Tag Archives: essential oils for summer

Lavender for Summer AND Winter Skin

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Hello natural beauties I hope you’re all faring well after the New Year. I’m so grateful I’ve been having  lots of lovely beach time this summer, which also means I have tan, and have been exposed to lots of UV rays. Lavender is the perfect essential oil to cool summer skin, but even if you’re in the dead of winter, it’s perfect for you too! Read on to find out how this amazing oil of oils can help you now ….

 

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

Barnes & Noble      Booktopia AU      Amazon UK

and many other stores worldwide as an ebook and paperback

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SUMMER

  • Lavender has always been used to treat burns as its high linalool and linalyl acetate content helps soothe hot skin.
  • Used as a calming oil you can see how this relates to stress, sleep, healing skin and soothing skin too.
  • Mix a few drops of lavender oil into some natural aloe vera gel for the perfect after-sun treatment (although it can be a bit sticky)
  • Add a few drops of this amazing oil into your favourite body or face moisturiser to help soothe and repair sun damaged skin
  • Have a luke warm bath with some coconut milk and 4 drops of lavender
  • Make a body oil blend with lavender and your favourite cold pressed oil using this ratio:

 

lovely lavender in my neighbour's planter box out the frot

lovely lavender in my neighbour’s planter box out the front

 

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”

 

“After Sun Special”

Lavender        4 drops

Peppermint    2 drops

Vetiver            1 drop

 

I took this pic in Mexico in 2014

I took this pic in Mexico in 2014

 

WINTER

Warm up in winter with essential oils

Warm up in winter with essential oils

 

While lavender is wonderful for soothing and calming summer skin how can it help you in winter?

  • Lavender is an ancient healing herb oil that has strength and tenacity which is what one often needs to brave the winter months
  • Your skin can become very dry due to many reasons – artificial heating, hot showers and baths and by being continually covered up the dead skin cells often don’t have anywhere to escape to, leaving you dry and flaky
  • Lavender is the perfect oil to nurture you in the cold by doing steam inhalations to bring colour and life into your face – even add a few drops to your shower to give you an all over steam inhalation
  • Add a few drops to a hot foot bath to increase circulation
  • And as above: add a few drops of this amazing oil into your favourite body or face moisturiser to help soothe and repair dry skin
  • Make a body oil blend with lavender and your favourite cold pressed oil using the ratio above:

“Warm me up, Give Me Strength”

Lavender         3 drops

Rosemary        2 drops

Ginger             2 drops

 

Lavender in Sydney

Lavender in Sydney

 

“When in doubt, use lavender”

                       Suzanne R Banks

Ah yes there I go quoting myself again, hehe.

Do you use lavender all year round? I’d love to know x

copyright-2017

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

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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.com – facebook.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

 

New Year – New Energy – Which Essential Oils?

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

Amazon USA      Booktopia AU      Amazon UK

and many other stores worldwide as a Kindle and Paperback

New Year – New Energy – Which Essential Oils?

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So here we are, 2015! It’s definitely the present but sounds like the future. It’s going to be a great year of fun, working together, and loving life. So which essential oils can we use to embellish our clean, crisp new year energy?

Hmmmmmmmm. I’m going to split this into 3 sections, with 3 oils in each:

1. Northern Hemisphere

2. Southern Hemisphere

3. Equatorial

It's winter for you

It’s winter for you

1. Northern Hemisphere

Brrrr it’s winter for you, so the oils that I’m sending to you are those which will be comforting, warming and loving.

Cinnamon – best to use this in the atmosphere rather than on your skin because it can really burn. It’s an oil of sweetness and loving what you do, and a spice that is loved by so many people. Used in herbal formulas the spice can help to increase metabolism and even help breakdown glucose in the blood a little bit faster; so it’s interesting that it’s often used in baking. This is a wonderful oil to use in your space to invite a new depth of your place in this world – your dharma. What is your true purpose?

Rosemary – warm up your feet and entire body with an oil blend made with rosemary oil. It is also the oil of remembering and there’s no better time than in winter to remember the good times, while you’re tucked away from the cold. It is a stimulating and refreshing oil and inspires us to look at the beautiful flow of abundance in our lives. Be grateful for what you have NOW, and energetically create your new plans.

Cedarwood Virginian – dissolve the barriers from last year to start the new year with a clean slate. This comforting oil can be used in body blends so well and is also great for soothing coughs and colds. This is also a wonderful oil to help with the answers to your questions of purpose in life. For you this winter, starting 2015, we need you to be absolutely committed to your spiritual and human purpose. This is evolution.

 

I took this pic the other day

I took this pic the other day

2. Southern Hemisphere

Yay it’s summer for us! Beach, gin and tonics, beach, swimming, really hot, beach.It’s our turn to celebrate and be out in the sun (with sunscreen on). We can relax and enjoy life. No need to think about the future too much – just be present.

Geranium – happiness and cheeriness. Perfect for a body oil blend or in a space scenting blend this floral oil of happiness reminds us we can feel good about life and enjoy every minute. It emanates colour, fun and joy – so be happy!

Vetiver – the oil of tranquility and abundance this oil is great to use to help remove heat from the body and to cool us down in the humid summer evenings. This very strong oil should be used sparingly and 1 drop around the body is enough. A couple of drops on a wet cloth, placed in front of a fan or a window can scent the entire house with the cool, earthy tones to help slip into a vibration of peacefulness and trusting.

Basil – expansive and refreshing basil oil will help open our minds to the wonderful opportunities for 2015. Basil oil can help strengthen our affirmations and resolutions for 2015 and will give us confidence. Whiff straight from the bottle or add to a space scenting blend to connect to universal intelligence.

 

The Equator - pic via commons.wikimedia.org

The Equator – pic via commons.wikimedia.org

3. Equatorial

You’re in the middle and hold us together. Whether you’re north or south of this mid line, it’s a bit milder and the seasons are not necessarily as pronounced. Your new year is one of balance and happiness where you can look forward to a 2015 full of laughter and warmth. Your oils are those which can add both introspection and celebration to your new year.

Sandalwood Indian – a classic oil for spirituality this oil gives deep meaning to the times when you can take a moment to look within. It can help raise your energetic vibration from the base of your spine right up to your crown chakra and can help you move through any thing holding you back from 2014. Perfect just to whiff straight from the bottle.

Lavender – solidarity and strength, lavender can be the one oil that can bring your thoughts, feelings and actions together. Lavender can be used for just about any issues whether physical, mental or spiritual. Perfect for a body blend lavender will nourish your skin and your soul.

Bergamot – happiness and bringing a sense of calm, bergamot is a beautiful oil to help you see the possibilities for this year. Remove any anxiety you may have about the future and just breathe! Mix a couple of drops with some carrier oil and anoint your wrists and heart to lift anything that could be holding you back.

For another new year article check this out: 2015! The Universal Number of 8! and also stay tuned for my Chinese Year of the Goat post in mid February.

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

copryright SR Banks 2014

 

Essential Oils for Summer Wellness

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Summer is helped by essential oils

Summer is helped by essential oils

As promised, here’s a summer guide to essential oils for all my northern hemisphere buddies. There are lots of cooling oils and these can be used so well in summer to take the heat off your skin and cool down your energetic flow.

Lavender is the most versatile essential oil we have and it can be used all through the year

Lavender is the most versatile essential oil we have and it can be used all through the year

1. Lavender

Why?

* perfect for sunburn when diluted with a carrier oil. Lavender is great for all burns and I apply a drop direct for a small heat burn coming from the toaster or stove or anything you can think of

* takes the itch or sting out of an insect bite

* helps relax you and may help induce sleep on a hot summer’s night

* brings solidarity and strength so you can get all the summer fun things you want squished into a day

The divine scent of the rose is not the only thing it has going for it

The divine scent of the rose is not the only thing it has going for it

2. Rose

Why?

* wonderful for cooling the body in an oil, and even rosewater has cooling effects and that’s why in Indian cuisine you can drink a rosewater lassi, made not only for the beautiful taste but for helping the body deal with heat – delicious! Remember NOT to drink the essential oil though.

* it’s a self-nurturing oil so remember to treat your self first and then everyone will benefit – just like Cleopatra did!

* great for a facial oil if you’ve had a bit too much sun (for all the reasons above)

* usually comes (in retail) in a 3% blend in jojoba ready to use direct on your skin as a perfume (see my article on 3% blends in jojoba for more info)

Hairy vetiver root

Hairy vetiver root that makes the essential oil

3. Vetiver

Why?

* called the “Oil of Tranquility” in India this oil is not only very grounding and calming, it is also another oil that can be used to cool the body down

* only use a drop or two in any formula as it is so strong it can take over any of the other oils you have used

* wonderful to cool down over-heated kids throwing tantrums – use a drop on yourself and cuddle your child as they begin to settle

Bergamot - pic via globalhealingcenter.com

Bergamot – pic via globalhealingcenter.com

 

4. Bergamot

Why?

* this oil has a fresh summery citrus scent and can help release tension and anxiety

* wonderful for a body oil blend to nourish your skin, but only use AFTER sun not before, as it has some photo toxic properties

* brings an aura of cool and calm

A jasmine blossom in Sydney

A jasmine blossom in Sydney

5. Jasmine

Why?

* enhances summer sensuality

* brings a beautiful feminine scent to your aura and helps confidence in your sexuality – wear it as a scent when you go out for a dance and watch your magic unfold

* usually comes (in retail) in a 3% blend in jojoba ready to use direct on your skin as a perfume (see my article on 3% blends in jojoba for more info)

Delicious lemongrass

Delicious lemongrass

6. Lemongrass

Why?

* a great insect repellent either for cleaning, vapourising or wearing on your body in an oil blend

* lemon myrtle and citronella can also be used in place of lemongrass to ward off the biters

* gives a fresh boost to your energy if you are lagging in the heat

 

If you have a few people in your home, especially if you have kids, I recommend you diffuse oils in your home at night during summer, not only to create a lovely scented atmosphere, but to lend a little bit of cooling anti-bacterial magic to the mix. When using essential oils, remember they exist to not only help you create a wonderful feeling, but they can help you feel a little better, more comfortable and a little cooler too.

Remember to treat yourself first, then everyone will benefit.

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

copyright suzanne