Jo's Health Corner: frankincense

5 Essential Oils for Happy Skin

There are many benefits of using essential oils in skin care. The essential oils are easily absorbed through the skin and they can be added to vegetable oils, moisturizers, scrubs, face masks, ointments and so on. It is also especially beneficial that they have an appealing scent which works on the emotional level as well. I love applying my morning facial cream with geranium because I also love the aroma and it makes me happy. The essential oils have been used throughout history for healing, cleaning, religious ceremonies, flavoring, skin care and perfumes.

Some of the benefits of essential oils in skin care are:

they improve blood circulation and muscle tone
they are anti-inflammatory
they reduce the signs of emotional stress
they are antiseptic
they regulate sebum production
they help eliminate waste
they increase the speed of removing old skin cells and also stimulate the growth of new skin cells

There are many oils which are beneficial to the skin so I have selected my favorites.

Lavender

The one and only. I always say if you can only afford one bottle of essential oils then pick lavender. It is very versatile oil with many uses. It works for all skin types, if you have dry skin, combination skin, mature skin, oily skin, and sensitive skin you can use lavender. According to Battaglia, lavender is also beneficial in conditions such as eczema, dermatitis, acne, psoriasis and boils.

Geranium

Who doesn't love the scent of flowers? Not only is the aroma of geranium positive, happy and mood lifting, but geranium will also make the skin happy. Battaglia says it is valuable for oily, dry or combination skin as well as balancing the production of sebum. It is also a valuable oil for burns and wounds according to Battaglia. I like to add geranium to massage oil to add balance to my aging skin.

Learn more about Aging skin

Frankincense

Yes, frankincense is an amazing oil. It rejuvenates aging skin and return dry and oily skin to normal. According to Battaglia frankincense is recommended for mature and dry skin, wrinkles, wounds and scars. It firms skin, promotes healing and fights inflammation.

Cedarwood

Cedarwood is a wonderful oil and it smells of fresh cut timber, but I noticed many don't realize its value in skin care. According to Battaglia, cedarwood's astringent and antiseptic properties makes it very useful in oily skin conditions. He also says it helps to clear dermatitis and psoriasis. Battaglia also says it is a great hair tonic and effective for treating dandruff.

Tea trea

Tea tree is another great oil to use and it is mild enough to use on children. However, always check out the safety information before using any essential oils on children. According to Battaglia, tea tree is very effective for treatment of acne and pimples when combined with lavender. It can be mixed in a 1% dilution with a light oil such as jojoba or apricot. Massage into face and then wipe off. He says it can be added to shampoo and used in the treatment of dandruff.

If you haven't tried any of these oils in skin care before then I suggest that you try. Except for frankincense, these oils are fairly inexpensive as well as very versatile. Using essential oils for your skin care regimen is safer than using most commercial products that contain many harmful chemicals. An extra bonus is that the oils can be used for so much more than skin care.

Important
This information is for educational purposes only, and is not meant to diagnose or prescribe. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or suffer from a medical condition, consult with your health care practitioner prior to using essential oils. Be careful when using essential oils with hormonal activity and don’t hesitate to contact a professional. Make sure that you look over the safety information before you start using essential oils.

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:

Topical Application

Inhaling Essential Oils

Are You Diffusing the Oils Correctly?

How to Dilute Essential Oils

Vita Flex Technique

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.

Sources:

Salvatore Battaglia (1995). The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy. The Perfect Potion Pty Ltd

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Essential Oils for Emotional Burnout

Burnout can affect the mental and emotional processes which influence the physical. The body shuts down when the emotions shut down, when there are no feelings anymore or tears to cry. There are many reasons why someone could get burnout, perhaps caring for a relative with terminal illness for a long time or a break up from a spouse.

When someone gets burnout it may paralyze a person, it may seem like all the feelings that normally make up a person's personality are gone. The person may feel like he or she is in a vacuum and can't reach out to others. The person may simply feel depressed and exhausted. The emotional side has closed down to recharge the batteries but the feelings are still there of course.

Valeri Worwood recommends the following essential oils for those with all kinds of emotional burnout:

Vetiver, rose Otto, patchouli, lavender, clary sage, sandalwood, frankincense, ginger, Roman chamomile, bergamot, neroli, Melissa, marjoram, sandalwood, lemon, helichrysum, jasmine, petitegrain.

How to

When making blends for burnout it is better to start softly, Worwood suggests to start with half the amount and use 15 drops to the usual 30 ml (1 oz) base oil for massage that she recommends. Use only 1-2 drops of a blend in the bath or 1-2 drops in the diffuser. Over time you can increase the amount and eventually add 30 drops to 30 ml of base oil.

Important

This information is for educational purposes only, and is not meant to diagnose or prescribe. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or suffer from a medical condition, consult with your health care practitioner prior to using essential oils. Be careful when using essential oils with hormonal activity and don’t hesitate to contact a professional. Make sure that you look over the safefy information before you start using essential oils.

Before you leave:

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

Not sure how to apply the oils? Visit these pages to learn how to apply the oils:

Topical Application

Inhaling Essential Oils

Are You Diffusing the Oils Correctly?

How to Dilute Essential Oils

Vita Flex Technique

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.

References

The Fragrant Mind, Valerie Ann Worwood, New World Library, 1996

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Hyperactivity

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Remember to use good judgement and don't hesitate to seek medical help when you think it is needed. This information is not meant to prescribe or diagnose, it is only for information and education purposes only.

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9:17 PM | Read more...

Essential Oils & Chronic Pain

The body produces its own pain-killers called neurochemicals. They are opiate-like substances called enkephalins and endorphins. They are produced in the spinal cord and the brain. One theory is that people with chronic pain have less of this pain relieving substances, but more research is needed.

The thalamus and pituitary are stimulated when inhaling essential oils, and this may increase the amount of endorphins and enkephalins. These essential oils are known as aphrodisiac and euphoric since they make us feel good. Valerie Cooksley suggests that chronic pain sufferers should incorporate these oils into their lives.

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This post is linked to:
Wildcrafting Wednesday

1:26 PM | Read more...

My Favorite Facial Oil

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I have made my own facial oils for years using essential oils, infused herbal oils, vegetable oils and coconut oil. This is by far my favorite because it is so easy to make. You might have to adjust the amount of coconut oil to your liking.

I prefer to use essential oils good for aging and oily skin so I mostly use frankincense, lavender, palo santo, jasmine, and bergamot. Frankincense and lavender have cytophylactic properties. Cytophylactic properties means that the oils stimulate the generation of new cells, which will aid in preserving the health of the skin.

Play around and use the oils that you like the best or are best suited for your skin type. For more ideas, check out my Natural Skin Care section.

This is recipe comes from my original post Make It Yourself- A Super Easy Facial Oil

Thanks for reading!

Before you leave:

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

Not sure how to apply the oils? Visit these pages to learn how to apply the oils:

Topical Application

Inhaling Essential Oils

Are You Diffusing the Oils Correctly?

How to Dilute Essential Oils

Vita Flex Technique

If you're new to essential oils you might want to check out my Getting Started Guide.

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This post is linked:
Thank Your Body Thursday, Natural Living Thursday, Sunday School Blog Carnival, Mop It Up Monday
Natural Living Monday, Mostly Homemade Mondays, Motivate Me Monday, Fat Tuesday
Teach Me Tuesday, Tuesday Time Out, Waste Not Want Not Wednesday, WFMW, The Mommy Club, Homemaking Link-Up, Party Wave Wednesday, The Homeacre Hop, Simple Lives Thursday, All Things Thursday Link Up

1:35 PM | Read more...

Emergency Preparedness – Depression and Anxiety

Did you know that antidepressants and anti-anxiety are among the most commonly prescribed drugs in America?

What if access to medication and medical care is denied?
So in my previous post, Emergency Preparedness, I was wondering how people on prescribed medications would handle an emergency situation if access to medication and medical care is denied. As I mentioned in the same post, I'm not a gloom and doom person but it is a concern when so many people are on prescribed medications. We have experienced so many natural disasters here in our country and around the world in recent years, these disasters caused a lot of trouble and many people had to wait days before they could get any help. It is not possible to stockpile prescribed medication so many people will be suffering if access is denied to medicine and medical care. For some it could be fatal.

It's time to start taking charge of your own health now! You'll be a lot better prepared for emergencies if you start learning about natural remedies so you can reduce your dependence on Western Medicine.

Responsibility for our own health
Way too many people put faith into the medical system without taking responsibility for their own health. Medications are often prescribed without dietary advise and many times there's no intention of trying to quit the drugs. I've seen first hand how type 2 diabetes have turned into an insulin dependence just because the person didn't have the knowledge about dietary changes.

Customers for life
Despite what the doctors say, many health conditions are reversible so you have to remember the doctors are in the business of creating longterm customers.

Natural solutions
Below are some natural solutions to the most prescribed drugs in America today.

Treat the body holistically
It is important to remember to take a holistic approach to healing and not only rely on natural remedies. Dietary changes, living a toxin free life, exercise, sufficient rest and sleep, and incorporating other healing therapies into your life should also be considered.

#1 Anti-depressant and anti-anxiety drugs are among the most prescribed drugs in our country.

Anxiety and depression

Historically foods that are rich in the valuable minerals phosphorus, magnesium, and potassium has been suggested. Fish, green leafy vegetables, raw nuts and seeds, garlic, bananas, broccoli, apricots, avocados are rich in these minerals.
Avoid everything with refined sugar or other simple carbohydrates.
Get regular exercise.
The longterm effect of coffee and alcohol is increased anxiety.
Learn to relax the mind and the body.
Sun and bright light triggers a response to the brain hormone melatonin, which is produced by the pineal gland, which is in part responsible for preventing depression.
According to Battaglia, vitamin B3 deficiency is often associated with depression and anxiety.
According to Battaglia, mineral deficiencies in calcium and magnesium can lead to nervousness and anxiety.
Studies suggest that omega -3 fatty acids may be helpful for depression and anxiety.

Time for the oils
According to Battaglia, bergamot, lavender, jasmine, frankincense, lemon, lime, rose and ylang ylang have traditionally been used for anxiety and depression.

Remember
Never quit any prescribed medication on your own since it may be dangerous. Some medications needs to be weaned of slowly. Consult with your doctor first.

Before you leave:

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

Not sure how to apply the oils? Visit these pages to learn how to apply the oils:

Topical Application

Inhaling Essential Oils

Are You Diffusing the Oils Correctly?

How to Dilute Essential Oils

Vita Flex Technique

If you're new to essential oils you might want to check out my Getting Started Guide.

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Sources:

Connie and Alan Higley, (Twelfth Edition, revised 2010). Reference Guide for Essential Oils. Abundant Health

Gary Young, ND (2006). Essential Oils, Integrative Medical Guide. Essential Science Publishing

Salvatore Battaglia (1995). The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy. The Perfect Potion Pty Ltd

Julie Behling (2011). Medical Preparedness for Adults E-book

Photo credit

This post is linked to:
Fat Tuesday, Fight Back Friday

10:23 AM | Read more...

Cytophylactic Properties of Essential oils

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I have mentioned the cytophylactic properties of essential oils several times before, and they are especially beneficial in skin care for aging and mature skin. Cytophylactic means that the oils stimulate the generation of new cells, which will aid in preserving the health of the skin. These oils are also used for treatments of burns. Frankincense, lavender, helichrysum, rosewood, sandalwood, patchouli and myrrh all have cytophylactic properties. Find out more detailed information in my post myrrh, frankincense and sandalwood- Top three Oils for skin rejuvenation

Facial mists or flower water are very beneficial for aging skin. You can use them during the day to add moisture to the skin, or you can spray on the face right before applying the essential oil blend like I do. So, it works like a moisturizer and a facial toner at the same time. It will make it easier to apply the massage oil blend when the skin is moisturized by the toner first. Facial toner recipe

Massage oils suitable for mature skin are jojoba, evening primrose, wheatgerm, avocado, carrot infused oil, and rosehip. Borage and vitamin E oil can be added to enhance their effectiveness.

Other oils to consider are hazelnut, kikui nut, macademia nut and St.John's Wort. Don't get stuck on that you have to use these oils, I just made a oxygenating facial gel with coconut oil and it works wonderfully for my skin. It may also help prevent wrinkles.

My post, Essential Oils for Skin Care - Aging and Mature Skin has more information about how to treat aging and mature skin.

Thanks for reading!

Before you leave:

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

Not sure how to apply the oils? Visit these pages to learn how to apply the oils:

Topical Application

Inhaling Essential Oils

Are You Diffusing the Oils Correctly?

How to Dilute Essential Oils

Vita Flex Technique

If you're new to essential oils you might want to check out my Getting Started Guide.

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6:28 PM | Read more...

Uplifting Essential Oils

After a long winter and with spring around the corner it seems like a good time to include some uplifting essential oils to feel more energized. The long and dark winters can make us feel tired, moody, and depressed. I can't wait for spring to get here, but it is still a few more weeks before it will nice and warm all the time.

SAD
Even though I've never really suffered from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) I always feel the effects of the darker season. I'm more tired, have more cravings, and just feel sluggish. I used to live in Sweden where the winters are long and very dark, and I know several friends who suffer from SAD. SAD can be very devastating and cause a lot of problems. Fortunately there are things to do that may ease the symptoms, for example, in the Scandinavian countries some hospitals have light therapy rooms. You can also buy your own light therapy lamp. Supplements and herbs may also be of help, and of course, essential oils have traditionally been used as well. According to Valeri Cooksley, the use of essential oils for regulation and balance by stimulating the hypothalamus may help: frankincense, geranium and bergamot and citrus oils have an uplifting and sunny effect.

How I apply uplifting oils
Here are ways that I use my uplifting essential oils:

I diffuse essential oils in the air
I wear them as a perfume
I add them to my bath water
I inhale straight from the bottle
I mix them with massage oils
I put 2-3 drops on one oil in my hands and rub them together, I cup my hands over my nose and inhale.
Some other ways to use essential oils

My favorite uplifting oils
I especially enjoy the flower oils since they are light in nature with an uplifting effect on the mind and the emotions.

~ Jasmine, geranium, rose, orange, lemon, grapefruit, lavender, helichrysum and bergamot.

So enjoy spring feelings with some uplifting flower flower aromas even if you still have snow on the ground.

Thanks for reading!

Before you leave:

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