Intention – It’s Gotta Be Good!

Posted on July 30, 2014 by suzannerbanks

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Why?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Go ahead! Start blending with your intention!

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

Remember to add your intention to create a meaningful formula.

10 Recipes with Himalayan Cedarwood – Cedrus deodora

Posted on July 23, 2014 by suzannerbanks

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

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

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

Let’s check out some recipes –

Face mask it!

1. Face Mask

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

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

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

2. Nourishing Body Oil Blend

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

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

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

“I’m the One and Only”

Respect yourself –

Himalayan cedarwood 2 drops

Orange 4 drops

Lavender 2 drops

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“Forest of Dreams”

Click into the vibes of the sacred Deodora forests –

Himalayan cedarwood 2 drops

Rosewood 3 drops

Bergamot 3 drops

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“Energy Now!”

Himalayan cedarwood 3 drops

Lemongrass 4 drops

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

3. Personal Aura Cleansing Mist & Room Mist

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

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

“Portable Sacred Space”

Himalayan cedarwood 8 drops

Mandarin 10 drops

May Chang 4 drops

Sage 3 drops

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“Meditation Anywhere”

Himalayan cedarwood 6 drops

Frankincense 12 drops

Lime 7 drops

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“Overthinking, 0: Feeling, 1”

Himalayan cedarwood 8 drops

Peru balsam 8 drops

Ginger 4 drops

Geranium 4 drops

Vetiver 1 drop

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Anoint yourself with pure essential oil blends

4. Pure Pulse Point Perfume

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

“Thankful”

Himalayan cedarwood 1 drop

Lemon 1 drop

Ylang Ylang 1 drop

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“Changing my Epi-Genetic Markers”

Himalayan cedarwood 1 drop

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

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“Inter Stellar Travel”

Himalayan cedarwood 1 drop

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

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

10 Recipes with Roman Chamomile Essential Oil – Anthemis nobilis

Posted on April 16, 2014 by suzannerbanks

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

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“Serene”

Anoint yourself before meditation –

Roman chamomile 3% 4 drops

Frankincense 1 drop

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“Angels Please Surround Me”

Roman chamomile 3% 3 drops

Rose Geranium 1 drop

Bergamot 1 drop

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“Soothe and Comfort”

For you or someone who needs it –

Roman chamomile 3% 4 drops

Rose 3% 2 drops

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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

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Recipes using Roman chamomile essential oil 100% pure

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

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“Marshmallows”

For soft, lovely skin –

Roman chamomile 3 drops

Pink grapefruit 2 drops

Palmarosa 1 drop

Patchouli 1 drop

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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

“De-Stress”

Roman chamomile 8 drops

Cedarwood Virginiana 6 drops

Orange 8 drops

Nutmeg 3 drops

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“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?

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“Petit”

Let big problems become small problems –

Roman chamomile 8 drops

Juniper 8 drops

Lime 8 drops

Vetiver 1 drop

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

Are you Living Your Dharma? Countdown to a New Year!

Posted on December 25, 2013 by suzannerbanks

The Buddhist Dharma Wheel – pic via rceezwhatzmore.blogspot.com

What is dharma and why is it important?

“In Hinduism, dharma signifies behaviors that are considered to be in accord with the natural order.

In Buddhism dharma means “cosmic law and order”, but is also applied to the teachings of the Buddha. In Buddhist philosophy, dhamma/dharma is also the term for “phenomena”.

In Jainism dharma refers to the teachings of the Jinas and the body of doctrine pertaining to the purification and moral transformation of human beings.

For Sikhs, the word Dharm means the “path of righteousness”. Wikipedia

I’ve been fortunate to hear many spiritual people speak on this subject and I interpret dharma as living your true purpose. Are you in a job you don’t like just to survive in this world? Are you in a job that you love where you don’t make much money at all? Do you work for yourself? It’s actually not really about your “job” but it’s definitely about your “work”. What it is that you have been brought here at this time on earth to do to help the evolution of the human race?

Meditating in NYC - pic via www.wellandgoodnyc.com

Meditating in NYC – pic via http://www.wellandgoodnyc.com

You don’t have to give up all your worldly goods and meditate all day, but if it’s part of your dharma, then to fulfill your purpose in life that’s what you’ll do.

For those who are unsure about this topic or who have never considered it, it’s about asking yourself the question – “What is my purpose in life?”. It may take you years to work it out whereas others around may know exactly from a young age. Remember it’s not about your job, it’s about how you are going to help the world evolve.

Change is a good thing pic via wix.com

Come on people there’s no time to dilly-dally it’s almost 2014! It sounds so futuristic but the future is now! We need to get more pro-active on this subject and each person has a duty of care to the rest of us to live and breathe their true purpose in life.

Essential oils will help you in your quest because they have a magical way of moving through the ether, your physical and energetic bodies and your mind, to help you access the fundamental truth of the universe. It is in this field of quantum potential that we can find the answers to that which we are seeking. What are you seeking and how can you help others achieve their dharma too?

Take a huge whiff to change your focus in seconds

Take a huge whiff of essential oil from time to time to open the emotional energetic gate in your mind, to open your third eye and crown chakras, to expand consciousness. See my article Change Your Focus in 3 Seconds for more about sniffing essential oils.

aaahhhhh essential oils

What oils? Here’s a few to get things rolling –

Frankincense – the scent of truth, induces calm and slows the breath

Sandalwood – both Indian and Australian Sandalwoods – grounding, spiritual, see the oneness of the universe

Black Pepper – stimulating, go out into the world and seize your destiny

Sage – wisdom, speak the truth

Orange – innocence, happiness

Cinnamon – loving what you do, ding what you love

Petitgrain – potentiality

Palmarosa – flexibility

If you are not sure how to start your quest, then try motivating others and you’ll be amazed at what a great effect this can have on your soul.

Go for it! Thank you.

The Hermit – A Tarot Card Reading with Essential Oils

Posted on November 13, 2013 by suzannerbanks

The Hermit – IX from the Rider-Waite tarot deck

He’s old, looks like he’s cold, and he’s on top of a mountain with a lantern. Notice how the yellow of the light and his staff jump out in this very grey card. He has taken one step at a time to reach the pinnacle of his wisdom. His lantern has shown the way. His lantern represents the wisdom he has gained through deep contemplation and life experience, and the acknowledgement of his inner light. His staff shows he has trusted his intuition, and knows that he can trust this part of himself.

When this card comes to you in a reading it’s about accessing your inner wisdom to guide you through this challenging time. It could also mean that in this time in your life, perhaps you need to look for a counselor or guide to help you find the right path for yourself.

It could mean this is a time for introspection and even isolation from the world so you can actually find quiet, to allow the divine intelligence of the universe to shine through you. This connection to universal energy may give you the space to find the inner peace you need right now. It is definitely a time to withdraw from the outside so you can turn your awareness inward to access the secrets of the multiverse. This can be a lonely life for the spiritual warrior and often very devoted spiritual people to find solace in being alone. It is in this state of being quiet, that the soul can soar in all directions of the space-time continuum. This is the great philosophical card of the major arcana.

Inner peace – pic via spiritualclarity.wordpress.com

Could this mean you are the wise person in someone’s life right now? Perhaps you need to become aware that your wisdom can help others and it’s time to share your light with the world. Are you a light worker that has hidden away from the world because you feel you are inadequate? It’s time to claim your place in the evolution of humanity and allow your wisdom to flow!

Lightworkers - it's time! pic via www.ashtarcommandcrew.net

Lightworkers – it’s time! pic via http://www.ashtarcommandcrew.net

SO what essential oils could we use to access this state of calm, inner peace and spiritual enhancement?

Take a huge whiff to change your focus in seconds

1. Open The Bottle and Take a Huge Whiff

Black spruce – expansion of higher consciousness (my new fave oil)

Frankincense – deep breathing, meditation

Sandalwood Indian – the classic spiritual oil

Marjoram – relax, be calm

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!

“I Am Willing”

Gain courage to look within –

Black pepper 1 drop

Petitgrain 2 drops

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“Meditate”

Slow down your breath and just be –

Frankincense 2 drops

Peru Balsam 1 dropsandal

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“One Step at a Time”

Start your process of inner evaluation slowly o it doesn’t freak you out –

Vetiver 1 drop

Mandarin 2 drops

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

Myrrh – A Healing Resin of Old

Posted on September 30, 2013 by suzannerbanks

myrrh resin pic via www.pointsoflight.com

myrrh resin pic via http://www.pointsoflight.com

Myrrh. Whenever I say this oil in my head it sounds like merr-er-er. Just like Steve Martin’s character in the movie “The Man with Two Brains”, Dr Hfuhruhurr. I can’t help it. I’ve created a permanent synapse in my brain, that pronounces myrrh like Hfurhruhurr (except with an M). I don’t really use myrrh very much and maybe this is the reason.

I do however, use myrrh as an oil of abundance – a little goes a long way. Just like frankincense, myrrh is a resin in its natural state and then it’s steam distilled to produce an essential oil. In all bottles of myrrh that I’ve owned, before too long the cap is often stuck to the bottle with the dried oil – it wants to revert back to its original form. This never happens with frankincense which is quite a thin oil. Look how similar the trees are – they are from the same family, Burseraceae, but a different genus. Myrrh is from Commiphora, and frankincense is from the Boswellia genus.

myrrh tree pic via azarius.net

frankincense tree pic via herbsocietyvic.org.au

Myrrh is native to parts of Africa and still revered as a great healer. We know of stories in the bible which tells us that this resin has been used for centuries. Like many of the older plants and oils, myrrh is also noted in ancient Egypt as an important ingredient in the holy incense kyphi, and the temples of Jerusalem in the incense of ketoret. I’ve just written about spikenard (see my article Spikenard – an Essential Oil with a Rich History and a Heady Scent), which appears in the same texts and was also an ingredient in these ceremonial incenses.

With its amazing qualities of healing and preservation you can see why the Egyptians used myrrh in embalming. If it’s hardening on the lid of my oil bottle then it’s working that way when embalming a body!

Egyptian mummy

Myrrh is a great wound healer and works really well with gum disease and mouth ulcers. I would use myrrh in an oil blend with a client to add dimension to the scent and to address fears of lack, and a general feeling of being unsupported. I love myrrh to stimulate healing from past hurts and to help someone gain strength to continue in life.

A drop of myrrh may be all you need

In aromatherapy today myrrh is used for –

* gum disease

* deep cracks n the heels

* chronic wounds that wont heal

* to reduce mucous in coughs and bronchitis

* as a meditative oil to connect to spirit

* to help with period pain and for use in childbirth

Embrace myrrh as an oil to support you in your connection to the divine. Be sparing with myrrh in your oil formulations as a little goes a long way.

Spikenard – an Essential Oil with a Rich History and a Heady Scent

Posted on September 23, 2013 by suzannerbanks

Nardostachys grandiflora or Nardostachys jatamansi pic via www.medievalcookery.com

Nardostachys grandiflora or Nardostachys jatamansi pic via http://www.medievalcookery.com

In a recent article I included spikenard in one of my recipes – see The Hierophant – A Tarot Card Reading with Essential Oils. It is commonly called spikenard, nard and the Indian name jatamansi (which is what I call it in my mind).

When I posted the link on my Facebook page one of my friends read the article (thanks Jason), and wanted to know more about this oil. My brief comments went something like this:

It’s an oil of the bible and the story is that Mary used this to bathe Jesus feet, and it was said to cost as much as a year’s wages. It has history in other religions and appears connected to the first and second Temples of Jerusalem. Used in Ayurveda it’s great for healing and a deep connection to spirit.

So that is a quick look at the oil and I thought I’d elaborate because it’s so amazing. This is a strong oil and belongs to the same family as Valerian, Valerianaceae. I must say I’ve never used Valerian oil in my practice, as even the scent of Valerian tea is super strong and if you’ve ever taken an herbal sleep formula with Valerian, you can smell it as soon as you open the bottle!

So spikenard has the same deep, base, intensity that valerian has, and also the vetiver root (even though vetiver is more like a grass). As with vetiver oil, the rhizomes of the spikenard plant hold the essential oil. It’s sweet, heavy and almost syrupy as it flares out of the bottle. One or two drops is enough in any formula to invoke the meta-physical properties of the oil, and to bring an oil blend together and give it substance.

spikenard flower - pic via www.rkessentialoil.com

spikenard flower – pic via http://www.rkessentialoil.com

As with many essential oils, the plants have been used for centuries for both healing and religious and spiritual ceremonies. We are relying on ancient texts to illuminate us on the uses of these plants and also the scholars who translate them. It is always fascinating to me that thousands of years ago great healers knew what the plants were good for even though they had no scientific means of measuring their components. So is this intuition, trial and error, or a combo of both? However we look at it, it is a gift from the universe and our modern medicine would be nowhere today without this ancient knowledge.

There is so much to write about here I’ll just touch on the most interesting references to this oil. Said to have been used in the Temple of Solomon, the First Temple of Jerusalem (circa 800 BC) and the Second temple (circa 530 BC onward to about 70 BC), in the incense called Ketoret mentioned n the Hebrew Bible and other texts. Ketoret is also very similar to the Egyptian incense called kyphi too which was recorded in the Pyramid texts dating back to 2300BC. Also talked about in the Bible, as mentioned above, this plant was used in Greek and Roman healing and ceremonies, and even used in medieval cookery. And as jatamansi, it’s been used in Ayurveda for thousands of years too, especially for grounding Vata, helping digestion and and as a heart tonic.

spikenard – pic via http://www.aroma-pure.com

Ok so what is spikenard used for in modern Aromatherapy?

* as a calming tonic for someone freaking out (as is valerian and vetiver)

* to induce sleep

* to act as a calming digestive tonic

* as a wound healing oil by acting as a anti-bacterial agent and also an anti-inflammatory

* as an oil for meditation to induce a soothing, calming energy to connect to higher consciousness

* as a base oil to bring an oil blend together

* to stimulate hormone production

* for mature and dry skins

When you use this oil, use it sparingly like you would do with Vetiver. The secrets of the universe are encoded in every drop of oil!

Stop and Smell the Roses

Posted on April 1, 2013 by suzannerbanks

Rosa damascena – the most used rose for oil production

“Rose is a rose is a rose is a rose.”

Gertrude Stein, 1935

Some say Gertrude Stein is referring to the rose like this to express her feeling that things are what they are. According to Wikipedia: “In Stein’s view, the sentence expresses the fact that simply using the name of a thing already invokes the imagery and emotions associated with it,..”

So when you say rose do you invoke the scent, or the colour, or everything? It is the most romanticised flower in history and appears in many poems, prose and plays. It is often associated with love and intimate moments of the heart.

Do you take time to stop and smell the roses? What is life if we don’t connect to its beauty at every turn? The scent of a beautiful rose is a true gift of nature which invites us to convene with the oneness of the universe in the now!

Rosa centifolia – another rose used to make essential oil

I never buy a rose that doesn’t have a scent – to me that’s the most important part. Isn’t it a wonderful thing when you enter your house to be greeted by the natural perfume of roses? Essential oil of rose is made by either steam distillation or as an absolute (where the scent is extracted into a fat and then lifted by a solvent). I tend not to buy absolutes as there seems to be a heavy chemical intervention and I’d rather have my oils extracted in the simplest way.

Rose oil is a complex arrangement of hundreds of molecules, some of which have still not been identified. No wonder it is referred to as the “Queen of Oils”. We know Cleopatra used roses in her beauty regime, and it is claimed she used rose petals in her boudoir to seduce Marc Anthony from the Roman Empire. The Romans used roses too, and the mention of roses appear in Christian, Buddhist and Confucian literature. Roses are seen in Asian motifs dating back to 3000 BC. It seems as though commercial production of rose oils and rose by products can be traced to Persia in the 10th century. The oil was referred to as “attar of roses” or “rose otto”, which is a term still used today.

Rosa gallica – a sub species named “James Mason”

So what can we use use rose oil for?

* use rose oil to help with any heat or infection in the body (you would put a few drops into some carrier oil and smooth it on the face and body – a great treatment for any illness)

* use this rose body oil to help take the sting out of eczema and psoriasis

* a drop on the temple to relieve stress and tension and counteract a headache

* a great oil for attending to grief (use it a single drop on the heart chakra or in a personal mist or room mist)

* a drop added to your facial oil or cream will refine your skin and give you one of the most powerful aromatherapy treatments in the world. You will feel soft, unruffled, connected to the universe and ready to be the Queen of your world

* a few drops of rose oil in an oil burner will create a scented paradise of peace and calm so it’s great for upset children, the elderly and even pets (if you are using 3% in jojoba it’s not really suitable for an oil burner – you will need to buy the pure oil)

* a drop or two in the right place, as a perfume, will do amazing things for your self esteem as rose is the oil of self-love and nurturing

When buying rose oil you will mostly find it comes in a 3 % dilution in jojoba oil and this is simply because it is a premium oil and is very expensive. Even if you buy wholesale, pure rose oil can cost hundreds of dollars. It is precious!

Remember, treat yourself first then everyone will benefit!

Frankincense is the Scent of Truth

Posted on March 11, 2013 by suzannerbanks

frankincense tree and resin

Frankincense.

As I finished a treatment last week and I was writing the ingredients of the formula on a label, I said to myself “frankincense’, “frank – incense”. Frank, incense. The scent of truth. I had an immediate understanding of the entire universe all at once.

Frankincense (Boswellia carteri), has been used for centuries in spiritual rituals and is still used today in Catholic and Greek Orthodox churches. It makes an appearance in the bible as a precious gift brought to Jesus and is found in the Middle East and Africa. According to Wikipedia

“Frankincense has been traded on the Arabian Peninsula and in North Africa for more than 5000 years.^[6] A mural depicting sacks of frankincense traded from the Land of Punt adorns the walls of the temple of ancient Egyptian Queen Hatshepsut, who died in circa 1458 BC.”

It’s also know as oilbanum referring to the process of “milking” the tree for the resin. There are many romantic stories of old about this resin and oil, and it is also linked to to the First and Second Temples of Jerusalem where it was used as a temple offering and incense.

It’s an unusual looking tree, and it is tapped for the resin, which is then steam distilled into an essential oil. The resin droplets that emerge from the tree are called “tears”. The myrrh tree actually looks quite similar.

frankincense resin

You can buy the resin to burn on charcoal too, and it emits a scented smoke that is entrancing to say the least.

frankincense resin burning on charcoal

Frankincense is the oil of breathing deeply and slowly. When you click into a rhythm of deep breathing it not only relaxes you, but also invokes a state of peacefulness and calm – just like when you meditate. Is it any wonder that churches use this resin? It is employed in the church to entrance the congregation into a type of meditation or trance, to access God and higher energies. When we connect with our spirit, we are seeing the truth in all things. We are connecting with the everything else in the universe at the same time – the oneness of all things. This is the truth. This is honesty. When we are being honest with ourselves we are being “frank” and open.

Frankincense has also been used to heal wounds by promoting cell growth and this also makes its a great facial oil. Most aromatherapy book will say that Frankincense is wonderful for wrinkled mature skin to help reduce signs of aging so I often use this in a face mask or add it to rosehip oil for a daily face moisturiser.

Here are some recipes for Frankincense:

For an oil burner or diffuser to help you relax into a divine stateessential:

“Sweet Silence”

Frankincense 15 drops

Orange 8 drops

Cinnamon 2 drops

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For an oil blend for your body to help you relax – especially great around the lungs and chest. Into 3 teaspoons add

“OM”

Frankincense 5 drops

Lavender 3 drops

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For a steam inhalation for congested lungs, or if you find it hard to catch your breath:

In a bowl put 3 drops of Frankincense then fill with boiling water and inhale through your mouth (cover yourself and the bowl with a towel).

steam inhalation

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For a face mask:

In a couple of teaspoons of clay (any colour of your choice) add 3 drops of Frankincense and a little floral water (or just plain water) to form a smooth paste to apply all over you face and neck. Rest for 15 minutes then rinse off. Beautiful! You look 10 years younger already!

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Seekers of the truth – this oil is for you!

Remember to treat yourself first then everyone will benefit.

suzannerbanks

scent . intention . consciousness . essential oils

Tag Archives: essential oils for meditation

Intention – It’s Gotta Be Good!

10 Recipes with Himalayan Cedarwood – Cedrus deodora

10 Recipes with Roman Chamomile Essential Oil – Anthemis nobilis

Are you Living Your Dharma? Countdown to a New Year!

The Hermit – A Tarot Card Reading with Essential Oils

Myrrh – A Healing Resin of Old

Spikenard – an Essential Oil with a Rich History and a Heady Scent

Stop and Smell the Roses

Frankincense is the Scent of Truth

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