Lavender: the Universal Essential Oil

Lavender essential oil is well known within the aromatherapy circles for its flowery, sweet smell, which calms and revitalizes. It has the ability to adapt a person to stress or imbalances. It allows the body to relax and wind down but is can also boost stamina and energy.

It has also been able to speed healing skin wounds, such as abrasions, cuts and burns. French scientist Rene Gattefosse discovered Lavender essential oil’s ability for rapid skin regeneration after being severely burned in a laboratory accident.

Lavender is good for dandruff and hair loss. It works wonders on the skin, alleviating acne, dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, rashes, and stretch marks. It also combats allergies, convulsions, herpes, indigestion, insomnia, high blood pressure, menopausal conditions, nausea, tumors, and premenstrual conditions.

It is a universal essential oil, and can help with arthritis, asthma, bronchitis, depression, earaches, heart palpitations, hives, insect bites, laryngitis, and throat infections.

To use this essential oil, you can either apply it topically to the bottom of your feet or inhale it. Apply 2-3 drops where you would apply deodorant. Lavender is safe for use on young children.

Ten Essential Oils You Will Want to Diffuse – And Why!

Aromatherapy means “to treat with aroma through inhalation.” Although there are other applications for Aromatherapy, if you would like to be proactive about your health and wellness, and particularly the state of your emotions, then diffusing essential oils is the most practical and effective way to enjoy their benefits!

Why inhale essential oils in the first place? Because essential oils affect the brain and the brain affects the rest of us! Essential oils, naturally, have the ability to help us by bringing about calmness or alertness. They can stimulate appetite or a feeling of being full. They can help us feel romantic, grounded, and empowered. They bring back memories and help release trauma. In short, essential oils affect the way we feel and the way we feel affects everything!

Below is a list of 10 pleasant-smelling, Therapeutic Grade Essential Oils to diffuse and enjoy!

Cassia – This oil is antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal, making it a wonderful oil to have in your breathing space when people are coughing all around you. And it smells a little like Candy!

Clary Sage – This oil is believed to be beneficial for hormone balance, insomnia, and other symptoms of PMS. You may find it calms you, making it a wonderful oil to diffuse during stressfull [and hormone-upset] times!

Cedarwood – An oil high in sesquiterpenes which means it can affect the emotion centre of the brain. It also encourages the pineal gland to release melatonin which fosters deep sleep. Breathe in this oil during times of congestion, coughs, and bronchitis.

Frankincense – Diffuse this fragrant oil when you would like to increases spiritual awareness and stay focused when you are meditating. Breathing in Frankincense may also improve your attitude and elevate your spirits!

Geranium – Another great oil for stress. While it calms and balances you, it may help to release negative memories. Diffusing this oil may bring you to a higher level of well-being emotionally so you feel more peaceful and optomistic.

German Chamomile – Diffuse this oil for a “breath of calm” in a busy day! German Chamomile may help you to dispell anger and steady your feelings bringing you back to a clear, calm state of mind, helpng you to feel better emotionally and to sleep well.

Lavender – This wonderful oil is well known for its calming, relaxing and balancing effect on the emotions. These properties make it a good oil to diffuse when you are dealing with nervous tension, high blood pressure or depression. Diffuse this in the bedroom for a good nights rest.

Lemongrass – This oil is fun to diffuse because it helps to make one more intuitive. It is also purifying and a natural insect repellent. Diffuse it to stay awake and feel less irritable!

Ylang Ylang – This relaxing fragrance balances male-female energies. It seems to give you what you need to come into balance. It brings your energy up if it is low and helps to calm you if you need grounding! It also has aphrodisiac properties. Think: calm, balance, confidence, peace, joy.

Peppermint – This fresh cool-scented essential oil is known as “The Happy Oil”. If you are on a weight-reduction diet, you may like to know that Peppermint has been studied for its ability to affect the brain’s satiety center; the part of the brain that makes us feel full after we’ve eaten enough! It’s also good for headaches, focusing, and depression and can help clear the sinuses!

These comments are not meant to diagnose, treat nor replace conventional medical treatment.

References:
Essential Oils Integrative Medical Guide by D. Gary Young
Aromatherapy for Common Ailments by Shirley Price
Aromatherapy For Dummies (I couldn’t resist!)

Information complied by: Lori Gosselin Lori has been studying and sharing information on essential oils since 1997. She has witnessed many profound changes in people when they begin diffusing essential oils into their everyday lives. Together with her family she started Terra Cotta Pendants in 2003. Terra Cotta Pendants, the “diffusers that you wear”, allow you to experience the desired benefits of a chosen oil, via inhalation, effectively and effortlessly throughout your day.

Cinnamon Essential Oil

Cinnamon Essential Oil Cinnamomum zeylanicum, Cinnamon’s botanical name, comes from trees native to China and South East Asia. Its use is recorded in Chinese journals as early as 2700 B.C. During the middle ages, the Arabs that traded Cinnamon preserved their monopoly of the spice trade by claiming it was harvested from the nest of ferocious birds while under attack. Many believe Cinnamon attracts wealth and prosperity.

Obtained from its bark or leaf, the reddish brown spicy oil warms the heart with its ability to help the melancholia and lift one’s spirit from depression caused by lethargy and lack of vitality.

Cinnamon is revered for its antiseptic properties and is best known for the treatment of stomach ailments including a sluggish digestive system, flatulence and intestinal disorders. Medical research reveals Cinnamon can lower blood glucose and help with the metabolism in controlling diabetes. Some recent studies have shown that if you consume as little as ½ teaspoon of Cinnamon powder each day you may be able to reduce blood sugar, cholesterol and triglyceride levels by as much as 20%. Some believe it is a substance known as MHCP that causes Cinnamon to reignite the body’s fat cells to respond to insulin and this dramatically increases the removal of glucose. Other studies being conducted reveal new evidence that it acts as an anti-inflammatory agent, along with being an anti-oxidant agent, which can lower cholesterol, triglycerides and glucose as well as improve the functioning of insulin in the body. (Please note: Cinnamon essential is 70-80 times more potent than Cinnamon powder, see application for dilution rate.)

While Cinnamon is used more extensively in cooking and flavoring of beverages because of its pleasant taste than in aromatherapy, it certainly has its place for combating viral and infectious diseases. In the book, Cinnamon and Cassia, by P. N. Ravindran, K. Nirmal Babu, M. Shylaja the authors stated: “The different investigations reveal that Cinnamon shows both immune system potentiating and inhibiting effects. Kaishi-ni-eppi-ichi tu, a Chinese herbal preparation containing Cinnamon as its main constituent, has been shown to exhibit antiviral action against the influenza A2 virus.”

According to “The Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry,” Cinnamon essential oil makes an excellent mosquito repellent because of its high concentration of cinnamaldehyde, an active mosquito killing agent.

Cinnamon blends well with Frankincense, Orange, Lemon, Rosemary, Lavender and Onycha (Benzoin).

Plant Origin: China, Southeast Asia, India

Medicinal Properties: Anti-microbial, anti-infectious, antibacterial (for large spectrum of infection), antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antifungal, anticoagulant, antidepressant, and emotional stimulant.

Traditional Uses: Fungal infections (Candida), general tonic, and increases blood flow when previously restricted. Good for digestive system, calms spasms, high blood pressure, colitis, flatulence, diarrhea and nausea. It is known to ease muscular spasms and painful rheumatic joints, as well as general aches and pains. It also affects the libido and is known as an aphrodisiac. Several studies suggest that Cinnamon may have a regulatory effect on blood sugar, making it especially beneficial for people with type II diabetes. In some studies, Cinnamon has shown an amazing ability to stop medication-resistant yeast infections. In a study published by researchers at the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Maryland, Cinnamon reduced the proliferation of leukemia and lymphoma cancer cells. It has shown to have an anti-clotting effect on the blood.

Application: Dilute 1 part essential oil with 4 parts carrier oil and apply one to two drops on location; diffuse; or massage. Cinnamon may be used in food or beverage as a dietary supplement. Capsule, 0 size. Caution: This oil may be a potent skin irritant (skin may turn red or burn)—be sure to dilute with carrier oil. Because of its high phenol content, it is best diluted (1 drop to 40 or 50 drops of a carrier oil, such as extra-virgin olive oil) before applying to the skin. If the mixture is too hot, apply additional diluting oil. Use extreme care as it may irritate the nasal membranes if inhaled directly from diffuser or bottle. Avoid during pregnancy.

For more information about how to use Cinnamon Essential Oil or other versatile oils, please purchase Rebecca’s latest book, Heal With Essential Oil: Nature’s Medicine Cabinet at http://www.healwithessentialoil.com/products/Heal-With-Essential-Oil%2C-Nature%27s-Medicine-Cabinet-%252d-Rebecca-Park-Totilo.html or http://HealWithEssentialOil.com. To learn about the biblical essential oils, please visit my other website http://HealWithOil.com.