Aromatherapy Benefits of Essential Oil Diffusion

Diffusion is an effective way to disperse essential oils into the air. Once released into the air, an oil's specific aroma can be used to create a desired atmosphere, like the fresh and invigorating aroma of Citrus paradisi, which can also be a mood boost. In addition, the beneficial properties of the oil are released into the air and inhaled, similar to the pathway essential oils take in nature when plants release them into the air.

For more information about the aromatherapy benefits of essential oil diffusion, check out ACHS President Dorene Petersen's article, "Aromatherapy Benefits of Essential Oil Diffusion", on Perfume Pharmer.

In her article, Dorene shares two aromatherapy essential oil blends for diffusion, a Respiratory System Formula and Inhalation Formula. The ingredients for the Inhalation Formula include eucalyptus Eucalyptus globulus oil and peppermint Mentha piperita var. vulgaris oil. Download the specific quantities and blending directions from the Perfume Pharmer. Be sure to leave a comment and let us know how the blend works for you!

How to Use Essential Oils to Help Reduce Risk of Viral Infection

Essential oils can be used in the home as antiviral cleaning products. A diffuser used with essential oils like eucalyptus Eucalyptus globulus, lemon balm Melissa officinalis, peppermint Mentha piperita var. vulgaris, or thyme Thymus vulgaris may reduce the airborne viruses in a room.

Essential oils can also be added to hand creams to help reduce the spread of viruses by contact. Of course, these should be used in addition to the common sense CDC recommendations to wash your hands frequently, cover your mouth and nose with your arm when you sneeze, and to stay home if you are sick.

Winter can be a challenging time because there is the potential for many people to be sick with a cold or flu at the same time, but we can use natural support options, such as essential oils, to keep us healthy.

To read the full-length article "The Antiviral Activity of Essential Oils", click HERE.

This article is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to treat, diagnose, heal, or prevent disease. Always consult with your primary care provider for a proper diagnosis if you think you may have the seasonal flu or the H1N1 flu, and follow their recommendations.

Essential Oil Profile: Cinnamon Essential Oil Warming in Winter

Cinnamon Cinnamomum zeylanicum has a long history of use. For example, did you know the Egyptians used cinnamon in their mummification process? Historically, cinnamon was also used as an ingredient in a medicinal tonic called "hippocras," and was blended with ginger and cloves. Today, cinnamon is most commonly known as a culinary flavoring. But, cinnamon essential oil has many health promoting properties worth exploring.

The active constituents in cinnamon essential oil include aldehydes, which are antifungal [1,2], antimicrobial, and antiseptic, as well as the oxide 1,8 cineole, trans-cinnamic acid, and terpenes, among others. Traditional uses include: slow circulation, colds, cough, gums, infection, influenza, lice, intestinal parasites, stomach cramp, and stress, to name a few.

Aromatically, cinnamon has a spicy, slightly woody scent, which can be warming in colder months. Cinnamon blends well with benzoin, frankincense, myrrh, orange, peppermint, and ylang yang.

Download our Cinnamon Air Purification Blend from our post Essential Oils for Winter.

Referenes
1. Lima EO, Gompertz OF, Giesbrecht AM, et al. In vitro antifungal activity of essential oils obtained from official plants against dermatophytes. Mycoses 1993;36 (9-10):333-336.
2. Viollon C, Chaumont J-P. Antifungal Properties of Essential Oils and Their Compounds upon of Cryptococcus neoformans. Mycopatholgia 1994;128 (3):151-153.

*This information is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to treat, diagnose, cure, or prevent disease. You should always consult with your primary care physician, naturopathic doctor, or Registered Aromatherapist before making any significant changes to your health and wellness routine.

Compresses an Effective Way to Use Essential Oils

Did you know compresses are a very effective way to use essential oils?

Typically made from gauze or a similar soft material, a compress can be applied with pressure to specific parts of the body to help control hemorrhage, help relieve pain-related symptoms, or support the body's natural defenses against infection. For example, cold compresses are traditionally used with sprains, localized swelling, blisters, insect bites, stings, bruises, and headaches; hot compresses are traditionally used with abscesses, boils, cystitis, and dysmenorrhea.

A simple method for using essential oils with compresses is to:

• Add 6 drops of essential oil to 9 oz of water. (Use ice water for cold compresses and boiling water for hot ones.) First pour the water into a bowl, and then add the oil.
• Saturate a clean piece of unbleached muslin (or similar cloth, such as clean cotton) in the mixture, wring out, and apply.

For use with a cold compress, here are some example essential oils you may want to investigate further:

• With sprains: Peppermint, chamomile, eucalyptus, ginger, lavender, pine, rose, and rosemary
• With bruises: Eucalyptus, geranium, ginger, lavender, and peppermint
• With localized swelling: Ginger, rose, and rosemary

For use with hot compresses, here are some example essential oils you may want to investigate further:

• With abscesses and boils: Bergamot, eucalyptus, rose, manuka, and tea tree Australia
• With menstrual pain: Chamomile, clary sage, lavender, peppermint, rose, and rosemary

For more information about using essential oils with compresses, download our free ACHS holistic health Wellness Guide HERE. In the guide, you'll also find several pages of information about using aromatherapy essential oils in the home and as a tool to support optimal health and wellness.

* This article is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to treat, diagnose, heal, or prescribe. A primary care physician, naturopathic physician, or Registered Aromatherapist should be consulted before making any significant changes to your health and wellness routine.

Re-Coloring Black Friday with Aromatherapy

BY Keoi Magill, ACHS Certificate in Aromatherapy Graduate

On Black Friday, we have less than a month until the presents will be unwrapped. With all the gifts to be purchased, parties to plan, cards to write and holiday cooking, we just don’t seem to have time to spend taking care of ourselves. You can dial down your holiday stress and achieve balance with aromatherapy. Here are a few simple and easy ways to sail through the holiday season.

Before you go out shopping put a few drops of lavender oil Lavendula angustifolia, on a cotton ball. Just breathe in the calming aroma whenever you need it. Another way is to add the lavender to 4 oz of distilled water and spray yourself with a fine mist. It will help reduce your stress and alleviate irritability.

Add a drop or two of peppermint oil Mentha piperita, to your favorite body lotion and rub it into your feet. It will help invigorate and refresh your tired feet and help with exhaustion.

Make a blend of bergamot Citrus bergamia, peppermint Mentha piperita, and cinnamon Cinnamomum zeylanicum, and diffuse on a lamp ring or ceramic diffuser throughout your home before a party. Not only will it help reduce your anxiety and nervousness, it smells festive and inviting.

When you are wrapping presents or writing out your holiday cards, diffuse or use a cotton ball with a few drops of rosemary Rosmarinus officinalis and neroli Citrus aurantium var. amara. These two oils are great together for mental clarity and to help ward off depression.

The holiday season doesn’t have to be black when you can open your crayon box of essential oils and in minutes color yourself balanced.

To learn more about aromatherapy and essential oils, download your free copy of "History of Aromatherapy" HERE.

*This article is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to treat, diagnose, prescribe, or cure. See you primary care physician before making any significant changes to your health and wellness routine.

Planting Herbs in the Fall: Which Herbs Are Best for Your Zone?

It’s the first day of fall (already!). Can you believe how quickly the seasons are passing? Of course, it may feel a bit more of a dramatic shift here in Portland, Oregon, because we had a short summer. Cooler temperatures than normal and more rain.

But it looks like fall is here. The leaves are turning from crisp greens to fiery jewel tones and the air has more moisture. The rain in coming! But before the weather turns for good, it’s time to plant our fall herbs. Planting in the fall gives herbs the chance to root so they are ready for harvest in the spring.

The best herbs to grow depend on the grow zone you live in. Before you make your selection, we suggest you find your climate zone on the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map to ensure what you want to grow is compatible with your zone. Here’s the link: http://www.usna.usda.gov/Hardzone/ushzmap.html

Portland, for example, is hardiness zones 8-9. There can be lower levels of light here in the fall (and certainly in the winter), so Portlanders may want to select shade-loving herbs, such as parsley and peppermint.

Or, if you live somewhere that gets too cold for herbs to thrive and/or does not get enough direct light, consider growing your herbs in containers, so that you have the option to move them around (or even take them indoors, if needs be).

You also may want to concentrate on bulb herbs—like garlic, fennel, and saffron—which should be planted in the ground in the fall at least six weeks before the first freeze.

If you live in the Pacific Northwest, you may find this Monthly Garden Calendar from the Oregon State University Master Gardeners Program: http://extension.oregonstate.edu/gardening/calendar/ - september

You may also enjoy the article “The best herbs to grow in fall” for ideas about which herbs to plant: http://extension.oregonstate.edu/gardening/calendar/ - september

We hope your first day of fall is fantastic and look forward to hearing more about your fall herb garden. Post any planting tips, photos, suggestions …. here!

We’ve also started the discussion “What’s your favorite thing about fall?” on Facebook. Join the discussion here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Portland-OR/American-College-of-Healthcare-Sciences/99091122240

Essential Oils May Be Effective with Lice

Creepy crawly lice torture school-aged children. It can be hard to rationalize with kindergartners, to make them understand why they really don't want to touch their hair or scratch or share their personal hygiene products with friends.

Instead, it may be more effective to focus on prevention. Check your children regularly. Because lice can be spread person-to-person without physical contact, the USA Today article "Lice: Any kid can get 'em, so comb early, comb often" recommends 1. maintaining appropriate personal space; 2. having shorter hair, and; 3. checking your child's hair regularly.

If it's too late, however, you will want to check everyone in the house, select some kind of product to help rid the lice, and wash all clothes and furniture.

There are many products on the market, including chemical shampoos. But before you use chemicals, you may want to consider essential oils. Evidence suggests essential oils--specifically cinnamon, peppermint, and eucalyptus[1]--may effectively kill lice.

Natural Health Magazine suggests you "mix 1/8 teaspoon of cinnamon leaf oil and 1/8 teaspoon of peppermint oil with four ounces of a basic shampoo. Apply to your child’s head, leave on for 20 minutes, and rinse. Don’t leave on overnight: Essential oils are too concentrated to be used for that long."*

If you have used essential oils with lice, we want to hear your story. Please post any suggestions you can share and/or essential oil recipes!


[1] Toloza AC, Lucía A, Zerba E, Masuh H, Picollo MI. 2009. Eucalyptus essential oil toxicity against permethrin-resistant Pediculus humanus capitis (Phthiraptera: Pediculidae). Parasitol Res. Jan;106(2):409-14. Epub 2009 Nov 10.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Stock Up On Summer Travel Supplies: Save 20% through Monday!!

Fourth of July is Sunday! That means two things: Summer is here and it’s travel time!

What’s more exciting than a new destination, a little adventure, and some R&R on the road? Not much! But, don’t let your summer travels get grounded by unexpected health challenges. Minor bumps and scrapes, bug bites, and unexpected allergies are common travel mishaps. But with a little preparation, you can have the adventure of a lifetime AND keep you and your family happy and healthy all summer long!

Essential Oil First Aid Travel Kit

This kit was personally designed by ACHS President Dorene Petersen and includes 5 ml of aloe vera and 5 ml each of the antibacterial, health-promoting essential oils cinnamon, ginger, lavender, lemon, peppermint, tea tree Australia, and ylang ylang.

The Travel Kit’s great price reflects our new, lowered prices on essential oils due to the U.S. dollar's surge against the Euro. But we can’t predict how long these exchange rates will stay in place, so take advantage of these great savings while you can!

Order by midnight July 5 to save 20% off any Apothecary Shoppe purchase of $30 or more. Just enter the code July2010 into the comments section of your order at checkout.

Also check out these travel items:

• Flight Spray Germ Fighting Nasal Spray
• Herbal Comfort Neck Pack
• JetZone Jet Lag Homeopathic 30 Tab
• Rescue Remedy Spray

Click here for a link to ACHS on Facebook. "Like" us to download natural body care recipes and comment on article links and add your own favorite recipes. Go to: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Portland-OR/American-College-of-Healthcare-Sciences/99091122240

Essential Oils Great Alternative to Synthetic Chemical Insect Repellents: Citronella, Peppermint, Eucalyptus, and Lemongrass

Summer is here! That means, it's time to get outdoors and enjoy some relaxation and sun time with friends and family. For many of us, though, summer fun can come at a price (so to speak!). Bug bites! Ouch. Ick. Yuck!

If you're swarmed by cookout invites and gardening have-tos, don't fear your time outdoors ... with a little pre-planning, you can protect your skin and fun-time from potential discomfort caused by bug bites.

This summer, make aromatherapy part of your outdoor fun. These essential oils are attributed with natural insect repellent properties and create great atmosphere when diffused into the air. You also can turn skin protection into a fun activity and get your friends and family involved by creating essential oil blends with base oils*. Plus, essential oils are a natural alternative to synthetic chemicals, which further helps protect environmental and personal health.[1]

Citronella Cymbopogon nardus
Citronella essential oil is well know for its mosquito repellent properties and is used in many products, as well as in soap making and natural cleaning products. Citronella is generally considered a top note and has a medium-strong fragrance.

Peppermint Mentha piperita var. vulgaris Peppermint essential oil releases a very fresh, invigorating aroma when diffused into the air and can be very refreshing at outdoor events. Like citronella, peppermint is effective for keeping insects at bay and it blends well with other essential oils, such as eucalyptus, lavender, and rosemary. [2]

Eucalyptus Eucalyptus globulus
Eucalyptus essential oil is considered a top note and has a high aroma intensity described as fresh, penetrating, and woody. Like peppermint, it blends wells with eucalyptus, lavender, and rosemary. Note, it is not recommended to use eucalyptus on the skin undiluted as it can cause stinging. To use on the skin, blend with a base oil like olive.

Lemongrass Cymbopogon citratus
Lemongrass essential oil has a very refreshing aroma known for its uplifting, energizing properties ... perfect for outdoor events! It also is thought to support "clear thinking" and good concentration.[3]

For more information about aromatherapy, diffusion, blending, and making your own aromatic sprays, download our free lecture What Is Aromatherapy? from the Apothecary Shoppe College Store website here: http://www.apothecary-shoppe.com/product_info.php?cPath=45&products_id=885

Share your aromatherapy insights, tips, and custom blends with our natural products discussion on Facebook. Download new recipes and comment here: http://www.apothecary-shoppe.com/product_info.php?cPath=45&products_id=885


References
[1] Nerio LS, Olivero-Verbel J, Stashenko E.Repellent activity of essential oils: a review. Bioresour Technol. 2010 Jan;101(1):372-8. Epub 2009 Sep 2: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19729299
[2]Samarasekera R, Weerasinghe IS, Hemalal KP.Insecticidal activity of menthol derivatives against mosquitoes. Pest Manag Sci. 2008 Mar;64(3):290-5: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18095385
[3] Qualls WA, Xue RD. Field evaluation of three botanical repellents against Psorophora ferox, Aedes atlanticus, and Aedes mitchellae. J Am Mosq Control Assoc. 2009 Sep;25(3):379-81: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19852232

*Note, it is always best to consult with a certified aromatherapist about which essential oils are best suited for your purposes. It is also recommended to perform a skin patch test before applying essential oils to test for possible sensitivities. This article is for informational purposes only; it is not intended to treat, diagnose, prescribe, or cure.

Recipes for Natural Summer Skin Care

The sun is here! It's time for playing outside, summer BBQs and picnics, trips to the beach. Which means ... it's also time to keep your skin protected and looking healthy.

Sunbathing, air conditioning, and temperature changes can all put a little extra stress on your skin, so in addition to wearing protective creams and a hat when you're out in the sun, here are a few recipes you can use at home to provide a little extra nourishment for your skin. Enjoy!

Exfoliating Mask

• 1/2 papaya
• 3-4 strawberries

Blend ingredients. Add brewer's yeast or fuller's earth if the mixture is too wet. Apply to the face, avoiding the area around the eyes. Apply cotton wool soaked in witch hazel over the eye area. Do not leave more than ten minutes or if the mask starts to sting, particularly on sensitive skins, as the papaya has a powerful enzyme action that can leave the face rather raw. Finish by splashing the face with lukewarm water.

A Cooling and Soothing Foot Mask

Your feet can be the most neglected part of the body - we tend not to think of them until they start to hurt! For those days when your feet need some indulgence, apply the following mask to clean feet.

• ¼-cup pineapple flesh
• 2-t chopped peppermint leaves
• 1-t chopped fresh basil
• 2-T rosemary leaves
• 1 drop cinnamon oil
• 5 drops of peppermint essential oil

Mix all ingredients together in blender for 45 seconds. Apply to tops and soles of feet. Wrap feet in plastic wrap, raise them on a pillow, and relax for 10 minutes. Rinse well with cool water.

Please feel free to share your own recipes for natural summer skin and body care! Post a comment here or add a post to our "Natural Bodycare Recipe" discussion on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=99091122240&topic=14158