Educate your Senses

Orange you glad to see me...

This week play with me in the deeply and familiar fragrant grove of the Orange family. Sweet, sweet Orange is imbued with the energy of sunlight. This couldn't be a more perfect time to further explore the gifts of Orange essential oil, from the land of the sunny South, where everything is permeated with sunshine. With the holidays on our heels, I am reminded of fond memories of making beautiful hanging ornaments or pomanders with red ribbon, oranges and cloves. 

Orange contain the joy and magnificence of the light of the heavens. Bursting with vitality, it brings happiness to the heavyhearted, and light to those who seems lost. It brings newness and regeneration. Orange essential oil can rekindle a spark long forgotten and revitalize spiritual connections to a soul grown dim through living too hard, too fast, or too painfully. The fragrance uplifts those with fear of letting go so they can see the full spectrum of light that fills every cell of each and every one of our bodies. 

Healing through Nature  

Fragrant white flowers, shiny oblong leaves and nutritiously sweet fruit are bountiful on the Orange tree. The best oil comes from the rind and is expressed by hand. Orange oil restores balance to dry or oily skin. It supports healthy, youthful skin by promoting the production of collagen, which reduces puffiness and discourages dry or wrinkled skin. It also clears blemishes and improves acne-prone skin.

Remember Orange balances the emotions, either by relaxing or stimulating which ever the body needs. Orange has a warm, happy influence that prevents extreme seriousness; therefore, helping before perfection, overwork or mental overload takes its toll. Orange can awaken creativity, inspire harmony and promote self-awareness.

Embrace the gifts from the Orange family, those being warm, sweet and sensuous while having a positive effect on everything and everyone. That's the Law of Attraction in action. 

Remember that fragrances have the ability to bring memories to the forefront of our minds and with that, Oranges always make me smile as I breathe in the aromatic goodness as the skin cracks under my fingers.

What memories does Orange bring to you?

Have Oils - Travel with ease

As I fly the friendly skies, I must pack my travel companions safely in my carry-on. They are essential in combating airplane air and airport funk.

There are a few oils I never travel without. Here is my list and why:

Lavender: Anti fungal, anti bacterial, respiratory clearing, balancing, calming, good for headaches and migraines, and much more!

Tea Tree: Anti fungal, anti bacterial, anti viral. Good for cuts, bites, sore throats, throat gargles, respiratory clearing and much more!

Peppermint: Clearing and cooling. Great for headaches, fresh breath, mental fatigue, hot flashes, nausea, stomach upsets, sore and tired feet and legs.

I also have my On.The.Spot Stress Release that I can't be without, because it is like a genie in a bottle. Your wish is my command! One whiff and all your troubles and angst of hurried travel are put in check AND all those little germs that are trying to be hosted by your body are simply told to move along, there is no room in this Inn.

Winterize your Skin

For many in the country, winter is upon you. I would like to take a moment to give you a few winter skincare tips.

When I think of my years in Colorado, I remember the extra care that my skin needed in those cold months. My children's experience was that of chapped and dehydrated skin and cracked lips. Winter can make your skin dull if you don't heed special care. Do not curse yourself for those outdoor activities that keep you busy during winter months. You cannot be indoors all the time with your room heater on! With proper skin care and a little bit of precaution, you can keep your skin healthy and make it glow even in those freezing temperature.

I will share with you a few tried and true tips that help your skin stay glowing and hydrated throughout the months of cold.

• Keep Your Skin Hydrated: Always drink plenty of water so as to keep your skin moist and supple. Eat lots of fruits and vegetables so as to retain water in your body. 
• Take baths filled with soothing ingredients such as oatmeal, body oil, and gently exfoliating sugar scrubs.
• Drink Less Coffee, colas, tea and alcohol: In winter, drinking coffee and alcohol make your body loose water more easily and your skin to become dry and chapped. I crave coffee and hot liquids in the winter, so to counteract the effects, just make sure you are drinking your recommended amount daily. FYI: the appropriate amount of water per day is half your body weight in ounces of water.
• Indoor Humidifiers to Raise Moisture: Placing several humidifiers or bowls of water in your home or in your office may prevent dryness in the air and keep it humid. This can also prevent your skin from getting dried and itchy. I also use my trusty tea kettle on the stove, just don't let all the water boil out.
• Use Oil-Based Moisturizer Regularly: Use an oil-based moisturizer to protect yourself from moisture loss. In humid condition, this can form a protective covering on your skin. 
• Wear Loose-Fitting Cotton Clothes Next to Your Skin: While dressing for winter, the most important point to remember is that when you dress in layers you sweat. Layers, layers, layers, I learned to dress in layers. In addition, your body also produces heat. Over heating of your body makes your skin sensitive to become itchy and dry. To prevent this, wear loose-fitting cotton clothes next to your skin. You can wear layers of woolen or winter clothes on top of it to fight cold. 
• Regularly Exfoliate Your Dry Skin : In winter, regularly exfoliate twice a week so as to remove the dead cells and to open the skin pores to absorb more moisture. 

Take good care of your skin and enjoy the season of winter in all its glory. Glowing skin is a beautiful thing and soft, supple moisturized skin is a possibility even with the harshness.

Do you have any tried and true tips you would like to share?

Easy Aromatherapy Tips using Pure Essential Oils

Not only have essential oils been shown to improve mental health and well being, but they are also a great way to invite serenity into your home and keep each room smelling blissful. The following are innovative ways to use essential oils: to bring peace, relaxation, and simplicity into your home and into your body.

• Put a few drops of essential oil in the bag of your vacuum cleaner. This will fill the room with aroma while cleaning. This instantly changes the energy of a room and yours too.
• Put 3-6 drops of essential oil on a handful of cotton balls and place them throughout your closet shelves. Next time you go to reach for new sheets or towels you'll get a waft of the heavenly scent. Do the same thing to your dresser drawers, desk drawers, etc. 
  
• Add a few drops of essential oil to water in a spray bottle to freshen up your linen or spray on clothing before ironing. (Don’t use dark oils on white clothes, I learned the hard way, smelled great though!)
• If you need to clean your fridge, put a few drops of orange, mandarin, mint, lavender, or lemon oil in the a spray bottle of water. Not only will it disinfect and clean your fridge, but it will leave a wonderful scent when you're done. 
  
• Rub a dab of your favorite aromatherapy essential oils to the back of your neck to relieve anxiety, stress, or headaches. 
• Simmer a few drops of Cinnamon and Nutmeg essential oils and other spice to create a warm and delicious scent in your kitchen. OR make a pot of incredible air freshner by adding cinnamon sticks, cloves and sliced lemon to water and simmer on the stove. This eliminates any odor in the kitchen. 
  
• Take 30 minutes to relax in a sensuous bath enfused with 5 drops rosemary oil, 4 drops lemon oil and 4 drops clary sage oil. It is believed that *Rosemary will stimulate your thinking process, lemon will refresh, and clary sage promotes an all-over feeling of well-being.*

These are a few quick and easy ways to enhance your mental and emotional health through aromatherapy. Send me a comment of how any of these helped you or if you have other uses or suggestions for applied healing, please feel free to comment.