Essential oils when used in appropriate dilutions and with care are powerful healing agents. Like any medicinal product that has the ability to heal they also can harm in certain circumstances. If you are using essential oils for improving he health and wellbeing of yourself or your family, it is vital that you have the facts from a qualified practitioner.

Feeling a little run down? Time to boost the immune system with some beautiful essential oils

restorative immune boosting essential oils

I’m not sure about you, but I am feeling a little frazzled this week and a little more fatigued than usual. Perhaps its because we are coming up to the end of the school term and a lot needs to get down before Easter.

In any event, in order to ward off the onset of any dreaded lurgies, I’m incorporating immune stimulating and restorative essential oils into my self care this week.

I’m sure in your experience as a busy health conscious mum, you know that prevention is better than cure. If you don’t have time to start this week, Easter is really a great chance to nurture and care for yourself and your loved ones so that you can make sure your immune systems are in tip top shape to tackle the cooler months and the potential ailments that go with it.

I really appreciate the opportunity to share with you some simple and beautiful Aromatherapy techniques to help you take care of yourself and your family this Easter with essential oils.

In a holistic approach to health and wellbeing, it is important to protect vital energy by supporting the immune system.
We can do this beautifully with energising, refreshing and uplifting essential oil blends with antibacterial and antiviral properties.

One of the simplest, easiest and safest ways to use essential oils to boost general health and wellbeing is to vaporise or diffuse them.  Using an electric diffuser is important for maintaining a regulated heat so that the oils maintain their therapeutic benefits. It is also a very safe way to diffuse essential oils because there is no naked flame. You simply turn the diffuser on for 15 minutes and add up to six drops of essential oil. It is a good idea to have some ventilation if you are diffusing oils in a small space.

A fantastic ‘breathe easy” blend to diffuse to boost the immune system and relieve cold symptoms
is lavender, cajeput, lemon and peppermint. This is a purifying blend designed to cleanse the mind, body and spirit.
Cajeput and lemon have antimicrobial properties boosting the immune system and combating germs and peppermint is pain relieving and also clearing for respiratory and sinus issues. Another great immune boosting blend to diffuse in your home is 1 drop sweet thyme, 2 drops palmarosa, 2 drops bergamot and 1 drop niaouli. Again this synergy of oils has antimicrobal, uplifting and restorative properties and it smells divine.

Diffusing essential oils is much more than just experiencing a pleasant aroma. Diffusing essential oils helps to eliminate airborne microbes, lift your mood, balance your body energetically, all of which contribute to boosting the immune system.

Essential oils can also be added to a carrier oil such as jojoba, sweet almond etc to make bath and massage blends. To make a bath and/or massage blend you add 5-10 drops of essential oil to 20mls of base body oil. To add to the bath you simply fill the bath with warm water and add the mixture of base body oil and essential oils. Soak for twenty minutes. For a massage blend add 5-10 drops of your essential oil to 20 mls of base body oil and massage into the body. Take slow deep breaths as you go.

Three restorative essential oils are lavender, eucalyptus and peppermint. Lavender and peppermint both help with headaches and muscular aches and pains. Peppermint is bright, minty, clean and fresh, invigorating, great for circulation, encourages mental clarity and alertness, great for concentration. Eucalyptus is antibacterial, great for sinus, immune boosting and respiratory clearing.

Lemon and mandarin essential oils are wonderful uplifting and restorative essential oils. Lemon has antibacterial and antiseptic properties and is great for household cleaning and diffusing to help boost the immune system. Use a drop of lemon essential oil on your dish cloth to wipe out the fridge, put a few drops in your bucket to clean your floors, put a drop in the bottom of the garbage or scrap bucket to eliminate odours. Mandarin is very gentle and effective especially as we are aging and for young children, it’s great for digestive issues as well as calming anxiety.

In a non toxic home cleaning kit I would recommend essential oils of Eucalyptus, lemon and lavender. You can make your own floor, bench, window, or bathroom cleaners such as lavender disinfectant spray, lemon bench cleaner and eucalyptus all purpose cleaner.

You can also boost the immune system by keeping hands clean and sanitised. For a personal sanitiser try lavender and orange essential oil natural hand cleanser; 50 mls aloe vera gel, 21 drops of lavender and 7 drops of orange essential oil.

The ease with which these remedies can be incorporated into your everyday regime easily and effectively is a Blessing.

Just a brief word on essential oil safety, not all essential oils are suitable for pregnant women in massage and/or the bath so always consult a qualified aromatherapist to check before use if you are pregnant. Essential oils should not be used undiluted on the skin, always dilute in a suitable carrier oil. Do not ingest essential oils unless under the supervision of a qualified aromatic medicine physician. Essential oils are very concentrated so always use the less is best principle and use appropriate ventilation. Some essential oils can interact with other medications so again if in doubt seek advise from a qualified Aromatherapist.

If you would like any more information about the safe and effective use of essential oils to boost your immune system, please contact me at www.livingwellessentials.com.au or kim@livingwellessentials.com.au.

Have a wonderful restful and restorative Easter.

Yours in Living Well,

Kim

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Enhance romance and sensuality with essential oils

phone 13052014 494February is here, the month of love and romance.

Of all the senses involved in the dance of romance and sensuality, smell has the most power to connect us with those parts of the brain that allow us to bypass the conscious mind and logic. This can transport us to places in the unconscious where we can unlock our passions and reconnect with our soul. What could be more desirous and attractive for ourselves and those around us.

The aroma of essential oils evoke a sense of beauty and are wonderful to create a lovely space for a reflective night in with ourselves, an erotic encounter with our mate or anything in between.

So for the month of February, identify some essential oils which may help you unlock your passion and/or move closer to your heart centre. Use the corresponding essential oils either in your electric vaporiser, as a personal perfume, in your bath or in massage and watch your self confidence, happiness and allure grow.

Blends for specific moods

Romance – Blend 3 drops of Rose, 3 drops of Jasmine and 3 drops of Neroli in 20mls of cold pressed vegetable oil such as sweet almond or jojoba add to a warm bath or use in a sensual massage

Sensuality – blend 3 drops Rose, 1 drop Ylang Ylang, 3 drops Australian Sandalwood and 3 drops Sweet Orange in 10 mls cold pressed vegetable oil and use as a personal perfume. Apply to wrists, breast bone, neck etc.

Exotica – blend 1 drop Vanilla, 2 drops Sandalwood, 2 drops Cinnamon bark and 1 drop Patchouli in an electric vaporiser to create an exotic mood room

Essential oils to facilitate loving connection to yourself and others

Aromatic Kinesiologist, Robbi Zeck ND suggests in her book The Blossoming Heart the following essential oils.

To feel more connected to yourself and others use Cinnamon bark; if you are feeling emotionally withdrawn, spicy cinnamon brings warmth and energy encouraging you to look for a more open way of expressing yourself.

To feel more loved use Rose; the heavenly aroma of rose can make you feel more connected with your heart space. Breathe in the aroma of rose and focus on your heart space. Spend some time each day doing something you love. Show your love ones how much you love them.

To feel more nurtured use Lavender; if you are feeling a little neglected, the aroma of lavender warms the heart increasing your awareness of what you need to do to take genuine care of yourself and those you love.

To be more trusting use Jasmine; if you are feeling fearful, breathing in the exotic aroma of jasmine will help to replace fear with trust and faith that you will find the right action to move forward with confidence.

To be more reflective try Sandalwood; if you are feeling drained, the spicy fragrance of Sandalwood can help you let go and make time to just be.  Take time out for quiet reflection about important issues in your life to get some clarity.

To feel more lighthearted use Sweet Orange; if you are taking life too seriously, orange will help you to loosen up and find your sense of humour. Use the breath to come to the present moment, let go of worry about the past and future.

For more information about Aromatherapy for Healing and Transformation see Robbi Zeck’s “The Blossoming Heart” here.

If you would like me to blend your own personal aromatic perfume, vaporiser or massage blend or book in for an aromatherapeutic massage contact me here.

Happy Valentines Day,

Kim

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Increase Energy, Focus, Concentration and Motivation with Aromatherapy

phone 13052014 495

With school going back this week and people really getting back into the swing of work after summer holidays, I thought it was timely to let you know how wonderful essential oils and aromatherapy are for increasing your energy, focus, concentration and motivation.

Experiencing a beautiful essential oil aroma while working and/or studying can help you to relax and reduce stress as well as increase mental focus and clarity.

A wonderful blend for this purpose is black pepper, petitgrain, basil, bergamot and lemon. Place six drops with water in an aroma burner or diffuser and enjoy. This is my HSC study signature blend.

Inhale Grapefruit or Peppermint essential oils occasionally while driving, reading or studying to promote alertness and stimulate memory. A blend of Basil and Bergamot will also help with concentration. Inhale during the day to increase focus. Place 2 drops on cotton wool, tissue or hanky and take slow deep breaths.

Some other helpful oils
Basil brings balance and clarity to the mind and emotions.
Cedarwood brings strength, commitment and courage to take action in your life to rework patterns that no longer serve you.
Eucalyptus expands and integrates your thinking so that you can see the big picture.
Ginger sustains and rebuilds a loss of energy on the physical and emotional levels. When you are not lasting the distance Ginger builds the strength and endurance to succeed.
Grapefruit provides a new zest for life and uplifts the spirit.
Lemon helps when you are feeling confused and out of your depth. It sharpens your focus and paves the way for rational thinking.
Peppermint is icy cool and sustains energy bringing balance and focus.
Petitgrain is fresh and stimulating encouraging your memory.
Rosemary directs creative energy into action.
Vetiver offers you stability, quiet assurance, support and strength when turning points of life challenge you.

An electric burner or diffuser is the safest, most economical and beneficial way to experience the aroma of pure essential oils. You can find out more about an electric vaporiser by visiting Larissa Bright here.

For more information about Aromatherapy and essential oils or to contact me for a specific blend to suit your individual needs go to Living Well Essentials here.

Yours in Living Well,

Kim

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Aromatherapy to reduce pain and inflammation

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Essential oils are wonderful healing tools to relieve inflammation and pain resulting from physical injury, infection, burns, hormonal imbalances, food and persistent suffering from emotional knots.

Essential oils are quickly absorbed into the body, when massaged into the skin (diluted in a suitable carrier oil) and the aroma is inhaled.  Once absorbed they effectively ease pain, inflammation and calm the nervous system. Essential oils also induce relaxation and reduce tension and stress, factors that are crucial to keeping inflammation under control.

Inflammation usually indicates that there is some tissue damage. This may also occur if you exercise to the point where you have strained or pulled a muscle.  Kunzea essential oil is very effective to relieve muscular aches, joint pain and nervous tension because it assists in the release of both physical and emotional pain. Read more about Kunzea essential oil here.

Some other effective aromatherapy blends for pain and inflammation:

Headache blend
To relieve a stress and tension headache, blend 3 drops of lavender and 2 drops of peppermint in 20mls of coconut oil and gently massage into base of the skull, temples (be careful not to get near the eyes), and the bottom of feet. Use broad gentle strokes and take slow deep breaths. A wonderful alternative to making your own is Larissa Bright’s Pressure Point balm a mix of Australian peppermint and lavender essential oils in pure natural oils of macadamia, coconut, jojoba, advocado, bees wax and shea butter. See Larissa Bright here for details and 20% off for January. Essential oil safety tip do not use if pregnant or breast feeding.

Chest rubs for cold symptoms – adults
Blend 2 drops of Eucalyptus, 2 drops of niaouli, 2 drops lavender in 20mls of coconut oil. Rub into chest, back and bottom of feet, put socks on feet and try to get some rest.

Safety tip Do not use eucalyptus essential oil and niaouli on children under 10 with respiratory issues, alternative recipe for children; 2 drops mandarin, 2 drops lavender and 2 drops frankincense in 20mls coconut oil.

Muscular Aches and Pain
For muscular aches, pain and strains a blend of niaouli, ginger, lavender and black pepper in a cold pressed vegetable oil or coconut oil works well. Apply in broad gentle strokes to the affected area.

For more information about Aromatherapy and massage or to contact me to make your personalised blend see Living Well Essentials here.

Yours in Living Well,

Kim

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Aromatherapy, natural skincare and youthful aging

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The term natural in skincare has come to imply the product is safe, works effectively, is environmentally friendly and its use will evoke a feeling of wellbeing.

Essential oils in Aromatherapeutic skincare does it all.
A clinical Aromatherapist has a thorough understanding of the function and structure of the skin, skincare routines and performing aromatherapy facial treatments.

Essential oils are ideally suited to skincare because they are readily absorbed through the skin, they have antiseptic properties, help speed up the removal of old skin cells, stimulate the growth of new skin cells, improve muscle tone and circulation, help eliminate waste, reduce inflammation, regulate sebum production and reduce the impact of emotional stress.

Essential oils can be easily blended with base creams, lotions, ointments, gels, masks, scrubs, floral water or perfume. These carriers are made from natural products such as vegetable oils and have properties which are moisturising, skin protective, skin softening, and supply essential fatty acids and vitamins which have healing properties.

The biggest benefit of aromatherapy skincare is that essential oils have an ability to positively shift emotional states. Since the skin is often a reflection of emotional unease the oils can be used to reduce and soothe the underlying disharmony improving the health and vitality of the skin.

Facial massage with essential oils and a carrier specific to your skin type and emotional state is an important youthful aging technique used in the full body aromatherapy massage.

Massage to the facial region has the following benefits:
• Stimulates blood flow, increasing oxygen which improves skin tone
• Relaxes facial muscle tension, softening facial expression
• Stimulates lymphatic circulation assisting with elimination of toxins
• Helps to dispel tiredness, leaving you feeling relaxed and rejuvenated.

For more information about amazing all Australian, certified cruelty free, Aromatherapeutic skincare see Larissa Bright here. You can try these products before you purchase in an aromatherapy facial at my clinic. Just call for an appointment.

For more information about my clinical aromatherapy services see Living Well Essentials here.

Yours in Living Well,

Kim

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