Your Essential Oil for the Lunar New Year of the RAT, 2020!

Posted on January 22, 2020 by suzannerbanks

Yes, it’s a new year (almost)! How was your pig year? It seems to me there were a lot of people feeling pushed towards the end of the year, but sometimes that’s just life. The rat brings exciting times as the first animal in the Chinese Horoscope. The rat is smart, fast and engaging and has an attractive personality and an outgoing lifestyle. What does the Year of the Rat have in store for you?

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2020 is the year of the yang (male) metal rat.

Yay. I think?

This year is connected to metal and water and could see an increase in those industries.

Money and finances for all signs could increase, but only with the will, planning, and determination. Luxury, opulence and shiny things are characteristics of the rat year too.

The rat year brings new opportunities and new experiences for the ones who jump on their lucky opportunities quickly.

Your Chinese Zodiac in the Year of the Rat

Rat

Keywords: success, learning, discipline

Oil: rosemary

Keywords: new work skills, adapability, be social

Oil: palmarosa

Tiger

Keywords: happy home life, curb impulsiveness, friends

Oil: rose

Rabbit

Keywords: alertness, accept change, exercise

Oil: wintergreen

Dragon

Keywords: initiative, career, chance

Oil: Ylang ylang

Snake

Keywords: action, commitment, ideas

Oil: lemon myrtle

Horse

Keywords: consultation, self care, work

Oil: Peru balsam

Goat

Keywords: creativity, openness, new connections

Oil: petitgrain

Monkey

Keywords: fun, personal growth, success

Oil: coriander

Rooster

Keywords: inner strength, care, pace yourself

Oil: Siberian fir

Dog

Keywords: forward march, friendship, planning

Oil: cinnamon

Pig

Keywords: go with the flow, expansion, health

Oil: Roman chamomile

So what is your oil this year and are you happy with my key words and oils?

I wish you a wonderful year and look forward to connecting with you about natural scent and essential oils in 2020!

恭喜发财 Gōngxǐ fācái Happiness and prosperity

Oils to Stimulate Your Mind and Inspire Remembering

Posted on September 20, 2017 by suzannerbanks

Hello natural beauties I hope you’re all well and happy. I completely forgot to write an article last week as I’ve been doing lots of different things and have been staying at a friend’s place looking after her cat. It dawned on me one day “hmmm, I forgot to blog”. So I think my mind needs stimulation and I definitely need to remember a bit better. So here are some oils to stimulate your brain, get you thinking and clarify your thoughts.

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Buy my 100% natural and organic botanical perfumes, and paperback book here: suzannerbanks.com.au

Digital downloads of my book Revelation! Reveal your Destiny with Essentials Oils:

Barnes & Noble Booktopia AU Amazon UK

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remember with rosemary

Rosemary

Sharp and strong, the scent of rosemary essential oil will awaken and stimulate your brain. Rosemary is the classic oil for remembering. Remember that! I’ve made my mum “smelling salts” and the main ingredient is rosemary. Just open a bottle and have a whiff!

If you can’t wake up in the morning, put a few drops in the bottom of the shower and have a whole body steam.

If you need to concentrate, study, focus and remember things, diffuse rosemary throughout your house or office – or just put a few drops on a hanky or make-up remover pad and sniff when you need as boost.

This ancient herb oil has been with us for centuries which proves it’s hardiness and usefulness, even in today’s modern society. It’s inexpensive too, easy to find, and easy to grow if you have a bit of sun. For some recipes check out

10 Recipes with Rosemary Essential Oil – Rosmarinus officianalis

Eucalyptus

Awaken, clean out your mind and get going with eucalyptus oil. This very distinctive scent will give you an instant brain-lift and help you put ideas into action. It is the oil of clearing and cleansing, so clean out the cupboards of your mind and make space for the thoughts that really count. Once again this oil is inexpensive and easy to find, and works well when cleaning the actual cupboards in your house. Have an aromatherapy treatment while you clean by adding a few drops to soapy water. Simple and easy. Check out these recipes:

10 Essential Oil Recipes to Inspire Creativity

and also a recent article from Australian perfumers about their thoughts on eucalyptus oil:

Eucalyptus – A Three Word Buzz

Black pepper

Black Pepper

From a story I wrote about black pepper for Australian Perfume Junkies:

“The essential oil of black pepper is a lot softer and sweeter than the taste, and is used in Aromatherapy for symptoms such as poor circulation, muscle and joint aches and pains, as treatment for bad digestion and as a general warming tonic. It has been used as an aphrodisiac, and an anti-dote to depression. Taking in all these properties, what can the divine scent tell us? Like many spice oils, it carries the energetic resonance of the evolution of humanity – really. Each drop, each whiff can link us to the past.

It’s an oil of warmth, expansion and action. It’s a stimulating scent to the brain and can certainly be employed to open your mind. When I smell black pepper straight from the bottle (the best way to experience an essential oil is to take off the lid and take a huge sniff) I am inspired to carry on. To me it’s an oil of searching for your purpose in life, and giving inspiration to go forward and seize the day.”

The stunning basil leaf makes a wonderful essential oil – pic by me

Basil

Refreshing and uplifting, the scent of basil can be quite soft as well as pungent. Often described in aromatherapy terms as “cephalic” (pertaining to the head), it is an expansive oil as it works on your mind and your brain.

What’s the diff between your mind and your brain? The brain is the organ which helps run the body performing amazing functions at a very small level. “The mind is the brain in action” says Dr Joe Dispenza the wonderful neuroscientist. The mind is multi-dimensional and allows us to understand, comprehend and evolve.

Have a whiff of basil to open yourself to the intelligence of the universe, and help you wake up to do your everyday work and chores. Check out these recipes:

(and BTW I wrote these two articles close together a while back, because I’d written one and forgotten about it ….. I think I see a pattern emerging …..)

10 Recipes with Basil Essential Oil – Ocimum basilicum

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

lovely lemongrass

Maybe its just being tired that adds to vagueness?

Try these recipes for fatigue, with oils including

Lemongrass, Black pepper,

Rosemary, Cypress, Lemon, Basil, Pine, Cinnamon, Ginger,

Wintergreen, Eucalyptus

10 Vapouriser Essential Oil Recipes for Exhaustion

Liven up with these stimulating essential oils and train your brain to remember!

Which oils do you like to waken up with?

The Wonders of Wintergreen

Posted on January 18, 2017 by suzannerbanks

Thanks for tuning in again natural beauties. This week a client and friend brought me a gift from the USA – Wintergreen Life Savers. She had promised she would bring some back to me so I could have a taste – and had been inspired to do this after I used wintergreen in an oil blend for one of her treatments. She said that this lolly was a blast from the past and a loved candy from her childhood.

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

Barnes & Noble Booktopia AU Amazon UK

and many other stores worldwide as an ebook and paperback

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A post shared by Suzanne R Banks (@banksbotanicals)

As you can see from the comment in my pic above – wintergreen as a flavouring for a candy is very unusual for me (and I would think many Aussies too). To me it’s like eating a sports rub like Deep Heat or Dencorub. It is commonly used as a flavouring in America, but I’m not sure if it’s embraced the same way in other parts of the world. After the initial blast and sensation of the essential oil of wintergreen in my mouth, the fragrance subsided into a general sweetness. Phew.

Some of my classic aromatherapy text books warn against using this oil at all, which seems strange when you can eat it in a lolly )this is however, at an extremely low dosage). Wintergreen is an essential oil of warmth, expansion and healing and can be used in an external oil blend for:

sore muscles
a chest cough
a headache
tension
poor circulation

I think the reason this oil is misunderstood is that some texts say it is high in the same chemical constituents that are in aspirin – but that’s not quite true. It has a high concentration of methyl salicylate ……

“Methyl salicylate is good for some people, not for others. A blanket contraindication is not necessary, but it is best avoided in pregnancy – all salicylates are teratogenic in sufficient amount, including methyl salicylate and aspirin (acetyl salicylic acid). Methyl salicylate must be absolutely avoided by anyone taking blood-thinning drugs, as it increases the action of the drug, and this causes blood to leak into tissues and internal bruising occurs.

Wintergreen oil has some wonderful properties, but I would not like to see it used at more than 5%.”

Robert Tisserand

wintergreen – Gaultheria procumbens

NB: As Robert Tisserand says above, he would not recommend using this at a higher concentration then 5%. Well 5% is a very high concentration in aromatherapy as mostly our oil blends are a standard 2.5%.

I have used this oil with an elderly client who is on blood thinners and it really helps him with back pain. I don’t use it all the time and when I do make a blend I always add other oils too.

Common sense and intuition must always play a part when you use essential oils. One size does not fit all.

Here are a few recipes for an oil blend at 2.5%

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”

Wintergreen with frost – pic via http://tcpermaculture.com/

“BRRR I’m Freezing”

Wintergreen 1 drop

Lemon 7 drops

“The Anti Cough”

Wintergreen 2 drops

Marjoram 2 drops

Frankincense 4 drops

“Period Pain-Away”

Wintergreen 2 drops

Lavender 4 drops

Peppermint 1 drop

“Oh My Aching Knees”

Wintergreen 3 drops

Ginger 3ginger drops

Cypress 2 drops

Do you like wintergreen?

Remember to treat yourself first, then everyone will benefit.

Check out my YouTube channel too, thanks.

10 Vapouriser Essential Oil Recipes for Exhaustion

Posted on November 2, 2016 by suzannerbanks

Hi natural beauties and scent lovers everywhere, I’ve been wondering what to write about this week as I’ve felt so tired. Exhausted actually. So I realised I needed a boost of essential oils, and the easiest and best way to do it is to add the oils to a diffuser. A minimum amount of energy is required to throw a few oils into a diffuser and turn it on. Check out these recipes and oils:

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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

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

Flowerin rosemary in a client's garden

Oils Generally Great for Tiredness, Lack-lustre Energy and Exhaustion

Lemongrass

Black pepper

Rosemary

Cypress

Lemon

Basil

Pine

Cinnamon

Ginger

Wintergreen

Eucalyptus

Puzhen diffuser from the 5 senses series – puzhen.com

Scent Your Space

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

“Cant. Get. Off. The. Couch”

Lemongrass 8

Geranium 8

Orange 8

“A Better Deeper Sleeper”

Lavender 6

Marjoram 6

Lemon 8

Australian sandalwood 5

Lavandula stoechas, my own pic thanks yes it is wonderful

“Exercise Mantra”

Rosemary 6

Ginger 6

Mandarin 9

Cedarwood Virginian 4

“Mind Blast”

Basil 6

Juniper 6

Cypress 6

Peru Balsam 6

“Inspiration”

Pine 5

Black Spruce 5

Patchouli 5

Lemon 10

Fresh clean inspiring pine

“Warm Up Get Up”

Black pepper 10

Lime 8

Himalayan cedarwood 7

“Sweet Talkin Myself”

Cinnamon 8

Rose geranium 6

Blood orange 6

Wintergreen 3

cinnamon – my own pic

“Clarity”

Eucalyptus 8

Petitgrain 8

Cedarwood Atlas 5

Nutmeg 4

“Spice Up Your Life”

Cinnamon 6

Black Pepper 6

Palmarosa 6

Bergamot 6

“Crank It!”

Pine 8

Orange 8

Eucalyptus 4

Cypress 4

black pepper

Remember to treat yourself first, then everyone will benefit.

Check out my YouTube channel too, thanks.

I Just Used Wintergreen On A Client …..

Posted on January 14, 2015 by suzannerbanks

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

Amazon USA Booktopia AU Amazon UK

and many other stores worldwide as a Kindle and Paperback

I Just Used Wintergreen On A Client …..

Wintergreen – be cautious!

Well it’s nothing new I often used wintergreen on clients. A couple of drops at the most. I’m an aromatherapist and I am trained, however it wasn’t an oil I learnt about at college. A couple of text books I have, say we mustn’t use wintergreeen, as it’s too strong and potentially toxic. I say to you, follow this advice, as in everyday life there are other oils you can use that don’t have the potency, and that are more tried and tested.

Wintergreen, Gaultheria procumbens, comes from the family Ericaceae and the genus Gaulteria. The family Ericaceae generally refers to heath or heather and it has (according to Wikipedia), over 120 genera. This family also includes plants such as cranberry, blueberry, huckleberry, azalea, rhododendron. I’m not sure if any other plants in the genus lend themselves to producing essential oils, but I’d love to find out!

“Gaultheria procumbens (eastern teaberry, checkerberry, boxberry, or American wintergreen) is a species of Gaultheria native to northeastern North America from Newfoundland west to southeastern Manitoba, and south to Alabama.^[1] It is a member of the Ericaceae (heath family).”

Dwelley, Marilyn J. (1977). Summer & Fall Wildflowers of New England via Wikipedia

Eastern teaberry sounds nice!

Wintergreen – pic via naturallycuriouswithmaryholland.wordpress.com

The oil of wintergreen smells like a lot of sports rubs and liniments, very menthol-like. You can understand why it would be used in a product for sore muscles, when you look at the traditional uses of the oil –

Traditionally this oil has been used for –

* joint pain and inflammation

* muscle and tendon pain

* headaches

* bad circulation

and many other issues, that you could take aspirin for – pain and inflammation.

The reason it is thought of as toxic is that it is extremely high in Methyl salicylate, which when absorbed by the body turns into salicylate, basically aspirin. But a very, very high dose of aspirin from a very small amount of wintergreen oil. Check out this article, which states:

“The sudden death of a 17-year-old Staten Island high school track star was caused by the accidental overuse of an over-the-counter remedy routinely used by millions of Americans to treat sore muscles and joints, the New York City medical examiner ruled after a two-month investigation.”

This happened in 2007, and while rare, please take note that just because something says it’s “natural” or has “natural ingredients, doesn’t always mean its safe.

From Kohler’s Medizinal Plfanzen a book now in the public domain

So basically it’s a anti-inflammatory, high in aspirin, and can cause people to react with asthma and other aspirin overdose issues.

Use lavender or German chamomile instead.

OK?

And FYI my blend was equal parts of lavender, juniper and lemon with a couple of drops of wintergreen. It was stunning. I’m going to text my client now to see how she’s feeling.

Look after yourself people!

10 Essential Oil Recipes to Inspire Creativity

Posted on July 16, 2014 by suzannerbanks

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

Amazon USA Amazon AU Amazon UK

10 Essential Oil Recipes to Inspire Creativity

Get your creative self moving!

Are you someone who has a creative job or profession, or are you a budding poet, artist, writer or musician? Whoever you are, and regardless of what you do on a daily basis, sometimes it’s hard to come up with original ideas and tap into the never-ending creative flow of the universe. Are you studying and need to write essays or are you entering a local art competition? Maybe it’s getting started that is the issue or maybe you need extra juice to get your project finished. Well fear no more, here are some essential oils recipes to help you dodge your stagnating mind, and open you to possibility.

Take a huge whiff to change your focus in seconds

1. Open The Bottle and Take a Huge Whiff

Basil – open your mind and third eye

Rosemary – stimulate your brain and remember your true creative self

Ylang Ylang – release anger and frustration

Cardamom – generate flow of qi throughout your body

Petitgrain – access your creative potential

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Sexy black diffuser from puzhen.com

2. Scent Your Space

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

“Good Times Come to Me Now”

A chant for the happiness to come on in –

Mandarin 8 drops

Lemongrass 8 drops

Cedarwood Himalayan 6 drops

Patchouli 3 drops

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“1, 2, 3 GO”

Just start –

Juniper 10 drops

May Chang 8 drops

Nutmeg 5 drops

Wintergreen 2 drops

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“Purple Vibrations”

Access the faster moving colour vibrations –

Lavender 5 drops

Black Spruce 8 drops

Orange 8 drops

Palmarosa 4 drops

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“Hmmmmmmmmmm”

Start wondering, daydreaming, and something will come to you –

Rosewood 10 drops

Clary Sage 5 drops

Pine 5 drops

Peru Balsam 5 drops

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

3. 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.

Eucalyptus – wow wake up! Cleanse the old energy

Cypress – move away from your ego into spirit

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Anoint yourself with pure essential oil blends

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!

“Pure Creation”

Jasmine 3% a few drops straight from the bottle * see my article for more info on 3% blends in jojoba

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“Warmth and Movement”

Ginger 1 drop

Pink Grapefruit 2 drops

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“I am a Champion!”

Positive self talk will help open any creative blockages –

Sandalwood Indian 1 drop

Bergamot 2 drops

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“The Little Engine that Could”

One step at a time will lead to a finished project –

Rosemary 1 drop

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

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Remember to treat yourself first, then everyone will benefit.

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

Can Essential Oils be used Undiluted on Your Skin?

Posted on October 7, 2013 by suzannerbanks

A drop of oil can be essential

This question is one of the most commonly asked questions in regards to essential oils and essential oil safety.

I studied in Australia and although I don’t know exactly what other education institutions teach, I’m positive there is a general feeling about this subject.

Short Answer: NO

Do not use essential oils directly on your skin as a general rule.

Why?:

Essential oils are concentrated volatile substances extracted from plants. A couple of important actions in some essential oils are classed as:

Photosensitisation:

If you apply one of these oils to your skin and go outside, the oil can cause a skin reaction when the suns hits you. It can be really bad, or mild, or you may not get a reaction at all. Oils to watch out for are bergamot and all the citrus oils.

Sensitising:

Many oils can be classed as sensitising, meaning if you use to much, or in a strong dilution it may cause a skin reaction. Oils to watch out for are black pepper, cinnamon, clove, wintergreen, maybe oregano and thyme, and other oils which you wouldn’t be able to buy retail.

Irritation:

According to Essential Therapeutics “irritation” may occur with many different oils in very strong dilutions. However, most essential oils contain different molecules that could potentially cause irritations on the skin, but are not classified as toxic. It really depends on each person and how sensitive you are generally.

The most important thing is not to drink essential oils – this will cause poisoning and potentially harmful long term effects.

Use your common sense and dilute essential oils in the ratios listed in my articles “Ratios for Blending Essential Oils – A Reminder of the Basics” and “Aromatherapy – It’s Easy as 1 2 3”.

skin reaction to Peru Balsam pic via www.cdc.gov

skin reaction to Peru Balsam pic via http://www.cdc.gov

If you are a very sensitive person then always patch test before using essential oils all over your skin – even if it is in the correct dilution.

I’m not going to say I don’t use essential oils directly on my skin, but I’m not going to say I do. I have 20 years of experience using essential oils with clients and various scenting projects so I feel confident about what I can do on my skin.

Anoint yourself with pure essential oils diluted with a carrier oil

What about anointing with essential oils?

Once again the general rule is not to use essential oils directly on your skin. I recommend diluting with a carrier oil and then anointing.

What about perfume straight from the bottle?

Same as above. if you want a stronger effect, try putting a couple of drops of oil on a makeup pad in your bra or even your handbag.

PATCH TEST FIRST – especially if you are a person who is very sensitive! Just because essential oils are natural does not mean they are always safe.

Don’t use essential oils in strong dilutions, or neat on kids either. if a reaction does occur the only way to get the oils off the skin is with a carrier oil like olive or almond. Smooth it all over the area, wipe off and seek medical advice if necessary. See my article ‘“Aunty, something is biting my legs” – 10 things NOT to do when using Essential Oils” for more info on the general rules of using essential oils.

You are the expert on you

You are the expert on you, so use common sense, the information that is available to you and patch test first.

Enjoy the beautiful scents of nature and allow miracles through scent!

suzannerbanks

scent . intention . consciousness . essential oils

Tag Archives: wintergreen essential oil

Your Essential Oil for the Lunar New Year of the RAT, 2020!

Oils to Stimulate Your Mind and Inspire Remembering

The Wonders of Wintergreen

10 Vapouriser Essential Oil Recipes for Exhaustion

I Just Used Wintergreen On A Client …..

10 Essential Oil Recipes to Inspire Creativity

Can Essential Oils be used Undiluted on Your Skin?

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