Apricot Kernel Oil

September 7, 2010 Leave a Comment

Apricot Kernel Oil

Apricot kernel oil is cold pressed and refined from the dried kernels of the apricot fruit. It is light in colour with pleasant nutty odor and used in manufacturer of creams, balms, lotions and cosmetics.

Sought out for its high vitamin E content and skin softening properties, apricot kernel oil is known for its ability to penetrate the skin without leaving an oily feel. Apricot kernel oil is also popular as massage oil and it used as carrier oil when used with essential oils for aromatherapy.

Rich in essential fatty acids like oleic and linoleic acid, apricot kernel oil is high in vitamin A. Since it easily penetrates the skin, it is good oil for prematurely aged, dry or irritated skin. The excellent softening and moisturizing properties is great for face, hands and hair. Vitamins A & C are good for mature dry or sensitive skin. The apricot kernel oil helps skin retain elasticity, clarity, and suppleness. Crushed Apricot Kernels are commonly used as a facial mask to soften the skin.

In addition, Apricot Kernel Oil is used as an antitussive, anti-asthmatic and to treat tumors in traditional Chinese medicine. It helps to calm the inflammation / irritation of eczema and dermatitis. When combined with an equal amount of St. John’s Wort Oil, it is acts as anti-inflammatory and has a cooling effect.

Due to its moisturizing, nourishing and revitalizing properties, apricot kernel oil is widely used for massage therapy.

Face Mask Formula – A soft paste made of 2 drops each of frankincense, rose and neroli oils, 6 tsp of apricot oil, 1 tsp clear melted honey and finely ground almond makes a good moisturizing face mask.

For nourished, soft and supple skin, rub apricot kernel oil on your body daily.

Acne Fusion – Pour 1 ounce of apricot kernel oil, 12 drops of lavender essential oil, 7 drops of tea tree essential oil and 1 drop of geranium essential oil in amber coloured clean bottle. Close it tightly and roll the bottle to mix the blend. Apply a small amount of this blend to the acne affected area.

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The Power of Mixing Aromatherapy and Massage

August 26, 2010 Leave a Comment

The Power of Mixing Aromatherapy and Massage

An aromatherapy massage combines two powerful healing arts into one. By mixing essential oil scents with massage, a deep healing and relaxing experience is produced. In this article, we’ll go over some of the healing properties of an aromatherapy massage. After you read this, you’ll have a good idea of what you can expect if you do decide to get an aromatherapy massage.

Aromatherapy

Although herbs and plants have been used for their curative properties all over the world for centuries, it’s only in the 1920’s that essential oils were discovered.

A scientist accidentally burned his hand during an experiment and plunged his hand into a jar of lavender essential oil because it was close by. The researcher found that the essential oil had amazing healing properties and that his pain quickly disappeared and his burns healed quickly. Upon this discovery, he went on to do further research on other extracts of plants.

Since then, a wide variety of essential oils have been discovered and put into useable form. Essential oils are basically the distillation of various different kinds of plants. Once distilled to their essence, their oils allow you to access their full healing powers.

Aromatherapy is based on the principle that scents and smells can stimulate different areas of the brain and body, producing powerful healing effects. In an aromatherapy massage session, essential oils may also be diluted into base oil and rubbed onto the skin for added healing and sensation.

An Aromatherapy Massage

A massage is already a deeply relaxing experience. Combined with aromatherapy, many clients have found that ailments they’ve come in with simply disappear after the session. An aromatherapy massage can help dispel both physical and mental ailments, as well as psychosomatic ailments (Physical ailments caused by mental ailments.)

When you go into a spa for an aromatherapy massage, your therapist will ask you a series of questions to pinpoint exactly what you’d like to get out of your session. She’ll ascertain whether or not you have any physical or mental ailments that would get in the way of your treatment. She’ll also ask to see if there’s any area she should avoid or pay particular attention to.

Once she has a good idea of where you’re at and what you’re looking for, she’ll begin your treatment. Your massage session is always tailored to where you’re at in your life and what kind of experience you want to have.

A good aromatherapy massage therapist will treat your whole being together – Mind, body and spirit. The massage is not just a physical experience. The massage is designed to permeate through your physical being and into your mind and your spirit. Clients of aromatherapy massages often find their stress and worries quickly draining away during their session. They often feel refreshed and energized afterwards.

Now you know the benefits of an aromatherapy massage and what you can expect if you do decide to have one. An aromatherapy massage is one of those blissful, luxurious life experiences that almost everyone should try at least once.

For 10 years, Marilyn has been active as an advocate for Alternative Health Therapies, specializing in Essential Oils and Aromatherapy to increase wellness. Marilyn also writes Health Articles which showcase both essential oils and other alternative health modalities.

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Home Uses of Essential Oils

August 25, 2010 Leave a Comment

Home Uses of Essential Oils

Essential Oils have very good home uses. They can be used to clean and disinfect your home. Tea tree oil mixed with distilled water works just as a well any cleaner that you may buy from your local Wal-Mart or grocery store. It is also less expensive then your retail cleaners. Using just a few drops of essential oils will go along way.

Essential oils are perfect for cleaning places like your bathroom or your kitchen. One of the other benefits of using essential oils as cleaners and disinfectants are that you benefit from inhaling essential oils as a well. They are also not as harmful as many of the caustic chemicals that are found in home cleaners.

Instead of purchasing expensive Glade Plug-ins or other types of air fresheners or air scents for your home, boiling water and then adding your favorite essential oil, will allow you to fill your home with your favorite scent. It is also much cheaper and more environmentally safe. Creating your own air fresheners with your favorite scents allows you to change the smells in your house according to your mood and liking, without spending a ton of money.

Some essential oils are also effective for treating minor cuts, skin irritations, and even for sore muscles. Adding a few drops of essential oil of to your bath or diluting it with a carrier oil and then adding it to your skin, will help you remedy some of these minor conditions. Tea tree oil is now found in many over-the-counter treatments for skin irritations and cuts. Adding tea tree oil to a skin rash, small scrapes and even pimples, can help those areas heal.

Some essential oils work well to heal minor illnesses. Individuals who have problems with stuffy nose or congestion, may want to inhale peppermint oil may help to clear the nose and the sinuses. Essential oils are also very good for helping individuals relax, treating mild cases of depression and even for healing chronic headaches.

These are just a few common household uses for essential oils. Using essential oils in the above manners can help promote healing, relaxation while also providing a much safer way to cleanse and disinfect one’s bathroom, kitchen and other rooms in the house, without harsh or poisonous chemicals. Using essential oils is also less expensive and safer and then over-the-counter cleaners. The large amount of chemicals that are used to make these cleansers are believed to have long term health risks, including cancer.

George Key is the author and owner of AromatherapyPoint.com, which provides top quality information about Aromatherapy and Essential Oils. Visit his site and read about the Essential Oils for Mental Conditions, Essential Oils for natural body health and Essential Oils for Home Uses.

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Therapeutic Uses for Aromatherapy

August 25, 2010 Leave a Comment

Therapeutic Uses for Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy is an art that has been around for some time now. Basically, aromatherapy involves bathing, inhalation and massage with the use of pure essential oils. Its name itself provides an idea of the benefits aromatherapy provides: aroma means scent, and therapy, treatment. So it is basically treatment with the use of scents.

We can now find aromatherapy candles, soaps and scented oils in practically all shopping centers across all the continents. People turn to aromatherapy for relaxation and to find some benefit both health and beauty wise. It is through the unification of the body, mind and spirit that aromatherapy leaves a person relaxed, calm and active. since so much of our condition involves the effects of the mind on the body, calming nerves, stimulating senses and helping awareness contribute greatly to overall health.

The basis of aromatherapy is that after a session of aromatherapy, you turn out to feel stronger, after having your body fed with pure essential oils. Mind you, these essential oils are not manufactured in the laboratory, but are of the pure variety. These oils prove to be very soothing for a person. In fact, it is the purity of these oils that helps in providing a relaxing, and energizing mood after a bout of aromatherapy.

Now comes the question of how exactly it is that these essential oils are absorbed by the skin. Basically, these oils have a simple, small and lipid-soluble structure which makes it so easy for the oils to penetrate the skin. So with aromatherapy, these essential oils are diluted, and then applied to the skin. With this, it is absorbed by the skin, and penetrates into the tissues of the body, your blood and the interstitial fluid. This is the secret to the energizing aspect of aromatherapy.

As the essential oils penetrate deep into the body, aromatherapy is considered to be a great health option. Not only do its essential oils relax and energize the body, they are also known to act as rejuvenating agents through which waste matter is eliminated. Even the dead cells of the body are removed through aromatherapy; to bring about the regeneration of new and healthy cells in the body.

So considering all these facts, and benefits of aromatherapy, aromatherapy proves to be a great form of relaxing and energizing treatment that is executed through the massage of essential oils. These essential oils penetrate the skin to reach specific organs and systems of the body wherein they improve the normal functioning of the body organs.

Tracey Mumford is owner of Scentsible Aromatherapy, offering a range of aromatherapy and Bath and Body Fragrances for the family.

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Five Tips when Buying Aromatherapy Oils

August 24, 2010 Leave a Comment

Five Tips when Buying Aromatherapy Oils

Aromatherapy has been around us for time immortal; however, it was only since some time back that it has regained popularity as a form of science and therapy. As the name suggests, it is a form of therapy that incorporates the use of fragrances.

It is important to buy and use the best of aromatherapy oils to get the maximum effects of it. On walking in an aromatherapy supply store, you may get confused on the best oils to be bought. However, let it be known that not all essential oils and sweat smelling candles on the shop shelf is effective in healing you. So it is important to follow these tips to enjoy aromatherapy to its best.

An important point to note when buying aromatherapy is its bottling. Never buy essential oils sold in clear or plastic bottles. This is because light damages the oil, and the oil itself is contaminated upon storing in plastic bottles.

It is not advisable to buy essential oils in bottles marked ‘perfume’ and ‘fragrance oil’. This is because these oils are usually not pure and essential aromatherapy oils. Though the word aromatherapy may be found on the label, and an identical perfume or fragrance oil label, it signifies that this oil has more unwanted perfumery chemicals and is not an essential oil.

Check for dust on your aromatherapy oil, or on any other product for that matter, on the cap or around its container. Products accumulating dust signify that the product is old, and not worth buying. And like other oils and solutions, the older the aromatherapy product is, they lower is its healing power and aromatic scent.

You can tell if you are dealing with genuine aromatherapy products by looking at its price. This is because different oils have different rates. The pure therapeutic oils are more expensive as they are exotic; they generally cost more than common aromatherapy oils. So if all the bottles of aromatherapy are the same, it would be wiser for you to think again before buying.

When buying aromatherapy oils, it is important that you do your share of research. This is because different oils have different therapeutic qualities. Cypress essential oils are used for the treatment of coughs and asthma while the scent of Patchouli is used for treating anxiety, healing skin conditions and depression.

Keep all these points in mind when buying your aromatherapy oils so that you will be assured of good products that will make you enjoy the healing power of aromatherapy.

Tracey Mumford is owner of Scentsible Aromatherapy, offering a range of Oil Burners and Diffusers and Body Fragrances for the family.

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Tea Tree Oil Wonders

August 24, 2010 1 Comment

Tea Tree Oil Wonders

Oil from “Down Under”, Tea tree oil is yellow / greenish tinged essential oil extracted from the leaves of Melaleuca Alternifolia.

Australian natives used tea tree for antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, insecticidal, and immune stimulant properties. The essential oil steam distilled from its leaves and twigs to treat range of ailments like cold, sores, acnes and even whooping cough. Combats skin infections, insect bites, and minor wounds and is a remedy for oral infections.

The balsamic woody antiseptic fragrant tea tree oil’s magical healing powers make it one of the best essential oils to have in your medicine closet. Beside lavender oil, tea tree oil can be used directly without any carrier oil. It can be used undiluted as it is non toxic, non-irritating. It is ideal to perform a patch test your skin before using it. Blends well with lavender, lemon, rosemary, and clove oils.

The much talked about oil treats vaginal yeast infections, plantar warts, warts and insect bites. Rubbing it on to scalp will help in getting rid of nits, dandruff and lice. Fights viruses, bacteria, fungi thereby boosting the immune system to ward off infectious disease. It can be used undiluted on wounds, minor cuts and insect bites. It cures the affected area by penetrating the skin and leaving no scars.

Tea tree oil is good remedy for acne. It heals the acne scars and unclogs the pores. Single large drop tea tree oil dabbed on the pimple may clear it up quickly. Few drops of tea tree oil to your warm bath relax and rejuvenate you. It helps to remove persistent body odor and soothe sore muscles. When added to water in pools, hot tubs and spas it controls bacteria.

Massage few drops of undiluted oil for athlete’s foot and ring worm infections. Inhalation of few drops of this oil is a great relief for persistent colds, flu, toothache, and cough. A dab of tea tree oil around your nose will open up clogged nose soothing sinuses.

Tea tree oil has been used effectively to treat abscess, blisters, burns, insect bites, oily skin, rashes, spots, warts and wounds. You can use tea tree oil to cure sunburns, diaper rash, toenail infections and problems of smelly feet.

Tea tree oil properties act as immune booster helping the body to fight off host of micro organisms that lead to reduction in body’s natural resistance power.

Kevin Pederson manages sites on Aromatherapy and its essential oils. Aromatherapy essential oils are concentrated extracts of plants and their roots, stems, flowers and fruits.

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Aromatherapy Candle

August 23, 2010 Leave a Comment

Aromatherapy Candle

Aromatherapy candles help you feel great. They offer you wonderful scents to help you relax and feel calm. Placing aromatherapy candles in your bathroom while you relax in the warm water will allow you to breath calmly and feel the tension leave your body from head to toe. You will need to select an aromatherapy candle for your specific need as they are designed to alter your mental state for the better. Some aromatherapy candles help you relax, others rejuvenate your energy. I love the ones that help you fall asleep, of course I have to make sure the candle is out before I am!

Charka are aromatherapy candles that are believed to have a metaphysical energy about them. They are made from natural herbs and waxes. These candles are often used during body massage sessions to help the customer relax and let the massage work out the stress and anxiety from the body. All types of aromatherapy candles can have a positive affect on your state of mind and your surroundings.

While it is common to choose candles based on their smell, it is important to choose aromatherapy candles based on what your physical and mental needs are. To create a sexy, sensual environment choose a Jasmine candle. For someone who is often tired or ran down, go for a rejuvenating or invigorating candle such as Spearmint or Peppermint. Orange and Grapefruit will help you stay focused and feel less frazzled and distracted.
Cintronella aromatherapy candles help reduce headaches, Chamomille helps you get a good night of sleep.

You want to choose an aromatherapy candle that has all natural ingredients. Some retailers add artificial ingredients to make the candle more appealing but it won’t provide you with the same benefits. You are encouraged to purchase soy aromatherapy candles instead of those made from paraffin wax. Soy candles are non-toxic, biodegradable, burn for hours, and they don’t produce smoke that can get into your lungs. Beeswax is a good choice too.

If you feel creative and adventurous you can make your own aromatherapy candles in your kitchen. You can make them for yourself or as great gifts for your friends and family. You can make the candle from aromatherapy oils that fit the personality of the person you plan to give it to. They will appreciate the personal touch as well as the benefits the candles provide them. For best results use soy wax or bees wax. You can purchase wicks, jars, color, aromatherapy oils, and wax online or at a craft store.

Melt your wax in a double boiler. When it completely melted add coloring and aromatherapy oil. Immediately pour the mixture into your candle jars. Place a wick in the center of the jar. Wrap it around a pencil at the top and lay it across the mouth of the jar. As your candles cool, make sure the wick is centered. Allow your candles to completely cool. This is a wonderful way for you to enjoy the best aromatherapy candles.

Get all the latest information about Aromatherapy from the only true source at http://www.myaromatherapyinfo.com Be sure to check out our aromatherapy candle pages.

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Health Benefits of Cinnamon

August 23, 2010 Leave a Comment

Health Benefits of Cinnamon

Cinnamon is one of the oldest known spices to mankind and is obtained from the bark of the cinnamon tree which is mostly found in India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Brazil, Vietnam and Egypt. Cinnamon has been associated with mankind since the days of the ancient civilizations when it served as an important embalming agent for the Egyptians in addition to being used as a medicine as well as a flavoring agent for beverages. Cinnamon was also associated with the ancient Chinese culture because its presence has been acknowledged in ancient Chinese documents dated 2700 B.C. dealing with botanical medicine. In due course of time, cinnamon acquired phenomenal popularity in Medieval Europe and was thus one of the first commodities which were traded between the Orient and the West.

Cinnamon is available in four main varieties out of which the Ceylon cinnamon and the Cassia cinnamon are the most popular. Cinnamon as a spice is actually the bark of the cinnamon tree which is dried and rolled and is subsequently referred to as cinnamon sticks or cinnamon quills. When this bark is dried and ground into powder, then the product is the cinnamon powder which is used in many culinary preparations. Many of the unique properties of cinnamon such as the medicinal attributes, the aroma and the flavor are due to the presence of three compounds in the essential oil of the bark namely the cinnamonaldehyde, the cinnamyl acetate and the cinnamyl alcohol.

There are numerous health benefits of cinnamon, many of which are listed as follows:

Cinnamon acts as a good anti-clotting and anti-inflammatory agent due to the presence of cinnamonaldehyde which prevents the blood platelets from clumping together and forming a clot. The anti-inflammatory property of cinnamon arises from the fact that if it is added to food it reduces the inflammation within the body by reducing the release of arachidonic acid from the cell membranes.
It has been scientifically proven that half a teaspoon of cinnamon powder along with a tablespoon of honey if taken every morning before breakfast provides noticeable relief from the arthritis pain to the extent that the patient can walk comfortably without feeling any pain within a month of starting this ritual.
Cinnamon is widely used as a natural food preservative because it inhibits bacterial growth and as a result prevents food from getting spoiled.

As a spice, cinnamon is rich in manganese, fiber, iron and calcium and thus incorporating it as a part of daily diet ensures the intake of these minerals into the body.
Individuals suffering from diabetes are advised to consume cinnamon on a regular basis as it is known to improve the ability of the body to respond to insulin which in turn normalizes the levels of sugar in the blood.

The aroma of cinnamon is known to enhance the cognitive functions of the brain and is also said to improve the memory of the person. Due to this attribute cinnamon is being evaluated as a remedy for the elderly and for patients with illnesses which lead to an eventual cognitive decline.

The use of cinnamon in combination with tea for treating cold and flu is an age-old home remedy which is widely used by the Chinese due to the warming properties of this spice.
Cinnamon is also known to reduce the risk of heart disease and is capable of providing relief from constipation and diarrhea as well.

Since cinnamon is not known to contain any allergy causing component like oxalates, purines and goitrogens it is considered to be safe for consumption and has even featured in the list of World’s Healthiest Foods Rating in the excellent category.

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Benefits of Apricot Kernel Oil

August 22, 2010 Leave a Comment

Benefits of Apricot Kernel Oil

World over people use massage therapy to help promote healthy skin, nourish and strengthen the body, relieve stress, reduce pain, and encourage balance and well being. Massage opens and increases the flow of energy, balancing the entire nervous system and helping to release physical and emotional disharmony. The many benefits of massage are enhanced by the use of high quality massage oil.

Apricot tree is the member of the rose family originating from Central and East Asia. The fruit, rich in vitamins is used to produce the pleasant smelling Apricot Kernel Oil. Apricot Kernel Oil is very mild natural oil, often used in baby products because of its fine gentle nature.

Apricot kernel oil is cold pressed and refined from the dried kernels of the apricot fruit. It is light in colour with pleasant nutty odor and used in manufacturer of creams, balms, lotions and cosmetics.

Sought out for its high vitamin E content and skin softening properties, apricot kernel oil is known for its ability to penetrate the skin without leaving an oily feel. Apricot kernel oil is also popular as massage oil and it used as carrier oil when used with essential oils for aromatherapy.

Rich in essential fatty acids like oleic and linoleic acid, apricot kernel oil is high in vitamin A. Since it easily penetrates the skin, it is good oil for prematurely aged, dry or irritated skin. The excellent softening and moisturizing properties is great for face, hands and hair. Vitamins A & C are good for mature dry or sensitive skin. The apricot kernel oil helps skin retain elasticity, clarity, and suppleness. Crushed Apricot Kernels are commonly used as a facial mask to soften the skin.

In addition, Apricot Kernel Oil is used as an antitussive, anti-asthmatic and to treat tumors in traditional Chinese medicine. It helps to calm the inflammation / irritation of eczema and dermatitis. When combined with an equal amount of St. John’s Wort Oil, it is acts as anti-inflammatory and has a cooling effect.

Due to its moisturizing, nourishing and revitalizing properties, apricot kernel oil is widely used for massage therapy.

Face Mask Formula – A soft paste made of 2 drops each of frankincense, rose and neroli oils, 6 tsp of apricot oil, 1 tsp clear melted honey and finely ground almond makes a good moisturizing face mask.

For nourished, soft and supple skin, rub apricot kernel oil on your body daily.

Acne Fusion – Pour 1 ounce of apricot kernel oil, 12 drops of lavender essential oil, 7 drops of tea tree essential oil and 1 drop of geranium essential oil in amber coloured clean bottle. Close it tightly and roll the bottle to mix the blend. Apply a small amount of this blend to the acne affected area.

Kevin Pederson manages sites related to Massage Therapy, a combination of science and art; provides a relaxing experience by artistic hand strokes on the body to rejuvenate the mind and body and eliminate stress scientifically.

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An Introduction to Essential Oils

August 22, 2010 Leave a Comment

An Introduction to Essential Oils

An essential oil is a liquid that is obtained through the distillation process. This liquid is extracted from different parts of a plant, i.e. its roots, its leaves, its stems, and its bark. Don’t let the name throw you; essential oils aren’t really oils at all, and they don’t leave you with an oily sensation either.

Because essential oils are extracted from plant material, they often contain the nutritional essence of the plants themselves. In concentrated form, these essential oils can impart incredible health benefits, if and when they are ingested into the body.

Some essential oils are combinations of several oils. These combined blends allow you to gain the benefits of each individual essential oil at a much lower price than if you bought the oils individually. Of course, if you like mixing your oils yourself, you should probably steer clear of these.

Essential Oils and Aromatherapy

You already know that essential oils contain a large amount of nutrients. But how can you take advantage of those same nutrients? You could probably swallow the extracts, but they might not go down so well. So what are the alternatives?

One alternative is to use the essential oil as a lotion. What you do is you dilute the essential oil with a carrier oil, such as apricot kernel oil or grape seed oil. You then apply the mixture as you would a lotion.

The other alternative is aromatherapy. By using the essential oils in an aromatherapy session, you will be able to enjoy the physical and psychological benefits that they offer. In an aromatherapy session, you inhale vapor produced from the oils. The aroma will enter your body, enter your lungs, and get absorbed into your bloodstream.

How Much Do Essential Oils Cost?

Depending on the rarity and function of the oil involved, the price may vary. Essential oils that are relatively common will be priced lower than those that are hard to find. Oils that are more difficult to extract will be more expensive as well.

Essential Oils and Your Safety

Although essential oils can be used to improve your health, in some ways they can worsen it as well. The best way to think of an essential oil is as a prescription drug. They’re that powerful. You should never use such drugs without knowing much about them – it’s the same with essential oils.

First, always read up on the oil that you are planning to use. Take careful notice of the physiological changes that it can induce. Take note of the potential side effects as well.

Second, never take essential oils internally. Keep in mind that these are extracts; in other words they are highly concentrated liquids. In most cases it is unsafe to drink them. Stick to the skin application and the aromatherapy.

Dustin Cannon is owner of JustArticles.com and writes on a variety of subjects. To learn more about essential oils Dustin recommends you visit: World Wide Shopping Mall

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