Juniper – A Three Word Buzz

Hello natural beauties and scent lovers from all over the world! I absolutely love juniper and often go through stages of wanting and needing it all the time. It’s crisp, clean and fresh and in aromatherapy is used as an astringent for oily skin, to help with joint pain and rheumatism, as a diuretic and can be seen as a gentle detoxifier. I often use juniper to cleanse and release heavy, watery emotions. It’s made from the gorgeous purple berries of the juniper bush – Juniperus communis.

And of course juniper’s real claim to fame is its integral part in gin. I have been known to accidentally ask for a “juniper and tonic” once (possibly twice) before.

 There’s one thing for sure, this oil has a distinct and delightful scent, and here are some Australian perfumers and “noses” to give you their 3 word buzz on this unique oil.

 

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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

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

 

juniper berries

 

Who are you and what are your 3 words for juniper oil?

 

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

 

Suzanne Banks from banksbotanicals:

sophisticated, clean, tangy

 

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

 

Portia Turbo from Australian Perfume Junkies:

crisp, invigorating, astringent

 

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

 

gin and tonic – with a crisp rosemary garnish

 

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

 

Kim Landsdowne-Walker from Temp L D’or:

uplifting, rosy, flowing

 

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

 

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

 

Julie Nelson from Julie Nelson, Artisan Perfumer:

expansion, inner strength, wisdom

 

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

 

juniper is crisp like a walk in the forest

 

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

 

Tonia Walker from IME Natural Perfume:

summer evenings, detoxifying, light

 

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

 

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

 

Candace Gabelish from Pearl Perfumery:

bracing, herbaceous, uplifting

 

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

 

The Results – from most popular to least:

  1. uplifting
  2. invigorating
  3. light, crisp, clean
  4. detoxifying
  5. bracing
  6. expansive, inner wisdom
  7. herbaceous, tangy

So I’ll give you an extra hint – this oil is fantastic for lightening up your mood and detoxifying from negativity. It is cleansing and clearing and great to use in a perfume or oil blend to bring a sense of clarification. It is clean and crisp and blends well with so many other oils.

This is a beautiful oil! Do you love it?

 

Eucalyptus – A Three Word Buzz

Video

Hello natural beauties from far and wide. Eucalyptus is one of the more widely known essential oils, and is grown on many continents. China is one of the world’s biggest producers of eucalyptus oil and the European Economic Community are the largest importers of the oil. The Australian industry was the first to bring this stunning oil out into the world in the early to mid 1900’s and since then has continued, not only with oil production, but also the creation of many eucalyptus oil products.

There’s one thing for sure, eucalyptus oil has a distinct and powerful scent, and here are some Australian perfumers and “noses” to give you their 3 word buzz on this unique oil.

 

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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

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But first, a little movie taken the other day that inspired this blog:

 

 

 

Who are you and what are your 3 words for eucalyptus oil?

 

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

 

Suzanne Banks from banksbotanicals:

enlightening, enlivening, expansive

 

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

 

Portia Turbo from Australian Perfume Junkies:

sharp, fresh, energising

 

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

 

Eucalyptus in the Australian country

 

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

 

Kim Landsdowne-Walker from Temp L D’or:

uplifting, strength, spiritual cleanser

 

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

 

Jocelyn Fullerton from Cult of Scent:

comforting, clearing, distinctly Australian

 

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

 

Eucalyptus globulus is the most commonly produced essential oil although there are quite a few – pic via http://www.wildseedtasmania.com.au

 

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

 

Julie Nelson from Aromatique Essentials:

cooling, cleansing, bushland Australia

 

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

 

Candace Gabelish from Pearl Perfumery:

invigorating, uplifting, refreshing

 

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

 

Tonia Walker from IME Natural Perfume:

cleansing, comforting, uplifting

 

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

 

Eucalyptus radiata leaves ready to be distilled at Banalasta Estate in NSW

 

The Results – from most popular to least:

  1. refreshing
  2. uplifting
  3. spiritual cleanser/cleansing/clearing
  4. energising/invigorating/enlivening
  5. expansive/enlightening
  6. Aussie bushland/distinctly Australian
  7. comforting
  8. strength
  9. sharp/cooling

 

So I’ll give you a hint – if you’re lagging in energy, feeling uninspired, needing a little boost in your day and your life, take a whiff of eucalyptus oil to brighten your outlook.

Do you love eucalyptus oil?

 

Purity – A New Botanical Perfume by banks botanicals

Hello natural beauties!. It’s time to introduce the next botanical perfume, purity, from my perfume range called REVELATION. The 10 all-natural organic botanical perfumes correspond with my book of the same name. Each perfume represents a “Revelation Formula” from one of the ten chapters on essential oils. Purity is about cleansing your space, your personal energetic field and fortify yourself with a little protection.

 

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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

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

From the Space Cleansing and Protection chapter in my book, I have created purity the botanical perfume.

purity 9ml roll-on bottle

 

“Clutter-clearing is modern day alchemy”

Denise Lin, Author

 

 

 

Clearing and cleansing your space can be fantastically liberating and freeing. Once all the extra stuff is gone, cleaning with essential oils can take reclamation to a new level. Even just cleaning with oils can make you feel lighter, as you energetically release the old negative emotions and patterns and move into a new mind space. I call it purification, and it definitely applies to your chakras and energetic body as well as your home or office.

Clear out the old, cleanse your space and body with essential oils, and protect your personal aura with intention and this gorgeous perfume I’ve created.

 

“Man flows at once to God when the channel of purity is open”

Henry David Thoreau, Poet

 

So why not flow with the energy of the universe, with a pure heart and mind?

 

purity 1ml sample

 

The purity formula combines happiness oils and some of the essential oils I have listed in the Space Cleansing and Protection chapter of my book. All my perfumes are hand-made, organic, vegan, jojoba oil based.

purity is a sweet resinous fragrance that is as comforting as a balm and as cleansing as an autumn shower. Peru balsam is your sensual heroine with crisp sophisticated juniper highlights and lo-fi sprinklings of thyme and may chang. Add pretty pink grapefruit and inhale the divinity.

Cleanse and fortify your forcefield.

Ingredients: essential oils of *pink grapefruit, Peru balsam, *juniper, *may chang, *pine and *thyme in  *jojoba. *certified organic. 

1ml sample    $ 9 AUD

9ml roll-on     $67 AUD

 

 

Are you ready to cleanse your space and fortify your energetic body?

 

I Love Lemons!

I’ve always wondered about where this saying came from: “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade”. In this article I’m on the hunt for its author, and ponder why the amazing lemon has such a bad wrap. It does give us nutrition, flavour, colour, and of course lemon essential oil!

 

Sunny lemons

Sunny lemons

 

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

Barnes & Noble      Booktopia AU      Amazon UK

and many other stores worldwide as an ebook and paperback

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

Well of course the easy answer is that the fruit is sour. So if life is sour to you, add sugar, reinvent the moment and prosper.

The phrase was initially coined by Christian anarchist writer Elbert Hubbard in a 1915 obituary he penned and published for dwarf actor Marshall P. Wilder.The obituary, entitled The King of Jesters, praises Wilder’s optimistic attitude and achievements in the face of his disabilities:

 

“He was a walking refutation of that dogmatic statement, Mens sana in corpore sano. His was a sound mind in an unsound body. He proved the eternal paradox of things. He cashed in on his disabilities. He picked up the lemons that Fate had sent him and started a lemonade-stand.” Wikipedia

lemon The phrase was adopted again in the 1940’s by a couple of authors and especially attributed to Dale Carnegie, in his revolutionary self-help book How to Stop Worrying and Start Living, first printed in the UK in 1948.

Ok, so most people won’t eat a lemon like an orange (some do though), but its flavour is a must-have for the kitchen.

And then there’s the rind which is often overlooked, but when it’s used in a dish makes something unmistakably divine. This flavour comes from the essential oil tucked away in little pockets all through the tough skin. This essential oil can do so many wonderful things, and is a fresh happy scent that appeals to young and old alike.

Lemon essential oil is an uplifting oil with a sweet innocence about it, but don’t be fooled – it has a solid place in modern aromatherapy.

Some aromatherapists and scientific data claim lemon oil is good for:

  • stimulating the action of white blood cells
  • killing bacteria in the gut
  • soothing and lessening varicose veins
  • tonifying the circulatory system and aiding high blood pressure
  • helping the body shed excess fluids
  • decreasing cellulite
  • improving concentration
  • easing rheumatic pain & gout pain
  • stopping the flow of blood with cuts and abrasions

…… and the list continues.

lemon mandala

lemon mandala

 

And from my book “Revelation! Reveal Your Destiny with Essential Oils”:

Lemon

 

refresh, reload

 

This gorgeous fruit and oil is a real winner for me. Even Martha Stewart commented on Oprah, that the one thing she really missed in prison, was lemons. They have a myriad of uses both with the juice, flesh and rind, but we will be focusing on the essential oil that comes from the rind. When I think lemon oil I think, “refresh”, “reload” like the refresh button on your computer. Aromatherapists use this oil for a variety of purposes, but to me it means start again. This oil is often used for cleaning so in that sense it helps clear the air, clear your energy and clear your perspective. It’s the oil of fresh starts.”

Suzanne R Banks

Yep. I still love quoting myself. Thanks for indulging me. For wonderful essential oil recipes for lemon oil check out my article 10 Recipes with Lemon Essential Oil – Citrus limonum

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

Check out my YouTube channel too, thanks.

copryright SR Banks 2015

Which Essential Oil do You Need Right Now?

Which essential oil do you need right now? Use your intuition to be guided to the heart you love the most – right now! It could be different next week as we are always changing and flowing with life. Using my knowledge,intuition and the messages from my guides and angels, here are your answers …..

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

Barnes & Noble      Booktopia AU      Amazon UK

and many other stores worldwide as an ebook and paperback

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

Hearts and oils

Hearts and oils

 

Test pattern heart

Test pattern heart

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1. Playful and colourful this heart also represents the old TV test patterns. Are you testing the waters with a new relationship or are you starting to feel ready to love again? Either way BLACK PEPPER is for you to give you courage to pursue new relationships, new connections, and to give you strength to open up to the big wide world in all respects – not just love. Go forward now and fulfill your destiny. Don’t hold back any longer! Black pepper is a warm, sultry oil which can help you play the game of life with gusto.

 

Key to your heart

Key to your heart

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. Red for passion, but this heart has a key. Are you the keymaster ready to open someone’s heart with your love? Or are you the holder of the heart and key, not quite ready to give your love away. This heart could also represent stagnation and fear, an inability to move forward because you are holding on to the past. JUNIPER is the oil for you, to allow you to release any negativity in your life. Release tears and fears, and cleanse your space with this beautiful oil. Juniper is light yet powerful and can help you start again with a new attitude.

 

Pink and purple heart

Soft pink and purple heart

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. Romance is for you! You are either a romantic at heart or you are about to fall in love. All soft and dreamy this heart will allow you to see the good in everyone, and allow you to be forgiving and accepting to those in your life. PATCHOULI is the oil for you to help you stay more grounded, while enhancing your love of peace and harmony. If this doesn’t seem like you then patchouli will help you acknowledge the power of the one love of the universe that binds us together. Mother nature, faeries and elementals are your friends and you will be able to communicate with them more easily with the very earthy scents of patchouli.

 

Old fashioned ornate heart

Old fashioned ornate heart

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4. This ornate floral heart looks like a door wreath from Victorian times and brings to mind simplicity in its form and colour. Black and white, you can see the world has good and not-so-good elements and can cope quite easily with this knowledge. You are an old soul with varied experiences and ROSE is the oil for you. You may need to soften your heart, or help those around you to see love as a positive force. You have loved and been loved but may have become slightly jaded over the years. Rose will help you treat yourself with softness and kindness and perhaps even attract a new love toward you. You tend to take on others problems, so now is the time for YOU. You are the queen. You are worthy of self love and self care. It’s ok to have a time-out and say no to other people.

 

Blue bubble heart

Blue bubble heart

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5. Sparkly and friendly you always attract people who are drawn to your outgoing and fun personality! If this doesn’t sound like you, then what you need is to open your heart and mind to the possibilities of actually enjoying life. PETITGRAIN is the oil for you to keep you buzzing with beautiful, citrus happiness energy or to bring out these qualities you have been hiding from the world. Petitgrain, the oil of potentiality will help you take life in it’s stride and expect wonderful things to happen everyday. Each minute contains a potential miracle and with petitgrain you will smile and be able to allow wonderful things to manifest. We need you to be this bubbly force in our lives, so we can all be optimists!


Take a whiff straight from the bottle or see my article about how to blend and use essential oils safely.

Remember to treat yourself first, then everyone will benefit.

Check out my YouTube channel too, thanks.

copryright SR Banks 2015

 

Juniper Essential oil for the June Solstice, Jupiter and Venus 2015

Yes it’s the June solstice and while many of you are in the height of summer, don’t forget us on the other side of the equator. It’s cold. Dead of winter cold. Game of Thrones Winterfell cold. Well  maybe not that cold, but you get my drift ……

 

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

Barnes & Noble      Booktopia AU      Amazon UK

and many other stores worldwide as an ebook and paperback

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

Great diagram by earthsky.org

Great diagram by earthsky.org

As I was wondering what to write about this week, and I noticed the bright stars and planets in the sky with a gorgeous crescent moon, I found out about the special connection Venus and Jupiter are having at the moment. But in my mind I kept stumbling on the word “Jupiter”, and using “juniper” instead. I have been known to accidentally ask for a juniper and tonic once or twice before in bars too!

So I’m going to tell you how incorporating juniper essential into your life will give you an extra push, at this very auspicious time, wherever you live.

“On any night in June, 2015, look for the queen and king of planets – dazzling Venus and bold Jupiter – as these two worlds appear in your western sky first thing every nightfall. They’ll appear in your evening sky throughout June 2015, and they’ll be drawing closer together each evening!

Venus will pass Jupiter in late June/early July, 2015. At that time – especially on the nights of June 30 and July 1 – you can witness the closest Venus-Jupiter conjunction until August 27, 2016.”

earthsky.org

Moon, Venus, Jupiter on June 18, 2015 by Daniel McVey in Silverthorne, Colorad0 - via earthsky.org

Moon, Venus, Jupiter on June 18, 2015 by Daniel McVey in Silverthorne, Colorad0 – via earthsky.org – danielmcvey.comfacebook.photographybydanielmcvey

 

So whether you live north or south of the equator, or in equatorial countries, this planetary alignment is the same and its giving extra special powers to the Winter or Summer Solstice.

“The second major event in June is Venus meeting Jupiter in the sign of Leo, aligning to Prometheus in another fire sign, Aries, promising a romantic, sexy and creative summer, especially for fire signs (Leo, Sagittarius, Aries).”

neilspencer.com

I suppose it can be applied to us in winter too, and I did have a very social weekend – normally I’m by the heater for 3 months.

Juniper berries - pic via www.thedrinksbusiness.com

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

So now I’m giving you juniper for Jupiter (the King) and here’s why:

* Juniper is a great essential oil to help release extra fluid in the body including watery emotions. Maybe this means you need to shed any worries, sadness or concerns to take up the creative energy of the planetary alignment.

* It’s an energetic cleanser for you and your space, to help you make room for the experiences you really want – maybe love?

* It’s a light, bright sparkly scent, oozing sophistication. Use it around you to move your thought patterns from dark to light.

* For those in the height of summer, it’s gin and tonics, fun in the sun, laughter and love, and reaping the rewards from seeds you planted last winter. You are able to enjoy the prosperous summer knowing winter is a long way off.

* For those in the calm of winter, using juniper essential oil is a way to shed “stuff’ so you can be exact about what you’d like to come to fruition this summer. You are now on a steady rise to longer days, so commit to your desires NOW!

* For those in places very close to the equator, juniper oil can be a fresh addition to your routine, helping you gain better insight into your dreams for the future.

young unripe juniper berries

young unripe juniper berries

Wherever you are, enjoy Jupiter and Venus, the solstice and the gorgeous oil of juniper.

Remember to treat yourself first, then everyone will benefit.

Check out my YouTube channel too, thanks.

copryright SR Banks 2015

 

Fresh Blood – New Energy – Which Essential Oils?

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


Fresh Blood – New Energy – Which Essential Oils?

Fresh blood is loaded with oxygen

Fresh blood is loaded with oxygen

I just got a text from a good friend who said he was off to the (music) studio to work with new producers. He said he needed “fresh blood”. I quite like that expression and thought about it for a minute, realising it’s about new starts, a new attitude, fresh energy. At the change of the season it’s a wonderful concept to grab a hold of. Our lives are somewhat cyclical, but there is always an opportunity to start afresh.

Fresh blood = red blood cells highly oxygenated.

Oxygen in the blood stream = fresh life to all the cells in the body. Hooray!

Essential oils cannot help red blood cells become more oxygenated, but energetically they can help us change perspective. So let’s look at which essential oils can give us a feeling of a new perspective, a new and fresh life.

The green fruit pictured here is very small like a cumquat - pic via nwitimes.com

The green fruit pictured here is very small like a kumquat – pic via nwitimes.com

 

1. Petitgrain

potentiality, opportunities

“I love using petitgrain as a promise of good things to come. When you can be a bit more relaxed about the search for your purpose in this world, more opportunities will present themselves to you. Find new opportunities, new projects, new thoughts and feelings, new rituals and a new outlook with petitgrain.”

Suzanne R Banks “Revelation! Reveal Your Destiny with Essential Oils


 

 

I love lemons!

I love lemons!

2. Lemon

refresh, reload, brighten up

“When I think lemon oil I think, “refresh”, “reload”, like the refresh button on your computer. ..to me it means to start again. The oil is often used in cleaning so in that sense it helps to clear the air, clear your energy and clear your perspective. It’s the oil of fresh starts”.

Suzanne R Banks “Revelation! Reveal Your Destiny with Essential Oils


 

 

Roman chamomile in the Wellington Botanic Gardens

Roman chamomile in the Wellington Botanic Gardens

3. Roman Chamomile

less tension more inspiration

“If you can relax into the flow of life with a few drops of this divine oil, you will have more energy for the good stuff. Take your energy away from tension and into creation and inspiration with Roman chamomile.”

Suzanne R Banks “Revelation! Reveal Your Destiny with Essential Oils


 

 

Eucalyptus smithii

Eucalyptus smithii

4. Eucalyptus

clearing, enlightening

“Eucalyptus is expansive and purifying as it literally opens the pathways of the breath in the body, while freshening the air with a truly Australian bush scent. It can decontaminate your space, refine your attitude and offer a vital, enlightening clean breath of fresh air.”

Suzanne R Banks “Revelation! Reveal Your Destiny with Essential Oils


 

 

A cup of peppermint tea could do the trick as well

A cup of peppermint tea could do the trick as well

 

5. Peppermint

removes resistance

“I have found peppermint oil to soothe emotions stuck in the body and to remove resistance and barriers we sometimes create in our minds…. Get rid of tension and get happy. A great way to start the day is to steam with a few drops of peppermint essential oil in the shower to awaken your senses and clear any issues from the day before.”

Suzanne R Banks “Revelation! Reveal Your Destiny with Essential Oils


Any essential oil that you love could be your vessel of newness and fresh blood and energy.

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

copryright SR Banks 2015

 

 

Space Cleansing and Protection

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

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Chapter 11

Space Cleansing and Protection

Another look in between the covers of my book

Cedar smudge sticks - pic via www.livingwild.org

Cedar smudge sticks – pic via http://www.livingwild.org

Space cleansing has been traditionally accompanied by herbs and a smoking technique called “smudging”. This has been employed by many indigenous people throughout the world using sage, tea tree and other raw materials.

Essential oils can do the same thing in an easier way and also give you a bubble of protection from negativity.

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

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

The easiest way to surround and protect yourself is to create a mist with some oils and carry it with you wherever you go. Mist yourself, your car and your work space for an immediate cleanse, and an energetic seal that indicates this is your space, divinely scented.

My tips to make a 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!)

Throw some essential oils into your bucket and mop your floors

Throw some essential oils into your bucket and mop your floors

And of course if you add essential oils to your house cleaning regime you have the added benefits of an aromatherapy treatment too. The essential oils go to work to help stagnating energy disappear, leaving you with a fresh, clean vibe and scent.

Here are some oils I recommend you use:

“Juniper

spontaneous lightness

I’ve always used juniper to release negative, watery, emotions. When you can let go of emotions and energy that do not serve your highest good. it is easier to find a more positive vibe…. If you want a champion of “protection” juniper will not let you down. Juniper has the sent of sophistication.”

 

 

tea tree

tea tree

“Tea Tree

purifying

 

Tea tree is brilliant for removing bacteria and other impurities from your environment and most people equate tea tree with this action….. There is noting subtle about tea tree, but don’t be hesitant to use it in a diffuser or sample it and take it with you in your bag….. If you feel like you need a sturdy force of purity in your space try tea tree with some softer oils to make your potion pleasing as well as powerful.”

 

As a quick method of personal protection put a couple of drops of essential oils in your palms, rub them together, then smoothe down your energetic field with the oil (it will look as thought you are stroking nothing, with your hands about 10cm from your actual body).

Voila! Instant recalibration!

To find out which other essential oils can help you cleanse your space and add a little protection from the outside, click on one of the links below.

Amazon USA      Amazon AU      Amazon UK

Thanks everyone.

copryright SR Banks

 

Palo Santo – I Tried to Like You But I Didn’t, Sorry

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

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Palo Santo – I Tried to Like You But I Didn’t, Sorry

The spindly tree Palo Santo pic via blessyourbody.com

The spindly tree Palo Santo

About this time last year, Palo Santo popped into my world. Within a week or two, a friend had asked about it and one of my readers here on the blog also mentioned it in one of her blends. I’d never used it nor had I really heard much about this oil. So my interest was sparked and I did a bit of research to find –

* it belongs to the Family “Burseraceae” of which frankincense and myrrh also belong, and it definitely shows in its form and the fact that it’s a desert dwelling tree and looks just like a frankincense or myrrh tree

* according to Wikipedia the Burseraceae family has also been called the incense tree family

* its sort of like the South American sandalwood, as the scented wood is used to make incense and of course essential oil

* it is used in the Americas more than in Europe or Asia

* it has been used for healing in communities in South American countries for many years and has a strong place in their folklore too

* spiritual and healing ceremonies often used the smoke of the burning wood to purify bad or stagnating energy (similar to indigenous Australians using tea tree branches, and Native American Indians using sage for smudging)

* my friend who studied in Thailand was told it was good for increasing sexual drive and raising kundalini

The dried wood can be burnt directly

The dried wood can be burnt directly

“It is widely used in folk medicine for stomach ache, as sudorific, and as liniment for rheumatism. Aged heartwood is rich in terpenes such as limonene and α-terpineol.”  Wikipedia

As it is very high in limonene one would expect a lemon scent (if only slightly), but the mix of molecules makes for a very deep, earthy, heady scent indeed!

I bought a couple of bottles from a small environmentally focused company in Ecuador and I was feeling very international and slightly self-important when I placed the order. I was excited to receive and smell this intriguing oil of history and healing in many South American cultures including Mexico, Argentina, Paraguay, Bolivia, Brazil, Peru, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Colombia, Ecuador, and on the Galapagos islands.

Then it arrived. It probably didn’t help that I was unwell at the time. I ripped open the bag to find a cute little wooden box. Opened the box, cracked the lid, took a huge whiff and almost vomited. It has an earthy, rich, almost truffle scent, which is pungent and warm.

I could end the story right there, but I put it away in the oil cupboard until my friend dropped in for a blend. A week or two later she came by to collect her bottle of oil (she had actually experienced this oil in a yoga teacher training place in Thailand!)

She was excited. I wasn’t.

50 ml bespoke body oil made by me

50 ml bespoke body oil made by me

I made her oil blend and put 6 drops of Palo Santo in 150mls with a few other oils. Months later she reported that her body oil blend was beautiful, but now I’m scarred for life!

The weather is warming up and I’ve started to smell the Palo Santo wafting from my studio. It has managed to penetrate the triple bubble wrapping.

It is POWERFUL.

Use with caution!

Ay comments on this interesting oil are welcomed.

copryright SR Banks

 

 

There’s More Than One Eucalyptus Oil!

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

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There’s More Than One Eucalyptus Oil!

Eucalyptus globulus - pic via www.wildseedtasmania.com.au

Eucalyptus globulus – pic via http://www.wildseedtasmania.com.au

 

I love Eucalyptus!

1. Eucalyptus globulus

This eucalyptus tree – the “blue gum” – is the one most used to produce the essential oil. According to Wikipedia it’s also called the Tasmanian Blue Gum or Southern Blue Gum too. 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

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 “All the Australian Melaleucas”, share similar properties. I recommend trying this lovely oil next time you need some eucalyptus oil.

Eucalyptus polybractea

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

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 tea tree, but not really. 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

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-camphorous scent.

Eucalyptus piperita

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

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.

Get some eucalyptus oil in your house NOW! It has a simple yet very strong message –

“cleanse, clarify, open your mind”

 

 

copryright SR Banks