May Flowers -GERMAN CHAMOMILE

German Chamomile

There are many types of chamomile from which you will find essential oils produced for Aromatherapy.

For the purposes of this blog entry I will share information about German Chamomile, which is also known as "Blue Chamomile".

The Latin name for this plant oil is Matricaria recutita.

Like Lavender, this variety of Chamomile is quite gentle on the skin. Therefore, it is acceptable for use with children. 

The blue color of this variety of Chamomile comes from the azulene (or chamazulene) that is produced during distillation of the oil. It is this blue component that helps make German Chamomile one of the very best oils for reducing inflammation.

Because this beautiful blue oil is so soothing to the skin and acts as a disinfectant, it is fantastic for use on cuts and splinters. German Chamomile relieves dull aches and pains including those related to menstrual and menopausal issues.

German Chamomile is helpful for all skin types, but especially sensitive and dry. It can be helpful in alleviating redness, flakiness, eczema and other itchy skin issues.

Emotionally, German Chamomile is calming. It is an antidepressant which helps with stress and irritability.

May Flowers -LAVENDER

Lavender

Lavendula angustfolia

Lavender flowers are considered an elegant luxury. They are a sign of refinement, wealth, wisdom, purity and devotion. 

Many think of lavender as a girly flower with a feminine scent. I don't usually even associate lavender with flowers. I find the fresh and minty scent to be more unisex than other floral oils.

Lavender essential oil is extracted from the buds of this beautiful purple flowering plant. 

Lavender is by far my favorite essential oil. Not just because it smells wonderful, because it does, but because lavender is the single most versatile essential oil I know. I purchase more lavender, personally and professionally, than any other essential oil. Almost every single product I craft has lavender oil in it. 

 

Not just any lavender, mind you. The lavender I use is 100% pure essential oil extracted from organically grown French Bulgarian lavender buds. This type of lavender is known to contain higher healing components than any other lavender. It is grown in very specific conditions and harvested at very specific times of the year. 

Lavender is so gentle on the skin that it is one of very few essential oils that I ever recommend for undiluted skin application.

Lavender is fantastic when applied to burns because it not only helps to prevent infection and inflammation, but it also reduces pain and promotes healing.

I rarely recommend essential oils for use while pregnant or breast feeding. Nor do I usually recommend essential oils for use with a newborn baby, but lavender is so gentle that it is an occasional exception. It is usually safe for older infants, toddlers and children. (Please ask a trained clinical aromatherapist before using any essential oil!)

Emotionally, lavender is soothing and calming to the nervous system. I highly recommend lavender for those in need of a restful night’s sleep.

Inhaling lavender brings immediate relief from stress and anxiety. I don't go anywhere without my lavender inhaler!

I am often surprised by the number of clients who aren’t familiar with the scent of true lavender. This is likely because lavender is another of the most chemically-copied oils. These fragrance oils do not have the therapeutic value of essential oils. In fact, they can do a lot of harm to your skin. Please make sure to use products only made with real and pure organically grown lavender essential oil.

May Flowers -YLANG YLANG

Ylang Ylang

"Flower of Flowers"

-or-

"Rare Wilderness"

Think of the name, "Elaine". Now replace the final "e" with a "g". "Elang". Repeat. "Elang Elang". That's the easiest way to remember how to say Ylang Ylang.

Whichever meaning you prefer, and no matter how you pronounce it, Ylang Ylang is as beautiful a flower to look at as it is to sniff. Strong and sweet.

I think it must be what Heaven smells like!

The best Ylang Ylang essential oil is said to come from the yellow-green sea star-like flowers as opposed to the rare pink flowers.

Ylang Ylang is naturally calming to both the nervous and circulatory systems. Widely known as an aphrodisiac, Ylang Ylang is also helpful in relieving depression and the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome.

Ylang Ylang balances the skin's production of oil making it a great for balancing both dry and oily skin and scalp. 

Additional benefits of Ylang Ylang essential oil:

• relieves pain
• reduces inflammation
• fights off germs and infection
• lowers blood pressure
• reduces anxiety
• cooling

Because of the way the Ylang Ylang flower is distilled, there are different grades of the essential oil available. From an aromatherapist's perspective, Ylang Ylang extra and 1st grade  are the most therapeutic. Personally, I only use Ylang Ylang extra because its components hold the highest therapeutic qualities. 

Make sure when purchasing products for therapeutic reasons, you are getting the good stuff!

Interesting Fact: Coco Chanel's Chanel No. 5 was supposedly created to smell just like the Ylang Ylang tree. Coco herself has said that Ylang Ylang is "the ideal scent for a woman".

May Flowers- NEROLI

It has been claimed that neroli is named for the Italian Princess Anne-Marie Nerola, the Roman Emperor Nero, the Duchess of Tremoille (la Nerola), and the Sanskrit and Arabic words for aphrodisiac. No matter which legend you believe, I think it is safe to say that we all love neroli.

Neroli is the beautifully fragrant essential oil that is extracted from the flowers of the orange tree. 

The blossoms that come from the bitter orange tree tend to have a higher therapeutic value than those that come from other types of orange trees.

Because it takes over one hundred pounds of blossoms to produce just one quart of oil, neroli is quite costly.The numerous skin and health benefits as well as the incredible sweet floral scent make neroli essential oil worth every penny.

Neroli is fantastic for all skin types, but especially sensitive and mature skin. Because of its ability to to stimulate the growth of new healthier skin cells, it works wonders on stretch marks, scars and wrinkles.

Neroli has a soothing effect on the nervous system. So, it is helpful for those seeking relief from depression, anxiety and stress. Neroli is also an aphrodisiac.

Physically, the components of neroli help to make it fantastic for use with cold and flu, stomach ache, flatulence, digestion, headache, poor circulation insomnia, muscle spasm and cramping. 

Neroli is an antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and anti-fungal oil. 

The scent of neroli is so fabulous that it is widely used in the perfume industry. Because of its popularity and expense, it is often replicated using harmful chemicals. If you are purchasing a product containing neroli
please make certain you are getting the real thing.

What other neroli products would you like to see in my shop?

You Know Better!

I am going off the rails with this post today. I have May Flowers- NEROLI all ready to go. Instead, I have decided to share something with you that I shared with my personal Facebook Friends earlier today. 

I hope it impacts your life in a positive way. 

This past Thanksgiving my husband and I hosted a dinner party for three other couples and their children. These are some of our favorite people.

It was such a fun relaxing evening. Lots of food, drink, story telling and laughter.

We had no idea at the time that just weeks later one of the beautiful women sitting at that table would be fighting for her life because she would be diagnosed with breast cancer.

Nor did we know that a second of those incredible women would be diagnosed with breast cancer a few months later.

For those who have trouble with math, that's 2 out of 4; or 1/2 of the four women who sat there talking, reminiscing and giggling that night.

I'm not giggling anymore. I sit here thinking of the six beautiful young ladies (and the three young men) that sat in another room watching television and eating pizza while their parents reminisced and told stories they really didn't want those kids to hear.

Two of those beautiful girls are my daughters. One is my husband's Goddaughter. She started kindergarten this year. Her sister

started high school this year. Their mom is one of the two battling breast cancer right now. She recently had a double mastectomy and is currently undergoing radiation treatments. She's winning her fight the hard way.

Another of those amazing girls has already battled for her life. (She acquired a disease at the age of 2 that required a kidney transplant. She is now 13. She will continue to battle the effects that disease took on her little body for the rest of her life.) Her sister is graduating from high school in a few weeks. With her grades she had her pick of fine colleges. She chose to go to her mom's alma matter, Drexel University in Philly. The last of those six girls found out that her mom was diagnosed with breast cancer last week. It's too early to know what her battle will entail, but we know that she will fight like a girl and come out in first place.

All of these girls deserve to grow up in a world where they don't have the worry of being diagnosed with breast cancer. Wouldn't a vaccine be great?

This past Saturday one of my bff's hosted a jewelry party to raise money for the Susan G. Komen 3-day Walk for the Cure. She does this walk every year to honor the memory of her mom who lost her battle with breast cancer several years ago. She walks for her sister who has been diagnosed, battled and is still winning her THREE-time battle with breast cancer. She walks for other friends and family members, but most importantly she walks for her three beautiful daughters so that they won't have to battle this disease the way their aunt and grandmother have.

My cousin also participates in the 3-day walk every year. After losing her mom to brain cancer a few years ago she decided she needed to get all of those tests done that you are supposed to do as you get older, but usually put off. I think God took my aunt at that very time so that my cousin would go take those tests. She took the tests, she caught her breast cancer early, she fought it, and she walks as a survivor.

Yesterday I read that 1 in 7 women is diagnosed with breast cancer. If those were the odds to win a few bucks in the lottery, I would play knowing that I could actually win. This breast cancer lottery is not one that I want to play or win. Unfortunately, I have no choice but to play. No woman has a choice.

I had my first mammogram after I turned 40. Something showed up in my left breast. I had to have additional views taken. It was still there. So, I had to have an ultrasound. Still there. I could continue with these tests so that they could tell me it was still there, or I could go ahead and get a biopsy. I opted for the biopsy. I mean, let's get this over with already. I was lucky. My biopsy results were benign. This time.

None of these exams are fun. I don't know anyone who looks forward to having her boobs stuck in acrylic and photographed or having a needle stuck in her breast so that a piece of tissue can be pulled out to be tested. But the alternative is much less fun. I'm not ready to die. My girls need me. So, I will do the self-exam and I will get my mammograms and I will donate my time, talent and treasure to help find a cure so that my daughters and yours don't have this worry. Neither of my girls is patient enough to sit for hours while poison is circulated through their bodies. They are beautiful, but way too vain for the bald head-look. Neither of them is fond of throwing up. So, we are going to need a cure that's quick and easy. Do your part. Donate your time, talent and/or treasure so we can find one.

Take care of yourself. Call your doctor. Ask for a mammogram referral. Make the appointment. Get the mammogram and results. Repeat.

Don't have insurance?

http://ww5.komen.org/BreastCancer/InsuranceandOtherFinancialIssues.html

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/10/13/earlyshow/series/main577822.shtml

Don't know how to perform a self-exam?

http://www.cancer.org/cancer/breastcancer/detailedguide/breast-cancer-detection

Understanding breast cancer:

http://ww5.komen.org/BreastCancer/UnderstandingBreastCancer.html

Breast cancer in men:

http://ww5.komen.org/BreastCancer/FactsForMen.html

There is so much information available online. Got a question? Google it!

Oprah always quotes Maya Angelou, "When you know better, you do better."

You know better.

Now, go do better!

May Flowers- GERANIUM

The Geranium flower is gentle and peaceful; a true friend.

The essential oil of Pelargonium graveolens, Bourbon Geranium, is one of great importance in Aromatherapy skin care. It can be used on all skin types, but is especially helpful to those with congested and oily skin. 

 Geranium is a balancing oil. It is helpful to those suffering from depression, anxiety and stress. It regulates hormones and helps lessen the symptoms of pre-menstrual syndrome. 

Because geranium helps control bleeding and infection, forms scar tissue and promotes the growth of new skin cells, it is fantastic when applied to burns and wounds. 

I am guilty of adding a few drops of geranium to my bath water on a regular basis. It is such a treat that I almost feel guilty about it.

SRBBB uses geranium oil in a variety of skin care products. I find it especially helpful with combination skin.

In what products would you like to see geranium oil offered?

May Flowers- ARNICA

Arnica montana is a species related to the sunflower and is also known as leopard's bane, wolf's bane and mountain arnica.

Arnica is one of the most healing flowers used in Aromatherapy. 

Arnica's extraordinary components stimulate blood flow to and from the area where it is applied. This helps the area heal more quickly. 

Arnica used following physical exertion or trauma may prevent or ease swelling, bruising and pain.

Arnica relieves swelling from insect bites, sprains, strains and arthritis. It relieves muscle and joint pain. It is fantastic for sore feet.

A must have for athletes!

Arnica is used on the scalp to increase hair growth as well.

Arnica is an anti-fungal making it a fantastic natural preservative.

Arnica is not recommended for open wounds as it can cause irritation. Also, it is not recommended during pregnancy or breast-feeding. 

I infuse fresh certified organic arnica flowers and organic plant oils to create my healing oils, salves and balms.

May Flowers- JASMINE

Jasmine flowers may signify modesty, grace or elegance.  

The ultimate in sensuality.

The species of Jasmine that I use for aromatherapy and skin care purposes is Jasminum grandiflorum. It is sometimes referred to as Royal Jasmine or Spanish Jasmine. 

The best way to extract this Jasmine for my purposes is through enfleurage (the flower oil is absorbed by fatty plant oils; a tedious process); or cold-extraction (without the use of solvents). 

It takes about eight thousand jasmine flowers to make just 1/5th of a teaspoon of jasmine oil. The current market rate for this oil is about $1.30 per tiny drop. 

Because of the beauty of the jasmine fragrance, it is widely used in the perfume industry. As as aromatherapist, I use it for its great emotional influence.

A powerful antidepressant, jasmine helps build self-esteem and assertiveness while fighting off feelings of anger and jealousy. 

Jasmine is a highly effective aphrodisiac. It is said to  help release inhibitions and even strengthen male sexual organs.

Jasmine is the most highly valued oil for use during childbirth. It strengthens contractions while relieving pain. Jasmine helps with the postnatal removal of the uterus, and with postnatal recovery.

Jasmine is known to stabilize hormones and relieve menstrual pain and spasms. It is recommended to remedy cough and chest infections.

Jasmine is wonderful for most skin types; especially dry, irritated, sensitive and eczema; making it a superb oil for use in skin care.

 

For your bathing pleasure, organic Jasminum grandiflorum blossoms and organically grown Jasmminum oil can be found in SRBBB's beautiful Jasmine Spa Soak. 

SRBBB's Decadence, a truly remarkable treat, is available in this exquisite whipped creme. 

What product(s) would you like to see made with Jasminum grandiflorum oil?

May Flowers- ROSE

A rose flower may signify love, romance or beauty. 

While there are thousands of species of rose, the species of Rose that I use in my practice and products, and will be referring to in this blog is Rosa damascena. This species is also known as Bulgarian rose, Turkish rose or rose otto.

No other rose oil compares when it comes to treating emotional, physical, or skin care issues.

Fresh rose petals are steam distilled to make the essential oil. Steam distillation is important because the alternative is to have the oil extracted using a solvent. For my uses, I avoid this type of extraction whenever possible.

To get one single drop of rose essential oil fresh petals from thirty roses are needed. This explains the preciousness and expense of the oil. 

The current market rate for this quality pure and therapeutic rose is $56.00 for a 2 ml bottle. That is $1.40 for a single tiny drop of this oil; and worth every single penny.

This rose oil is unparalleled when treating womanly issues. It is known to purify and regulate female sexual organs; harmonizes hormones, corrects the menstrual cycle and relieves cramps, fortifies the uterus.

Rose oil is fantastic for all skin types. A hydrating, emollient, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory oil; rose is known to treat skin redness and broken capillaries.

Emotionally, rose is a comforting oil. It helps with concentration and creativity while bringing happiness and peace to the user. Helps to alleviate feelings of emptiness, grief, depression, insomnia and stress.

A co-product of rose oil distillation is the rose water hydrosol. I use this hydrosol for many of the same therapies as the oil. It is a fantastic skin toner and wrinkle fighter. 

Rosa damascena can be found in all of my A Dozen Roses line of products; lip softening balm, luxurious complexion and body bar, light moisturizer and whipped body lotion. It is also available in my Geisha product line for mature skin, a few of my night cremes, and my entire Combination Skin Care Line.