Good article on the various uses of essential oils in the Christmas season...
Quote:
Essential Oils for Christmas
If the aroma of pine is what brings back memories like going out and cutting
your own tree, we have a top list of memory-joggers that you are going to love!
With nature's essential oils, the aroma of Christmas need not be forgotten.
Simply spray the tree with a mixture of 1 cup of water and 6 drops of essential
oil of pine, or put a few drops of pine oil on an absorbent material and tuck
around the base of the tree. Here are several essential oils that you may use to
help re-create your Christmas memories.
Cinnamon (Cinnamoma cassia): Cinnamon comes from the dried bark of trees in the
laurel family. Cinnamon has a rich history in Chinese medicine as well as
Western herbal medicine. A holiday favorite, this dark scent is often used to
accent cookies, cakes and cocoa. Cinnamon tea is not only delightful but helpful
for relieving nausea and indigestion. Cinnamon oil is great for colds. Add a few
drops of cinnamon oil to boiling water and inhale the steam. Cinnamon oil is
also used as a massage oil and has a warming effect on skin.
Clove (Caryophyllum aromaticus): Clove is a hot oil. A holiday favorite, this
delicious scent is often used in warming recipes. It can be used in a carrier
oil for any infection. It has been used in the dental industry for years to
deaden pain. Clove oil can be applied topically with a carrier. It has been used
for arousing and fortifying. According to a study at the University of Iowa,
compounds in clove oil have shown "strong activity" against bacteria associated
with plaque and gum disease.
Pine (Pinus sylvestris) : Pine Needle was used by the ancient Romans and Greeks
to treat respiratory problems and muscular aches. A holiday staple, this
fantastic scent is often used to accent potpourri and diffused into the air. It
promotes a healthy immune and musculoskeletal system. Distilled in Austria from
the finest pines, Pine Needle can be diffused to help strengthen the respiratory
tract and maintain sinus passages. When massaged into the skin, Pine Needle
supports healthy circulation and soothes the discomfort of sore joints and
muscles. A true disinfectant, a strong germ killer, excellent for viral
infections and for muscular aches, rheumatism and arthritis.
Cedarwood (Cedrus atlantica), (Juniperus virginiana) : A holiday favorite, this
fragrant scent is often used in accenting closets and cupboards. Cedar is a
versatile oil that acts as an astringent and a cleansing agent. Believed to have
originated from the famous Lebanon cedars, this essential oil provides an
exhilarating tonic for the scalp and face to help the body deal with dandruff
and acne. It can also be massaged into the skin for soothing, relaxing muscle
rubs. Cedars are thought to offer longevity, and the oil it yields was used for
embalming in ancient Egypt, and as an incense by Tibetan monks to aid in
meditation.
Neroli (Citrus aurantium) : A holiday favorite, this rich citrus scent is often
used in the scenting of perfumes. Neroli oil has a sweet, floral and slightly
haunting aroma, the color is pale yellow and the viscosity is watery. This
essential oil is also known as 'orange blossom' and it takes about 1000 lbs. of
orange blossoms to make 1 lb. of Neroli oil.The name Neroli is said to originate
from the Italian princess, Anne-Marie de la Tremoille, Countess of Nerola, who
used the oil as a perfume and to scent her bathwater and gloves.The orange
petals were used in China in the making of cosmetics and are still an ingredient
for making traditional smelling Eau-de-cologne. Orange petals are often
associated with marriage, purity and brides who traditionally wore it in their
hair.
Sweet Orange (Citrus vulgaris) : The orange in itself is a highlight nutrias
fruit containing many vitamins including A, B, and C. Being that essential oils
are extracted directly from the peel of the orange, it contains all of these
natural nutrients as well. This yellow-orange oil is quite sweet in fragrance
and is used in “fruity” fragrance blends. Orange may also be used by itself
for a light personal scent. Orange has been used as a beauty oil especially for
the neck to help prevent and reduce the appearance of lines. Being that it is a
citrus essential oil, it may cause irritation in people with sensitive skin.
Frankincense (Boswellia carterii) : Frankincense rejuvenates skin, so it's used
on mature and aging complexions and to fade old scars, reduce inflammation,
moisturize dry hair, and cure acne. A holiday favorite, this pungent scent is
often associated with Christmas and is said to be one of the gifts of the Magi.
Its antiseptic properties fight bacterial and fungal skin infections in a salve,
lotion, or as a compress. It also treats infection of the lungs, the
reproductive organs, and the urinary tract, and it increases the menstrual flow.
the oil works in two ways to help the body fight infection and pain. It first
numbs nerve endings to reduce the amount of pain sensations that reach the
brain. And then it boosts the body's immune system to accelerate the healing
process. As an added bonus, the oil's aroma relaxes the brain, which helps bring
on sleep.
Myrrh (Commiphora myrrha) : Myrrh has been used since Biblical times to treat
many ailments. A holiday favorite, this pungent scent is often associated with
Christmas and is said to be one of the gifts of the Magi. It is a sap that dries
into hard crystals. The sap is used by some for making tinctures. Myrrh is both
antiseptic and astringent. It is used today as a mouth wash and used for
treatment of mouth ulcers, sore throats and even for the relief of sore gums. To
use it as a mouthwash, drop a few drops of the sap into a glass of water.
Peppermint (Mentha piperata) : Peppermint recalls the images of candy canes and
sweet treats made from this wonderful oil. Peppermint has the powerful
therapeutic ingredient menthol, as well as menthone, menthyl acetate and some 40
other compounds. Peppermint is a naturally occurring hybrid of spearmint (M.
spicata) and water mint (M. aquatica). The oil is made by steam-distilling the
plant's aromatic leaves and stems. Peppermint oil acts as a muscle relaxant,
particularly in the digestive tract, reduces the inflammation of nasal passages
and relieve muscle pains. A mixture of peppermint oil, eucalyptus oil and
ethanol (ethyl alcohol) on the forehead and temples can reduce headache pain.
Peppermint can be take as a tea, capsules or tinctures.
I just bought some Pine Oil and it is so weak it's virtually useless for perfuming the house, to give it a nice Christmasy atmosphere. Phooey. I guess you have to pay a lot to get something good.
Essential Oils for Christmas
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