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Cleansing with Essential Oils

Cleansing with Essential Oils



Essential oils can be a great addition to herbal cleanses or used alone.

They can be used in several ways:
  • mix with bath salts, vegetable oils, or apple cider vinegar for a great detoxifying bath.
  • add to vegetable oils for a massage
  • add to the brush when dry brushing
  • add to the wash cloth and used in the shower
  • add to a tissue and inhaled
  • add a couple of drops on your hand, rub your hands, and inhale
  • add essential oils to the appropriate Vita Flex points (liver, kidney) on the feet
  • make a compress and put over a specific organ that needs to be cleansed

Alteratives are remedies that cleanse and purify the blood, and they are also called detoxifiers or blood purifiers. They assist the body’s own eliminatory channels by stimulating the liver, lungs, kidneys, bowels, sweat glands, and the lymphatic system to excrete toxins.

Essential oils with lymphatic, diaphoretic, expectorant, diuretic, hepatic, laxative and emmenagogue properties are considered alteratives. **( Explanation at the end of the post)

Most commonly used essential oils with alteratives properties are angelica root, black pepper, carrot seed, cypress, everlasting, fennel, grapefruit, geranium, juniper, lemon, orange, peppermint and rosemary.

Some of my favorite alteratives are:

Cypress
Cypress, (Cupressus sempervirens var. stricta) has a bitter, acidic, sharp, spicy and balsamic-woody top note. The middle note is balsamic-woody, sweet and spicy. The base note smells more like cypress with a forest scent and is not as sweet. The aroma clears the head and is very relaxing.

Cypress was used by the Romans and the Greeks. Sempevirens means ever living, and the tree was dedicated to the gods of the underworld.


It has a calming, balancing, refreshing and clearing effect on the emotions. Cypress is useful in anger and will also restore calm. In France, Dr.Valnet used cypress for bronchitis and coughs at hospitals, and the cough was stopped by putting drops of cypress under the pillows. It also has astringent and vaso-constrictor properties, and may therefore useful in circulatory problems.



 Grapefruit

Grapefruit, (Citrus paradisi ) has a sweet, fresh, intense citrus and fruity top note. It is a clean and refreshing smell. The middle note is softer and milder with sweet and pleasant orange-citrus aroma with some bitterness and slightly earthy tone. The base not has the same characteristic scent but is a lot weaker. Grapefruit is uplifting and positive, and it is a very energizing and reviving scent.

Grapefruit has a very uplifting, reviving, and energizing effect on the mood. It has historically been a good choice when feeling stressed, depressed, or suffering from nervous exhaustion. It is very balancing. 

Due to its diuretic and detoxifying properties, grapefruit may be useful in cellulites. Grapefruit has historically been used to stimulate the liver and gallbladder, which may help regulating eating disorders. Grapefruit is traditionally used for oily skin and acne. It has also historically been used for stretch marks, fungal infection, wounds and bruises.



Lemon
Lemon, (Citrus limonum) has a sharp, clean and refreshing aroma. It smells like the zest of the fruit. The aroma is very relaxing, but at the same time it feels like it clears the mind and sharpens the senses. It is obvious it is a top note because the scent doesn’t last long.
 Lemon increases the ability to concentrate. It lifts the spirit and clears the mind. It is also a powerful antibacterial.

Lemon is said to stimulate the action of the white blood corpuscles, and according to Battalglia it also counteracts the acidity in the body. It also has a tonic effect on the circulatory system. It is well known for its detoxifying and astringent properties. 

 Here are some other tips of how essential oils can used.
Some people cleanse several times a year, but it also important to keep cleansing all through the year. Eat a wholesome diet with fresh vegetables and fruit, avoid as much toxins as possible, drink lemon water, exercise, and add the essential oils mentioned above.
*This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease.



Lymphatic - Assist the tissue cleansing action of the lymphatic system. 
Diaphoretic - Promoting sweating, assisting the excretory functions of the skin. 
Expectorant - Promoting expulsion of mucus, assisting the respiratory system. 
Diuretic - Promoting urination, assisting excretory functions of the kidneys.
Laxative - Promoting bowel movements, assisting excretory functions of the large intestines. 
Hepatic - Enhancing liver functions, assisting the liver's detoxifying functions. 



Before you leave:

I recommend that you always perform a skin patch test when you try a new oil.

Check out my safety page to make sure you are aware of any contrindications before you use essential oils. Some oils are not suitable when suffering from certain conditions. Also, Read this Before You Start Using Essential oils. Some oils should not be applied prior to sun exposure so make sure you check this list before spending time in the sun.

Not sure how to apply the oils? Visit these pages to learn how to apply the oils:
If you're new to essential oils you might want to check out my Getting Started Guide. 


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Johanna is an aromatherapist and she is passionate about educating people about health, essential oils, real food, natural remedies, and nutrition so they make healthier choices in their lives.  
Follow Johanna on twitter and facebook for more health tips and information.








This post is linked to:

Fat Tuesday, Detox Challenge , Wildcrafting Wednesday, Natural Living Monday





9:30 AM | Read more...
The Benefits of Dry Skin Brushing

The Benefits of Dry Skin Brushing


Dry skin brushing is a great way to keep the skin healthy, soft, and smooth. I've made it a habit to dry brush my skin before I take my showers.  It is important that the skin is dry to create friction, since water acts as a lubricant and reduces the effect. Make sure you use a natural bristled brush. A brush made of nylon tears the skin, and it also disturbs the electro-magnetic balance. The natural bristles seem harsh and stiff at first, but they will soften up after being used for a while.

Dry brushing the skin:
  • stimulates the pores to eliminate toxic products
  • redistributes fatty deposits
  • breaks up areas of cellulite
  • stimulates the circulation, especially of the small capillaries under the skin
  • tones the muscles
How to do it
You should brush the whole body in small circles. Brush upward towards the heart. Brush inward on the arms in circular movements towards the heart. Don't forget the soles of your feet. You want to avoid brushing the face and other tender or inflamed areas. 

How often?
Brush once a day on dry skin and follow with a hot and cold shower. Once you do this consistently over a period of a few months, you will notice the benefits of the dry skin brushing. The benefits will be so noticeable that you will miss it if you forget to brush a couple of days. Dry brushing my skin has made such a difference that I couldn't imagine not doing it anymore. My circulation has always been slow, and dry brushing is one of the things I've done that has improved it.

Essential oils
I liked to add a couple of drops of essential oils on the brush to enhance the effect, but it is not necessary. Oils like peppermint, juniper berry, rosemary, orange and grapefruit will stimulate the circulation of the lymph and tissue fluids. Black Pepper is a circulatory stimulant that will increase circulation, and assist in improving the muscle tone. Please read the essential oil safety page to make sure that these oils are right for you.




Thanks for visiting!


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Johanna is an aromatherapist and an independent distributor of Young Living Essential Oils  She is passionate about educating people about health, essential oils, real food, natural remedies, and nutrition so they make healthier choices in their lives. She also runs Naturally Sports & Wellness together with her husband.  
Follow Johanna on twitter and facebook for more health tips and information.





This post is linked to:

9:18 AM | Read more...
Alterative and Detoxifying Essential Oils

Alterative and Detoxifying Essential Oils



With a new year and a new beginning it is a good idea to start off fresh and rid the body off toxins. Essential oils can be a great addition to herbal cleanses or used alone. They can for example be mixed with bath salts, or cold pressed vegetable oils for a great detoxifying bath.


Alteratives are remedies that cleanse and purify the blood, and they are also called detoxifiers or blood purifiers. They assist the body’s own eliminatory channels by stimulating the liver, lungs, kidneys, bowels, sweat glands, and the lymphatic system to excrete toxins.



Essential oils with lymphatic, diaphoretic, expectorant, diuretic, hepatic, laxative and emmenagogue properties are considered alteratives. **( Explanation at the end of the post)

Most commonly used essential oils with alteratives properties are angelica root, black pepper, carrot seed, cypress, everlasting, fennel, grapefruit, geranium, juniper, lemon, orange, peppermint and rosemary.
Some of my favorite alteratives are:

Cypress, (Cupressus sempervirens var. stricta) 
has a bitter, acidic, sharp, spicy and balsamic-woody top note. The middle note is balsamic-woody, sweet and spicy. The base note smells more like cypress with a forest scent and isnot as sweet. The aroma clears the head and is very relaxing.
Cypress was used by the Romans and the Greeks. Sempevirens means ever living, and the tree was dedicated to the gods of the underworld.



It has a calming, balancing, refreshing and clearing effect on the emotions. Cypress is useful in anger and will also restore calm. In France, Dr.Valnet used cypress for bronchitis and coughs at hospitals, and the cough was stopped by putting drops of cypress under the pillows. According to Battaglia, it also has astringent and vaso-constrictor properties, and may therefore be useful in circulatory problems.



Grapefruit, (Citrus paradisi ) 
has a sweet, fresh, intense citrus and fruity top note. It is a clean and refreshing smell. The middle note is softer and milder with sweet and pleasant orange-citrus aroma with some bitterness and slightly earthy tone. The base not has the same characteristic scent but is a lot weaker. Grapefruit is uplifting and positive, and it is a very energizing and reviving scent.
Grapefruit was known as the Shaddock fruit and was named after the travel adventures of Captain Shaddock. He brought seeds from China to the West Indies.

Grapefruit has a very uplifting, reviving, and energizing effect on the mood. It has historically been a good choice when feeling stressed, depressed, or suffering from nervous exhaustion. It is very balancing. 

According to Battaglia, due to its diuretic and detoxifying properties, grapefruit may be useful in cellulites. 
Lemon, (Citrus limonum) 
has a sharp, clean and refreshing aroma. It smells like the zest of the fruit. The aroma is very relaxing, but at the same time it feels like it clears the mind and sharpens the senses. It is obvious it is a top note because the scent doesn’t last long.

 Lemon trees originate in northern India and Burma. It came to Europe first in the 12th century. Columbus brought lemon and orange seeds to Spain in 1493, and Spain became one of the largest producers of lemon. Already in 1692 expressed and distilled lemon oil could be bought in Paris.

 Lemon increases the ability to concentrate. It lifts the spirit and clears the mind. It is also a powerful antibacterial. According to Battaglia, lemon is said to stimulate the action of the white blood corpuscles, and he says it also counteracts the acidity in the body. He also says it has a tonic effect on the circulatory system. It is well known for its detoxifying and astringent properties.
 **


Lymphatic - Assist the tissue cleansing action of the lymphatic system. 


Diaphoretic - Promoting sweating, assisting the excretory functions of the skin. 


Expectorant - Promoting expulsion of mucus, assisting the respiratory system. 


Diuretic - Promoting urination, assisting excretory functions of the kidneys. 


Hepatic - Enhancing liver functions, assisting the liver's detoxifying functions. 


Laxative - Promoting bowel movements, assisting excretory functions of the large intestines. 
Emmenagogue - Promoting menstruation, assisting in the elimination of menstrual blood. 



Thanks for visiting!

 



Johanna is an aromatherapist and she is passionate about educating people about health, essential oils, real food, natural remedies, and nutrition so they make healthier choices in their lives.
Follow Johanna on twitter and facebook for more health tips and information. 

12:13 PM | Read more...