Cure Mondayitis with Essential Oil Shower Steams

Posted on August 4, 2014 by suzannerbanks

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

Amazon USA Amazon AU Amazon UK

Cure Mondayitis with Essential Oil Shower Steams

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

Mondays keep rolling around.

They finally turn into Fridays. There’s the week gone.

Then suddenly it’s August 2014 and we are in the future!

We can choose to go against the flow of life, but that won’t get us anywhere or anyplace except stressed, and stress is one of the leading contributors to declines in mental and physical health.

I’m writing about Mondays as a return to work for most people on the treadmill of this game of life. But not me! I’ve never been a 9 to 5’er, or a Monday to Friday worker so I have a different view. Mondays represent chillin out to me and even if I work, it never feels like I’m working because do what I love. Sometimes Monday may mean writing a few blog articles and that’s about it. It does make Friday less of a celebration but I can live with that.

So for those having to get up at stupid o’clock on a Monday morning to start a long work week, this is for you.

Working 9 to 5 what a way to make a livin’

There are some essential oils that can wake you up, others that can relieve stress and some that just make you feel a bit happier. The easiest way to treat yourself with essential oils on a Monday morning is with a few drops of essential oil in the bottom of the shower, Cover the drain with a face cloth or even your foot. Allow the oils to vapourise with the steam, breathe deeply, enjoy the scented stimulation of your senses.

Check out these oils and see what magic they can deliver –

Eucalyptus – wake up, cleanse the cobwebs in your mind, embrace the new day with gusto

Lemon – gently refresh and reload your energy onto the new page of a new week

According to living.msn.com this Pantone colour Lemon Zest was a top colour for spring 2013

Peppermint – enliven your mind, remove headaches and head tension

Rosemary – zap your memory into gear, stimulate your brain

Flowering rosemary in my client’s garden

Basil – open the upper chakras to start channeling new universal patterns and downloads

Orange – inject a little bit of happiness into your Monday morning

Oranges and orange oil can make you happy!

Petitgrain – a zingy green start to the day allowing all possibilities to unfold

Lemongrass – energy now! revitalize

Lemongrass

Ginger – warm your emotions, get the circulation going

Ylang Ylang – release anger and frustration

The spidery, seductive Ylang Ylang flower

Bergamot – calm your nerves

Cedarwood Atlas – remove ego, come from a spiritual perspective

Sandalwood Indian – be Zen, peace and calm

Raw sandalwood and the powder

And if all that’s too hard, eat an orange or mandarin and throw the zest into the bottom of the shower. Squish it up with your feet. Breathe. Continue with your day.

And during the day if you do have some citrus fruit, save the peel (and/or eat some of it too), and let the zest sit on your desk for some instant aromatherapy in the afternoon.

Happy Monday peeps!

Remember to treat yourself first, then everyone will benefit.

10 Essential Oil Recipes to Help Deal with Road Rage and Traffic

Posted on July 9, 2014 by suzannerbanks

Traffic!

When looking for inspiration for articles one of my readers suggested I apply the 10 Recipes series to minimising road rage and dealing with traffic. Great idea so here goes.

If you are someone that has to deal with traffic congestion on a daily basis, and gets frustrated by it, then these oils may be for you.

Or, are you someone that just can’t handle what others do on the road and then completely freak out about it? Road rage? It seems sad that we now have a widely accepted term for this anger on the roads and that’s not good at all. This is just a reflection of how angry we are as a society, and how we are not coping with modern day life. You definitely need some oils.

Look people, just calm down ok? Release anger, and have a more “go with the flow” attitude when driving. If you can’t do that then stop driving. If you really hate the traffic on your way to work try and find solutions that put you in a less stressful situation (public transport, car pooling).

If you must drive and tend to get a bit stressed then try these 10 recipes to start your day;

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.

Peppermint – clarity, happiness

Tea Tree – cleanse your aura and energy

Mandarin – happiness, allowing

Lemongrass – stimulating and refreshing, happiness

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

Rub oil into your body – it’s good!

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”

By doing this in the morning, while using your good intention, you will start your day with scented positivity. Allow this feeling to infuse good vibes all day long.

“Patience is a Virtue”

Sure is –

Lemon 3 drops

Frankincense 3 drops

Patchouli 2 drops

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

“I Wonder What Good Things Are Coming My Way?”

Open up to possibility –

Lavender 4 drops

Petitgrain 2 drops

Cedarwood Virginian 2 drops

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

“I Heart You Even Though You Didn’t Let Me Merge”

Ylang Ylang 3 drops

Orange 2 drops

Rosewood 2 drops

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

“Repeat the Happy Mantra”

Lemongrass 3 drops

Peru Balsam 2 drops

Spearmint 2 drops

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

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!)

“Smile and Wave, Smile and Wave”

Let others drive the way they drive, practice being kind anyway –

Basil 6 drops

Mandarin 12 drops

Lemon Myrtle 7 drops

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

“1, 2, 3”

Count to 3 and then breathe deeply, release anger –

Juniper 8 drops

Lime 10 drops

Vanilla CO2 6 drops

Vetiver 1 drop * see my article for more info on CO2 extracts What are CO2 Extracts in the World of Aromatherapy?

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

“Bubble of Love”

You’re in control of your little space (and headspace) –

Bergamot 10 drops

Black Spruce 7 drops

Marjoram 6 drops

Clary Sage 2 drops

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

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!

“Sniff and Go”

A quick natural perfume for your wrists to sniff in the middle of traffic to help release anxiety –

Neroli 3% a few drops straight from the bottle

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

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

“Sniff and Go Too”

You are the benevolent Queen –

Rose 3% a few drops straight from the bottle

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

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

Essential Oils for Summer Wellness

Posted on June 23, 2014 by suzannerbanks

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

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

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 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

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

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

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.

10 Recipes with Frankincense Essential Oil- Boswellia carterii

Posted on June 11, 2014 by suzannerbanks

Frankincense resin in its organic form is then distilled into an essential oil

Ah frankincense it’s a good oil! It’s an oil that helps you breathe deeply, relax and connect with your spirit. It’s an oil that can help skin looking and feeling younger. It’s an oil that’s been around for thousands of years. It’s an oil of truth.

Frankincense has a fine scent and I have written more about it previously with my article ‘Frankincense is the Scent of Truth’. It is from the family Burseraceae and the genus Boswellia.

Many years ago a friend of mine (he’s not around any longer, hi Peter!) was having a really bad asthma attack and was getting very anxious. He called me and I went to him immediately with a vapouriser and some Frankincense oil. I sat him down next to the stream of vapour and within 5 minutes he was better and after 20 minutes he could breathe normally. He also felt much more relaxed and I left the set up with him for a few weeks so he could access the treatment whenever he needed it.

Frankincense has many applications so let’s get into some recipes –

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 clarifying mask. pic via chiclooking.com

1. Face Mask

Usually add 1 or 2 drops of oil to some 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.

I would use 2 drops of frankincense in pink clay to rejuvenate your skin, help tone oilier skin and to treat acne.

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

Take a huge whiff to change your focus in seconds

2. Open The Bottle and Take a Huge Whiff

Do this with frankincense to help you relax and gather your energy. It will give you a chance to stop and catch you breath too.

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

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

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!

“Peace and Quiet”

Frankincense 2 drops

Lavender 1 drop

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

“I’m Ready for the Day”

Take a deep breath and go!

Frankincense 1 drop

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

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

“Sweet”

Life IS sweet –

Frankincense 2 drops

Peru balsam 1 drop

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

“Now is the Best Time”

Do it now!

Frankincense 1 drop

Lemongrass 1 drop

Rose Geranium 1 drop

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

Check this out - an oil burner made from a can - pic via www.instructables.com

Check this out – an oil burner made from a can – pic via http://www.instructables.com

4. Scent Your Space

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

“Sunday Night Settle Down”

You’ve got school in the morning!

Frankincense 10 drops

Orange 9 drops

Marjoram 6 drops

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

“Fresh Vibe”

A great blend for when you’ve finished cleaning the house –

Frankincense 10 drops

Lime 6 drops

Cedarwood Atlas 5 drops

May Chang 4 drops

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

Rub oil into your body – it’s good!

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”

“Renew”

A blend to feel hydrated with a new outlook –

Frankincense 3 drops

Palmarosa 3 drops

Lavender 2 drops

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

“It’s All About Me Tonight”

Shower off the day and oil yourself –

Frankincense 2 drops

Ylang Ylang 2 drops

Mandarin 3 drops

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

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

10 Recipes with Lemon Essential Oil – Citrus limonum

Posted on May 28, 2014 by suzannerbanks

According to living.msn.com this Pantone colour Lemon Zest was a top colour for spring 2013 – nice!

Lemons are lovely and so are you. Lemons represent happiness, simplicity and joy and the essential oil has an uncanny knack of doing the same. I love this oil and use it frequently when treating clients. Not only is it a great oil for muscle fatigue but it helps you to feel refreshed and cleansed, ready to go on with a new outlook.

Lemon essential oil is light and sparkly and has many applications. As the molecules of this essential oil are simple, it tends to fly away quickly when used in a vapouriser or burner so it’s important to anchor it with heavier oils. As a perfume or body oil blend it holds its own but has slight photo-toxic qualities – meaning if you go out into the sun you could burn more than you would without it. So just remember not to slather it all over you and sunbake – ok?

Lets check out some recipes with magnificent lemon oil –

Rub oil into your body – it’s good!

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”

“End of the Week Relaxathon”

Get rid of the working week and into a relaxing weekend –

Lemon 4 drops

Peru Balsam 4 drops

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

“Anti-Puff”

Release puffiness and a feel a bit lighter –

Lemon 3 drops

Fennel 2 drops

Cypress 3 drops

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

“Legs Up The Wall”

When your legs and feet hurt use this blend and then elevate your legs and rest –

Lemon 4 drops

Marjoram 2 drops

Peppermint 2 drops

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

Face mask it!

2. Face Mask

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

2 drops of lemon oil will be great for acne skin, oily skin and if you just need to freshen up dull skin.

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

Any bottle with an atomiser top will do!

3. Personal Aura Cleansing Mist & Room Mist

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

“New Ideas”

Lemon 12 drops

Basil 5 drops

Palmarosa 5 drops

Geranium 3 drops

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

“Lemon Bubble”

Create your own lemony bubble around you in a non-friendly environment –

Lemon 15 drops

Lavender 5 drops

Marjoram 5 drops

Vanilla CO2 3 drops

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

“Vitality”

Keep your interest and energy levels up all day with a regular mist –

Lemon 10 drops

Juniper 8 drops

Mandarin 5 drops

Rosemary 2 drops

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

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!

“Daisy”

Stay fresh as –

Lemon 2 drops

Cedarwood Atlas 1 drop

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

“Truth”

Simplicity is the key –

Lemon 2 drops

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

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

Scent your space – the candle and flame will help transform negative energy too!

5. Scent Your Space

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

“Party”

Lemon 14 drops

Ylang Ylang 6 drops

Lime 5 drops

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

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

10 Recipes with Basil Essential Oil – Ocimum basilicum (part 2)

Posted on May 14, 2014 by suzannerbanks

Beautiful green basil!

If you are ever feeling down, a bit tired and generally blah, grab some fresh basil. Grind up a leaf in your fingers and inhale deeply. Eat a few leaves. Rest a minute.

Phew!

And if you can, make a few blends with basil oil it will not disappoint you at all. It is an oil that is so clearing and revitalising you’ll be so glad you’ve made friends with it. Here are a few recipes.

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

Basil oil will wake you up in the morning and give you a fresh green start to the day.

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

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

“Cool Water Brain Rinse”

Clear brain fog –

Basil 8 drops

Orange 12 drops

Cypress 5 drops

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

“Creative Explosion”

When you need to open to your creative drive –

Basil 6 drops

Rosemary 6 drops

Lime 6 drops

Geranium 6 drops

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

“Bubble of Inspiration”

When you need to surround yourself with light, creative energy –

Basil 7 drops

Rosewood 12 drops

Lemongrass 6 drops

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

“It’s Morning!”

Help the whole family wake up smiling –

Basil 8 drops

Petitgrain 12 drops

Cedarwood Virginian 5 drops

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

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!

“Awaken the Goddess”

Open to divine guidance –

Basil 1 drop

Sandalwood Australian 1 drop

Mandarin 1 drop

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

“Big Meeting this Morning”

Stay focused and relaxed-

Basil 2 drops

Lavender 1 drop

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

“Clean Green”

Give yourself a burst of vitality –

Basil 1 drop

Palmarosa 1 drop

May Chang 1 drop

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

Throw some essential oils into your bucket and mop your floors

4. Scent Your Space

I usually say “In a traditional oil burner with a candle or a diffuser add 25 drops of oil”, but I also recommend you put about 15 drops in the water with your usual product and mop the floors. It’s a great way to get an aromatherapy treatment while cleaning!

and

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

“Hello World”

Welcome every day –

Basil 6 drops

Peru Balsam 8 drops

Lemon 11 drops

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

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

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

“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

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

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

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

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

“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.

10 Recipes with Mandarin Essential Oil – Citrus reticulata

Posted on April 2, 2014 by suzannerbanks

Mandarins are colourful, tasty and smell wonderful!

Oh the lovely scent of mandarin could make anyone happy! I rate all the citrus oils as happiness oils as they’re so fresh and light and zingy and sparkly.

Mandarin essential oil is different to orange oil, just as the fruit is different. It is a deeper, more red colour than orange oil, which can vary from light orange to yellow. The deepness of the colour adds to the unique properties of mandarin oil as red connects us with the base chakra, which is all about survival and all the necessities to live. When taking in this information and combining it with the mouth watering scent of the fruit, mandarin essential oil can open our minds to the big concepts of the universe.

In aromatherapy mandarin oil does not have a lot of therapeutic uses but can be used for –

* improving digestion (by using externally not internally, or drinking tea made with the rind)

* alleviating stress and improving relaxation

* counteracting stretch marks in pregnancy

I use it to connect us to the simple – yet huge – concepts of how the universe works.

Let’s get into some recipes –

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

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”

yum!

**** the basic rule when using citrus oils in an oil blend all over your body is not to go out and sun bake or expose yourself to massive amounts of sunlight as these oils may cause a photo toxic reaction.

“Love and Happiness”

Explains itself really –

Mandarin 3 drops

Rose 3% 10 drops * see my article for more info on 3% blends in jojoba

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

“Tra La La”

Get some happiness in your body –

Mandarin 3 drops

Rose geranium 2 drops

Palmarosa 2 drops

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

“64 Tetrahedron Grid”

Slip into the magic of the universe –

Mandarin 4 drops

Lemongrass 2 drops

Vetiver 1 drop

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

Sexy black diffuser from puzhen.com

2. Scent Your Space

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

“Release the Day”

Let go of all things from the day –

Mandarin 10 drops

Cypress 8 drops

Lemongrass 6 drops

Sage 1 drop

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

“Fun Kids Party”

Mandarin 12 drops

Cinnamon 6 drops

Peru Balsam 7 drops

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

“Meditation and Contemplation”

Scented relaxation –

Mandarin 8 drops

Frankincense 12 drops

Lavender 5 drops

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

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!

“Life is Easy”

Flow –

Mandarin 1 drop

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

Spikenard 1 drop

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

“Joy”

Appreciate the little things in life –

Mandarin 1 drop

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

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

Mandarin lips! pic via www.beautezine.com

Mandarin lips! pic via http://www.beautezine.com

“Smile and Laugh”

Even if you have to force yourself, smile at someone and the rewards will be great –

Mandarin 1 drop

Rosewood 1 drop

May Chang 1 drop

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

“Chill”

Mandarin 1 drop

Pink Grapefruit 1 drop

Clove 1 drop

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

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

Exfoliating Your Face and Body

Posted on March 24, 2014 by suzannerbanks

Salt scrub – pic via themethuselahcenter.com

Our skin is one of the largest systems in the body called the Integumentary System. It is our protector against the environment and something that holds us all together. We absorb nutrients through the skin and this is why I love to use nourishing essential oil blends on a daily basis. We eliminate toxins through our skin too.

Our skin is just as important as our other organs like the liver, pancreas, thyroid and everything else we are made of. It forms part of our personality by giving us a certain look and comes in a variety of colours. Our skin can easily be ignored but we really need to give it a helping hand. Moisturising is a must which will definitely keep skin looking younger and feeling more supple. Exfoliating is also a great benefit to skin to keep it healthy so it can do all the jobs we need it to do. It can help with general feelings of lethargy and will definitely wake you up too.

We exfoliate automatically as new skin cells are made and old cells dying make their way back into the universe, however, sometimes our skin needs a helping hand and we need to manually exfoliate for health and vanity reasons. Skin varies in texture and colour in different parts of the body so what is good for scrubbing your body, may not work very well for your face. We could use a few methods for exfoliation of the body:

Exfoliating Gloves - pic via www.aliexpress.com

Exfoliating Gloves – pic via http://www.aliexpress.com

1. Exfoliation Gloves

* environmentally friendly because they last a long time

* inexpensive

* use a little soap in the bath or the shower and don’t rub too hard it will hurt!

* once or twice per month is enough

dry skin brushing – pic via slenderresults.com

2. Dry Skin Brushing

* lightly done on dry skin

* benefits are said to be varied from minimising cellulite to stimulating new cells growth and getting rid of old cells, improving the elimination of toxins

* once or twice a week is enough and shower afterwards

Body-Scrub – pic via blog.freepeople.com –

3. Scrub with a Product

* use a product that you love or make your own body scrub or face scrub

Face and body scrubs can be made easily at your place with lots of different ingredients that you may find in your cupboard.

almond meal – pic via urbanposer.blogspot.com

Face Scrub

I often use almond meal but if I need more oomph I use LSA (a blend of linseeds, almonds, and sunflowers). Just mix a little water or coconut water with it and gently rub on your face. It’s not very user-friendly so do it over the bathroom sink so the little bits can fall off in that rather than on the floor. I rarely use essential oils with this one because it’s divine on its own.

When you add liquid to the almond meal it becomes milky and soft straight away. This almond milk is lovely and combines with the natural oil n the almonds will make your face so soft. It’s easy and it’s a winner. Try it! After rinsing off you wont even need to moisturise.

Sea salt – pic via cooks.ndtv.com

Body Scrub

I recommend using sea salt as a base and adding ingredients to that. I think I may have to write an article on the benefits of sea salt its an amazing treatment! You could choose Celtic or Dead Sea salt or a locally produced sea salt. Use fine grade as the coarse grade will scratch your skin. This is best done in a bath so you can soak in the salt afterwards. If you only have a shower then wet your body, step out of the stream or turn off the water, scrub then rinse.

If you are a lover of essential oils then try adding about 5 – 8 drops of the oils you choose, into 2 cups of salt and slosh in some oil to make a gooey, grainy paste. It can be olive oil, almond oil, coconut oil, sesame oil or anything you have in the cupboard. You could even try coconut milk or coconut cream to take you away on an island holiday in your mind.

Then get creative by adding spices and extract from your cupboard like, cinnamon, nutmeg or vanilla extract. For a more comprehensive list of suggestions see my article It’s Easy to Make Your Own Body Scrub.

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

10 Recipes with Palmarosa Essential Oil – Cymbopogon martinii

Posted on March 12, 2014 by suzannerbanks

Palmarosa - pic via www.les-medecines-douces.fr

Palmarosa – pic via http://www.les-medecines-douces.fr

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

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

3. Personal Aura Cleansing Mist & Room Mist

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

“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.

suzannerbanks

scent . intention . consciousness . essential oils

Tag Archives: happiness

Cure Mondayitis with Essential Oil Shower Steams

10 Essential Oil Recipes to Help Deal with Road Rage and Traffic

Essential Oils for Summer Wellness

10 Recipes with Frankincense Essential Oil- Boswellia carterii

10 Recipes with Lemon Essential Oil – Citrus limonum

10 Recipes with Basil Essential Oil – Ocimum basilicum (part 2)

10 Recipes with Roman Chamomile Essential Oil – Anthemis nobilis

10 Recipes with Mandarin Essential Oil – Citrus reticulata

Exfoliating Your Face and Body

10 Recipes with Palmarosa Essential Oil – Cymbopogon martinii

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this: