Tea Tree oil

I found this very useful article on care2.com and thought it would be a good idea to share. To view the full article please follow the link.

In 2006, the world consumed more than 3.5 billion gallons of oil per day. A lot of that
oil has caused environmental damage and conflicts between nations. But there is
one type of oil that’s green, sustainable, healthy, and–as far as I know–has
never been the rationale behind a major military intervention: tea tree
oil.
Tea tree oil, explains the UWA Tea Tree Oil Research Group, is the essential
oil steam distilled from the Australian plant Melaleuca alternifolia (unique to
Australia and native to Northern New South Wales). Tea tree oil is usually clear
to very pale golden in color and it exudes a fresh, camphor-like scent.....

aromatherapy

I tried this new recipe for a face mask which I really liked and so thought of posting it here; its good for all skin types apart for sensitive skin.

1 slice of wholemeal bread
approx 1 tbsp honey preferably organic
3 drops pure cedarwood oil
1 drop pure lavender oil

toast the bread till blackened then blend it till almost dust. Add enough honey to form a thick paste and add the drops. Apply to face and neck, leave for 10 mins and rinse with warm water.

Aromatherapy time

Hi for this weeks' aromatherapy section, I will discuss Camomile. Firstly let me say there are 2 types of camomile, German camomile & Roman camomile; generally speaking when recipes for ailments are made they are usually refering to the Roman variety. Although both are camomile, they do not have the same healing properties. I myself will be writing on Roman Camomile or Anthemis nobilis/ Chamaemelum nobilis. Camomile as Lavender is very versitile and uses can overlap, in fact used together you should get even better results. One example we can use is how both Lavender & Camomile are good for child use. Camomile diluted with a carrier oil will help an infant with his teething ( i.e. when he is not in great pain as no matter how much I love home remedies, I found that hysterical crying by my son due to teething pain got no better with Camomile). A weak herbal tea or a few drops in the bath will calm a fretful child.

Camomile has been used for over 4000 years; its flowers used to scent clothes and linen, to scent the hair, deter flies and more. It is good for the following uses: inflammation, aches and pains, insomnia, vomiting, restlessness, tension, irritability among others.

Face oil- for a good rest (also said to help wrinkles)

5ml jojoba oil

10ml apricot kernel oil

5ml rosehip seed oil

4 drops rose oil

2 drops camomile oil

2 drops neroli oil

mix them together apply to face and let it be absorbed. After 5 mins remove excess oil with a tissue.

earache

5ml olive oil

1 drop camomile

1 drop tea tree

mix in an egg cup then gently heat standing cup in water. Dip cotton wool in mixture and place in effected ear. You can do it twice a day.

headache- make a cold compress ie ice cold water & a drop of camomile

sore eyes - camomile teabag, 1 drop oil & 10ml witch hazel. Put teabag in a mug, add the oil, pour boiling water (not more than 100ml) cover and let cool ten remove the bag add the witch hazel to water, transfer to a bottle shake well. dip small compresses in the mixture and place over closed eyes for 10 minutes.

Enjoy your home remedies and happy weekend!

Aromatherapy time

Decided to do a weekly aromatherapy section with general info and some concotions to try and for today I will write on Lavender. But before starting I just wanted to tell you all that my little puppy did his first chuckles yesterday and that was soooo wonderful. Managed to record him on video which is absolutely fabolous!

Now back to our original topic, Lavender has always been valued for its healing properties and is one of the safest oils to use. So much so that you can use lavender oil undiluted which is an exception to the norm.
Lavender, on its own has a calming effect on body and mind. It is also effective to treat minor scalds or burn, headaches, inflkammation, bacterial infection and more. It is said to help in soothing temper tantrums in children
Lavender is also known by its latin name Lavendula angustifolia.


Lavender Sachets
you will need some organza sachets (or do you own), dried lavender and lavender oil.
Fill sachets will lavender but not too much (it should be able to shake around), drop a bit essential oil on the flowers for extra aroma and put in your cupboards, wardrobes or linen drawers.

Minor scalds
first cool effected area under water then apply neat lavender and cover with a gauze. Chande dressing regularly and when the area is less painful expose to sunlight.

Lavender bowl to fight insomnia
(this one I never tried so no idea if effective but the other two work beautifully.)
you need steaming hot water, 2 drops lavender & 2 drops eucalyptus- mix everything together and leave by your bed to inhale the aromas all night long.

Next week, we will discuss Camomile.

natural beauty

I find that natural cleaning products are more effective, so thought of giving you a couple of recipes for your body.... do let me know should you try them how it went....



deep facial cleansing for oily skin:



1 tbs milk (preferably not skimmed)
1 drop pure lavender oil
1/2 tsp diluted petitgrain oil

Combine oils, heat milk slightly add to oils, dab on a cotton wool and cleanse face and neck. -

milk is a great cleanser, gentle on the skin but antiseptic.

After cleansing do a facial steam by pouring steaming water in a bowl cover head with towel and steam face for 5 mins. Next do the mask.

15gr fresh parsley crushed in a pestle & mortar

1 tsp natural yogourt

1 drop pure petitgrain oil

1 tsp clay (preferably green)

mix crushed parsley to yogourt, essential oil & enough clay to make a paste. apply to face & neck leaver fr 15 mins and then rinse off with cool water. - Parsley reduces excess oiliness while the yogourt & clay will deep cleanse and tone the skin.

I started using it after I had my son and my fdace was full of pimples and found it very effective. As a daily cleanser tea tree facial wash is great and not expensive either.

Another recipe is a very nice bath blend:

1/2tsp helichrysum oil

1 drop pure rosemary oil

2 drops pure coriander oil

1 drop pure grapefruit oil

Mix all the above and add to a full bath of water. This is a warming yet energizing blend.

Anyway I hope you like them and will find some time to try them....I will find some more interesting blends for you people and will post them here soon!

Aromatherapy has been around for ages. Its the art in using natural, aromatic, essential oils. Oils have healing properties that when used properly and together with other oils of same properties, they release molecules and the brain activity increases stimulating or relaxing dpeneding on your blend. There are many therapeutic benefits for beauty, general wellbeing and emotional help. I myself find them most effective and fun to prepare.