Archive for August, 2010

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Petitgrain Essential Oil : Uses & Properties Of Petitgrain Oil

Petitgrain essential oil is extracted from citrus aurantium var. amara. In simpler terms, petitgrain essential oil is extracted form the leaves and twigs of the orange tree by the process of steam distillation.

The physical petitgarin oil properties resemble that of other citrus oil to some extent. Petitgrain essential oil is a clear oil which has a floral and at the same time, woody odor. It is pale yellow to amber in color. It is non-toxic, and non-sensitizing.

Health Benefits Of Petitgrain Oil

Petitgrain oil has immense health benefits. Some of the petitgrain oil uses are as follows:

  • Petitgrain essential oil is widely used in skin care products. It can directly be applied on the skin to cure skin problems including acne, pimples, and blemishes. It serves to clear and tone the skin on account of its anti-bacterial properties. It is a boon for oily or greasy skin as it helps neutralize the oil secreted by the sebum glands on the skin.
  • It is a potent relaxant and laxative. It eases rapid pulse rate by relaxing your nerves, thereby soothing your body as well as mind. It also helps relieve sleeplessness or insomnia. It reduces stress and anxiety.
  • It helps in enhancing concentration and memory, thereby benefiting the intellectual part of your brain. In other words, it is a tonic for the mind.
  • Petitgrain essential oil tones your digestive system and prevents digestive ailments, including stomach ache and indigestion. It also regulates the bowel movements, thereby preventing constipation.
  • Petitgrain essential oil also helps combat respiratory infections.
  • Petitgrain essential oil is a potent antiseptic and combats microbial infections. It boosts your immune system.
  • Petitgrain essential oil has a very pleasant as well as strong aroma. As such, it can also be used as a deodorant to mask body odor.
  • Petitgrain essential oil is antispasmodic in action. It prevents spasms of the respiratory, digestive, and circulatory systems.
  • Petitgrain essential oil also reduces fatigue and tiredness by stimulating the physiological systems of the body.
  • It is anti-inflammatory in action and combats inflammatory ailments like bronchitis.

Petitgrain essential oil can be used as an infusion, or it can be mixed with bath water. It can also be mixed with a cream or lotion. However, though petitgrain essential oil is non-irritant, it is advised that you use it with a carrier oil like jojoba or olive oils before applying it directly on your skin. Also, you must consult an aromatherapy specialist before using it for the treatment of various afflictions.

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Essential Oils To Treat Eczema Naturally

Scientifically called dermatitis, eczema can be defined as inflammation of the outmost layer of skin—the epidermis. Eczema can affect people of all age groups, but is most common among infants. However, in 50% of the infants, the affliction gets cured by the age of three years, while in rest of them the disease may recur throughout life. Based on the causes and symptoms, eczema can be classified into various types including atopic dermatitis, contact eczema, nummular eczema, neurodermatitis, and stasis dermatitis.

The prime causes of eczema are skin defects which debar its function as a barrier between the external environment and the body. An immune system malfunction can also cause eczema. It can also be passed on with other hereditary traits. Environmental allergens and chemicals in soaps, perfumes, and detergent can also cause eczema.

The symptoms of eczema include the appearance of blisters of lesions on the skin. However, eczema can also cause dry and scaly skin. It leads to reddening of skin with immense itching and inflammation. The symptoms can be seen on the forehead, cheeks, elbows, ankles, and knees.

There are various natural eczema relief remedies, one of the most effective being aromatherapy. You can deploy essential oils as effective eczema remedy for infants as well as adults.

The specifics of aromatherapy for eczema treatment are as follows:

  • Lavender essential oil is an excellent agent to relieve itching, a prime symptom of eczema. It has a soothing effect on your skin and is known for its regenerative and anti-inflammatory properties.
  • You can also palmarosa essential oil, which is anti-microbial in action and particularly effective against bacteria and viruses. As such, it boosts your immune system and enhances your resistance against microbes causing eczema.
  • Tamanu and rosehip oils can also be used to cure eczema on account of their regenerative properties. These oils are effective in regenerating skin cells lost due to eczema.
  • You can also use a blend of thyme essential oil or eucalyptus essential oil with a soothing base oil for long-term relief from eczema.
  • Other essential oils that are effective in eczema treatment include cedar wood oil, germanium oil, chamomile oil, jasmine oil, helichrysum oil, and myrrh oil.

You can apply these essential oils directly on the affected skin areas in combination with a carrier oil like olive or jojoba oil. You can also use them as infusions. Do consult an aromatherapy specialist or dermatologist before you deploy essential oils to relieve eczema. It is imperative to diagnose the cause of the affliction before taking up a treatment.

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Health Benefits Of Wintergreen Essential Oil

Chemically an ester named methyl salicylate, wintergreen essential oil is a natural product of a group of plant species which continue to photosynthesize throughout winters. This group of plants secretes the methyl salicylate as an anti-herbivore defense.

Natural Healing With Wintergreen Oil

Some of the wintergreen oil uses as follows:

  • Wintergreen essential oil is a potent analgesic and can be used to relieve body ache. It can be applied on the areas that are painful and numb. It increases blood circulation and ameliorates pain.
  • Wintergreen essential oil is anti-spasmodic in action and relieves spasms of the digestive, muscular, and respiratory systems. It is also useful in relieving asthma, chest congestion, breathing problems, diarrhea, and nerve afflictions.
  • Wintergreen essential oil is an anti-rheumatic and anti-spasmodic agent. It provides warmth to afflicted joints and increases blood and lymph circulation in the joints and muscles, thereby relieving various forms of arthritis.
  • Wintergreen essential oil is also beneficial against stress, anxiety, and tension. It is a potent laxative and relaxant.
  • Wintergreen essential oil is anti-septic in action. It is fatal for bacteria and viruses and as such, its usage should be limited to external application and internal consumption should be restricted.
  • Wintergreen essential oil has a pungent smell, yet it is not unpleasant. As such, it can be used to overcome any foul odor.
  • Wintergreen oil is also a powerful astringent. It can be used to tighten your skin, thereby negating the effects of ageing. It can also be used to stimulate muscles of your body, thereby making them firm.
  • The oil is also a potent carminative. It can be diluted with water and rubbed on the belly to cause gas to pass out.
  • Wintergreen essential oil is also a powerful diuretic agent. It stimulates the organs of the urinary or excretory system to frequently pass out waste materials from the body in urine. This helps in the detoxification of the body, protecting it from various diseases like rheumatism and arthritis.
  • It is also a potent emmenagogue which relieves obstructed menstruation. It also relieves the pain associated with pre-menstrual syndrome.
  • Wintergreen essential oil is a powerful stimulant which stimulates the digestive system to secrete gastric juices, hormones, and bile juice. It also stimulates the reproductive system to secrete sex hormones.
  • It can also be used to treat insect bites, bee stings and snake, dog bites.

You must always dilute wintergreen essential oil before use and it should only be used externally.

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Aromatherapy Oils For Thrush Treatment

Scientifically called candidiasis, thrush is a fungal infection caused by Candida albicans. Thrush can range from superficial infections to systemic or life-threatening diseases. Thrush infects organs with mucus membranes. These include the esophagus, liver, urinary bladder and genitalia, including the vagina and the penis.

The primary cause of candidiasis is a fungal infection, which in turn, is because of a weak immune system. The most prominent thrush symptoms include redness, inflammation, itching and immense discomfort. Fortunately, thrush is an affliction that is curable quite easily.

Home Remedies For Thrush

Some effective thrush remedies are:

  • You can apply coconut oil on the area of the fungal attack to treat baby thrush as well as thrush in adults.
  • You can also apply a paste of plantain seeds on the infected area to relieve discomfort and cure thrush.
  • Apply curd on the fungal infested area. This will ease discomfort immediately, and help to cure thrush.
  • The paste of black walnut serves as an antifungal drug, and is effective against the fungi that cause candidiasis.
  • Eat two cloves of garlic every day, as this helps to  detoxify your body, relieving you of microbial infestation including a fungal attack.
  • You can also apply the extract of grapefruit seed to relieve thrush.
  • Application of Oregon grape root extract is also an effective remedy for thrush.

Other than these home remedies, you can deploy other methods to treat thrush. One of the most effective treatments for thrush is the use of aromatherapy. Some essential oils to relieve thrush are:

  • Lavender essential oil is known for its anti-inflammatory action. You can apply lavender oil on fungal infected area to relieve redness and swelling caused as a result of thrush.
  • Tea tree oil is known for its antiseptic and antimicrobial action. It fights fungal infections, the cause of thrush, thereby relieving its symptoms.
  • Melaleuca oil is very effective against all kinds of fungal infections including candidiasis or thrush.
  • Clove oil is also known to be effective against thrush.
  • Oregano oil is immensely beneficial against thrush causing fungal infections.
  • Other essential oils that can be used to cure thrush include rose essential oil, bergamot essential oil and chamomile essential oil.

It is recommended to consult your aromatherapy specialist before you deploy essential oils to cure thrush. Also, you must dilute the essential oils with carrier oils like olive or jojoba oil. This is because essential oils are highly concentrated and their usage without dilution can cause adverse effects.

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