Essential Oil Profile: Cardamom

August 5, 2015Leave a comment

Cardamom

Latin Name:Elettaria cardamomum

Family:Zingiberaceae

Plant Part:Seed/Fruit

Method:Distillation

Typical Country: Ecuador,India, Ceylon

Note/Element:Top. Element:Fire,Earth

Functional Groups:Ester,Oxide,Terpene,Aldehyde

Type:Stimulating

Ayurvedic Dosha:Vata,Kapha

Scent:Spicy,fresh,penetrating,enlivening,balsamic,invigorating

For Skin Type:None

Cautions:Not for sensitive skin

Physical Uses:Indigestion, nausea, heartburn,stomach ache,. Coughs,colds. Muscle pain. Warming. Helps circulation. Useful during Winter and to warm cold feet.

Mental/Emotional Uses:Self-esteem,apathy,exhaustion,fatigue,mental clarity. Instills courage. Nervous tension.

Other Uses: Aphrodisiac. Asian-inspired blends. Reminiscent of the smell of “chai tea”

Blends Well With:Flower, fruit, roots,seed and wood.

Possible Substitutions:Cinnamon, Clove, Coriander & Ginger

Essential Oil Profile: Bergamot

July 11, 2015March 2, 2025Leave a comment

Bergamot

Latin Name: Citrus aurantium bergamia

Family: Rutaceae

Plant Part: Peel

Method: Expression or steam distilled (no as much)

Note/Element: Note:Top Element: Wood, Earth

Functional Group: Alcohol, Coumarin, Easter, Terpene

Type: Balancing, Refreshing

Ayurvedic Dosha (Balances): Kapha

Scent: Citrus, Orange-like, sharp lemony

Color: Yellow to greenish

For Skin Type: Oily, Acne

Cautions: Not before sun exposure, most photo toxic oil, Do not use oxidized oil, Not with skin cancer

Physical Uses: Cystitis, digestion, colds, flu, hemorrhoids, flatulence, cools fevers, immune system, insomnia

Mental/Emotional Uses: Depression, eating disorders, stress, anxiety

Other Uses: Cat repellent(use outdoor only), neutralize odors & mildew, boils, cold sores

Blends Well With: Almost anything

Possible Substitutions: Mandarin, Orange

References

Essential Oil Profile as used by Aromatherapy Home Study Certification Foundation Level by Katherine Graf , Aroma Studio

Bergamot Essential Oil,AromaWeb, http://www.aromaweb.com/essential-oils/bergamot-oil.asp

Bergamot Essential Oil Profile (with therapeutic additions), The Aromatherapyy Course- Home & Family by Dawn Copeland & Jeanne Rose,http://www.jeannerose.net/articles/bergamot_EO.html

Disclaimer

This information is for educational purposes only, it is not intended to treat, cure, prevent or, diagnose any disease or condition. Nor is it intended to prescribe in any way. This information is for educational purposes only and may not be complete.

As with all essential oils, never use them undiluted. Do not take internally unless working with a qualified and expert practitioner. Keep away from children. If applying an essential oil to your skin always perform a small patch test to an insensitive part of the body (after you have properly diluted the oil in an appropriate carrier.

Essential Oil Profile:Basil Sweet

April 23, 2015July 11, 2020Leave a comment

Basil Sweet

Latin Name: Ocimum basilicium

Spanish Translation: Albahaca

Family: Lamiaceae(Labiatae)

Plant Part: Flowering Plant

Method: Distillation

Typical Country: Vietnam, India

Note/Element: Note:Top/Element:Fire,Wood

Functional Groups: Phenol,alcohol,ester,ketone,oxide

Type: Stimulating

Ayurvedic Dosha(Balances): Vata, Kapha

Scent: Sweet, herbaceous, spicy

For Skin Type: Oily, acne

Cautions: Not during pregnancy. Use diluted.

Physical Uses: Muscle & joint pain, colds, flu, cough, menstrual, cramps,flatulence Indigestion, amenorrhea

Mental/Emotional Uses: Nervous tension, mental clarity, depression, stress, anxiety, studying

Other Uses: Holy Basil is good for anointing the hair & during meditation for focusing.

Blends Well With: Citrus, herbs

Possible Substitutions: Basil Holy(Tulsi),(Ocimum santum) or Basil Tropical (Ocimum basilicum)

Essential Oil Profile: Angelica

March 5, 2015March 5, 2015Leave a comment

Angelica

Latin Name: Angelica archangelica

Family: Apiaceae (Umbelliferae)

Plant Part: Root

Method: Distillation

Typical Country: Hungary

Note/Element: Note:Base. Element: Earth.

Functional Groups: Terpene, Ester, Coumarin

Type: Balancing, grounding.

Ayurvedic Dosha: Vata

Scent: Herbaceous,heavenly, spicy & earthy.

For Skin type: None

Caution: Not during pregnancy. Phototoxic. May cause sensitization. Dilute!

Physical Uses: Highly regarded in Chinese medicine. Menstrual cramps. colds, flu, cough. Detoxification bath. Indigestion, nausea, insomnia, PMS, menopause, muscle and joint pain.

Mental/Emotional Uses: Anxiety, stress, exhaustion, addiction.

Blends Well With: Spice, flower, fruit and root.

Possible Substitutes: Angelica seed. Difficult to substitute: Rose is a possibility for menstrual issues.

Essential Oil Profiles

March 5, 2015March 10, 2015Leave a comment

“Aromatherapy describes the use of essential oils, potent aromatic substances extracted from plants for physical and emotional healing.” Kathi Keville

Each month as a teaching tool I will profile an essential oil. This is a great way to learn about essential oils and their health benefits. Each profiles will include:

Latin Name– the genus and the species including chemotype if appropriate.

Family– The Latin family name.

Plant Parts– Part of the plant that the essential oil comes from.

Method– Method use to extract the oil from the plant.

Typical Country– Countries that grow the plant for the essential oil production.

Note/Element– The perfumery note. The elements according to Chinese five element theory( earth wood, fire, water & metal).

Functional Groups-The chemical components of the essential oil.

Type– The action the essential oil has on the body and the mind.

Ayuredic Dosha ayuredic skin/body type(Vata, Pitta,Kapha).

Scent– A description of the scent.

For Skin Type-The skin type the essential oil works best on.

Cautions– Possible dangers of the essential oil.

Physical Uses– Best physical uses of this oil.

Mental/Emotional Uses -Best mental/emotional uses of this oil.

Other Uses-Other uses such as spiritual or environmental.

Blends Well With-Best Essential oils that this oils blends with for perfumery.

Possible Substitutions-Oils that you may substitute if this oil is not available.

By becoming more knowledgeable about essential oils we can use them safely and discover their many benefits. Aromatherapy with the use of essential oils can provide a more natural way to live and enhance our lives.

Keeping Nature Alive!

AromaAngie

Renewal

January 27, 2015Leave a comment

Renewal: The state of being made new, fresh, or strong again. The state of being renewed.

Happy New Year! Is it too late to still wish everyone a happy 2015? This is my first blog of the year so I think it’s apropos. As I was writing down notes for my first blog of the year, a few important dates came to mine, August 15, 2012 and December 6, 2010. The year I received my aromatherapy certification 2012 and the year I started L’s Naturals 2010. While I was creating new lotions, perfume mist & massage oils for my aromatherapy certification my smart hubby “says why not sell these and create your own product line, they are great”. My mentor and teacher Katherine Graft had created my curriculum for just that. I’m an aromatherapy practitioner and a manufacturer of my own product line. Hence, the birth of L’s Naturals. I was studying aromatherapy and trying to start a new business at the same time, really. What! I knew nothing about running a business. I did minor in business administration in college, but that was almost 20 years ago. Wow. I digress, I knew nothing about starting a business and I was still studying aromatherapy. I’ve had to learn everything on an as needed basis. It’s been quite stressful. Learning about DBA’s, taxes, inventory, creating new products, sales, marketing, business plans etc. It came to me you’ve only been an aromatherapist two and a half years and a business owner for four. Not very long at all, Rome wasn’t built in a day. Aromatherapy is one of the oldest disciplines on earth there’s so much to learn and you can’t get in all done in two years. I have decided to chill (while diffusing lots of lavender), continue to study aromatherapy and grow my business. And then came 2015.

The new year has come and the word renewal has come to mind. I love this word, it’s uplifting and positive. We have an opportunity each year to renew our lives, begin a new. This includes, work, school, our spirituality, hobbies, careers, retirement etc. It’s a time for resolutions or goals. A time to make things new, fresh or strong again. I’m setting goals and making plans for the new year. I’ve decided a good way to learn more about essential oils is to do an in dept study each oil. One way to do this is to create a profile of each oil on my blog. 2015 will also be about learning the benefits of carrier oils and continue to work on my herbal infusions. I’m going to sell more essential oils, my customers are asking for them. I’m going to focus more on synergy blends( 2 or more essential oils blended together) for diffusing. What the customer wants the customer gets, right? I also study herbs on the side, I love saying that. Wow! The goals I’ve created are enough to keep me very busy this year. Adding new and fresh ideas for the year is exciting. I love my job! I never though I say that.Until next time…..

Have an Aromatic and Prosperous 2015!

AromaAngie

Welcome to Aromaangie

February 15, 2014Leave a comment

The love of gardening has guided me to the world of Aromatherapy. ” Aromatherapy is the therapeutic use of essential oils for health and well-being. A branch of botanical medicine, aromatherapy is a plant base therapy. Essential oils are extracted from oil sacs in flowers, leaves, roots, seeds, woods, and bark. ” This is one of the best definitions of aromatherapy I’ve found from Marlene Ericksen.

The plant world is truly amazing. As I learn about plants and their medicinal benefits, I know they hold the key to cures for many if not all diseases. I’ve learned that lavender is calming and heals wounds. Peppermint is stimulating and helps rid the body of colds. Fennel seed heals tummy aches and Melissa makes you feel good when you are feeling really bad.

Hello, I’m Angela, a Certified Aromatherapy Practitioner and the owner of the L’s Naturals. I have fallen in love with the art of creating blends using essential oils to enhance the health and well-being of the body, physically and emotionally. For an aromatherapy consultation call for an appointment. I also give consults by phone, email or call to arrange an appointment. L’s Naturals specializes in creating all natural handmade personal products. Check out my online store at l-snaturals.com. One of my goals is to eliminate chemicals from our personal products. We all know the harm these chemicals have on our bodies.

I believe God has provided us with everything we need to live a healthy and prosperous life. I’m amazed when I look out over my garden and see all the healing plants. I am committed to the study of aromatherapy because I know the cure for Alzheimer’s and other debilitating diseases are out there. My job as an Aromatherapists is to study and inform our communities about the many benefits we can receive from plants and herbs from around our world. And I plan to do just that with my new blog Aromaangie. I will always provide accurate and authentic information about the world of aromatherapy to my clients and customers.

Keep Nature Alive!

Angela (Aromaangie)