Friday, April 1, 2016

Product Focus: Power Essential Oil Blend



Power is a blend designed utilizing the following oils:
Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)
Juniper Berry (Juniperus communis)
Lemongrass (Cymbopogon flexuosus)
Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans)
Balsam fir (Abies balsamea)
Clove (Eugenia caryophyllata)
Black Pepper (Piper nigrum)

The oils in this blend may help with mental stimulation, mental alertness, and stress.




Uses:


It is made from the seeds of the sweet almond tree. 



Sweet Almond oil is known to contain essential fatty acids and natural vitamins including E, A and others. 



It is very moisturizing & nourishing for all types of skin. 



Sweet Almond oil is very versatile and may be used in soaps, lotions and skin care products. 



It is quickly absorbed and ideal for massage therapy. Sweet Almond oil has anti-aging properties and is a great alternative to lotion.



Rosemary is an energizing oil to relieve depression (Price, 230).

Rosemary is a strong astringent, and is useful for tightening and toning skin that is loose and sagging (Purchon, 103).

It kills bacteria and is a good oil to use for treating acne, dermatitis, eczema, athlete’s foot and scabies (Purchon, 103).

Rosemary has been known to stimulate the central nervous system, to ease colds, coughs, and catarrh when inhaled and to ease the pain of tired, stiff muscles (Purchon, 235).

A study was shown that Rosemary is shown to significantly enhance the quality of memory and alertness compared to even lavender and other control groups (Price, 156).

Rosemary is an antiseptic oil that is used in the treatment of muscular sprains, arthritis, rheumatism, depression, fatigue, memory loss, migraine, headaches, coughs, flu, and diabetes, among other conditions (Worwood, 21).


Cautions:
Not intended for consumption with children under 6 years old. Use in greater dilution for children over 6 years of age.   
Avoid using this oil during pregnancy. 
Not for use by people with epilepsy.
Contraindicated for asthma
Avoid if dealing with high blood pressure. 
Do not apply to or near the face of infants and children under the age of 2. (Can cause breathing problems in babies and young children)  



Skin uses:
Some skin uses have been acne, dermatitis, psoriasis, eczema, oily skin, oily scalp, insect-repellent, and can deter ticks and fleas in dogs (Purchon, 68-69).

Juniper berry is an analgesic that can be used to promote menstruation (Schnaubelt, 104).

It is a very good astringent, and is used (sometimes combined with frankincense) in the external treatment of hemorrhoids (piles) either in the bath or as a local wash (Davis, 171).

It has been known to help with gastrointestinal issues such as, colic, colitis, gastroenteritis, and diverticulitis (Price, 94-95).

Juniper Berry is a pancreatic stimulant (Price, 94-95).

Juniper Berry is a diuretic essential oil that can help reduce edema (Price, 244). 

Juniper Berry is one of the essential oils classified as a neurotonic and energizing, said to relieve depression and stimulate the mind (Price, 230).

It will dramatically reduce retention of urine, which often occurs in men when the prostate is enlarged. It is obviously important to ensure that treatment for the prostate condition is undertaken (by a licensed physician). Larger amounts of Juniper oil can actually cause retention of urine (always dilute) (Davis, 17).

Poor elimination is one of the root causes of rheumatism, gout and arthritis. Juniper should be considered as a means of improving elimination. It is a very helpful treatment for cellulitis, because here accumulated toxins are associated with fluid retention, so the detoxifying and diuretic actions of Juniper work hand in hand (Davis, 172).

Other uses:
Liver problems, obesity, coughs, ulcers, urinary infections; as a diuretic (Worwood, 401). 
Increases the flow of urine, kidney stones, cystitis, urethritis, tonic for digestive system, increase perspiration, reduce temperature, colds, influenza, infectious diseases, increases energy, quickens the function of the lymphatic system, relieves cramps and spasms in the uterus and encourages and regulates menstrual flow (Purchon, 68-69).
Addiction, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiseptic, anxiety, arthritis, fatigue, muscle pain and stiffness, nervousness, sedative, skin care, stress, weight-loss support, and wounds (Althea Press, 345).


Cautions:
ONLY USE THE OIL DISTILLED FROM THE JUNIPER BERRY!
Avoid using with liver and kidney disease. 
Avoid using while pregnant.
Not intended for consumption with children under 6 years old. Use with greater dilution for children over 6 years of age.



Lemongrass has been shown (in tests) to have a depressive effect on the central nervous system (Price, 106).

Lemongrass helps to ease depression, reduces stress and calms the nervous system (Purchon, 76).

It is a very powerful antiseptic and bactericide (Davis, 181).

Lemongrass has been found to have a soothing effect on headaches (Davis, 181).

Like all lemon-scented oils, it is a good insect repellant (Davis, 182). 


Cautions:
The usage of this oil should be restricted while pregnant and breastfeeding. 
Not intended for consumption with children under 6 years old. Use in greater dilution for children over 6 years of age.
Not suitable for use on babies under 2. 
May interact with analgesic, anticonvulsant, and antidepressant, some chemotherapy medications. 


Nutmeg:

A massage blend containing warming and pain-relieving nutmeg oil will be very soothing and comforting for muscular aches and pains, arthritis, gout, poor circulation and rheumatism (Purchon, 90).

It has been recommended that using nutmeg combined with Clove and Rosemary helps ease rheumatic pain (Davis, 217).

Nutmeg has anti-inflammatory properties (Buckle, 223).


Cautions:
Avoid using this oil during pregnancy.



Balsam fir is often used to treat cuts and burns, as well as for a range of respiratory conditions such as asthma, bronchitis, and cough (Purchon, 33).

Balsam Fir can be used to support kidney function and rid the body of eczema (Schnaubelt, 156).

"Non-toxic and non-irritating, it may be chosen instead of myrrh for its ease of use, being a much thinner solution" (Price, 211).

Reduces inflammation, relieve swelling and pain of hemorrhoids, antiseptic and pulmonary properties, loosen mucus and improves lung function (Purchon, 33).

It is also used as an anti-inflammatory agent for treating sore throat. As an antiseptic, it is often used in the treatment of bladder, genital and urinary infections (Purchon, 33).


Cautions:
Not intended for internal use for children under 6 years of age. Use in greater dilution with children over 6 years old. 
May cause skin sentization if oxidized. To prevent oxidation, store in a dark, airtight container in a refrigerator. 
Can irritate sensitive skin.



Clove has been used of prevention of contagious illnesses (Davis, 84).

Clove is also a good painkiller and has been used to ease toothaches (Davis, 84).

It is occasionally used in ointments to treat scabies and in lotions or alcohol-based solutions for infected ulcers and wounds, especially if they are slow and stubborn to heal (Davis, 84).

Clove has seen to be useful in treating digestive problems and muscular disorders (Worwood, 22).

It can be used in the treatment of asthma, nausea, and sinusitis, and as a sedative (Worwood, 22).

Clove is powerful oil that has been used for the sterilization of surgical instruments (Worwood, 22).


Cautions:
THIS OIL CAN CAUSE SERIOUS SKIN IRRITATION  DILUTE IT WELL BEFORE APPLYING TO SKIN    
Do not take orally if you use medications that contain pethidine, MAOIs or SSRIs or anticoagulants, major surgery, peptic ulcers, hemophilia, or other bleeding disorders. 
Use caution when applying to hypersensitive or diseased or damaged skin. 
Do not use topically on children under 2 years of age. 
Not intended for consumption with children under 6 years old. Use with greater dilution for those 6 years and older. 
May inhibit blood clotting.
Repeated use can result in extreme contact sensitization.
Use with caution during pregnancy.



“Rheumatism, asthenia – (1) Releases wind-cold with cold phlegm in the lungs. (2) Warms the stomach to expel cold” (Schnaubelt, 106).

Black Pepper helps ease colds, aches and pains, influenza, flatulence, rheumatism (Worwood, 397).

In a 2013 study reported to the journal of Advances of Pharmacological Sciences, key enzymes relevant to both hypertension and type 2 diabetes were positively affected by exposure to black pepper essential oil (Althea Press, 286).

Other uses for Black pepper oil are muscle aches, arthritis, rheumatism, sprains, strains, poor muscle tone, muscle stiffness, neuralgia, chilblains, poor circulation, pain, flush lactic acid, stimulates nervous, circulatory, and digestive systems, aids digestion, relieves cramps, colic, constipation, diarrhea, nausea, kills bacteria, reduce fever, cold, influenza (Purchon, 41).


Cautions:
Can cause extreme skin irritation. DILUTE WELL
May cause skin sentization if oxidized. To prevent oxidation, store in a dark, airtight container in a refrigerator. 
Not intended for consumption with children under 6 years old. Use with greater dilution for children over 6 years of age. 


Applications:
Topical: Apply to temples, or base of neck, or crown of head or on the bottoms of the feet.
    DO NOT DIFFUSE THIS OIL!

Warnings:
If for any reason you get essential oils in your eyes, put carrier oil along the eyebrows above the eyes and on the cheekbones below the eyes. 


Do not put essential oils inside the ear canal.


Althea Press. Essential Oils, Natural Remedies: The Complete A-Z Reference of Essential Oils for Health and Healing. (2015).
Buckle, Jane. Clinical Aromatherapy Essential Oils in Practice. (2003).
Davis, Patricia. Aromatherapy An A-Z. (2000).
Purchon, Nerys and Lora Cantele. The Complete Aromatherapy & Essential Oil Handbook for Everyday Wellness. (2014).
Price, Shirley & Len. Aromatherapy for Health Professionals (2012).
Schnaubelt, PhD., Kurt. Advanced Aromatherapy (1995).
Worwood, Valerie. The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy. (1991).