Can Ylang-ylang reduce blood pressure?

Interestingly, I received on two consecutive days questions about the use of essential oils and their potential affect on someone's blood pressure. I knew from a post-surgical emergency with my husband several years ago that, yes, they can. After that fairly scary incident (and I don't scare easily after working in the ICU for 10 years), I decided to do more research and see if this was an isolated case or if this was common. First, let me just say that aromatherapy information on the internet has become extremely contradictory and often just plain ridiculous. This blog, of course, is on the internet, but I would urge you to consider the certification and/or education of any author of this information, whether they have an international aromatherapy affiliation such as NAHA or AIA and/or how many years of experience they've had in the use of essential oils. These little miracles of nature are concentrated and powerful and can be very useful when used correctly.

What is a normal blood pressure?

If you're reading this article, you probably already know what your blood pressure readings are and/or what they should be. These proposed ideal numbers have fluctuated somewhat over the years (not as drastically as cholesterol!), but basically the top number (systolic) should be no greater than 120, and the bottom number (diastolic) should be no greater than 80; i.e., 120/80 mmHg. I've provided links below that give good information about hypertension, which is not the subject of this article. 

What causes high blood pressure?

I know - I said this article wasn't about hypertension, but it's very important to understand the causative factor for any blood pressure that falls outside of the normal range - regardless of whether it's hypotension (low blood pressure) or hypertension (high blood pressure.) While doing additional reading concerning the use of essential oils for blood pressure, I continuously found that a lot of practitioners attributed hypertension to anxiety and treated it accordingly. This is not the only reason for high blood pressure, and most certainly is not the reason for chronic hypertension. We had what we called "white coat hypertension" in the hospital on a regular basis - the patient was anxious when seeing the white coat of a physician. In this type of situation, yes, a calming essential oil such as lavender would be very effective. But, blood pressure can also be caused by the fact that heart muscle is damaged, the blood vessels are damaged, there is too much fluid retention - many reasons that are, I believe, outside of the realm of aromatherapy practice. You should have seen your doctor by now and you will probably be on pharmaceutical medication. I'm not a fan of pharmaceuticals, but they are advantageous in many situations. However, a quote from Dr. Allen Roses, a vice president for Glaxo Smith Kline: "The vast majority of drugs - more than 90 % - only work in 30 to 50 % of the people."  Those are not very good odds considering the very high numbers of side effects.  Most cardiologists will tell you that treating hypertension with drugs can involve frequent drug changes, all of which have side-effects, many of which do decrease your quality of life. Again, this is one of those times that any efforts to use essential oils to lower blood pressure, must be done with the approval and cooperation of your physician, in conjunction with an experienced clinical aromatherapist.

That being said, there are case studies showing that the use of certain essential oils have, in fact, resolved high blood pressure. We don't know, however, the causes in most of these cases, but some are obviously due to anxiety or fear. We all know the flight or fight response that causes us to have increased heart rate, but high blood pressure is not so obvious and can be a "silent" killer with no side effects or symptoms. Which is why I am adamant that anyone who is trying to control hypertension or change their medication for any reason should be able to keep a very close track of their blood pressure at home and continue to monitor at least four times a day. Your doctor who gives you a beta blocker to take at home probably won't tell you that or that you should also keep constant track of your heart rate as beta blockers, such as Metoprolol, can also cause your heart rate to decrease, sometimes drastically.

My Case Study:

My husband, Warren, went in for outpatient nasal septum repair for a broken nose from an old injury. Past medical history fairly benign except for back skeletal problems and what I call a "creeping" blood pressure. We went to the hospital where I had worked as a nurse for 12 years and I knew and trusted most of the nurses on staff there. He went through the surgery fine, came back to the outpatient cubicle where I was waiting and it was immediately apparent that his blood pressure was very high. I don't remember the exact number (it's written down somewhere...) but it was over 220/120 - not good. I also knew the anesthesiologist who was covering him that day and trusted him from years of working with him. He began to order a strong IV (intravenous) beta blocker, which was the routine drug of choice in that situation at that time. Normally, we would give 5 to 10  mg doses and check the blood pressure, and repeat maybe 3 times. We reached the maximum dose that could be given fairly quickly (I thought) as I sat and watched what I knew to be a hypertensive crisis and that is was very dangerous. After many doses and what seemed like forever to me (Warren was pretty much sedated at that point), the anesthesiologist wanted to admit Warren to the hospital. I frankly didn't.  He (the anesthesiologist) had worked with me and knew I was a cardiac nurse and could take good care of him at home. He gave us a prescription for an oral beta blocker. Now, in this situation, the blood pressure could probably have been due to pain and anxiety, but Warren has had high blood pressure in the past, but not nearly this high. For this reason, I was concerned about why it was staying so high for so long. Also, by this point, he had been given enough pain killers to knock him out and getting him out the door and into the car was not easy. Point being, pain and anxiety were not the issue causing the hypertensive crisis. Nevertheless, we got him into the car, got the prescription filled and went home. I immediately began to rub his feet and hands with a dilution of jojoba oil (closest at the time) and Ylang-ylang (Cananga odorata) essential oil. I got out my stethoscope and blood pressure cuff and took his blood pressure about 5 minutes later. It had already come down into the 150/90 range - still not so good though. I didn't try lavender, though I'm pretty sure that would have helped with the pain and anxiety.  I also put the ultrasonic diffuser by his bed and began to diffuse the Ylang-ylang as well. It did finally come down to a normal range within an hour or two. He never did have to start the blood pressure medicine. Why?!

Why Ylang-ylang?

Why did I, in this time of panic and fear, grab immediately for the Ylang-ylang? Most aromatherapists have read that Ylang has been used in other case studies for blood pressure, in what we would call anecdotal cases. It had worked well and I had read that British midwives used it to help reduce hypertension in pregnant women. Just let it be said that we (aromatherapists) don't mess around with hypertension in pregnant women unless we know it works. It's also true that Ylang can be a great oil for reducing anxiety. However, you will also read in many of your aromatherapy books that it is also a stimulant. I'd often wondered about that obvious contradiction, but simply hadn't taken the time to find out why. 

One of the unique things about the distillation of Ylang-ylang is that when it is distilled, it is done in varying distillation times and different "fractions" are produced resulting in different grades and completely different chemical constituent compositions. There is a declining quality of the oil based on the time of the distillation process. Now just skip to the next paragraph if you're not the least bit interested in essential oils, but are interested in hypertension.

The best Ylang-ylang is the first batch produced. I am adding an updated note from a comment from Robert Tisserand, who is one of the foremost experts in all things pertaining to essential oils, where he said in his own blog dated February 2014, "The only essential oil with several grades is ylang-ylang. It is distilled for 18 hours – an unusually long time. Extra is the oil from the first hour of distillation, First is the next 3 hours, Second is the next 5 hours, and Third is the last 9 hours." When I originally wrote this blog in 2011, I referred to information from Sue Clark in her book Essential Chemistry for Aromatherapy, "The most expensive is the first produced, with a time scale of up to 3 hours. This is called Extra Superior and contains the smallest and most volatile molecules." This is followed by Extra grade with a time of an additional hour; Grade 1 is an additional 2 hours, with increasing grades up to grade 3. Confusing!? As you look at different books and experts (and non-experts), you may find even more conflicting information. I usually go to Robert as my final "correct" source and for good reason. 

While resourcing our supply of Ylang, usually I am also presented with the choice of "Ylang Complete", which is the complete distillation of the flower, meaning it contains the 3 grades in one oil. The "Extra" grade is, of course, more expensive and in my opinion smells the best as there is a distinct difference in the quality of the fragrance. The Extra is from the first "minutes" of the distillation and is supposed to be of the finest quality, but quality regarding what? Fragrance? Well, definitely, but there are other considerations besides fragrance. I also discovered that the Extra grades have a higher concentration of benzyl acetate and a higher percentage of linalool, both of which are chemical constituents known for their relaxing qualities. The lower grades have increased sesquiterpenes, specifically caryophyllene, with increasingly higher percentages from Extra to Grade 3. Caryophyllene, it has been suggested, could be what causes the harsher fragrance of Grade 3, and it also may be why there are grades of Ylang that are more stimulating than relaxing.  If you take a look at the oils that have the highest percentage of sesquiterpenes, they include oils such as black pepper, which I've personally discovered on many occasions increases blood flow and decreases inflammation - both of which are contributors to improved blood pressure levels. Is there a correlation here? I don't know, but I think it is an area of aromatherapy that could/should be explored. 

Ah, but back to my story!

The grade I was using that day was Grade 1. So, that being said, the Grade 1 was obviously enough to bring the blood pressure down in this particular instance. There are other instances. According to Jane Buckle's very comprehensive book, Clinical Aromatherapy, Essential Oils in Practice, Freund (1999) completed a non-published study specifically looking at blood pressure and Ylang-ylang. It was a controlled and well-done study that showed that the group being administered Cananga odorata (I don't know which grade at this point and that would be helpful) experienced a 50% greater drop in systolic and diastolic pressure than did the control group. The Cananga odorata group also had a 50% greater reduction in stress levels. Now I'm impressed with that 50% reduction!

Other oils that have been suggested for reducing blood pressure include most of the oils we already recognize as being relaxing, including Roman Chamomile (Anthemis nobilis), Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), Clary Sage (Salvia sclarea), and Sweet Marjoram (Origanum majorana.)

Now promise me you won't immediately go out and buy yourself some Ylang-ylang. First of all, you will need the assistance of a professional clinical aromatherapist in conjunction and cooperation with your medical doctor. I think it's a valid option, but an aromatherapist would need to take a complete medical history that would include any current medications, pharmaceutical or over-the-counter, including herbs or supplements that you are taking. And, as stated previously, frequent monitoring of your blood pressure is important and, as is usual with pharmaceuticals, you would need to wean off of any current medication. Let me know if you have any questions or comments. So, as the commercials that I hate the most say - "ask your doctor, he'll tell you what's best for you."

Thanks for listening!

Ann

Ann's mission statement is to provide health and wellness information to you and your family that you may not find in your every-day newspapers or Prevention magazines. Her college studies, certifications and passionate self-study have provided her with a huge spectrum of understanding of the intricate issues and debates concerning health, nutrition and skin care. Ann was a Critical Care Registered Nurse, is a Certified Clinical Aromatherapy Professional, and has been studying nutrition, aromatherapy, skin care health and medicinal herbalism for at least 13 years. Not so surprisingly, all of these interact for health and wellness at a level we all want to achieve. She is an ardent pursuer of verified research and information and spends huge amounts of time searching for information that is relevant and evidence based. We sincerely hope you benefit from her efforts.

See our disclaimer statements here.

Excellent resources to learn more about hypertension:

http:/www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/HighBloodPressure/AboutHighBloodPressure/Hypertensive-Crisis_UCM_301782_Article.jsp

http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/HighBloodPressure/AboutHighBloodPressure/Understanding-Blood-Pressure-Readings_UCM_301764_Article.jsp

References:

Bowles, Joy. The Chemistry of Aromatherapeutic Oils. 3^rd ed.  Crows Nest, NSW 2065, Australia: Allen & Unwin; 2003

 Rosemary stimulates hair growth!

I was going through the book on planting seeds for this spring and came across an article once again that talked about Rosemary and Nettles being good for stimulating the hair follicles and thus hair growth (yes I know nettles are weeds, but they're GOOD weeds!)  I have seen folk lore and actual research using essential oils in the past, which is why I formulated our Borage Hot Oil Hair Treatment to include rosemary, lavender, cedarwood and thyme. We use the essential oils in a certified organic borage oil base, but you could use your own herbs to make a shampoo or rinse. I have to admit I like the idea of cutting fresh rosemary, lavender, cedarwood and thyme and making an infusion of it and using it to rinse my hair. But, I'm not sure how practical it is or if it would actually have any lasting affect. Essential oils are concentrated oils from the plant itself and are, therefore, very powerful.

I'm sharing the highlighted article not because it's new news, but because it's always good to see someone else recommend something you believe in. In another link here - there is a review of the research done previously showing the benefits of these 4 essential oils for stimulating hair growth. It would be an easy thing to do to - simply place the correct dilution of oils into a shampoo or conditioner that you are now using and test it for yourself. You can find our 100% undiluted clinical grade of each of these oils in our aromatherapy section. 

Okay - so please let me know if you've used these oils before and/or in this combination and especially if you've found the blend helpful. The borage oil is also a very hair-healthy ingredient. 

Thanks for listening!

 Ann

Artichoke - the Super Food

Almost any holiday or social gathering in our family is accompanied with Spinach Artichoke Dip. Okay - I know this isn't the healthy version of a recipe I'm about to give you, but it does show that we love artichokes. Another day, we'll talk about a healthier version of the Spinach Artichoke Dip. I do have to admit though - I have never, ever cooked a raw artichoke and as many times as I've seen it demonstrated, I just haven't felt motivated to do it. So, this would be one of the only vegetables I can think of that I prefer canned - unless or until I try cooking the raw one. Usually, and maybe always, the canned artichokes are artichoke hearts, which is what we are discussing here.

How healthy is the artichoke?

Not only does it contain an amazing array of "good for you" benefits detailed below, but some new studies have shown that artichokes also have an unusual amount of antioxidants in the form of phytonutrients. Apparently, one study done by the United States Department of Agriculture gave artichokes top rating for being the highest rated vegetable in anti-oxidant count. I have to admit - I didn't know that. Two of the powerful phytonutrients include Cynarin and Silymarin. You have probably read about Silymarin and its liver strengthening benefits. Silymarin is why Milk Thistle is considered to be a liver tonic, sold as supplements and included in herbal teas. Historically, it has been said that artichokes can cure liver diseases and liver cancer. Read more to find out why.

What is Cynarin?

What else is so healthy about the artichoke?

Depending on which source you choose, below are some really amazing benefits for just one artichoke:

• High in dietary fiber, which we all need (6.9 to 10 grams!)
• High in iron
• High in manganese
• Very high in magnesium
• High in niacin
• High in folate
  
• High in phosphorus
• Very high in potassium!
• High in Vitamin B6 (a very important one)
• Very high in Vitamin C
• Contains 4.2 grams of protein! 

Seriously! This is a powerhouse of nutrition with only around 60 calories (or less) for one medium artichoke. The amount of fiber and protein will vary also with the fiber obviously being higher in a raw artichoke. We used a great website called caloriecount.about.com for some of this information. Of course the problem can be how do we use this incredibly healthy vegetable without adding dressings full of fat or resorting to the marinated ones. I think you'll like this recipe that we've adapted from one on the AICR website and can be found in our blog - Artichoke and Bean Medly.

I'd love to hear your recipes for artichokes and if you use raw ones rather than cooked ones. And for the raw fooders out there, I don't see raw artichokes mentioned too much. Do any of you eat them uncooked and if so, how do you do that?

Thanks for listening!

Ann

A few other good sources for additional information about artichokes:

http://www.oceanmist.com/health/vitamin.aspx

http://nutrition.about.com/od/fruitsandvegetables/p/artichokes.htm 

Artichoke and Bean Medley - Vegan

Below is a recipe that we've adapted from one we received from AICR (American Institute for Cancer Research). You can actually make this as a cold salad or a warm main dish. For more information on how VERY HEALTHY artichokes are, see our blog on The Mighty Artichoke, including cancer prevention benefits. 

RECIPE:

• 1 cup of sweet onions (use green onions if making into a salad)
• 1/2 cup of red bell pepper (chopped)
• 1/2 cup sliced celery
  
• 2 cloves of fresh garlic, minced
• Large can of Italian tomatoes (chopped)
• 1/2 cup of black beans (soaked overnight and cooked prior to using)
• 1/2 cup of red kidney beans (soaked overnight and cooked prior to using)
• 1 cup of canned green beans
• 1 cup of red lentils (cooked - cooled if using as a salad)
• 2 cans of artichoke hearts, drained and chopped into quarters
• 1 tbsp olive oil 

Saute onions, celery and bell pepper until transparent in the olive oil.

Add minced garlic and continue to saute for a few minutes - don't burn the garlic (you'll be sorry.)

Combine the canned tomatoes (actually fresh would be really good here if they are available, just add fennel, oregano and thyme or your favorite Italian seasoning), the beans, and lentils with the onions, garlic and pepper.

Simmer on medium heat for about 5 to 10 minutes. Add the artichoke hearts, drained, and simmer for an additional 3 to 4 minutes. You can season with salt according to taste.

Serve in attractive casserole dish - I know you have one.

Artichokes already have a good deal of fiber and protein, by adding the beans and lentils we have greatly increased both the fiber and protein content.

Enjoy! Let us know if you try this, if you tweak it or what you think about it.

Ann

Incredibly Healthy Organic Dog Biscuits

Okay, I've been researching and pondering how to make "raw" dog biscuits that were healthy and not full of preservatives, artificial dyes, meat by-products (double yuck), but were very crunchy! Well, I'm still working on the "raw" ones that will be made from fresh ground vegetables and organic grains and real raw meat - but they will be dehydrated at "raw" temperatures. In the meantime, I needed to make something healthy for my dogs so my husband won't keep bringing home these pretty unhealthy biscuits - he means well, as we all do.

Now, we have two beautiful and "incredible" Brittany Spaniels. Brit, we've had since he was a puppy and he turned 2 this past January. Our elder dog, Abby, who I'd had for about 15 years was a golden retriever mix and an very, very good dog. We miss her. We buried her a few months ago. A few weeks ago we started looking for another Brittany puppy and quickly found instead our new member of the family, Pepper.  She is a 7-year old Brittany and as luck would have it, she and Brit are first cousins. She hurt her ACL while hunting and hasn't been able to hunt. Her owners were looking for a good home and we were looking for a good dog and it's been a beautiful combination. She and Brit had some "issues" at first, but they are buds now and it gives me great joy to see them running around the yard chasing the squirrels and birds (which they never catch of course.)  We put 4' fences around our flower beds once Brit got bigger last year - and he immediately figured out he could easily jump those. He is so beautiful as he sails across those fences and loves doing it - so we've dedicated those areas to his play ground.

So to the recipe!  I've been reading Dr. Pitcairn's "Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs & Cats." An incredible book full of good information. It was copyrighted in 1995 and doesn't agree with some one of the other holistic vets that I've been following - so will check on the sources and the information before writing about some of his natural ways to keep our pets healthy. They all agree that raw meat is best, organic or grass fed beef, or organically raised other meats - which can get expensive. We're trying to figure out ways to accomplish this without spending more on their food than we do on our own. We will be writing more and more about it in the future. This recipe comes from Dr. Pitcairn's book - slightly tweaked.

2 cups whole wheat flour (organic)
1/2 cup garbanza bean flour (organic)
1/4 cup cooked quinoa (organic)
1 tsp bonemeal (some disagreement about this, so we use dried egg shells that have been ground up finely, use 1/2 tsp)
1/4 cup sunflower seeds (organic)
1/4 cup pumpkin seeds (organic, chip these up just a little bit)
2 cloves garlic, finely minced
1 Tbsp nutritional yeast
2 Tbsp butter, melted (we use Earth Balance, but you could use olive oil or meat fat)
1/4 cup unsulfured molasses
1 tsp salt (optional)
2 eggs mixed with 1/4 cup milk

Mix the flours, quinoa, bonemeal, and seeds together. Add the garlic and the yeast. Combine the butter, oil, molasses, salt and egg mixture. Set aside 1 tbsp of egg mixture. Combine the rest with the dry ingredients. You may or may not need to add more milk if necessary to make a firm dough. Knead together for a few minutes and then cover the dough and let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes. Roll out the dough to about 1/2 inch. You can then use cookie cutters or a biscuit cutter to cut out the biscuits. We found a few really cool dog bone shaped cookie cutters and we use those - like the dogs know the difference!  Now use the extra egg mixture to lightly brush each biscuit. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until lightly brown. Sometimes to make harder biscuits (which is really good for the dogs' teeth), I will leave them in the oven after turning off the heat until they are as hard as I want them. Dr. Pitcairn reminds us that the biscuits will keep longer if you use oil instead of butter or fat. 

Let me know if you try these or have any questions. When I can get the dogs (remember their Brittany's!) to sit still long enough, I'll post some pictures of them.

Thanks for listening!

Ann

Are you up tight and out of sight?! Try Bergamot Essential Oil!

Then maybe you need some Bergamot.

When I was younger, much younger, this term was familiar and frequently used due to Stevie Wonder's well-known song with that title. It's a happy, encouraging tune with really great lyrics. As I was delving through all of the different news and comments today from many different sources, it occurred to me that there were at least two predominant themes running through all of them - trust (or lack thereof) and fear. I was feeling those things myself - who could I trust to give me accurate information? I was somewhat fearful for our future, but more than that I was becoming more and more depressed over the helpless situation in which the people of Japan were finding themselves. I could no longer look at the video's at all the destruction and loss of life and property. 

At the same point in time, I was also trying to focus on my continuing work on our Essential Oil Database, alphabetically of course, and the next oil up was Begamot. It amazed me (once again) that God's timing is so perfect. I'll tell you why.

Bergamot essential oil has been one of my favorite "go to" oils for years now for lots of different purposes, but mainly just because I love the fragrance. It reminds me of a couple of my favorite perfumes, Jessica McClintock (the more expensive one) and Muguet des Bois by Coty (much cheaper and found at Walgreens, but a favorite when I was a teenager.)  The pure essential oil of Bergamot, however, doesn't just smell very good, but it also has many amazing properties that are well-documented. I can personally attest to at least a few of them. Bergamot is an anti-depressant (who doesn't need that right now), it is uplifting, it is calming and relaxing and great antidote for insomnia, which is something I've struggled with for years.Yes, there are really many essential oils that have these properties, but something that is very special about Bergamot is that it is a light, clean, fresh and uplifting fragrance - which makes me think of spring. I need to think of spring - and hope and renewing energies in the earth. I bet you do too. I love spring and anything that remotely makes me think of spring and bergamot essential oil has always done that for me. I hope it does for you.

So - if you want more information about this very special essential oil, you can find a short version in our "description" tab under the product itself and be sure to look under the "Usage/Safety" tab as well, or you can read the detailed version in our ever-growing essential oil data base (okay I'm only still in the B's - but I'm getting there!) There are many different ways you can take advantage of the benefits of this oil. Today, I simply placed a couple drops on a kleenex and set it on my desk - simple yet effective. I've provided a few recipes under our "description tab." It's very effective in an ultrasonic diffuser, which really is my favorite and most effective, plus economical way to use essential oils.

God bless to all of you and please continue to pray for the people of Japan who face a much less hopeful spring than we do.

Thanks for listening!

Bergamot Essential Oil (Cistrus bergamia) Profile

Bergamot contains predominantly the aromatic constituents of linalol, limonene, and linalyl acetate. It belongs to the Rutacaea family as do all the citrus fruits such as grapefruit, lemon, mandarin, sweet orange and tangerine. All of the citrus oils we offer are obtained through cold pressed methods, and no steam distillation was employed to produce these oils. There are some distilled citrus oils on the market, lime being one that we will be offering soon. This oil is cold pressed from the peel.

Central Nervous System: Reported to be antispasmodic, a very effective antidepressant, used often and reliably for anxiety, and is effective for insomnia. The literature available agrees that this oil is very balancing, uplifting, enhances emotional control and reduces hyperactivity. Since it is considered to be somewhat sedating and tranquilizing, it has been used successfully to lower blood pressure that is caused by anxiety.

Gastrointestinal: Antiseptic, stomachic (tones the stomach improving its function and appetite), known to be an effective vermifuge (expels parasitic intestinal worms in humans and animals), and has also been reported to help regulate the appetite of overeaters. Bergamot is reported to be anti-toxic and to relieve flatulence. Bergamot is widely used in many major foods, most notably in Earl Grey Tea. It is interesting to note that the bergamot fruit is inedible, but the essential oil has many culinary uses. It is the characteristic flavor of Earl Grey tea and is used as a fragrance for pipe tobaccos..

Urinary: Reported to be “strongly” indicated for all urinary tract infections including cystitis and urethritis.

Skin/Dermatological: Very good treatment for oily skin, acne, eczema, psoriasis, boils, scabies or varicose ulcers. Also reported to be an effective deodorant, parasiticide, insect repellent, soothes insect bites and increases wound healing. Bergamot is referred to as a “rubefacient” oil, meaning that it can dilate capillaries and thereby increase blood circulation, which also means it is probably not a good choice for someone with rosacea for use in facial products. See safety/cautions below.

Reproductive System: Reported to be an effective treatment for vaginal infections, cancer (uterine). However, it has been recommended not to use this essential during the first trimester of pregnancy.

Respiratory: Reported to be effective for halitosis, relieves mouth sores, sore throat, tonsillitis and infections of the mouth.

Safety/Cautions: Bergamot contains furocoumarins, notably bergapten, which causes skin sensitization and skin pigmentation when exposed to direct UV light for up to 12 hours. It can and has caused severe burns when used on sensitive skin that is subsequently exposed to sunlight or sunbed rays.  We previously carried a bergapten-free or sometimes referred to as FCF, furanocoumarin-free oil, but the last shipment just didn't have the fragrance we expect in a good bergamot oil, so we opted to purchase the unrectified oil because the samples we received were amazIng. I think the best so far. The maximum concentration for most oils in concentration with a carrier is somewhere around 5%, but the IFRA recommends Bergamot to not exceed 0.4% in products that will not be washed off. We follow those guidelines in our products that contain Bergamot.

Bergamot, as are all cold-pressed citrus essential oils, prone to oxidation which will degrade the oil and make it more likely to cause allergic reactions and lose some of their potency. We keep our bergamot refrigerated and suggest that you do also. If unable to refrigerate, then keeping it in a cool, dark location will be okay. The shelf life, of course, will depend entirely on how you store and handle the essential oil. 

Avoid in cases of liver problems. Not for use when pregnant or nursing, some sources say not for use just during the 1st trimester. Possible skin irritant – dilute well.

IMPORTANT: All of our products are for external use only without a consultation with a qualified professional aromatherapist.

We also suggest you have a good working knowledge of the use of essential oils or consult with an aromatherapy professional prior to use. In addition, Essential Oils must be properly diluted before use in order to avoid any damages to property or adverse physical effects (including injury or bodily harm). Please read our Disclaimer before using our products.

 Looking for lip balm that works?

Me too - in the past that is. 

I've seen, made and used a lot of different brands and recipes for lip balm over the years. We used to sell them and the ones I have left over are still the best I've ever used. The recipe in this article is very close to what we use, it doesn't contain lanolin which eventually just dries out your lips - ever wonder why you have to keep putting it on over and over again? The beeswax is needed to help the lip balm keep its shape, but also it has amazing protective and moisturizing properties. Coconut oil is well known for its ability to heal and lubricate. You can use a blend of essential oils or a single oil such as peppermint (go lightly here - test as you go) to add additional healing properties. This one is easy - I probably should put our lip balm containers for sale on the website - hmmm. The reason we don't sell them anymore is because making 1 or 2 is easy, but making many is time intensive and they are difficult to label and package. So - I think finding some good DIY at home recipes is a good idea. Thanks to Natural Home for sharing this recipe!

Please let me know if you try it and how it worked. Let me hear from you if you think we should sell the lip balm containers on the website. We will be carrying certified organic carrier/vegetable oils and shea butter as soon as we can get the product pictures done - so you will have an easy source for the ingredients for this recipe plus many others we will be sending along your way.

Thanks for listening!

Ann

Bay Rum essential oil - Profile

West Indies, Pimenta racemosa

This picture is generously made available for our use by Forest and Kim Starr. I searched the web literally for hours trying to find an uncopyrighted picture of Bay Rum. There were thousands of pictures of Bay Laurel. So we very much appreciate Forest and Kim's allowing others to make use of their pictures. They have a very interesting website if you are interested in plants and wild life in Hawaii. 

For starters Bay Rum is entirely different from the culinary Bay leaf we are all familiar with which is called Bay Laurel, also a very good essential oil, but not the one we're profiling here. For a short version of the many benefits of this particular essential oil, you will find that under our product Bay Rum (Pimenta racemosa) essential oil. For the long and well-researched version, you will find it under the beginnings of our Essential Oil Data Base.

We use this particular essential oil quite frequently and in several of our blends. We like it for our men's products and it is a unique part of our Spicey Muscle Oil, and we offer the undiluted pure essential oil of Bay Rum in 10 ml amber bottles.  I like to just add about 10 to 15 drops into some bath salts for Warren's soaking baths after a long hard day. And - of course - I really like the way he smells after that. He had back surgery several years ago and was told he needed to have surgery again. We've decided that wasn't a good idea at this point and he is able to stay mostly pain free with regular soaking baths and using our Spicey Muscle Oil - true story.

Safety/Cautions: Bay Rum should be used in moderation due to the high levels of eugenol content, as mentioned above, and can be a mucous membrane irritant. We repeat, use caution if taking any anticoagulant drugs such as aspirin, heparin or Coumadin. If using for personal care products please use caution and test the blend prior to use. We have found that this oil has many beneficial properties other than how good it smells - which originally was all that we used it for until we began to discover the other practical uses. The familiar aroma of what we call "Classic Bay Rum" is a favorite for many. Bay Rum should never be taken orally.

IMPORTANT: All of our products are for external use only.

We also suggest you have a good working knowledge of the use of essential oils or consult with an aromatherapy professional prior to use. In addition, Essential Oils must be properly diluted before use in order to avoid any damages to property or adverse physical effects (including injury or bodily harm). Please read our Disclaimer before using our products.

As always, we would love to hear if you use this particular essential oil, and if you do how you use it, and if you have any questions or comments they are always welcome.

Thanks for listening!

Ann

Basil Essential Oil (Ocimum basilicum)

Ocimum basilicum, or sweet basil,  is not to be confused with the Holy Basil that is used extensively in ayurvedic medicine. That type of basil is very effective as a herb known as Tulsi Basil - but entirely different than sweet basil essential oil.  When I first started working with essential oils and taking classes about aromatherapy, I found a lot of confusion when I tried to both purchase basil essential oil and researching this very effective oil. At that time, I was completing my research paper for my certification and had decided to make a blend that would help me stay awake as I drove back to Lincoln in the morning following a hospital night shift in Omaha. I read that basil essential oil was very effective as a mental stimulant.  I realized after much searching that there were many different chemotypes available and not everyone selling essential oils bothered to tell you what chemotype they carried. In fact, at that time, I didn't realize there were different types. I heard terms such as Spanish or Mediterranean. Before taking my certification classes, I had actually purchased a fairly large amount of what was called Basil Essential Oil from a large company who uses the term "essential oils" in the name of their company - so I assumed they would know what type they had sold me. I learned that "Spanish" might be more effective as an insect repellent, which we were also testing. So I emailed this company with the Lot number and asked them what "type" I had received since it wasn't listed on their website. They told me they "didn't know."  Do not buy from companies who "do not know." Let it be said Wingsets did not start sell essential oils until I had used them for years and until after I became certified. We don't buy in bulk or much less sell essential oils unless we know a lot more about them than that. 

You can read the detailed discussion of basil essential oil in our Essential Oil Database, or you can read the more simplified version in our product description. None of these essential oils actually have the same odor that we are familiar with in our culinary basil, but the Linalool seems to be closer. I love this oil for many reasons and use it frequently in my customized blends. It is fairly inexpensive, with the Linalool chemotype being somewhat more expensive and this is the type we offer.

If you have any questions about this oil, please post them here or send me an email.

Thanks for listening!

Ann