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Blending for Skin Care
Essential Oil Blends
Creating your own formulas: This week we'll look at some oils that are used for pain relief.

Support for muscular aches and pains is a common application of therapeutic aromatherapy. These blends typically contain 3-10% total concentrations of essential oils in ANY carrier oil ~ you may choose one particularly for your skin type, or simply use Hazelnut, an inexpensive, high-quality oil.

Here are a few essential oils recommended for aches and pains - these can be blended together or used individually:

Helichrysum
is considered the single most effective oil for pain relief. Many users notice an almost instant effect. Can be used at any concentration: full strength for injuries that have just occurred, between 5 and 20% for older, or chronic pain and injuries. The aroma varies from somewhat medicinal to floral and sage-like.

Wintergreen is essentially 'liquid aspirin' in its chemical composition. It MUST be used with caution, as overdoses are possible. Dilute to 10% or less in a carrier, and use only as much as needed. Bright, minty aroma.

Blue Tansy is a powerful anti-inflammate. Use in small amounts in blends, 1-2%. A wonderful, sweet / herbaceous aroma.

German Chamomile Similar to Blue Tansy in its action - may be more effective for some people.

Sweet Marjoram is warming, and can enhance circulation. Frequently included in joint-pain formulas. Sweet-sage aroma.

Ginger is very warming; excellent for use in the colder months. May enhance circulation for many people. Use in smaller amounts (1-2%), and work up if necessary.

Eucalyptus Is warming and cooling at the same time. Used in 'invigorating' sports massage formulas to get the tissues warmed-up and active.

Cypress is thought to gently enhance circulation and strengthen the circulatory system. It is a gentle yet highly therapeutic oil with a pleasant evergreen aroma.
About Flower Essences from Ananda Apothecary: Ananda Apothecary is pleased to offer Flower Essences from two of the most respected manufacturer's available - Nelson Bach, makers of Rescue Remedy and the Bach 'Original Remedy' line, and Flower Essence Services, makers of the North American Flower Essences, Seasons of the Soul Oil / Essence blends, and distributors of the 'Healing Herbs' English essences.

Nelson Bach follows directly in the footsteps of the developer of flower essence therapy
, Dr. Edward Bach. These 38 essences and essence combinations were once the mainstay of flower essences therapy, and continue to be a cornerstone of the practice. Now, Flower Essence Services and the Flower Essence society have conducted extensive research in development of the North American line of flowers, and have significantly expanded the number of available remedies. The folks at FES are very dedicated to the field of vibrational medicine, and by building on Dr. Bach's original work, have made essences available for more specific 'soul types' and emotional conditions than were previously available.

The 'English' essences available through FES include all the flowers originally pioneered by Dr. Bach himself, now made with certified organic methods. To assist in choosing the right essences for you out of this large body of products, we have included many online guides to selecting and using flower essences on our main Flower Essences page. Have a look around! We're sure you'll find the right essence(s) for your needs - and please let us know if you'd like any assistance whatsoever! We are also currently developing Synergy Essentials, which will offer it's own line of flower essences, in addition to those offered on Ananda Apothecary.




Wild Lavender Essential OilAbout Pure Essential Oil from Ananda Apothecary: We carry our own select line of aromatherapy essential oils under the 'Ananda Aromatherapy' banner. It's important to us when you buy oils online, you are confident about your purchase. Our products are selected by aromatherapists from sources around the world to find you some of the finest oil available. We are not simply trying to find the least expensive aromatherapy oils, or the most rare connoisseur varieties, but the best value available in world-class grade select, wildcrafted and organic therapeutic grade oils. A few wonderful examples include our French Highland Lavender oil, a lavender with a great depth of aroma - there are 'notes' within this oil that are not detectable in other Lavenders we've sampled - if you like lavender, this is a real treat. Our dark aged Patchouli - we've had folks that have never liked patchouli before really appreciate this oil. It's deep richness is new to many people. Many organic and wildcrafted varieties are included in the collection when these have been made available at a reasonable price. Some oils have not yet been available this way that meet all our selection criteria, though we continually seek out the highest grades and most ecologically sound production methods. We invite you to sample the high quality varieties we do carry, however! Read more about our rigorous selection process of therapeutic essential oil here...


12 milliliter Essential Oil BottlesThe Aromatherapy Reading Room - All About Using, Choosing, and the Chemistry of Essential Oils:
We're always happy to be adding to our online information about the science and art of aromatherapy. Here are a few selections from our library; details of individual essential oils are found on their homepages, from the list above.

The Chemistry of Essential Oils - Pure oils are each made up many, sometimes hundreds of individual chemicals...Naturally! These chemical molecules are present in the pure, steam and CO2-distilled oil. Here we explain the importance of these chemicals, and why the finest of oils have a balance of these, which gives the greatest therapeutic effect and the best aroma.

How to Make Essential Oils - Making therapeutic grade oils is a complex process. Steam distillation is the most common method, and makes high quality oil. New technologies are emerging, like extraction with pressurized liquid carbon dioxide (CO2), and even 'super-critical' carbon dioxide (SCO2). Find out which oils benefit from these new processes, and which are still the right choice in steam distilled varieties.

Aromatherapy Techniques - What is aromatherapy, and how are essential oils used? Natural aromatics are very compatible with our physiology, are easily absorbed, and have potent effects on our tissues. Learn the basic aromatherapy techniques and how to get started.

Anti-Viral Essential Oils - Many oils have anti-viral properties; a recent study showed the oils support the immune system, not always by destroying the invader, but improving immune function on a cellular level. Oils like Ravensara, Melissa and Eucalyptus can have potent anti-viral properties. There are a great many Antibacterial essential oils aromatics as well. Here's a review of the oils with know immune support functions.

Anti-Anxiety and Antidepressants in Aromatherapy - Laboratory studies have now presented evidence for the stress deducing effects of aromatherapy. Lavender has been shown time and again to lessen stress responses for laboratory animals. Other oils, particularly the citrus oils like Bergamot, Orange, Lemon and Lime instill a sense of well-being. Here's a review of the latest data regarding the anxiolytic action of aromatherapy oils.




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