3 Essential Essential Oils for Stress Relief

Posted on September 30, 2015 by suzannerbanks

Essential oils work powerfully on the mind and the brain, and often smelling an oil is enough to create change in emotions and stress addiction. Stress often becomes a habit that we get used to rather than a trigger to help us survive, and in turn we get adrenal and cortisol overload. This is not good! Smell an essential oil to break your bad habit.

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

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

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

sweet little marjoram leaves

Marjoram (Oreganum marjorana)

Keyword: relief

Little leaf, big scent, great results. Marjoram has been used in herbal medicine for centuries, and comes from a time when our food was our medicine. This beautiful herb essential oil will help everyone from babies to the elderly with its stunning aromatic medicine. Marjoram is wonderful for:

muscle pain
period pain
headaches
grief
any kind of physical stress
soothing emotional pain and angst
help induce sleep

Wonderful frankincense resin is steam distilled into the beautiful oil

Frankincense (Boswellia carterii)

Keywords: meditation, truth, preservation

Another botanical substance that has been used for a long time, made popular by stories from the Bible, is a must have for stress relief. This essential oil which is steam distilled from the resin has a deeply calming effect by inducing longer, slower, deeper breaths. This leads to a meditative state of mind creating Alpha brainwaves to help you chill out. It is great for:

asthma attacks and sufferers
coughing and not being able to breathe very well
meditation and instilling a greater connection to spirit
relaxing in general
connecting to your youthfulness, no matter how old or young you are
helping us see the bigger picture, and moving us away from a busy mind
setting up a restful sleep

German Chamomile and Roman chamomile are both great for stress

The Chamomiles – German Chamomile (Matricaria recutita) and

Roman Chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile)

Keywords: cool down and less tension more inspiration

Both chamomiles are wonderful for stress relief but work in slightly different ways and have distinctly different scents. Roman chamomile has an intense honey-like sweetness whereas German chamomile is very deeply herbaceous.

German chamomile is good for:

healing inflammation in the body and in the emotions
heat and anger
restlessness
inducing sleep

Roman chamomile is good for

reducing cramping in the body
unwinding inflexibility which can lead to more stress
soothing tiredness
relaxing the body as a whole
allowing tension to subside

The best and easiest way to use the oils is to open the bottle and take a whiff.

more gorgeous lavender

If you’re wondering why I haven’t included lavender in this article it’s because I know that you know it’s a really great oil for stress relief – well done!

For more ideas on how to use essential oils check out my other articles:

How to Use Essential Oils – A Dummies Guide

“Ratios for Blending Essential Oils – A Reminder of the Basics” and

“Aromatherapy – It’s Easy as 1 2 3”

The Crown Chakra Opens with Lavender

Posted on September 16, 2015 by suzannerbanks

Visible light enriches our world by its lovely colours, and helps heal us with different vibrations. The crown chakra, or Samsrara, depicted by the thousand-petalled lotus, is where we receive information from the universe and open to divine consciousness. The rich violet colour associated with the crown chakra resonates at the highest vibration to make this exchange of information possible.

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

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

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

What better plant to open our crown chakra than lavender? Scroll through this post to open your crown chakra to the wisdom of the universe.

Lavandula stoechas, my own pic thanks yes it is wonderful

“I judge that the flowers of lavender quilted in a cap and worne are good for all diseases of the head
that come from a cold cause and that they comfort the braine very well.”

William Turner 1551

Lavender at my local market

“And lavender, whose spikes of azure bloom
shall be, ere-while, in arid bundles bound
to lurk amidst the labours of her loom,and crown her kerchiefs with mickle rare perfume.”

William Shenstone The School Mistress 1742

Lavender is a must have for any scent lover!

“lavender, sweet lavender;
come and buy my lavender,
hide it in your trousseau, lady fair.
Let its lovely fragrance flow
Over your from head to toe,
lightening on your eyes, your cheek, your hair.”

Cumberland Clark Flower Song Book 1929

lovely lavender

And of course not only is colour of lavender beautiful, the scent will transform you, but you already know this.

“with immediacy and intensity, smell activates the memory, allowing our minds to travel freely in time.”

Tom Robbins Jitterbug Perfume 1984

Fabulous diagram on the frequency of visible light – pic via http://images.tutorcircle.com

The speed of violet, faster than red at the other spectrum, allows our minds to become slightly faster so we can perhaps catch a quick glimpse of the universe in action.

Go ahead, gaze deeply into a lavender flower today, and you may just heal the world.

10 Body Oil Recipes for Seasonal Change

Posted on August 26, 2015 by suzannerbanks

There’s nothing like a nourishing essential oil blend for your body, to soften your skin, cover you with energetic protection and generally keep your spirits up. And there’s no better time than now of course, as we move from one season to the next.

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

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

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

Body oils make lovely legs

As per usual here is my spiel on making a body oil:

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 took this gorgeous pic in Sydney on the weekend

Winter to Spring

This is a time to wake your body up, shed winter skin and get moving! Smell the sweet flowers and get happy ….

1. Spring Vibin’

Jasmine 3% 9 drops * see my article for more info on 3% blends in jojoba

Orange 4 drops

Ginger 1 drop

2. Leg Warmer Upperer and Getting Ready for Summer Legs

Rosemary 2 drops

Lemon 4 drops

Cypress 2 drops

3. Sprouting Soul

Petitgrain 3 drops

Lavender 3 drops

Patchouli 2 drops

4. A love of Blossoms

Mandarin 4 drops

Geranium 2 drops

Ylang Ylang 1 drop

5. Signs of Abundance

Palmarosa 4 drops

Australian Sandalwood 2 drops

Black pepper 1 drop

Do you have a cold autumn or a warm autumn?

Summer to Autumn

A time of lingering summer memories, cooling down and appreciating your life.

1. Gee That Was Fun!

Lemongrass 3 drops

Juniper 2 drops

Cedarwood Virginian 2 drops

2. What’s the Plan Now?

Bergamot 4 drops

Lavender 2 drops

Indian Rosewood 2 drops

3. Winding Down

Roman chamomile 3% 12 drops * see my article for more info on 3% blends in jojoba

Marjoram 2 drops

Lime 1 drop

4. The Colours of Happiness

Pink Grapefruit 7 drops

Vetiver 1 drop

5. Memories

Rose 3% 9 drops

Rose Geranium 3 drops

Rosemary 1 drop

Yellow roses for happiness and friendship

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

Check out my YouTube channel too, thanks.

Must-Have Mid Season Essential Oils!

Posted on August 5, 2015 by suzannerbanks

Time marches on and so do the seasons. I’m getting excited because all around my neighbourhood in Sydney I can see the jasmine blossoms building strength, until one day soon, their beautiful, scented little white flowers will tell me it’s getting warmer. Phew!

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

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

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

Jasmine in Sydney

And if you’re in summer it’s probably peaking right now and you’re feeling warm and lovely and happy. There’s nothing like late summer on a beach in Mexico, or in a park in Europe savouring the long lingering summer light. I’m envious of all of you northerners right now.

Remember for us, everything happens in summer. Well there’s summer for starters, Christmas, New Year, Chinese New Year and finishing of with Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras.

Then it’s winter.

Just winter.

So you’ll understand my excitement when I see the jasmine getting read to bloom.

I took this pic in Mexico last year

Mid to Late Summer Essential Oils

Lavender

If you’ve had a bit of sun over the past couple of months lavender will help your skin heal and regenerate. The perfect after sun oil, lavender is also the perfect first aid kit in a bottle. Make sure you dilute it in the right proportions before you coat your body with this grounding, centering and calming oil.

Palmarosa

This mildly rose scented grass (like lemongrass) is great for skin renewal too, and allows you to be flexible and flowing in your attitudes. If you haven’t already warmed up this summer, palmarosa with help your mind unwind and open up to new adventures – there’s still plenty more spontaneity to be had this summer.

Peppermint

Lovely peppermint is a cooling oil, but take care if you are using it on your body as it can be sensitising. The best way to cool down with peppermint is to put a few drops into the shower and let the beautiful aroma surround and cool you. Breathe in deeply and enjoy your scented summer.

Brrrrrrr

Mid to Late Winter Oils

Rosemary

Warm up and get the circulation going! Rosemary can help fatigued muscles feel better, and generally stimulate your mind so you can dream up the best spring and summer possible. It is also an oil of remembering to help us tune into our multi-dimensional existence, and to prepare us for the abundance of summer.

Juniper

Release excess fluid in your body and joints with juniper essential oil. It is a wonderful oil for releasing negativity, so if you tend to get a bit sad during winter because of lack of light, this is your oil. It’s fresh, clean scent can lighten the vibe of any house or space, including your mind.

Sandalwood

Whether you choose Mysore (Indian) sandalwood or Australian sandalwood, this spiritual oil can help you focus within. Take time this winter to meditate – the perfect accompaniment to a cold day or night. Winter is a time of planting ideas that can come to fruition over summer so don’t delay in creating your life.

Essential oils can help support you mentally, physically, emotionally and energetically if you allow them too. You can create a scented paradise for your self and your loved ones, creating life long memories and rituals.

Remember to treat yourself first, then everyone will benefit.

Check out my YouTube channel too, thanks.

Strength, Clarity and Potentiality with Essential Oils

Posted on July 22, 2015 by suzannerbanks

I thought of a friend this morning and I’ll be seeing her in a few days. I decided I’d make a little oil blend for her because I know she has been working really hard in her own business for a few years, and is facing new challenges with it. These three words came to mind STRENGTH, CLARITY AND POTENTIALITY.

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

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

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

Strength

Strength

What oils will I use to embody this energy?

I always go to lavender for strength and solidarity. Most people attach calm and relaxation to lavender which is right, but when you smell this divine flower and essential oil, it is powerful. It has depth. It contains the energetic imprint of thousands of years in its healing ways. To me it is the embodiment of strength as it can be used to soften and relax, and to contain and bolster you in times of weakness.

Clarity

Clarity

Clarity

Ah there’s nothing like a beautiful blue sky to help you attain some clarity in your life. When I think of this I immediately think of basil, and cypress.

Basil is an oil that can open your upper chakras and completely clear your head and your mind with its robust scent.

Cypress is clean and crisp, uplifting heavy emotions and allowing your body to release excess fluids.

Potentiality

Potentiality

Petitgrain is the oil for me! This bitter-sweet citrus is lightening fast in scent and the way it affects your whole being. I use this oil to help me see the unlimited possibilities in any situation. This can be hard when you get bogged down in life and you may feel you have no choice. Limitless expansion = petitgrain.

An oil blend is full of unexpected treasure!

Strength, Clarity and Potentiality – The Blend

In a 50ml bottle add these drops of essential oil:

Lavender 8 drops

Cypress 5 drops

Basil 2 drops

Petitgrain 10 drops

Then pour in your carrier oil of choice – sunflower, grape seed, jojoba, almond, argan, rosehip, apricot, olive, macadamia or anything else you love.

Essential oil blends are best when left to mature for a while but don’t let that put you off using it straight away!

♥ ♦ ♠ ♣

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

Check out my YouTube channel too, thanks.

Vegan Cupcakes, Tea and Essential Oils

Posted on July 8, 2015 by suzannerbanks

I met with two amazing women the other day to talk about natural perfumery, essential oils, healing, consciousness and chocolate. We drank tea and ate fabulous vegan food including these gorgeous vegan cupcakes by my friend That Vegan Lady.

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

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

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

Cups of tea, vegan cupckaes and natural perfume

We haven’t saved the world yet but I think we’re on the way!

I don’t like to seem repetitive but my choice of essential oil to sum up the day is lavender. Do you think it matches this pic?

I do.

If we all used a drop of lavender everyday we could reach a critical mass and spontaneously evolve.

Let’s do it!

Lavender at my local market

Thanks to Julie Nelson of Aromatique for a beautiful day in the Blue Mountains of NSW, Australia. xoxo

To Scrub or Not To Scrub? That is the Question!

Posted on May 13, 2015 by suzannerbanks

The Soft, Supple Skin Series Part 1 – Skin Scrubs

Natural skin scrubs are easy to make, and thanks to the internet it’s easy to find recipes – but are they good for your skin?

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

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

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

Salt scrub – pic via themethuselahcenter.com

Skin scrubs can make your skin feel soft and new, providing you don’t use them too often.

The skin is called the Integumentary system. It is the largest organ of the body – and yes it’s actually classified as an organ, just like your liver and heart are organs. The skin has its own intelligence and it separates us from our environment and gives us our unique quality. It is also the most exposed organ in the body and needs some care and attention.

The skin on our faces is finer than in other parts of our body, but generally speaking it works in a particular way. It is estimated we could be losing about 30,000 skin cells per hour. Yes, per hour! New cells are formed from within, and push up to the external layer of the epidermis. This means our skin is already taking care of itself in a complicated and intelligent fashion, so is it ok to use a scrub?

Salt makes a great base for a scrub but use fine salt or grind up coarse salt

I think using a scrub once every week to 10 days is good for your skin, just be careful when actually scrubbing your skin so as not to give yourself scratches. Also the scrub you make to use on your body, could be a little too rough for your face so plan ahead and do your recipe research first.

* Winter skin tends to need a scrub more frequently as hot showers and layers of clothing can interfere with the natural release of skin, and we can get that dry crocodile looking effect.

* Basically you will be washing dead skin down the drain rather than letting it pile up around the house.

* Ideally soak in a bath for 5 minutes. Use your scrub on all parts of your body, then soak for at least another 5 minutes for a real spa treatment feeling. Some of us only have a shower so make the best of what you have.

* Always moisturise after your scrub, and of course I recommend you use a body oil and face oil or serum which will give your skin a velvety smooth finish.

Sea salt – pic via cooks.ndtv.com

Bases for Your Body

* Fine sea salt is the best. Don’t use coarse as you will scratch yourself.

* I see recipes all the time using sugar but I just don’t understand why you would use sugar when you have salt?

* Oil and/or moisturising cream to make a slurry

* Green or pink clay

* a little water

Bases for Your Face

* moisturising cream on its own or with some white or yellow clay

* almond meal – I love this gentle scrub base for the face

Use a mortar and pestle to grind up anything you want to use in your scrub

Additives to Your Bases

* a few drops of essential oil (1 drop for face – 5 drops for body – or a few more) – don’t go overboard you don’t want to burn or irritate your skin, especially if you are adding other botanicals to it

* coffee grains

* almond meal

* fresh rind of lemon/orange/grapefruit/lime

* dried citrus peel

* ground cacao nibs

* ground rose petals

* ground pumice

* dried or fresh herbs

Use your imagination but also your intuition as to what might be good for your face and what is best left for your body.

lovely legs!

A basic body scrub could look like this:

2 cups fine sea salt

grated lemon rind

3 – 5 drops lavender essential oil

a tablespoon of oil

a tablespoon of clay

a little water or cream to make a gooey paste

A face scrub:

3 teaspoons almond meal

1 teaspoon white clay

a little water to make a paste

1 drop bergamot essential oil

The only issue for me using these types of scrubs is that we are washing the gooey paste down the drain. I think that’s fine for the salt on it’s own but what about the oil and botanicals too?

Stay tuned for more in my Soft, Supple Skin Series and check out my YouTube channel too, thanks.

20 Good Reasons Lavender is the Superhero of Essential Oils

Posted on April 29, 2015 by suzannerbanks

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

20 Good Reasons Lavender is the Superhero of Essential Oils

Lavender at my local market

The following is an excerpt from my book:

“Lavender – Singularly Spectacular for General Health”

If it all gets a bit too confusing, lavender is here to save the day. It’s the super hero of essential oils and here are 20 good reasons why:

1. It is a herb that has been used for perfumery and healing for centuries and is still thriving.

2. Lavender’s purple colour is related to the upper chakras, mainly the crown chakra which connects us with the universe and all the knowledge contained within its structure.

3. The perfect oil for use in first aid as it has properties of cell regeneration, anti-bacterial and anti-septic constituents. Perfect for cuts, grazes, falls and anytime first aid is required. Even rushing to someone’s aid with a little bottle of lavender can help shock and fright.

4. A great after sun oil and THE one indicated oil to use for any kind of burn.

lovely lavender

5. Great for relaxing and inducing sleep.

6. It is calming and can be used for headaches and as an antidote for sadness and depression.

7. A wonderful tonic for the heart both physically and meta-physically.

8. It has warming and cooling properties and could be considered a balancing oil – an oil of evening things out. I call it the oil of solidarity.

Lavender backpackers in Akeroa NZ

9. Treats insect bites by immediately stopping the itching.

10. It’s easy to find and relatively inexpensive.

11. It’s grown and produced all over the world, each region giving its scent and quality to the oil.

12. Lavender oil can be inhaled as a steam for colds, coughs and sinus infections to relieve the symptoms.

wild lavender with butterfly

13. It counteracts most kinds of pain – physical an emotional.

14. The herbaceous scent blends well with all other oils and can be used as the main part of a potion to provide a platform for all the other scents to project from.

15. The herb can be used in baking, in jams, in teas and in body products.

16. Children seem to like it – it tends to provide a sense of calm and security. It is also a powerful oil to use with the elderly to instill a sense of safety.

more gorgeous lavender

17. The essential oil is perfect for grounding and centering, using in spells and to help stimulate creativity.

18. It is wonderful to use if you need support and encouragement, and either don’t have anyone around to give that to you, or you’ve temporarily exhausted your own supply. Helps you to find the strength to carry on when times are tough.

19. Connects us to the great feminine power of Gaia.

20. One drop is enough to change your perspective from weak to strong.

lavender!

Remember to treat yourself first, then everyone will benefit.

Check out my YouTube channel too, thanks.

Australian Eucalyptus Oil – A Review and Giveaway

Posted on April 22, 2015 by suzannerbanks

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

Australian Eucalyptus Oil – A Review and Giveaway

The picturesque road to Banalasta – it was stinking hot and there was a bushfire in the distance

At the end of last year I visited a friend in Armidale which is about 5 hours drive from Sydney (or about an hour flying). On our way to see friends in Tamworth – the Country Music Capital of Australia – we saw signs to a Eucalyptus farm. A few kilometres up a bumpy dirt road we found the gorgeous little shop and cafe, selling eucalyptus oil from the property “Banalasta” (the land of healthy waterholes). They are growing quickly and increasing their wholesale business to the USA, as well as supplying the Australian public through online sales and sale on the property. They are a certified organic farming business.

The lovely people gave me a quick look around out the back, where they actually store the leaves and distill the oil. Here are a few pics:

Here you can see fresh eucalyptus leaves (Eucalyptus radiata) harvested off the property, from living trees (that continue to live). The scent was absolutely divine!

Fresh eucalyptus leaves awaiting distillation

The massive vats used for distilling the oil:

Distilling vats

The receptacle that collects the essential oil:

The pot of gold at the end of the rainbow – where the essential oil is collected

Glass measuring and testing equipment to assess each batch:

At Banalasta they also grow and distill lavender (Lavandula Intermedia grosso):

Lavender just about to flower outside the shop

The Oil: Eucalyptus radiata certified organic

The Scent: A sweet and soft eucalyptus, almost like you are eating a eucalyptus candy. Within the scent I can detect mild camphorous tones and the poetic sense of the Australian bush.

The Verdict: A must have for all scent enthusiasts

To Win:

10ml bottle Eucalyptus radiata

Please comment via the little thought bubble at the top of the blog and tell my why you’d LOVE this little bottle of Aussie goodness. The winner will be chosen through random.org on the 20th May 2015.

Thanks so much! You can support local organic farmers by buying direct from Banalasta here: http://www.banalasta.com.au/Essential-Oils-p-1-c-252.html

Check out my YouTube channel too, thanks.

Do Gay People Have a Favourite Essential Oil? – Video

Video

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

Do Gay People Have a Favourite Essential Oil? (Last Week on YouTube)

???????

I recently accompanied my very good friend DJ Wayne G on an Atlantis Cruise from Auckland to Sydney. These cruises are predominantly gay men, a few lesbians, a straight couple or two and a few straight girls. When a blog reader asked “what is gay peoples’ favourite essential oil” I laughed out loud (really). What a perfect place to ask a few people this interesting question.

Of course I imagined I would ask 500 people, like a vox pop, and ended up actually having a holiday and asking 5 people! Here is the result.

There is one clip with (another DJ) friend of mine Shigeki, filmed on a train. Clearly NOT a ship. This was shot on a beautiful wooden train that took us up through the Taieri Gorge from Dunedin in New Zealand – a beautiful day through spectacular scenery.

Thanks so much for your continued support and please let me know if there is anything you’d like me to write about.

Remember to treat yourself first, then everyone will benefit.

suzannerbanks

scent . intention . consciousness . essential oils

Tag Archives: lavender essential oil

3 Essential Essential Oils for Stress Relief

The Crown Chakra Opens with Lavender

10 Body Oil Recipes for Seasonal Change

Must-Have Mid Season Essential Oils!

Strength, Clarity and Potentiality with Essential Oils

Vegan Cupcakes, Tea and Essential Oils

To Scrub or Not To Scrub? That is the Question!

20 Good Reasons Lavender is the Superhero of Essential Oils

Australian Eucalyptus Oil – A Review and Giveaway

Do Gay People Have a Favourite Essential Oil? – Video

Video

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this: