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Essential Oils & Head Lice

Essential Oils & Head Lice



I got a message from our homeschool charter that it was discovered that some children had head lice. Fortunately my children have not participated in any classes for the last couple of weeks so we are safe. Having lice is not fun, they are insects that live on people's heads and suck their blood. Unfortunately they are extremely contagious. 

Drug resistance
When we lived in Wales and my children attended public school they often had problems with head lice at their school. It seemed like I received several letters each month telling me they found head lice on yet another child. Luckily, my children got head lice once when we lived there and they were nice enough to pass it on to me too. I learned that the head lice are becoming drug resistance, so no wonder the head lice keeping coming back to schools and other places. Hopefully people will realize the wonderful power of natural remedies since they don't cause drug resistance.

What I did
Back in Wales I used tea tree and rosemary for head lice. I added it to shampoo as well as to the final rinse after shampooing. I also mixed the essential oils with vegetable oils and applied to the scalp and covered with a disposable shower cap and left overnight. 

Studies
According to the Essential Oils Integrative Medical Guide, cinnamon leaf, anise seed, tea tree (Melaleuca), peppermint, nutmeg, and red thyme used in shampoo and rinse solutions have showed effectiveness against head lice according to studies in Iceland. 

The Essential Oils Integrative Medical Guide also lists the following oils for head lice:
Eucalyptus radiata, lavender, peppermint, thyme (thymus vulgaris,) and geranium.


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.


Thanks for reading!



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.






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
The Essential Oils Desk Reference. (Fifth edition 2011). Life Science Publishing
Valeri Ann Worwood, (1991). The Complete Book of Essential Oils & Aromatherapy. New World Library, San Rafael, CA


4:10 PM | Read more...
Natural Hair Care - Technique for Hot Oil Treatment

Natural Hair Care - Technique for Hot Oil Treatment

Photo Credit

I was asked a question about hot oil treatment so I thought it was a good idea to share in blog post as well. A  hot oil treatment is very nourishing, and it also conditions the scalp and skin in addition to the hair. A hot oil treatment may be considered if your hair is dry or damaged as a result of pollution, chemicals,  regular brushing, the use of hair products such as dryers or curlers etc.

As always it is important to investigate any underlying causes to why the hair is in a bad condition. Aim to use non-toxic products and to eat whole foods. Make sure you are not lacking in nutrients or that your hormones are imbalanced. My post Natural Hair Care with Essential Oils provide more information on how to treat your hair naturally. It is  important to consider the possibility that dry scalp may be caused by iodine and iron deficiency. If a dry scalp doesn't respond to treatment it is important to look for nutritional deficiencies.

 When the scalp is dry the glands are inactive and the scalp lacks oil. Hot oil treatments are usually beneficial until the glands respond to the treatments.
Technique for Hot Oil Treatment
Put one or two tablespoons of oil, or just enough for one treatment, in a small container. Heat it by placing it in boiling water; never put oil directly on heat. Don't let it get too hot. Wheatgerm, olive, or sweet almond oil are excellent oils to use for hot oil treatment.

 Part the hair, take a small piece of cotton, dip it in the bowl, and rub it in with circular movements.
Part the hair from time to time, taking a small area between each part. Go over the whole scalp systematically. After the oil has been applied, you may heat the scalp with a heat lamp or by wrapping the hair in hot towels. Apply heat for 7-10 minutes.

 You can now perform a scalp massage if you like. The hot oil treatments should be given before the manipulations, so that the scalp will absorb the oils better. Dry and oily scalp usually call for scalp massage treatments. Both conditions are due to poor circulation of the blood in the scalp as well as circulatory disturbances of the body. Massage with essential oils is one of the best ways to restore normal circulation.

 Essential oils traditionally used for dry hair are: basil, chamomile, lavender, rosemary, geranium, yarrow and sandalwood.

Essential oils traditionally used for oily hair are: elemi, lemon, mandarin, orange, petitgrain, tangerine, rosemary, birch, lavender, cypress and yarrow.
I don't use any essential oils for my hot oil treatments, but some people do. I prefer to add the essential oils to the scalp massage instead. I don't use harsh shampoos when I wash the hair afterwards.


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. 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.
4:00 AM | Read more...
Natural Hair Care - My Essential Oil Hair Tonic

Natural Hair Care - My Essential Oil Hair Tonic



I made this hair tonic when I lived in Sweden many years ago. The cold and long winter affected my hair negatively and it was very dull. The scalp was also very dry and I started to lose more hair than normal. Naturally, in order to have a healthy skin and hair you have to start from the inside with nutritious food. If your hair that doesn't improve with dietary changes and applied aromatherapy treatments, then you need to figure out what else is causing your problem. Mineral and vitamin deficiencies and/or hormonal imbalances may be the cause.

The essential oils I used in the blend, rosemary, cedarwood, and basil, are known for their beneficial properties in hair care.

When experiencing dandruff the glands are inactive and do not produce enough oils. Essential oils can increase the amount of oils produced by stimulating the oil glands. The oils increase the circulation, and bring arterial blood to the tissues.

Hair loss may be caused by vitamin deficiencies, stress, over shampooing, or even thyroid or pituitary deficiencies. Essential oils penetrate deep in the dermal layer of the skin due to their molecular weight, and they are able to nourish the areas where the hair follicles are located. Regular use of essential oils may stimulate and nourish new hair growth by increasing circulation.


Hair Tonic Blend
30 drops Basil, Ocimum basilicum
20 drops Cedarwood, Cedrus atlantica
20 drops Rosemary, Rosmarinus officinalis

I mixed the oils and applied three drops to the scalp for two weeks. I made the mistake by adding the oils to the scalp right at bed time, which was not a good idea since these oils kept me awake. I made sure I applied the blend earlier in the evening after that discovery.
I chose these oils because:

Cedarwood is a circulatory stimulant and assists in increasing the circulation to the scalp. This has historically made cedarwood an excellent oil for dandruff and hair loss. It's anti-fungal action is also beneficial since dandruff may be caused by fungal infections.

Rosemary is a calcefacient and a vasodilator. It's vasodilator action causes dilation of the blood vessels, and increases the circulation. The calcefacient action also increases the capillary circulation. This makes rosemary a powerful circulatory stimulant, and has traditionally been a perfect choice for hair loss and dandruff. 

Basil has stimulant, tonic, and anti-fungal properties. As a stimulant basil will increase the energy and the functional activity in the body. Basil has historically been used for dandruff as well as hair loss. The tonic action has traditionally restored the luster to hair. 

I applied three drops into the scalp at night and the aroma is very intense right after it is applied. You will most likely feel a tingling sensation for a short while as well.

I noticed that my hair looked shinier after a few days, and it had a different glow to it. The dandruff was more stubborn to get rid off, and it took about a week or so before the dandruff on my scalp disappeared. I stopped losing hair.

I also added the same essential oils to an un-scented shampoo. These oils can also be added to apple cider vinegar and used as a hair rinse.

This formula worked for me. It is important to remember that what works for one may not work for the other. The root cause to the problem may be different. I modified my diet at the same time, and I also added some extra supplements. 

These oils may be contraindicated in certain conditions so please check my essential oil safey page to make sure these oils are suitable for you. Natural Hair Care with Essential Oils has more great tips for using essential oils. Why No Poo Method is Healthier for You will share information on why it is healthier to ditch the commercialized shampoos in favor of the No Poo Method. Stay tuned for my next post about natural hair care which is about hot oil treatment.



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. 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Johanna is an aromatherapist 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.






11:38 AM | Read more...
Why No Poo Method is Better for Your Health

Why No Poo Method is Better for Your Health



Commercial shampoos contain harmful ingredients that are damaging to our health. Fortunately, there's no need to buy commercialized shampoos. Jasmine at Far Above Rubies has a great video showing how to make the No Poo Method. Jasmine has used the No Poo method for a few weeks and she is very pleased with the results.

Sodium lauryl sulfate was originally developed as  a surfactant to wash garage floors and can be found in shampoos as well as other cosmetic products. It denatures protein which is a real problem since the body is made up of protein. According to research it can cause damage to the eyes, cells and the whole body. It was found that it is a mutagen when researchers in Japan tested it on bacteria, as such it can alter the genetics within the cells.

Xeno-estrogens are in many cosmetic products including shampoo today. They are able to communicate with the cells and  excess estrogen is becoming a huge problem today.  Young girls are entering puberty at an earlier age than ever. More about estrogen dominance.

I went to the Environmental Working Group's website and here are just a few of the articles about shampoo and it's toxic ingredients:

All articles about shampoo


 My daughter likes to make her own products and here is a post about how she and her brother made  an herbal shampoo. 
 Another interesting post:


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.
11:30 AM | Read more...
Natural Hair Care with Essential Oils

Natural Hair Care with Essential Oils



The condition of the hair is affected by what we eat  and by what we put on our hair. We are pretty much like the animals that loose their sheen on their coats when they don’t feel well.

If the 17 amino acids which make up the keratin, don’t receive their blood supply, the hair becomes greasy or dry, the ends split, and it looses its bounce. We need the same things for our hair as we need for our skin, since the outer layer of the skin is also made out of keratin.

If we eat a whole some diet with plenty of fresh food, cold pressed oils and unsaturated fatty acids, and  increase the dosage of B-Vitamins the quality of the hair shall improve. It is also important to cut down on stimulants such as coffee, tea and get a full nights sleep.

The hair products people use are like a chemical cocktail.
Even products that claim to be natural sometimes contain synthetics. They  can cause scalp itching, dermatitis, dry hair, dandruff, allergic reactions and they are toxic when absorbed through the skin.

Below are some tips on how you can treat your hair naturally without any harsh chemicals.

The quickest way to make your own shampoo is to use liquid castile soap and to add your own essential oils that suit your need. You need 80 drops of essential oils to an 8 oz. bottle of unscented shampoo. 

 Dry hair
The essential oils of  basil, chamomile, lavender, rosemary, geranium, yarrow, and sandalwood have historically been used for dry hair.
According to Valerie Ann Worwood you can mix 1 tbl of cider vinegar and 3 drops of essential oils to half a pint of water for dry hair. Add this blend to a bowl and run it through your final rinse when wash your hair.


Oily hair
The essential oils of elemi, lemon, mandarin, orange, petitgrain, tangerine, rosemary, birch, lavender, cypress and yarrow have historically been used for oily hair.
Worwood also recommends to use 1 teaspoon of cider vinegar with 1 drop of essential oil for oily hair and to use the same way as the vinegar rinse above.


Vinegar
Vinegar has been used in skin and hair care since the Victorian era and is historically known for  removing oil and shampoo residue from the hair.  Witch hazel can also be used in this way.

Use herbal infusions
According to Valeri Gennari Cooksley, you can also use herbs to add high lights and shine to hair. If you want to hide gray hair you can use strong herbal infusions.

Use rosemary and sage herbs for dark hair as well as to cover gray hair.
Use calendula and madder rose for red and auburn hair.
Use chamomile and fresh lemon juice for light hair.


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. 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.









6:17 AM | Read more...