CHAPTER NINE
AROMATIC REMEDIES
THIS CHAPTER features several remedies to reach for when they’re needed. See here for more on using aromatherapy to improve health and well-being.
Salve for Joint Pain
Cold, dull joint pain could discourage anyone from getting on the move! It may also affect the surrounding muscles needed to support mobility, making them tired and sore. Ginger, sweet basil, and clove offer pain relief while bringing blood and heat to the treated area. Copaiba and Lavendin further support pain relief and bring in powerful anti-inflammatory properties. Arnica-infused oil brings further pain relief. Sesame is warming and deeply penetrating, helping the essential oils go deep into tissues.
INGREDIENTS
• 20 drops Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) essential oil
• 20 drops Copaiba (Copaifera officinalis) essential oil
• 10 drops Ginger (Zingiber officinale) essential oil
• 10 drops Sweet Basil ct. linalool (Ocimum basilicum) essential oil
• 5 drops Clove (Syzygium aromaticum) essential oil
• 1 tablespoon (15 g) Beeswax
• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) Arnica (Arnica montana) herbal oil
• 11/2 tablespoons (22 ml) Sesame oil
Yield: Approximately 2 ounces (50 g)
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Safety: Do not use arnica herbal oil on open wounds or cuts. This product is designed for those 14 years of age or older.
WHAT YOU NEED
• Heatproof measuring cups or beakers
• Measuring spoons
• Double boiler
• Glass, stainless steel, or wooden stirrer
• 2-ounce (50 ml) glass or metal jar with cap
• Label
PROCEDURE
1. Place about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water in the bottom pot of the double boiler and place it over medium heat.
2. Place the second pot on top of it to create your double boiler (you may choose to put a small amount of water (1/2 inch or 1 cm) in this pot as well).
3. Place a heatproof measuring cup into the second pot. Place the beeswax in the measuring cup and allow it to melt.
4. Slowly add the arnica and sesame oil to the wax and stir to incorporate it.
5. Take the glass measuring cup out of the double boiler and wipe it off to ensure no water gets into the salve or the salve container.
6. Drop the essential oils directly into the beeswax and arnica/sesame oil mixture.
7. Stir well to incorporate.
8. Transfer the salve to the glass or tin jar and immediately affix the cap.
9. Label the salve and set aside for 24 hours to set.
How to Use Salve for Joint Pain: Apply a generous amount of salve to pain sites. Gently massage the salve into the pain site. Use as needed. Use within 6 months.
NOTE: If you do not have access to an arnica-infused oil, you can substitute another kind of oil such as sesame or sunflower. Arnica was chosen for its additional pain-relieving qualities. Sesame has antioxidants and a deeply penetrating nature, allowing essential oils to go deep into tissues.
ALTERNATE ESSENTIAL OILS:
Black Pepper (Piper nigrum), Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris), and Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)
NOTE: This is blended at a 5 percent dilution, which is highlighted for use in salves. That means 60 drops of essential oil in a 2-ounce (50 g) product.
Tummy Massage Oil to Help Prevent Indigestion
Dyspepsia is a common complaint in today’s fast-paced world. It affects the upper gastrointestinal organs—small intestine, stomach, and esophagus—and can be caused by underlying emotional issues (stress), eating too much food, eating too fast, eating spicy foods, eating unsuitable food combinations, and the activity of pathogens and even food allergies. Indigestion can cause a broad range of unpleasant responses in the body including flatulence, bloating, heartburn, tummy pain, and nausea.
Essential oils with settling and soothing attributes can subside the effects of dyspepsia by working to stimulate digestion and relaxing digestive muscles, thus restoring balance. If digestive upset is triggered by pathogens, the essential oils can eliminate them, creating a healthier environment.
This massage oil is best used as a preventive measure to prelude digestion, but it can also be used in between meals or after eating if preferred.
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Yield: Approximately 1 ounce (30 ml)
Safety: Not a suitable remedy for children. Marjoram should be avoided with asthma.
INGREDIENTS
• 7 drops Fingerroot (Boesenbergia rotunda) essential oil
• 7 drops Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) essential oil
• 7 drops Ginger (Zingiber officinale) essential oil
• 5 drops Sweet Marjoram (Origanum majorana) essential oil
• 4 drops Cilantro (Coriandrum sativum) essential oil
• 1 ounce (28 ml) Jojoba oil (Simmondsia chinensis)
WHAT YOU NEED
• 1 small glass beaker or stainless steel or glass bowl
• Glass, stainless steel, or wooden stirrer or spoon
• 1-ounce (30 ml) glass bottle with dropper lid
• Small funnel
• Label
PROCEDURE
1. Place fingerroot, cardamom, ginger, marjoram and cilantro essential oils directly into the 1-ounce (30 ml) glass bottle.
2. Gently swirl the bottle, ensuring the essential oils mix together well.
3. Cap tightly and label.
4. Store in a dark, cool place and use as needed.
How to Use Tummy Massage Oil to Relieve Indigestion: Apply Tummy Massage Oil to Help Prevent Indigestion for a few minutes in a clockwise motion before meals. This will help one’s mind-body to prepare for “rest and digest,” offering another way to help ease the digestion process besides the powerful effect of the essential oils.
ALTERNATE ESSENTIAL OILS: Carrot Seed (Daucus carota subsp. carota), Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), and Sweet Orange (Citrus sinensis)
NOTE: Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) and Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) are indicated for use with digestive concerns relating to emotional issues. This is determined at a 5 percent blend for general massage work. It works out to 30 drops of essential oils in a 1-ounce (30 ml) remedy.
Inhaler to Relieve Indigestion
Indigestion woes! Heartburn may be caused by several things, such as rich fatty foods or eating too quickly, but an underlying cause may often be a sluggish liver and underactive gall bladder. Help get things moving by welcoming some spice-based essential oils into your routine. Ginger, fennel, and sweet orange all have an affinity for stimulating gastric juices and helping the body release excess gas, thus settling the digestive tract and helping you get on your way.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Yield: 1 inhaler tube
Safety: Fennel seed essential oil should be avoided (any route of application) during pregnancy and breastfeeding and with children under 5 years, due to its trans-anethole content. It should also be avoided by those living with endometriosis and estrogen-dependent cancers.
INGREDIENTS
• 17 drops Sweet Orange (Citrus sinensis) essential oil
• 5 drops Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) essential oil
• 3 drops Ginger (Zingiber officinale) essential oil
WHAT YOU NEED
• Inhaler tube with inhaler core
• Small glass or ceramic bowl
• Tweezers
• Label
PROCEDURE
1. Place essential oils into the bowl.
2. Swirl the bowl to combine them.
3. Place the inhaler core into the bowl, allowing it to absorb the essential oils until it is saturated. Help this along by using the tweezers to move around the inhaler core.
4. Place the saturated core into the inhaler tube using the tweezers.
5. Affix the bottom cap onto the tube. Ensure the inhaler cap is firmly screwed onto the inhaler and label.
How to Use Inhaler to Relieve Indigestion: You can use the inhaler after meals to relieve upset, but it is best to use it before meals to stimulate the digestive process and stave off discomfort.
Remove the cap and hold the Inhaler to Relieve Indigestion 1 inch (2.5 cm) from your nose, inhaling deeply for a few breaths. Keep the cap tightly on the inhaler when not in use to prevent essential oils from evaporating. Use within 3 months, as the essential oils evaporate over the use of the product.
ALTERNATE ESSENTIAL OILS: Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum), Mandarin (Citrus reticulata), and Spearmint (Mentha spicata)
NOTE: Most inhaler blanks hold 25 to 30 drops of essential oil. Feel free to adjust the number of drops to the type of core you use. You may choose to forgo the typical inhaler core in favor of a square or circular organic cotton cosmetic pad; simply cut down to size for the tube.
Soothing Bath Blend for Restless Legs: Stock Bottle
Although the exact cause of Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) continues to be sought, some relief may be realized by working with essential oils with known nervine-sedative activity. As RLS often gets worse at the end of the day, especially when trying to go to sleep, balancing and sedating essential oils such as petitgrain, palmarosa, and pinyon pine may be used in a calming bath and diffused before bed to calm the nervous system and promote a restful sleep.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Yield: Approximately 24 baths
INGREDIENTS
• 60 drops Petitgrain (Citrus aurantium var. amara) essential oil
• 36 drops Palmarosa (Cymbopogon martinii) essential oil
• 24 drops Pinyon Pine (Pinus edulis) essential oil
WHAT YOU NEED
• 5 milliliter stock bottle with orifice reducer
• Label
PROCEDURE
1. Place essential oils into the 5 milliliter bottle.
2. Affix the cap and label.
How to Use Soothing Bath Blend for Restless Legs: Try adding a few drops of the Soothing Bath Blend for Restless Legs to a warm bath or diffuse in the bedroom 30 minutes before going to sleep.
To Incorporate the Synergy into a Bath: Draw a bath where the water is 100°F to 110°F (38°C to 43°C). Ensure there is enough water in the tub so a full-body immersion is possible. The water should be up to your neck and covering your heart. Add 1 to 2 cups (200 to 400 g) Magnesium Chloride or Magnesium Sulfate and 1 to 2 cups (200 to 400 g) Dead Sea Salt to the bath. Put 3 to 5 drops of the stock blend into a dispersing agent of your choice, such as full-fat powdered or liquid milk (coconut milk is a lovely option) or honey, or directly into the bath salts.
Tip: Always put your essential oils into the dispersing agent first and then stir the mixture around in the bath water as you get into the bath. Spend 15 to 20 minutes soaking in the tub.
ALTERNATE ESSENTIAL OILS: Black Spruce (Picea mariana), Rose Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens var. roseum), and Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
NOTE: As conifers readily oxidize, use this blend up well within a year. Ideally, take two to three baths per week so the stock blend may be used up within three months.
Sore Muscle Body Scrub
Fresh and uplifting, this easy-to-make at home Sore Muscle Body Scrub is indicated for relieving pain while acting as an aid to reducing inflammation in the body. It enlists seven powerful, naturally derived allies known for their anti-inflammatory benefits: rosemary ct. cineole, plai, and wintergreen essential oils, as well as coffee, lavender flowers, magnesium sulfate, and jojoba. The essential oils also offer additional pain-relieving benefits. Furthermore, this scrub exfoliates while softening the skin and helps to hold moisture in the body.
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Yield: Approximately 2 ounces (60 ml)
Safety: Wintergreen should be avoided if one is on anticoagulation medicines. It should also be avoided with children, and if pregnant or breastfeeding. Feel free to use an alternate essential oil if concerned.
INGREDIENTS
• 76 drops Rosemary ct. cineole (Rosmarinus officinalis) essential oil
• 41 drops Plai (Zingiber cassumunar) essential oil
• 3 drops Nepalese Wintergreen (Gaultheria fragrantissima) essential oil
• 13/4 ounces (50 g) fine Epson salt (magnesium sulfate)
• 1/4 ounce (7 g) discarded organic coffee beans
• 2 teaspoons (10 g) blended dried lavender flowers
• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) or more Jojoba oil (Simmondsia chinensis)
WHAT YOU NEED
• 3 small glass or stainless-steel bowls
• Glass, stainless steel, or wooden stirrer or spoon
• Small scale to weight out coffee and Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate)
• Measuring spoon
• 2-ounce (60 ml) glass jar with lid
• Label
PROCEDURE
1. Measure rosemary, plai, and wintergreen essential oils into a bowl.
2. Gently stir, ensuring the essential oils mix together well. Set aside.
3. In a separate small bowl, mix coffee, Epsom salt, and dried lavender flowers together. Set aside.
4. Add the jojoba to the essential blend.
5. Slowly, in small amounts, add the essential oils blend to the dry ingredients, stirring well to ensure everything is incorporated and it reaches a consistency you like.
6. Spoon into the jar, cap tightly, and label.
How to Use Sore Muscle Body Scrub in Shower: Before you turn the shower on, place a small amount of scrub into your hands, massaging it into your sore muscles in a circular motion to stimulate blood circulation. Once finished, turn the water on and bathe as normal.
NOTE: This is not intended for the delicate facial area.
ALTERNATE ESSENTIAL OILS: Black Pepper (Piper nigrum), Helichrysum (Helichrysum italicum), and Ginger (Zingiber officinale)
NOTE: The essential oil blend in this recipe is created on a 10 percent dilution, which is advised for muscular aches and pains. This works out to 120 drops of essential oil synergy.
Foot Bath Salts to Relieve Swollen Feet
Cold foot baths with Epsom salts are known to help reduce swelling, restore a healthy circulation, and induce relaxation. Essential oils offer various added benefits: Yarrow is naturally astringent and contains a high amount of chamazulene, a potent anti-inflammatory. The cooling/warming effect of peppermint enhances circulation. And cypress relieves fluid accumulation and reduces swelling.
This is a quick and easy recipe to follow. All you have to do is sit down and enjoy!
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Yield: Approximately 4 ounces (115 g)
Safety: Yarrow should be avoided by people taking drugs metabolized by the enzyme CYP1A2. Peppermint should not be used if there are cuts on the skin, or if there is sensitive skin, and should be avoided by all routes if there is cardiac fibrillation or a G6PD deficiency.
INGREDIENTS
• 1/2 cup (100 g) Epsom salt
• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) Jojoba oil
• 3 drops Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) essential oil
• 1 drop Peppermint (Mentha piperita) essential oil
• 5 drops Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens) essential oil
WHAT YOU NEED
• Small glass or stainless steel bowl
• Glass, stainless steel, or wooden stirrer
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Foot bath basin or bucket
PROCEDURE
1. Place Epsom salt and jojoba oil and in the bowl.
2. Gently stir together for about 30 seconds, ensuring the salt and the oil are fully incorporated.
3. Add essential oils and mix well.
How to Use Foot Bath Salts: Fill the foot bath basin or bucket with cool water. Pour the mix into the water. Sit down and let your feet soak for 15 to 20 minutes.
ALTERNATIVE ESSENTIAL OILS:
Yarrow: German Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla (syn. Matricaria recutita) or Roman Chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile)
Peppermint: Juniper Berry (Juniperus communis) or Helichrysum (Helichrysum italicum)
Cypress: Patchouli (Pogostemon cablin) or Grapefruit (Citrus × paradisi)
Varicose Vein Aid Gel
Poor circulation due to damage of or weakness in the walls of veins can cause varicose veins to protrude from the skin. This condition is unsightly and is often painful; it generally occurs on the surface area of the legs. Lack of exercise in one’s day-to-day life, constant leg crossing, heredity factors, constipation, pregnancy, being overweight, and poor diet can all contribute to this condition. But don’t despair! Certain essential oils, such as rose and cypress, can be highly beneficial by reducing dilation and toning the blood vessels. As the main component of the gel, aloe vera is also a popular remedy for varicose veins due to its wonderful healing, soothing, and protective attributes.
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Yield: Approximately 2 ounces (60 ml)
Shelf Life: Store gel in the refrigerator and use within 3 weeks
Safety: No concerns
INGREDIENTS
• 2 drops Rose (Rosa × damascena) essential oil
• 39 drops Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens) essential oil
• 29 drops Juniper (Juniperus communis) essential oil
• 2 drops Spearmint (Mentha spicata) essential oil
• 18 drops Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) essential oil
• 2 ounces (57 ml) store-bought aloe vera gel
WHAT YOU NEED
• Small funnel
• Small glass beaker or stainless steel or glass bowl
• Glass, stainless steel, or wooden stirrer or spoon
• 2-ounce (60 ml) flip top squeezy bottle
• Funnel
• Label
PROCEDURE
1. Combine rose, cypress, juniper, spearmint, and yarrow essential oils into the glass beaker.
2. Gently stir, ensuring the essential oils have mixed together well.
3. Add aloe vera gel to the essential oil mixture and stir well.
4. Pour gel into squeezy bottle using a funnel.
5. Cap tightly and label.
How to Use Varicose Vein Aid Gel: Do not press directly on the varicose veins when applying this lotion. Instead, always apply around the vein (above and below), massaging in an upwards motion.
ALTERNATE ESSENTIAL OILS: Black Pepper (Piper nigrum), Rose Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens var. roseum), and Niaouli (Melaleuca quinquenervia)
NOTE: This is blended at a 5 percent dilution, which is highlighted for use in a localized remedy; it comes out to 90 drops of essential oil in a 2-ounce (60 ml) product.
When shopping for store-bought aloe vera gel, we suggest always checking the ingredient label to make sure that the product is high-quality, organic, and preferably 100 percent aloe vera gel, thus avoiding the preservatives and additives that some brands add. Feel free to check out our resource list in this book for further guidance.
Diffuser Blend for Hay Fever
Hay fever, or allergic rhinitis, is an irritating condition that exhibits similar symptoms to the typical cold. However, unlike the common cold, the symptoms are not caused by a viral or bacterial infection, but airborne pollen or other allergens such as cat dander. One may experience an individualized combination of a runny, inflamed, and itchy nose, tingling and swollen eyes, headaches, sneezing, sinus pressure, and congestion.
Hay fever is a tricky ailment to target, as symptoms vary from person-to-person and over-the-counter medicines do not necessarily conquer all that one is exhibiting. For example, antihistamines are responsible for minimizing sneezing and itchiness, as well as drying up the nose, but do not help with sinus pressure. Because of this, you may have to adapt a trial-and-error frame of mind until you figure out what works best for you.
Energetically, this is an expansive and protective diffuser blend recipe that combines a variety of therapeutics to broadly alleviate the symptoms of hay fever. Essential oils are multifactorial, meaning one essential oil can do many things. For example, niaouli, green myrtle, and blue tansy act as antihistamines. At the same time, niaouli, green myrtle, blue tansy, and goldenrod are considered anti-allergenic, while myrtle and niaouli bring their softening balsamic effects to the anti-inflammatory ailments of myrtle and goldenrod.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Yield: 0.17 ounce (5 ml)
Safety: Niaouli should be avoided around the faces of small children due to its cineole content. Make sure the area is well ventilated and there are intermittent breaks from the diffusion.
INGREDIENTS
• 9 drops Inula (Dittrichia graveolens syn. Inula graveolens) essential oil
• 23 drops Goldenrod (Solidago canadensis) essential oil
• 19 drops Blue Tansy (Tanacetum annuum) essential oil
• 15 drops Niaouli ct. cineole (Melaleuca quinquenervia) essential oil
• 4 drops Green Myrtle (Myrtus communis) essential oil
WHAT YOU NEED
• Small glass or stainless-steel bowl
• Glass, stainless steel or wooden stirrer
• 5 milliliter empty dark-colored bottle with orifice reducer
• Plastic or glass pipette
• Label
PROCEDURE
1. Combine inula, goldenrod, blue tansy, niaouli, and green myrtle essential oils in the bowl.
2. Gently stir together, ensuring the essential oils mix together well.
3. Using a pipette, fill the bottle with the blend.
4. Add orifice reducer, cap tightly, and label.
How to Use Diffuser Blend for Hay Fever: Following the diffuser manufacturer’s instructions, add diffuser blend. Run your diffuser close by when you have hay fever symptoms. If you do not have a diffuser, you can place a few drops of the blend on a tissue and hold it to your nose to breathe in, or to an inside corner of your clothing to diffuse the aroma that way. You can also use a few drops of this blend diluted in a carrier in the bath. Or, add some of the blend into a carrier such as jojoba to place on your hands or chest and inhale it this way.
ALTERNATE ESSENTIAL OILS: Juniper (Juniperus communis), German Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla (syn. Matricaria recutita), and Ammi/Khella (Ammi visnaga)
NOTE: Drop sizes will vary; 77 to 120 drops will fill a 0.17-ounce (5 ml) bottle. Thus, this recipe is an estimate to fill your 5 ml bottle. You can always add or decrease the individual drops as you deem fit for your personal use.
