Jo's Health Corner: winter

My Favorite Essential Oils For Fall and Winter

The fall is a perfect time to start using warming essential oils. When the days are getting shorter and the temperatures are cooler I start diffusing my woody, spicy and warming oils. Not only do these oils add a wonderful aroma to the home, but they also possess powerful anti-microbial properties to aid in warding off disease. I love how I can diffuse the aromas I love and at the same time protect myself from infectious diseases.

I especially enjoy the essential oils from spices, perhaps it is because we use a lot of spices during the long and cold winter months in my home country Sweden. We eat lots of spicy gingerbread cookies and drink our version of Gluhwein. We decorate the houses with Pomanders during Christmas time.

Intense oils
Spice oils are very intense so it is best to mix them up with some other oils before diffusing them in the room. For example, diffused clove oil can irritate the eyes so it should not be diffused more than a couple of minutes at a time. Spice oils such as cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, and ginger blend well with citrus oils. So I enjoy blending citrus oils such as orange, lemon, tangerine, bergamot, lime, and grapefruit with spice oils during the fall and winter. Closer to Christmas I like to add essential oils such as juniper, cypress, Balsam Fir, peppermint and pine to my diffuser.

I like to use essential oils to get the right holiday feeling during when it gets closer to Christmas.

Here are some of my favorite oils during the fall and winter.

Clove

This is by far one of my favorite essential oils. Clove has a spicy, hot peppery and fresh top note. It is very penetrating and stays in my head. The middle note is very uplifting, smooth, more distinct and sweet. It is very aromatic. The base note seems stronger, sweet, spicy, and warm. The dry out note is still strong, spicy, slightly floral and fruity. Clove is a very positive, uplifting, and stimulating scent. I like it. I makes me feel very positive and ready to do things. I associate the aroma with freshly baked gingerbread.

Use with caution after first trimester but it is best to consult a physician before use when pregnant.

Avoid with homeopathics. It is a mucus membranes irritant, and it may cause dermatitis. It is also a blood thinner and should be avoided if taking blood thinning medication.

Learn more about clove essential oil

Cinnamon

Cinnamon has a warm, spicy, peppery, and slightly woody top note. The middle note is more intense and the characteristic sweet cinnamon aroma has increased, but it still has a slight woody undertone. It smells like cinnamon candy. The characteristic spicy cinnamon scent appears to be stronger in the base note. The dry out note is still very distinct spicy cinnamon but weaker. Cinnamon has a sharp penetrating aroma that is very comforting but also stimulating. It lightens the mood.

I consider this my feel good oil. I love everything cinnamon and inhaling the essential oils reminds me of being a child eating fresh homemade cinnamon rolls. The aroma cheers me up, it is uplifting but yet relaxing aroma.

Cinnamon should be avoided in pregnancy and in stomach or intestinal ulcers. It may cause tachycardia, increased respiration and perspiration in excessive doses. It should be avoided when using homeopathic remedies.

Learn more about cinnamon essential oil

Ginger

Ginger has a warm, pleasant, slightly citrus and fruity top note with a woody undertone. The middle note is spicy, peppery, sharp, warm and uplifting. It also has a more characteristic ginger aroma. Ginger is stimulating and warming, and it makes me concentrate better. The base note is sweet, slightly characteristic ginger, woody and more diffused. Ginger has some burned smoky scent. The final dry out note smells sweet several days later.

Ginger clears my nose when I inhale it and it goes to my head. It's an euphoric and stimulating scent. It makes me happy smelling it. Ginger is a stimulating and grounding oil. It is said to help with memory.

Learn more about ginger essential oil

Nutmeg

Nutmeg is a warm and stimulating aroma. The aroma lifts fatigue and goes straight to the head. The top note is spicy, warm, woody, and little alcoholic. The middle note is rounder, softer, spicier and more euphoric. The base note seems dark, spicy and little burnt. Nutmeg is a warm masculine aroma that I associate with winter-time. Nutmeg is said to support the nervous and endocrine systems and prostaglandin balance.

The constituent myristicin is toxic if used in excess.

Orange

It is high in d-limonene (85-90%) and therefore a powerful antioxidant. Orange has an uplifting, rich, fruity, and at the same time a very calming aroma. It is a happy aroma.

According to Salvtore Battagia, the sensual and cheerful nature of orange essential oils provides joy and warmth to everyone who is exposed to it. He says it is especially ideal for those who forget to laugh and take life too seriously.

Cedarwood

Cedarwood has balsamic-woody, earthy and slightly spicy, and camphoraceous top note. The scent is very calming, relaxing, and it feels comfortable. The middle note is sweeter, and more woody with a perfumery scent. Cedarwood is a warm and tenacious note. It reminds me of fresh cut timber.

Cedrus atlantica may be useful in nervous tension and anxiety due to its warming and harmonizing properties, which make it very soothing and calming. The oil may be comforting, warming, and helpful in stress-related conditions such as nervous tension, anger and exhaustion.

Learn more about cedarwood essential oil

Frankincense

Frankincense has a warm, sweet, balsamic, woody, spicy scent with a hint of lemon. It slows down breathing and produces feelings of calm. It has historically been used for respiratory congestion. It also has astringent properties, which may also help balance oily skin conditions. According to Mojay, frankincense is to be recommended as an aid in meditation, prayer and contemplation since it will help still the mind and cease mental chatter.

Learn more about frankincense essential oil

Black Pepper

I love the smell of black pepper! It has warming qualities and according to Battaglia black pepper will help us move on when our lives feel stuck. He also writes that it is also recommended treatment for chilblains.

Rosemary

Rosemary has a strong, penetrating and clear aroma. It is a refreshing and stimulating herbal fragrance. It is said to overcome mental fatigue and to improve mental clarity and focus.

Rosemary is considered one of the best tonics for central nervous system. It strengthens mental clarity and awareness. It is an excellent brain stimulant and has traditionally been used to improve memory. It is also a valuable oil for respiratory problems such as catarrh, sinusitis, common cold and asthma.

Learn more about rosemary essential oil

Cypress

Cypress has a bitter, acidic, sharp, spicy and balsamic-woody top note. It is a clean and refreshing smell. The middle note is balsamic-woody, sweet and spicy. The base note smells more like cypress with a forest scent and it is not as sweet. The dry out note is sweet, woody, and mild. The aroma of cypress is calming and balancing, but also very refreshing and clearing.

Learn more about cypress essential oil

Pine

Pine (Pinus sylvestris) has a refreshing and invigorating aroma. According to Battaglia the energetic qualities of pine are drying and warming as well as tonifying the Qi. He says it is one of the best oils to clear phlegm. He also says it is recommended for coughing, bronchial congestion, and asthma.

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.

4:01 PM | Read more...

Stay Warm with Essential Oils

Essential oils may be used to increase the circulation to keep the body warm. You can blend the oils in some massage/vegetable oils and apply before you are going outside, or if you are cold inside. A warming foot bath may be easier than taking a bath when cold, add 4-6 drops of essential oils to a small tub and soak your feet. Dispersion is important because most essential oils will float on the surface and may burn the skin. Here are more ideas on how to use essential oils.

Bay, black pepper, cinnamon, ginger, eucalyptus, pine, rosemary, thyme, peppermint have traditionally been used. Black pepper and cinnamon should be used in low dilutions only and eucalyptus should not be applied to the face of children.

Chilblains
Chilblains are reddish, blue discolorations of the skin and accompanied by swelling affecting parts of the body exposed to cold. Children are more prone to chilblains on their feet in winter. Poor circulation increases it.

According to Battaglia, rubefacient oils will help stimulate the local circulation and can be used if the skin is unbroken. He says the most effective oils are ginger, nutmeg, black pepper and Spanish marjoram. Battaglia recommends to use a 3% dilution and massage the affected area. These oils are stronger and caution must be used. Baths and massage with lemon and rosemary are also recommended.

Please refer to the safety post

Stay warm!

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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

This post is linked to:

Seasonal Celebration Sunday

9:47 AM | Read more...

Essential Oils - Winter Blah Blends

Are you one of those that can't wait until spring is here? Are the days too short and do you feel tired most of the time? I grew up in Sweden where the days were dark and short, and many felt depressed during the long dark winters. Here are some blends you can try out if you need to get rid of the winter blahs.

Winter Blah 1
Grapefruit essential oils: 6 drops
Bergamot essential oil: 6 drops
Lime essential oil: 6 drops
Ginger essential oil: 4 drops
Sandalwood essential oil: 2 drops

Blend the oils and use in a diffuser or atomizer. This blend can also be added to the bath water but only 5-6 drops maximum.

Winter Blah 2
Grapefruit essential oil: 8 drops
Ginger essential oil: 4 drops
Lemongrass essential: 3 drops
Cypress essential oil: 3 drops
Cardamom essential oil: 1-2 drops

Blend all the oils and use in a diffuser or atomizer..It can also be added to bath water..

For more tips on how to make the day more enjoyable, read my post Do you have a hard time at work? for some tips on how you can essential oils to your day at work. Increase concentration, focus, motivation and alertness with essential oils.

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.

Photo credits

10:53 AM | Read more...

Stay Warm this Winter

I wrote these suggestions on Jo's Health Corner's facebook page last winter when people experienced extreme weather conditions around the globe. I live in California but I was born and raised in Sweden so I have had my share of cold weather. I actually feel colder here. Well, back home in Sweden the houses were warmer inside, and I was better dressed for winter. Here is a picture of my daughter when we lived in the foothills of the Alps. She loved playing in the snow and she was dressed for cold winters. A few years later she and her brother enjoyed some snow play at the grandparents house in Oregon.

Being cold is not fun at all. Luckily, there are some things you can do to keep the body warm when at home or leaving the house. It might even be a way to keep the electricity bill down.

1.Eat to stay warm
Eat plenty of good quality protein to increase the metabolism and to burn fuel. Eat soups, and stews since comfort foods will aid in keeping you warm from the inside. Spicy foods like chili, salsa or other food with hot peppers increase the body temperature since it makes your body run hotter than normal.

2. Herbals
Capsicum ( Cayenne) taken internally or externally has the ability to increase the heat in your body. It has the ability to increase the circulation to all parts of the body which will aid in keeping your warmer, and it has gained the reputation as a cure-all. Read my post about capsicum
Cinnamon and ginger also have the ability to increase the circulation and can be used as a tea. My children always add cinnamon on their hot cereal.

3. Essential Oils
Essential oils may be used to increase the circulation to keep the body warm. You can blend the oils in some massage/vegetable oils and apply before you are going outside, or if you are cold inside. A warming foot bath may be easier than taking a bath when cold, add 4-6 drops of essential oils to a small tub and soak your feet. Dispersion is important because most essential oils will float on the surface and may burn the skin. Here are more ideas on how to use essential oils.

Suitable oils are bay, black pepper, cinnamon, ginger, eucalyptus, pine, rosemary, thyme, peppermint. Black pepper and cinnamon should be used in low dilutions only and eucalyptus should not be applied to the face of children.

Chilblains
Chilblains are reddish, blue discolorations of the skin and accompanied by swelling affecting parts of the body exposed to cold. Children are more prone to chilblains on their feet in winter. Poor circulation increases it.

According to Battaglia, rubefacient oils will help stimulate the local circulation and can be used if the skin is unbroken. Battaglia says the most effective oils are ginger, nutmeg, black pepper and Spanish marjoram. Use a 3% dilution and massage the affected area. These oils are stronger and caution must be used.
Baths and massage with lemon and rosemary are also recommended.

Stay warm!

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