Uses of Basil Essential Oil

Basil is one of the most DRYING plants available to us. It is ingestible, delicious and aromatic. Basil cloaks itself in several ways including Sweet, True, and Exotic. Practical applications of Basil EO are as follows.

Dose:

Adults: 10-15 drops for acute symptoms

Children and Elderly: 2 -7 Drops for acute symptoms

*If you get an essential oil(EO) in your eyes DO NOT rinse with water. Water intensifies

the effects of the oils. DILUTE the EO with a nut or seed oil like Olive, Almond, or

Coconut. Apply the nut oil liberally around the eye and let it seep in allowing the

effects to diminish.*

Basil!

Boils and Persistent Zits: Depending on the location, place 1-2 drops directly on the site and watch basil's drying and antibacterial properties eradicate the problem. If it's in a sensitive area such as near the eye, apply with a q-tip to avoid eye irritation.

Persistent Lung Congestion: Use in combination with Cypress and Lavender to dry out that mucus by applying to the upper chest. This same combination can be used intensively for 5 days straight to get rid of Pleurisy (fluid around the lungs!)

Metabolism: Basil can help regulate our metabolism by stimulating or depressing appetite based on what your body would benefit from most.

Pure, unadulterated, essential oils have the ability to bring us closer to our own true nature. This is part of what allows them to be so adaptogenic. We are working with a plant being when we work with these oils and your cooperation and intention will increase the magic at hand.

GreenLove!

Amy

Lavender Uses

Lavender is one of the most versatile essential oils on the planet. Here I will give you just a few uses to inform you on the possibilities of this practical and angelic essence.

Dose:

Adults: 10-15 drops for acute symptoms

Children and Elderly: 2 -7 Drops for acute symptoms

*If you get an essential oil(EO) in your eyes DO NOT rinse with water. Water intensifies

the effects of the oils. DILUTE the EO with a nut or seed oil like Olive, Almond, or

Coconut. Apply the nut oil liberally around the eye and let it seep in allowing the

effects to diminish.*

Lavender!

Ear infection: Pour EO behind the ear and smooth it in towards the throat

allowing it to absorb into those lymph glands behind the ears and throat. Lavender has

a drying effect that helps sort out the mucus or fluids that can congregate in the ear

when infected. It is also highly anti-bacterial, fighting any infection. Itʼs soothing for the

nerves and gentle on the skin.

Treat 2x/day for up to 5 days.

Burns: Pour directly on a burn (or small cut) to drastically reduce pain, healing time

and prevent infection.

To create a spray to treat sunburn, Add 1-2 drops of Lavender to a spray bottle of water.

and apply liberally after sun exposure.

Stress Reduction: Probably the most well known of Lavenderʼs uses, simply smelling

the oil will take the edge of off your stressful day. Taking a deep breath in, can do

wonders. You can also put one drop on your heart to feel more at ease when ever you

need it .

NOTE

Any recommendation of use that I suggest on this website is only applicable in the case of a 100% pure, unadulterated, Medicinal grade essential oil. And as with all things: “Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it, no matter if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense.”- Buddha

5 Great Ways to Use Essential Oils

There are many myths out there about what aromatherapy is and isn't. Medicinal aromatherapy goes worlds beyond scent. In my experience essential oils can be used in many profound ways for healing on the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual levels. For those of you who are new to working with Medicinal Essences, here are a few tips!

1. Take a bath! 3-5 drops of an essential oil (EO) in your bath creates a wonderful aromatic atmosphere. In this way, the EO will penetrate through the skin and through the breath! Try Eucalyptus, Lavender, Geranium or a conifer essence to deepen the amazing gift that water gives us when we bathe. This is a great thing to do to boost the immune system if you feel like you're coming down with something. CAUTION: Avoid hot essences such as cinnamon or thyme and avoid citruses in more that 1 drop.

2. Wear them! 1 drop of an essence over your heart in the morning will keep you supported in a heart-centered walk throughout your day. For various ailments, an EO does it's work best applied directly to the place of dis-ease. Try Birch or Sweet Marjoram for body aches, Peppermint for headaches and hot flashes.

3. Smell them! In trying times, it is nice to have an essence in your pocket at all times that you can take out and breathe in. This brings you back to your breath, back to the moment, and back to nature.

4. Meditate with them! Does your mind wander? Do you have trouble focusing? Applying an essence for meditation will enhance your practice by bringing a focal point, breath awareness, and body awareness. Try Spikenard, Frankincense, White Spruce, or Eucalyptus. (just to name a few)

5. Steam them! No need for a fancy diffuser. Simply add a few drops to a pot of water and bring it to a boil. Then let it simmer. As it steams, the essential oil will be carried through out your body and house, cleaning and refreshing the air. This is a great thing today if someone is not well or if you've been host to sick people. (anyone get a cold after a kids birthday party?)

Well that's a nice way to get started if I do say so myself :) All essences should be 100% pure, unadulterated, pure plant essences. I use only the highest quality Medicinal Grade essential oils and wouldn't recommend anything else! If you have questions or would like to know what EO's would do for you, please call or send me an e-mail.

Be Well!!

Amy

The story of Narcissus - The Spring Daffodil.

by Amy Isakov, Medicinal Aromatherapist

You know its getting close to true spring when you see those green sprouts bursting, thrusting through the earth. As time warms on,  that green will soon enough erupt into fragrant beauty.  Daffodils draw their Latin name, Narcissus, from the Greek Myth of Echo and Narcissus. Here is the story as I remember it:

• Narcissus was an excessively handsome wood nymph, too vain for his own good.  Echo was a smitten nymph who fell for Narcissus and tried to approach him, but he shunned her in his vanity.  Echo trailed after Narcissus, hoping he would take notice. One day he stopped by a crisp mountain lake to quench his thirst and he saw his reflection for the very first time.  Thinking he had finally found someone beautiful enough, he contented himself to gaze upon this mysterious image for the rest of time.  Echo, who had trailed after him for so long now knew that he was lost to her.  In her despair, she sat, repeating the last words Narcissus spoke.  He thought her words were the “god” in his reflection, taunting him. He never noticed her.  Narcissus could not tear himself away from the overwhelming beauty and stayed at the waters edge until there was nothing left of him.  Echo similarly wasted away in her pining for Narcissus and all that was left of her was her voice.  Around this crisp, mountain oasis is where the first Daffodils, or Narcissus, ever bloomed.  (And I’m sure you’ve all called out for echo in your journeys through vast places.)

I like to recall this story while walking through the woods to remind me of the incredible Being-ness of the world around us.  Narcissus reminds me that beauty is best when it can be seen in others as well as ourselves.  It shows me what is possible when we shake off the stillness of winter and break out of our shell.  Narcissus is bold, and he shares his beauty with everyone now! Happy

Spring!

Are Lavender and Tea Tree oils Dangerous?

Are Lavender and Tea Tree oils Dangerous?

by Amy Isakov NCTMB, Certified Medicinal Aromatherapist

It has recently come to my attention that there is fear rising around the use of Lavender and Tea Tree Essential Oils.  I would like to take this opportunity to speak on behalf of the plants.  In recent studies (see links to studies below) it has been supposedly proven that Lavender and/or Tea Tree can act as an endocrine disruptor in large doses.  Despite Lavender being used throughout history as a panacea for colds, stress, and children’s woes, it is now getting a bad reputation. Tea Tree oil is a powerful anti-septic and is used in many first aid capacities. It is boggling to me that in a study where a Lavender or tea tree fragrance, not the plant, but a chemically altered constituent of the plant, is being used that a doctor could draw the conclusion that it must be the plant that is causing the problem.  

Essential oils, in their pure, unadulterated form, are medicine.  Think of it as a highly concentrated herbalism.  Yes, there are plants whose properties need to be treated with respect so as to not cause harm.  For example, Cinnamon essential oil can burn you if applied incorrectly!  Fortunately, Lavender is good for healing burns.  A 100% pure, organic or wildcrafted essential oil of Lavender or Tea Tree will not disrupt the endocrine system.  The moment you tweak the chemistry of this plant, the moment you extract the portion you want, you are no longer dealing with a plant, but a chemical compound.  It’s a chemical that you could build in a lab and maybe has been built! It’s not natural and does not interact with your body naturally.  It is not fair to say that the plant has had a negative effect on your body when the plant is just as much a victim in this situation as you are.  

In an age where we are becoming more and more aware of the effects chemicals have on our bodies and minds, I encourage you to open your eyes to all the places where companies are taking chemically induced short cuts and still calling it natural.  The real world of healing is simple.  Simplify what you put in your body.  Simplify what you put in your mind.  Nature has known how to care for itself and its inhabitants from the time before time.  We humans need to stop interfering and get on board.  

references:  

original article: http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa064725

counterpoint article: http://www.naha.org/articles/Tisserand,%20R.%20Gynecomastia2_2007.pdf

An organization and their info on fragrance as endocrine disruptor:

http://www.ewg.org/notsosexy

Why Mermaid?

Mermaid! The fanciful daughter of the ocean. Often depicted as a Siren who will lure you to your death, I some how don't relate to that particular aspect of this creature. I see her as a bridge between worlds. Half of the earth and half of the water. Her song may indeed entice you, but maybe what dies is only your ego? Perhaps the siren lures that which no longer serves you to be drowned in the salty depths. Salt is very purifying... :) Mermaids contain my love of the ocean and her inhabitants. They speak to playfulness and lightheartedness. They are charmers and flirts and most importantly, lovers. Lovers of life. I am, in my highest vision of Self, a Mermaid.

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