovely one.

This beautiful oil, is like a combination of benzoin and vanilla. (Benzoin tincture is the red liquid used for cuts and abrasions and other skin issues that need an anti-bacterial wash. It was often in the first aid kit for wound healing, and has been used for hundreds of years. It was also called Friars Balsam and is also a resin like Peru Balsam, but comes from the Styrax family. It is also used in perfumery and comes from Indonesia and other parts of Asia).

Peru Balsam is sweet and soft and has warming stimulating properties reportedly to be a great treatment for skin conditions. I suppose over-use of the oil can lead to the opposite effect – skin irritations. I have never seen any negative results from using this oil and actually love to use it as a perfume. It’s fantastic for vapourising to act as a soothing agent to stress, and add some sweetness and healing energy into the room. It is like a balm for the soul and when you take a deep whiff, it’s almost like you can smell a protective honeycomb, multi-dimensional energy field.

peru balsam resin

So apparently it’s not used in Aromatherapy as much as it is used in perfumery. It hails from Central and South America and although it isn’t native to Peru, it was shipped to Europe from Lima in Peru in the 1600’s for perfumery, medicine and food flavouring.

In my practice I use Peru Balsam when I feel nurturing and protection is required. It goes well with orange and in fact this blend is a favourite of one of my clients. I use this on myself as a perfume straight from the bottle and also blend it with other oils for a body oil blend.

Here are a couple of recipes;

Sweet Unicorn Dreams

25 drops in a vapuouriser to sweeten the air, de-stress and to help avoid bad dreams

Peru Balsam 12 drops

Orange 9 drops

Marjoram 4 drops

Skin of Silk

8 drops in 3 teaspoons of carrier oil for a body oil

Peru Balsam 4 drops

Lavender 3 drops

Patchouli 1 drop

Knight in Shining Armour

25 drops in a 50ml mist bottle topped up with water for use as a space cleansing and protection mist

Peru Balsam 10 drops

Lime 8 drops

Rosewood 6 drops

Vetiver 1 drop

I don’t think we need to be afraid of the potentially sensitising nature of this oil, but perhaps use caution and don’t use it with kids. The old adage “everything in moderation” works well for us here as it does in everyday life.

Remember to treat yourself first and then everyone will benefit!

Are there any Aromatherapists out there who use Peru Balsam, and also those who don’t? I’d love to hear from you in the comments section, don’t be shy.

Hydrosols vs Floral Waters – What’s the Diff?

Posted on January 21, 2013 by suzannerbanks

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Hydrosols vs Floral Waters – What’s the Diff?

A lovely selection of rosewater

Recently one of my wholesale suppliers sent an email lamenting about the short shelf life of hydrosols and how difficult it is to maintain great standards for their customers.

I would have to agree. I absolutely love hydrosols but their scent doesn’t last long and it’s always disappointing when you open up a bulk container to find it has “turned”. The scent goes a bit dull and brownish and it simply isn’t right. So what’s the difference between hydrosols and floral waters?

Hydrosols

Hydrosols are the water left over from the steam and water distillation of a plant or flower. They contain many water-soluble constituents from the plant and therefore have a different make-up to the essential oil they come from. Hydrosols also have the beautiful scent of the plant, but at a more softer, rounder level. They contain minerals, cellulose and aromatic compounds. According to Wikipedia they “contain essential oil compounds as well as organic acids..…. and will include many of the water-soluble plant pigments and flavonoids.”

Hydrosols will be harder to find in a retail environment, mostly everything will be a floral water- either the essential oil infused into the water, or the plant boiled or infused in water. If you can buy a true hydrosol its definitely worth a try.

Hydrosols can be used in skin care and as a therapuetic treatment. I remember taking a weekend class with an Indian Ayurvedic doctor and rosewater was used for an eye bath to soothe the infection and used when any kind of heat or inflammation was present. Rose water has been used in Ayurveda as a treatment for centuries and is also used by woman in their skin care regimes.

If it’s a real hydrosol it can be amazing when its fresh. If it’s not a real hydrosol it could be a floral water.

Floral Waters

The most well-known would be rose-water, orange blossom (neroli) water and pine (kewra) water. Check out this article for some fabulous Oregon scented alcohols.

Pine water (essence)

A simple hand made rose water sneakily holistichealthherbalist.com

A simple hand made rose water – pic sneakily holistichealthherbalist.com

Hydrosols could be called floral waters (because they are), but this usually refers to a water that has been scented with essential oils. The best floral waters use a process that breaks essential oils into tiny droplets and forces them into de-ionised water. In this process no extra chemicals are used and the scent is true to the essential oil. The scent will also last longer and floral waters can still be used for everything that a hydrosol is used for.

If you go into a middle eastern or Indian shop and find a bottle of rose-water, for example, it probably wont be a hydrosol. It will be a floral water made in another way. That’s not to say they aren’t fabulous but always check the label to find if there are any chemical preservatives or nasty ingredients.

You can use your stunning floral water in these ways:

Misting your face before moisturising to soften and hydrate
Misting your body after the sun
Use in place of a facial toner for a more gentle clarifying and cooling treatment
particularly lovely for misting kids to help cool them down
add to a cocktail for a delicious scented drink
add a splash to a glass of water
use in cooking with sweets and salad dressings

I’m sure you can think of many more so don’t hesitate to use hydrosols and floral waters in your daily regime.

Electrifying Essential Oil Body Blends – for the Ladies

Posted on January 16, 2013 by suzannerbanks

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Electrifying Essential Oil Body Blends – for the Ladies

The classic bottle for aromatherapy “Boston Round Amber”

Get Ready!

What you will need:

1. Oils! Hehehehe.

You will need some carrier oils which could be any of the following – almond, grapeseed, sunflower, jojoba, apricot, avocado (this is a bit thick and dark so it’s good to mix with another lighter oil), coconut, camelia, olive and maybe some macadamia (good to mix this with another oil too).

All your essential oils.

2. Bottles (see pic above) or a glass dish to mix enough for one moisturising treatment.

3. A good intention – this will play an important part in how the oil blend will come together in the end. It could mean the difference between an absolutely beautiful formula or an ordinary one.

4. A clear space around you – simplify your area, and make sure it’s clean.

Let’s go!

I will give you quantities for a 50ml oil blend which is 25 drops of essential oil in 50mls of carrier oil.

For a quick coat of your body you can use 3 teaspoons of carrier oil and 8 drops of essential oil.

one drop of oil at a time

***** 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.

1. Look Out Here I Come

Black pepper 5 drops

Orange 15 drops

Geranium 5 drops

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2. Red Hot Mamma

Ylang Ylang 5 drops

Mandarin 15 drops

Cardamom 2 drops

Patchouli 3 drops

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3. Sugar and Spice

Cinnamon 8 drops

Rose Geranium 8 drops

Rosewood 9 drops

Wonder Woman IS Cool

4. Wonder Woman is COOL

Cedarwood Atlas 5 drops

Bergamot 12 drops

Fennel 2 drops

Lime 6 drops

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5. Chillax-arama

Marjoram 6 drops

Petitgrain 12 drops

Lavender 7 drops

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6. Brilliant Idea

Basil 5 drops

Rosemary 8 drops

Lemon 12 drops

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7. Pink Bubble of Love

Peru balsam 8 drops

Orange 10 drops

Frankincense 6 drops

aaahhhh the beautiful rose

8. Rosey Posey

Rose in jojoba 30 drops (this is an oil that usually comes diluted in jojoba because of the cost)

Rosewood 5 drops

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9. Oh Happy Day!

Spearmint 8 drops

Rose geranium 8 drops

Lemongrass 9 drops

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10. I’m Willing to Be Flexible on That

Palmarosa 8 drops

Grapefruit 17 drops

I hope this gives you some ideas for blending and moisturising. Have fun, and ask me a question if you aren’t sure. You an also refer to my previous articles for further information “Ratios for Blending Essential Oils – A Reminder of the Basics” and “Aromatherapy – It’s Easy as 1 2 3”

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

suzannerbanks

scent . intention . consciousness . essential oils

Tag Archives: aromatherapy

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Electrifying Essential Oil Body Blends – for the Ladies

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