How to Kick Grogginess to the CurbWe all have those days where we can't seem to shake off that sleepy feeling. Luckily, with the aid of essential oils, we can wake up a little bit quicker. Here's what you need: You can choose to have either an essential oil diffuser or an oil burner. I've used both and they both have worked great for me. Personally, though, I LOVE my teapot oil burner (though that might be due to my obsession with tea). Next, you need both peppermint essential oil and wild orange essential oil. Edens Garden is just a brand that I like to use (due to its affordability), but any essential oil brand would work just fine. Here's what you do: For the Diffuser: Add the amount of water that your diffuser brand recommends you use with your specific diffuser. Add equal parts peppermint essential oil and wild orange essential oil. I generally add 2 drops of each, and that works fine for me. For the Oil Burner: You will need a tea light to put in the base. Don't light it until your oils are already in the top! Add 5 drops of each oil to the bowl on top and enjoy the energetic aroma it gives off! Why It WorksEssential Oils are incredible. I know, you've all heard me say that a billion times, but it's true. When we inhale essential oils, they affect our bodies on a cellular level. Both peppermint and sweet orange essential oils are very energizing. Therefore, when inhaled, they will energize your body as well. Give it a shot!
Do you have a blend that you like to use to wake up? Post it in the comments below!
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The OptionsThere are a lot of carrier oils out there, and you want to make sure that you choose the one that works the best for you. When choosing your carrier oil, you want to keep in mind a few factors: allergies (some are derived from nuts), skin (oily vs. dry), scent preference (some of the aromas can just get to you), and the specific uses for each oil. Here are a few of your options: 1. Almond Oil - Softens and reconditions the skin. 2. Apricot Kernel Oil - Good for all skin types. Very rich and nourishing. 3. Avocado Oil - Best suited for dry skin and is vitamin rich. 4. Camellia Seed Oil - protects the skin from free radical damage, refines mature skin, and nourishes the complexion. 5. Fractionated Coconut Oil - The oil of choice among medical practitioners and massage therapists. Not the typical Coconut Oil, this one stays liquid but has a lot of the same benefits. 6. Evening Primrose Oil - Good for irritated, dry, and mature skin. 7. Grapeseed Oil - Suitable for all skin types and is perfect for soothing away dryness and irritation. 8. Hazelnut Oil - Great for oily skin and is non-greasy. 9. Hemp Seed Oil - Nourishes and regenerates the skin while preventing aging and maintaining a healthy moisture balance. 10. Jojoba Oil - Promotes a glowing complexion and closely resembles the sebum in the skin. May clog pores. 11. Macadamia Nut Oil - Thicker than other carrier oils, but a fantastic regenerative oil. Helps heal scars and sunburn. Not recommended for oily skin. 12. Meadowfoam Oil - Great moisturizing and rejuvenating properties. Absorbs easily into the skin and is a key ingredient in a lot of skin care products. 13. Rosehip Oil - For use on dry, irritated, and weathered skin. 14. Sesame Oil - Popular among massage therapists, though it is slightly thicker than most carrier oils and will leave an oily feel on the skin. Not recommended for oily skin. 15. Sunflower Oil - Deeply nourishing and is recommended for skin that is affected by eczema, psoriasis, and is dry or damaged. Oily and Dry SkinCarrier oils can be catered to your specific type of skin. For instance, I have oily skin and I love Grapeseed Oil. It works AGAINST acne. How cool is that? Not a fan of Grapeseed? Grab a bottle of Hazelnut Oil instead! If you have dry skin, I'd recommend something like Almond Oil. It is super moisturizing and really nourishing for your skin. Do some research of your own, I dare you. These oils are incredible. You want to make sure that you are taking full advantage of their benefits when diluting your Essential Oils. Why not have it help you in more than one way? Like I said, make sure to do some research of your own. You want to make sure that the oil you're choosing to use is the right one for you. For me, these seemed to work pretty well: What I UseAbout Lavender Essential OilDerived from: Leaves and flowers/buds Consistency: Thin Method of Extraction: Steam Distilled Perfumery Note: Top/Middle Color: Clear with a yellow tint UsesLavender essential oil is one of the most useful oils. It is extremely versatile and an essential addition to your first aid kit...no pun intended. Check out some of the ailments that this awesome oil can help with! 1. Acne 2. Insomnia 3. Ear Ache 4. Asthma 5. Bruises, Burns, Cuts, and Scrapes 6. Allergies 7. Insect Bites 8. Anxiety 9. Headache 10. Itching 11. Scars 12. Sprains and Strains 13. Stress 14. Depression 15. Chicken Pox There are certain absorption hot spot points on our bodies. For example, if you are having trouble sleeping and want to use Lavender essential oil to help, you'd apply it to the bottoms of your feet (weird, I know) and cover with cotton socks. This works because the pores are larger on the bottoms of the feet, therefore allowing for a faster absorption into the skin. Another area that seems to work pretty well for most people is the spine. Give it a try and see what works for you. There Are a Ton of Brands to Choose From:These are just a few of the many choices. Make sure to look for a pure therapudic grade essential oil when purchasing. Also, be on the lookout for oils that are ALREADY mixed with a carrier. These aren't what you want. For example: See how it says 'In Jojoba Oil' at the bottom? That means that it's already mixed with a carrier oil. Avoid this if you're looking for just the pure, undiluted essential oil.
The Different Ways to Use Essential OilsEssential oils are wonderful. They are a natural alternative or addition to modern day medicine. Remember to always consult your doctor before switching to or using essential oils. If you are pregnant or nursing always, ALWAYS talk to your doctor before using essential oils. Essential oils can be used in three ways: 1. Dermal Application (Applied to the skin) 2. Inhalation 3. Ingestion Each method contains it's own health risks and I encourage you to do more research than just this post. I am covering just the basics, so there is bound to be information that I've missed. Dermal ApplicationApplying essential oils to the skin is one of the most popular ways to treat ailments and injuries. However, when applying these oils to the skin, certain precautions must be taken. First, know your oil. Are you allergic to it? Is it safe to use neat (directly on the skin without dilution)? If you have children and are planning on using oils on them topically, is it safe for use on kids? Not all oils are created equal and not all of them can be used on the sensitive skin of children. Make sure you do some research on the oils you are planning to use. Just because it's natural, it doesn't mean that it's safe and can be used without caution. Second, dilution is important. For example, one drop of peppermint essential oil is equal to 26-28 cups of peppermint tea. With an oil this potent, it is essential to dilute it to prevent skin irritation or future health problems. If you aren't sure whether or not to dilute it, dilute it anyway and check later. Better safe than sorry. Personally, I don't think it's too safe to use essential oils neat and I usually dilute mine. Remember that a safe dilution is a 2% dilution. This means that the essential oil will be mixed with a carrier oil (almond oil, coconut oil, sesame oil, etc.) to a 2% dilution. That means that the essential oil should make up 2% of the entire mixture. Even though it might not seem like it is, it is potent enough. Make sure to do your own research and see what works best for yourself and your family. Here are a few example of carrier oils that can be used: InhalationThere aren't many health risks associated with the inhalation method of using essential oils, and the ones that have been found are rare. It's rare, but damage can be caused to the lungs due to the prolonged exposure of chemicals found in certain essential oils. Remember to do additional research to see if this method is the right one for you and your family. This is the safest method for the use of essential oils. IngestionThis is perhaps the most controversial method of use for essential oils. Not a lot of research has been conducted regarding the safety issues associated with ingesting essential oils. If you choose to ingest essential oils, it is best to do this with the assistance of a certified aromatherapist. Remember that essential oils are EXTREMELY potent and, while they can be helpful, they can be harmful if not used with caution. Once again, dilution is key. Not only does it help to prevent irritation, it also helps for a slower entry into the blood stream. Remember, oil and water do NOT mix. There are a ton of advocates out there who wholeheartedly support adding a few drops of essential oil to your water for added benefits...this is NOT SAFE. While it may seem like the essential oil is diluted, oil and water don't mix. This means that there will be tiny droplets of extremely concentrated essential oil MIXED with water, not DILUTED IN water. The safest methods for ingestion of essential oils are: 1. A gelatin capsule with 20% essential oil and 80% carrier oil. 2. Honey. You can mix 1-2 drops of your essential oil with a teaspoon of honey and then dissolve it in a glass of warm water. This will help to dilute the oils if you wish to mix them into your drink. Essential oils can produce great results when taken internally, just remember to practice safety and consult a certified aromatherapist. Remember, just because it's natural, doesn't mean it's safe. Personally, I do not consume essential oils. I think that more research needs to be done on the safety risks before I decide to ingest them. That is just my personal opinion, do your own research and talk to a certified aromatherapist if you think that this method could be right for you! Are you more of a visual learner like myself? Check out this awesome diagram that I found!
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Kate MurphyI love all things natural. I love finding alternative methods. I love to write. Put it all together and you get this blog. Categories
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