The smell of fresh squeezed lemons - MMMMM

I am diffusing Lemon oil in the kitchen today.  It is so fresh and uplifting!  Close to the diffuser, it is quite powerful, but being a top note, the scent is evaporated and lost quicker than most oils I am used to diffusing.  It is one to enjoy quickly and closely!!    

Phototoxicity and Essential Oils

Did you know that some essential oils can cause phototoxicity?  Sun sensitivity, which can lead to burns and damaged skin more easily.  

Exposure to sunlight, and any other UV light should be avoided after being exposed to phototoxic oils.  It is suggested that a minimum of 12 hours should pass after a massage with phototoxic oils before UV exposure. 

Some phototoxic oils are: 

Bergamot

Bitter Orange

Grapefruit

Lemon

Lime

Mandarin 

Orange 

Tangerine 

Carrier VS Essential Oil

Did you know that sweet almond oil, avocado oil, jojoba oil, and macadamia oil, just to name a few are NOT essential oils?  

If your essential oil synergy lists any of these oils, it is not pure, and has been diluted with a carrier.  

This means the shelf life of your product will be reduced significantly, and the strength of your essential oil will be weaker than that of a full strength, pure essential oil synergy.

Stay tuned for a simple test you can do at home to test the purity of your oils!!

Photo discovered at  allthingshealing.com

When Life Gives You Lemons...

I am IN LOVE...with my diffuser

I LOVE my new diffuser!!  It looks cool and it circulates oils like you wouldn't believe!!  It converts oil and water into a lovely, light mist.  Perfection!

"Diffusers are an effective method of dispersing oils throughout your environment" -Rae Dunphy Aromatics

Diffusing pure essential oils purifies and cleanses the air. The oils are also absorbed into your system through the nose and skin.   

This diffuser I just got acts like a nebulizer.  You fill it with water, and add a few drops of essential oils, plug it in, choose your settings and within a few minutes, the room is filled with fresh, clean air, and the benefits of essential oils!!

When I opened it up, I set it up on the bathroom counter to check it out, then took it to the kids' rooms to "clean up" their air.  

I am diffusing pure lavender at nighttime in our bedroom.  No scent is more beautiful to me than that of lavender.

Because we are getting to that cool, fall, "germy" season, I am diffusing eucalyptus and tea tree in the kitchen/livingroom during the day.

If you don't yet own a diffuser, I highly recommend getting one!  Doesn't have to be like this one!  Get yourself a little counter-top one that uses batteries (that's what I have used until now), one that plugs in the wall, or one that plugs in in your car.  Purchase an oil that you like the smell of, that has the therapeutic properties you are looking for.  Make sure it is a pure, undiluted oil and that's it!  You're set!

Pain is Your Body's Way of Asking for Help

Every day, our bodies are exposed to toxins.  Whether it is pollutants in the air or food chemicals or dyes.  Over time, these trace amounts of toxins build up in our bodies. 

It has been said that eventually, the build up can become too much for the body to cleanse itself.  As a result, you may experience a headache, sore muscles or fatigue.  Your immune system will try its very best to rid your body of these toxins.  In the process you may experience inflammation in your joints.  Perhaps in your shoulders, maybe your hips, possibly your knees.

In an effort to combat the pain associated with inflammation, and to help rid your body of toxic build up at the same time, try this blend on inflamed areas to help reduce inflammation, ease pain, and cleanse the body. 

30ml base cream

15 drops camphor

15 drops wintergreen

10 drops eucalyptus

20 drops lavender

This blend is potent, mixed at 10%, and should not be used internally.

This application may tingle a little, but should never sting.  Test in a small area before applying to the entire targeted area. 

Keep this blend away from children and pets.

Photo discovered at: ufitbootcamp.co.uk

Ingesting Essential Oils- Don't Do It

Please keep this in mind when seeking advice from any individual who is recommending essential oils to you.  Although it is becoming a more common recommendation from some distributors, as a general rule, those trained in the modality of aromatherapy will NOT recommend ingesting essential oils. 

Just as essential oils applied “neat” to the skin can cause irritation or burning, oils that are swallowed can have the same effect (or worse) on the tongue, esophagus and stomach. 

Essential oils are very potent in their pure form, a few are even poisonous if ingested.  Please stick with skin applications in a carrier, inhalations, bath blends, diffusers, and other applications which are recommended to you by trained professionals.    

Essential oils are FANTASTIC!!!  But not if they aren't used properly :)