Micellar Water: C'est Magnifique!

1. My favorite new product for removing makeup and cleansing my face is Micellar Water.  I stash a bottle on my nightstand, along with cotton pads, so no matter how exhausted I am at bedtime, I can still cleanse my face.  Pear Micellar is my favorite!  I keep bottles in my bathroom and office; when my family goes camping, this soapless wonder will be a godsend.
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3. What is Micellar Water?  Would you be surprised to learn it's considered a high-end skin care "must have" in Europe?  Here's a quick explanation from the compounding wizards at Essential Wholesale & Labs, whose Pear Micellar Water is clean, fragrant, and affordable to wholesalers:
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   "Micellar Water is a prized, one-step cleansing wonder that has been favored by Parisian beauties for many years, and for good reason – IT WORKS!  Using the magic of Micelles, tiny, round surfactant molecules that have a lipophilic end (attracted to oil), and a hydrophilic end (attracted to water), make-up, oil, dirt and grime, are gently, quickly and easily removed WITHOUT the need for rinsing.  It’s that simple – and that amazing!  Just apply Essential's Micellar Water to a cotton pad and instantly the hydrophilic ends attach to the pad, while the lipophilic ends are free to collect all the make-up and daily grime, leaving nothing but soft, dewy-fresh, clean and beautiful skin behind. This product is so versatile; it’s a perfect fit for any line looking to offer a truly game-changing product.  It’s a make-up artist Must Have tool (perfect for quick preps, removals, and “do over’s!”), great for Travel or Plane Ride Rescue Kits as an in-flight face savior, a camping trip hero, a tweens'n teens helper – or pretty much the perfect solution for any skin area in need of feeling clean and refreshed ~ C’est Magnifique!" 

Check out more reviews from Elle magazine and Huff Post Style!

A Bucket List Moment

Thanks to new, ready-to-label products from Essential Wholesale & Labs in Oregon, I've realized a dream of sharing my favorite EO products with family and friends.

Barb's Blends 2015 Holiday Edition included Pear Micellar Water, Lavender Shortbread Cookie Scrub, Muscle Jelly, and Peppermint Lip Balm.

Looking forward to hearing from my wonderful family and friends as they try this first batch and share their feedback.

Wonderful EO Blog

The wizards at Edens Garden are giving away loads of brilliant ideas, recipes and recommendations in a well-written blog.  Their website's easier to navigate now, too -- not that is was difficult before. Still a great place to learn about EOs and get started with quality products at fair prices!

Stress Relief from Edens Garden

Thumbs up for "Stress Relief,"  blend of EOs from Edens Garden in San Clemente, CA.  Used a fractioned coconut oil as the base and enjoyed the tangy but soothing blend.  Check it out at www.edensgarden.com

Epsom Salt + EOs = Ahhhhh!

Soaking once a week in Epsom salts, with a few drops of your favorite EOs, will sooth sore muscles and improve your mood. I recommend spearmint and eucalyptus EOs.  Get the scoop from Dr. Karen Lamb, an Arizona naturopath.  Here's her list of steps for the best-ever soak:

1. Fill bathtub with hot or warm water.
2. Add between two and four cups of Epsom salt to the water.
3. Mix the water with your hands and allow the Epsom salt to dissolve.
4. Add five to ten drops of your favorite essential oil just before you step in the tub to maximize stress reduction.  Some common choices are lavender, rose or chamomile essential oils.
5. Soak in the bath for about 15 minute but no longer to avoid reabsorbing the toxins eliminated by the Epsom salt.
6. Shower immediately after the bath to rinse the Epsom salts from your skin, which can dry your skin.

Scents of the Season: Holiday EO Singles & Blends

Essential oils really shine this time of year!  Adding a few drops of EO to a pot of simmering water not only evokes special memories and feelings, but also can help keep germs from invading your holidays.  If you're lucky enough to have a nebulizer made for EO dispersal, remember to clean out the reservoir after each use, particularly if you use vanilla EO.

• Grapefruit, bergamot, cinnamon leaf and clove
• White fir
• Vanilla, mandarin, and cinnamon leaf
• Spearmint and eucalyptus
• Wintergreen

Make Your Own Hand Sanitizer with EOs

Ingredients

• 2  parts aloe gel (not juice)
• 1  part distilled water (not tap)
• 1  part grain alcohol-vodka (not isopropyl)
• 4-5  drops essential oil (EO) of choice (not fragrance oils)

Mix all ingredients in glass bowl.  Use a funnel to pour into container of choice.  

Tips 

• Re-purposed plastic squeeze-top bottles are great for travel use. 
• Tea tree EO is a great antibacterial for hand sanitizer and blends well with lavendar.
• Citrus EOs work really well, too, and smell great!
• Aloe gel is used as a thickening agent and moisturizer.
• Grain alcohol is a sanitizer without the smell of isopropyl alcohol.
• Distilled water will allow a clear product without mineral content.

Recipe source:  eHow

Four Thieves Recipe for Battling Bacteria, Viruses

Simple recipe!
The friendly folk at Mountain Rose have a neat blog.  Their recipe for making your own "Four Thieves" antibacterial blend can be tweaked by adding a few more oils to this quintet:
Lemon
Cinnamon
Clove
Rosemary
Eucalyptus

http://mountainroseblog.com/thieves-oil/

Spray Cleaners Need 90 Seconds to Kill Bacteria

Does Commercial Glass Cleaner Kill Germs?

"That blue stuff you spray on your windows may be great on glass, but it's a dud as a disinfectant. Scan the label before you buy: Only cleaners labeled with an EPA registration number, such as Clorox Anywhere, are true germ killers. If you use a cleaner that's not a disinfectant, you run the risk of not killing bacteria, spreading microbes, and contaminating more surfaces," says University of Arizona micro-biologist Charles Gerba, Ph.D. Once you start cleaning, step away after you spray. "It takes 30 to 90 seconds for a disinfectant to kill germs, so let it sit before wiping it off," Gerba says. SOURCE: Men's Health, Aug. 1, 2012

Tea Tree Essential Oil - First Aid in a Bottle

From The Complete Illustrated Guide to Aromatherapy:
Actions -- anti-infectious, anti-inflammatory, anti-septic, antiviral, bacteridical, balsamic, cicatrizant, diaphoretic, expectorant, fungicidal, immunostimulant, parasiticide, vulnerary.
Skin care uses -- abcess, acne, athlete's foot, blisters, burns, bruises, chicken pox rash, cold sores, dandruff, herpes, insect bites, oily skin, rashes, spots, verrucae, warts, wounds (infected).
Respiratory system -- asthma, bronchitis, catarrh, coughs, sinusitis, tuberculosis, whooping cough.
Reproductive system -- thrush, vaginitis.
Immune system -- colds, fever, flu, infectious illnesses.
Urinary system -- cystitis, pruritus.
Safety data:
Nontoxic, nonirritant, possible sensitization over time for some people.

From Edens Garden:

Botanical Name: Melaleuca alternifolia

Tea Tree essential oil has a fresh, camphorous aroma.

Available in 10- and 30 ml- dark amber glass bottle with euro- style dropper cap. 30 ml $6.95

100% Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade Essential Oil - no fillers, additives, bases or carriers added.

From doTERRA:
Melaleuca Essential Oil
Melaleuca alternifolia

Recognized by its more common name "tea tree," melaleuca has been revered for its cleansing and regenerative properties, especially for the skin. Composed of more than ninety different compounds, melaleuca has limitless therapeutic applications. For aromatic, internal or topical use.  dōTERRA's Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade essential oils are guaranteed to be 100% pure and natural and free of synthetic compounds or contaminates.  15 ml $25.33

 

Illustrated Guide to Aromatherapy

Finding this edition might be tough, at a reasonable price, but keep up the search!  It will be worthwhile.
Julia Lawless' "The Complete Illustrated Guide to Aromatherapy:  A Practical Approach to the Use of Essential Oils for Health and Well-Being" was published by Barnes & Noble in 1997.  Look for this specific cover art and title.  There are other editions, but this is the best, combining clinical notes with specifics on methods of use, dietary data, and recommendations for essential oils best suited for treating many common conditions.  There is a First Aid section, visual profiles of 65 oils, safety guidelines, and other useful tools. The print is small, but easy to navigate and the layout is lovely.
I found a paperback edition through Thriftbooks.com for less than $4, shipping included.  It's selling on Amazon.com for more than $100 this week!

Housecleaning with Essential Oils

Cleaning House with PURE ESSENTIAL OILS

By J.C. Shannon for Rocky Mountain Oils (reposted, edited for length)

In ages past, people put aromatic rushes and other sweet-smelling herbs under the rugs in their homes so the scent would permeate the room whenever they were walked upon. Certain scents also can clean, deodorize and disinfect:  lavendar, lemon, eucalyptus, pathcouli, pine, rosemary, orange, and geranium are top choices.

 

Today’s cleaners are full of chemicals with lasting effects on our environment and on our selves that have not yet been measured. What has been noted, however, is the antibacterial agents added to soaps today are not being filtered out by the sewage system and are now present in our rivers and other water sources. These antibacterial agents kill all bacteria. They are unable to distinguish between good and bad bacteria. In our own homes, the effect can be devastating as our bodies lose their natural bacteria balance that fights off infections with good bacteria.

Fortunately, AROMATHERAPY ESSENTIAL OILS clean the air and environment. They boost our immune systems by promoting the production of white blood cells, as well as cleaning out bad bacteria in our homes.

 

Here are some methods good for cleaning bacteria around the sinks in the kitchen and bathrooms.

• Put 2 drops of one of the above PURE ESSENTIAL OILS on a wet cloth. Wipe down the surface of the counter and the sink then squeeze it out and let the water run down the drain, killing any bacteria lurking inside the drain.
• Take the AROMATHERAPY ESSENTIAL OILS of your choice; add 8 drops to 2 1/2 cups of water. Put in a plant mister spray bottle—you want as fine a mist as you can possibly get—and spray into the air upwards and towards the curtains and carpets. If you have pets, pay particular attention to your carpets. Avoid velvet, silk and other sensitive fabrics, as well as some wood because the spray can leave stains.

The main thing to remember, all PURE ESSENTIAL OILS used in cleaning will help make your home a safer and much more enjoyable environment for all who enter.

(This information is provided for informational purposes only. It is not approved by the FDA nor is it provided in order to diagnose, prescribe or treat any disease, illness or injured condition of the body. Rocky Mountain Oils assumes no responsibility for such use. Anyone suffering from any disease, illness or injury should consult with a physician or health care provider.)

Lavendar for Scratches, Bug Bites

Used lavendar, full strength, on some facial scratches my daughter sustained when our puppies showed her a lot of love this morning.  She had four pronounced, long, red marks on her nose and cheeks.  She used triple antibiotic foaming wash and lavendar essential oil.  Three hours later, the marks are gone.  Lavendar is mild enough to use full strength and powerful enough to help heal skin abrasions.  She's also used it to stop the sting in insect bites this week, with great results. 

Acne & Rosacea

My friend Angie is searching for essential oils or blends to help treat her teenage daughter's acne.  While reviewing literature for the most commonly recommended essential oils, I came across this formula from Birch Hill Happenings, an aromatherapy company in Minnesota.  Lavendar, the No. 1 recommended essential oil for many, many conditions, appears in nearly every blend for acne.  Please remember to test a dab of any essential oil or blend on the hand before applying elsewhere, and of course, remember that "This statement has not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease."

From Birch Hill Happenings:

To 4 ml of Jojoba oil (4 ml. = 0.81 US teaspoons)

Add:
Lavender 8 drops,
Rosewood 8 drops,
Tea tree 8 drops,
Chamomile 4 drops,
Geranium 4 drops,
Helichrysum 4 drops and
Lemon 4 drops.

"Blend well and apply a finger tip of this oil to the blemishes you wish to treat. Can be applied several times a day. 

"SPECIAL NOTE: Many people afflicted with Rosacea often time find that the same home remedy, home treatment using essential oils for treatment of acne works great for the natural treatments of rosacea. You may want to give this natural home remedy a try to treat your rosacea, too."

Bergamot, Lemon & Lime Essential Oils

My friend Buffy asked a good question about the kitchen sink scrub recipe posted earlier this week,  wondering if the lemon and lime did anything other than counteract the smell of baking soda and vinegar.
Yes!
The recipe calls for lime and bergamot essential oils; bergamot, or citrus bergamot, is a lovely green citrus fruit.  As an essential oil, bergamot is a strong antibacterial, antiseptic, anti parasitic, and anti infectious powerhouse that kills strep and staph bacteria.
Lemon and lime essential oils also have very strong antibacterial, antiviral, anti fungal and antiseptic properties.  
All three smell fresh and uplifting, and taste great.  
Here are some useful ways to harness the powers of lemon essential oil, shared by DoTERRA:

• Add a drop to a water bottle or glass of water
• Diffuse aromatic ally or apply topically, diluted, for mood elevation
• Add to a drop of honey to soothe sore throats or coughs
• Dilute with coconut oil to massage and condition fingernails
• Apply directly to cold sores for relief
• Add a drop to toothbrushes after brushing
• Diffuse in a room to neutralize odors
• Remove gum, label adhesives, grease from fabric
• Clean kitchen counters and stainless steel appliances
• Add to olive oil for nontoxic furniture polish

Nature's Healing Pharmacy

Amazon.com rating: 5 stars
Two ratings
New book, Kindle $9.99

The journey toward wellness can be relative, with a chronic condition like fibromyalgia or arthritis, because "well" isn't part of the mix.  No cures, but fortunately there are many ways to seek relief without the side effects of prescription medications.  One such avenue leads to Illinois, where Pam Taylor, ND, practices.  She's written a new book, "Simple Ways of Healing," that includes many, many simple blends of essential oils for dozens of common ailments and conditions.

http://pamelataylornd.com/



Amazon.com rating:  4.5 stars
Eight ratings
New paperback $13.29

Three of Taylor's more complicated blends are published in Kurt Schnaubelt's book, "The Healing Intelligence of Essential Oils."  I highly recommend the pain relief blend formula shared by Taylor with Schnaubelt's readers.  My first batch is working very well, particularly to relieve muscular and connective tissue pain that develops overnight. 

Please use the amazon.com link on this blog to shop for these excellent books; the pennies I'll earn on your purchases will be going toward my daughter's college fund!

Sample Essential Oils at Home

Amazon.com rating:
Five stars, 125 customer
reviews
$19.90 + shipping

From Amazon.com:

Eucalyptus, Lavender, Lemongrass, Peppermint, Sweet Orange & Tea Tree (10 ml each)
"All Edens Garden oils are 100% Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade Essential Oil - no fillers, additives, bases or carriers added."

From Barb:

I'm using Edens Garden essential oils and love them.  Excellent customer service, outstanding prices, check out the very high number of top ratings from Amazon customers.  You can get free shipping by ordering $75 in products directly from the company at www.edensgarden.com, too.  Add jojoba oil and other carrier oils -- you'll add just a few drops of essential oils into an ounce of jojoba or even olive oil from your pantry (EVOO, cold pressed).  Essential oils are very strong and with a few exceptions, are rarely used "neat"  (full strength).  Edens Garden also offers a "create your own" set for $19.95 -- choose six oils from a very large array.  Hint for gifts:  These sets are beautifully boxed.

Tea Tree Soap from Dr. Bonner

From Amazon.com --

All Natural Organic Certified Ingredients; Bio-Degradable; Packaged In 100% Post-Consumer Recycled Bottles; No Animal Testing And Cruelty-Free

Cleans Body; Floors; Bathrooms; Counters; Walls; Dishes; Pets; Fruits & Vegetables; Great For Shaving

Tea Tree Oil Is Great For Facial Cleaning; Cleaning Minor Cuts And Scrapes

Great For Camping; Backpacking; Traveling

From Barb --  Smells great, foams well in foaming dispenser, which is the most economical way to add tea tree's disinfecting qualities to everyday hand washing. This 32-oz. bottle sells for about $14 on amazon.com and if you buy two bottles, you get free shipping.  Choose from Dr. Bonner's blends of lavendar, citrus, peppermint, or mild baby castile soaps.  Most foaming dispeners call for a mix of 10% soap and 90% water, which means this bottle of biodegradable soap will last a very long time.

Rocky Mountain Oils

Here's another company to check out ... I'm interested in their backstory. Looks like they left the multi-level marketing world and now offer several blends that compete with Young Living's top sellers.  Nice online beginner's guide, informative and easy to use charts on blended products.
http://www.rockymountainoils.com/

Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy

Library Journal review posted by Amazon.com:



Published 1991
Amazon.com ratings: 155
Average rating: 4.5
Price: $5.85 to $12.63

"There are plenty of good books on herbs, and some of them devote a chapter to essential oils, but there's nothing comparable to Worwood's work. Her premise is different from other herbalists--she believes that the most effective way to use herbs medicinally is by external application or inhalation. Both methods allow the essential oil to enter the bloodstream without passing through the digestive tract. Her grasp of basic physiology is somewhat confused, but there's nothing dangerous in her suggestions. (Worwood runs an aromatherapy clinic in England and conducts research on aromatherapy.) Her book prescribes oils for everything from basic first aid and treating common ailments to natural cosmetics and body care, fragrance for the home and office, and cooking with essential oils. A good addition to alternative medicine collections."

NOTE: Some reviewers note a lack of safety cautions for essential oils.