Quick Tip

Image: Praisaeng/freedigitalphotos.net

Use lavender essential oil to remove adhesive residue on skin from bandages, I.V. lines or cardiac monitor stickers. Just put a few drops (you should need no more than 5 drops) of the essential oil on a cotton ball or pad and gently wipe over the residue and the residue should come off easily. Wash the area gently afterwards with a mild soap and a soft washcloth to remove any remaining adhesive. 

The advantage of using lavender is that it promotes healing of the skin and closed wounds, is antibacterial and promotes relaxation.

 Obviously you should not use lavender essential oil if you are allergic to it or on open wounds. 

Quick Tip

Sore Muscles? Don't have Tiger Balm? Use Vick's Vapor Rub... Eucalyptus and Menthol ( mint) are both great for sore muscles. ( It's even on the label)

Rosemary, That's for Remembrance

As famously quoted from Shakespeare's play Hamlet "There's Rosemary, That's for Remembrance; Pray you Love, Remember", Rosemary has been around since ancient times and long known for it's properties of improving memory and stimulation of the nervous system. Now science is beginning to prove that rosemary essential oil may improve the ability to remember things that will happen in the future as well as long term memory.

On April 9th at the Annual Conference of the British Psychological Society in Harrogate,  the findings of a small study, by Dr. Mark Moss and Jemma McCready, were presented on how the aroma of rosemary essential oil may improve prospective memory in healthy adults.

Basically, the scientists were looking to see if blood levels of a compound in rosemary (1,8 cineol, also known as eucalyptol) were related to performance levels and changes of mood after exposure from a diffuser and how this affected the ability to remember to do certain tasks at a certain time in the future (prospective memory).

Photo courtesy of markuso/ FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Candle Diffuser

What the results of the experiment revealed was that those in the study who had been exposed to the diffused rosemary essential oil  did better on the tests to remember to do certain tasks at a particular time during the experiment and that the higher levels of 1,8 cineol in their blood suggested that this difference was pharmacological.

Now this is all fine and dandy, but what does it mean to you?

Using an aromatherapy diffuser, whether electric, candle or a diffuser ring on a light bulb, it allows the therapeutic benefits of the essential oil to enter the body via the nose and lungs just as in an aromatherapy shower. The advantage of using a diffuser is that you are not just scenting the air, you are getting the therapeutic benefits of your essential oils. By choosing essential oils that are high in 1,8 cineol to use in a diffuser such as eucalyptus, rosemary, or marjoram, you can possibly enhance your memory and recall.

How to Use a Diffuser

If you have an electric diffuser, follow the manufacturer's instructions.

For a candle diffuser: place some water in the top, but not to the rim as you need room for the essential oils. Add 5-8 drops of your essential oil(s) to the water and place lit tea candle underneath. Keep an eye on the water level as the candle causes the water to evaporate - you don't want it to run dry because burnt essential oils smell awful.

For a diffuser ring: place 5-8 drops of essential oil on the ring and place on (or over) a regular light bulb that's turned on - the heat from the bulb will cause the essential oils to diffuse into the air. (This type of diffuser is handy for the office)

Other forms of diffusers include wall plug in types like the Glade ones but using a pad, car diffusers (some just like the Febreze vent clips and those you plug into a car lighter socket), pocket diffusers that look like the Vick's inhaler tubes and Berger Lamps.


Rosemary aroma may help you remember to do things : http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-04-rosemary-aroma.html

Ginger: More than a Culinary Herb

Image from Wikipedia

Ginger (Zingiber offiniale) has been around for thousands of years as a culinary and medicinal herb. It's warming, spicy flavour is wonderful in stir frys and curries and I like it as ginger beer (plain or in a shandy which is lovely in the summer) and also has been used to disguise the flavor of other medications, but are you aware of it's other uses?

Uses 
The most common forms of ginger are as a fresh root (rhizome) dried and powdered (used in baking and as a flavouring in tea or coffee), pickled (sometimes known as gari , served alongside sushi as a palate cleanser), as a tea, wine and candied (I've used this as just a candy and for nausea- it's easier to carry in my purse). Ginger is also used as a flavouring in sodas as well as in perfumes and soaps.
As a tisane or tea it is used for nausea, colds, bronchitis, menstrual cramps, coughs, back pain and for digestive problems such as diarrhea, but it can also be applied as a poultice to the skin as a rubefacient to increase blood flow to the area particularly for osteoarthritis and muscle pain. In supplemental form, ginger is possibly effective for menstrual cramps, post-operative nausea, dizziness, morning sickness, and osteoarthritis. The essential oil is used as a compress in dilutions of 1%-1.5% for muscle aches, fatigue and arthritis as at higher concentrations it may irritate the skin too much. I use it aromatherapy blends for arthritis as I find it safer to use for people with high blood pressure in stead of rosemary.
Ginger is also being looked at as a cancer preventative and treatment in ovarian, colon and skin cancers.

Side effects, interactions and cautions
Ginger is considered as generally safe when taken in small doses (under 2 gm per kg of body mass) but some minor side effects that have been noted with ginger are bloating, gas, heartburn and nausea mostly with powdered ginger and too much tea (I did that once with too much tea, not fun). Caution is advised if you are taking blood thinners like Warfarin or Aspirin as it may increase your risk of bruising and bleeding. If you have a heart condition and are taking calcium channel blockers use caution as it may lower your blood pressure too much and cause an irregular heart beat (I learn something every day. I take a calcium channel blocker for tachycardia and didn't know this. I've never had a problem but then I don't have ginger tea often). Also, if you are diabetic, ginger might lower your blood sugar so be careful if you are taking medications to control your blood sugar as it may go too low, so monitor your levels and adjust your medications if necessary (under medical supervision). Ginger can also cause problems for people with gall stones as it can increase bile flow. Never take the essential oil internally.

How to use Ginger
The standard dose for ginger supplements is 250 mg four times a day by mouth. 
An easy way to peel ginger is to use the side of a spoon.
Tea is the most pleasant way to take ginger and some like it with lemons or milk and it can be drank either hot or cold. I'm too lazy to make my own tea so I like to get the instant honeyed ginger drink from the supermarket.

Here's a recipe for homemade ginger tea from Smoking Hot Mom 

1-2 Tablespoons freshly grated Ginger (depends on how much you like ginger, I like a strong ginger tea, so I use 2 tablespoons of ginger).

• 2 cups of water
• 1 Tablespoon Raw Honey

How to:

• Grate Ginger (if it’s frozen, leave the skin on and use a microplane to grate) into 2 cups of water.
• Bring to a boil.
• Reduce heat and allow to simmer for 15- 20 minutes.
• Strain into a cup.
• Add Raw Honey  (which is a healing food in it’s own right: it supports the immune system, soothes sore throats, and more)

Sources: Wikipedia:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ginger,

Medline Plus: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/961.html ,

National Centre for Complimentary and Alternative Medicine : http://nccam.nih.gov/sites/nccam.nih.gov/files/Herbs_At_A_Glance_Ginger_06-15-2012_0.pdf?nav=gsa

Aromatherapy: An A to Z    by Patricia Davis

Aromatherapy, the Common Cold, Flu and Seasonal Allergies

It's March, Spring is right around the corner and with it comes allergy season but right now we are not yet finished with cold and flu season. When you are suffering from a cold, the flu or allergies, runny noses, tearing or itchy eyes, cough and general feelings of sickness are all easily helped with aromatherapy. And, believe it or not, you have probably used aromatherapy in the past to help. If you have ever used Vicks Vaporub, a hot cup of peppermint tea, Hall's throat lozenges or Tiger Balm you have used aromatherapy. What all these products have in common are menthol (the primary constituent of peppermint), eucalyptus and camphor (both of which contain eucalyptol which gives them their scent). These compounds are used as decongestants, to reduce mucus, ease sore throats ( anti-inflammatory) and are anti-microbial and immune system stimulants. Eucalyptus oil and peppermint oils also aid in reducing temperatures and muscle aches.

In allergies, two essential oils that are helpful are Frankincense and Chamomile and, if you think of it, chamomile has a long history of soothing itchy, irritated skin such as in the hand cream Glysomed. Frankincense also has a long history for treating asthma and coughs as it promotes deep and even breathing and is also an expectorant. Frankincense is now being added to skin care products for its anti-inflammatory properties because of its usefulness in helping in rashes, redness, and aging skin. Look for frankincense in the ingredients as Boswellia. 

But what are some of the easiest ways to use pure essential oils to help when you are feeling like death warmed over from a cold, flu or allergies?

An Aromatherapy Bath or Shower

For coughs, stuffy noses, a cold or the flu, a steamy bath with 8 to 10 drops ( either singly or combined) of eucalyptus, frankincense and lavender oils in the water before bed will help with aches and pains as well as breathing. The lavender essential oil also helps to promote sleep, relaxes achy muscles and is good for coughs because of it's bactericidal effect. If you are time crunched or too tired to wait for a bath, an aromatherapy shower using peppermint and eucalyptus or frankincense and eucalyptus are useful for coughs and noses and you get the added benefit of the steam from the shower.

Steam Inhalation

If most of your symptoms are from a stuffed nose or lung congestion, the old stand by of draping your head with a towel over a steaming bowl of water for about 5 minutes is always a good option. Adding 2-3 drops of eucalyptus, peppermint, frankincense, or a combination of two or all three to the water will help with congestion, cough, and ease breathing. Personally, I find the combination of eucalyptus and peppermint highly reminiscent of Vicks and very relaxing. Use cooler water if you have rosacea because if the water is too hot it can increase redness and irritate the skin.

Compresses
Compresses are done by putting 8-10 drops of essential oil(s) in a bowl of cool (anti-inflammatory) or warm water (pain relief) and using a washcloth, cotton ball or cotton pad (what you use depends on what you have in the house and the size of the area to be treated), placing it in the water and wringing the cloth out so that it is wet but not dripping and placing it on the area to be treated. Replace the compress when the temperature changes and repeat for about 30 minutes.

For hives, a compress of frankincense and chamomile is cooling and soothing. You can also use this combination in a bath.

For itchy eyes, I do not recommend using essential oils but using cold chamomile tea as a compress and placing it over the eyes. It is very soothing and will reduce the inflammation about the eyes as well as itching. Even a cold teabag of regular tea will do as it is cooling and contains caffeine as well as tannin which reduces swelling and tightens the skin (also good for tired eyes).  Mind you, be careful of using chamomile if you are allergic to ragweed, some people react to chamomile because it is related. To check if you are sensitive, place some cold tea (or an essential oil) on a cotton swab and apply the swab to the inside of your wrist and observe the spot for 24 hours. Any redness or itching means on the spot where you applied the substance means that you probably are sensitive and that you should not use it.

Lotions/Creams

Adding essential oils to your favorite lotion, unscented lotions or creams are another easy way to get the benefits of essential oils. Add 1-3 drops of essential oil to an amount lotion about the size of a grape in the palm of your hand and apply.  Some examples are: frankincense and/or chamomile for skin irritations, eucalyptus and peppermint as a chest rub for congestion and, frankincense as a daily massage for asthma. 

Enjoy the benefits of aromatherapy and hopefully you will be feeling better in no time.

How to do an Aromatherapy Shower

Sometimes there just doesn't seem to be enough time in the day. What then are you going to do when you want to have an aromatherapy bath and no time? An aromatherapy shower! All you need is 1-3 essential oils and a plug or something for the drain.

How to Do It

After you have hopped into your hot shower (you need the steam),  put the plug into the drain and put 3-8 drops of your essential oil(s) into the shower through the running water from above. Enjoy the steam for about 2 minutes or until you can't smell the essential oils anymore.  Pull plug etc. You can do this either at the beginning or end of your shower.

Why this works (In a nutshell) 

There are three ways that essential oils get into the body to affect it: The nose, the skin and the lungs. Essential oil molecules tend to be very small and are easily absorbed through the skin into the body where they have a therapeutic effect on different body systems. These molecules,  being so small, are also easily aerosolized in steam so when you inhale they enter the lungs and thus into the body. In the nose,  essential oils affect the limbic system, a part of the brain that affects emotions and physiologic responses such as blood pressure and heart rate.
So here you are standing in about 2 inches of water (skin), inhaling the steam (lungs, nose) enjoying the scents (nose) of the essential oils.

Some Suggested Blends

• 3 drops Eucalyptus and 5 Grapefruit: Great in the morning to perk up, clear the lungs and make the day seem more cheerful.
• 4 drops Eucalyptus and 4 Peppermint: Smells like Vicks Vapor Rub, great for colds and bronchitis.
• 2 drops Clary Sage, 3 drops Lavender and 3 drops Bergamot: Good for before bed and want a good night's sleep after having a bad day.
• 3 drops Rosemary, 2 drops Peppermint and 3 drops Lemon: Good for cold season and when you need to be alert, gets the mind going.

General Safety Tips
Never use essential oils undiluted on the skin. Always dilute essential oils.
Consult a qualified aromatherapist if you are pregnant or have a complex medical condition.
Use extreme caution when using essential oils on small children and use the safest and most gentle oils in the lowest dilutions.
If in doubt, consult a qualified aromatherapist. 

Rose: Queen of the Flowers

I'd hoped that I would have finished this by Valentine's Day but Roses are the flower of love any time of year. Enjoy!

Tending to Tender Tootsies

Your feet are one of the most neglected yet the most used part of your body. You use them every day for walking, driving, standing, jumping and running. Feet contain about one quarter of the bones of our body as well as muscles, tendons and ligaments. When you're walking, the pressure on the feet can exceed your body weight and when running, up to four times as much (1). For fashion they are put into high heels or shoes that are too tight. The only time we pay attention to our feet is when they cause us pain or have been injured. It makes sense to take care of our feet since they do so much for us. 

Here are some easy and fairly quick ways to pamper those tender tootsies that I often do together but you can do however is easiest for you.

1 . The Foot Bath.  Grab yourself a towel, a bowl or basin that your feet can fit into ( a large disposable roasting pan will do in a pinch), the essential oil(s) of your choice (I like eucalyptus and peppermint especially when I have a cold or lavender when I want to have a good night's sleep), and 1/3 to 1 cup of Epsom salts (optional).

 Place the towel on the floor where you are going to sit for your foot bath .

 Fill the bowl about 3/4  full with very warm water - I'd say the water should be about your favorite shower temperature (you have to leave room for the displacement of water when you put your feet in). 

 Add the Epsom salts at this point (if you are using them), while you're still at the tap so that when you stir the water to dissolve the salts, it just makes a mess in the sink (or tub as the case may be). 

 Place the bowl on your towel and add 3-5 drops of the essential oil(s) and give the water a quick swish. Place your feet in the bowl for 5-20 minutes (it all depends on how hot your water was and how much time you've got). In the summer you can use cool water and peppermint essential oil to cool and refresh your feet.

 Dry the feet off.

Some of the advantages of doing a foot bath are that it increases circulation, raises the temperature of the feet and legs, reduces pain and swelling, and it's just plain relaxing to both the muscles in the feet but also the whole body. 

2.  Exercises.  OK, now that your feet are all warmed up and relaxed, it's much easier to exercise the ankles and feet. For this you will need the towel and a ball no larger than a tennis ball (any ball will do including one of those dryer balls from the dollar store -just don't press down on it too hard or it might break). Move the bowl out of the way.

 Since you are still sitting down, lift your legs (or one leg at a time) in front of you and rotate your feet in whatever direction you like and then in the opposite direction. You don't have to do this very long or lift the leg very high, it's just to loosen the tendons and ligaments in the ankle. If you are standing in a line or at the sink you can also do ankle circles. Stand on one leg (hold onto something if your balance isn't good) and rotate the foot that's in the air in two directions . Switch legs. 

 Place your feet back on the floor. Now lift the toes of one (or both) foot towards the ceiling leaving the heel on the floor as if you are lifting your foot off a car's pedals. You then move your foot up onto your toes. Repeat as many times as is comfortable. This can also be done with your feet in the air, standing (not in heels), or while lying in bed.

Grab your ball and place it on the floor between your feet. Keeping the feet together on the ball, move the ball forwards and backwards along the arch from heel to toes or toe to heel. In reflexology, this area is associated with the spine (the tail bone at the heel and the head at the toes) and you may notice tender or crunchy spots along this area that correspond to any backache you may have ( mine's in the middle of my back thus in about the middle of my arch) If you do find such an area, just roll the ball around this area for a little longer.

Next, take the ball with one foot and roll it all over the sole of the foot. Don't worry if the ball gets away from you, just fetch it back. This area of the foot is associated in reflexology with the digestive system , urinary system, the heart and the lungs. Again, if you find any tender or crunchy spot just spend a little more time in that area with the ball. Repeat on the other foot.

Place the ball under the toes of one foot with the heel on the floor gripping the ball with the toes as best you can. Roll the ball from one side of the foot to the other while trying to keep the ball under the toes as much as possible (the ball likes to try to escape doing this one). This area is associated with the neck and shoulders which is where most people carry their tension so this is a great area to spend a bit more time on. Obviously, repeat on the other foot.

Finally, place your feet on the towel and scrunch it up under the toes as if you were going to pick it up with your toes. Do this about 5 times. You can also grab the ends of the towel to help stretch the Achilles tendon and the plantar surface of the foot by placing the towel under the ball of the foot and pulling on the ends of the towel so the moves foot upwards towards the shin. Needless to say, don't pull so hard as to hurt yourself. Hold as long as is comfortable and do both feet.

3. The Ultimate Pamper.  If you do the exercises first ( or skip them all together), while your feet are still wet you can use a pumice stone to remove any calluses or dry and rough spots and push back the cuticles. After you have dried your feet, apply your favorite moisturizer, and give your feet an all over massage. Here, you can also trim your toenails (straight across to prevent ingrown toenails) and apply nail polish. If you skip the nail polish, put on a thick layer of moisturizer and a pair of  cotton socks. The socks help keep your feet warm and allows the moisturizer to penetrate the skin better. Doing this at night before getting into bed you should have a good night's sleep and, in going to sleep in the socks, you will wake up with the softest feet you've had in a long time (great for sandal time).

Doing all of these things for your feet shouldn't take much longer than 30 minutes  (not including polish drying time) but it will depend on how long you soak your feet. Breaking these things up during the day will also keep your energy up and can help keep your stress down. Make these things yours, but do try to do them as often as you can, and your feet (and the rest of you) will thank you.

(1) Retrieved  from: Learn about Feet and Podiatric Medicine/ Penn Rodebaugh Diabetes Center;
  http://www.pennmedicine.org/diabetes/hup/learn/feet.html ; Feb. 8, 2013