Your Essential Oil for the Lunar New Year of the RAT, 2020!

Yes, it’s a new year (almost)! How was your pig year? It seems to me there were a lot of people feeling pushed towards the end of the year, but sometimes that’s just life. The rat brings exciting times as the first animal in the Chinese Horoscope. The rat is smart, fast and engaging and has an attractive personality and an outgoing lifestyle. What does the Year of the Rat have in store for you?

 

Buy my 100% natural and organic botanical perfumes, and paperback book here:

suzannerbanks.com.au

                     Digital downloads and paper backs of my book                              Revelation! Reveal your Destiny with Essentials Oils here:

Barnes & Noble      Booktopia AU      Amazon UK

_____________________________________________________________________________

Rat – pic via chinesehoroscopeonline

2020 is the year of the yang (male) metal rat.

Yay. I think? 

This year is connected to metal and water and could see an increase in those industries.

Money and finances for all signs could increase, but only with the will, planning, and determination. Luxury, opulence and shiny things are characteristics of the rat year too.

The rat year brings new opportunities and new experiences for the ones who jump on their lucky opportunities quickly.


Your Chinese Zodiac in the Year of the Rat

Rat

Rat – pic via chinesehoroscopeonline

Keywords: success, learning, discipline

Oil: rosemary


Ox

Ox – pic via chinesehoroscopeonline

Keywords: new work skills, adapability, be social

Oil: palmarosa


Tiger

Tiger – picc via chinesehoroscopeonline

Keywords: happy home life, curb impulsiveness, friends

Oil: rose


Rabbit

Rabbit – pic via chinesehoroscopeonline

Keywords: alertness, accept change, exercise

Oil: wintergreen


Dragon

Dragon – pic via chinesehoroscopeonline

Keywords: initiative, career, chance

Oil: Ylang ylang


Snake

Snake – pic via chinesehoroscopeonline

Keywords: action, commitment, ideas

Oil: lemon myrtle


Horse

Horse – pic via chinesehoroscopeonline

Keywords: consultation, self care, work

Oil: Peru balsam


Goat

Goat- pic via chinesehoroscopeonline

Keywords: creativity, openness, new connections

Oil: petitgrain


Monkey

Monkey – pic via chinesehoroscopeonline

Keywords: fun, personal growth, success

Oil: coriander


Rooster

Rooster – pic via chinesehoroscopeonline

Keywords: inner strength, care, pace yourself

Oil: Siberian fir


Dog

Dog – pic via chinesehoroscopeonline

Keywords: forward march, friendship, planning

Oil: cinnamon


Pig

Pig – pic via chinesehoroscopeonline

Keywords: go with the flow, expansion, health

Oil: Roman chamomile

So what is your oil this year and are you happy with my key words and oils?

I wish you a wonderful year and look forward to connecting with you about natural scent and essential oils in 2020!

恭喜发财 Gōngxǐ fācái  Happiness and prosperity

Your Essential oils for Chinese New Year 2018 – Year of the Dog!

Hello natural beauties are you ready for the next new year? This Friday we usher in the most colourful of all new years – Chinese New Year. I’ve always loved the style and designs of this celebration, and love the zodiac even more. What’s in store for you this year, and which oils will be best to support you as you navigate the ups and downs of life in 2018?

 

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

Buy my 100% natural and organic botanical perfumes, and paperback book here: suzannerbanks.com.au

Digital downloads of my book Revelation! Reveal your Destiny with Essentials Oils:

Barnes & Noble      Booktopia AU      Amazon UK

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

 

Dog Chinese Horoscope in stone

 

Are you born in the Year of the Dog? You’re a winner baby, this is your year. To find out which is your animal zodiac, check out this link.

About the Dog Year

The dog is the 11th zodiac animal out of 12 so we are in the autumn stages of the cycle. To be specific this year is the year of the Brown Earth (Mountain) Dog. Next year we move into the first water sign, but for now, this is a year to look after your friends and family. Stay true and loyal to those around you, and try your best to embrace empathy and togetherness with your brothers and sisters around the world.

This is not a year to be selfish and put yourself above others, if you do it will backfire and you will not have flow and harmony in your life. This year is a good time to pay attention to your health, and you may even feel inclined to have a more conservative approach in your everyday life. The dog year is very oriented to work, and everything around it. Learning new skills and working with others are big themes this year.

This is a year of solidarity! 

Read on to find your oils …


The Dog

dog

 

Keywords: prosperity,  new ventures, stay in the present

Oils: petitgrain, black pepper, frankincense

 


The Pig

pig

 

Keywords: party, seize new opportunities, up-skill in work environment

Oils: orange, basil, cedarwood Atlas

 


The Rat

rat

 

Keywords: work achievements, be open, creativity

Oils: cedarwood Virginian, palmarosa, nutmeg

 


The Ox

 

ox

 

Keywords: self belief, don’t stress, new friends

Oils: lavender, chamomile, lime

 


The Tiger

tiger

 

Keywords: work/life balance, planning, new business

Oils: peppermint, bergamot, cypress

 


The Rabbit

rabbit

 

Keywords: fortuitous, be alert, recreation 

Oils: black spruce, rosemary, mandarin 

 


The Dragon

dragon

 

Keywords: one step at a time, new connections, travel

Oils: myrrh, geranium, juniper

 


The Snake

snake

 

Keywords: success, change in work, relaxation

Oils: ylang ylang, fennel, clove

 


The Horse

horse

 

Keywords: progress, social opportunities, seek advice

Oils: lemon myrtle, rose geranium, peru balsam

 


The Goat 

goat

 

Keywords: learning through others, temptation, happy home

Oils: pine, cardamom, may chang

 


The Monkey

monkey

 

Keywords: networking, advancement, positivity

Oils: melissa, patchouli, spearmint

 


The Rooster

rooster

 

Keywords: flexibility, don’t rush, look at the big picture

Oils: lemongrass, marjoram, cinnamon

 


 

I hope you like the oils I’ve chosen for you this year. Good luck my friends!

 

10 Recipes with Jasmine 3 % Essential Oil – Jasminum grandiflorum

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 a Kindle and Paperback

 


10 Recipes with Jasmine 3 % Essential Oil – Jasminum grandiflorum

A jasmine blossom in Sydney - pic by me

A jasmine blossom in Sydney – pic by me

Jasmine essential oil is stunning. I’m not sure how else to describe its heavenly scent. Jasmine is a sweet little flower with an almighty punch when it is converted into an oil – sweet and heady, syrupy and luscious. I recommend you always have a little bottle of this oil with you to open your energy to the feminine mystique within you.

Why do I say 3%? Jasmine is an expensive oil (yes you can buy it as a 100% pure essential oil), so it is more commonly found already diluted into a 3% ratio in jojoba oil. Aromatherapists usually work on a 2.5% ratio when blending so 3% essential oils are ready to use on your skin. For more info see my article “Essential Oils 3% in Jojoba – What are they, and Why?”.

3% of essential oils in the bottle of jojoba

3% of essential oils in the bottle of jojoba

There is more than one type of jasmine produced (The Jasmines –  A Love Story Full of Promises), but today we will be talking about Jasmine grandiflorum. Let’s check out some recipes.

Anoint yourself with pure essential oil blends

Anoint yourself with pure essential oil blends

1. 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! (I will be adjusting the drops of 3% jasmine intuitively for these recipes).

“Straight Up”

Use jasmine 3% straight from the bottle to entrance yourself (and others)


“You”re Caught in my Web of Love”

Use this beautiful scent to draw others toward you

Jasmine 3%         3 drops

Rosewood           1 drop

Cypress                1 drop


“Deep Connection”

Stir your base chakra energy to connect with others

Jasmine 3%        3 drops

Patchouli             1 drop

Orange                1 drop


“Sweet Success”

Spring is just around the corner …….

Jasmine 3%        2 drops

Peru Balsam       1 drop

Lemon                1 drop


nourish your skin with oil blends

nourish your skin with oil blends

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 am Beautiful”

Yes you are

Jasmine 3%        5 drops

Bergamot            4 drops

Black Spruce      1 drop


“In the NOW”

Jasmine 3%      4 drops

Mandarin          4 drops

Ylang Ylang       1 drop


“Lollipops and Laughter”

Jasmine 3 %    4 drops

Lemongrass     2 drops

Geranium         2 drops


Classic oil burner with candle

Classic oil burner with candle

 

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

3% essential oils will NOT work

* in a vapouriser or oil burner

* in a mist bottle

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


Jasmine in Sydney - the sweet promise of spring!

Jasmine in Sydney – the sweet promise of spring!

If you have pure jasmine essential oil then here are some recipes for you

3. Scent Your Space

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

“Tonight’s the Night”

Get a sexy space happening –

Jasmine                        6 drops

Petitgrain                     12 drops

Sandalwood Australian  3 drops

Juniper                          4 drops


“Believe”

Jasmine                   6 drops

Lime                        8 drops

Palmarosa                8 drops

Vanilla CO2 extract   4 drops


“Intuition”

Jasmine     5 drops

Nutmeg      5 drops

Cinnamon   5 drops

Bergamot  10 drops


 

 

Pretty flower, pretty scent

Pretty flower, pretty scent

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

copryright SR Banks 2015

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10 Recipes with Sage Essential Oil – Salvia officanalis

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

Amazon USA      Amazon AU      Amazon UK


10 Recipes with Sage Essential Oil – Salvia officanalis

Sage has a beautiful soft leaf with a pungent scent

Sage has a beautiful soft leaf with a pungent scent

I’ve written about sage before calling it “An Essential Oil of Wisdom and Abundance”.

In my book I refer to sage oil as an oil of wisdom and courage and it appears in the chapters about SPIRITUALITY, ABUNDANCE and DHARMA. It is a very powerful oil in its energetic resonance and scent, and I must admit in my practice I don’t use it nearly as much as the other herb oils, (sorry sage). It has a cousin called clary sage which is also quite pungent and both these oils can be used for feminine issues including;

* to stop milk production in lactating women

* to help regulate periods, and even participate in some pain relief with other oils

Sage is also used in aromatherapy today

* as a diuretic

* to ease sore throats

* to ease rheumatic pain

Fresh sage

Fresh sage

So let’s check out some recipes.

1. Open The Bottle and Take a Huge Whiff

Easy. This will open your throat, third eye and crown chakras to the intelligence of the universe.

It will help you realise, and speak the truth. Remember to be kind to yourself.


Classic oil burner with candle

Classic oil burner with candle

 

2. Scent Your Space

In a traditional oil burner with a candle or a diffuser add 25 drops of oil. You will notice the difference in the scent when you use a candle vapouriser as the oils are gently warmed and infused into the atmosphere. The fire of the candle is also transformational in its sheer existence. Transform and cleanse as you scent your space.

“Softly, Gently, Open Your Mind”

Sage            8 drops

Mandarin    12 drops

Patchouli      5 drops


“Stand Up for Yourself”

– in a compassionate way

Sage            6 drops

Fennel          6 drops

Petitgrain     13 drops


“Get Into The Flow”

Sage                   6 drops

Rose Geranium   6 drops

Cinnamon           6 drops

Orange               6 drops


a simple hairdressing mist bottle will do the trick for your amazing essential oil mist

A simple hairdressing mist bottle will do the trick for your amazing essential oil mist

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!)

“I’ve Got My Own Thing Goin On”

Sage                5 drops

Peru Balsam   10 drops

Lime               10 drops


“I AM Living My Dream Life”

Sage                              8 drops

Bergamot                      10 drops

Sandalwood Australian    4 drops

Lavender                         3 drops


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

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

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!

“I’m Ready for Expansion”

Sage                  1 drop

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


“Owl”

Sage          1 drop

Spearmint  1 drop

Lemon        1 drop


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

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

5. 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”

“That Time of the Month”

Sage           2 drops

Geranium    3 drops

Lavender     2 drops

Peppermint  1 drop


“Abundantia”

Sage              2 drops

Ylang Ylang    2 drops

Rose 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.

copryright SR Banks 2014

10 Recipes with Orange Essential Oil – Citrus sinensis

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

Amazon USA      Amazon AU      Amazon UK


10 Recipes with Orange Essential Oil – Citrus sinensis

Oranges and orange oil can make you happy!

Oranges and orange oil can make you happy!

I love orange oil because it’s light and fresh and so easy to use. Like most of the citrus oils the molecules are slightly less complex than other oils and have a smaller amount of chemical bonds. This makes them quite light and when using them to scent a room, you will need to anchor it down with a heavier oil to keep the scent around for a bit longer. You could use a wood like cedarwood or sandalwood; a floral like geranium or ylang ylang, or herbs like lavender and marjoram.

Citrus oils are best avoided in large amounts before going into the sun. A few drops in a blend will be fine but don’t lather yourself in orange and lime then head down to the beach for a full-on sunbaking session. They can be phytotoxic which means they can make your skin burn in the sun and while I’ve never seen evidence of this I’m sure people have found out the hard way.

Let’s go:

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

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.

Orange oil will brighten your outlook.


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

“Sweet Surrender”

Sweetly happy and content –

Orange             12 drops

Peru Balsam       7 drops

Rose Geranium   6 drops


“Cool Kids Space”

Create a lovely environment for the little ones –

Orange       15 drops

Cinnamon    5 drops

Marjoram     5 drops


“Invitation”

Invite happiness in –

Orange        10 drops

Palmarosa     8 drops

Lime              7 drops


“Pixies”

Connect to the elements –

Orange                           9 drops

Frankincense                 10 drops

Cedarwood Himalayan    6 drops


Chinese tea cup - perfect for a little perfume magic

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!

“Helium Balloon”

Happiness and lightness –

Orange     2 drops

Geranium  1 drop


“Life is Wonderful”

Orange           1 drop

Jasmine 3%    2 drops * see my article for more info on 3% blends in jojoba


“Laughter is the Best Medicine”

Orange         1 drop

Lime             1 drop

Rosewood    1 drop


“In This Moment”

Be present –

Orange                            2 drops

Sandalwood Australian    1 drop


“Maybe”

I’ll make up my mind when I fee like it, I’m going with the flow today –

Orange         1 drop

Lemongrass  1 drop

Ylang Ylang   1 drop


Essential oils can make you happier

Citrus essential oils are all about making you happier

 

Remember to treat yourself first, then everyone will benefit.

copryright SR Banks 2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10 Recipes with Neroli Essential Oil – Citrus aurantium ssp amara/Bigaradia

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

Amazon USA      Amazon AU      Amazon UK


10 Recipes with Neroli Essential Oil – Citrus aurantium

citrus blossom that makes neroli oil

The citrus blossom that makes neroli oil

Pretty flower. Very pretty scent.

Neroli essential oil is made from the blossom of a couple of citrus trees which do produce bitter fruit, sometimes used for marmalade – but the main focus is to harvest the blossoms for perfume. Thank you tree, your perfume is beautiful!

In the world of essential oils and plant-based medicine it is a relative newcomer. While some herbs and oils have been used for thousands of years (lavender, myrrh, frankincense, cypress for example), this scent was made popular in Italy in the 1700’s. The story goes that,

“by the end of the 17th century, Anne Marie Orsini, duchess of Bracciano and princess of Nerola, Italy, introduced the essence of bitter orange tree as a fashionable fragrance by using it to perfume her gloves and her bath. Since then, the term “neroli” has been used to describe this essence.”

 

The principality of Nerola is close to Rome where the Princess really worked the diplomacy angle in the Italian capital, securing her future in the courts of France, Spain and Rome. The essence was used particularly in Venice to ward off water born viruses and nasties.

Anne-Marie-de-La-Tremoille_Dss-Bracciano via wikipedia.com

Anne-Marie-de-La-Tremoille_Dss-Bracciano via wikipedia.com

It is an oil that is precious and expensive to make and therefore is mostly sold in a 3% blend. (see my article “Essential Oils 3% in Jojoba – What are they, and Why?” for more information on 3% blends).

Let’s check out some recipes with Neroli 3%:

1. 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.

Neroli 3%    4 drops


 

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

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

2. 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!

“Bride”

Perfect to calm the nerves and smell wonderful too –

Neroli 3%      5 drops

Ylang Ylang   1 drop


“Summer Nights”

Get into your happy summer place –

Neroli 3%       3 drops

Lemongrass   1 drop

Lavender        1 drop


Anoint yourself with pure essential oil blends

Anoint yourself with pure essential oil blends

“Whimsical”

Neroli 3% straight from the bottle on your wrists and heart


“Quietly Powerful”

When you need a little oomph –

Neroli                         3 drops

Cedarwood Virginian  1 drop

Nutmeg                      1 drop


 

nourish your skin with oil blends

nourish your skin with oil blends

3. 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”

“Sweetness and Light”

Neroli 3%        8 drops

Lemon            2 drops

Frankincense  2 drops


“Youthful Glow”

Neroli 3%            6 drops

White Grapefruit  4 drops

Rose Geranium   1 drop


And if you have Neroli pure essential oil then you can use it in a vapouriser or in a mist bottle. The 3% blend is only good for mixing with oil or in a cream for your face and body, or using direct from the bottle as a perfume. Here are some recipes with pure Neroli oil:

Any bottle with an atomiser top will do!

Any bottle with an atomiser top will do!

4. 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!)

“Divinity”

Neroli           8 drops

Palmarosa    8 drops

Bergamot     9 drops


“Seduction”

Neroli              10 drops

Sandalwood      6 drops

Juniper              6 drops

Cinnamon         3 drops


“I Am”

Neroli         8 drops

Orange      6 drops

Patchouli   4 drops

Cypress     6 drops

Spikenard   1 drop


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

copryright SR Banks 2014

 

 

 

 

Affirmations and Positive Self-Talk

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

Amazon USA      Amazon AU      Amazon UK


Chapter 10

Affirmations and Positive Self-Talk

Another look in between the covers of my book

 

Excellent work, you!

Excellent work, you!

 

“An affirmation opens the door. It’s a beginning point on a path to change”

Louise L. Hay

 

Ah yes the most important thing about repeating affirmations is that your energy and spirit must be aligned with what your brain is saying. If not, the universe gets confused and finds it hard to surround and support you in your endeavours. As Louise says, affirmations are simply gates to a world of energetic change, and by using essential oils you can amplify your desires and link them to a world of scented beauty.

“By using essential oils with your affirmations you can transcend your logical mind and align your desires with your soul. When you are inviting essential oils into your world, attach some loving good feelings to those oils and your affirmation, and you will have a powerhouse of positivity”.

Suzanne R Banks

 

Affirmations are a great tool to open your awareness to wonderful possibilities, but at the same time being kind to yourself is just as important. We often have many (false) beliefs running in the background of our minds that negatively influence the way we speak to ourselves. If you drop and smash something in the kitchen do you hear yourself saying “I’m an idiot” or “I always smash things” or something similar? Sometimes these little sayings have been with us since childhood and it’s time to CHANGE!

 

Dr Joe Dispenza recommends saying CHANGE out loud  when you recognise a detrimental belief about yourself

Dr Joe Dispenza recommends saying CHANGE out loud when you recognise a detrimental belief about yourself

 

Changing old patterns is easier with essential oils, and here are a couple I recommend –

cinnamon

Cinnamon is a great spice that lends happiness and positivity to your world

Cinnamon

be sweet with yourself

Aw go on you can do it! Cinnamon is so fun and lovely and is a great oil to use in your formulations for scenting your space. This essential oil will help you lighten up and enjoy the person you are now and the one you want to become. Add sweetness to your day!

Beware of cinnamon’s bite and do not use it on your skin – it will burn!

I took this pic in Sydney - there's so much lavender here it's wonderful

I took this pic in Sydney – there’s so much lavender here it’s wonderful

 

Lavender

solid foundations acceptance

“When it comes to self-esteem and positive self-talk use essential oil of lavender for coherence and solidarity. This is an oil I would use for any kind of imbalance, to provide a sense of strong roots – a solid foundation.”

Suzanne R Banks

 

This oil comes from an ancient healing plant and must not be overlooked. It is abundant, easy to find in nature, and can be used for so many issues. You can just take a sniff straight from the bottle during your day to bring in a burst of calm and comfort.

 

To find out which other essential oils can help you be kind to yourself, click on one of the links below.

Amazon USA      Amazon AU      Amazon UK

Thanks everyone.

copryright SR Banks

 

10 Recipes with Lemongrass Essential Oil- Cymbopogon citratus

Delicious lemongrass

Delicious lemongrass

Lemongrass belongs to the Poaceae family (the grasses), and its genus is Cymbopogon. Other plants you may know in this family are palmarosa, citronella and vetiver (same family different Genus).

Commercially lemongrass essential oil comes from Cymbopogon citratus and Cymbopogon flexuosis, some of my suppliers have both, and some only have one.

“East Indian lemon grass (Cymbopogon flexuosus), also called Cochin grass or Malabar grass (Malayalam: (inchippullu), is native to Cambodia, Vietnam, India, Sri Lanka, Burma, and Thailand, while West Indian lemon grass (Cymbopogon citratus) is native to maritime Southeast Asia.” Wikipedia

Recently I have seen more C. flexuosis on offer and I wouldn’t really be able to tell the difference unless I had both bottles to sniff at the same time. There are variations in chemical constituents however if you bought either you would be fine to use them in the recipes below.

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

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.

With a lemongrass steam in the shower expect to feel uplifted, awakened, refreshed and ready to go. Some extra happiness may also randomly occur.

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

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.

***** 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”

“Pre Exercise Zinger”

When you need a bit of encouragement to get you going –

Lemongrass     2 drops

Rosemary         2 drops

Orange             4 drops

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

“After Exercise Soother”

Lemongrass       3 drops

Marjoram           2 drops

Lavender           2 drops

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

“Eye of the Tiger”

To give yourself some positive vibes for the day ahead –

Lemongrass                   3 drops

Cedarwood Virginiana    2 drops

Rosewood                     3 drops

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

Anoint yourself with pure essential oil blends

Anoint yourself with pure essential oil blends

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!

“Energy NOW!”

Lemongrass    1 drop

Basil                1 drop

Geranium         1 drop

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

“After Work Before a Dinner Date”

Refresh and revitalize –

Lemongrass        1 drop

Petitgrain             1 drop

Nutmeg               1 drop

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

“It’s Gonna Be a Bumpy Ride”

To help with travel sickness –

Lemongrass        1 drop

Ginger                 1 drop

Peppermint          1 drop

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

oil burner

A classic oil burner with a candle helps to remove and transmute unwanted energy

4. Scent Your Space

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

“Freedom”

Lemongrass     8 drops

Peru Balsam     9 drops

Cinnamon         8 drops

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

“A Night of Intrigue and Love”

Lemongrass        6 drops

Ylang Ylang         6 drops

Mandarin             6 drops

Sandalwood        6 drops

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

“Sunny Sunday”

The perfect scent for a Sunday afternoon –

Lemongrass          8 drops

Bergamot            10 drops

Cedarwood Atlas   7 drops

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

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

copyright suzannerbanks 2013

 

 

 

10 Recipes with Roman Chamomile Essential Oil – Anthemis nobilis

Chamomile - sweet flower, sweet scent

Chamomile – sweet flower, sweet scent

My last post went into a bit more detail about the beautiful essential oil of Roman Chamomile, so for a bit of background click here to check it out. Then lets get into some recipes!

An important note here is about how you are likely to buy this oil. As it tends to be one of the more expensive essential oils, you may find it in a 3% jojoba blend. For more info on this kind of essential oil see my article  3% blends in jojoba.

I’ll do a few recipes with 100% essential oil and a few with 3% in jojoba.

Recipes using Roman chamomile 3% in Jojoba

1. Pure Pulse Point Perfume

In a little dish mix these oils and anoint your pulse points or chakras always patch test first!

“Divine”

Use straight from the bottle as a pure perfume and I promise you will not be disappointed by the scent

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

“Serene”

Anoint yourself before meditation –

Roman chamomile 3%      4 drops

Frankincense                     1 drop

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

“Angels Please Surround Me”

Roman chamomile 3%      3 drops

Rose Geranium                 1 drop

Bergamot                          1 drop

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

“Soothe and Comfort”

For you or someone who needs it –

Roman chamomile 3%       4 drops

Rose 3%                            2 drops

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

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 clarifyng mask. pic vis chiclooking.com

2. Face Mask

Usually add 1 or 2 drops of oil to some clay and add water, floral water or hydrosol

Roman chamomile 3%   3 drops

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

Recipes using Roman chamomile essential oil 100% pure

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

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

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”

“From Hot to Cool”

To soothe tired skin and muscles –

Roman chamomile   2 drops

Marjoram                 3 drops

Lavender                 3 drops

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

“Marshmallows”

For soft, lovely skin –

Roman chamomile    3 drops

Pink grapefruit           2 drops

Palmarosa                 1 drop

Patchouli                   1 drop

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

Just use any mist bottle you can find

Just use any mist bottle you can find

2. 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!)

“De-Stress”

Roman chamomile         8 drops

Cedarwood Virginiana    6 drops

Orange                          8 drops

Nutmeg                         3 drops

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

“Pink Bubbles”

Surround and protect yourself with Shakti Gawain’s pink bubble of love –

Roman chamomile       7 drops

Mandarin                      8 drops

Cinnamon                     6 drops

Vanilla CO2                  4 drops * see my article for more info on CO2 extracts What are CO2 Extracts in the World of Aromatherapy?

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

“Petit”

Let big problems become small problems –

Roman chamomile       8 drops

Juniper                         8 drops

Lime                             8 drops

Vetiver                          1 drop

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

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

copyright suzanne

 

 

10 Recipes with Palmarosa Essential Oil – Cymbopogon martinii

Palmarosa is a scented grass that belongs to the Poaceae family (grasses) and the genus Cymbopgon. It is closely related to lemongrass and citronella and when looking at a picture it’s hard to tell them apart. The essential oil has been known as Indian geranium oil and also Turkish geranium oil “because it was imported into Europe via Turkey and Bulgaria as an adulterant to Otto of Roses” – according to botanical.com “A Modern Herbal”.

It has a green rosey/geranium scent and in Aromatherapy today it is used –

* as a skin moisturiser, with cell regenerating properties. See my article Palmarosa – Soft Skin and Happiness for more info on this gorgeous oil

* to help improve mood (like many essential oils)

* and Salvatore Battaglia claims it may stimulate digestion

Palmarosa is more often used in perfumery and body products as cheaper additional rose/geranium scent.

Palmarosa for oil production pic via www.grammeproducts.com

Palmarosa for oil production pic via http://www.grammeproducts.com

I love using this oil in many kinds of 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”

“Flexibilty”

Flow with the universe –

Palmarosa    3 drops

Orange         3 drops

Ylang Ylang  2 drops

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

“Buzz Off”

An oil blend for outdoors to fend off little biters –

Palmarosa     3 drops

Citronella       2 drops

Lemongrass  2 drops

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

“Lunar”

Look to the sky for inspiration –

Palmarosa     3 drops

Patchouli       2 drops

Mandarin       2 drops

Basil              1 drop

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

“Tra-la-la”

Invite happiness in –

Palmarosa       2 drops

Rosewood       3 drops

Black Spruce   3 drops

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

Wrap it up! pic via hellobeautiful.com

Wrap it up! pic via hellobeautiful.com

2. Hair Mask

Warm 3 teaspoons of oil (either olive or jojoba) and add 7 to 8 drops of essential oil. Massage into your hair from the ends up. Wrap your hair in a towel (or some plastic wrap then a towel). Leave for 1 hour, or overnight, then wash and condition as usual. This is the same ratio for a body oil blend and for more info see my articles “Ratios for Blending Essential Oils – A Reminder of the Basics” and  “Aromatherapy – It’s Easy as 1 2 3”

“Flower Girl”

A moisturising mask for dry hair –

Palmarosa      3 drops

Lavender        3 drops

Peru Balsam   2 drops

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

“Balance”

For oilier hair –

Palmarosa                    2 drops

Cedarwood Virginian    2 drops

Lemon                         4 drops

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

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

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!)

“Resistance is Futile”

The Borg were right – don’t resist, go with the flow

Palmarosa      10 drops

Cinnamon        5 drops

Marjoram         5 drops

Lime                5 drops

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

“Attention!”

Wake up, pay attention to the signs –

Palmarosa        9 drops

Lemon Myrtle    8 drops

Bergamot          8 drops

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

“Gastronomique”

Stimulate your appetite –

Palmarosa      6 drops

Juniper           6 drops

Orange          12 drops

Cardamom       3 drops

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

“Swish”

Get ya swish on –

Palmarosa           7 drops

Spearmint          10 drops

Fennel                  3 drops

Rose Geranium     5 drops

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

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

copyright suzanne