For anyone who likes hand-made soaps, natural smells, or is a fan of DIY here is a short video on how to make your own essential oil soaps.

Great for those with sensitive skin!  These soaps can be wonderful gifts, wedding favors, or plain decorative around the house.

For all you who love DIY out there!

Ever wanted to know how to make you’re own essential oils?  Well, whether you like experiencing the creating and making process or have a hard time getting a hold of a particular oil through store means, here is a video that shows you a short step-by-step process of how to create essential oils and lists all the supplies and materials you may need.

Here it is – How to Make Essential Oils

If you prefer to buy, two reputable distributors I recommend are:

Eden’s Garden – a brand dedicated not only to exceptional 100% therapeutic grade essential oils at reasonable prices, but giving back to the community, too, to ensure sustainable harvesting for generations to come.  Eden’s Garden contains an extensive variety of hard to find essential oils and larger batches of carrier oils and blends.

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Melaleuca – The Wellness Company – dedicated to consumers and bringing income opportunities to the average person, Melaleuca is a famous distributor of eco-friendly safe for your home goods.  Their PURE Essential Oils line boasts a variety of 100% pure oil guaranteed not to contain any synthetic impurities that are stringently tested to meet GCMS, Chirality, Heavy Metal/Pesticide/Herbicide, Organoleptic, Optical Rotation and Refractive Index, Specific Gravity, Microbial, and Flash Point quality standards.  If you are familiar with the patented lotion and vitamin products this company offers, you will have confidence in this new addition their product line, too!  They also offer ultrasonic diffusers and humidifiers as well as a handy zipped carrying and storage case that is very convenient.

Since the Wellness Company sells through direct advocates of their products (much like Mary Kay), you will need to sign up for either a direct or preferred customer profile with them in order to purchase these.  If you plan to buy a regular supply of essential oils, I highly recommend the preferred membership as that will save you a large amount of money even in comparison to the average price of online stores.  As an available product advocate, I am happy to help anyone out that desires.  Just reach out to me at eupterraen@eupterrafoundation.com!

For ease, check out Eupterra’s Store for convenient Eden’s Garden essential oils and sets!

When it comes to utilizing and learning more about essential oils, there are a few facts that are useful to know.

Essential Oil Grades – oils can come in three grades based on primary usage.

Grade A: therapeutic grade.  These oils are extracted from mostly organically grown and properly harvested plants.  To maintain the beneficial properties, the herb must be distilled at the correct temperature, for a set length of time and at a prescribed pressure.

Grade B: perfume or cosmetic grade.  Extracted by heat or chemicals, may contain synthetics or extenders, such as alcohol or carrier oils.  Grade B flavors peppermint in candies or lemon extracts for baking.  Also, these lower essential oil grades are used in household products such as pine and orange based cleaners.

Grade C: perfume oils.  These are used in industrial cleaners, fragrances designed for making candles, potpourri, and perfumes.  These oils have little to no therapeutic benefit.

 

Safety tips for using essential oils of all types and kinds include:

1. Keep oils tightly closed and out of reach of pets and children.
2. Ingestion of essential oils is only recommended under the supervision or instruction of an Aromatherapist, Medical Doctor, or health care practitioner.
3. Keep oils away from eyes, ear, and open flames.
4. Skin test oils before using. Dilute a small amount and apply to the skin of inner arm.  Do not use if redness or irritation occurs.
5. If pregnant, suffering from any medical condition or taking medication, consult a health care practitioner before using.
6. Store essential oils out of the sun and extreme weather conditions.
7. Essential oil product guides are for reference only. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease.  The user assumes all risk, liability, and responsibility.

Wondering about occasion and holiday gift ideas?

When it comes to bridal showers, baby showers, birthdays, house warmings, and especially seasonal get togethers like Christmas, I find myself sometimes at a loss as to what I could get someone without being ‘generic’, impractical, or forgettable.  If you are like me, you may want a quick cheat sheet guide that you can whip out to find memorable and useful presents that your special people will like.  Well, you are in luck, for here are some essential oil ideas that could turn the tide!

Based on experience, here are my recommendations for essential oil gifts that could go long ways in a number of situations:

• Bridal shower gift – Try out a combination of Eden’s Garden Aphrodisiac, Sensation, Rose, and Love for the bride. Use in a diffuser or as perfume on the neck and wrists.
• Bridal shower love potion gift – place 20 drops of Sandalwood, 4 drops of Cocoa, and 1 drop of Rose in a container to be used as a perfume.
• Cocoa Vanilla Bliss lotion – place 40 drops Cocoa and 10 drops Vanilla and mix 4oz of Sweet Almond for a sensational lotion.
• Baby shower gift – Scent plug-in or Diffuser with Lavender or French Lavender to bring calm to mother and baby. Great for the kid’s room.
• Expecting mom gift – Morning sickness can be aided with Sweet Orange, Lemon, Peppermint, or Ginger. Can be inhaled straight from the bottle or diluted with Hemp to be rubbed on tummy.
• Father’s Day gift – give him Eden’s Garden Stress Relief or Relaxation for the car with an electric car diffuser for a good mood encourager for work!
• Birthday kit – give a basic essential oil set and diffuser. Browse Eden’s Garden for their variety packs.
• Birthday bath salts – mix 1 cup of Epson salt and baking soda and then 20-30 drops of French Lavender or Ylang Ylang. Use ¼ cup per bath.  Store in a container or mason jar.
• House warming gifts – Make French Lavender sachets for wardrobe by sewing material in squares. Place 5-10 drops of oil on material or filler and store in a plastic bag overnight to infuse the aroma.
• Winter holiday gift – Give Spruce, Cinnamon, Clove, Pine, Fir Needle, or Vanilla with a diffuser or wall diffuser. These fill the home with the scents of comfort and love of the season.  You can even try placing a few drops of each in a simmering hot water pot on the stove to boil and fill the house with holiday cheer!

 

All of these are meant to be unique, special, and tasteful ideas.  Let me know what you think of them!

For a place to find quality oils, diffusers, accessories, check out Eupterra Foundation and Eupterra’s Store.

Meditative inhalation using aromas and perfumed oils symbolizing acts of spiritual significance can be found through the records and annals of history.  In Eastern religions, incense is frequently used to help one obtain a level state of mind, or in conjunction with an offering.  In the West, folk and institutional uses of essential oils were more directed toward purity and sanctifying a place.  In Africa and the Americas, perfumes and oils had a central role in rituals and celebrations.

Here are a few examples of ways you can use “historic” essential oils in your spiritual practices:

• Inhale 6-12 deep breaths of Frankincense before bed time and meditate on your day for a good night’s rest. Frankincense is said to create clarify of mind, calm the emotions, and enhance spiritual awareness.
• Use Myrrh, Frankincense, Myrtle, or Cypress to pray and anoint each other as seen in the Bible verse “call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.”
• King David in ancient Israel used Hyssop when he prayed the prayer of Psalm 51:10 “Create in me a clean heart oh God and renew a right spirit within me…” Apply Hyssop with Sweet Almond to temples and neck during your reflections and prayers.
• Cassia and Cinnamon are among the holy anointing oils described in scriptures Exodus 30:22-31. Try smelling them before going to a place of worship.
• Before doing yoga, inhale Jasmine or Sweet Marjoram for an enhanced experience.
• Queen Esther in Esther 2:12 was massaged with Myrrh for 6 months in preparation for her marriage. Massage on Myrrh with Rosehip or inhale.
• Spikenard was poured over Jesus of Nazareth’s feet days before he died. Inhale ancient and spiritual Spikenard before meditating on the sacrifice of the cross.

These are just some thoughts on how ancient essential oils were used in spiritual practices or significance of the day.  Perhaps they can be imparting to the modern practices used now by you?

 

Do you use oils or incense in your spiritual practices or beliefs?  If so, which ones are most preferred?  Feel free to share!

 

For resources on spiritual practices and their history, visit Eupterra’s Store.

Isn’t it amazing how kids can get into the most unexpected messes?  It’s like everyday household items become a way to start a fight or hurt yourself over a toy!  Even routine things like scrapes, bites, and booboos can make their days (and others) less pleasant in numerous fashions.

Now, I know, you’re family may not look like this, but anybody who has little toddlers can relate that you might just feel this way at times

Here is a compilation of ways essential oils can help heal and soothe children when they are going through a rough patch, and bring some natural peace to yours:

1. Ringworm – mix 3 drops of Tea Tree and Spearmint and 1 drop of Peppermint and Rosemary with 10 drops of Hemp or Camellia Seed and massage over affected area 2-4 times daily.
2. Head lice – mix 3 drops of Thyme, Lavender, and Geranium with 10 drops of Evening Primrose or Rosehip and apply to scalp. Massage onto entire scalp, cover with a shower cap, and leave on for a half hour before shampooing and rinsing out.
3. Blisters – mix 2 drops of Tea Tree with 2 drops of Apricot Kernel and Sweet Almond and apply to blistered area 3-5 times daily.
4. Bruises and scrapes – mix 1 drop Clove and 4 drops Lavender with 5 drops of Grapeseed. Apply 1-4 times daily as needed.
5. Sunburn (1^st degree/no blisters) – mix 2 drops of Lavender, Rose, or Chamomile with 1 tbsp. of Hemp and apply 1-3 drops with cotton ball to affected area. This reduces inflammation.
6. Sprain – mix 2 drops of Bail, Pine, Kanuka, and Wintergreen with 6 drops of Macadamia. Apply to sprain 3-5 times daily.
7. Poison oak/ivy – mix 3 drops of Peppermint or Wintergreen with 3 drops of Avocado and apply to affected area twice daily.
8. Insect repellent – Mix 6 drops Peppermint, 6 drops Tea Tree, and 9 drops Citronella with 1 tbsp. Hemp. Apply to exposed skin.
   1. I also recommend Pennyroyale as a powerful insect repellant, but it is toxic if ingested so I do not recommend it for children.
9. Overactive children – diffuse Lavender, or apply to bottom of feet daily.
10. Bee sting/insect bite – apply 1-2 drops of Lavender, Peppermint, or Wintergreen on a bee sting/insect bite to help with itching and swelling.

 

Let me know what you think!

Check out Eupterra’s page for more on essential oil tips.

For supplies of these essential oils, visit Eupterra’s Store.

In ancient times, women (and there are even stories of men) used roots, herbs, and oils to showcase their natural beauty as well as take care of themselves. The Biblical story of Jesus of Nazareth having his feet washed by a teary woman’s hair after she broke an alabaster bottle of oily perfume to pour on them is a widely known story of how essential oils have played a major part in our species past and shows that beauty is more than just skin deep.  Although no amount of oil can make you beautiful on the inside, there are certain kinds that can help you care for that which is on the outside and by essence help with one’s everlasting feelings of self-confidence.  Whereas we have so much access to a plentitude of products that claim to do this now, back then though honestly, who had a drug store to go and buy wrinkle cream and make-up, when you rode on a donkey to get anywhere

Enhancing natural beauty is another proponent of essential oils that were used back in the day, and one that I will recommend specifics here now.  Whether it is to relieve clogged pores, reduce wrinkles, correct hair loss, be your own sunscreen, or even your own fragrant perfume; essential oils can help you look and feel essentially you!

Some fragrant ideas:

1. Clogged pores – apply 2-4 drops Lemon, Tea tree, or Sweet Orange oil to affected area and gently remove with cotton ball.
2. Nail strengthening recipe – mix 10 drops each of Frankincense, Myrrh, and Lemon to 2 tbsp. vitamin E oil. Mix ingredients together and store in a glass bottle.  Rub on nail cuticles twice a week.
3. Wrinkle reducing blend – Mix 5 drops Sandalwood, 4 drops Geranium, 3 drops Lavender and 6 drops of Frankincense and apply to face. Keep away from eyes.
4. Dandruff blend – Mix 5 drops Lemon, 2 drops Lavender, 1 drop Rosemary, and 2 drops Peppermint. Massage into scalp thoroughly for 2 minutes and leave on scalp for 10 minutes.  Then shampoo hair as usual.
5. Stretch marks – mix 5 drops Frankincense, Myrrh, Coriander, or French Lavender with 5 drops of Sweet Almond and massage on stretch marks 2 times a day.
6. Face moisturizer – Mix 1 drop of Elemi, Frankincense, or Lavender with Primrose for an evening moisturizer before bed.
7. Natural facial scrub – Mix ¼ cup plain yogurt, ¼ cup cornmeal, and 5 drops each of Patchouli, Grapefruit, and Lavender. Store any unused mixture in the refrigerator and use within a few days.
8. Skin toner – mix 8oz water, 2 drops Lavender, Palmarosa, and Rosewood in a clean bottle. Apply toner to skin with cotton ball after cleansing.  Shake well before use.
9. Hair thickener – place 1-2 drops of Rosemary or Carrot on hair brush before brushing to promote growth and thickness.
10. Perfume – Mix 25 drops of French Lavender, Patchouli, Sandalwood, Geranium, and Lavender to 1 oz of quality vodka. Let sit for 2 weeks before using.  Apply as a spray on neck, wrists, or lower back.
11. Stress soothing massage oil – mix 2 drops each of Lavender, Ylang Ylang, German Chamomile, and Bergamot with 5 tsp. of Apricot Kernal. Stir mixture and massage onto body.
12. Dry hair hot oil conditioner – mix 15 drops Rosewood and 5 drops Sandalwood, Geranium, and Lavender and 4 tbsp. of Avocado oil. Place mixture in small plastic bag and place the bag in a hot cup of water for a few minutes.  Apply, then wrap hair in a towel for 20 minutes.  Wash hair as normal.
13. Hair loss help blend – mix 3 drops each of Rosemary, Cedarwood, and Lavender with 2 oz Jojoba oil in a container and shake well. Massage into hair and scalp for a few minutes.  Leave on hair for an hour and then wash.  Use once per week.
14. Sunscreen – Mix 5 drops each of Myrrh and Carrot with 10 drops of Sweet Almond and apply for 40 SPF.
15. Oily hair repair – mix 9 drops of Ylang Ylang, Lim, and Rosemary with 2 tbsp. of Avocado oil. Mix all ingredients then massage into hair/scalp.  Wash hair as normal.  Use 2-3 times per week.
16. Natural lotion – mix 8 oz unscented lotion with 10 drops Myrrh, 15 drops Geranium, and 5 drops Ylang Ylang. Keep in an airtight container.  Apply as desired.

 

As you can see, there are a number of ways essential oils can bring out your best features without costing you the hundreds if not thousands required of more “traditional” beauty products.  Going back to the ways of the olden days can really help you with modern living.

For supplies and books that go further into this, check out Eupterra’s site and store.

Let me know if you have nifty green ideas!