Essential Oil Profile: Thyme

Thyme is a very practical and powerful ally. It’s antiviral properties make is invaluable during the fall and winter months when children tend to bring more than their homework back from school. It is also useful on many kinds of infections and as a stimulant for body and mind.

Red Thyme is the focus of this article but Thyme Linalol can be used in the same manner.

The properties of Thyme: (see Herbal Terms page for meanings of words)

Analgesic, anthelminthic, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, antiseptic, antispasmodic, antiviral, bactericidal, carminative, cell proliferant, deodorant, diuretic, emmenagogue, expectorant, insecticide, parasiticide, rubefacient, stimulant, tonic, vermifuge

Uses for Thyme include:

Physical: Helps bacterial infections, urinary infections, rheumatism, viral infections, lethargy, sores, wounds, insect bites, lice, scabies, and lung ailments. It is useful as a stimulant for the immune system and as a tonic.

Emotional and Mental: Counteracts lack of direction, intellectual or physical exhaustion, weakness, over-reactivity, nervous debility and blockages.

Nourishes fortification, tolerance, courage, support, decisiveness, alertness, focus, concentration and warmth.

Spiritual and Energetic: Thyme is an herb belonging to the element of Water and is in tune with the planetary energies of Venus. When added to food, it helps the consumer to regain a sense of joy and childlike wonder. It brings courage and valor when worn, and is very good at protecting the home from illness, vermin, and unwanted guests when burned.

This herb is a traditional fairy plant, and can be grown to attract them, or used in rituals to honor them.

Applications of Thyme Oil: (Never use essential oils internally unless instructed by a qualified health care professional)

Handkerchief/Tissue: add one or two drops of the oil on a tissue or handkerchief and sniff often. This method is useful for the emotional and mental problems listed above, as well as infections, lethargy and lung ailments.

Vapor: add 1-2 drops into a bowl of hot water and inhale the vapors deeply through the nose for one minute (be sure to close your eyes to avoid irritation.) This method is useful for the emotional and mental problems listed above, as well as infections, lethargy and lung ailments.

Massage Oil: add a maximum 3 drops per teaspoon of carrier oil and massage over the affected area. This method is helpful for bug bites, scabies, lice, rheumatism, and infections.

Baths: add a maximum of 3 drops to a warm bath and soak for at least ten minutes, breathing deeply and relaxing. This method is useful for the emotional and mental problems listed above, as well as infections, lethargy and lung ailments.

Showers: wash as normal then add 2 drops to your washcloth, luffa, or sponge and rub over yourself briskly while standing under the running water. Breathe Deeply. This method is useful for the emotional and mental problems listed above, as well as infections, lethargy and lung ailments.

Diffusers: add 1-3 drops to a diffuser and light the candle, or turn the diffuser on. Sit, relax, and breathe deeply for one minute. This method is useful for the emotional and mental problems listed above, as well as infections, lethargy and lung ailments, and to help sanitize the air.

Humidifiers: add 3 drops to the water added into a humidifier. This method is useful for the emotional and mental problems listed above, as well as infections, lethargy and lung ailments, and to help sanitize the air.

Contraindications: Avoid in hypertension and while pregnant or breast-feeding. May cause skin irritation. Do not use Red Thyme with children; Thyme Linalol is the safer option.

Information Pulled From:

The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy by Valerie Ann Worwood
The Fragrant Mind by Valerie Ann Worwood
Aromatherapy a Lifetime Guide to Healing with Essential Oils by Valerie Gennari Cooksley
The Master Book of Herbalism by Paul Beyerl
Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs by Scott Cunningham

Healthy Home Tips: Essential Oils in the Living Room

Most living rooms get pampered with an assortment of perfumed products from furniture polish to air fresheners, dusting powders for the carpets and upholstery cleaners. These products aren’t aroma coordinated and, more importantly, they all contain harmful chemicals. They are not the best option because all of their functions can be taken over by natural products which have been enhanced with essential oils.

In years gone by people put aromatic grasses under their rugs and mats so the aroma would be released to freshen the room as they walked on them. Today most of us have wall-to-wall carpeting and we need something else. A carpet freshener powder, which can be used in exactly the same way as the commercial products, can be made by using essential oils in conjunction with unscented talcum powder, kaolin, baking soda, or borax powder.

For each tablespoon of one of these base powders, you will need 1 drop of your chosen essential oil –use one of the less expensive ones. Simply add the essential oil to the powder in a blender and mix well. How much you make depends entirely upon your  requirements. Once made, store in a sealed jar or sealable plastic bag. Leave it overnight in a drawer or closet for one night before using for the first time. Then sprinkle it on your carpet, leave for a few minutes, and vacuum up.

To stop the odor that builds up from the dust and dirt in the vacuum cleaner, you can put a teaspoon of carpet cleaning powder in the bag, which will fragrance the air as it is sucked through the machine. A more effective method, however, is to add 6-8 drops of essential oil to a cotton ball and popping it in the bag. Replace it with a new fragrance, if you wish, each time you change the bag, or empty it out depending on your machine.

An even simpler method is to place the drops of essential oil directly on the bag by the air outlet, but this isn’t a good option for non-replaceable bags since you might want to change the fragrance later. Try the essential oils of Lemon, Orange, Lavender, or Pine to eradicate that dustiness which makes vacuuming the sort of job you need to bathe after!

It is difficult to get windows absolutely sparkling –there always seems to be at least a few streaks left behind. To get rid of these, prepare a sheet of newspaper to act as a rag, put a drop of Lime, Grapefruit or Lemon oil on it and polish the window again. The essential oil soaks into the newspaper and combines with the print to give a sparkling finish which also releases a fresh and subtle fragrance when light shines through the glass.

The so-called “old fashioned” furniture polishes you can buy today are usually made with synthetic lavender fragrance and all manner of chemicals. The only old fashioned thing about them is the packaging, Beeswax polish is best, which is why French polishers and antique restorers insist upon it. It is really quite easy to make, and certainly well worth the trouble. These are the ingredients:

8 ounces beeswax
2 ½ cups turpentine
2 ½ cups water
2 ounces pure soap flakes (or grated pure soap)
10 drops or more of essential oil

The beeswax should be plain and unrefined, not the white refined type. You can get this direct from beekeepers, or from hardware and health food stores. Using a double-boiler, melt the beeswax, take it off the heat and add the turpentine. This shouldn’t be too cold so don’t bring it in from the freezing garden shed just when you want to use it; make sure the bottle has been standing at room temperature for a while.

Put this mixture to the side. In another pot boil the water and melt the soap in it. Leave this until it is cool but still retains some of its warmth and then add it very slowly to the pot with the beeswax mixture. This should be done with great patience, trickle by trickle, stirring all the time.

Now add the essential oil of your choice. After blending all the ingredients together well, pack the polish in old flat tins or small ice cream cartons –the type with their own lids. Use as ordinary polish- you only need a small amount at a time, and the smell and shine will reward your efforts. (A little white spirit will remove marks from some woods, including pine, before polishing.)

The fruit of the lemon has long been used to polish copper, and essential oil of lemon works equally well. Simply put 1 drop on a soft cloth and buff the copper for a clean, gleaming polish.

The living room is the place to prove to yourself that you can do without all those commercial sprays. Use a plant mister spray with water and essential oils to freshen up the furniture, curtains and carpets. As this is where your family and friends spend most of their time, you will want to choose a nice relaxing essential oil formula.

Use the spray, diffuser, lightbulb, radiator, or humidifier method or add the oils to potpourri (don’t buy synthetic potpourri revivers.) Make your own blend of oils or use this tried and tested formula.

The Relaxing Living Room Blend
8 drops Geranium
3 drops Clary Sage
5 drops Lemon
3 drops Bergamot
Mix in these proportions

And if you want something to rouse your family out of their Sunday afternoon lethargy, try this:

The Stimulating Living Room Blend
8 drops Grapefruit
4 drops Lavender
4 drops Lime
2 drops Basil
Mix in these proportions

This article was adapted from The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy by Valerie Ann Worwood

Natural Health Tips: Aromatherapy and Stress

Please read this post in its entirety. It is long, but very informative. So many people are suffering from stress, take a moment to help yourselves or your loved ones.

Arguably, everyone in the whole world is under stress of some description. It might be positive stress, of the sort joggers voluntarily put themselves under, or the negative stress that comes from, for example, from sitting in an open-plan office with a dozen telephones ringing at any given time. The kinds of stress and degrees of it are manifold, and so the oils we use and the combinations must reflect this diversity.

First of all let’s distinguish between positive stress, normal stress, and distress. Positive stress could be described as a “high,” the excited tension you get when performing your job fast and efficiently. It is, indeed, the kind of high that makes people enjoy working in the first place; the sheer joy of being a human being actually accomplishing something, whether that’s whizzing through the in-tray or writing a book.

Positive stress makes us aim that little bit higher, leap over the pitfalls life presents to each of us, and gives us the force to take on challenges. This is the kind of energy that increases stimulation, helps our energy level, and helps creativity flow. Since it contributes to our feeling up, we don’t treat it with essential oils. We don’t need to.

Normal stress is a state during which the body performs its functions for survival in response to circumstances. For example, when you have a car accident the body is flooded with adrenaline which causes all kinds of physical phenomenon –everything goes into slow motion for example, or pain cannot be felt.

The out of the ordinary stress caused by accidents is all to the good because it increases your capacity and efficiency. Your heart may be pounding, you are shaking all over but somehow you manage to walk to the phone booth and call for help. “I don’t know how I did it,” you say later, looking at the gash in your leg, but you do know really –your mechanisms for survival took over and enabled you to do what you needed to at the time. You can collapse later, when the emergency has passed. These normal stress mechanism are good –very good- and we don’t need to treat them either.

Distress, however is another thing. This is when the healthy stress becomes chronic, with the result that we have no energy, no will, only frustration at the ever-increasing pressure load. This is when essential oils are needed.

Here we look at the various types and degrees of stress and the oils which are best suited to deal with them. Of course different types can exacerbate each other, so that the environmental stress you suffer at work can cause mental stress which, when taken home, can lead to emotional stress.

Environmental Stress: Caused by, bright lights over your desk; noise of machinery; the constant ringing of telephones; a cramped office space; etc. Oils which help: Cedarwood, Coriander, Geranium, Cypress, Roman Chamomile, Basil, Bergamot

Chemical Stress: Caused by,  too many cups of coffee; too many lunchtime drinks; too much junk food; too many aspirins or antibiotics; inhaling substances at the factory or office; pollution on the way to work; smokers in the office; etc. Oils which help: Lavender, Patchouli, Pettigrain, Geranium, Clary-Sage, Grapefruit, Lemon, Rosemary

Physical Stress: Caused by, pushing your body to the limits; running in the office “fun run”; working out at the gym; driving long distances continually; etc. Oils which help: Rosemary, Roman Chamomile, Marjoram, Lavender, Bergamot, Thyme, Geranium, Fennel

Mental Stress: Caused by, for example, trying to achieve; taking exams; anguish over uncompleted jobs; unemployment; financial worries. Oils which help: Geranium, Lavender, Sandalwood, Basil, Bergamot, Grapefruit, Cardamom, Patchouli

Emotional Stress: Caused by, relationship problems; parental guilt; the inability to give or receive love; grief; etc. Oils which help: Geranium, Sandalwood, Palma Rosa, Bergamot, Vetiver, Rose, Cardamom

These different types of stress occur in varying degrees and the oils and formulas recommended take these levels of stress into consideration. Identify the level of your stress from the categories below and then you can choose from the formulas and oils that follow for the most effective treatment for your personal needs.

Treat the first level before it develops into the second and so on. Mental health is as precious as physical health; indeed the sharp distinction so often drawn between the two is misleading. They are at different ends of the same phenomenon but they are actually the same thing. The human being works as an integrated unit of body and mind, and to take care of one is to take care of the other.

Level 1: Starts as tiredness and develops into irritability, headaches, and insomnia.

Level 2: Depression, anxiety, muscular pain, chronic headaches, persistent infections, guilt, apathy, helplessness.

Level 3: Persecution complex, agoraphobia, claustrophobia, despair, increasing guilt and depression, susceptibility to viral infections and bacterial invasions.

Level 4: Now the body is really crying for help. Unexplained pain, heart problems, strokes, and high blood pressure may be experienced, along with all the other diseases that are thought to have their roots in stress, like ulcers and even arthritis. The immune system is further depressed, leading to all manners of physical distress.

First here are some synergistic blends. Level 1 and 3 are grouped together because these need sedatives and relaxants. At level 2 however, you need something that will add a level of stimulation that will prevent you from slipping into level 3. This is to get you out of the quagmire and motivated, and to stimulate your immune system to prevent infection. If you have reached level 4, it’s time for the heavier sedatives which are known as “hypnotics.”

Only those synergistic blends at level 2 and essential oils listed later under level 2, the stimulant oils for stress-related disorders, can be used in the open workplace. All the blends and oils can be used in the atmosphere if you have a fairly closed office, and in any other method that you choose.

At all levels of stress a bath after work every night is a must –use 6-8 drops of chosen formula or oil. You may also make up a massage oil which can double as a body rub to put on before going to work. Also use it in the shower, if you have one, in the morning. Any of the room methods can be used at home, and at work perhaps the best solution is to have a bottle of oils ready with a plant-spray so you can spray your workplace when it’s convenient –perhaps when everyone else has gone out for lunch.

You can of course, also use the tissue or handkerchief method –you can pretend you’ve got another cold – or just sniff the bottle or put a dab of oil on the space between your nose and upper lip.

As Level 1 of stress is grouped with Level 3, let’s start with the level 2 synergistic blends that will, as well as helping you, benefit your fellow workers and boss too. The three general formulas are ideal for reducing stress levels throughout the work place, enabling everyone to cope before they get stressed out.

Stress Level 2 Synergistic Blends

General Blend 1:

9 drops Bergamot
11 drops Geranium
10 drops Ginger

General Blend 2:

15 drops Grapefruit
11 drops Rosemary
5 drops Palma Rosa

General Blend 3:

7 drops Neroli
3 drops Lavender
20 drops Lemon

For Apathy/Helplessness:

15 drops Grapefruit
10 drops Rosemary
5 drops Lavender

For Depression/Guilt:

15 drops Geranium
5 drops Lavender
10 drops Bergamot

For Anxiety:

10 drops Lavender
10 drops Geranium
10 drops Palma Rosa

For Muscular Pain:

10 drops Lavender
5 drops Rosemary
15 drops Cypress

For Infections, Unexplained Aches and Chills:

10 drops Lavender
15 drops Ginger
5 drops Cardamom

For Digestive Problems:
15 drops Coriander
10 drops Grapefruit
5 drops Cypress

Stress Levels 1 and 3 Synergistic Blends

General Blend 1:

15 drops Clary-Sage
10 drops Lemon
5 drops Lavender

General Blend 2:

15 drops Marjoram
5 drops Roman Chamomile
10 drops Lemon

General Blend 3:

17 drops Petitgrain
5 drops Neroli
8 drops Nutmeg

For Tiredness:

10 drops Lemon
5 drops Clary-Sage
15 drops Lavender

For Irritability:

10 drops Nutmeg
8 drops Sandalwood
12 drops Petitgrain

For Headaches:

10 drops Lavender
10 drops German or Roman Chamomile
10 drops Geranium

For Insomnia:

9 drops Marjoram
8 drops Vetiver
14 drops Lemon

For Depression:

15 drops Geranium
8 drops Neroli
12 drops Nutmeg

For Fear:

15 drops Rose
10 drops Roman Chamomile
5 drops Petitgrain

For Despair:

15 drops Rose Maroc
10 drops Petitgrain
5 drops Neroli

For Guilt:

20 drops Sandalwood
5 drops Roman Chamomile
5 drops Clary-Sage

For Low Immunity:

10 drops Vetiver
10 drops Lavender
10 drops Geranium

Some of the essential oils used to treat Level 4 are the heavier “absolutes” and are very expensive/ All of the following formulas can be lightened a little by using Lemon, Bergamot, or Petitgrain as substitutes. It does not decrease the effectiveness of the formulas if you add 1-2 drops of one of these three oils.

Stress Level 4 Synergistic Blends

General Blend 1:

2 drops Narcissus
5 drops Rose

General Blend 2:

7 drops Michela Alba
2 drops Tonka Bean

General Blend 3:

3 drops Osmanthus
4 drops Hyacinth

For Chronic Depression:

3 drops Osmanthus
3 drops Jasmine

For Chronic Insomnia:

15 drops Valerian
10 drops Hops
5 drops Rose

For Increased Anxiety:

5 drops Michela Alba
6 drops Jonquil

For Hyperactivity:

4 drops Narcissus
3 drops Tonka Bean

For Heart Murmurs:

8 drops Rose
9 drops Valerian

For Irrational Behavior:

7 drops Rose
1 drop Osmanthus

Recipes and Text adapted from The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy by Valeria Ann Worwood

Essential Oil Profile: Rosemary

“There’s rosemary, that’s for remembrance” –Ophelia

The quote above was one of my first glimpses at the wonderful powers of the magical Rosemary. I was watching Helena Bonham Carter’s wonderful portrayal of Ophelia in English class when I first heard it. I then researched and found that not only does Rosemary represent memories, but it can help increase one’s memory. Needless to say I used it whenever I studied from then on.

I hope you fall in love with this oil as much as I have.

The Properties of Rosemary: (See Herbal Terminology Page for Meanings of Words)

Analgesic, Antirheumatic, Antiseptic, Astringent, Antispasmodic, Aphrodisiac, Carminative, Cytophylactic, Diaphoretic, Digestive, Decongestant, Diuretic, Emmenagogue, Hypertensive, Nervine, Parasitic, Restorative, Stimulant, Tonic

Uses for Rosemary Include:

Physical: Helps gout, headaches, rheumatism, fatigue, skin infections, muscular aches and pains, sprains, dandruff, alopecia, obesity, and spinal injuries. Can be used as a nerve stimulant, heart tonic, liver decongestant, and analgesic.

Emotional and Mental: Counteracts loss of memory, learning difficulties, lethargy, disorientation, fatigue, indecision, nervous exhaustion, feeling overburdened and overworked, strain, emotional exhaustion, and sluggishness.

Nourishes energy, upliftment, confidence, creativity, clarity, structure, concentration, stability, sincerity, awareness, and can help one feel fortified and pure.

Spiritual and Energetic: Rosemary is an herb belonging to the element of Fire and is in tune with the planetary energies of the Sun. It is masculine in nature, and has a very strong energetic field about it. It is most often used for protection, and purification. Hanging branches and sprigs of Rosemary around the home can help protect it from unwanted guests, and a sprig under the pillow helps little ones with nightmares. This wonderful herb is also a very good substitute for Frankincense.

Applications of Rosemary Oil: (Never use essential oils internally unless instructed by a qualified health care professional)

Handkerchief/Tissue: add one or two drops of the oil on a tissue or handkerchief and sniff often. This method is useful for the emotional and mental problems listed above, as well as headaches and helping to increase the memory.

Vapor: add 1-2 drops into a bowl of hot water and inhale the vapors deeply through the nose for one minute (be sure to close your eyes to avoid irritation.) This method is helpful for treating headaches, fatigue, and the emotional and mental problems listed above.

Massage Oil: add a maximum 3 drops per teaspoon of carrier oil and massage over the affected area. This method is helpful for gout, skin infections, muscular aches and pains, sprains, and helps stimulate the body. (remember to massage the abdomen in a clock-wise movement)

Baths: add a maximum of 3 drops to a warm bath and soak for at least ten minutes, breathing deeply and relaxing. This method is helpful for mental and emotional problems, gout, skin infections, muscular aches and pains, sprains, and helps stimulate the body.

Showers: wash as normal then add 2 drops to your washcloth, luffa, or sponge and rub over yourself briskly while standing under the running water. Breathe Deeply. This method is helpful for mental and emotional problems, gout, skin infections, muscular aches and pains, sprains, and helps stimulate the body.

Diffusers: add 1-4 drops to a diffuser and light the candle, or turn the diffuser on. Sit, relax, and breathe deeply for one minute. This method is helpful for the mental and emotional problems listed above, headaches and fatigue.

Humidifiers: add 4 drops to the water added into a humidifier. This method is helpful for the mental and emotional problems listed above, headaches and fatigue.

Contraindications: Avoid during pregnancy, if you have a history of high blood pressure or epilepsy, and do not apply to damaged or sensitive skin.

Information Pulled from:

The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy by Valerie Ann Worwood
The Fragrant Mind by Valerie Ann Worwood
Aromatherapy a Lifetime Guide to Healing with Essential Oils by Valerie Gennari Cooksley
The Master Book of Herbalism by Paul Beyerl
Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs by Scott Cunningham

Healthy Home Tips: Essential Oils in the Bedroom

The bedroom is a place to sleep, or to play. It all depends on you and your mood. When aroma and romantics come together we have “aromantics,” which is such a big subject that whole books have been devoted to it.

If romance is on your mind, Ylang-Ylang, Jasmine, Rose, Palma Rosa, and Clary Sage are all appropriate oils to use around the bedroom.

To keep it smelling romantic at all times make up a special mix to use separately from the general house blend. Spray it in the air and on the carpets.

The recipe that follows is a recommended synergistic blend, but you can combine whichever oils you like to create a romantic atmosphere.

The Romantic Bedroom Synergistic Blend

8 drops Palma Rosa
1 drop Ylang-Ylang
2 drops Clary Sage
2 drops Nutmeg
4 drops Lime

Mix in these proportions.

For general bedroom use, ideal scents are Chamomile, Geranium, Lavender, or Lemon. A diffuser will help you to sleep if you place one drop of Chamomile, Clary Sage, or Lavender on it.

Bed linens can be washed and stored with essential oils, see the Using Essential Oils in the Laundry Post if you are interested.

Wardrobes can benefit from fragrance as well. Place cotton balls in the corners with a favorite scent on it, or one that keeps moths away such as Lavender, Lemongrass, Camphor, Rosemary, and Citronella.

Remember you don’t want to infuse the clothes with essential oils as this will interfere with your perfumes, so choose something that will be light and simply freshen the air.

This article was adapted from: The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy by Valerie Ann Worwood