Grapefruit Essential Oil

Cold pressed from the rind of the grapefruit, the essential oil is citrus-y, floral and fruity.  It’s clean and fresh.

Grapefruit is said to aid in weight loss and is often used in weight loss products.  Since I have a bit of a weight problem myself, I’ve started using a drop in my seltzer in mid afternoon to give me a boost in my energy level and to calm those food cravings.

Grapefruit is said to help with hangovers, by diffusion or inhaling the oil from a cotton ball or piece of tissue on which a drop of oil is placed, or directly from the bottle.

I like to use it in the shower.  Turn off the shower for a moment after you’ve finished washing, put a couple of drops in your palm, rub your hands together and rub it over your wet skin.  Stay away from sensitive areas.  Turn the water back on and rinse off.  It just makes me feel better. Or you could dilute with a carrier oil for an after shower body oil.  Grapefruit doesn’t have the extreme UV sensitivity of other citrus based essential oils, so you don’t have to worry about sun exposure.  Grapefruit is useful in skin preparations for oily skin.  Combined with witch hazel it can be an astringent tonic for oily skin. 

Properties:

• stimulant
• tonic
• antidepressant
• antiseptic
• disinfectant
• diuretic

Grapefruit is generally considered safe for human consumption, so it can be used as a dietary supplement, or used in cooking.  It shouldn’t be used for children under 6, and adult dilution is 1 drop per 4 oz. of beverage.  For children over 6 dilution should be higher.  Make sure you only use 100% pure therapeutic grade essential oils.  They can be found at doTERRA.  http://www.mydoterra.com/sharonbwilbur/

Obviously the same warnings always apply.  If you’re under a doctor’s care for a condition requiring medication check with your physician for any possible interactions with your other medication.  The FDA has not evaluated the effectiveness of any claims.

 

 

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Love Your Skin with Tamanu, Jojoba and Essential Oils!

Oils for your face?  Well I used to be skeptical.  Beauty products have always been a miss for me.  When I was a teen, the ones that fought acne dried my skin out terribly, the moisturizers always seemed to bring back the zits, and I still had the oily skin.  As I aged, the pimples declined in number but the oily skin persisted, with the errant zit showing its ugly self when I least expected it.  I gave up spending a fortune on ineffective face washes, astringents and moisturizers years ago and had been using olive oil for a while to clean and moisturize my face because it was the only thing I found to work –– until I found the magic of Tamanu nut oil, Jojoba oil and the benefits of essential oils.  Olive oil alone was okay to clean my face, but it really didn’t help cut the amount of oil my skin produced. It also did nothing for blackheads.  These are two recipes that I have created and used with success on two different skin types.  Try one.  You won’t be disappointed.  If you have combination skin, try the recipe for oily skin.  The initial cost may seem fairly high for all of the ingredients but are cheaper in the long run.  Store them in a cool, dark place, and the oils are good for a year, more for the essential oils if stored with the same care, and you’ll never again have to spend hundreds falling for beauty product promises that end up in landfills because they just don’t work.

Base Oil Blend:
• 20 Drops   Tamanu Nut Oil
• 20 Drops   Jojoba Oil

Oily Skin Recipe:
• 4 drops   Carrot Seed essential oil
• 6 drops   Ylang Ylang or Lavender essential oil
• 6 drops   Bergamot essential oil
• 6 drops   Lemon essential oil

Other essential oils that treat oily and combination skin: Frankincense, Clary Sage, Helichrysum, Cypress, Orange, Peppermint, Rosemary, Sandalwood and Tea Tree.

Dry Skin Recipe:
• 4 drops   Cedarwood essential oil
• 4 drops   Carrot Seed essential oil
• 6 drops   Ylang Ylang or Lavendar essential oil
• 6 drops   Lemon essential oil
• 2 drops   Geranium essential oil

Other essential oils that treat dry skin: Myrrh, Clary Sage, Jasmine, Patchouli, Roman Chamomile, Rose Otto, Rosewood and Sandalwood.

Tamanu Nut Oil Benefits:
Antibacterial – acne fighter, aids in healing cuts
Astringent
Anti-inflammatory
Inhibits staph and candida infections
Aids skin regeneration – reduces appearance of scars & wrinkles
The oil actually protects your skin from the sun with an SPF of 20!

To make Tamanu oil, the nuts are harvested, dried for a month and then cold pressed.  There should be no additives, no other method of extraction should be considered and the origination should be Madagascar.  The oil is a deep, earthy olive-yellow in color and has a pleasant, nutty aroma.  It is a must for creating your own personal facial moisturizer, regardless of your skin type.  From young to mature skin, there are just too many benefits to leave it out.  It is gentle and can be applied directly to your skin.  In 2 weeks my oily skin was balanced with improved texture, my pores less visible, blackheads nearly gone and my skin tone evened out.  My neighbor’s incredibly dry skin was smooth and hydrated, less tight-feeling and had experienced improved texture.  She swears she will never go back to the chemical-laden cream hunt.  Just like essential oils, you don’t need a lot.  It can be used alone, but it blends really nicely with Jojoba oil, which I recommend.

Jojoba is an incredible oil in its own right because it contains virtually all vitamins and minerals required for healthy skin (and hair), plus it has many of the same benefits of tamanu oil!  It mimics your own sebum production, so your skin actually creates less, stopping that unsightly shine from developing in oily and combination skin.  People with dry skin can count on relief that lasts all day long.

Both oils can be used in the oil-cleaning method.  To do this, massage 3 to 4 drops onto your face and neck.  Let it sit for a bit so it can mingle with the oils in your skin, and then rinse with warm water.  They both fight stretchmarks, heal chapped lips and last a long time, regardless of weather when applied. Other uses include burn relief, including sunburns. They are also considered a good treatment for nail fungus as well as athlete’s foot.

People are having good results in fighting eczema and psoriasis with tamanu oil, reducing itching, moisturizing the skin and killing bacteria that can cause infections.  Also people with shingles have had good results.

Moms, remember to use tamanu nut oil if your baby is suffering from diaper rash.  You’ll never go back to the old Butt Paste standby. It is an all natural, gentle, soothing, antibacterial, antifungal and healing oil.  Do not use on any child who has a nut allergy.

Dogs, cats and horses with skin problems can be topically treated with tamanu nut oil.  It is regarded as safe for them.

***Tamanu oil is regarded as safe but do not use it if you have any allergy to nuts.***

Please see additional information on essential oils before using, and as always, if you are taking medications or have health issues, consult a doctor before using any essential oil.

Questions and comments are always welcome.  Thanks for stopping by.

 

Pure, therapeutic grade essential oils can be purchased at:  http://www.mydoterra.com/stephaniegorman

Patchouli Essential Oil

Patchouli is an essential oil extracted by steam distillation from the leaf of the plant Pogostemon cablin, a bushy herb related to mint.   The fragrance is slightly minty, musky, and very pleasant.  Its is used in the perfume industry and to scent laundry products and other soaps.

Patchouli is said to be beneficial to skin, and can be used to reduce wrinkles, stretch marks and scars.  When diffused, the fragrance can be grounding and balancing.  Balancing is a term used in essential oils to describe a helpful effect on emotions which can work many ways to improve mood.  For instance if you happen to be depressed it can cheer you, and if you are over excited it can calm you.  It is used in an aromatherapy recipe previously posted for autumn scents.

To diffuse, use 3 or 4 drops in your diffuser.  For topical use dilute with fractionated coconut oil to to avoid skin sensitivity.  Usual dilution rate is 5 drops per teaspoon of carrier oil.

USES:

• Combine it with Peppermint and apply directly to the forehead, temples or back of neck for headache.
• Add a few drops to your favorite moisturizer to smooth the skin.
• It can calm emotions when combined with Vetiver and rubbed on the bottoms of feet.
• It has anti-fungal, antiseptic, and anti-inflammatory properties.

Always if you are pregnant or nursing or under a doctor’s care check with your physician.  Can be sensitive to skin.  Avoid contact with sensitive areas and eyes.  Not for use in children, and should be stored out of their reach.  http://www.mydoterra.com/sharonbwilbur/