Aromatherapy and Natural Health

Breathe Easy This Winter With Energy Oils

2006-05-22T16:29:00.000-07:00

As we are approaching that time of year again where the temperature drops and there is a chill in the air, let’s take the time to consider some ways to stay healthy.

Have you ever noticed how some people never get sick? I believe the triangle of health can help to explain this phenomena. The triangle of health consists of our physical circumstances, our emotional state and our attitudes and beliefs. We draw on the three points of the triangle, and when all three are running in a positive state, we stay well. If the three sides slip into a negative state, we get sick. This helps to explain the holistic way natural therapists look at life.

Let me give you an example of what this means and how it works. Our attitudes and beliefs are usually held in our subconscious, and just say your mother use to tell you not to go outside in the cold weather without a singlet or jacket on, or you would catch a cold. The physical circumstance might be that it is cold and raining, and then your car breaks down and you are suddenly “pissed off” and in a negative emotional state. You are highly likely to catch a cold in this situation.

Now, let’s say that your mum still told you not to go outside in the cold weather without a singlet or jacket on, or you would catch a cold. The physical circumstance might be that it is cold and raining, but you have decided to play golf which is something you really enjoy doing and you remain in a positive emotional state. You would be very unlikely to catch a cold in this situation.

Keeping a positive mental attitude and only using positive self-talk is invaluable for helping to keep us balanced and healthy. My Buddhist teacher, when asked “what is the secret to happiness?” replied “to live your life with Love, Kindness and Compassion always. Be grateful and happy for everything you are given, good or bad there are lessons to be learnt”.

Lets consider the physical circumstances more closely. Many people confuse the terms ‘cold’ and ‘flu’ or think they are the same thing.

A ‘cold’ is less severe and the symptoms are generally localized to the head and chest. Usually a sore throat, blocked nose, mild muscle and chest discomfort, lasting 2 to 4 days.

This is different to in’flu’enza (the flu) which is characterized by the sudden onset of a high fever, chills, sweating, muscle aches, headache, feeling weak and tired, sometimes a sore throat and cough, and lasts 7 to 10 days.

How do you become infected?

Influenza is passed on via airborne droplets. An infected person only has to cough or sneeze without covering their mouth and other people can breathe in these airborne droplets and become infected. It can take 1 to 4 days to contract the illness after initial contact with an infected person.

Colds and influenza are most communicable (contagious) in the first few days, though many people ‘soldier on’ and still go to work, putting others at risk. Be considerate and try to avoid crowded places such as buses, bars and cinemas to avoid passing on the illness.

What can we do to prevent getting or reduce the severity of a cold or flu?

Avoid becoming run down – getting plenty of rest (it is when we are asleep that our body repairs and recharges itself) and remember to use Serenity or Bliss Energy oil to stay calm during times of stress. Sometimes we forget these basic techniques when we are busy.

Kissing your partner while sick with a cold or flu will increase the likelihood of them getting sick by more than 50 per cent.

You can decrease the amount of time you suffer from a cold or flu by taking vitamin C and Echinacea to boost your immune system and garlic is a powerful antioxidant. Old fashioned remedies like hot lemon juice and honey will help soothe a sore throat.

Use the Purify Energy oil in a vaporizer or put 2 drops on a tissue and inhale to clear your nose, making breathing easier. Purify Energy oil contains Eucalyptus, Peppermint, Lavender, Tea tree, Ginger, Lemon, Juniper and Cedarwood essential oils. These pure plant oils have antiseptic, antiviral, antibacterial and decongestant properties.

The best treatment is bed rest. Use a cold face flannel or a tepid bath to help bring down body temperature. Fasting is an automatic response for most people, and this also helps to lower a fever. Clinical evidence shows that fasting helps prevent the body temperature from rising too high. Increase water intake to prevent dehydration.

The increase in body temperature or fever is a natural response and part of the body’s defence against infection. The higher temperature speeds up the activity of white blood cells which fight infection.

Can Drugs Help?

Drugs such as Relenza and Tamiflu (antiviral agents) if available, should be taken within 48 hours of developing cold or flu symptoms and will dramatically reduce the severity and shorten the illness by about 2 days.

Paracetamol can help reduce fever.

Antibiotics are ‘useless’ against cold or flu viruses. Only use if prescribed by a doctor to fight bacterial infections like sinusitis or pneumonia.

For more healthy tips, subscribe to our free monthly e-Newsletter. As an additional bonus we will send you a free Special Report detailing the facts you should know about using Aromatherapy safely. Check out our complete range of natural products at www.scentualnrg.com.au

Aromatherapy Safety

2005-06-17T23:51:00.000-07:00

In the field of aromatherapy, there have been many claims about the safety of essential oils over the years. Much of this information, however, has been based on the internal use of herbs and not the essential oils. Research by Tisserand and Balacs has shown that the essential oils available over the counter in most retail stores are safe if they are used in the traditional ways of aromatherapy. That is, through inhalation, massage and compresses.

Reports of adverse effects from using essential oils in this way are extremely rare. All reported cases of poisoning from essential oils have been from oral ingestion and in every case the amount taken was much higher than normal therapeutic amounts. Between 1920 and 1930 in the United States there were 427 recorded deaths from the ingestion of Wintergreen essential oil alone. Reference: Battaglia, S. The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy. 1^st edition, The International Centre of Holistic Aromatherapy, Australia, (1995), p. 11.

Wintergreen oil has a very high methyl salicylate content, it accounts for about 98% of its chemical constituents. This oil is scheduled as a poison in Australia and is listed as an oil that should not be used in aromatherapy, however, it has traditionally been used in ointments and linaments for muscular skeletal problems and arthritis.

It is important to remember that we are all individuals and that if you are in doubt about the safety of using essential oils, check with a qualified professional Aromatherapist.

For a free copy of my Special Report "Facts You Should Know About Using Aromatherapy", visit my Web site at: www.scentualnrg.com.au

Wine Tasting

2005-06-10T07:13:00.000-07:00

I really enjoyed the way this article descirbes our sense of smell, so I requested permission to publish it for your interest. I hope that you enjoy it!

Tasting Wine

Wine is the most complex beverage regularly consumed by man and woman, and as such it has the potential to provide an incredibly stimulating and enjoyable experience. However, to get the most from wine we need to be aware of the various facets of each wine and how we detect and react to these.

There are three senses we use when imbibing food or drink. (Imbibing means to take in - I had to look that word up). These are smell, detected by our nose, taste, detected by our tongue and touch, detected by our mouth and tongue.

We smell aromas when we sniff wine from the glass, and we smell what we refer to as flavours when these aromas waft internally to our nasal passages from wine in our mouth. Wines contain over 200 compounds that are volatile at room temperature, potentially 200 different aromas.

Our tongue detects taste and there are just four tastes, sweetness (sugar), sourness (acid), bitterness and saltiness. In addition we also feel several sensations when wine touches parts of our mouths. Viscosity, the sensation of thin liquids such as water, compared to thick liquids such as cream is one sensation. The viscosity of wine is increased by alcohol and also residual sugar. The more alcohol or sugar a wine contains the heavier and more viscous it appears. Our mouths feel heat and high levels of alcohol also feel hot in our mouths. Finally our mouths detect astringency, the puckering sensation caused by tannins and related compounds.

Smell
Our olfactory region (odour sensitive) is very small and it is located in the upper part of the nose. In normal breathing very little air passes over this region and smells are not pronounced. In order to detect subtle odours air must be directed over this region by sniffing.
As we go through life we come in contact with numerous odours which are subconsciously stored in our brain for future reference. In general humans can identify between 500 and 1000 different odours depending on the sensitivity of each individual’s nose.
However our olfactory sense is subject to rapid adaptation to any continuing smells and becomes less sensitive, so we should allow some time between sniffs to fully appreciate a wine’s aromas.
What smells are we looking for when tasting wines? There are several groups of odours present in wines and the presence of these varies considerably depending on the age and nature of individual wines.
For the purposes of wine tasting we call these odours aromas when they are sniffed from the glass, and flavours when they are detected from warming wine in our mouth.

Firstly, there are the primary fruit aromas (flavours) present in the grapes which may be enhanced by fermentation. These are caused by the presence of flavour compounds that we recognize and describe from our memory bank. Examples of strong and distinctive aromas include; raspberries, cherries, blackcurrants, asparagus, lemon and pine trees. Each grape variety has different flavour compounds present and it is this that gives them their distinct characteristics, or varietal characteristic as we refer to them. For example, Sauvignon Blanc, has a considerable amount of the same flavour compound as asparagus which contributes to its unique flavour.

In young wines, the primary fruit aromas are enhanced by fermentation, and this process, in some wines can result in a yeasty influence on the bouquet. In addition to this, aromas are imparted by winemaking processes such as oak maturation, and also by the large number of volatile compounds present in wine naturally. As wines age, the primary fruit flavours begin to decline and the complex compounds in the wine develop and interact to form a whole new range of aromas that we associate with bottle ageing / vintage wines. In terms of aroma and flavour, a wine is said to be at its peak when the complex numbers of declining and developing odours form the most harmonious and appealing mix.

Taste
Our tongue is a complex piece of equipment and it possesses numerous papillae spread across the upper surface, each containing several hundred taste buds. These detect the levels of sweetness, saltiness, sourness and bitterness in the contents of our mouths. Sweetness/sugar is detected towards the front of the tongue, sourness/acid along the front to middle sides of the tongue and bitterness on the centre back.
There is generally no detectable salt, and low levels of bitterness in wine.

To test your reaction to the tastes of wine prepare four samples as follows; fill one glass with a supply of water and half fill the next 3 glasses with about 120mls of water. To the first half filled glass add a teaspoon of sugar, to the next the juice of a lemon and to the third a teaspoon of instant coffee.
Stir each of them well. Taste them in succession washing your mouth with the water between samples. You will probably detect some flavours from the samples but concentrate on the sensations on your tongue, you now have an appreciation of where these tastes are detected and your reaction to them.
With the coffee swallow a little and concentrate on where the lingering bitterness is centred at the back of your tongue. (There is also some acid and tannin in coffee so some of you may recognize these feelings.) Keep the samples.

Touch
This is our mouth’s reaction to components in food and wine. Tannin, an astringent compound present in red wines and wood aged white wines is perceived along the sides of our mouth and is typically associated with a drying feeling. A wine with a lot of tannin has grip!
Sugar, along with a sweet taste, also raises the viscosity of wine making it appear heavier and thicker than water. Return to your water sample and sugar sample and this time concentrate on the feel of each in your mouth. Leaving aside the sweetness, the sugared water has a much more appealing feel in the mouth. Alcohol also adds to the viscosity of wine and a heavier mouth feel. Too much alcohol is also detected by a hot feeling in the mouth. This hot feeling becomes apparent at alcohol levels above 14% and is readily detected by most people when alcohol levels reach 18%.
Just as aromas change with time, so to do tannins and acid. Through bottle ageing, a more harmonious mix of sensations is generally achieved.
More importantly, acid, alcohol, sweetness and astringency are necessary components of wine and their presence determines the style and ageing potential of wines. Most wines, including many we might describe as dry red or dry white wines, have some residual sugar. Obviously sweet wine styles have a lot of residual sugar. Others, such as Champagne, appear dry but have considerable residual sugar.
Most Champagnes have high levels of acid and to counter this winemakers add between1% to 3% sugar to produce an appealing drink.

To understand the relationship between acid and sugar return to your samples and retaste the acid and sugar samples. Now mix them together and taste the result. It is immediately apparent that this mix is much more appealing to our taste then the individual samples.

So there you have it, to fully appreciate a wine our senses have to detect up to 200 smells and a combination of 5 or 6 sensations in our mouths. It is the balance of all these components that makes a good wine.

Need More Sleep?

2005-05-30T21:52:00.000-07:00

Ever thought about the fact that you spend so much of your life asleep, or in bed trying to sleep?

Have you ever gone to bed and just lied there, because your mind won’t switch off? It won’t stop thinking about everything you did that day, as well as the things you didn’t get done. And then you don’t want to forget the things you just thought of and they keep going around in your head.

I think we have all had that happen to us at some point. So anything we can do to create a more relaxed and tranquil environment the better.

Using essential oils in the bedroom is very practical and can help us to switch off quicker. I prefer to use an electric oil vaporiser in this situation because there is no hazard of candles burning when you fall asleep. The electric vaporisers are designed to be left on over night so the oils continue working while your asleep. These are a great idea if you have children or animals in the house and you still want to enjoy the aroma of our Energy Oils.

I love the oils because they are so easy to use. They are absorbed by our bodies as we breathe them in, they have a physical effect on the hormones circulating around our bodies.

There have been many studies published that prove how effective the essential oils are at helping us relax. One trial involved using Lavender oil in a dementia ward at night. The results showed that the Lavender was beneficial in improving the time spent sleeping. And the residents were also brighter in the morning.

I recently travelled down to Victoria and visited my Grandmother who is in a Nursing home, and the nurses there were using relaxing oils to help make their job easier. They find the residents are less restless and not as anxious when they diffuse the oils.

We have made an Energy oil called Slumber.
Slumber Energy oil contains several of the oils which are recommended for insomnia. Oils like Lavender, Bergamot, Petitgrain, Sweet Orange, Chamomile and Vetiver. This is a tranquil blend to promote relaxation.

Bergamot has a fresh and lively aroma. It has an emotionally uplifting effect, even though it is a sedative. It is ideal to use in an oil vaporiser for depression and nervous tension.

Chamomile is used a lot to treat psychological problems. When you are feeling moody and grumpy, or overly sensitive and short tempered go for chamomile. This oil is great for calming children.

Sweet Orange is a cheerful and happy oil. It helps people to relax and unwind. It is ideal for around the home as children love the smell of orange and it can be used to help them sleep.

Vetiver has a strong, earthy aroma because it comes from the root of the plant – it smells like dirt. This oil acts like an earth wire helping to stop the mind from racing. Vetiver is perfect to help prevent physical, mental and emotional burnout.

We have done the hard work and saved people the hassle of choosing the right oils by blending them together in our Energy Oils. Slumber is the perfect example of this.

To see our full range of Energy Oils , visit: www.scentualnrg.com.au

Beauty Secrets - Phthalates in cosmetics and beauty products

2005-04-27T15:20:00.000-07:00

It is remarkable that such a heavily used chemical, with known toxicity, can be so poorly regulated. The Environmental Working Group conducted a web-based analysis to locate consumer products, particularly cosmetics and beauty aids, containing phthalates. We found both dibutyl phthalate (DBP) and diethyl phthalate (DEP) in numerous products, and butylbenzyl phthalate (BBP) in a smaller number of products. Ultimately we limited our search to DBP, because it is a more potent reproductive and developmental toxin than DEP, and is found in a greater number of products than BBP.

Several points became clear during our product search. First, alternatives to phthalates are readily available to industry, as only a fraction of any given type of cosmetic or beauty product contains phthalates.

Second, women have no practical way to choose products that are phthalate-free. Some cosmetics contain ingredient labels on the outside of the product, but the print is so small as to be nearly unreadable, and a typical shopper will not know that "dibutyl phthalate" is the same thing as "butyl ester" or even possibly "plasticizer." Other products, such as more expensive perfumes, contain ingredient labels inside the packaging where they cannot be read until after the product is purchased. We found still other products on store shelves, particularly imported products, that lacked ingredient labels altogether, in direct violation of federal regulations.

In September 2000, Dr. Brock and his team of Centre for Disease Control (CDC) scientists published the results of the first human testing program for phthalates (Blount et al 2000). The results turned the CERHR conclusions of minimal concern on end. They found phthalates in every person tested, and at surprisingly high levels in some individuals for some phthalates. The scientists concluded that "from a public health perspective, these data provide evidence that phthalate exposure is both higher and more common than previously suspected, " adding that, "Exposure data for phthalates is (sic) critically important for human risk assessment, especially among potentially susceptible populations."

Brock and his team measured levels of seven phthalate metabolites in the urine of 289 adults. They found metabolites from two of these in 100 percent of those tested - dibutyl phthalate, or DBP, and benzylbutyl phthalate, or BzBP. A metabolite of DBP called monobutyl phthalate (MBuP), a potent reproductive toxin in lab animals, was found at significantly higher levels in women of childbearing age. Six of the eight highest measured levels were in this group.

The CDC postulates in their paper that high exposures to phthalates in women of childbearing age may arise from the use of cosmetics and beauty products. That's why we are only using natural ingredients in our range of skincare products. We don't use any sulphates, propylene glycol or petroleum based ingredients in our products. The Scentual NRG skincare range is effective and affordable.

How to Make Your Own Body and Room Sprays

There will be occasions when the use of an oil burner is not practical and the use of a body or room spray will be more appropriate. When traveling in a plane or car, using a body spray can help to keep you feeling refreshed or relaxed depending on the oils used. They are simple to make and very beneficial to use. In my book Essential Man / Essential Woman I explain how to make your own products and give lots of easy to follow recipes.

The only difference between a body spray and a room spray is the concentration or amount of the essential oils that are used to make them. A 100ml body spray contains about 20 drops of essential oil, whereas, a room spray is much strong with up to 60 drops of essential oils. The body spray is not as strong because it is sprayed directly onto the skin including the face. A room spray is much stronger because it will disperse throughout the room and only be inhaled.

Start with a spray bottle and about 100ml of water, filtered where possible, and some essential oil solubiliser, which is usually hydrogenated castor oil and is used to disperse the essential oils through the water. Mix your desired essential oils together and add an equal number of drops of essential oil solubiliser. Now add this mixture to the water in the spray bottle and you are ready to tease your nose! I love to keep a body spray in the fridge over summer and when the need arises I find it instantly refreshing. My favourite recipe for a body spray is as follows:

100ml purified water or floral water
20 drops of essential oil solubiliser
10 drops Lime
5 drops Lavender
5 drops Cedarwood

I have had truck drivers ask me for advice on ways to stay awake when driving long distances, the easiest thing you can try is to place a few drops of essential oil onto a tissue and stick it into the air vent. As the air passes through the vent it will push the oil vapours straight up your nose. Mental stimulants like peppermint, lemon or basil would be the most effective for this. The use of a room or body spray would be another alternative. A room spray or focus blend like the following would be helpful:

100ml purified water or floral water
60 drops of essential oil solubiliser
30 drops Lemon
10 drops Peppermint
10 drops Basil
10 drops Rosemary

Making a Perfume or Aftershave

Fragrance - Essential Oil - Alcohol / Water

Eau de Parfum 8-15% - Alcohol 85% / Water 15%

Eau de Toilette 5-8% - Alcohol 80% / Water 20%

Eau de Cologne 3-5% - Alcohol 70% / Water 30%
Aftershave

Body Spray/Splash 2% - Alcohol 60% /Water 40%

Instructions:

1. Blend your choice of pure essential oils
2. Blend your essential oil mix with an equal amount of alcohol (Vodka)
3. mix the water and remaining alcohol
4. Slowly add the essential oil and alcohol mixture to the water and alcohol mixture, stirring as you go
5. Store in a closed glass bottle for 24 hours in a cool place
6. Your perfume is now ready for use.

For more recipes and ideas for using aromatherapy around the home, read my book Essential Man / Essential Woman - A Guide to Using Aromatherapy

Need More Energy?

2005-04-15T22:39:00.000-07:00

Ever thought about the fact that you spend so much of your life at work? And it doesn’t matter what kind of work you do, from the retail environment, to the office or doctor’s surgery, all work places can be enhanced by using essential oils.

I know myself; the demands of owning a business are enormous. So anything I can do to create a more relaxed and productive environment the better.

You know how after lunch some days you just feel like curling up and having a nanna nap or as they call it in Sydney, a power nap. The application of essential oils into the work environment is very practical and can help to energise and refresh you.

We know that Basil and Lemon essential oils are classed as mental stimulants. A study was published in 1988, called Lemon Fragrance Increases Office Efficiency. Where Lemon essential oil was vaporised into the air at a bank, and this was found to reduce typing errors by 54 per cent. The improved efficiency saved time and money.

On the subtle emotional level, Lemon essential oil can be used to help people become more rational, focused and clear in their decision-making.

Another oil, Basil stimulates and clears the mind. This can help to relieve mental fatigue and give the mind clarity.

Black Pepper is useful for stimulating the mental faculties and energising the body.

Peppermint oil also helps people become clear headed and refreshed. Great for anyone who is having trouble concentrating or is suffering from mental fatigue.

Rosemary is considered one of the best tonics for the central nervous system, strengthening mental clarity and awareness. It is an excellent brain stimulant and has a long history of improving memory.

All of these oils would be ideal for use in the office, conference room, or when driving long distances.

We have made an Energy oil called Scholar. It contains Lemon, Basil, Peppermint, Black pepper and Rosemary essential oils. Available from www.scentualnrg.com.au

Within the workplace, essential oils can be incorporated to enhance the atmosphere for the workers and clients and therefore benefit the business.

For people who spend a lot of time in their cars, like sales reps or real estate agents a Car scenter is perfect. It creates a point of difference when you have clients in your car and helps to keep you awake and alert behind the wheel.

Why do they work?
All of the essential oils are made up of different chemical compounds which gives them their unique properties. And when they are absorbed by our bodies as we breath them in, these chemicals have a physical effect on the hormones circulating around our bodies.

All of the oils in our Scholar blend have Limonene as one of their chemical constituents. The amounts vary from about 2% in Basil, Peppermint and Rosemary, 24% in Black Pepper and about 70% in Lemon.

Limonene is a naturally occurring hydrocarbon, which means it is made up of carbon and hydrogen only. These compounds are highly volatile, which means they evaporate quickly and have antiseptic properties.

References:
1. The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy by Salvatore Battaglia, Perfect Potion, Virginia, Queensland, 1997.
2. Essential Chemistry for Safe Aromatherapy by Sue Clarke, Churchill Livingstone, Edinburgh, 2002

ADD/ADHD Case Study with Essential Oils

2005-02-03T20:00:00.000-08:00

CASE STUDY by DR. TERRY FRIEDMAN, M.D.

This case study was conducted for two years, from 1999-2001. Using Children between the ages of 6 to 12 years. Twenty subjects not diagnosed with ADD/ADHD were used as the control group. Twenty subjects with a confirmed diagnoses of ADD/ADHD were used as the study group.

Each group was pre-tested using a baseline evaluation with real time EEG and The T.O.V.A. Scale.

The essential oils chosen for the case study were Lavender, Vetiver, Cedarwood and Brain Power (a blend of Frankincense, Sandalwood, Melissa, Cedarwood, blue Cypress, Lavender and Helichrysum.)

The oils were administered in this fashion: one of the oils were administered by inhalation 3 times a day for 30 days. An inhalation device was also used at night to administer a continuous inhalation of oil.

The subject then inhaled when needed, about 3 times during the day when they began to feel "scattered". The inhalation of the oils proved to settle the brainwaves back into normal patterns and improved their scholastic performance and behavioral patterns.

Each subject was tested on each oil for 30 days and then reevaluated by testing. Then another oil was used for 30 days and reevaluated, until each of the oils had been tested. Lastly, oil combinations were used, each for a 30 day period. (Brain Power with Lavender, with Cedarwood, and Vetiver).

The final results were: Lavender increased performance by 53%, Cedarwood increased performance by 83% and Vetiver increased performance by 100%.

This study will be published in the American Medical Association Journal later this year.

The Grounding Scentual Energy oil was created using predominately Cedarwood and Vetiver oils. These oils were chosen for their grounding and nurturing properties. This earthy blend may also assist with adrenal exhaustion and help you stay balanced.

Scentual Energy Oils are available from www.scentualnrg.com.au

Scentual Energy Oils

2005-01-29T16:16:00.000-08:00

As the founder of Scentual NRG, I am proud to be the creator of Scentual Energy Oils.

Scentual Energy oils are a secret blend of pure plant oils which can change your mood instantly. Giving you the freedom to choose your mood by changing the energy around you.

Scentual Energy oils can be inhaled directly from the bottle, used in a vaporiser, or diluted into a body oil and massaged into the skin.

Using Scentual Energy Oils

There are many ways of using Scentual Energy oils and the benefits to our health and wellbeing are enormous. Most guys are genuinely lazy, myself included, and want maximum results with minimum effort. Using Scentual Energy oils is so easy and the following information will detail the best method of applying the oils for a variety of conditions.

Inhalation

Inhalation is the easiest method of using Scentual Energy oils. It includes sniffing directly out of the bottle, using humidifiers and oil burners. Stress and nervous disorders, headaches and problems with the respiratory system are best treated this way.

Applying a few drops of Scentual Energy oil to a handkerchief is another simple method. The handkerchief could be placed next to your pillow at night to help you sleep easier. A drop of oil could be placed on the collar of your pyjamas (if you wear any) to achieve the same effect.

Using an oil burner or vaporiser is the most common way that people use Scentual Energy oils. This is a very easy, quick and effective way of creating an atmosphere or mood. Studies have proven that smells can influence our emotional state. So selecting the appropriate oil for the mood you wish to create is important.

Soothe Energy Oil is a calming blend designed to soothe your mind and rejuvenate the soul. It has a calming and nurturing effect and has a slightly masculine aroma. Whereas, Sublime is a refreshing blend which is ideal for uplifting your spirits and keeping you light hearted. I use this Energy oil for entertaining or dinner parties.

Most oil burners have a small bowl of water suspended by a cradle above a heat source, usually a candle, into which 5 to 10 drops of Scentual Energy oil is added. As the water evaporates, Scentual Energy oils are carried into the air and ultimately up our nose as we breathe. It is important to ensure that the water bowl does not boil dry, as this can cause cracking. To create the best effect when using an oil burner, it is important to concentrate the vapours in a particular area of your home or office. Close a few doors or windows to reduce the amount of air flowing through the area until the smell is strong enough, or a large room may require an oil burner working at either end of the room.

After a while of being in the room, you won’t be able to smell the oil and you may think that the burner isn’t working very well. I have had customers return and complain after emptying half a bottle of oil into their burner and still not smelling anything. All that occurs is the nose becomes saturated with the oil molecules and as this happens you become de-sensitised to the aroma. Leave the room for a while and allow the nose to clear or reset itself. Even though you can no longer smell the oils, they are still having an effect on you. Their effect on us goes beyond just smelling nice.

Using Scentual Energy oils in the workplace can enhance the performance of staff by helping them to remain mentally alert and focused. At the same time helping to create a welcoming atmosphere for your customers. In the workplace I prefer to keep the workplace health and safety people happy by using an electric oil vaporiser. Electric oil vaporisers are safe, efficient and you do not have the worry of naked flames and water.

The Aromamatic electric oil vaporisers are safe and free of mess and worry. In the morning or in preparation for a meeting, select the Scentual Energy oil of your choice and add about 10 drops into the vaporiser. Plug in the vaporiser and turn it on. There is no need to use water and candles. The electric burners are a little more expensive initially, however, the benefits discussed and the small amount of electricity they use is cheaper than constantly replacing candles.

Scholar Energy oil is a mentally stimulating blend which will help you stay focused, alert and clear headed.

Body and Room Sprays

There will be occasions when the use of an oil burner is not practical and the use of a body or room spray will be more appropriate. When traveling in a plane or car, using a body spray can help to keep you feeling refreshed or relaxed depending on the oils used. They are simple to make and very beneficial to use. The only difference between a body spray and a room spray is the concentration or amount of the Scentual Energy oils that are used to make them. A 100ml body spray contains about 20 drops of Scentual Energy oil, whereas, a room spray is much strong with up to 60 drops of Scentual Energy oil. The body spray is not as strong because it is sprayed directly onto the skin including the face. A room spray is much stronger because it will disperse throughout the room and only be inhaled.

Start with a spray bottle and about 100ml of water, filtered where possible, and some oil solubiliser, which is usually hydrogenated castor oil and is used to disperse the oils through the water. Mix your desired Scentual Energy oils together and add an equal number of drops of oil solubiliser. Now add this mixture to the water in the spray bottle and you are ready to tease your nose! I love to keep a body spray in the fridge over summer and when the need arises I find it instantly refreshing. My favourite recipe for a body spray is as follows:
100ml purified water or floral water
20 drops of essential oil solubiliser
20 drops of Sensation Energy oil

I have had truck drivers ask me for advice on ways to stay awake when driving long distances, the easiest thing you can try is to place a few drops of Scentual Energy oil onto a tissue and stick it into the air vent. As the air passes through the vent it will push the oil vapours straight up your nose. Mental stimulants like Scholar, Spice or Sensation Energy oil would be the most effective for this. The use of a room or body spray would be another alternative. A room spray or focus blend like the following would be helpful:
100ml purified water or floral water
60 drops of essential oil solubiliser
30 drops Scholar Energy oil
30 drops Grounding Energy oil

A car diffuser is now available which plugs into the cigarette lighter in your car. This unit only works or draws power when the ignition is turned on, and effectively vaporises essential oils.

Massage

This method simply means applying the oils to the skin. Incorporating both the senses of touch and smell, massage can be a powerful healing tool. The physical body can be helped for example by reducing muscular tension, improving circulation, stimulating the immune system and inducing a state of relaxation which can help to lower high blood pressure. The soul can be nurtured through the simple act of touching and connecting with another human being. In our fast paced world there are many lonely individuals who for one reason or another are starved of this contact. Massage is emotionally soothing and helps to ease psychological stress and tension. It is one of the few situations in which you will let a complete stranger touch you in a caring way, without you feeling threatened.

Massage is largely instinctive and everyone is capable of giving a massage. If a child falls over and injures their elbow, what is their first reaction, after crying? They hold the area and gently rub it, which has a warming action, stimulates blood flow and helps to reduce any inflammation as well as having an analgesic effect. We all have the instinct to rub a sore shoulder or stroke the forehead to relieve a headache. I do recommend that people at least attend a weekend massage workshop so they are aware of the basics and the occasions when it is not advisable to give massage.

The Scentual Energy oils compliment the healing effect of a massage as they are inhaled or absorbed through the skin. A full body massage requires about 25ml of massage oil, which would have about 15 drops of Scentual Energy oil in it. This is a 3% dilution and is considered safe for an adult. Someone with sensitive skin would only use about 10 drops of Scentual Energy oil or a 2% dilution and a child under 15 years old would only use 5 drops of Scentual Energy oil or a 1% dilution. I do not recommend using Scentual Energy oils on babies until they are about eight weeks old because their skin is so delicate and their liver is not fully functioning before then. The liver and kidneys are the main organs used to break down and eliminate the essential oils from the body.

Bath

Soaking in a warm or hot bath can be relaxing and therapeutic. It can help to relieve stress and induce deep states of relaxation. Scentual Energy oils should always be diluted, otherwise they will float around on top of the water and can come into contact with sensitive areas of the body when getting in and out of the bath (oil floats on water). Mix about 10 drops of Scentual Energy oil with 10 drops of essential oil solubiliser and then add this to the bath water. The warmth of the water will bring out or strengthen the aroma. The Scentual Energy oils can also be added to dispersing bath oil, which will be more moisturising for the skin as it creates a milky bath. Do not use a normally carrier oil for this, as it will float around on top of the water and leave an oily residue in the bath when the water is drained away.

For more details about Scentual Energy Oils visit www.scentualnrg.com.au

More on Milk

2004-11-21T19:41:00.000-08:00

One reader has provided additional information which makes the case against milk even stronger.

US Senate Document 264 states that, "Our farm soils are depleted of vital minerals and as a result, our foods are literally starved of nutrition. Medicine cannot compensate for this deficiency."

What's really scary about this statement is that it was announced in 1936.

Since the 1960's farmers have been fertilising soil with Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium (only 3 minerals) Australia is no different and in many ways worse off because of the heavy farming that has contributed to depleting out soils.

No calcium has been put back into soils for over 4 decades. And if its not in the soils it ain't in the cows food (or their milk).

Foods that are rich in Calcium include; almonds, parsley, sesame seeds, tahini, broccoli, walnuts, cottage cheese, spinach, green beans, cabbage, sprouts, wholegrain wheat, oranges, celery, wholegrain rice, carrots, sweet potatoes, garlic, onions, lemons, peas, cauliflower, cherries, asparagus, strawberries, pineapple, grapes, beetroot, rock melon, tomatoes, chicken, turkey, bananas and avocado. But these days you may want to take a supplement to make sure you are getting enough.

People have asked "what can they drink instead or what can they use on their breakfast cereal?"

As anyone who is lactose intolerant can tell you there are plenty of alternatives, they just take a little getting use to.

Soy milk and Rice milk are my prefered options. I like Bi-Lo home brand soy milk the best, because it is so cheap they don't even bother loading it with sugar to make it taste better. I also choose to reduce my sugar consumption wherever possible.

For more information or to ask questions, email: dwebb@scentualnrg.com.au

Don't Drink Your Milk

2004-11-21T19:28:00.000-08:00

Knowing about what we put into our bodies is just as important as knowing about the chemicals we don't want to put onto our bodies through our personal care products.

With Milk - Processing Is the Problem

The path that transforms healthy milk products into allergens and carcinogens begins with modern feeding methods. Fresh green grass is substituted with high-protein, soy-based feeds and breeding methods to produce cows with abnormally large pituitary glands so that they produce three times more milk than the old fashioned scrub cow. These cows need antibiotics to keep them well.

Their milk is then pasteurized so that all valuable enzymes are destroyed (lactase for the assimilation of lactose; galactase for the assimilation of galactose; phosphatase for the assimilation of calcium).

Literally dozens of other precious enzymes are destroyed in the pasteurization process. Without them, milk is very difficult to digest. The human pancreas is not always able to produce these enzymes; over-stress of the pancreas can lead to diabetes and other diseases.

The butterfat of commercial milk is homogenized, subjecting it to rancidity. Even worse, butterfat may be removed altogether. Skim milk is sold as a health food, but the truth is that butter-fat is in milk for a reason.

Without butterfat the body cannot absorb and utilize the vitamins and minerals in the water fraction of the milk. Along with valuable trace minerals and short chain fatty acids, butterfat is a great source of preformed vitamin A.

Synthetic vitamin D, known to be toxic to the liver, is added to replace the natural vitamin D complex in butterfat.

Other Factors Regarding Milk

There is also a problem with a protein enzyme called xanthine oxidase which is in cow's milk. Normally, proteins are broken down once you digest them. However, when milk is homogenized, small fat globules surround the xanthine oxidase and it is absorbed intact into your blood stream. There is some very compelling research demonstrating clear associations with this absorbed enzyme and increased risks of heart disease.

After attending a recent seminar on the prevention and treatment of Cancer using Natural Medicine I was shocked to learn that consuming milk can cause Prostate Cancer as well. A study was conducted to estimate the combined odds ratio between milk consumption and prostate cancer from case studies published between 1984 and 2003. The outcome was that you are 68% more likely to develop cancer if you consume dairy milk.

In conclusion the researchers found a positive association between milk consumption and prostate cancer.

Another study found that people who consume 1 or 2 glasses of milk per day are 20% more likely to develop prostate cancer and people who consume more than 2 glasses per day are 500% more likely to develop cancer.

By contrast, there was no association with the consumption of cheese and butter with the development of cancer. This was contributed to the enzyme Casein being broken down during processing.

It is my strong recommendation that you reduce your consumption of dairy milk products. I only drink milk in my coffee these days.

You probably are wondering what will happen to your bones and teeth if you stop drinking milk. The majority of the world's population takes in less than half the calcium we are told we need and yet they have strong bones and healthy teeth.
Cows' milk is rich in phosphorous which can combine with calcium and can prevent you from absorbing the calcium in milk. The milk protein also accelerates calcium excretion from the blood through the kidneys.

This is also true when you eat large amount of meat and poultry products. Vegetarians will need about 50% less calcium than meat eaters because they lose much less calcium in their urine.

It is possible to obtain all your calcium from dark green vegetables (where do you think the cow gets their's from?). The darker the better. If you or your child is unable to take in large amounts of green vegetables, you might want to supplement with calcium.

In general, most animals are exclusively breast-fed until they have tripled their birth weight, which in human infants occurs around the age of one year. In no mammalian species, except for the human (and domestic cat) is milk consumption continued after the weaning period. Calves thrive on cow milk. Cow's milk is designed for calves.

Cow's milk is the number one allergic food in this country. It has been well documented as a cause in diarrhea, cramps, bloating, gas, gastrointestinal bleeding, iron-deficiency anemia, skin rashes, atherosclerosis, and acne.

It is the primary cause of recurrent ear infections in children. It has also been linked to insulin dependent diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, infertility, and leukemia.

Ear specialists frequently insert tubes into the ear drums of infants to treat recurrent ear infections. It has replaced the previously popular tonsillectomy to become the number one surgery in the country.

Unfortunately, most of these specialists don't realize that over 50% of these children will improve and have no further ear infections if they just stop drinking their milk. This is a real tragedy. Not only is the $3,000 spent on the surgery wasted, but there are some recent articles supporting the likelihood that most children who have this procedure will have long term hearing losses.

Hopefully, you will reconsider your position on using milk as a form of nourishment. Small amounts of milk or milk products taken infrequently, will likely cause little or no problems for most people.

Most people believe they need to consume large, daily quantities of milk to achieve good health. NOTHING could be further from the truth.

Whole, pasteurized, non-homogenized milk from cows raised on organic feed is now available in many gourmet shops and health food stores. Many shops now carry whole cream that is merely pasteurized (not ultra pasteurized like most commercial cream); diluted with water, it is delicious on cereal and a good substitute for those allergic to milk.

The information in this article was printed with the permission of the authors. A great reference for health related topics is Dr Joseph Mercola at www.mercola.com

Aromatherapy For Kids

2004-11-20T22:23:00.000-08:00

Aromatherapy is nothing new, evidence of its use dates back to early Egyptian times. It involves working with nature to keep our bodies well and to prevent ailments, rather than waiting to get sick.

There are some basic methods of using aromatherapy around the home to help deal with the daily challenges that children can bring us. The pure essential oils can be inhaled, used in a bath or diluted into a carrier or base oil and then massaged onto the body.

Using a drop of Tea Tree or Lavender Essential Oil on a band aid before putting it on a cut or scratch will work as an effective antiseptic, as well as helping the wound to heal quicker.

Using Sweet Orange or Lavender Essential Oil in the bedroom, in an oil vaporiser or on a tissue under their pillow will help them to relax and fall asleep quicker.

Using Cedarwood or Sandalwood is beneficial for children with over-active minds. The heavier, earthy smelling oils are more effective at slowing them down. Try placing a drop of essential oil on the sole of each foot or in an oil vaporiser if they have sensitive skin. The essential oils that are made from the wood or root of a plant have a grounding and balancing effect, useful for children with ADHD or anyone (including the parents) who are constantly going a thousand miles an hour.

Using some essential oil in a warm bath can help to soothe and relax children prior to them heading off to bed. A simple bath oil could contain Chamomile, Lavender and/or Tangerine diluted in a dispersing bath oil. Another method is to use an essential oil solubiliser to dilute the essential oils and disperse them into the bath water. If you just add a few drops of essential oil to the bath water they will float around on top of the water, which can sting sensitive areas of the body as you get in and out of the water, or it could be splashed into the eyes more easily.

Children love and crave being touched; it is very reassuring to them. Massage is soothing and calming. Some new parents are afraid to massage a baby or young children for fear of hurting them. It may be surprising to learn that babies can actually take a firm but gentle pressure when being massaged.

For more information contact David Webb, the Aromatherapist and Remedial Massage Therapist at www.scentualnrg.com.au

What is Aromatherapy?

2004-11-20T22:12:00.000-08:00

Aromatherapy is defines as the use of pure essential oils to modify the mind, body or soul. It is possibly one of the most holistic therapies as it can address all three areas at once.

Aromatherapy is easy to use and provided you follow some basic rules, it is very safe. At times it may be necessary to consult with a qualified practitioner to determine the best course of action for a particular condition. The uses of aromatic plant oils may include but are not limited to: relaxation, stress, skin care, alleviation of headaches and migraines.

The essential oils are usually applied through massage, in an oil vaporiser or added to a bath. It is important to realise that aromatherapy is not a quick fix for the many problems and challenges life throws at us. The underlying cause or problem needs to be addressed as well. For more information on everyday uses for aromatherapy visit www.scentualnrg.com.au

Aromatherapy in the Workplace

2004-10-20T12:10:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine, Jennifer Jefferies, is a professional speaker and an Aromatherapist, she recently wrote this article which I love because it goes into the psychology behind why we use aromatherapy.

Jennifer writes: Have you had the experience of locking the keys in the car, or doing all of those “Monday-itis” things? Perhaps you just do not want to face what is really going on at work today.

I once heard Ita Buttrose, (Australian Journalist/Editor “Queen”) say: “If you are not doing what you would want to be doing if you were going to die in six months, get out of it.” I totally agree with this statement. If you are not doing what you want, you are taxing your physical, emotional and spiritual health. And, it may be reflecting in both your home life and work lives.

So many people wait until they hit rock bottom to make changes. I am passionate about aromatherapy because it is so easy to integrate into your work environment. I have had endless clients in my clinic over the years that are running on empty and have lost the excitement for life and just plain old do not want to be at work any more. They can be in a position where they feel that they are unable to leave the workplace because of usually money constraints etc. So it is important that if they are going to stay at the place of work that they set their environment for success and to feed them positive energy. If it is acting like an energy sucker, they are killing themselves slowly.

If you don’t like it, change it.

If you cannot change it,

It was not that bad in the first place.

Have you changed jobs because you could not get on with the boss or your co-workers, and found that the new job presents similar problems after you have settled in? Why are you attracting these problems? I call them learning experiences, because you are in that environment and with those people to learn something. Only you know what it is, and perhaps you need to access help from a practitioner to understand the lesson to be learnt. Otherwise you may find yourself constantly changing jobs, and still never finding happiness.

‘Discontented minds and fevers of the body are not to be cured, by changing beds or businesses.’

- Benjamin Franklin

Ever thought about the fact that you spend so much of your life at work? It does not matter what kind of work you do, from the retail environment, to the office, natural therapies clinic or doctor’s surgery, all work places can be enhanced by using essential oils. Physical, emotional and business health can be weakened if teams of people are working at levels that are taxing them. It is pretty hard to find nowadays, anyone working with a lighter workload than they had five years ago. I know myself; the demands of owning a business are enormous. However, with a little thought you can bring a more relaxing yet productive environment into the workplace with the help of essential oils.

The application of essential oils into the work environment is very practical. Apart from the usual aspect of the physiological benefits of essential oils where, for instance, we know of Basil and Lemon essential oils being classed as mental stimulants, the subtle or emotional side of the essential oils can also be integrated and prove beneficial. On a physiological level, lemon essential oil was found in one study to reduce typing errors by 54 per cent, when the essential oil was vaporised into the air. On the subtle emotional level, Lemon essential oil can be used to help people become more rational, focused and clear in their decision-making.

Within the workplace, essential oils can be incorporated to enhance the atmosphere for the workers and clients and therefore benefit the business. Imagine conducting meetings where the participants band together in a positive atmosphere, allowing everyone to express their opinion and come to agreements and strategies with the minimum of fuss. The situation in the past may have been that staff were uncooperative, allowing egos and emotions to get in the way. This may have meant wasted time and energy, or a hindrance to you or the business in making new improvements and implementing change. Some people can be negative or just resistant to anything that you present, so utilise the talents of the essential oils to remove that resistance. Take the time to create an atmosphere where all participants are going to be more willing to engage in a positive manner, where everyone feels comfortable and free to express their opinion. This will allow the business, the clients and the team members to grow and succeed.

It is time to be in control of the environment. Set the atmosphere in advance so that the air within the meeting room greets all of the participants, putting them in the mood for constructive work.

The following blends are some of the combinations that I have created, you may find them useful. These combinations are blended from the emotional aspect, not just from the usual physiological one.

Slumber
A tranquil blend of Lavender, Bergamot, Petitgrain, Sweet Orange, Vetiver and Roman Chamomile which will harmonise the senses and promote relaxation.

Soothe

A calming blend of Neroli, Sweet Orange, Petitgrain and Sweet Marjoram essential oils to soothe your mind and rejuvenate the soul.

Grounding

Nurture your soul with this earthy blend of Australian Sandalwood, Vetiver, Virginian Cedarwood, Rosewood, Patchouli and Tangerine essential oils. A grounding blend of oils designed to assist with adrenal exhaustion and help you stay balanced.

These blends and more are available from my website: www.scentualnrg.com.au