10 Recipes with Orange Essential Oil – Citrus sinensis

Posted on November 19, 2014 by suzannerbanks

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

10 Recipes with Orange Essential Oil – Citrus sinensis

Oranges and orange oil can make you happy!

I love orange oil because it’s light and fresh and so easy to use. Like most of the citrus oils the molecules are slightly less complex than other oils and have a smaller amount of chemical bonds. This makes them quite light and when using them to scent a room, you will need to anchor it down with a heavier oil to keep the scent around for a bit longer. You could use a wood like cedarwood or sandalwood; a floral like geranium or ylang ylang, or herbs like lavender and marjoram.

Citrus oils are best avoided in large amounts before going into the sun. A few drops in a blend will be fine but don’t lather yourself in orange and lime then head down to the beach for a full-on sunbaking session. They can be phytotoxic which means they can make your skin burn in the sun and while I’ve never seen evidence of this I’m sure people have found out the hard way.

Let’s go:

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.

Orange oil will brighten your outlook.

There are lots of great essential oil diffusers on the market now - pic via www.aliexpress.com

There are lots of great essential oil diffusers on the market now – pic via http://www.aliexpress.com

2. Scent Your Space

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

“Sweet Surrender”

Sweetly happy and content –

Orange 12 drops

Peru Balsam 7 drops

Rose Geranium 6 drops

“Cool Kids Space”

Create a lovely environment for the little ones –

Orange 15 drops

Cinnamon 5 drops

Marjoram 5 drops

“Invitation”

Invite happiness in –

Orange 10 drops

Palmarosa 8 drops

Lime 7 drops

“Pixies”

Connect to the elements –

Orange 9 drops

Frankincense 10 drops

Cedarwood Himalayan 6 drops

Chinese tea cup – perfect for a little perfume magic

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!

“Helium Balloon”

Happiness and lightness –

Orange 2 drops

Geranium 1 drop

“Life is Wonderful”

Orange 1 drop

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

“Laughter is the Best Medicine”

Orange 1 drop

Lime 1 drop

Rosewood 1 drop

“In This Moment”

Be present –

Orange 2 drops

Sandalwood Australian 1 drop

“Maybe”

I’ll make up my mind when I fee like it, I’m going with the flow today –

Orange 1 drop

Lemongrass 1 drop

Ylang Ylang 1 drop

Citrus essential oils are all about making you happier

Remember to treat yourself first, then everyone will benefit.

10 Recipes with Neroli Essential Oil – Citrus aurantium ssp amara/Bigaradia

Posted on November 5, 2014 by suzannerbanks

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

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10 Recipes with Neroli Essential Oil – Citrus aurantium

The citrus blossom that makes neroli oil

Pretty flower. Very pretty scent.

Neroli essential oil is made from the blossom of a couple of citrus trees which do produce bitter fruit, sometimes used for marmalade – but the main focus is to harvest the blossoms for perfume. Thank you tree, your perfume is beautiful!

In the world of essential oils and plant-based medicine it is a relative newcomer. While some herbs and oils have been used for thousands of years (lavender, myrrh, frankincense, cypress for example), this scent was made popular in Italy in the 1700’s. The story goes that,

“by the end of the 17th century, Anne Marie Orsini, duchess of Bracciano and princess of Nerola, Italy, introduced the essence of bitter orange tree as a fashionable fragrance by using it to perfume her gloves and her bath. Since then, the term “neroli” has been used to describe this essence.”

The principality of Nerola is close to Rome where the Princess really worked the diplomacy angle in the Italian capital, securing her future in the courts of France, Spain and Rome. The essence was used particularly in Venice to ward off water born viruses and nasties.

Anne-Marie-de-La-Tremoille_Dss-Bracciano via wikipedia.com

It is an oil that is precious and expensive to make and therefore is mostly sold in a 3% blend. (see my article “Essential Oils 3% in Jojoba – What are they, and Why?” for more information on 3% blends).

Let’s check out some recipes with Neroli 3%:

1. Facial Oil Treatment

Mix one or two drops of essential oil in one teaspoon of carrier oil. You can warm the oil slightly first if desired – it will be very relaxing! Massage your face and rest for 10 minutes. You can also place a cool or warm wet face cloth on your face as a compress over the oil mask. Remove excess oil with a tissue or cloth.

Neroli 3% 4 drops

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!

“Bride”

Perfect to calm the nerves and smell wonderful too –

Neroli 3% 5 drops

Ylang Ylang 1 drop

“Summer Nights”

Get into your happy summer place –

Neroli 3% 3 drops

Lemongrass 1 drop

Lavender 1 drop

Anoint yourself with pure essential oil blends

“Whimsical”

Neroli 3% straight from the bottle on your wrists and heart

“Quietly Powerful”

When you need a little oomph –

Neroli 3 drops

Cedarwood Virginian 1 drop

Nutmeg 1 drop

nourish your skin with oil blends

3. 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”

“Sweetness and Light”

Neroli 3% 8 drops

Lemon 2 drops

Frankincense 2 drops

“Youthful Glow”

Neroli 3% 6 drops

White Grapefruit 4 drops

Rose Geranium 1 drop

And if you have Neroli pure essential oil then you can use it in a vapouriser or in a mist bottle. The 3% blend is only good for mixing with oil or in a cream for your face and body, or using direct from the bottle as a perfume. Here are some recipes with pure Neroli oil:

Any bottle with an atomiser top will do!

4. 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!)

“Divinity”

Neroli 8 drops

Palmarosa 8 drops

Bergamot 9 drops

“Seduction”

Neroli 10 drops

Sandalwood 6 drops

Juniper 6 drops

Cinnamon 3 drops

“I Am”

Neroli 8 drops

Orange 6 drops

Patchouli 4 drops

Cypress 6 drops

Spikenard 1 drop

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

Fountain of Youth

Posted on November 3, 2014 by suzannerbanks

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

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Fountain of Youth

Chapter 12

Another look in between the covers of my book

The fountain of youth fable appears in many cultures but is t real?

The fountain of youth fable appears in many cultures but is it real?

Ahh yes the fountain of youth. Wouldn’t it be great to drink water from a fountain and not only look young, but remain youthful for eternity. Sounds like more of a curse to me, but in everyday life we think of youthfulness as a remedy to all our problems. And usually this youthful glow refers to our skin and how old or young we actually look.

But what about having a youthful mind?

And a youthful spirit?

Well thankfully essential oils can address youthfulness on all levels of our existence.

The beautiful Sophia Loren

“There is a fountain of youth: it is your mind, your talents, the creativity you bring to your life and the lives of people you love. When you learn to tap this source, you will have truly defeated age.”

Sophia Loren

Thanks Sophia.

1. Use essential oils on your skin

“Physical – oils for the face and body

Some essential oils are known for stimulating cell regeneration and they are deemed cytophylactic. Use these oils to communicate with your skin and help with production of new cells. Other oils have been traditionally used to have a soothing, calming and emollient effect. Oils that have been classified as anti-inflammatory may also hep your skin by their cooling action.”

Suzanne (me)

Take a huge whiff to change your focus in seconds – but don’t overdo it!

2. Use essential oils on your mind

Just by using essential oils and making your own potions, you will not only fuel your creative fire, but you’ll also be inhaling essential oils too. Your thinking mind can be eased as the molecules in essential oils are absorbed into some sections of your brain. This action can help with moods, and have a flow-on effect throughout your body with hormones and other chemical messengers.

What we do every day has far reaching energetic waves

We are what we think we are, and how we project ourselves into the world

3. Use essential oils for your spirit

“Using essential oils to by-pass your self-imposed limits is the key to accessing the fountain of youth. Your heart will open to the beauty of life when you are surrounded by the natural scent of essential oil.

Grab any essential oil you can and take a big sniff to activate the part of you that knows infinity.”

Suzanne (me)

Essential oils can make you happier

So my beautiful people to find out ore about how essential oils can help you stay youthful click on one of the links below.

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Thanks everyone.

My Top 5 Oils for Brides – Part 2 (A Fresh Look, 2014)

Posted on October 29, 2014 by suzannerbanks

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

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My Top 5 Oils for Brides – Part 2 (A Fresh Look, 2014)

a beautiful bride

In my article My Top 5 Oils for Brides – Part 1 (New Edition 2014) I talk about what oils are best for the pending nuptials. Here’s a recap –

Neroli

Rose

Lavender

Geranium

Frankincense

But how do you use the oils?

We all know every wedding is different and each bride and groom are unique, but the one thing they all have in common is that they all want a memorable experience for them and their guests. Whether it be a simple beach wedding or a lavish affair at a glamourous venue with hundreds of guests, the bride will have some organising to do.

Unfortunately the oils won’t do everything but they will support you on your journey from fiancé to wife.

a happy beach wedding

Essential oils will give emotional support and a scented burst of clarity and calm during the process. You could either use lots of different kinds of oils or pick a couple and make a combination that becomes your signature scent. So let’s look at the best 2 ways to use your oils.

1. Nourishing Body Oil

I recommend making a bottle of your chosen oil blend to use daily as a moisturiser, and more importantly as a connection to your spirit and a tonic to your mind. You will start your day off by paying attention to yourself, centering your mind and preparing for what is to come. And – your skin will look and feel totally amazing! I use oil on my skin every day and it works – my skin feels wonderful and looks good too! When your bottle is finished you can make another combo or stay with the same blend.

Alternatively for one 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”

“Heart”

To keep the flow of energy in your heart chakra while planning your wedding

– for a 50ml bottle –

Rosewood 10 drops

Lavender 5 drops

Rose 3% 20 drops * see my article for more info on 3% blends in jojoba

When making a daily blend of essential oil this often takes up time and is the first thing to be put on hold when you are juggling work, your private life and creating your perfect wedding. Consider making a bottle so it’s on hand every morning.

“Cool, Calm and Collected”

To breathe deeply and keep anxiety at bay

– to make a blend enough for one day –

Frankincense 3 drops

Cardamom 1 drop

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

“Strength and Courage”

– to make a blend enough for one day –

Geranium 3 drops

Neroli 3% 7 drops * see my article for more info on 3% blends in jojoba

Vetiver 1 drop

Any bottle with an atomiser top will do!

2. Personal Aura Cleansing Mist & Room Mist

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

This is a great portable way to keep an aromatherapy treatment with you. It is simply essential oils in an atomiser bottle filled with water. There is no need to use any emulsification agents,just shake before you mist. It can be used to refresh your face, cleanse and protect your aura, give your brain a boost and will make you smell like a natural goddess.

“Mother Earth Energy”

To keep a sense of worldliness and compassion on those crazy days –

Frankincense 10 drops

Bergamot 10 drops

Patchouli 5 drops

“I’ve Got the Power”

When you need strength and fortitude, with a smile –

Geranium 10 drops

Lemon 7 drops

Lavender 5 drops

Cinnamon 3 drops

“I’m Loving Every Minute of this Journey”

Enjoy the process –

Rose Geranium 8 drops

Orange 12 drops

Peru Balsam 5 drops

Remember to treat your self first then everyone will benefit.

My Top 5 Oils For Brides – Part 1 (A Fresh Look, 2014)

Posted on October 22, 2014 by suzannerbanks

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

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My Top 5 Oils For Brides – Part 1 (A Fresh Look 2014)

aaaaahhhhhhhh!!!!!

Essential oils are great for anybody to use but there are some stand-out oils for brides.

Why?

The wedding planning can be stressful and it can also take up a lot of time. Of course it’s different for everyone, and whether you have a casual beach wedding or a party in a 5 star resort, you do have to think about a lot of fine details. You are also entering into a contract with your partner, and quite possibly changing your life forever. You are entering a new phase of your life too, with lots of new family members you are required to be nice to. There can be many issues surrounding your wedding and marriage, and essential oils can be your scented support system on the journey.

Essential oils not only smell beautiful, they can help minimise stress, and help you focus on the things that really matter – like your health and happiness rather than the seating plan, or the boyfriend of your friend who you don’t really like but have to invite anyway. You get the drift.

Essential oils work in an holistic way with your own energy, emotions and thoughts to provide a connection to the divine spirit within you.

orange blossom = neroli

1. Neroli

Neroli is a traditional oil for brides as it’s best qualities are those of relieving anxiety and tension – the flowers were strewn over the marital bed to ease tension, and included in the wedding bouquet to help you stay calm. The word Neroli comes from the name of an Italian princess who brought the oil into popular culture a few hundred years ago, so it’s actually quite a new oil to the field of Aromatherapy. Many oils and tinctures of plants have been around for thousands of years, and this is how we know they work.

Neroli is a wonderful oil to use as a perfume straight from the bottle from the moment your wedding fever kicks in. Use it when you are stressed about something not going the way you want it, or simply as a scent to help you cope with any mild anxiety. it is a beautiful scent to wear on your wedding day to give you a stunning, floral perfume and support your emotions and the butterflies in your stomach. This oil is an expensive oil and usually comes already diluted in jojoba to lower costs. The label will say “Neroli oil in 3% Jojoba and you can see my article for more info on 3% blends in jojoba.

Men tend to love this oil too, as it has a bitterness about it even though it’s a floral oil. If your man is stressing try some bergamot in place of neroli to relieve stress! A drop on his solar plexus chakra wouldn’t go astray on the big day.

the beautiful rose

2. Rose

Rose oil is the oil of Cleopatra – the oil of queens. It is sometimes referred to as the Queen of Oils too! Rose is the oil of loving yourself, and others. Whatever you think a Queen embodies – then so does this oil. Not only wonderful for skin, and as a regulator for heat, rose oil will bring a sense of calm and inner strength. This really is a woman’s oil. It is the essence of femininity and strength, of subtlety and fortitude.

Use rose oil during your lead-up to the wedding to help you stay centered and loving.

As for Neroli, rose will often already be diluted in 3% jojoba. Use it a perfume straight from the bottle, use it in your skincare regime in some rosehip oil and even give some the other women in your life who support you. Nurture yourself with rose oil.

lavender is spectacular

3. Lavender

Lavender is the oil of calming, soothing and grounding. It brings all your scattered energy together. Lavender can be used to help induce sleep, to use in a bath when you a feeling overwhelmed, and to vapourise around you when you need to make difficult decisions. if you could only have one oil in your life, I suggest it would be lavender, as it has so many uses. It is the perfect first aid all because it helps cuts and wounds heal, helps burns lose their sting and is perfect for shock. Take some lavender with you to the wedding and have a huge sniff straight from the bottle to give you a blast of solidarity. Share it amongst the bridesmaids and if anyone has a headache a drop on the temples will aid the pain.

Geranium in my street

4. Geranium

This oil is made from the flower and it very definitely a strong floral oil! Geranium is another good oil for skincare -face and body. It is an oil of happiness and playfulness and is bright and full. I use geranium oil when I feel I need a boost, and when I need a bit of stability in my emotions. It’s great for brides who are quite emotional and teary and will help you as you plan your wedding – when you need help looking for the fun and joy in the process. It’s easy to get bogged down in the “doing” of the wedding but it’s just as important to enjoy and be present in this process too. Have fun with geranium oil and it’s floral cheeriness.

frankincense resin – the oil is steam distilled from this

5. Frankincense

Frankincense is the oil of breathing deeply. By taking deep, slow breaths you will automatically relax. Vapourise frankincense oil in your home for relaxation and as an oil to help you connect more deeply with your spirit. Traditionally used in the Catholic church to inspire the congregation reach a meditative and spiritual state, it is also used as a symbol of faithfulness to God, and in worship rituals. This oil is also good in skincare and is particularly indicated for more mature or dry skins. Once again add some of this stunning oil into your rosehip oil and use a a facial moisturiser. I use rosehip everyday on my face and I couldnt recommend anything better and more simple. When you add some essential oils to it, it becomes a powerful softening and nourishing treatment.

Stay tuned for My Top 5 Oils for Brides – Part 2 (Revised Edition 2014) for recipes and a more detailed description of how to use them.

Remember to treat yourself first , then everyone will benefit.

Affirmations and Positive Self-Talk

Posted on October 20, 2014 by suzannerbanks

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

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Chapter 10

Affirmations and Positive Self-Talk

Another look in between the covers of my book

Excellent work, you!

“An affirmation opens the door. It’s a beginning point on a path to change”

Louise L. Hay

Ah yes the most important thing about repeating affirmations is that your energy and spirit must be aligned with what your brain is saying. If not, the universe gets confused and finds it hard to surround and support you in your endeavours. As Louise says, affirmations are simply gates to a world of energetic change, and by using essential oils you can amplify your desires and link them to a world of scented beauty.

“By using essential oils with your affirmations you can transcend your logical mind and align your desires with your soul. When you are inviting essential oils into your world, attach some loving good feelings to those oils and your affirmation, and you will have a powerhouse of positivity”.

Suzanne R Banks

Affirmations are a great tool to open your awareness to wonderful possibilities, but at the same time being kind to yourself is just as important. We often have many (false) beliefs running in the background of our minds that negatively influence the way we speak to ourselves. If you drop and smash something in the kitchen do you hear yourself saying “I’m an idiot” or “I always smash things” or something similar? Sometimes these little sayings have been with us since childhood and it’s time to CHANGE!

Dr Joe Dispenza recommends saying CHANGE out loud when you recognise a detrimental belief about yourself

Changing old patterns is easier with essential oils, and here are a couple I recommend –

Cinnamon is a great spice that lends happiness and positivity to your world

Cinnamon

be sweet with yourself

Aw go on you can do it! Cinnamon is so fun and lovely and is a great oil to use in your formulations for scenting your space. This essential oil will help you lighten up and enjoy the person you are now and the one you want to become. Add sweetness to your day!

Beware of cinnamon’s bite and do not use it on your skin – it will burn!

I took this pic in Sydney – there’s so much lavender here it’s wonderful

Lavender

solid foundations acceptance

“When it comes to self-esteem and positive self-talk use essential oil of lavender for coherence and solidarity. This is an oil I would use for any kind of imbalance, to provide a sense of strong roots – a solid foundation.”

Suzanne R Banks

This oil comes from an ancient healing plant and must not be overlooked. It is abundant, easy to find in nature, and can be used for so many issues. You can just take a sniff straight from the bottle during your day to bring in a burst of calm and comfort.

To find out which other essential oils can help you be kind to yourself, click on one of the links below.

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Thanks everyone.

10 Recipes with Cypress – Cupressus sempervirens

Posted on October 8, 2014 by suzannerbanks

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

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10 Recipes with Cypress – Cupressus sempervirens

Cypress is a conifer belonging to the Cupressaceae family

I love this oil!

Clean, crisp, light and green, the essential oil of Cypress takes us back to the time of stories in religious books – the Bible, The Torah and many others we have probably never seen. It is an old family of trees and shrubs and there are many species spanning the globe. These wonderful trees have been known to last thousands of years (the word sempervirens means “ever-living” says Aromatherapist Salvatore Battaglia), and according to Wikipedia this cypress is …

“also known as Italian, Tuscan, or Graveyard Cypress, or Pencil Pine) is a species of cypressnative to the eastern Mediterranean region, in northeast Libya, southern Albania, southeast Greece (Crete, Rhodes), southern Turkey, Cyprus, Northern Egypt, western Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Malta, Italy, western Jordan, and also a disjunct population in Iran.”

In Australia we have a cypress that is called Australian Blue Cypress, which has a deep blue hue to the essential oil. It is a different species to the classic cypress used in Aromatherapy, and you can read more about it here.

Ok so in Aromatherapy cypress is used

* to release excess water from the body

* to tonify veins

* help the symptoms of coughs and lung disorders like asthma and bronchitis

I like to use this oil to expand consciousness and help someone move from ego into spirit. It has a wonderful quality to help us move through overwhelming human situations, allowing us to see the truth.

Let’s check out some recipes –

Oils are nourishing for your body

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. 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”

“Lovely Legs”

Help the noticeable veins be less noticeable –

Cypress 3 drops

Lavender 3 drops

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

“Tone”

Feel a little more pulled-together –

Cypress 3 drops

Mandarin 3 drops

Juniper 2 drops

“I Need a Miracle”

Cypress 2 drops

Petitgrain 2 drops

Geranium 2 drops

Rosewood 2 drops

“Ancient Knowledge”

Cypress 2 drops

Sandalwood Indian 2 drops

Orange 4 drops

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

2. Personal Aura Cleansing Mist & Room Mist

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

“Renew My Vibe”

Cypress 12 drops

Lemongrass 6 drops

Lime 6 drops

Rosemary 3 drops

“I’m Expecting a Miracle Here”

Cypress 10 drops

Bergamot 8 drops

Marjoram 4 drops

Cinnamon 3 drops

“Get Outta My Way (Very Subtlely)”

Cypress 8 drops

Ylang Ylang 8 drops

Cedarwood Atlas 4 drops

Palmarosa 4 drops

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!

“Crisp Day”

Cypress 2 drops

May chang 1 drop

“Cool Night”

Cypress 1 drop

Peru Balsam 1 drop

Lemon 1 drop

“Just for Me”

Cypress 1 drop

Rose 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.

Scents for the Spring/Autumn Equinox

Posted on October 1, 2014 by suzannerbanks

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

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Scents for the Spring/Autumn Equinox

Sorry I’m a week too late for the equinox but it’s never too late to start using essential oils.

So for some of us its spring. Yay for us!

Beautiful spring blossoms

Which oils are our oils?

Jasmine

sweet syrupy floral, deep base scent, sensuality and sexuality, promise of good things to come

This is the perfect oil for spring as it bursts forth heralding the last of winter. When I see the jasmine starting to come alive on the streets of Sydney I get very, very excited. I’m happy because I know the scent will surround me, and I’m happy because winter has gone. Bye. See ya. Don’t come back for at least another year.

The great thing about jasmine oil is that you’ll usually find it in a 3% dilution (mainly due to the fact that is an expensive oil to make). This means use it straight from the bottle as a perfume and bewitch the world with your feminine wiles! See my article for more info on 3% blends in jojoba.

Lemongrass

sticky lemon scent with a grassy twist, energising, happiness, let’s go summer!

I love lemongrass as it’s inexpensive, can be found almost anywhere, and gives us a bit of extra energy. Perfect for shaking of the winter blahs.

The best way to use lemongrass to increase your energy level is to make a 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”)

try

Lemongrass 3 drops

Cedarwood Himalayan 2 drops

Orange 2 drops

And for others it’s autumn. Yay for you!

The stunning rich tones of autumn

Which oils are your oils?

Fennel

liquorice type scent, be kind to yourself, self nourishment, warm and calming

Fennel is a beautiful oil to embrace in autumn when the vegetable is in season too. It is an oil that’s great for warming and helping digestion, and for deconstructing chest catarrh. It also has a very soft and calming feel to it and works well with so many different oils.

Try scenting your space by putting 25 drops of oil into a traditional oil burner with a candle or a diffuser.

try

Fennel 8 drops

Bergamot 12 drops

Geranium 5 drops

Frankincense

clear and crisp scent, induces deeper slower breathing, gently calm down after a lovely summer

Frankincense helps us look within and be calm. Take some deep breaths of the cooling autumn air to let your body know winter is coming. It is a time of being thankful for the lovely summer, and to plant spiritual seeds for the future. Invite meditation into your space with an aura cleansing mist containing frankincense.

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

try

Frankincense 14 drops

Mandarin 7 drops

Patchouli 4 drops

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

And of course use lavender all year round!

Remember to treat yourself first, then everyone will benefit.

Hydrosols and Floral Waters – What’s the Diff?

Posted on August 27, 2014 by suzannerbanks

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Hydrosols and Floral Waters – What’s the Diff?

A lovely selection of rosewater

Recently one of my wholesale suppliers sent an email lamenting about the short shelf life of hydrosols and how difficult it is to maintain great standards for their customers.

I would have to agree. I absolutely love hydrosols but their scent doesn’t last long and it’s always disappointing when you open up a bulk container to find it has “turned”. The scent goes a bit dull and brownish and it simply isn’t right. So what’s the difference between hydrosols and floral waters?

Hydrosols

Hydrosols are the water left over from the steam and water distillation of a plant or flower. They contain many water-soluble constituents from the plant and therefore have a different make-up to the essential oil they come from. Hydrosols also have the beautiful scent of the plant, but at a more softer, rounder level. They contain minerals, cellulose and aromatic compounds. According to Wikipedia they “contain essential oil compounds as well as organic acids..…. and will include many of the water-soluble plant pigments and flavonoids.”

Hydrosols will be harder to find in a retail environment, mostly everything will be a floral water- either the essential oil infused into the water, or the plant boiled or infused in water. If you can buy a true hydrosol its definitely worth a try.

Hydrosols can be used in skin care and as a therapuetic treatment. I remember taking a weekend class with an Indian Ayurvedic doctor and rosewater was used for an eye bath to soothe the infection and used when any kind of heat or inflammation was present. Rose water has been used in Ayurveda as a treatment for centuries and is also used by woman in their skin care regimes.

If it’s a real hydrosol it can be amazing when its fresh. If it’s not a real hydrosol it could be a floral water.

Floral Waters

The most well-known would be rose-water, orange blossom (neroli) water and pine (kewra) water. Check out this article for some fabulous Oregon scented alcohols.

Pine water (essence)

A simple hand made rose water sneakily holistichealthherbalist.com

A simple hand made rose water – pic sneakily holistichealthherbalist.com

Hydrosols could be called floral waters (because they are), but this usually refers to a water that has been scented with essential oils. The best floral waters use a process that breaks essential oils into tiny droplets and forces them into de-ionised water. In this process no extra chemicals are used and the scent is true to the essential oil. The scent will also last longer and floral waters can still be used for everything that a hydrosol is used for.

If you go into a middle eastern or Indian shop and find a bottle of rose-water, for example, it probably wont be a hydrosol. It will be a floral water made in another way. That’s not to say they aren’t fabulous but always check the label to find if there are any chemical preservatives or nasty ingredients.

You can use your stunning floral water in these ways:

Misting your face before moisturising to soften and hydrate
Misting your body after the sun
Use in place of a facial toner for a more gentle clarifying and cooling treatment
particularly lovely for misting kids to help cool them down
add to a cocktail for a delicious scented drink
add a splash to a glass of water
use in cooking with sweets and salad dressings

I’m sure you can think of many more so don’t hesitate to use hydrosols and floral waters in your daily regime.

Remember to treat yourself first, then everyone will benefit.

10 Essential Oil Recipes to Make You Better Looking

Posted on August 20, 2014 by suzannerbanks

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

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10 Essential Oil Recipes to Make You Better Looking

I love this pic of the legendary Ursula Andres

Gotcha! Can essential oils make you better looking?

Short answer YES!

Long answer …………

Sort-of but not really. Depends on the way you look at it, and beauty IS in the eye of the beholder.

Tyson Beckford being ridiculously good-looking

When you use essential oils

* they can help change your focus from negative to more positive

* they are beautiful and carry coded information carrying the secrets of the universe

* they allow you to be more kind and compassionate

* they can have a positive change on your moods and emotions

* they help relieve stress

* they can make your body feel less pain and discomfort

* they can make your mind more alert

* they can give you more physical energy too

So if you are less stressed, kind and compassionate, feeling happy, pain-free, awake and alert with more energy are you better looking? Yes! Of course!

I love Elle! pic via http://www.tvrage.com

And now some recipes –

1. Nourishing Body Oil

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”

“Love Your Body, Become Even More Beautiful if That’s Possible”

Ylang Ylang 3 drops

Geranium 2 drops

Patchouli 2 drops

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“Oh the Aches and Pains”

Release muscular tension –

Lavender 3 drops

Marjoram 3 drops

Clove 1 drop

Peppermint 1 drop

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“My Nerves are on Edge”

Release nervous tension in your body –

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

Peru Balsam 2 drops

German Chamomile 3% 6 drops * see my article for more info on 3% blends in jojoba

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

“Need Some Love Today”

When you’re a bit down –

Lemon 3 drops

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

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“I Am a Supermodel!”

Juniper 3 drops

Orange 3 drops

Cedarwood Himalayan 2 drops

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Wowsa!

2. Facial Oil Treatment

“Hydration Now!”

Frankincense 1 drop

Palmarosa 1 drop

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“Youthful Glow”

Bergamot 1 drop

Everlasting 1 drop

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Miranda Kerr

3. Scent Your Space

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

“Kindness and Compassion for all Living Beings”

Petitgrain 10 drops

Rosewood 7 drops

Rose geranium 4 drops

Black Spruce 4 drops

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“Stress-Less”

Lavender 8 drops

Mandarin 8 drops

May Chang 8 drops

Vetiver 1 drop

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Rob Evans just can’t stop being beautiful – he must use essential oils – pic via thatgrapejuice.net

4. Put A few Drops Of Oil into the bottom of the Shower

Sandalwood Indian – allow your spirit to rise

Fennel – love yourself and unwind

Lime – get happy

Pine – feel the abundance all around you

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Remember to treat yourself first, then everyone will benefit.

suzannerbanks

scent . intention . consciousness . essential oils

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Hydrosols and Floral Waters – What’s the Diff?

Hydrosols and Floral Waters – What’s the Diff?

10 Essential Oil Recipes to Make You Better Looking

10 Essential Oil Recipes to Make You Better Looking

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Hydrosols and Floral Waters – What’s the Diff?

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10 Essential Oil Recipes to Make You Better Looking

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