Tag: Essential oil

Citrus Body Oil

Citrus Body Oil

Makes about 4 ounces

Ingredients:

4 ounces Sweet Almond Oil

30 drops Sweet Orange essential oil

15 drops Lemon essential oil

10 drops Lime essential oil

10 drops Grapefruit essential oil

10 drops Bergamot essential oil

Be sure you do not go out in the sun after applying this blend as citrus oils can have a phototoxic effect. If you have sensitive skin. It is recommended that you test this oil on a small area first and then wait 24 hours to see if you have any reaction.

Directions: Mix all oils in a clean container. Roll the bottle between your hands to remix the oils before each use. It is best to use a cobalt bottle with a lotion pump for applying oils.

Peppermint Refreshing Gel

Peppermint Refreshing Gel

This lotion is good for oil skin and will give a tingly feeling after it is applied.

½ cup aloe gel (100%)

1 tablespoon witch hazel

1-½ teaspoons cornstarch

3-4 drop peppermint essential oil

Mix the aloe, witch hazel and cornstarch in microwave safe bowl. Microwave on High, stirring every 20 seconds.

When the mixture returns to a clear like gel instead of opaque, you are done. The cornstarch will turn a clear aloe gel to an almost white cream color. Stir until the gel has cooled a bit. Let mixture rest until quite cool. Add peppermint drops and stir well. Store in a glass jar with a well-fitting lid.

What Is Bergamot: A Natural Healer

What Is Bergamot: A Natural Healer

What is bergamot? It has been sought after through the ages for its essential oil. It is very essential in promoting the body’s ability to inner heal.

Bergamot can be found in Italy, Morocco and the Ivory Coast, it originated in Asia. Bergamot is a small tree with long, oval green leaves with white flowers. The bergamot bears a small round fruit that is yellow when ripe. Bergamot’s essential oil is extracted by cold expression from the fruit peel. It has a spicy, delicate scent that is light and refreshing.

Bergamot is used as an antidepressant, and is calming and refreshing for the nervous system. It is highly useful as an antiseptic and is used as an insect repellent. When using as an insect repellent use caution and avoid strong sunlight, bergamot contains furocoumarins, which can cause photosensitivity.

Bergamot received its name from the city where it was first cultivated, which was Bergamot, Italy. It is said that Christopher Columbus brought the tree from the Canary Islands to Spain and Italy. Bergamot oil was very valued oil during the 15th to 16th century; it was used in teas and perfumes. In voodoo it is thought to ward off evil and danger.

In today’s society bergamot is also very valued oil, it is used to aid in the digestion process, in treating urinary tract infections, and also with colic. The essential oil of Bergamot is great with acne, eczema, varicose ulcers and seborrhea of the skin and scalp.

For people with sensitive skin it is advised to use in moderation because if used in excess may irritate the skin.

INSECT REPELLENT

INSECT REPELLENT

2 oz. vegetable oil or vodka
1/4 tsp each citronella and eucalyptus essential oils
1/8 tsp each pennyroyal, cedar and rose geranium essential oil,

Combine ingredients and apply mixture directly to all exposed skin. Keep oil
away from eyes and mouth – take care not to rub your eyes right after applying
the repellent with you fingers

HERBAL HEALING SALVE

HERBAL HEALING SALVE

2 oz dried comfrey leaves, 1 oz dried calendula flowers
2 cups olive oil
1 oz pure beeswax
4 drops each tea tree & lavender essential oils

Heat herbs in olive oil over low heat for about 5 hours. Do not let the oil boil
or bubble. A crock-pot or the lowest temp setting on a range should be suitable
for heating this mixture. (If the lowest setting is too hot, turn off the heat
once it has warmed the oil – it should keep warm for at least an hour – then
repeat the process twice.) After cooking, strain out the herbs while oil is
still warm.  Place 1 1/4 cups of the herb oil in a pan add beeswax and heat just
enough to melt the wax. Add essential oils and stir. Finally, pour the salve
into widemouthed jars. Store at room temp.

LAVENDER LOVE LETTER

LAVENDER LOVE LETTER

To write a successful love letter, rub the entire sheet of stationary with lavender before you start writing.
Use Dove’s blood ink when possible. If you use the Lavender and ink as prescribed the recipient will
be unable to resist whatever you ask or offer. This method can be used for business letters as
successfully as personal ones.

Herb of the Day for Feb. 11 – Pennyroyal

Pennyroyal

Pennyroyal is well known as a magical herb. In some traditions it’s associated with money, while in others Pennyroyal is connected to strength and protection. In Hoodoo and some forms of American folk magic, Pennyroyal is carried to ward off the “evil eye.” Cat Yronwoode of Luckymojo.com says that it can be used to break a hex or curse.

Associated with the planet Mars, Pennyroyal was used by sailors in the Elizabethan era to ward off seasickness. It’s also believed to effective in warding off fleas and mosquitoes.

Sir James George Frazer wrote in The Golden Bough that in Morocco, Pennyroyal and other aromatic herbs were burned in large quantities at midsummer. He says that people leap across the smoke, “driving it towards the orchards and crops,” as a method of protecting the year’s harvest from damage. The smoke contains a “magical quality which removes misfortune from men, animals, fruit trees, and crops.”

For some protection magic, make a sachet stuffed with Pennyroyal and tuck it in your purse.

In a few traditions, Pennyroyal is associated with money magic. If you own a business, place a sprig over the door to draw in customers and prosperity. Try making a bar of Money Soap to wash your hands with, or use Pennyroyal to brew up some Prosperity Oil.

Storm Moon Winter Mist

Storm Moon Winter Mist

 
Use this mist to encourage the blessings of the Goddess as you sleep and dream. Make this magickal mist at midnight.
 
You will need a misting bottle, one-half cup of spring or well water, six drops of lavender essential oil, and six drops of pure vanilla extract.
 
Hold the bottle and pour the water in. Add the drops of lavender. Count out the drops of lavender oil and vanilla as you add them to the mist by saying:
 
One, two, three,
four, five, six
Add get added,
To this magickal mix.
 
Put the cap on the misting bottle and shake it eighteen times while chanting:
 
Goddess of the Storm Moon,
Bless this winter mist.
 
To bring the blessings of the Storm Moon Goddess into your dreams, close your eyes and spray the mist on the top of your head several times, as well as your body and bed linens before you go to sleep. As you breathe in the mist, say:
 
Goddess of the Storm Moon
Please bless my dreams tonight.
 
In the morning, write everything you recall from your dreams in your journal.

Storm Moon Dream Bath

Storm Moon Dream Bath

The month of the Storm Moon is a time of turbulence, which in turn brings both positive and negative changes. One of the most positive aspects of storms is that they bring water. On a practical level, water is essential to the survival of life. On an elemental level, water is fluid and denotes emotions. This means that not only is this a turbulent time of year, but it can also bring out strong emotions. Use this bath to make more positive, empowering changes.
 
You will need a cup of rainwater and three drops of lavender essential oil.
 
As you pour your bath, go over in your mind the changes that are happening in your life. Think about how you can makes these changes positive. How do you feel about these changes? How are they affecting you emotionally? After the bath has filled, pour in the cup of rainwater and three drops of lavender oil, and as you do say:
 
Taranis, Celtic God of storms
Give me the strength to prevail
Please grant my ship safe passage
Through all this rain, sleet, and hail.
 
Lay back in your bath and breathe deeply. Can you smell the lavender as the warm water moves around your body, caressing every inch of your skin? Let all of your tensions move out of your body through your breath and from your muscles and skin into the surrounding water. Sense a wave of calmness wash over your entire body.

Storm Moon Winter Mist

Storm Moon Winter Mist

Use this mist to encourage the blessings of the Goddess as you sleep and dream. Make this magickal mist at midnight.

You will need a misting bottle, one-half cup of spring or well water, six drops of lavender essential oil, and six drops of pure vanilla extract.

Hold the bottle and pour the water in. Add the drops of lavender. Count out the drops of lavender oil and vanilla as you add them to the mist by saying:

One, two, three,
Four, five, six,
All get added
To this magickal mix.

Put the cap on the misting bottle and shake it eighteen times while chanting:

Goddess of the Storm Moon,
Bless this winter mist.

To bring the blessings of the Storm Moon Goddess into your dreams, close your eyes and spray the mist on the top of your head several times, as well as on your body and bed linens before you go to sleep. As you breathe in the mist, say:

Goddess of the Storm Moon,
Please bless my dreams tonight.

In the morning, write everything you recall from your dreams in your journal.

Basic Herbal Ointment

Basic Herbal Ointment

 
This is a basic ointment that you can make with any herb you want to use for a magical purpose. Just choose the herb you want by consulting the correspondences and add it as directed. You’ll need 1 ounce of lanolin or cocoa butter and 1/2 oz of beeswax, 3-4 ounces of apricot kernal oil, 1 ounce of strong herb infusion of your choice, and 5 drops of essential oil of your choice. You can match the infusion and essential oil or use different herbs. Melt the lanolin or cocoa butter and the beeswax in the top of a double boiler. When completely melted begin adding the oil, pouring a very stream into the pan while stirring constantly until all the oil is added. Turn off the heat and slowly add the herb infusion stiring constantly until the cream has cooled. Add the essential oil and stir in completely. Spoon or pour the cream into an opaque white jar or clear jar covered with paper. You may add 6-8 drops of tincture of benzoin to the mixture when you add the essential oil as a preservative if desired.

Making Ointments – The Beeswax Method

Making Ointments

The Beeswax Method
 
 
This process creates a more cosmetic ointment without a heavy, greasy feeling. It is best to prepare it with oils rather than herbs, as it is difficult to strain.
 
If possible, use unbleached beeswax. If not, use what you can find. Chip it with a large, sharp knife so that you can pack it into a measuring cup. Place one-fourth cup or so of beeswax in the top of a double boiler(such as a coffee can set into a larger pot of water). Add about one-fourth cup olive, hazelnut, sesame or some other vegetable oil. Stir with a wooden spoon until the wax has melted into the oil.
 
Remove from the heat and let cool very slightly, until it has just begun to thicken. (This step is taken so that the hot wax won’t evaporate the oils.) Now add the mixed oils to the wax. Stir thoroughly with a wooden spoon and pour into a heat-proof container. Label and store in the usual way.

Daily Aromatherapy Tip of the Day for Jan 31

 

Daily Aromatherapy Tip


One of the best eo’s for extreme anxiety and rapid heart beat is Ylang Ylang. Botanical name Cananga odorata
To achieve these results you’ll need Ylang Ylang Extra or Complete which contain a higher (50%) amount of linalool
not found in poorer grades of Ylang Ylang, (1, 2 0r 3). Enjoy!

Brought to you by AromaThyme.com

 

Plant Kingdom Helps and Hints

Plant Kingdom Helps and Hints

The fresher a plant (or a plant preparation) is the better it responds to magical energy, unless you leave that item where it will receive constant charging.

Dry plants and plant parts are fine for convenience, but they don’t have the magical vitality fresh ones do because the vital oils (and life energy) are also “dry.” Mind you, there are cases when the dry quality may help your magic, such as when performing a good-weather spell!

The essential oil from a plant is a perfectly good substitute for fresh parts. Just be careful–these oils can be harsh on the skin, and some are toxic to pets.

Growing your own magical plants and harvesting them at a traditional tie (e.g., Midsummer’s Day) does seem to boost the magical energy within.

If you have to buy plants from a supplier, organic plants have the best magical potential (chemicals can obscure magical intention). Also, find a supplier you can trust. One green leafy thing looks a lot like another, and not all companies are honest in their packaging.

Along the same lines, as you collect plants for magical work make sure to carefully label everything both inside and outside the container. Always trust this rule: If you’re not sure what it is, don’t use it!

Daily Aromatherapy – Manuka Oil, New Zealand

Daily Aromatherapy – Manuka Oil, New Zealand

High leptospermemone
Botanical name Leptospermum Scoparium/OR/ New Zealand

Manuka oil gives you a good alternative to Tea tree as an anti- infections oil. The main constituents of Manuka oil are caryophyllene, geraniol, pinene, linalol and humulene

and….Leptospermone, which is very insecticidal. Manuka is anti-viral, anti-fungal and highly bactericidal across a wide spectrum. An excellent antiseptic for use on the skin
and can be used for respiratory infections and it has an anti-histamine action and is anti-allergic in most people. (test to be sure) It is an effective insecticide and the pleasant
scent makes it particularly suitable for use in air sprays or burners. It can be used in situations where the stronger and more medicinal smelling oils might not be welcome.
The scent is elusive……very sweet and ‘gentle’.
)0(
Brought to you by AromaThyme.com

Today’s Aromatherapy Tip – Perfume for the Hair

Today’s Aromatherapy Tip – Perfume for the Hair

Blend a drop or two of your favorite essential oil or synergistic blend
with a drop or two of Jojoba Oil then gently run your fingers through your hair.
The scent will remain with you all day.Try a blend with Lavender, Rose and Patchouli..

Enjoy!
..
http://www.aromathyme.com

Wiccan Book of Days for January 26th – Efficacions Eucalyptus

Winter Images, Pictures, Comments
Efficacions Eucalyptus

This day’s element is Air, which promotes clear thinking. But it is difficult to breathe, let alone think straight, if your sinuses are painful and your chest is congested with catarrh. So if you are suffering from a cold, turn to eucallyptus for help:  many commercial inhalanats and chest rubs contain this natural decongestant, but a home-made steam inhalation usually provides longer-lasting relief. Simply add 2 to 4 drops of the essential oil to a bowl of hot water, then lean over the bowl, cover your head with a towel, and start breathing in and out slowly and deeply; do this for up to five minutes.

“A Mystical Message”

Air is an agent of communication, for sounds are carried on the airwaves. Practice chanting a mantra, such as the Sanskrit Om, the mystical sound of creation in hindu belief, and you may find that this resonant repetition aids your meditation or trance-work.

The Wicca Book of Days

Storing Your Magick Stuff

Storing Your Magick Stuff

If you’re anything like me, over time you have accumulated a mixed collection of herbs, oils and incenses. What do you do with it all? Stuff everything into a shoe-box, still in their original packages? Or display it on an altar? Whatever your storage method, you might want to think about what is best for the items, rather than what is best for you. Herbs can go stale, oils can go rancid and incense can go bland, if left in the wrong conditions for any length of time.

 
Herbs
If you are using fresh herbs for tea or ritual, then you should be using them up as quickly as possible. But dried herbs are a more common magickal item. The biggest problem facing dried herbs is exposure to air. Herbs will lose their aroma, texture and potency if left in the open air for even short periods of time. You shouldn’t leave your herbs in those little plastic bags from the herb store. They are prone to leaking, and your herbs will go stale in no time. The best way to store dried herbs is in jars with tight lids, and preferably stored in a dark place.

Oils
All oils, whether they are plain essential oils or custom ritual blends, should be kept out of the light. Good quality oils are usually sold in amber or cobalt blue bottles which are perfect to keep the oil at its best. Oils in these bottles can even be stored out on your altar, though I would keep them out of direct sunlight. Any oils that are in plain clear bottles should be either transfered to the darker bottles, or kept under wraps.

Incense
I used to store my incense sticks in the long bags I purchase them in, all bundled together in a box. Well, I ended up with a whole bunch of incense sticks that smelled the same. Even with the plastic bags, the scents blended and mingled until every stick had a pleasant but unidentifiable aroma. I have since purchased tall plastic containers designed for holding spaghetti. These work great, but they can get cumbersome if you have a lot of incense.

Overall, your supplies will last longer if you keep them protected and out of sight. If you like to keep your altar decorated with your supplies, you might want to select a few things for display only and not use them for ritual.

Aromatherapy in the Kitchen

Aromatherapy in the Kitchen

With so many essential oils having powerful antibacterial and
antiseptic qualities, use in the kitchen seems a very “natural” thing
to do! The scent from these natural cleaners is also a bonus, as we
don’t have to contend with the chemicals wafting around our
environment. We use these oils to wash down countertops after
cooking, chopping boards after cutting up meats, in the wash water
when washing the floor, walls or cupboards, cleaning the fridge or
freezer, its amazing!

When we cook, rising up in the steam are those tiny little molecules
of fat, which carry the scent of the food you are cooking. While this
is appetizing at the time, we don’t really want these smells to
linger by attaching themselves to our curtains, our clothing and our
furniture and carpeting. Blending essential oils of rosemary,
eucalyptus, lime, lavender or lemon (use one or all!) into a spray
bottle with a little alcohol and water makes a wonderfully air
cleansing room spray. The aromatic molecules of the essential oils
actually surround and deodorize those smelly little fat molecules,
rather then just covering them up like so many commercial, chemically
based synthetic sprays do. All the while these essential oils are
also helping to destroy any airborne bacteria that may have been
tracked home from school or the office, and are just waiting for
someone’s immune system to drop down so they can attack!!!

In the final rinse water for the cleaning of the refrigerator, a
drop or 2 of any of the citrus essential oils (orange, lemon,
grapefruit) will help to deodorize without permeating your food.

Washing down the counters and cupboards requires some serious
bacteria fighters, to make sure there are no surprises lingering on
your cooking and preparation surfaces. The following oils can be
dropped directly onto your cloth or combined to make 7-8 drops into
your rinse water (this is our favorite, as you get to enjoy the scent
of the molecules rising on the steam from the hot water!). Again, the
citrus oils are wonderful as well as thyme, pine, lavender and
eucalyptus (these can also calm you down and clear your nose if you
have a cold!).

Even doing dishes can be a little more fun (can we say those two
words in relation to one another?) when you add 10 drops of lemon,
grapefruit or bitter orange to your dish soap. You may not want to
sing and dance upon completion, but at least your psyche will be
suitably calmed and rejuvenated!

With so many essential oils having powerful antibacterial and
antiseptic qualities, use in the kitchen seems a very “natural” thing
to do! The scent from these natural cleaners is also a bonus, as we
don’t have to contend with the chemicals wafting around our
environment. We use these oils to wash down countertops after
cooking, chopping boards after cutting up meats, in the wash water
when washing the floor, walls or cupboards, cleaning the fridge or
freezer, its amazing!

From thymeforherbsandaromatherepy group

13 Natural Ingredients to Clean Almost Anything!

13 Natural Ingredients to Clean Almost Anything!

  • Jessica Kellner

Everyone wants a clean home, but clean these days means more than no dirt and grime. It also means no potentially toxic chemicals. Clean up your cleaning act by ditching toxic commercial cleansers in favor of homemade versions. With this list of grocery store basics, you can clean just about anything.

Shopping List

With these easy-to-find items, you can clean just about anything.

■ Baking Soda: scrubbing, whitening
Use baking soda to eliminate odors and to whiten. A paste of baking soda and water can help whiten sinks and bathtubs, and a box of baking soda in the fridge, bathroom or cupboard helps absorb odors.

■ Beeswax: polishing wood
You can forgo oily wood polish in favor of all-natural beeswax. Find a local beekeeper, and you support your local economy in the process!

■ Cornstarch and Club Soda (or any unflavored fizzy water): lifting stains
For a quick treatment to stains on carpets or drapes, cover the stain with absorbent cornstarch. Let it sit for about 20 minutes, then pour fizzy club soda to lift the stain. Also try cornstarch on oil dripped on clothing.

■ Hydrogen Peroxide: disinfecting, removing stains
Hydrogen peroxide is a powerful disinfectant. To kill mildew, combine baking soda and hydrogen peroxide to create a paste, put on mildew and allow to sit for a few minutes before wiping away.
■ Lemon: removing stains and odors
Lemons are a great all-purpose odor remover in the kitchen. Run half a lemon over a dirty cutting board to help remove odors such as onion or fish. Put half a lemon (chop it up if your disposal has trouble with large objects) down the disposal and grind it to remove odors from the kitchen sink. Lemon juice adds cleaning power to all-purpose solutions.

■ Liquid Castile Soap: sudsing power
Liquid castile soap is an all-natural, olive oil-based soap great for all-natural dishsoap, floor cleaner and more. For a floor or wall cleaner, combine a cup of vinegar with a gallon of hot water and a few drops of soap.

■ Olive Oil: polishing wood
Olive oil can naturally condition wood, as well as skin and hair!

■ Pine Oil: cleaning soft wood floors
Pine oil is naturally conditions wood floors, and it smells fresh.

■ Plant Essential Oils: chemical-free fragrance
Although they are chemical-free, pure essential oils are strong. Always do a sniff test before buying to make sure you’re not sensitive to the fumes, and use caution when handling pure essential oils. A few drops of essential oil can add antibacterial and antifungal power to a cleaning solution. Most important? They leave behind a fresh scent. Look for pure, undiluted essential oils in dark brown or blue bottles. Store away from sunlight.

■ Salt: scrubbing
Thick kosher salt gives power to your elbow grease. To clean stubborn soap scum, combine baking soda and kosher salt and scrub.

■ Washing Soda (sodium carbonate): scrubbing, removing stains and cutting grease
Washing soda is a powerful cleaning ingredient that acts much like baking soda but stronger. Use washing soda to clean toilets, or mix with water for a powerful all-purpose cleaner. Many natural cleaners recommend borax, but recent studies by the Environmental Working Group have found that it’s overly harsh. You can replace borax with slightly milder washing soda in nearly any recipe

■ White Vinegar: disinfecting, removing stains
White vinegar is a powerhouse of cleaning. Disinfecting and deodorizing, vinegar is a go-to product for germ-ridden spots such as countertops, door handles and telephones.