Susan's Soap Scene
Hi everyone,
It's hard to believe it's already March. Once again, I have to apologize for not getting my newsletter out on a more timely basis. January was unexpectedly busy for us as far as orders and then I was on TV's Good Morning Texas on Febuary 2 and we were simply swamped for a good two weeks.
We are still trying to get caught up with everything, but I have hired another assistant and she is doing a great job. So hopefully, here within the next few weeks, we will be back to normal around here. Thanks again for your patience and now on to this month's issue.
For the person beginning to pursue an interest in using essential oils the sheer number and diversity can be overwhelming. To start out you might want to consider a few of the more important essential oils and familiarize yourself with those before moving on. These oils are generally considered essential to your aromatherapy medicine chest and are useful for basic ailments, are safe for general use and are relatively inexpensive. These are Lavender, Tea Tree, Peppermint, Eucalyptus, Geranium, Rosemary and Lemon. I will be discussing a couple of these each month for the next few months.
This month let's start with Peppermint and Eucalyptus. Peppermint is a scent almost everyone is familar with. It has many extremely useful health-promoting properties. It is an excellent digestive, it helps the respiratiory system and circulation, it is an antiinflammatory, and an antiseptic. These qualities cause it to be recommended for treatment of indigestion, flatulence, bad breath, flue, catarrh, varicose veins, headaches, skin irritations, rheumatism, toothache, and fatigue. It's even good at keeping mice, fleas and ants away!
Here are a couple of ways to use peppermint essential oil:
Headache Remedy
Massage 1 drop of Peppermint essential oil into your temples. (Caution, avoid eye area.) Put your feet up for a few minutes and envision yourself in a quiet, calm place.
Muscle Sprain Remedy
10 drops Eucalyptus essential oil
10 drops Peppermint essential oil
10 drops Rosemary essential oil
Mix oils into 2 TB of vegetable oil. Cool sprain with ice pack for 20 minutes, then massage with blend.
Peppermint Plant
There are records of eucalyptus being extracted as far back as 1788 by two doctors, John White and Dennis Cossiden. They distilled Eucalyptus piperata for its use in treating chest problems and colic. This took place in Austraila in the Blue Mountains of New South Wales which are so named due to the incredible blue haze that exudes from the resin of the eucalyptus gum and envelops the entire landscape. With such an overwhelming visible presence the medicinal qualities of this ancient tree would be hard to miss.
Eucalyptus Leaves
The eucalyptus tree is a beautiful evergreen that grows up to 295 ft. high. The young trees have bluish-green oval leaves while the mature trees develop long, narrow, yellowish leaves, creamy-white flowers and a smooth, pale drey bark often covered with a white powder. The essential oil is produced by steam distilled from the fresh or partially dried leaves and young twigs.
Use eucalyptus oil not only for inhalation purposes but also in baths and room sprays. It is an extremely versatile oil, cooling the body in the summer and protecting it in the winter. It is also effective as an insect repellant.
Below are two cold cures one for kids and one for Big Kids (otherwise known as adults). You may use the mixtures in diffusers, put a couple of drops in your bath, put a few drops on cotton and tuck in your pillowcase or put a couple of drops in some vegetable oil and rub on your chest.
Kid's Cold Cure
10 drops Eucalyptus essential oil
10 drops Lavender essential oil
10 drops Tea Tree essential oil
Big Kid's Cold Cure
2 drops Eucalyptus essential oil
5 drops Geranium essential oil
3 drops Peppermint essential oil
5 drops Rosemary essential oil
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