Kellie Green.comOnline health & Wellbeing magazine

Botanical Name: Citrus limonum
Plant Part: Peel of the fruit
Extraction Method: Cold Pressed
Colour: A light yellow
Consistency: Light
Note: Top   (how quickly the essence evaporates, used mainly for perfume mixing)
Strength of Aroma: The aroma is similar to fresh lemon rinds except richer and more concentrated.

Therapeutic value: Lemon is highly prized for its high anti-bacterial properties. On skin and hair it can be used for its cleansing effect, as well as for treating cuts and boils. I mix it with a base oil such as macadamia or almond and use as a cuticle remover.

Mix 10 or so drops into 100ml of water and shake very well, than use as a rinse for oilly and fine hair.

This is a fresh energizing scent to put into your electric oil burner in the mornings to get everyone off to a great start for the day. I often mix it with lavender in my oil burner to give an energized balance to the house or office.

Most oils are not to be applied neat (undiluted) to the skin and lemon is included in this. The only time I will use it neat is by applying it to a cotton bud and then to a wart or skin tag to help remove them. Please remember DO NOT let it touch the skin surrounding the wart or skin tag as it might  irritate.

Adding lemon to your skin care in the appropriate doses can be of benefit especially if you live in cold sunless environments. Using it in the morning can really lift the spirits and aid in combating cabin fever and depression due to being shut indoors due to weather.

Because it is a top note and evaporates quickly I like to mix it with a base or middle note such as lavender  to hold the fragrance longer.

Another blend I use it in is a mind stimulater blend, lemon mixed with rosemary, it clears fogginess, aids memory and gets you thinking outside the box especially when mixed with the flower essences turkey bush and bush fushia. I will make this mix into a spritz or mix it into a base oil or cream for  temple massage. It also works well in an electric burner.

On a more physical level lemon essential oil is a liver and gall bladder tonic, helping with digestion. It stimulates the gall bladder to produce more bile which brakes down your food.

There are many more uses for this fine oil, as long as it is used in the correct dosages, if you aren’t sure then the basic rule is don’t use it. Find out from a respected aromatherapist the correct and safe usages.

Cautions:Non-toxic, but may cause skin irritation in some. Lemon is also phototoxic and should be avoided prior to exposure to direct sunlight. This means it can make you burn faster.
 
Important Note: The information provided is for educational purposes only.

Kellie Green

Aromatherapy is an age-old method of using a variety of common scents to arouse certain results in common ailments of the mind and body. The use of scents to produce certain results has been used for many centuries. The scents that are used for the purpose of aromatherapy have been developed from numerous herbs, flowers, fruits, and other common and uncommon plants. 

The scents that are derived from the above-mentioned resources are normally started as an essential oil. Essential oils have a high level of the scent contained in them so that they may be broken down into smaller versions of the scent and not lose any of the aromatherapy value that they are intended for. There are many things that a person should understand when dealing with essential oils in aromatherapy. 

One of the most important things that a person should understand when they are dealing with essential oils is that these oils are concentrated very highly. The storing of these essential oils is very important. First, the essential oils should be kept in areas that are cool and lack a lot of light. Additionally, these oils should be kept in bottles that are dark in color, or that are not clear. It is preferred that you keep essential oils in a bottle that is amber, or brown, in color. This will reduce the chance of light damaging the oil. 

The way that essential oils work in aromatherapy is that the smells are released into the air, the olfactory sense in the body takes in these senses, and they are then turned into signals. The signals then go into the body through nerves and are sent to the brain. Once they are in the brain, they are interpreted. Once they are interpreted, your body takes those scents and have a healing impact on the body. Certain smells produce different responses in the body. 

Essential oils can be used to send scents throughout the air, or they can be used to be applied directly to the skin. Both methods are wonderful ways to make the most of the aromatherapy value of the scents. If you suffer from a painful condition, such as arthritis, or muscle cramps, you can take the essential oil, and massage a small amount onto the area that is painful. You should start to receive almost immediate results. You can also do this for use with headaches, backaches, and even carpal tunnel. 

Aromatherapy is very beneficial to many people. A wide array of ailments of the mind and body can be treated using aromatherapy and essential oils. All it takes is a little patience, and research to find the methods that work best for you and your situation. You can do simple internet searches on aromatherapy and essential oils in conjunction with certain ailments of the mind and body to determine which ones will work best for you. 

Lavender Essential Oil

lavendula angustifolia

Lavender is native to the Mediterranean region but grows in England, Tasmania, France, Bulgaria and Yugoslavia.

It grows to about 0.9m high depending on the variety you have.

There are 4 main varieties.

L.augustafolia-true lavender, described later

l.latifolia-spike lavender, described later

l.x intermedia-lavandin, is a hardier larger plant that yields twice the amount of oil and is loved by the cosmetic industry.

l.stoechas-maratime lavender, this oil should be used with caution if not at all.

The essential oil is distilled from lavendula austifolia, l.officinalis or l.verda these are all referred to as true lavender. Lavender angustifolia or officinalis is steam distilled, the part of this lance leafed plant that is used in the flowers.

Lavender is likely the most adulterated of all essential oils. It is commonly mixed with lower grade lavenders and other synthetic and natural substances, so it is important to buy only pure oils from reputable dealers. Most often with any essential oil, if  it is from your supermarket or corner store, be wary of quality, especially if you are using them in healing.  At the very least make sure that the bottle you buy has the official name on it as well as the common name.

Safety

Of all aromatherapy oils lavender is the most versatile and easy to use. It is non toxic, non irritating, non sensitising. The main caution I have for it is not using too much. I had one client that knew it would send her to sleep so she put 30-40 drops on her pillow and rang me the next day because she had an awful nights sleep and a headache! Remember small amounts equate to better results. 1-2 drops would have helped her nod off to sleep in no time, 30-40 just made her sick. 

Uses

Lavender is extremely effective on burns and scalds. It is antiseptic, analgesic and will ease the pain while helping to stop infection. I often mix it with honey, after rinsing the burn under cold running water for a good 10 -20 minutes, rub the blend onto the burn for the next few days. You will be pleasantly surprised by the results.  It helps to prevent scaring, heals it super fast and relieves pain. What more could you want.

Lavender is number one with first aid of wounds. It helps prevent infection, reduces pain, reduces scaring, aids in the patients initial shock which is very important and reduces swelling. I always have a small bottle of lavender in my bag or purse, as I have 2 small boys. It has saved the day many times.

I use it regulary on bites and stings, living in Australia it is a common occurrence and that bottle in my purse has soothed many an itch and tear and not just on my boys!

Add lavender to some olive oil and use it as a rub for aches and pains. It reduces inflammation and pain. The relaxation and relief from symptoms of arthritis and rheumatism, sciatica, and Fibromyalgia is fast and effective. I usually mix it with some emergency essence to really make a difference.

All skin types find this indispensable oil of benefit. It eases the inflammation and itchiness of eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis and boils. Acne and sensitive skin respond very well to lavender. It helps with cell growth and health, detoxifying and soothing, as well as calming and uplifting your mood.

The nervous system is harmonised with the application of lavender. It is one of the truly remarkable aromatherapy oils that balances not simply reduces stress. This means it doesn’t leave you feeling like you are too lethargic while it greatly eases nervous and emotional tension, irritability, physical pain caused by stress and nervous spasms, and anxiety. 

Another reason to always have this essential oil on hand is its ability to aid your body to fight off colds and flu, asthma and chest and throat infection.

I usually mix it with eucalyptus and put it  in an oil burner,  massage with it and bath in it. As soon as symptoms arise or if we have had a particularly stressful and busy week I use this blend to prevent and treat any respiratory infection. It is a beautiful blend and men women and children all seem to respond and like it.

Lavender for the reproductive system and child birth are second to none. Again it reduces tension whether it is from pms or contractions. Burn it in the room, massage it on the area, bath in it! It is not recommended for the first 3 months of pregnancy as it is an emmenagogue, which in plan english means it regulates menstrual flow.

All in all lavender austifolia/officialis is well worth the small price you pay for quality oil. It rocks and is an essential part of my household. Even Daisii my beautiful blue Staffordshire Bull Terrior limps up to me when she has been bitten by an ant or bee, rolls over and waits for me to put lavender on wherever it hurts. She will then get up, give me a couple of licks on the arm in thanks and trot off. She has done this for 12 out of her 13 years. If you have yet to try aromatherapy let this essential oil be one of if not your first choice. Please don’t confuse it’s fragrance with the cheap and nasty “lavender”. Quality lavender smells very different.

Organic skin care refers to the use of natural skin care products or therapies. The ingredients of these natural products are grown organically in places that are rich in nutrients, unlike similar products that are only manufactured using synthetic processes and ingredients. 

Organic skin care makes use of several different types of plants, extracts, herbs, flowers, and natural oils. Organic skin care products are merely an extension of natural skin care therapies. 

Organic skin care products are non-toxic and full of essential nutrients for the skin extracted from natural sources. These products nourish the skin and rejuvenate it gently. Some of the problems they can cure are dark circles, wrinkles, and pimples. The overall effect of organic skin care products is younger and healthier looking skin. 

There are different organic skin care products available for the face and for other parts of the body. Since the structure of skin is different depending on the part of the body, it is important to choose the appropriate product. 
 
Apart from rejuvenating the skin, organic skin care products also have a soothing and healing effect on the body. Some of the ingredients are quite rich in soothing essences that have a calming effect. Organic skin care products can make you feel fresh in addition to nourishing your skin. 

Newer products do not merely rely on plants and flowers. Some of them have already started using the special qualities of herbs and herbal extracts. Aloe vera, lavender,  jojoba, olive oil, and rosemary extract are now regular ingredients in many organic skin care products. 

Nourishment of the skin takes place through cleansing, moisturizing, and toning. Regular use of organic skin care products will ensure that your skin has no blemishes, pimples, or allergies. These products also keep the skin soft and supple. Healthy skin will produce fewer wrinkles because of its firmness.