Aromatherapy: Another Approach Cold and Flu Season

from; http://www.redrootmountain.com/aromatherapy-another-approach-cold-and-flu-season/20

There was once an herbalist I knew who swore off illness. He believed that illness was a state of mind. He claimed that he had not been ill for years. Perhaps it was his state of mind, and perhaps it was the fact that he was a hermit living in a remote part of New Mexico with no kids, not a lot of friends and no mate. The reality for most of us is that we will get sick this winter. How we handle it is our choice. Because there is a wealth of information given on herbs for colds and flu, this article is dedicated to some of my favorite heavy-hitting essential oils and formulas to help brighten those dark winter months; the months that are often spent coughing and sneezing, or worse.

The Theory

French aroma therapists wished to formulate specific oils for infection, and were surprised by their findings. Doctors took the same strain of viral and bacterial samples from many different people. They combined these samples with single essential oils to see what was most effective. They discovered that different essential oils were effective against the infection on a per person basis. Meaning that one person with strep may respond well to cinnamon oil, while another with the same strain of strep didn’t respond to cinnamon as well, but responded to thyme. This information can make it difficult to get specific. But based on their studies, the French have given us an excellent general marker of essential oils most effective against certain strains of bacterial and viral infections.

Using just that specific oil is not enough. Illness is multi-dimensional. A part of the proof is in the symptom picture. If we view illness as a dissonance that is created in the body, we must admit that it takes more than one note to create that dissonance. The germ is doing many things to thrive. We then create a formula that restores harmony. And finally, after a bit of work, we come to the point where homeostasis is restored.

When using an aromatherapy formula for relief of an acute illness I recommend several paths to support health: first, know your symptom picture and choose oils accordingly. It is tempting when dealing with alternative modalities to throw everything at the illness. But keep your formula simple to make a powerful healing agent that saves resources and cuts costs.

Secondly, chose oils that are effective immune boosters. Unbeknownst to many, adding one from this category makes a world of difference. It can often mean the difference between getting full-blown sick, and being a bit under the weather.

Finally, when possible, employ the use of essential oils as anti-infective agents that are specific to what you believe you may have or have been diagnosed with.

The Oils:

I will give a brief introduction to the oils. This information is in no way complete, but merely an example of what these oils can do for you. Following that, I will list some general formulas I have used in my practice and how to incorporate them into your treatment. I encourage people to pick their own formulas based on the information given.

The List

Bay laurel, chamomile, cinnamon, eucalyptus globules, frankincense, lavender, lemon, marjoram, myrrh, thyme and vetiver.

I would only add oregano to this list as I've used it many times during cold/flu season, or when I felt a bit ill, and it seemed to work wonders.

Another important factor in choosing essential oils is make sure they are thereapeutic grade if you're going to use them for healing purposes! I can not stress this enough as diluted or synthesized oils simply will not work for these purposes. If you'd like to know more about how to choose the right essential oils, read my article here : http://www.ehow.com/how_5210721_choose-essential-oils-real-thing.html

Categorization of Uses

Lymphatics and Immune Boosters: vetiver, frankincense, and bay laurel

Respiratory: cinnamon, marjoram, thyme, eucalyptus globules, myrrh,

and frankincense

Sinus: eucalyptus globules, thyme,

Anti-Infective Agents: cinnamon, lavender, marjoram, thyme, lemon,

eucalyptus globules

Sedative So-You-Can Rest: chamomile, vetiver, marjoram, lavender

Headaches: chamomile, lavender, eucalyptus

Materia Medica

Bay Laurel (Laurus nobilis):

Anti-infective, anti-inflammatory especially used for lymphatic inflammation, sedative; use for colds, flu, inflamed lymphatic conditions

Chamomile (Matricaria recutica, Chamaemelum nobile):

Anti-inflammatory, sedative; headache insomnia

Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum)

Contraindications: sun exposure, sensitive skin

Anti bacterial, anti viral, anti fungal, cold conditions of the lung; uses found by French: effective against staph, strep, pneumonia, meningitis

Eucalyptus globules:

Analgesic, antiviral, decongestant, expectorant; sinus and respiratory infections, headaches, muscle aches and pains; to less of a degree, the French found eucalyptus to be effective for the same things cinnamon was

Frankincense (Boswellia carterii):

Strong immune-stimulant, lifts depressed energy, antiseptic, expectorant; respiratory conditions, colds and flu

Lavender (Lavendula angustifolia.):

Anti-spasmodic, antiseptic, antispasmodic; flu, spastic cough, respiratory distress and infection, headaches, appropriate for migraines, nervous tension, insomnia, muscle aches and pains

Lemon (Citrus limon):

Contraindications: sun exposure, sensitive skin

Strong antiseptic, diaphoretic; colds, flu, fevers, respiratory and throat infections

Marjoram (Origanum majorana):

Contraindications: pregnancy

Antiseptic, antispasmodic, antiviral, bactericidal, diaphoretic, expectorant, sedative; muscle aches and pains, respiratory conditions with spastic cough (used for whooping cough in France), colds, headaches, insomnia

Myrrh (Commiphora myrrha)

Contraindications: pregnant

Anti-inflammatory, antiviral; respiratory infections, and throat infections (as a gargle),

Thyme (Thymus vulgaris):

Contraindications: glaucoma

Antispasmodic, anti-bacterial and viral, expectorant; respiratory illness, sinus, colds and flu, insomnia, headaches; excellent against infectious illnesses; the French found thyme to be almost as effective as cinnamon in fighting the same bacteria

Vetiver (Vetiveria zizanoides)

Strong immune-stimulant, strengthens circulation, calming

Sample Formulas and Their Uses

Immune Tonic Formula for cold prevention: Vetiver, eucalyptus globules, lavender, myrrh, cinnamon

I recommend making a 3% dilution of this for periodic use. Add 4 drops of each oil to 1 oz. of carrier oil…almond, grape seed, jojoba or apricot seed oil. This is a strong dilution, but is effective if applied immediately. I use it on myself when my kids are sick. During allergy season I replace the cinnamon with peppermint and use it throughout. If you feel a cold or illness arising, apply several times daily and before bed on neck and chest.

Respiratory and Sinus Support: cinnamon, lavender, marjoram, eucalyptus globules

Mix equal parts of these pure essential oils in a bottle with an orifice reducer (plastic insert that slows flow to drops). Add about 6 drops to a cool water humidifier during the day and overnight. I recommend re-adding the drops about every 3 hours.

Neck Rub for Lymphatic Swelling: bay laurel, vetiver, frankincense

Bay laurel is quite strong, and should only be used for about a week. I make a 3% dilution of this one as well. Add 7 drops of each oil to 1 oz. of carrier oil (oils as mentioned in Immune Tonic formula). Apply to lymph nodes in the neck or anywhere there is lymphatic swelling. To continue use for more than a week, substitute something else for bay laurel.

Anti-infectious Hand Spray: lavender, thyme, cinnamon, vetiver, lemon

We use this a lot in our house. I have also been known to add eucalyptus to it instead of lemon. Add 12 drops of each oil to a spray bottle with 2 oz. of witch hazel and 2 oz. of distilled water. Shake before each use. We use this to spray our hands instead of using anti-bacterial hand gel. Spray some on a paper towel and wipe down phones, light switches and computer keyboards. Spray handles, doorknobs, and faucets…anything that needs decontaminating.

You can do everything right and still get sick. Getting sick can be part of our development. Kids need to develop their immune system, and grow. They get pushed to their developmental limits, their defenses go down, and they get sick. Adults grow, too. When we stress, we are pushed to our emotional and sometimes physical breaking point. This point forces us to make physical choices about how we are living our lives, and to grow emotionally and spiritually. It is at this time when our defenses are down, and we get sick. It is our body’s way of telling us to take a rest and evaluate.

Whatever the reason, essential oils can lessen the discomfort, severity and duration of illness in many cases. They can help us rest in the wake of distress, and there is great therapy in appealing to our sense of smell. It is important to remember that with plant therapies formulating per person is best. It is within this holistic approach that we fight the infection, while also supporting the specific needs and rebalancing the system of the individual.

Disclaimer: There is a time and a place for medical intervention and drug therapy. If you have any concern, symptoms are worsening and you are not getting better with in 5-7 days, consult your doctor. They are the only folks legally able to diagnose your condition. You can usually continue your alternative therapies along with drug therapy, and sometimes a diagnosis can help you more appropriately chose what alternative approach you enlist. Consult a trained practitioner for their advice on contraindications and drug interaction. And always check contraindications of essential oils and herbs before beginning any therapy if you have reason to be concerned.

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The Word is Spreading, Avoid Phthalates!

’ve been preaching about the negative side effects of fragrance oils and phthalates for some time now. But for many people the message is just hitting home today with the release a study in the February edition of Pediatrics.

The study's lead author, Dr. Sheela Sathyanarayana, a University of Washington pediatrician, has finally brought the issue of the dangers of phthalates to the main stream media. The study as been reported all day on the news networks like the Fox News, ABC, and the Washington Post. Even the critics are talking about the study at the PR Newswire.

Phthalates are used in the cosmetic industry as fixatives to hold fragrances. Most fragrance oils on the market contain phthalates in order to insure that the scent will linger on the skin and clothes longer. We are exposed to phthalates everyday. Phthalates are found in most commercial fragrances that are not 100% pure unadulterated essential oils. Your family is exposed to phthalates in: commercial air fresheners, plug-in air fresheners, laundry and household products, baby products, perfumes, cosmetics, shampoos, conditioners, deodorants, shower gels and much more. In order to avoid phthalates you must avoid adding fragrance oils to your products or purchase phthalate-free fragrances.

Some believe we should wait for more studies to come out to determine the exact extent of the dangers of phthalates. I believe consumers have learned their lesson with waiting for more studies to prove the dangers in the case of cigarettes. Why risk waiting for more studies when the only purpose to use phthalates in cosmetics is as a fixative or adhesive for fragrance? Babies don’t need to smell like their lotion, shampoo, diaper ointment or laundry soap all day long, and neither do we. All companies should demand the removal of phthalates from fragrance chemicals or switch to unadulterated essential oils. Despite significant evidence from many studies, Stephanie Kwisnek, a spokeswoman for the Food and Drug Administration, said that the FDA "has no compelling evidence that phthalates pose a safety risk when used in cosmetics. Should new data emerge, we will inform the public as well as the industry." (Associated Press)

Consumers have the power to change the cosmetic industry as proven by the public outcry for paraben-free products, which did transform the industry from the outside in. In the coming months I expect that consumers will become more educated on this subject and demand “phthalate free” products. This will not only change the way consumers read baby product labels, but how they look at all cosmetic, personal care and household product labels. With a peek into the mysterious ingredients hidden behind the term “fragrance oils”, consumers will wonder what other ingredients are going undisclosed. Now is the time to transition your product line to be either “fragrance free” or scented with only 100% pure unadulterated essential oils.

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Paraben Puzzle

Answers To Some Of Your Questions About Parabens

arabens. What are they? Do they work? Are they dangerous? These are just a few of the questions I get at least a few times a day, every day. Hopefully, this post clears up some of the paraben puzzlement. Parabens are esters of para-hydroxibenzoic acid that have been used as preservatives in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and foods for many years. The most common parabens are: Methylparaben, Propylparabens, Ethylparaben, Benzylparaben, Isobutylparaben and Butylparaben.

They are commonly used in bundles that include two or more parabens and/or other preservatives. Two good examples of paraben bundled preservatives include: LiquaPar containing; Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Isopropylparaben, Isobutylparaben, Butylparaben; and Germaben II containing; Propylene Glycol, Diazolidinyl Urea, Methylparaben, Propylparaben.

Are Parabens Dangerous?: One Study Says "Maybe," But ...

A study in the UK found the presence of intact parabens in 20 samples of human breast tumors. However, this research was not scientifically balanced. It is unclear if the parabens arrived in the tumors via food, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, deodorants or from the solutions used to preserve and process the tumors. It is unknown if parabens caused the tumors or if parabens appear in healthy breast tissue. It is also unknown whether or not the parabens would have been sweated out of the body without the use of antiperspirants and naturally flushed out of the system. Sweating is one of the natural mechanisms of elimination for our body. When we use antiperspirants one has to wonder if we are allowing our waste to pool up in our bodies.

One other question that was not addressed in the issue was whether or not the patients had received chemotherapy or other drug therapies which contain parabens themselves. All the unanswered questions make it difficult to assess whether the cosmetic industry had anything to do with the results of this study. A great deal of research still needs to go into the paraben question.

Manufacturer Response

In the meantime, the cosmetic industry has responded and many companies have reformulated their products. It is wise to learn about the other preservatives that have taken their place. A great deal of research went into choosing the right paraben-free preservative systems for Yellowstar*Essentials. The needs of our customers cover a wide range of consumers. We believe it is critical to provide a safe and effective preservative system.

Parabens Are All Around Us

Parabens are well hidden in many ingredients and even those who are attempting to avoid them with more “natural” choices are finding them hidden in their ingredients. For instance, many version of hyaluronic acid in solution on the market today are preserved with Phenonip, which contains Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Butylparaben, Ethylparaben, Propylparaben. We make our own hyaluronic acid in solution in order to avoid stow-away ingredients. We also make our own aloe juice and extracts because they are commonly filled with unwanted ingredients as well.

Another ingredient that many people use in pursuit of a natural product is Grapefruit Seed Extract (GSE). However, this natural preservative is commonly adulterated with synthetic preservatives. A study by the Institute of Pharmacy, Ernst Moritz Arndt University, Greifswald, Germany stated, “The antimicrobial efficacy as well as the content of preservative agents of six commercially grapefruit seed extracts were examined. Five of the six extracts showed a high growth-inhibiting activity against the test germs. In all of the antimicrobial active grapefruit seed extracts, the preservative benzethonium chloride was detected by thin layer chromatography.

Additionally, three extracts contained the preserving substances triclosan and methyl paraben. In only one of the grapefruit seed extracts tested no preservative agent was found. However, with this extract as well as with several self-made extracts from seed and juiceless pulp of grapefruits (Citrus paradisi), no antimicrobial activity could be detected. Thus, it is concluded that the potent as well as nearly universal antimicrobial activity being attributed to grapefruit seed extract is merely due to the synthetic preservative agents contained within. Natural products with antimicrobial activity do not appear to be present.”

Concerning GSE the USDA said, “Confirming an earlier study by researchers in Germany we found that some commercial grapefruit seed extracts contain benzethonium chloride, a synthetic antimicrobial agent commonly used in cosmetics and only approved for topical use, at relatively high levels of 8%.” And according to the Swiss Toxicological Information Center, “Grapefruit seed extracts containing benzethonium chloride in concentrations of 7-11% represent a major health risk if larger amounts of a concentrated solution are ingested (i.e. by mouth). Exposure of the skin or the eye may cause toxic symptoms. The Swiss Toxicological Information Center discourages consumers from administration of these extracts unless it is known which of them are containing benzethonium chloride and what the concentrations are."

The Discussion Continues

The debate regarding parabens and preservatives in general is certainly not finished. It is important that we continue to do research and learn more about the safety of the ingredients that we are exposed to everyday. I believe it is critical that all research be scientifically sound with all areas addressed. The cosmetic industry may have ‘thrown the baby out with the bath water’ in the case of parabens. It is vital that we not replace parabens with chemicals that are more dangerous or that do not practice full disclosure in the pursuit of being “paraben-free”.

A Closer Look at a Few Common Ingredients

A Closer Look at Aloe Products

There is a great deal of confusion regarding Aloe products. The number one point of confusion is regarding the viscosity of aloe products. Consumers expect Aloe Juice to look and feel like Aloe Jelly. Many consumers believe that the thick jelly on the market came straight from the plant itself. But in reality the jelly like product is made by adding a thickener. The most common thickening agent is a combination of Carbomer (a.k.a. Carbopol) and TEA (Thiethanolamine), however there a few on the market that use a gum like Xanthan or Guar Gum.

Carbomer and TEA are chemicals that work in conjunction to create a synergetic force that both thickens and changes the surface tension of any water based product, thus creating a jelly. The viscosity confusion, I believe, is created by two factors. One being that consumers are most familiar with the clear or green Aloe Gel products commonly sold on the market. The front of the label says that it is Aloe Gel and not everyone reads the ingredient list. The second cause for confusion is that if you ever cut a piece of an aloe leaf, the inside (fillet) appears to be gelatinous and thick. However, the thickness comes from the pulp and fiber that is removed when aloe is processed. Even if the fillet is left intake with the pulp and fiber the required preservation method would thin out the finished product. Be aware that there are also some thick Aloe Gel products which contain acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylates Crosspolymer in addition to Carbomer and TEA. Read labels and ask questions.

In reality, pure Aloe Juice has the same consistency and viscosity as water. Aloe Juice is created by reconstituting freeze dried, cryo-dried, or spray dried aloe powder with deionized water to a single strength equivalency (SSE). Once the Aloe Powder is reconstituted the finished product requires preservatives in order to remain stable. While there is Aloe Juice on the market that is simply pressed, Aloe leaves the resulting juice is unstable and not thick like Aloe Jelly. A fresh unpreserved Aloe Juice needs to be treated like any other food grade juice that you purchase at the grocery store. It requires refrigeration and has a short shelf life. This short shelf life makes it unfriendly for cosmetic purposes. We have tested the preservative free aloe juice products on the market and they tested positive for bacteria and mold. If you make a product using this unpreserved aloe your product becomes unstable, despite preservatives added to the finished product.

We have run tests using many different methods of preservation using the unpreserved aloe juice and all of them have failed. The simple fact is that you must start your formulas with stable ingredients. The only way around using preserved Aloe Juice is to formulate using Aloe Powder, Aloe Oil or Aloe Butter and then use a preservative system that is stable and acceptable to you for your finished product. At Yellowstar*Essentials we have chosen to preserve our Aloe Juice with Potassium Sorbate and Citric Acid (to adjust the pH). We believe that this is the safest and gentles method we could use. Be aware that there are other aloe juice products that contain glyceryl polymethalcrylate and propylene glycol.
Aloe Oil and Aloe Butter are created when the constituents of aloe are extracted into a carrier oil. The aloe plant does not naturally create an oil or butter. Using Aloe Oil or Aloe Butter in a formula is a great alternative to Aloe Juice because the butter and oil do not require preservatives. When creating a product that does not have a water phase, formulating with Aloe Oil and Aloe Butter allows aloe to be added simply to your product.

Aloe Butter is created by extracting aloe into coconut oil. Our Aloe Oil is created by extracting aloe into soy bean oil with added vitamin E to enhance the shelf life and antioxidant properties of the finished product. Be aware that there are some Aloe Oil products that contain mineral oil on the market. There are hundreds of different formulas and processing methods in which aloe is available on the market. It is no wonder that there are many people who believe they are allergic to aloe. In reality they are most likely allergic to an added anti-caking agent, preservative or thicken agents used in different forms of aloe. There are no ingredients on the market today that are 100% hyper allergenic because allergies are complex and varied. With that said it still is more likely that people are allergic to something other than the pure aloe. If you wonder if you are truly allergic to aloe the very best method to determine if aloe is the culprit is to snip off a piece of an aloe leaf and do a patch test.

A Closer Look at Fractionated Coconut Oil

Fractionated coconut oil has an indefinite shelf life and is light, non-greasy, non-staining, liquid oil. It is great for use in massage, toiletries, aromatherapy and soap. Fractionated coconut oil is a very good choice for use with essential oils, as it helps carry therapeutic oils under the skin. Fractionated coconut oil can be used in creams, lotions, bath oils, bath salts and soap. Fractionated coconut oil is especially useful in face creams where light oil is desired. It is a good substitute for sweet almond oil if you are concerned about rancidity or a short shelf life. My favorite use for fractionated coconut oil is as a base for a massage oil because it does not leave the sheets rancid smelling.

Many people are familiar with whole coconut oil which is a solid a room temperature but do not have experience with Fractionated Coconut oil. But if you haven't tried it you are missing out on a truly great product carrier (fixed) oil product.

All carrier oils consist of a class of molecules called fatty acid triglycerides which means they contain three, long-chain fatty ester groups. Most all plant derived carrier oils consist entirely of what are called "unsaturated" fatty acid triglycerides which means they have one or more carbon-carbon double bonds in their long fatty ester side chains which are typically 16 to 20+ carbon units long. The double bonds in these side chains are susceptible to oxidation over time and their reactions with oxygen are what produce the rancid odor that you may have noticed in your carrier oils when they get old.

Whole coconut oil also has some quite long unsaturated fatty acid triglycerides (which is why it is a solid at room temperature). But Fractionated Coconut oil is special in that it has a relatively high percentage of shorter length (C8, C10 ), completely saturated (no double bonds) triglycerides. These smaller fatty acid triglycerides are separated from the whole coconut oil to give us what is known as "Fractionated Coconut Oil."

Coconut oil is the number one oil used to make surfactants and castile soap because of it produces a nice lather. Coconut in its pure form when it has not gone through a chemical synthesis with another ingredient is not in any way drying to the skin. Some surfactant based cleansers that are formulated to strip the skin do the leave it feeling dry and that is wrongly blamed on the coconut. Typically cleansers that are formulated for oily skin are designed to strip away the oily layer on the skin. Many consumers feel that their skin is truly clean in this state however, the skin produces more oil because it is dry and a vicious cycle of oily, dry, oily, dry is created. Soaps and cleansers can wash away the protective layer of oil and acid on our skin leaving it feeling tight and dry. Using a coconut based moisturizer helps make the skin feel better as well as help reestablish the protective layer of oil.

A Closer Look at Coconut Oil

Pure coconut oil has a small molecular structure which allows it to be easily absorbed by the skin. It leaves the skin feeling soft and smooth but not oily. Coconut oil is great for the skin because of its antioxidant properties, which also attributes to the long shelf life coconut oil has. The antioxidants in coconut oil stop the chain reaction of free-radicals creating more free-radicals. Because of the antioxidants, coconut oil not only softens your skin but protects it from further damage, while promoting healthy skin. Coconut oil is also the riches source of good medium chain fatty acids, which our sebum also produces as a protective layer on the skin to kill harmful germs.

Coconut oil is vegetable sourced oil that is naturally free of the need for pesticides and other chemicals to grow and harvest. Some of the myths about coconut oil come from the belief in post World War II times that coconut contained high levels of cholesterol, which internally or topically would result in acne. Current research on the chemical composition of coconut oil has proven that it does not contain cholesterol at all. Coconut oil contains lauric acid, which actually supports the antibacterial activity of the skin’s cells.

Coconut oil contains the fatty acids caprylic acid, capric acid and lauric acid. Many of the coconut derived ingredients can be identified easily by these fatty acids. Coconut oil consists of 90% saturated fat. It is made up mostly of medium chain triglycerides which are 92% saturated fatty acids (44.6% lauric acid, 16.8% myristic acid, 8.2% palmictic acid, 8% caprylic acid), 6% monounsaturated fatty acids (oleic acid) and 2% polyunsaturated fatty acids (linoleic acid). Coconut melts at 76°F but if stored at a cooler temperature is solid. Coconut oil resists rancidity because it is slow to oxidize.

It is interesting to note that the only other naturally occurring source of lauric acid is mother's milk.

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I hope this post has helped you decipher a few of the commonly seen ingredients and help you make your purchase decisions more easily in the future.

Thanks for reading!

What Roast Do You Like Your Coffee? Learn Your Roasts

Do you like coffee???
It's an absolute must for me (if not coffee then at least a cup of flavorful tea in the morning). I like to use a french press to make my cuppa joe as it seems to enhance all the wonderful nuances of the beans. And I can make it as strong as I want each time.

Many people grind their beans themselves, to ensure a fresh and flavourful cup of coffee. But not as many people roast their own. Whether you are a home-roaster or not, knowing the different roast levels and their taste characteristics can be helpful when purchasing coffee.

What exactly does roasting do? The sugars, fats and starches that are within the bean are emulsified, caramelized and released. This creates the delicate coffee oil. This oil is what gives coffee its distinctive aroma and taste.

In general, lighter roasts are sharper and more acidic than the darker roasts. Darker roasts have a fuller flavor. Beans that have been over-roasted will take on a burned, smoky or charcoal flavor. Also, there is less caffeine in the darker roasted coffees than in the lighter ones. The roast alone doesn't determine the resulting coffee taste or quality. The origin of the beans makes a big difference. A bean from Ethiopia will taste differently than a bean from India, even if they are both French roast.

Here are the basic roast terms. Many are used interchangeably, so be careful.

Cinnamon
The bean is light brown, and dry (no oil visible). The flavour is baked or "bready", like toasted grain. There will likely be definite sour tones. There is not much body in cinnamon roasted coffee.

New England
A term not as frequently used as the others, though this roast is apparently common in the eastern United States. It's a little darker than the cinnamon roast, but without the grainy flavour. New England roast will still have some sour tones to it.

American, Light
Medium light brown beans. This roast is the norm for eastern USA. This roast (and sometimes cinnamon as well) is the most often used for cupping or professional tasting.

City, Medium
The colour is darker still, more of a medium brown (think chocolate). This roast is common in the western parts of the USA. This roast is a good choice to taste the differences between varietals.

Full City
Medium dark brown beans. The beans will start to show some oily drops on the surface with this roast. Full City will have caramel or chocolate undertones.

French, Espresso
Beans are starting to get dark brown, and French roasted beans are shiny with oil. There is less acidity, but with burned undertones. This roast is often used when making Espresso. Many people think this is the darkest roast available, but that's not true.

Italian, Dark French
Similar to regular French, but more so. Darker and oilier looking, and with a stronger burned flavour.

Spanish
Darkest roast of all. Colour is nearly black, and the flavour is flat with a charcoal undertone.

More on Roasting

information from; http://coffeetea.about.com/od/roasting/a/roasts.htm

Safe Deodorant Alternative

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There is a personal care dilemma we all face. How do we eliminate the possibility of body odor without exposing ourselves to harmful ingredients? Is the only answer to use an irritating, chemical-laden deodorant?

Madison Avenue advertising has force-fed the public the idea of chemical prevention of perspiration. Aluminum chlorohydrate or aluminum chlorohydroxide plug underarm pores to provide “protection” while possibly leading to neurological damage.

It is a scientific fact that the largest organ of our body, the skin, is also a gateway to the interior of the body through absorption. Underarms in particular are receptive sites for chemical absorption.

Aluminum is a toxic metal found in numerous studies to be in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s disease. It is also believed to cause skeletal damage in infants and adults. It works by blocking pores to prevent perspiration. But at what price?

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Meadow Mist has lemon (Citrus limon), geranium (Pelargonium graveolens), rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis CT 1,8 cineol), rosewood (Aniba rosaeodora), lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), Melaleuca alternifolia and Melaleuca quinquenervia, and clove (Syzygium aromaticum) essential oils to create a bacteria-free environment for delicate underarm skin. Only pure essential oils can effectively kill bacteria, at the same time soothing and supporting the skin.

Mountain Mist has the same base but with these fresh and invigorating essential oils: Clove (Syzygium aromaticum), lemon (Citrus limon), peppermint (Mentha piperita), rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis CT 1,8 cineol), Eucalyptus radiata, and white fir (Abies concolor).

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Frank is a very physically active 43 year old, who does not always make the smartest choices regarding footwear.

One day while playing soccer in very worn out shoes, he noticed a painful tearing sensation in the heel of his left foot.

Next morning, he could barely walk. Being an avid user of the oils, Frank started applying Peppermint and Wintergreen to his sore foot.

He also went to his doctor, who diagnosed his condition as Plantar Fasciitis. The doctor told him to take mega-doses of Ibuprofen for his foot pain and come back in 6 months for surgery in case the Ibuprofen did not work. Feeling that destroying his liver with megadoses of Ibuprofen might be less than stellar advice, Frank ignored the doctor and kept on applying oils each day. After 3 months, the pain was gone completely and Frank returned to his active lifestyle, though a little bit wiser regarding his choice of footwear.

Frank has a former neighbor named Cathy, also an active 43 year old. Cathy is on her feet all day, running a rescue kennel for abandoned dogs.

Cathy also was diagnosed with Plantar Fasciitis around the same time Frank was. Cathy elected to follow her doctor’s advice. The Ibuprofen did not help overcome her foot pain, so she elected surgery.

The doctor warned her that the surgery was only successful half of the time. He was not kidding. Cathy was off her feet for over a month after the first surgery. This was followed by a second surgery.

The foot worsened. Cathy went back for a third surgery, now off her feet for most of a year. This time Cathy contracted a Staph infection that almost killed her.

Folks, do the math. Two bottles of Peppermint and Wintergreen versus three extended hospital stays, medication, specialists and a year of lost productivity. How much cheaper would all of our insurance premiums be if the health care profession opened their minds to the plethora of health promoting, non-invasive modalities (such as essential oils) that exist today?

This information is intended for educational purposes only. It is not provided in order to diagnose, prescribe, or treat any illness or disease of the human body.

Candice Collins, Independent Distributor of Young Living Essential Oils Member #1064822

Peppermint Essential Oil Uses

Peppermint has been used in candies and sweets for ages, and not without good reason! Extracted from the Mentha Piperita plant, peppermint essential oil has a very distinct, fresh, menthol smell. The oil itself is light yellow in color, and has a viscosity like that of water. In aromatherapy, the oil is known to stimulate the mind and increase focus. It also has healing properties for the skin, cooling it and healing redness and itches. Furthermore it helps with headaches, sinus problems, chest congestion, and bolsters the digestive system.

The peppermint herb is endemic to the Mediterranean, and is now cultivated in many other countries like the USA, Italy, the UK, and Japan. The oil is extracted by steam distillation just before flowering.

Therapeutic properties:
Peppermint oil has many healing properties. It is an analgesic, antiseptic, anesthetic, antispasmodic, antiphlogistic, antigalactagogue, carminative, astringent, emmenagogue, cephalic, cholagogue, decongestant, febrifuge, expectorant, nervine, hepatic, stimulant, cordial, stomachic, vasoconstrictor, sudorific, and vermifuge.

Uses of Peppermint Essential Oil:

• Because of it invigorating properties, it is excellent for mental fatigue, stress and depression. It revitalises the sprit and encourages mental agility. For students, it can help to increase concentration. It helps to give relief from headaches and migraines. It can also help shock, nervous stress and vertigo. This strong oil clears the respiratory passage, and helps with coughs, sinus congestion, asthma and pneumonia.
• It is also helpful for the digestive system. It stimulates the gall bladder and bile secretion. It can be used against colic, dyspepsia, crams, spastic colon, flatulence and nausea.
• It can also give relief from toothaches, aching feet, muscle pains, rheumatism and painful periods. When applied to the skin, it can relieve skin irritation and itching. It can reduce redness and inflammation. Because of its cooling action, it is used for dermatitis, acne, scabies, ringworm and other skin diseases.

How to use:

• Peppermint oil blends well with rosemary, lemon, marjoram, lavender, and eucalyptus. It can be mixed with these to achieve different results.
• Vaporisers - Add a few drops of peppermint oil into a vaporiser to clear up coughs and headaches. It will energise the mind and spirit. When allowed to diffuse in a room, it can act as an insect repellent.
• Aromatherapy baths - Add a few drops of peppermint or blended oil into a hot bath. This will provide instant energy, and help with aches and pains in the body. It can also help with colic, bowel disorders, cough, and skin problems.
• Using a sprayer, spray this oil all over your room to keep away ants.
• Make a mouthwash with diluted peppermint oil to help with bad breath and gum problems.
• It can be made into a cream or lotion, which will cool the skin and help heal skin problems.

Precautions
When diluted, peppermint oil is bearable, but otherwise it is very strong. Applied undiluted on the skin it may even burn the skin. It should not be used on babies or pregnant women.

Tags: aromatherapy essential oils, peppermint essential oil benefits, peppermint oil, types of essential oils

Profile of Bergamot Essential Oil

BERGAMOT (citrus bergamia) Essential Oil :

Country Of Origin: Ivory Coast/(FCF) Italy

Certification: Organic

Classification: Citrus aurantium var bergamia

Other Names: Bergamot Orange Essential Oil, Sour Orange Essential Oil, Myrtle leafed Orange Essential Oil, Bitter Orange Essential Oil, Bigarde Orange Essential Oil, Seville Orange Essential Oil

Interesting Facts: Citrus aurantium var bergamia is a spiny evergreen tree native to southern Vietnam but widely cultivated. Citrus aurantium var bergamia is used as grafting stock for citrus trees, in marmalade, and in the liqueurs triple sec and Curacao. Citrus aurantium var bergamia is also cultivated for the essential oil expressed from the fruit, and for neroli oil and orange flower water, which are distilled from the flowers.

Bergamot Essential Oil contains synephrine, which has decongestant properties.

Medicinal Use: Bergamot essential oil has been helpful for acne, boils, cold sores, weight loss, herpes infections, alleviating pain of shingles and chickenpox, oily complexion, psoriasis (may be excellent), scabies, and varicose ulcers. Bergamot essential oil is also helpful for clearing excess mucus, halitosis, mouth infections, tonsillitis, gas, loss of appetite, cystitis, leucorrhea, thrush, colds, fever, flu, antiseptic, infectious diseases, anxiety, depression, stress, refreshing and uplifting quality. Bergamot essential oil in conjunction with iron supplementation; provides the acidic environment that the iron needs to assimilate. Bergamot essential oil can be beneficial in chronic low blood pressure caused by arterial failure. Bergamot essential oil also helps maintain the electrolyte balance of the blood. Bergamot essential oil is currently being studied for it benefits for heart failure. Bergamot essential oil is beneficial for nausea and indigestion. Bergamot essential oil has been studied for its tumor shrinking effects on liver and colon cancer.

Constituents: a-pinene, B-pinene, myrcene, limonene, a-bergaptene, B-bisabolene, linalool, linalyl acetate, nerol, neryl acetate, geraniol, geraniol acetate, a-terpineol.

Safety Information: Phototoxic. Do not use if the area of application will be exposed to sunlight for 24 hours due to its photo toxicity.

Wonderful Bergamot has so many attributes it really is an essential oil to keep close at hand. Positive, uplifting, balanced and happy, Bergamot enhances life with its boundless joy and energy.

Bergamot is a small tree about 14 feet high, with smooth oval leaves. It bears small round fruit, much like an orange in appearance, which ripen from green to yellow. Strangely enough, when the fruit has been picked it changes back to green again.

Bergamot (furo-coumarin free) essential oil is a clear-yellow liquid with a fresh sweet-fruity, slightly spicy balsamic undertone. It is considered to be a middle/top note and blends well with Lavender, Neroli, Jasmine, Cypress, Geranium, Lemon, Chamomile, Juniper, Coriander and Violet.

The chemical constituents of Bergamot are many. It is known to have about 300 compounds (most in trace elements) present in the expressed oil: mainly d-limonene 40%, linalyl acetate 27%, linalol 12%, and other alcohols, Sesquiterpenes, terpenes and alkenes.

Bergamot’s virtues are considerable, uplifting, refreshing, deodorizing, inspiring, relaxing and balancing.

Encouraging confidence and concentration, motivation, good cheer and harmony.

The herbal tradition of Bergamot is long and varied; it is named after the Italian city of Bergamo in Lombardy, where the oil was first sold. The oil has traditionally been used in Italy to maintain health and wellbeing over many years.

In recent times it is used extensively as a fragrance and, to a degree, in cosmetics, toiletries, suntan lotions and perfumes. It is a classic ingredient of eau-de-cologne. Widely used in most major food categories and beverages, notably Earl Grey tea.

Meadows Bergamot Essential Oil does not cause a phototoxic reaction which can cause sensitisation and skin pigmentation when exposed to direct sunlight. This is because the oil has been re-distilled and the chemical furo-coumarin (bergaptene) has been removed.

• Did you know that Reggio Calabria in Southern Italy is the world’s largest producer of Bergamot oil, and producer of the highest quality oil?

• Ivory Coast is the next largest producer and produces a slightly darker oil.

• Sicily is often stated as a source of Bergamot oil, where as in fact despite being so close to Reggio Calabria, Sicily does not in fact produce any as the climate and soil make it unsuitable.

• Bergamots are believed to be an original cross or hybrid of A Palestinian Lime and a Bitter Orange.

• Bergamot Oil is produced exclusively for the oil production. The Juice has a bitter, sweet and aromatic flavour, similar to Grapefruit Lime and Bergamot all together (Darryn, Meadows director and Judith our sales representative can personally vouch for that). It is drunk traditionally locally to optimise healthy circulation.

• Bergamot oil is extracted initially at an ambient temperature. Technically it is not cold pressed but extracted through grating the peel and water separation.

• Natural Bergamot oil is green to dark green and has a much more herbal note to it. For the sake of skin safety (phototoxity) this oil is re-distilled and the chemical Furo-Coumarin (aka Bergaptene) is removed. This results in clear or pale yellow oil with a lighter aroma.

• When re-distilled to produce a Furo-Coumarin free oil, 20% is lost at the re-distillation stage.

• Bergamot oil is traditionally used to flavour earl grey tea.

• It normally takes 1 tonne of fruit to produce 5 kilos of Bergamot essential oil. This year, due to the hot summer and autumn in Italy, this level has dropped to 4.5 kilos. This means a 20% drop in yield, and unfortunately will mean a price increase.

• Meadows are one of the largest importers of Bergamot into the U.K and we sell this on to many other companies. This gives us excellent buying power which we can then pass on to our retail side. Equally important is our regular turn around of stock which means better quality for the end user and ultimately better results for your customers, in it therapeutic use.

Some useful tips for Bergamot use:

Try this for a lovely facial treatment: Blend 1 drop of Bergamot with 1 drop of Geranium essential oil in 5ml of Apricot Kernel Carrier Oil or a carrier oil of your choice. Gently massaged into the face and neck this is an ideal blend for most skin types, moisturizing, nourishing, soothing and calming to the skin with an uplifting feel good sensation.

Bergamot used in a diffuser will help to create a harmonizing and positive atmosphere.

FCF Is Not! Bergamot essential oil should not be combined with codeine, cocaine, or other opiate derivatives prescription or otherwise; as this can lead to irregular heartbeat or high blood pressure.

Please note essential oils are potent and should always be diluted before use!

Absorption & Elimination of Essential Oils Through the Skin

I thought this was such a great article I had to post it as I've been wondering how to address the absorption/elimination of essential oils through the skin topic without sounding too technical so that everyone can understand this critical issue that's been raised over and over again in the western medical world.

Essential oils really do enter our skin, so be cautious in their usage. Even with Lavender (yes, it's still safe to use undiluted on the skin, but be aware...too much of anything may be harmful!).



In this Aromatherapy topic of the absorption of essential oils through the skin is reviewed to better understand the topical application of aromatherapy.

Skin is the largest organ of the body. The skin of an average person weighs about 9 lbs. Our skin is a living, dying and rejuvenating organ, which is continuously on the move. With good skin care the skin renews itself every 28 days. Old skin cells are sloughed off and new ones take their place. Mistreatment of the skin can take up to three to four months to have an effect and visa versa. The health of your skin is a great indicator of the health of your overall body.

Skin is the packaging that keeps us warm, literally holds us together and keeps the rain out. It acts as our first defensive warning system and alerts our brain of the conditions of environment it comes in contact with. Our skin is mostly water proof, but is permeable to water, lipids, water soluble solutions, and substances with small molecular structures and low molecular weight. Substances with a molecular weight over 500 most likely will not penetrate the skin. Essential oils have a molecular weight of 225 or less.

In aromatherapy, molecules of essential oils applied to the skin pass through the skin's epidermis and are carried away by the capillary blood circulating in the dermis. The molecules of essential oil are then taken into the lymphatic and extracellular fluids. From there the therapeutic components of the essential oils are broken down and used by various regions of the body. Because of the lipid solubility of essential oil components of essential oils that are applied to the skin are able to cross the blood-brain barrier and come in contact with the fluids surrounding the brain. Other great examples of therapies applied and absorbed through the skin are; the nicotine patch, birth control patch and motion sickness patches. If the skin was as impermeable as was once thought aromatherapy and these therapies would not work.

There are several factors the effect the rate of absorption of essential oils. The area of skin which is used to apply the essential oil does effect how much of the oil is absorbed into the body. Even if it is a set amount of essential oil that is applied to the skin in a carrier oil there is less that is absorbed if it is only applied to small patch of skin. The beauty of skin is that we have a lot of it, which allows for application over a generous portion of the body. Different areas of the skin are more permeable than others. The palms of the hand, soles of the feet, forehead, scalp, behind the ears, inside the wrists and armpits are more permeable than the legs, buttocks, trunk and abdomen for the water soluble components of the essential oil (Balacs 1993). Subcutaneous fat has a poor blood supply which means that essential oils applied to these areas may take longer to be absorbed. Also, mature or dehydrated skin slows the absorption of essential oils.



Essential oils applied to the skin can stimulate circulation to the surface skin cells, encourage cell regeneration and the formation of new skin cells. Some essential oils calm inflamed or irritated skin, relieve muscle spasms and tension. Many scientist believe that essential oils stimulate the body's own natural defense systems. The positive effect of essential oils on blood circulation is well documented. Studies have found that basil, tea tree and thyme essential oils can encourage the production of white blood cells, boosting the immune system of the body.

A simple self test can check the reality of the claim by aromatherapist that essential oils are absorbed by the body or not. Lavender essential oil applied to the cheek can be tasted. Garlic essential oil can be smeared onto your ankle and will quickly be tasted. At Essential Wholesale we have tested the theory to see if inhalation would cause the same effect with garlic essential oil. We found that even a very short exposure to an open container of garlic essential oil results in a bad case of garlic breathe. Blood samples taken after an essential oil is applied to the skin have proven that components of essential oils can be found in the blood stream shorty after application.

Skin is our largest elimination organ. Most essential oils that are absorbed into the skin can be detected in exhaled air within 20-60 minutes (Katz 1947). Essential Oils are eliminated from our bodies within 20 minutes to 26 hours through our saliva, urine, feces or sweat in a healthy adult. Essential Oils work as rubbish collectors, attaching themselves to toxins, free-radicals, cell debris, heavy metals, renegade cells, fungi, bacteria, viruses or other debris and taking them to the body’s exits for disposal. Because of this, in an unhealthy adult, it can take up to 14 hours for the essential oils to pass through the body. The human body takes the most vital properties of essential oils and uses them to bring itself into balance and is left in a healthier state without side effects. After the essential oils perform healing their functions they are metabolized and eliminated with the bodies other waste.

The nerd in me finds the absorption and elimination of essential oils fascinating. What do you think about how the body absorbs essential oils? Do you have more to add?

I'd love to hear your thoughts or experiments ;)

The Aromatherapy You Thought You Knew But Never Knew

Research Reveals The "Real Aromatherapy Story"


I’ve read nearly every book out there on aromatherapy, and been in the field for far over ten years. Yet, somehow I missed the fact that the aromatherapy history books had the story of the rebirth of aromatherapy all wrong.

For a particular story I was writing on Lavender oil, I was going over all my notes, and I was fact checking every detail of aromatherapy history when I stumbled upon a reference that stated that according to Robert Tisserand, the story of Gattefosse was incorrectly told. I went to Tisserand.com and low and behold the true story was right there on his site.

The story of Gattefosse's famous burn is like the story of the “fish that got away,” in which the fish keeps growing with each retelling of the story. It seems that the story of Rene-Maurice Gattefosse has grown in such a way that history has been rewritten. In 1937 Gattefosse published the book Aromathérapie in French. In 1993, it was published in English. In his book he tells the story of the famous burn that happened in his laboratory in his own words,

"The external application of small quantities of essences rapidly stops the spread of gangrenous sores.
In my personal experience, after a laboratory explosion covered me with burning substances which I extinguished by rolling on a grassy lawn, both my hands were covered with a rapidly developing gas gangrene. Just one rinse with lavender essence stopped "the gasification of the tissue". This treatment was followed by profuse sweating, and healing began the next day (July 1910)."

In nearly every aromatherapy book the story is told differently. According to the myth, “In 1928 a French chemist by the name of Rene-Maurice Gattefosse rediscovered the healing properties of essential oils. While working in his family's perfumery business an explosion severely burned his hand. He plunged his hand into the first liquid near him. That liquid turned out to be lavender essential oil that had been being used for its fragrance and for cosmetic purposes. He was amazed at how quickly his wound healed, without infection or scarring. As a result Gattefosse turned his scientific attention to the medicinal properties of essential oils and their benefits for skin conditions.”



In reality his treatment with lavender of his severe burn was deliberate. Gas gangrene is a serious bacterial infection which produces gases within the tissues in gangrene. It is a very deadly form of gangrene and in his time would have most likely have been fatal. The bacterium that causes gas gangrene can be found in soil. I agree with Tisserand’s belief that he probably came in contact with it when he “extinguished it by rolling on a grassy lawn.” Knowing the real story makes me even more impressed with the power of lavender. I have on many occasions poured lavender onto burns with amazing results. I have never witnessed the results of it on gas gangrene.

Gattefosse actually began to study essential oils in 1907 with a group of scientists. Although all accounts of his famous burn are in 1928, it was actually happened in 1910. He published his findings in his book Aromathérapie which was well received by others who went on to do their own research. Gattefosse first coined the term "aromatherapy". Aromatherapy began as a medical therapy based on the pharmacological effects of essential oils. They were considered equally effective as the conventional pharmaceutical drugs. According to Gattefosse, aromatherapy was to be used to treat a symptom or a disease in the same way that conventional medicine did. He did not see a distinction between the two and believed aromatherapy to be an integral part of medicine. He was also aware of the psychological and neurological effects of essential oils.

Ylang Ylang Essential Oil

Popular, Hard to Come By and Fabulous!

We've recently received a lot of requests for and inquiries about Ylang Ylang oil, one of the most complex and exquisitely fragrance essential oils of all. This is another oil which has conspicuously shot up in price over the last year. The Comoros Islands are the most prolific producers of Ylang Ylang oil, exporting approximately 80% of the world’s Ylang Ylang oil. As with the Comoros Islands’ other two biggest export commodities, vanilla beans and cloves, production and availability of Ylang Ylang oil fluctuates dramatically in response to both demand and supply, which is often determined by natural disasters such as powerful cyclones.



Today, the Comoros Islands are producing approximately half the volume of Ylang Ylang oil they produced five years ago, and with powerhouse consumers like Chanel buying up the oil to manufacture perfumes, competition between buyers is intense!

tComplicating matter is that the Comoros has been in a state of terrible political upheaval. On March 25th, African Union Forces, including troops from Sudan, Tanzania, Senegal, supported by France and Libya Launched an invasion of Anjouan, one of the three autonomous islands making up the Comoros. The primary objective was to topple Mohamed Bacar's allegedly illegal Presidency, after local elections in defiance of the federal government and the African Union. Bacar fled the Comoros and is being held in custody at the French Reunion air base. We hope that life in the Comoros will soon return to normal and that people can get back to persuing prosperous enterpises such as distilling more Ylang Ylang!

If you find a bargain on Ylang Ylang oil which seems too good to be true, it's probably untrue…Ylang Ylang oil, also known as Canaga odorata variety genuina, is frequently cut with or simply substituted with plain old Canaga oil, also know as Canaga odorata variety macrophylla. The two oils have much in common, but genuine Ylang Ylang oil has a creamy mellow floral note which you’re not likely to find even in the best Canaga oil. Nevertheless, buyer beware.

While most of the Ylang Ylang inquiries I’ve received lately are about price, it’s more common to be asked about the significance of the numerals “I”, “II” and “III” which one finds attached to the name Ylang Ylang. I think I’ve heard a hundred different explanations of what these numbers mean. I’m not going to claim to be an authority on the matter, but I’ve had the good fortune to speak to several distillers who all agree with one another on the correct interpretation of these figures.

The distillation of Ylang Ylang oil is generally done in stages, during which the producer interrupts the distillation process and separates portions of the total yield of oil. For example, The producer distills a quantity of Ylang Ylang flowers for a number of hours and then stops, removing the collected oil. This oil is described as “Ylang Ylang extra”. The producer then resumes distillation, which goes on for a slightly longer interval than the first and then stops again, removing the collected oil. This oil is described as “Ylang Ylang I”. The process continues at increasingly longer intervals, the final interval lasting 24 hours or more, and Ylang Ylang II and Ylang Ylang III are collected.

Each Fraction of Ylang Ylang oil possesses it’s own aroma, which an educated nose would have little difficulty distinguishing between. Ylang Ylang Extra is the most sought after for fine perfumery and Ylang Ylang III is most commonly used for scenting candles and cold process soaps. Ylang Ylang I and Ylang Ylang II are in between grades, and are the most popular for cosmetic and aromatheraputic applications. There is also a Ylang Ylang Complete, which is distilled with interruptions, and is made up of the full yield of a single Ylang Ylang oil distillation.

Cedar By Any Other Name.....

Just Because It's Called Cedar, Doesn't Mean It's So

One of my favorite essential oils is cedar wood. And I mean real cedar wood oil, which is the only kind Yellowstar*Essentials uses.

True cedar wood oil is distilled from Himalayan cedar (Cedrus deodara), or Lebanon Cedar (Cedrus libani), or Atlas cedar (Cedrus atlantica). But there are many essential oils called “cedar," which aren’t really from cedars at all. So be sure the oil you are using is the cedar you intend to use.

One so-called “cedar” is Virginian Cedar, also called Texas Cedar and Pencil Cedar. Virginian Cedar is a juniper (Juniperus virginiana), which is a member of the Cypress family. Comparing Virginian Cedar Wood oil to pencils is perfect, because the essential oil really does smell like freshly sharpened pencils! It’s a very pleasing scent, but it just won’t do as a substitute for true, sweet and resinous cedar wood oil.

Other so-called “cedars” are White Cedar (Thuja occidentalis) and Red Cedar (Thuja plicata). These are arborvitae, not cedar. Arborvitae, meaning “Tree of Life," is a beautiful, stately conifer of the Cypress family. Arborvitae is used in perfumery and spoken of highly, but personally, I don’t know why. To me, Arborvitae smells like Mugwort and Wormwood, neither of which make it anywhere near my top ten list. I have a hard time seeing this used as a substitute for true, balsamic, and woody cedar wood oil.

Port Orford Cedar is (you guessed it!) not a cedar. It’s another cypress. Botanists know it as Lawson’s Cypress, or Chamaecyparis lawsoniana. Lawson’s Cypress is indigenous to the Pacific Northwest, so as a one-time Oregonian, I have a special affection for it as a native member of the beautiful temperate rainforest. However, Port Orford cedar isn’t a substitute for genuine cedar wood oil.

We could go on this way, but you get the point. Yellowstar*Essentials has the real thing -- genuine Himalayan cedarwood oil (Cedrus deodara) for its wonderful, sweet, resinous and woody aroma. Our Himalayan Cedarwood comes from India where true cedar has been used for thousands of years in Ayuvedic medicine and to make fine incense. We at Yellowstar*Essentials, know there is just no substitute for the real thing. And we make it easy for you to get the best genuine Cedar wood oil too, whether it be Himalayan, Atlas or Lebanon.

Sweet Orange Essential Oil

I love sweet orange oil and use it for so many things and am always finding new uses. There are those who say it isn't safe, but it truly is one of the safest.

Citrus essential oils, including Sweet Orange, are completely safe when applied to the skin of a baby or expectant mother as long as they are diluted into a cosmetic base (i.e. lotion, cream, shampoo, oil, etc.). Citrus oils have exceptionally low molecular weight, which means that most of the essential oil that the skin comes in contact with diffuses into the air and is not actually absorbed into the body. Aromatherapy that is used diluted into products is perfectly safe. Everything, including water, can be toxic when used in too large of a dose. Products containing essential oils generally contain very low concentrations of essential oils which makes them extremely safe.

The chemical composition of sweet orange essential oil is: α-pinene (0.54%), myrcene (2.08%), limonene (95.37%), neral (0.06%), citronellal (0.10%), decanal (0.06%), geranial (0.12%) (Weiss EA. Essential Oil Crops. CAB International, 1997). The major constituent of sweet orange essential oil is limonene.
Sweet orange is non-toxic, non-irritating, and non-sensitizing. Sweet orange is not photo-toxic, although bitter orange is definitely photo-toxic. (Leung A, Foster S. Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients used in Foods, Drugs and Cosmetics.) Studies that have found citrus essential oils photo-toxic were conducted at 5% on animals and not at the typical 1% used in products used for human topical applications.

Sweet orange is rarely a problem for people with fragrance allergies. In all of my years in the industry I have only come across one person with such severe allergies that sweet orange was among their allergens. Scenting with the totally natural essential oil of sweet orange is a superior to using the lab created fragrances that are so common in baby products. The chemistry of sweet orange essential oil is nature made. There are no hidden ingredients, no undisclosed fragrance chemicals, no phthalates, and no added preservatives. When you purchase products made with fragrance oils there is a whole host of hidden ingredients.

Sweet Orange is cold pressed from orange peels. The scent is very familiar to most people. The essential oil of sweet orange is very commonly used in the food industry as flavoring. It is used for orange flavoring and spearmint flavoring. Limonene is an inexpensive starting material for the synthesis of l-carvone, which is a source for synthetic spearmint flavoring less costly than pure spearmint.

Many of the rumors about essential oils being toxic or dangerous are based on myths and/or based on animal trials. Since essential oils are not actually processed by an animal's body the same way that is processed by a human body this information is useless and confusing. Additionally, unusually high doses of essential oils are given internally to animals for these clinical trials. Essential oils should only be applied to the skin and not consumed. These methods for testing are faulty all around. To say nothing of how cruel it is to have an animal consume something that is not intended for internal use. Additionally, even the topical tests are faulty since human skin is less permeable than rabbit skin.

There are no actual toxic results or cases in which humans were involved using citrus essential oils. Aromatherapy has been used for hundreds of years by pregnant women with absolutely no cases harm when used under normal external conditions. I know people who use it personally, that have worked day in and day out as an aromatherapist and during two pregnancies had absolutely no problems using sweet orange during either pregnancy. As a matter of fact, I found aromatherapy incredibly useful throughout those pregnancies as well as during labor and delivery. I believe so completely and totally that essential oils are safe for use on children that I use it on my own family.

Find some sweet orange oil and see what uses you can find for it's sweet uplifting scent!

Acorelle is a new line of Ecocert certified-organic perfumes

Well, it looks like organic perfumes are now going mainstream......albeit at quite a hefty price. But when using essential oils (especially organic) they tend to be quite expensive so I can understand the cost. Here's a news article about a new organic perfume:

Acorelle ~ new line of organic perfumes

Posted by Robin
on
1 April 2009

Acorelle is a new line of Ecocert certified-organic perfumes from French beauty house Laurence Dumont. The line debuted in Europe last year with six fragrances for women, each of which “calls upon the mood-enhancing benefits of aromatherapy”:

Amande de Ble / Wheat Almond ~ “A revitalizing blend of bitter almond, ylang ylang, and apricot strengthens your natural defenses to ward off oncoming sickness.”

Jardin des Thés / Tea Garden ~ Bright notes of lemon, mint, violet, and patchouli work together to stimulate your nervous system for a jolt of energy.” Additional notes include bergamot, lavender and caraway.

Baies Sauvages / Wild Berries ~ “A cheery scent that lifts your spirits when troubles arise. Geranium, sandalwood, cardamom, and rose offer an instant pick-me-up.” Additional notes include violet and green notes.

Orchid Blanc / White Orchid ~ “Alleviate stress and anxiety with this calming blend of sandalwood, orange, vanilla, pear leaf, hawthorn, and patchouli.” Additional notes include elemi, cardamom, lemon, clove, elder, iris, raspberry and bush peach.

Lotus Bambou / Bamboo Lotus ~ “A relaxing mix of bergamot, tangerine, orange blossom, and cedar that promotes a good night’s sleep.” Additional notes include mint, blackcurrant, violet and patchouli.

Verveine Agrumes / Citrus Verbena ~ “Soothing notes of petitgrain, litsea (an evergreen tree), cedar, and neroli have a calming effect on the senses.” Additional notes include mandarin, bergamot, armoise, cut grass accord, clary sage and cedar.

The Acorelle fragrances are available in 50 ml Eau de Parfum ($68). They can be found in the US at fourseasonsproducts or lushoasis. (via press release, additional information via cosmeticnews)