Aromatherapy Recipes
Do not copy or distribute any portion of this page without the authors written permission. © 1996
Using herbs for
creating delightful fragrances and pure cosmetics is a tradition
that dates back thousands of years. The history of the ancient
Egyptians is rich with references of the use of aromatic herbs
and essential oils. Essential oils were used to adorn their
bodies, maintain health, and as part of their religious
ceremonies. The Greeks learned to use fragrant herbs from the
Egyptians and relied upon imports from Egypt to supply many
exotic oils. Hippocratic, the father of medicine, advised his
patients to take a bath and massage daily with essential oils to
maintain good health. Much of the knowledge and experience from
these ancient cultures is still important to the formulation of
cosmetics today.
ESSENTIAL OILS
Essential oils are highly
concentrated pure oils derived from herbs and flowers. Not all
plants produce essential oils and they are present in different
quantities in different plants. It takes about 12 lemons to
produce an ounce of lemon essential oil and over 2000 pounds of
rose petals to produce an ounce of rose essential oil.
Each essential oil has unique
psychological influences and medicinal properties. Pure essential
oils act upon the olfactory senses sending direct messages to the
brain. The different aromas have the ability to produce changes
in our emotions by triggering memories and the release of
endorphins in the brain. Endorphins are hormone-like chemicals
that can produce gratifying sensations, euphoria and a sense of
well-being.
Many essential oils contain the
healing qualities of the plant and can be used to aid healing of
cuts, wounds, burns, bacterial and fungal infections through
topical application or inhalation.
Almost all essential oils should
be diluted before use. Some are very irritating to the skin full
strength. Never use essential oils internally without direction
from your holistic doctor.
When you shop for essential oils
make sure it is labeled pure essential oil. If the label says
fragrance, aromatic oil, scented oil, or perfume you are probably
buying a synthetic blend. Synthetic fragrances do not have the
same aromatherapy properties as essential oils and may contain
harmful chemicals.
BERGAMOT - Promotes confidence
& courage. Eases tension, anxiety, worry and depression.
Helps regulate menstrual cycle, relieve P.M.S. and menopause.
Antiseptic properties aid skin problems such as acne. Helps heal
cold sores. Caution: Increases photosensitivity: don't apply
before exposure to direct sunlight.
CHAMOMILE - Gentle, calming,
soothing. Eases depression, stress, anger and irritability. Aids
insomnia. Soothes sensitive or irritated skin. Soothing massage
for painful muscles or joints.
CLARY SAGE - Brings tranquillity
to the mind and emotions, calms anxiety. Promotes deep sleep and
vivid dreams. Helps regulate menstrual cycle and relieve P.M.S.
Regenerates skin cells, excellent for skin care. Promotes hair
growth. Don't use during pregnancy.
EUCALYPTUS - Purifies and clears
negative energy. Helps alleviate grief and sorrow. Antiseptic and
antimicrobial properties useful for respiratory infections.
JASMINE - Emotionally warming and
uplifting. Stimulates creativity, imagination, fantasy and
dreams. Eases depression, apathy, lack of confidence. Soothes and
rehydrates skin.
LAVENDER - Brings clarity, peace
of mind, emotional balance. Eases insomnia, depression, stress,
impatience, worry and shock. Helps regulate menstrual cycle and
relieve P.M.S.. Helps alleviate headaches. Strong antiseptic and
antimicrobial properties useful for burns & wounds, colds,
flu, and skin irritations. May use undiluted.
LEMON - Promotes mental clarity
and decisiveness. Energizing, brings cheer and humor into ones
life. Digestive tonic. Aids healing of wounds and infections.
Dilute before using. Caution: Increases photosensitivity:
don't apply before exposure to direct sunlight.
ORANGE - Encourages trust,
confidence, and tolerance. Bright and cheerful. Promotes friendly
interactions with others. Relaxing and calming. Caution:
Increases photosensitivity: don't apply before exposure to direct
sunlight.
PATCHOULI - Encourages
individuality, centeredness and stability. Alleviates fatigue,
confusion and depression. Helps regenerate skin cells, useful for
skin problems.
PEPPERMINT - Helps clear negative
energy. Stimulates the mind, aids concentration and decisiveness.
Helps relieve symptoms of cold and flu, aids digestion. Flavoring
for herbal products such as breath freshener. Don't use during
pregnancy.
ROSE - Awakens, inspires and
brightens the heart. Enhances creativity and invokes appreciation
of beauty and harmony. Relieves tension, depression, sadness and
grief. Balances and regulates female reproductive system. Aids
regeneration of skin cells, excellent for skin problems and
general skin care.
ROSEMARY - Promotes
self-confidence, courage. Stimulates mental clarity, memory, and
creativity. Rejuvenates skin cells. Stimulates hair growth. Aids
healing of wounds. Don't use during pregnancy.
SANDALWOOD - Quiets mind and
emotions. Relaxing, calming, eases stress, tension and fear.
Soothing, moisturizing and astringent for the skin.
TANGERINE - Inspires sensitivity
and empathy. Brings cheer and light. Calms stress and tension.
Caution: Increases photosensitivity: don't apply before exposure
to direct sunlight.
TEA TREE - Antibacterial and
antifungal oil useful for treating acne, cold sores, eczema,
rashes, candida. Useful for many types of wounds, burns, and
infections. May use full strength.
YLANG YLANG - Inspires creativity
and appreciation for beauty. Euphoric, eases depression, calms
nerves and soothes negative emotions. Eases P.M.S.. Stimulates
hair growth. Balances oily skin.
From Aromatherapy
Awareness Guide: The Therapeutic Benefits and Uses of Natural
Essential Oils. By Legion of Light
PERFUME BLENDS
Many essential oils are wonderful
fragrances all by themselves but you can have a lot of fun
experimenting with different combinations to create your own
perfume blends.
To create your own perfume you
will need a base of distilled water, alcohol and distilled water,
or oil. To mix an alcohol and water solution, mix equal parts of
each. Vodka is preferred because it is odorless and less toxic
than isopropyl alcohol. You will need to add 5-10 drops of
essential oil to each ounce of base depending upon the strength
of fragrance you prefer. Pour your base into a perfume bottle or
atomizer leaving some room at the top. Add your essential oils
and shake well.
The following are pleasant combinations using just two
essential oils.
CHAMOMILE & LAVENDER
LAVENDER & ORANGE
PEPPERMINT & LAVENDER
ORANGE & BERGAMOT
LAVENDER & ORANGE
ROSEWOOD & LEMON
| ANXIETY |
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UP-LIFTING |
| 3 DROPS
CLARY SAGE |
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4 DROPS LAVENDER |
| 2 DROPS
BERGAMOT |
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2 DROP ROSEMARY |
| 2 DROPS
GERANIUM |
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2 DROP GERANIUM |
| 1 DROP
CHAMOMILE |
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2 DROP LEMON |
| 1 DROP YLANG YLANG |
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| CALMING |
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ENERGIZING |
| 3 DROP ROSEWOOD |
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4 DROPS GERANIUM |
| 3 DROP LAVENDER |
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4 DROPS ROSEMARY |
| 2 DROP CHAMOMILE |
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2 DROPS BERGAMOT |
| 2 DROP YLANG YLANG |
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2 DROPS PEPPERMINT |
| PEACE |
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ENERGIZING |
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| 5 DROP SANDALWOOD |
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5 DROPS PEPPERMINT |
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| 5 DROP VANILLA |
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5 DROPS LEMON |
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| UP-LIFTING |
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PEACE (more) |
| 4 DROP LAVENDER |
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4 DROPS JASMINE |
| 2 DROP CHAMOMILE |
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4 DROPS ROSE |
| 2 DROP YLANG YLANG |
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2 DROP PATCHOULI |
| 2 DROP CLARY SAGE |
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References and suggested
readings:
Complete herbal guide to Natural
Health and Beauty. Dian Dincin Buchman. Connecticut. Keats
Publishing. 1995.
Consumer's Dictionary of Cosmetic
Ingredients. Ruth Winter. New York. Crown Publishers.1989.
Herb Book. John Lust. New York.
Bantam Books. 1974.
Herbal Body Book. Stephanie
Tourles. Vermont. Storey Publishing.1994.
Herbal Healing For Women.
Rosemary Gladstar. New York. Fireside. 1993.
Home - Made and at a Fraction of
the Cost. Polly Pinder. Kent. Search Press. 1983.
Jeanne Rose's Kitchen Cosmetics.
Jeanne Rose. California. North Atlantic Books.1990.
Natural Beauty at Home. Janice
Cox. New York. Henry Holt & Co. 1994
Natural Health : The Guide To
Well - being. Jan/ Feb. 1995. Vol. 25. # 1. How to Use Gentle
Herbs to Clean, Soothe, and Refresh Your Skin.. p. 72-77.
Skin Deep. Margaret Dinsdale. New
York. Camden House publishing. 1994.
Way of Herbs. Michael
Tierra,C.A., N.D.. New York. Pocket Books. 1990.
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