It’s that time of year and biting insects are in full bloom. While there are many over the counter insect repellents, they do contain DEET, or diethyl-m-toluamide, which presents health risks, especially for children. Alternatively, nature provides safe and effective aromatics which you can easily blend at home. Here’s a look at these essential oils and how to use them. The following recipes and directions will help you make your own “bug sprays”.
More people in the 21st century are seeking unity of body, mind and spirit by trying holistic health practices such as aromatherapy. Those who’d like to try this practice would be well advised to learn what are essential oils, the key ingredients in aromatherapy.
Russian Astronauts once considered essential oils as a protectant for the skin from strong light rays when in outer space. Gratefully, this is easy to do at home or at the beach. It’s really easy to make yourself an after-sun, strongly anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and hydrating recipe that can limit the premature aging that the Sun’s ultraviolet light is known to do. These formulas can be used in conjunction with your sunscreen if you like.
Russian Astronauts once considered sea buckthorn berry oil to protect their skin from strong UV rays. Thankfully we don’t need rockets for the tests! A blend to protect your skin from the aging effects of the sun is very simply to do create a blend that can limit the premature aging that the Sun’s ultraviolet light is known to do. These formulas can be used in conjunction with your sunscreen if you like.
Calendula oil is a combination of a base oil, which is usually olive oil, but can be soybean or other good quality oil, and the dried petals of Calendula officinalis. This is also known as pot marigolds, or edible marigolds. These flowers are bright yellow or orange, and the blossoms are used to make a herbal concoction that is great for dry skin. Place the petals in a jar and cover with oil, closing tightly and set in a sunny window until it turns a nice shade of orange or yellow. This may take a few days, so shake the jar once or twice a day to keep it mixed. Once it is ready, use a cheesecloth to carefully separate the petals from the oil.
It is that buggy time of year again, and we always love to tell folks how effective aromatic oils can be as mosquito repellents on the skin and in living spaces – AND how to select and blend the best oils. (See blends at the bottom.)
The Lavender essential oil is found only in the bud part of the flower. A member of the mint family, the plant originated from Asia, crossing Western Iran, Arabia and India to settle in the West. It flourishes in dry, well-drained soil and enjoys plenty of sunlight. There are 39 different varieties.
One of the spaces that are most affected by negative ions are your office spaces. These are also the places which get most stuffy as there is very little airflow during the day or night, except from the air conditioner. To solve this problem it would be a great idea to use diffusing essential oils. This way you can restore the freshness and balance.
Statistics show a great rise in the use of natural medicines in general in recent years, and the use of essential oils in particular. This likely stems from disillusionment of the conventional medicine system, which individuals are seeing as first a money making operation, and second one that may be concerned about their actual health. Yet the proven validity of natural treatments continues to grow, and along with it, the acceptance of the potential for aromatherapy to have true health benefits.
Very often when candle companies label something as all natural, in actuality, these products are anything but natural. There is not much regulation on the world natural. Many of these “natural” candles contain artificial chemicals, fragrances or led wicks.