We’ve been off air since November, but certainly not idle. Here are some topics we covered in Wellbeing magazine’s blog that may be of interest to you:

The wonders of peppermint oil  We look at some of the amazing uses for Peppermint oil.

The benefits of citrus essential oils The citrus oils – grapefruit, lemon, lime, mandarin, orange and tangerine – are pretty potent. They contain a compound – Limonene – that is showing much promise against tumors.

Essential oils for the summer Ok, probably of more use to those of you in the southern hemisphere, but for those of you who are, there are some great tips.

We wish you all the very best for the festive season. We will be back in the New Year

Take care

Cheers

Anthony

 I was asked just recently what essential oils and essential oil products I took with us to our trip to India last year. So this post is bit of a run-down on what we took and why.
Bear in mind we didn’t need to use all these things.

Food and snacks:

• Balance complete
• Ningxia red sachets
• Wolfberry crisp bars

Being a little unsure of what to expect with regards to food, we brought some food and snacks with us. As it turned out, we had no problems food wise. However the following things came in handy for breakfasts and snacks when out and about. Balance complete is a delicious meal replacement powder, that is high in fiber, protein, good fats, enzymes, vitamins and minerals. I combined this with Ningxia Red juice, which we brought in small sachets, and local coconut water. Coconut water is a nutritious beverage in its own right (see my post The benefits of coconut water). The wolfberry crisp bars came in handy on the long drives we occasionally had travelling through India.

Read the rest of this entry

Dried wolfberries. Delicious but also nutritious. Photo from wstefano, Wikimedia Commons

In our last post, I included some testimonials showing how different people had benefited from drinking Ningxia Red. Gary Young, has also incorporated the wolfberry into numerous nutritional supplements and meal replacement formulae.

Ningxia wolfberries are also found in these other nutritional products:

Balance Complete™ Vanilla Cream Meal  Replacement

This is quite yummy. I have it for breakfast in the mornings (alternate it with powermeal – see below). You can make some great shakes with it. We typically add fruit like apples, bananas, strawberries and blueberries (when in season) as well as Ningxia Red juice and some coconut milk. Occasionally I will add an egg to it as well. It keeps me going till about lunch-time. If you find you’re still feeling hungry, add an extra scoop or add an egg. Balance Complete is high in fiber and protein, along with good fats, enzymes, vitamins and minerals.  It’s designed to be a powerful energizer, immune system booster and cleanser.
Along with the high antioxidant benefits from Ningxia wolfberry powder you’re getting these healthy ingredients:
brown rice bran, barley grass, aloe vera, cinnamon powder and a whey protein blend.

Read other people’s testimonials

Read the rest of this entry

Hi Folks, this is an interview I recently gave (October 8th 2011) for the web radio programme – Beyond the Heart- hosted by Jenetta Haim. I talk about how I got into essential oils as well as how and why essential oils work. Check it out at :

Beyond the Heart with Jenetta Haim Aromatherapy 10/08 by The Difference | Blog Talk Radio

Cheers

Anthony

Do you work in an environment that’s stressful, where you’re frequently dealing with upset or stressed out customers? Maybe like a bank or insurance company. Or perhaps you work in a clinic, where your clients are waiting anxiously, e.g. a dentist. And what about the staff or employees who work with you or for you? Would you be interested in improving their mood and performance? If you answered “Yes” to any of these questions then you’ll be happy to know that essential oils can help you out here.

A number of scientific studies carried out over the years have shown that the aromas of essential oils can and do affect our mood and performance (see the papers listed at the end of this article). While one of these studies used an oil burner, we strongly recommend an oil diffuser for the best effect. 

How can aromas or smelling essential oils affect our mood you may ask? The sense of olfactory (smell) is hardwired into the brain. When you inhale a fragrance, the odor molecules attach themselves to receptor cells sites inside the nasal membrane. When stimulated by odor molecules, these nerve cells triggers electrical impulses to the olfactory bulb in the brain. The olfactory bulb then transmits these impulses to the gustatory centre (where the sensation of taste is perceived), the amygdala (where emotional memories are stored), and other parts of the limbic centre in the brain. The limbic centre is connected to the parts of the brain that control heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, memory, stress levels, and hormonal levels. This is one way in which essential oils can have physiological and psychological effects. [1]

So what oils are best?

If you are trying to improve work performance (your own and others), try diffusing Peppermint and Lemon oils in your office. If you find yourself flagging or getting a little sleepy in mid-afternoon (especially after a big lunch) try inhaling a little peppermint or putting a couple of drops in a glass of water ( Tip – Inhaling a little peppermint can even come in handy when you’re driving and finding yourself getting sleepy behind the wheel ).  Lemon has been found to help reduce depression and stress when inhaled. [2]  Think of the possibilities here, if you work in a clinic or counselling practice; not to mention the busy customer service counter of a bank or insurance office.

Another oil that has been tested in a clinical environment is Lavender. In a study reported in the International Journal of Nursing Practice, 85% of respondents to a questionnaire said that there had been a positive improvement in the work environment following the use of Lavender oil burners (imagine if they had used diffusers). [3]. The Essential Oils Desk Reference also lists the following oils as beneficial in dealing with anger and agitation: Bergamot, Cedarwood, Frankincense, Rose, Sandalwood and Ylang Ylang*.

 Some might ask is it ethical to change the mood of your customers or co-workers? Isn’t it like brain-washing? My answer to this is that I’ve been in many situations where I wished I had kept a cool head. Sometimes our emotions get in the way of rational discussions. Sure, there are times we need to be assertive, but not a lot is achieved by blowing our stack either. Essential oils can play a role in improving our workplaces. If you would like more information on the oils mentioned in the article please contact us. If you would like to buy any of them, please visit our website

Till Next time

Cheers

Anthony 

Research Papers:

Hirsch A R, Johnston L H. Odors and Learning. J. Neurol Orthop Med Surg. 1996; 17:119-126

Komori T, Fujiwara R, Tanida M, Nomura J. Application of fragrances to treatments for depression. Hihon Shinkei Seishin Yakurigaku Zasshi. 1995 Feb; 15(1):39-42

Komori T, Fujiwara R, Tanida M, Nomura J. Effects of citrus fragrance on immune function and depressive states. Neuroimmunomodulation. 1995 May-Jun; 2(3): 174-80

Moss M, Cook J, Wesnes K, Duckett P. Aromas of Rosemary and Lavender Essential Oils Differentially Affect Cognition and mood in healthy adults. Intern. J. Neuroscience. 2003; 113:15-38

Moss M, Hewitt S, Moss L, Wesnes K. Modulation of cognitive performance and mood by aromas of peppermint and ylang-ylang. Intern. J. Neuroscience. 2008; 118:59-77

Nasal, C, et al. Functional imaging of effects of fragrances on the human brain after prolonged inhalation. Chemical Senses. 1994; 19(4): 359-64

Tysoe P. The effect on staff of essential oil burners in extended care settings. International Journal of Nursing Practice. 2000; 6:110-112

 Yim V W C, Ng A K Y, Tsang H, Leung A Y. A Review on the effects of aromatherapy for patients with depressive symptoms. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. 2009; 15(4):187-195

Disclaimer: Please remember that anything discussed here does not
constitute medical advice and cannot substitute for appropriate medical care. Where essential oils are mentioned, it’s recommended you use only pure, unadulterated therapeutic grade essential oils and follow the safety directions of the manufacturer.

Footnotes:  

 * A study carried out at the University of Northumbria found that Peppermint enhanced memory while Ylang Ylang impaired it, and that peppermint increased alertness while Ylang Ylang decreased it. Ylang Ylang though was shown to increase calmness. So maybe use Ylang Ylang in the area where your customers or patients are waiting, but Peppermint in the back office. 

[1] Chapter 2,  The Powerful Influence of Aromas on Both Mind and Body , Essential Oils Desk Reference, p12

[2] Komori, Fujiward, Tanida, Nomura, Yokoyama “Effects of citrus fragrance on immune function and depressive states”. Neuroimmunomodulation. 1995 May-Jun;        2(3):174-80

[3]Tysoe P. The effect on staff of essential oil burners in extended care settings. International Journal of Nursing Practice. 2000 6:110-112

Last week we looked at how many of the products we use for our day to day grooming – shampoos, soaps, moisturisers, etc – are in fact harmful to our bodies and our environment. This is actually nothing new. Most people you talk to will agree that we are putting way too many chemicals into ourselves. But when it comes to doing something about it at the supermarket shelves, we tend to forget about all that.

So we ended last week’s post by stressing the need to do our research before spending those hard-earned dollars, and I included some useful tools towards that end.

This week, we look at how essential oils can be beneficial to our hair.

Some oils to Consider

Essential oils are great for nourishing, strengthening and cleansing both the hair follicles and the hair shafts. Essential oils are also effective in fighting fungal infections that may be at the root of things like dandruff.

If you have a dry scalp, then some oils you may want to consider are Cedarwood, sandalwood, geranium and patchouli. If it’s an oily scalp you have then peppermint, lavender and lemon oils could be handy. Read the rest of this entry

The doubts in many people’s minds over the vaccines and medicines being produced by the pharmaceuticals continues to grow. A lot of people just don’t realize how strong many antibiotics and vaccines actually are. In many cases, the cure can be more damaging than the illness.  Only just recently we saw health authorities in Australia warning doctors not to give the flu vaccine to children under 5 (so much for the idea that vaccines should only be given to the weakest in our society – children and the elderly), after a child fell critically ill and others developed serious adverse reactions after receiving the vaccination in Western Australia. [1]

Meanwhile in the U.S., health authorities recommended that doctors suspend the use of Rotarix, a vaccine used to treat children suffering from rotavirus (a diarrhea inducing infection), after the vaccine was found to be contaminated with DNA from a pig virus. [2] Surprise, Surprise. For more information on the latter, check out the video from the National Vaccine Information Center in the U.S. at the end of this post. You’ll also find a good article on the subject and an interview of Barbara Loe Fisher from NVIC on Dr Mercola’s site. To get access to the article, you’ll be asked to subscribe to Mercola’s newsletter. This is FREE, and believe me well worth it.

Building an ‘arsenal’ of essential oils

Coming back to the title of this post…Last week we discussed Thieves essential oil as a powerful but relatively safe preventative measure against many airborne infections. It’s also worth using if you have already contracted a cold or flu as it will help build your body’s immunity and help it to recover, WITHOUT damaging the good bacteria in your body. On a number of occasions I’ve taken Thieves oil internally, using a gelatin capsule, with anywhere between 4-8 drops of oil.

It is by no means the only essential oil effective against germs and viruses.

Immupower is another essential oil blend that will strengthen your immunity. It contains Cistus, Frankincense, Oregano, Idaho Tansy, Cumin, Clove, Hyssop, Ravensara and Mountain Savory. It can be diffused, directly inhaled or applied to cotton balls (4-8 drops) and placed on vents. It can also be applied topically around the navel, chest, temples, wrists, under the nose or on the Vita Flex points on the feet. When applying topically dilute it with olive oil, 4 drops of olive oil to 1 drop of Immupower.

Inner Defense Softgels, formulated to tackle the largest range of pathogenic organisms, this blend is made up of Thieves, Oregano and Thyme and comes encapsulated in a vegetable capsule. The Essential Oil Desk Reference recommends 1-2 capsules a day. [3]

Ningxia Red juice is a great companion to Inner Defense or any other essential oils. Its constituents include foods that have the highest antioxidants known to Man – blueberries, raspberries, pomegranates, apricots and top of the list, the Ningxia Wolfberries. It also contains Lemon an Orange essential oils. I could write an article or two just on this beverage alone, and we will come back to it in future, but for now let’s just say that it’s a good way to build one’s immunity up on a day to day basis. My own experience with it is that I feel it’s improved my health immeasurably over the past 6 years. Definitely a part of the ‘arsenal.’

RC and Raven. RC is a blend made up of Eucalyptus Globulus, Eucalyptus, Eucalyptus Radiata, Eucalyptus Citriodora, Myrtle, Pine, Spruce, Marjoram, Lavender, Cypress and Peppermint. I mentioned RC and Eucalyptus Radiata in my post last week. Research has found RC to be the most potent oil blend against the MRSA bug (Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus). [4] Raven contains the oils Ravensara, Eucalyptus Radiata, Peppermint, Wintergreen and Lemon.

A friend of mine, Artemis, suggests that if you have a cold or flu, you should alternate between these two oils – “RC contains oils that are more antibacterial, whereas Raven contains oils that are more antiviral. However, I have never really noticed this. What I do notice is that RC decongests (so it’s great to use when we are all stuffed up), whereas Raven does the opposite. So if my nose is running profusely and won’t stop (the proverbial “dripping tap”), then Raven is the oil that I would use. I put it around my throat area, as it’s a little stronger to use on sensitive skin like the face. And normally I’d apply these oils several times a day as needed. I have also observed that I can put RC on just before I go to bed and it won’t affect my sleep, whereas Raven keeps me awake so one of the oils in it must be a stimulant ” (Most likely the peppermint and lemon – Anthony).[5]

Myrtle, is another great oil listed by Artemis for the cold and flu season, particularly those nasty coughs – “I first fell in love with Myrtle when I realized its benefits to coughing. I have used it on many people during coughing fits (or that nasty tickle in the throat that leads to hacking coughing at the tail end of a cold). In virtually everyone I’ve used it on, the coughing has stopped pretty much instantly, and they had minimal coughing for the next couple of hours.  When Noel’s son Robin was sick one day and we had no RC on hand, Noel gave him some Myrtle. He rubbed it on his chest, and voila! 4 hours later he was feeling well enough to return to work. It’s become one of Robin’s favourite oils. Then I tried Myrtle on a lady at one of my playshops, and she was experiencing wheezing in her chest. And voila! Wheezing stopped.” [6]

Purification is an oil blend I’ve mentioned in previous articles with reference to insect bites. But it’s also good for cleaning the air and keeping airborne pathogens away. Aside from diffusing it, I would try rubbing it on the soles of my feet. It contains Citronella, Lemongrass, Lavandin, Rosemary, Melaleuca and Myrtle. Some very powerful oils in this blend.

Peppermint and Lemon are two oils that are a ‘must have’ in the anti-cold/flu arsenal. Peppermint is great for when you get that headache. I just rub 2-3 drops around the base of neck. And for when I get that tickle and bit of phlegm in the back of my throat, (that to me signal the onset of a cold or flu) I put 3 drops of Peppermint oil and 3 drops of Lemon oil (and if I have Eucalyptus Radiata on hand, 3 drops of that as well) on a spoon and down the hatch. It sure gives you Zing, but for the germs it’s the equivalent of a knockout punch. {:-)

This is by no means an exhaustive list. There are other oils which are also quite powerful against infections. Lemongrass, I’ve mentioned on a previous occasion as being effective against MRSA, while Rosemary is antiseptic, antifungal and antimicrobial. Eucalyptus Radiata, which I mentioned briefly, is anti-infectious, antiviral, antibacterial and an expectorant. I hope you’ve found this list useful for building your own ‘armory’. If you would like any more information on any of these, feel free to contact us.

Till next time

Cheers

Anthony

Disclaimer: Please remember that anything discussed here does not
constitute medical advice and cannot substitute for appropriate medical care. Where essential oils are mentioned, it’s recommended you use only pure, unadulterated therapeutic grade essential oils and follow the safety directions of the manufacturer.

[1] Calls for calm amid flu jab scare, ABC News, Sat Apr 24th

[2] CNN, March 22 2010

[3] Essential Oils Desk Reference, 4th Edition, Essential Science Publishing, Sept 2007, p192

[4] Inhibition of Methicillin-Resistant Staphyloccus Aureus (MRSA) by Essential Oils. Author: S.C. Chao,  D.G. Young, C.J. Oberg and K Nakaoka, Journal: Flavour and Fragrance Journal, 23 (444-449) (2008)

[5] Artemis’ oils bulletin: RC and other oils for the cold and flu season, 6th July 2008

[6] Ibid

OUCH!!! So you’ve been bitten or stung by some insect or spider.  Well just as essential oils can be used as effective insect repellants, they can also be used for insect bites. The beauty is they can act very quickly to break down the poison and render it harmless.

The molecules of essential oils are very small (less than 500 atomic mass units in fact) and lipid soluble (can pass through fatty substances or tissue), so they can pass through the skin very easily and quickly enter the blood stream.

The Original Snake oil.

Everyone will have heard of the phrase “snake oil salesmen”. Nowadays it denotes someone engaged in shonky business practices, usually selling something that isn’t what it’s been purported to be. However over 100 years ago, the term Snake oil referred to a real product, which was exported to the U.S. from Australia.

The product in question was Tea Tree oil (or Melaleuca alternifolia) and it was found to be very effective against rattlesnake bite. Traveling salesmen would sell the oil to the settlers, trappers and miners traveling through the Wild West. Unfortunately over time, many of these traveling salesmen would be selling the pioneers an oil, that wasn’t really snake oil – hence the phrase – Snake oil salesmen.

This is no reflection on Melaleuca mind you. The oil is effective against snake poisons which affect the blood and organs (hemotoxic venoms). This includes rattlesnakes and copperheads. It’s not so effective against snake poison which attacks the nervous system (neurotoxic venoms) and which are the most deadly. And many snake venoms include both a neurotoxic and hemotoxic component. [1]  An essential oil like Clove or the blend Thieves is likely to be the most effective. [2] Clove oil has analgesic/anaesthetic, anticonvulsant, and anti-inflammatory properties. In any case, you should seek emergency medical attention in the event that you are bitten by a poisonous snake (or spider for that matter).

Purification

Coming down the scale of lethality (considerably) what about bites/stings from such critters as ants, bees, spiders and ticks? The essential oil that I would most likely turn to is the Young Living oil blend – Purification. It consists of  Citronella, Lemongrass, Rosemary, Melaleuca (there’s that snake oil again), Lavandin and Myrtle.

Single oils that are effective include Lavender, Peppermint, Rosemary, Eucalyptus Globulus, and our old friend, Melaleuca (or Tea Tree as it’s also known). Lavender and Peppermint will be effective in reducing any itchiness that can occur after a bite. In the event that there’s pain, the oil blend Panaway could help. Panaway contains Wintergreen, Clove, Helichrysum and Peppermint. Clove is the most antiseptic of all essential oils, while Helichrysum is effective as an anaesthetic and analgesic. Wintergreen is highly anti-inflammatory and anti-spasmodic. How much oil to apply? Around 2 drops 2-4 times a day.

The Essential Oils Desk Reference (EODR) also lists Melrose, an oil blend that consists of Melaleuca, Naouli, Rosemary and Clove oils as the first recommendation for bee stings. [3]   Don’t forget that before you apply the essential oil, you will need to remove the stinger first. Apply around 2 drops 2-3 times a day until you see the redness start to abate.

In the event of spider bites, the same caution applies as per snake bites. If we are talking about funnel web or red back (black widow in Nth America) bites, seek immediate medical attention. If you’re unsure or unable to identify the spider in question, try to catch it (safely). This will be necessary to assist the medics/hospital in determining which anti-venom to use.

While waiting for medical attention, I would most likely apply the Purification oil blend or even Thieves and Panaway. A number of spider bites, while not deadly, can create serious problems such as gangrene (the Brown Recluse in Nth America, and I believe, the White-tail spider in Australia). Purification, Thieves and Panaway are helpful here, but again, seek medical attention. How much oil do we apply in the event of a spider bite? The EODR says 1 drop of any of the above mentioned blends every 10 minutes, until you reach medical treatment. I would probably be applying more than that in my own case, but you be the judge.

Ticks

In the case of ticks, you need to remove the tick before attending to the bite. You can use essential oils to remove the tick as well. Either Thyme or Oregano would be effective here, but you may wish to dilute them 50:50 with a vegetable oil (almond or coconut are good, but so is olive oil) as these oils with their high phenol content, can irritate the skin. Apply2 drops over the bite area and the phenols in the oils will cause the tick to let go.

After you have removed the tick, you can apply an oil like tea tree, peppermint, lavender or rosemary. Apply anywhere between 1-6 drops, around 3-5 times daily.

Anyway, back to the garden…  

Till next time

Cheers

Anthony

 Disclaimer: Please remember that anything discussed here does not
constitute medical advice and cannot substitute for appropriate medical care. Where essential oils are mentioned, it’s recommended you use only pure, unadulterated therapeutic grade essential oils and follow the safety directions of the manufacturer.

[1] An excellent source of info on snake venom or snakes for that matter is The Reptipage.

[2] Essential Oils Desk Reference, 4th Edition, Essential Science Publishing, Sept 2007, P461

[3] Essential Oils Desk Reference, 4th Edition, Essential Science Publishing, Sept 2007, P410-411

With summer ‘steaming’ along, I’m sure everyone is experiencing their share of ‘unwanted guests’ in the house. Aside from the regular cockroach that flies in, I’ve noticed a lot of ants around the house. I’ve been told that when there is a lot of rainfall (or the prospect of it) ants like to get out of the garden, go for high ground and yes enter your house.

We have a can of fly/insect spray in the house but of late I’ve been keen to avoid using it. These products are cocktails of various toxic chemicals, that I suspect, not only wipe out insects, but also leave an environmental residue and affect our health.

Essential oils provide an environmentally healthy alternative. They’re great as insect repellants and insecticides. In the event that you’re bitten by something nasty, they can also help you out there.

I’ve recently been trying out a peppermint oil based spray against the ants in the house. You buy yourself a pistol grip spray bottle and mix anywhere between 5-10 drops of peppermint oil (or more if you really want to get nasty) with water, shake the bottle up and start spraying/squirting. If you already have a line of ants  invading your house, just draw a line of oil across them and watch them  turn around.

Essential oils act as powerful insect repellants, but somehow when combined with water, they become insecticides. [1]

If your problem is mosquitoes, you may wish to try a home-made spray made from the Purification oil blend. Purification includes  Citronella, Lemongrass, Rosemary, Melaleuca, Lavandin and Myrtle. The following list comes from Dr David Stewart’s Raindrop Messenger newsletter. Hope you find it useful. This is a subject we will likely come back to. In the next post we’ll look insect bites.

Till next time

cheers

Anthony

ANTS
Peppermint
Spearmint

APHIDS
Cedarwood
Hyssop
Peppermint
Spearmint

BEETLES
Peppermint
Thyme

CATERPILLARS
Spearmint
Peppermint

CHIGGERS
Lavender
Lemongrass
Sage
Thyme

CUTWORM
Thyme
Sage

FLEAS
Peppermint
Lemongrass
Spearmint
Lavender

FLIES
Lavender
Peppermint
Rosemary
Sage

GNATS
Patchouli
Spearmint

LICE
Cedarwood
Peppermint
Spearmint

MOSQUITOES
Lavender
Lemongrass

MOTHS
Cedarwood
Hyssop
Lavender
Peppermint
Spearmint

PLANT  LICE
Peppermint
Spearmint

SLUGS
Cedarwood
Hyssop
Pine

SNAILS
Cedarwood
Pine
Patchouli

SPIDERS
Peppermint
Spearmint

TICKS
Lavender
Lemongrass
Sage
Thyme

WEEVILS
Cedarwood
Patchouli
Sandalwood

Disclaimer: Please remember that anything discussed here does not
constitute medical advice and cannot substitute for appropriate medical care. Where essential oils are mentioned, it’s recommended you use only pure, unadulterated therapeutic grade essential oils and follow the safety directions of the manufacturer.

[1] The Raindrop Messenger, Official newsletter of C.A.R.E. (Center for Aromatherapy Research and Education) Vol 1, No 5 May-June 2003. To subscribe