10 Body Oil Recipes for Seasonal Change

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.

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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

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Body oils make lovely legs

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

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?

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

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.

copryright SR Banks 2015

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fresh Blood – New Energy – Which Essential Oils?

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

Barnes & Noble      Booktopia AU      Amazon UK

and many other stores worldwide as a Kindle and Paperback


Fresh Blood – New Energy – Which Essential Oils?

Fresh blood is loaded with oxygen

Fresh blood is loaded with oxygen

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

Fresh blood = red blood cells highly oxygenated.

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

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

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

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

 

1. Petitgrain

potentiality, opportunities

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

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


 

 

I love lemons!

I love lemons!

2. Lemon

refresh, reload, brighten up

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

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


 

 

Roman chamomile in the Wellington Botanic Gardens

Roman chamomile in the Wellington Botanic Gardens

3. Roman Chamomile

less tension more inspiration

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

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


 

 

Eucalyptus smithii

Eucalyptus smithii

4. Eucalyptus

clearing, enlightening

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

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


 

 

A cup of peppermint tea could do the trick as well

A cup of peppermint tea could do the trick as well

 

5. Peppermint

removes resistance

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

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


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

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

copryright SR Banks 2015

 

 

De-Stress

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

Amazon USA      Amazon AU      Amazon UK


Chapter 9

De-stress

Another look in between the covers of my book

 

De-stress from distress and be happier

De-stress from distress and be happier

 

Stress in the 2ist century, in Western life, is pretty much the cause all kind of disease.

“If you ask what is the single most important key to longevity, I would have to say it is avoiding worry, stress and tension. And if you didn’t ask me, I’d still have to say it.”

George Burns,  Actor

There you go – stop worrying and stressing.

Live longer, and prosper.

Live long and prosper, the Vulcan goodbye

Live long and prosper, the Vulcan greeting

By simply using essential oils in any matter, you will give your brain and chance to refocus and change the current vibe.

* Just open a bottle of oil and have a big sniff. Your brain is in charge of your body so by re-calibrating your thought patterns you have a better chance of having a healthier stress-free body too.

* Put a few drops of an oil in the bottom of the shower before and/or after work, or a stressful day, to help you come down off your high cortisone levels. Once again, give you brain and body a wake-up call to release tension on a daily basis

* Chronic stress can lead to chronic (and acute) disease and we often find out too late. Stress and worry won’t help change your situation so you’ll have to change it from the inside out.

* Have a massage or make your own body oil to completely rejuvenate your body and cleanse your aura

What oils are great to use to minimise stress?

Roman chamomile - pic via 3morganic.com

Roman chamomile – pic via 3morganic.com

 

The Chamomiles – Roman and German

Both these oils often come in a 3 % blend as they are more expensive than most essential oils. See my article for more info on 3% blends in jojoba.  Use these oils straight from the bottle like a perfume, but if you find them as a 100% pure oil just use them in the same ratios as you would with other oils.

Roman chamomile (Anthemis nobilis) is soft, syrupy and sweet and is a great oil for cramping and tension.

German chamomile has a dark blue colour and is deeply herbaceous smelling. This oil is good for heat and inflammation.

Marjoram - pic via www.101herbs.com

Marjoram – pic via http://www.101herbs.com

 

Marjoram

Marjoram is second to lavender for me. I use this oil frequently as it has such wonderful properties. Not only is it a great oil for stress and anxiety, it is a must-have for muscle soreness. It has a strong scent but manages to blend so well with all the other oils and it is an ancient herb that has lasted through the ages.

This oil also helps induce sleep, is great for treating grief, and helps calm an overactive mind. It is the oil of relief.

To find out which other essential oils can help you de-stress, click on one of the links below.

Amazon USA      Amazon AU      Amazon UK

Thanks everyone.

copryright SR Banks

 

 

Essential Oils and Babies – Do They Go Together?

Do essential oils and babies go together? Thats a good question natural beauties. Read on to find out the best way to use essential oils around babies.

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

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

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

Precious little person

Precious little person

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Babies – only use essential oils in their environment – not on them!

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Can you use essential oils on babies?

Short answer = YES – but not on them directly.

Long Answer =  YES but you must use caution and follow these rules.


Any child up to 3 years I will consider a baby for this article and topic. Babies have  extremely new and sensitive skin so

* do not use essential oils, diluted or neat, on your baby unless you seek medical advice.

* do not put essential oils into the bath, diluted or neat.

* always wash you hands before you touch your baby if you’ve been using essential oils

* keep bottles of essential oils away from reach, as even a couple of drops may hurt them

There's so many easy ways to diffuse essential oils now

There’s so many easy ways to diffuse essential oils now

 

You can use essential oils with your baby in the environment around them and the best way to do this is to use a diffuser and vapourise the essential oils in their room. You can buy humidifier from your pharmacy specifically made for children so they can breathe easier, and you may also use calming essential oils so they sleep better too. An ordinary motorised diffuser will be fine for this as well, but as a precaution don’t use a burner with a candle. Refer to the model of your diffuser for amounts of oil and if there is no info I would only use 6 drops.

 

Babies love baths

Babies love baths

 

If you really want to add something to your baby’s bath you could use some organic herbal tea (a couple of teaspoons) wrapped in some muslin and make a weak infusion. Chamomile and lavender would be the only herbs I would use. In the same vein you could use organic oats which makes a soft, skin soothing bath which is safe for babies and will help soothe nappy rash and hot skin. A dash of hydrosol would be fine too.

A lovely selection of rosewater

A lovely selection of rosewater

 

A great alternative to essential oils that works well with babies and kids are hydrosols and floral waters. They have a mild scent and are safe you to be misted all around your baby to help induce a sense of calm and also for cooling them down in summer. The best hydrosols will be rose, lavender, roman chamomile and neroli (or orange blossom). See my article Hydrosols vs Floral Waters – What’s the Diff? for more information.

You will find rosewater and orange blossom water in some food stores and to be on the safe side I would water these down, otherwise buy a good quality (organic if possible) hydrosol from a natural beauty/aromatherapy store.

 

Essential Oils for Baby’s Sleep

lavender

Roman chamomile

bergamot

marjoram

Essential Oils for Baby’s Better Breathing

frankincense

eucalyptus (sparingly ie 1 or 2 drops in a humidifier only and do not continue the treatment for more than a night or two) *

lavender

* a reader of my blog has asked a question regarding eucalyptus and babies –

“I enjoyed your article. However, why do you recommend eucalyptus? I have read it is not safe for young children. Wouldn’t fir needle, a pine, or spruce be a better option?”

My answer –

I have referenced 3 text books and only one leans towards avoiding eucalyptus with young babies. It has an active ingredient called 1-8 cineole that can be toxic in lethal doses but nothing like a couple of drops you would use in a humidifier. It may be best for me to update this article to be very specific about using eucalyptus with babies. It is still one of the best mucolytic oils. Fir, pine and/or spruce could be used as a substitute for sure, but they won’t be as effective.

Also some oils/formulas that are specific for kids & babies, that are sold with humidifiers, contain many questionable ingredients and could even be potentially more dangerous than a drop or two of eucalyptus.

Sleeping babies are happy babies

Sleeping babies are happy babies

 

Essential Oils For Baby’s Crying

Try putting a couple of drops of oil on your clothes and when your hold your baby, they will just get a small scent of oil, mixed in with your scent, and this may work really well to settle them down. Just be careful not to let the babies face touch against you where the oil is.

vetiver (sparingly as its very strong – just a drop will do. You could also add a drop to the sleep oils too

lavender

Roman chamomile

You can see a pattern here – pretty much just stick with lavender and a few other oils until your baby is older.

 

Please your you motherly or fatherly intuition with your baby and remember if you use a diffuser the whole family will benefit from the aromatherapy treatment too.

copyright suzanne

 

 

 

 

10 Recipes with Roman Chamomile Essential Oil – Anthemis nobilis

Chamomile - sweet flower, sweet scent

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

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

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

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

(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!)

“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.

copyright suzanne

 

 

The Divine Scent of Roman Chamomile Essential Oil

Anthemis nobilis - a classic illustation from Kohler's Medicial Pflanzen

Anthemis nobilis – a classic illustration from Kohler’s Medicinal Pflanzen

I have brushed over the chamomiles previously but would love to go into more detail about Roman chamomile. You can check out my previous blog Softly and Gently with the Chamomiles, but lets go into the world of this special, petit fluer in this article.

As with many plants this chamomile has a couple of botanical names – Anthemis nobilis or Chamaemelum nobile. Either way you can pick up that it is considered a nobile plant – distinguished by rank and manner. It is part of the Asteracae family (daisies) and the genus Chamaemelum. I’ve always loved daisies because they are so sweet, simple and pretty. This chamomile also has a very pretty scent and the essential oil is magnificent! For a small flower the scent is BIG!

This scent greatly differs from the other chamomile used in Aromatherapy – German chamomile – which is much darker in colour, darker and heavier in scent too. Our beautiful little “Roman” daisy will appeal to everyone from kids to the elderly, and even our pets.

Chamomile - sweet flower, sweet scent

Chamomile – sweet flower, sweet scent

It’s hard to tell the chamomiles apart as a flower but the German chamomile tends to have a more prominent pointed centre with leaves pointing downward, whereas the Roman chamomile flower is generally more balanced and larger, with a flat centre and daisy-like leaves. This is a generalisation and I’m sure the gardeners out there will have something to say about that!

In Aromatherapy today Roman chamomile is used;

* for stomach cramps as it is a great anti-spasmodic

* as a stomach calming oil in general

* as a calming oil in all respects – both physically and mentally

* as a soothing tonic to overwrought emotions

* as a calming oil for children

* for headaches

* for period pain

* for any kind of cramping whether it be in the body, the emotions, the mind or the energetic body

* in body oil blends and treatments for red, inflamed skin

Roman chamomile - pic via 3morganic.com

Roman chamomile – pic via 3morganic.com

I find it difficult to describe scent but I would say that this oil is sweet and intoxicating, with honey-like tones. This is a description from Wikipedia –

“The word chamomile, and the genus name Chamaemelum come from the Greek χαμαίμηλον (chamaimēlon), “earth-apple”, from χαμαί (chamai), “on the ground” + μήλον (mēlon), “apple”, so-called because of the apple-like scent of the plant. “

I suppose it has an apple-like scent but at least this gives you an idea and also indicates how long this plant has been around.

According to chamomile.co.uk/history.htm

“Chamomile was known to the Romans and used for incense and in beverages. Ironically, the name ‘Roman Chamomile’ by which it is sometimes known, does not stem from this time, but from a rather arbitary naming of the herb in the 19th century by a plant collector who happened to find some growing in the Colleseum in Rome!”

 

This site also refers to the use of chamomile in Egypt for treatment of fever but as we know it was various monasteries throughout Europe who consolidated the use of many herbs in the Middle Ages and who’s recipes still exist today in alcoholic beverages and perfumes.

Old medicine = good medicine!

Stay tuned for some recipes with this stunning essential oil which is more commonly retailed in a 3% blend in jojoba. This way we can use it straight from the bottle and it makes a wonderful perfume on it’s own. Fore more info on 3% blends check out my story here.

copyright suzanne

 

 

 

10 Recipes with Juniper Essential Oil – Juniperus communis

Juniper berries - pic via www.thedrinksbusiness.com

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

Juniper essential oil is one of my favourites! I go through periods of needing to use it a lot. It has a clean fresh scent, with spicey undertones and conveys a sense of lightness and freedom. The essential oil is steam distilled from the berries and most people know it as the main flavouring in gin.

Juniper comes from the cypress family, Cupressaceae and the genus Juniperus which contains many species from all over the world. The essential oil is high in a-pinene (anti-inflammatory and broncho-dialator) and sabinene. For more info see my previous article on juniper here.

I use juniper in my practice when someone is overwhelmed with emotion or is needing (or wanting) to clean out their life and start afresh. It is a great oil to help release watery emotions and to energetically cleanse a space.

sprawling juniper bush

sprawling juniper bush

In Aromatherapy today it is used –

* as a diuretic

* as a treatment in a sitz bath for urinary tract infections

* for acne

* to stimulate digestion

Try these 10 recipes –

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

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

1. 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!)

“Begone Bad Stuff”

A little purse pack of cleansing energy  –

Juniper       9 drops

Orange     12 drops

Geranium   4 drops

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

“Light On My Feet”

Put a spring in your step –

Juniper          8 drops

Mandarin       6 drops

Rosewood     6 drops

Cinnamon      5 drops

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

“Bubble of Love”

Surround yourself with good vibes –

Juniper             6 drops

Ylang Ylang      4 drops

Bergamot        10 drops

Peru Balsam      4 drops

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

“Feather”

Float with the universe –

Juniper                           8 drops

Fennel                            3 drops

Lime                               8 drops

Sandalwood Australian   4 drops

Nutmeg                          2 drops

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

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

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!

“Evaporate”

Let your concerns evaporate –

Juniper       1 drop

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

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

“Create Space”

.. to be creative –

Juniper              1 drop

Pink grapefruit   2 drops

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

“Refresh”

Refresh your mind –

Juniper         2 drops

Basil             1 drop

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

“Accept”

Don’t fight it –

Juniper                             1 drop

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

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

Green clay face mask - pic via www.wholisticresearch.com

Green clay face mask – pic via http://www.wholisticresearch.com

3. Face Mask

Usually add 2 or 3 drops of oil to some clay and add water, floral water or hydrosol

Juniper   2 drops in green clay to soothe and tone acne skin

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

4. 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”

“Pick-Me-Up”

Give your body a buzz in the morning –

Juniper          2 drops

Eucalyptus     1 drop

Grapefruit       2 drops

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

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

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

copyright suzanne

Cedarwood Virginiana Has a Secret!

Cedarwood virginiana - pic via botany.csdl.tamu.edu

Cedarwood virginiana – pic via botany.csdl.tamu.edu

Cedarwood Virginiana has a secret – it’s a juniper tree! It’s botanical name is Juniperus virginiana but in Aromatherapy today it’s referred to as a cedarwood. I’ve always seen this tree and oil referred to as cedarwood and perhaps it’s because this native to North America is commonly called Red Cedar and/or Aromatic cedar, and a few other names too! It is from the Cupressacae family and the Juniperus genus whereas Cedarwood Atlas (Cedrus atlantica), for example, is from the Pinacae family and the Cedrus genus. Himalayan cedarwood (Cedrus deodora) is from the Pinacae family and the Cedrus genus too.

So back to our Cedarwood Virginiana. You can see by the pic above it has berries like a juniper tree, and leaves like a cypress, but the oil is very different from juniper essential oil and cypress essential oil. This essential oil is thick and creamy and smells like it could easily come from a wood, but also carries a very cleansing energy about it like juniper. I think in my very early days of aromatherapy I blended this oil like it was a basey wood and was never disappointed with the results. I’ve even read a description of the scent of this oil as “pencil- like” and it is also referred to as a pencil cedar , as the heartwood has been used to make lead pencils.

Eastern Red Cedar pic via www.realchristmastrees.org

Eastern Red Cedar pic via http://www.realchristmastrees.org

In Native American medicine this common tree has been used for respiratory infections and other ailments including arthritis and rheumatism, skin disorders and as a treatments for venereal infections (according to Salvatore Battaglia).

In Aromatherapy today Cedarwood Virginiana is used –

* as a treatment for oily and acne skin

* as a treatment for other skin conditions like psoriasis and dermatitis

*  as a soothing treatment for coughs and colds and as an expectorant

* to induce more spiritual connectedness

* as a space/energy cleanser

I’ve always loved using this oil so check out some simple recipes –

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

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

1. 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

“Psychic Awareness”

Open your upper chakras –

Cedarwood Virginiana   2 drops

Mandarin                       1 drop

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

“A New Start”

Cleanse and refresh you attitude –

Cedarwood Virginiana 1 drop

Lemon                         1 drop

Rose Geranium            1 drop

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“And… Breathe!”

Take a quite moment for yourself –

Cedarwood Virginiana    1 drop

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

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

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.

***** 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”

“Classic”

This is my go-to classic body oil blend –

Cedarwood Virginiana   2 drops

Orange                          4 drops

Lavender                       2 drops

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“Give Me Strength”

A warming blend for courage and physical strength –

Cedarwood Virginiana  2 drops

Bergamot                     3 drops

Rosewood                   3 drops

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

2014! The Universal Number of 7!

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2014! The Universal Number of 7!

7 - pic via jakhongirshaturaev.wordpress.com

7 – pic via jakhongirshaturaev.wordpress.com

I met a numerologist the other day when she came into a pop-up shop I was a part of – I was selling handmade body washes, face mask kits, oils and other scented things. I asked her about the way she practices numerology as there are a few different techniques. Well I got loads of quickly downloaded information with the one prominent theme being 7. She said that 2014 had the universal vibration of 7 and that I must remember and write about this in particular. It was very important she said. Write about she said. So here goes …….

This year our collective vibration is a 7. Clearly we have  assigned this number to our lives as somewhere along the track, as the study of numbers in numerology has evolved to a practice that combines maths with consciousness. So we are moving into a 7 to help us evolve to the next level. My numerologist friend talked about ‘the universal vibration of the year 2014’. I had never looked at numerology this way, so it’s opened up a new level of meaning for me.

Basically there are a few different ways of calculating someone’s number or life path, cycle year and other things. I’ve always stuck to the basics which is add up all the numbers in your birth date and that’s the life path number. Add up all the numbers in the year you are in, plus your birth date to get to a cycle year. There are 9 numbers but some people read double digits like 1/1 or 1/0. And then there’s this simple way of looking at a year and what it may hold for us.

In other numerology too, different numbers are assigned to letters and then your number is calculated according to the letters in your name, but that is a bit too difficult for me because I haven’t studied that technique.

The truth - what is it? pic via theyogablog.com

The truth – what is it? pic via theyogablog.com

I always remember 7 being about truth, seeking the truth and embodying the truth. It is the number of looking for the hidden meaning in things and usually has a spiritual undertone. It is also about the big picture and how things fit together. 7 is searching for the underlying meaning of things. 7 is philosophical. 7 is about the why? 7 is about the mystical and magical powers in the universe and collecting all the scientific information and combining it with the spiritual truth.

So that’s pretty exciting I reckon. Combined with starting the year off with a supermoon I’d say 2014 will be a cracker of a year. Come on people let’s make some oil blends to support our search for the truth.

1. Scent Your Space

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

“Mulder and Scully – The Truth is Out There”

Connect to the truth of the universe –

Frankincense   12 drops

Rosewood       6 drops

Juniper            6 drops

Vetiver             1 drop

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“I’m on a Quest”

Don’t be afraid to start searching –

Black pepper      8 drops

Lime                   8 drops

Lavender            9 drops

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“Look Within”

Macro to micro – it’s all the same

Cypress                 10 drops

Cedarwood Atlas     8 drops

Mandarin                 7 drops

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Anoint yourself with pure essential oils

Anoint yourself with pure essential oils in a little carrier oil

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 Have a Dream”

Dream big – we need you!

Basil                              1 drop

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

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“All Knowing”

You already know everything so embrace it –

Nutmeg            1 drop

Pink Grapefruit  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.

copyright suzannerbanks 2013

The Hanged Man – A Tarot Card Reading with Essential Oils

The Hanged Man - XVII from The Rider-Waite deck

The Hanged Man – XII from The Rider-Waite deck

The Hanged Man – don’t be afraid it’s ok! This card is not about hanging yourself – just look at it a little closer. He seems to be quite ok. He is hanging upside down but is doing so rather languidly. His free leg is bent with his hands behind his back and although we can’t see if his hands are tied, at closer inspection he doesn’t appear to be in any pain or suffering.

When I was learning the tarot I remember my teacher saying he could be hanging around waiting for something interesting to happen. Is that you? Are you just pacing yourself?   This card could indicate that it is best to wait for a while for the solution to appear, rather than to force a solution on an issue or a problem.

just waiting.......

just waiting…….

Are you stuck and stagnating, or wasting time? Maybe you are too scared to create your life but know deep inside it’s the right thing to do. It could be a time to release these old patterns and fears that are holding you back.

Our man has a halo around his head indicating he is in touch with his spirituality and this card may come to you in a reading if it is time to take the high road, let go of your ego and do what is best for the good of all concerned. So it seems he is hanging here by choice, he is giving up his freewill for the moment. Perhaps it is a time of allowing yourself to open your higher chakras to spiritual growth?

be peaceful, surrender to your spirit

be peaceful, surrender to your spirit

This is not a card that requires action. This is a card of allowing.

Allow yourself to be, rather than to do. Reflect and wait.

create your own natural skincare

essential oils can support you on your journey

So which essential oils and blends could represent The Hanged Man and what he is trying to tell you?

Try these recipes –

1. Scent Your Space

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

“And…Breathe”

Time to take a moment for yourself –

Frankincense    10 drops

Vetiver                 1 drop

Lavender           7 drops

Lime                  7 drops

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“I am Willing to Change”

To summon the courage to change your circumstances –

Petitgrain           12 drops

Cinnamon           8 drops

Rosewood          5 drops

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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!

 

“A Higher Purpose”

Change your focus from ego to spirit –

Sandalwood Australian   1 drop

Mandarin                        1 drop

Palmarosa                      1 drop

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“Hanging Around”

Be willing to wait –

Marjoram                       1 drop

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

Myrrh                             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.

copyright suzannerbanks 2013