Hair Care Using Essential Oils

The following recipes are based on 1/2 ounce of base oil (jojoba or sweet almond). You may increase the proportions as needed. (I.e. double the amount of essential oils used for 1 ounce of base oil.) To make an undiluted hair oil blend from any of these recipes, combine 10 drops of each oil in a 4 ml amber bottle.

Basic Hair Oil: This blend is soothing and refreshing to the scalp. Add 2 drops rosemary, 2 drops lavender, 2 drops clary sage, and 2 drops jasmine absolute to 1/2 ounce base oil.

Ylang-ylang blend: Add 2 drops lavender, 2 drops rose geranium, 2 drops ylang-ylang, and 2 drops patchouli to 1/2 ounce base oil.

Relaxing, Conditioning Blend: Add 2 drops Roman chamomile, 2 drops lavender, 2 drops sandal wood, and 1 drop jasmine absolute to 1/2 ounce base oil.

Earth Rose blend: Add 2 drops Roman chamomile, 2 drops lavender, 2 drops sandalwood and 2 drops lavender to 1/2 ounce base oil.

Scaly scalp and dandruff-prevention blend: Add 2 drops Atlas cedar wood, 2 drops lavender, 2 drops rosemary, and 2 drops tea tree to 1/2 ounce base oil.

Hair Oil Treatment

6 to 8 drops undiluted hair care oil blend, 1/2 ounce sweet almond or jojoba base oil (or 1/4 ounce of each)

Combine base oil and essential oils and mix well. Double recipe is needed for long hair so oil will cover all of the hair. Apply oil gently throughout hair. Wear a shirt that you don't mind getting a little oily, or cover your shoulders until oil is absorbed into the hair well.

Cover your head with a plastic cap or your pillow with a few bath towels if you plan to sleep with the hair oiled. Leave oil on hair for at least 1 hour.
To rinse, add shampoo directly to the oiled hair before you rinse or wet it. The shampoo emulsifies the oils, resulting in a much more thorough rinse.

For scenting a brush or a comb: Add 2 to 3 drops of hair care oils directly to a hair brush or comb before using. If you have a wooden comb, the oil can be rubbed directly into the comb.
Hair absorbs scent quite readily. The oil also conditions hair as you brush or comb. This is a good treatment for both men and women.

To massage scalp: Place 3 to 5 drops of oils on your fingertips and lightly massage into scalp. In summer, try this while your hair is still damp; sit in sun and enjoy being surrounded by aromatic oils as your hair dries. In winter you can get the same effect with a blast or two from the blow drier.

Aromatherapy Herbs

Aromatic herbs are some of the most unusual plants species in the plant kingdom; nothing can be as useful and beneficial as Aromatherapy herbs, their contribution to the civilization is a fact well recognized. Aromatic plants are those which contain certain natural compounds called “natural scents.”

Most of these critical extracts are obtained from different parts of a plant like leaves, stem, flowers, seeds and roots. Though they are hidden in these parts, they can be extracted by distillation or fractionation processes. The number of catalogued aromatic herbs exceeds 250, though many of them are not really productive. How ever, about 100 varieties are known to possess unique compounds that are used as aromatherapy essential oils.

Herbs have a variety of effects including antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, sedative or stimulant properties. By being aware of each plant's properties and used carefully the man can be relieved of various symptoms or illnesses. In general, all essential oils have the ability to strengthen the immune system, and are detoxifying in nature. Essential oils can be used as preventative treatment; most symptoms can be reduced with regular treatment.

Various herbs and plants that can be used are - Basil, Lavender, Garlic, Aloe Vera, Seaweed, Nettle, Rosemary, Tea tree, Dandelion and Liquorices. Basil has expectorant and antibiotic/antiseptic properties. Lavender is a relaxant. Garlic is antiseptic, antibiotic and expectorant. The expectorant properties make garlic excellent for the respiratory system. The juice from a bulb of garlic can be used on cuts and bruises.

Rosemary is an anti-inflammatory, antiseptic plant, its uses are various. Tea Tree is an antiseptic and mild disinfectant which aids healing, strengthens the immune system. Dandelion is used to treat kidney or liver disorders, the root stimulates the liver and the leaves act as a diuretic. Liquorices can be used as an antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, demulcent, antispasmodic and expectorant herb.

Aromatic herbs, due its therapeutic properties, are cherished by many professionals in the world. Hundreds of recipes are researched and chronicled every day, ach with different use and application. Carefully selected herbs are chosen to extract essential oils and refined for a long shelf life.

Many herbs can even be grown in containers at home or cottage gardens; the fresh aroma and the sweet essence of flowers and leaves are sources of joy and relaxation for any garden owner. Aromatherapy herbs are known to special plants for special purposes; its organic extracts are all pure and 100% safe for therapeutic uses. Aromatic oils are eternal and man’s quest for perfection to acquire a pure essential oil is never ending.

Body Treatment Using Essential Oils

Bath

Taking a bath can be all things to all people. Depending on your choice of herbs, a bath or shower can help you face the rigors of the day or relax afterwards. Not only that, a bath can help soften the skin and replenish the body's natural oils.

Frothy Bath Oil

2 eggs
1 cup olive oil
1/2 cup corn oil
1/2 cup almond oil
1 cup milk
2 Tbsp clear honey
1 cup milk
1/2 cup vodka
1 Tbsp mild soap flakes
3 drops essential oil of your choice

Beat together the eggs, vegetable oils, and honey. Add the milk, vodka, soap flakes, and essential oil, still beating. Pour into bottles, cover, label and store in the refrigerator.

Add about one tablespoon under the faucet when running the water for a warm bath.
Makes about 4 1/2 cups

Floral Bath Gel

3 Tbsp fresh or dried flowers, picked from the stalks
1/2 cup spring water
12 Tbsp grated castile soap
3-4 drops essential oil of choice

Pound the flowers with a mortar and pestle until they form a paste or powder. Put the water into a small pan and bring to a boil. Beat in the grated soap until it has dissolved, then remove pan from heat. Stir in the flowers and essential oil.
Leave to cool, then pour into bottles, cover, label and store in the refrigerator. Use as a soft soap.
Makes about 1 cup

Skin Care

Making your own skin preparations is itself a pleasurable pastime. Just to stir a handful of pot marigold petals into a bowl of steaming water is both invigorating and calming, an indirect form of Aromatherapy. The following recipes offers therapeutic and cosmetic blends to help you care for your skin or just to allow a little self indulgence.

Lavender-flower Lotion

Splash on this gentle toning lotion to tighten and refresh the skin

5 Tbsp Lavender water
5 Tbsp Witch Hazel
5 Tbsp Lemon Juice, strained
2-3 drops lavender essential oil

Pour all the ingredients into a bottle, close it with a cap or cork, and shake it vigorously. Shake well before each use.

Makes about 3/4 cup

Purifying Masks

this is a purifying, toning, soothing, and rejuvenating mask. The basic ingredients are: Green Clay - 2 ounces; Corn flour - 3 teaspoons.
Mix together and keep in a jar, ready for combining in one of the formulas below.

Blend the ingredients together to form a smooth paste. Apply in a thin layer to face, avoiding eye area. Leave on the skin for fifteen minutes. Rinse off and apply a moisturizer or facial oil. Dab the face with a tissue.

Normal Skin

1 Tbsp Basic Mask Mix
1 Egg Yolk
1 tsp water
{combine and use 1 drop of:
2 drops Geranium essential oil and
1 drop Bois de rose}

Dry Skin

1 Tbsp Basic Mask Mix
1 Egg Yolk
1 tsp Almond or Evening Primrose Oil
2 drops Carrot Oil
2 tsp water
{Combine and use 1 drop of:
1 drop Chamomile essential oil and
1 drop Rose essential oil}

Oily Skin

1 Tbsp Basic Mask Mix
1 Tbsp Brewer's Yeast
1 Tbsp Water
{Combine and use 1 drop of:
1 drop of Rosemary essential oil and
1 drop of Lavender essential oil}

Revitalizing Mask for Dehydrated Skin

1 Tbsp Basic Mask Mix
1 Egg Yolk
1 tsp Brewer's Yeast
1 tsp Jojoba Oil
1 Tbsp Water
{Combine and use one drop of:
1 drop Chamomile essential oil and
2 drops Carrot Oil}

ACNE

1 tbsp Basic Mask Mix
1 tsp Water
{Combine and use 1 drop of:
1 drop of Chamomile essential oil
1 drop of Lavender essential oil
1 drop Juniper essential oil and
1 drop Patchouli essential oil}