Monday, June 23, 2008

Lavender, Babies, and Bath Water - click here

Here is a link to an abstract in the journal, Early Human Development. The article is about the calming effects of lavender-scented bath oil on both the babies and their mothers. When the bath water is scented with lavender the babies looked at their mothers a greater percentage of the time. They also slept more deeply and for a longer period of time.

The cortisol levels of both the mothers and the babies decreased significantly when lavender was used in the bath. Increased relaxation was the outcome.


High quality, pure lavender is the way to go when dealing with a baby. Make sure that the lavender you use is certified pure and therapeutic. Ask questions before you buy, to insure safety. Learn more about lavender essential oil, and other certified pure therapeutic grade
essential oils at DOTERRA essential oils.

Rosemary and Lavender Reduce Cortisol Levels & More


I just found an article abstract about the calming effects of smelling rosemary or lavender essential oils. It states that simply smelling dilutions of rosemary or lavender essential oils will decrease the stress hormone cortisol. In addition, it will increase free radical scavenging activity in saliva. All this occurs within 5 minutes!

Essential oils continue to be researched for a variety of health benefits. It's so refreshing to find prestigious journals, like Psychiatry Research publishing articles like the one cited here.
http://www.psy-journal.com/article/S0165-1781(06)00011-4/abstract

Sunday, June 22, 2008

How to Use Geranium Essential Oil


Geranium offers outstanding benefits for skin, hormone balancing, and mental-emotional relaxation. Geranium has traditionally been used to soothe inflammation and irritated skin such as rashes, acne, bruises and spa treatments. Due to its superb healing properties, geranium is a common ingredient in many skin care products. Due to its analgesic, pain relieving properties, geranium is used topically by individuals suffering from inflammation, such as arthritis or rheumatism. Geranium stimulates the immune system, aids in poor circulation, is anti-mucolytic , so it reduces mucous secretions, is uplifting to the mood, and it has a calming effect on the nervous system. Geranium is considered adaptogenic and balancing to the hormonal and nervous systems of the body. It can be used topically, as well as in the bath, and also diffused into the environment.

You can order superb Geranium Essential Oil and others directly from my DOTERRA storefront.

Saturday, June 21, 2008

Healing Powers of Essential Oils

  • Angelica (Angelica archangelica) - Comforting, balancing and grounding.
  • Basil (Ocimum basillicum) - Uplifts the spirit. Promotes mental clarity.
  • Bay Laurel (Laurus nobilis) - Mentally stimulating.
  • Bergamot (Citrus bergamia) - Uplifting, balancing and harmonizing. Promotes joy.
  • Black Pepper (Piper nigrum) - Comforting and stimulating.
  • Blue Tansy (Tanacetum annuum) - Calming and comforting. Reduces anxiety.
  • Cardamom (Elettaria cardamonum) - Promotes clarity and concentration, confidence and enthusiasm. Aphrodisiac qualities.
  • Cedarwood (Cedrus atlantica) - Relaxing and meditative qualities.
  • Chamomile, German (Blue) (Matricaria chamomilla) - Calming, gentle and restful.
  • Chamomile, Roman (Anthemis nobilis) - Relieves tension and anxiety.
  • Clary Sage (Salvia sclarea) - Mildly euphoric, balancing, regenerative and calming.
  • Clove (Syzygium aromaticum) - Mental stimulant. Comforting.
  • Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens) - Relieves anxiety.
  • Elemi (Canarium luzonicum) - Promotes peace and contentment, compassion and calming.
  • Eucalyptus Citriodora (Eucalyptus citriodora) - Lemon scented - Promotes concentration and alertness.
  • Eucalyptus Radiata (Eucalyptus radiata) - Gentle and balancing.
  • Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) - Promotes assertiveness and clarity, motivation and perseverance.
  • Fir (Abies alba) - Grounding, relaxing, and mentally uplifting.
  • Frankincense (Boswellia carteri) - Emotionally supportive. Soothing. Aids meditation.
  • Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens) - Balancing and uplifting. Relieves anxiety.
  • Ginger (Zingiber officinale) - Grounding. Used in aphrodisiac blends.
  • Goldenrod (Solidago canadensis) - Stimulating and uplifting.
  • Grapefruit (Citrus x paradisi) - Uplifting and refreshing.
  • Helichrysum (Helichrysum italicum) - Calming and protective. Stimulates creativity.
  • Jasmine (Jasminum officinale) - Reduces stress, combats apathy. Used in aphrodisiac blends.
  • Juniper (Juniperus communis) - Reduces anxiety. Mentally stimulating.
  • Lavender (Lavendula vera, L. angustifolia) - Calming and balancing to the emotions.
  • Lemon (Citrus limon) - Mentally stimulating. Uplifting.
  • Lemongrass (Cymbopogon flexuosus, C. citratus) - Stimulating.
  • Lime (Citrus aurantifolia) - Refreshing and uplifting.
  • Mandarin (Citrus reticulata) - Calming. Uplifting to the spirit and emotions.
  • Marjoram (Origanum majorana) - Calming.
  • May Chang (Litsea cubeba) - Stimulating.
  • Melissa (Melissa officinalis) - Calming. Reduces anxiety. Uplifting and balancing to the emotions.
  • Monoi de Tahiti (Cocos nuncifera infused with Gardenia taitensis) - the scent of French Polynesia, Monoi de Tahiti is healing to the skin, uplifting to the mind, & engaging to the spirit.
  • Myrrh (Myrrh) - Balancing. Spiritually supportive and uplifting.
  • Neroli (Citrus aurantium, C. brigardia) - Relieves anxiety. Calming and relaxing. Supports the emotions. Used in aphrodisiac blends.
  • Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans) - Balancing, uplifting and energizing.
  • Orange (Citrus sinensis) - Uplifting to the emotions. Relaxing.
  • Palmarosa (Cymbopogon martinii) - Comforting. Reduces stress and tension.
  • Patchouli (Pogostemon cublin) - Grounding and balancing. Relieves anxiety. Used in
  • aphrodisiac blends.
  • Peppermint (Mentha x piperita) - Aids concentration. Stimulating and refreshing.
  • Petitgrain (Citrus aurantium, C. bigardia) - Calming and balancing. Provides mental focus. Promotes harmony and joy.
  • Pine (Pinus sylvestris) - Uplifting and energizing. Reduces anxiety.
  • Ravensara (Ravensara aromatica) - Reduces anxiety.
  • Rosalina (Melaleuca ericifolia) - Very relaxing.
  • Rose (Rosa damascena, R. centifolia) - Reduces anxiety, stress and tension. Opens the heart and nurtures the emotions.
  • Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis CT cineol) - Uplifting and energizing. Mentally stimulating.
  • Rosewood (Aniba rosaeodora) - Comforting. Supportive to the emotions. Promotes harmony and joy.
  • Sage (Salvia officinalis) - Balancing. Mentally stimulating.
  • Sandalwood (Santalum album) - Relaxing. Used in aphrodisiac blends.
  • Spearmint (Mentha spicata) - Stimulating. Balancing. Promotes a sense of well being.
  • Spikenard (Nardostachys jatamansi) - Balancing. Relaxing.
  • Spruce (Picea mariana) - Spiritually uplifting. Balancing to the emotions.
  • Styrax Benzoin (Styrax benzoin) - Soothing and balancing to the emotions.
  • Tangerine (Citrus nobilis) - Calming. Reduces stress and anxiety.
  • Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) - Reduces anxiety. Energizing.
  • Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) - Calming, relaxing and grounding. Traditional sleep aid.
  • Vetiver (Vetiveria zizanoides) - Uplifting, comforting, balancing and relaxing. Also grounding.
  • Ylang Ylang (Canaga odorata) - Reduces tension, anxiety and stress. Promotes assertiveness, focus, confidence and joy. Used in aphrodisiac blends.

Lavender - THE most useful essential oil


I love essential oils. For over 19 years I have actively sought out the very best oils available for health, well being, and formulating custom blends. There are some oils that are just perfect for these varied purposes.

My favorite for health and healing is Lavender, specifically Lavandula angustifolia (vera) from France. Think of Lavender as the Swiss Army knife of essential oils. In fact, when in doubt, try Lavender first.