Aromatherapy essential oil, recipes and massage oils

Guide to aromatherapy waters

Aromatherapy Waters

One of the most common aromatherapy products available on the market today is the aromatherapy waters, also known as floral waters or hydrosols. These products generally have a strong and well-established place in traditional cosmetics. Their use is as ancient as the discovery of essential oils, which are the basics of aromatherapy.

The aromatherapy waters are in the first place a by-product of essential oil distillation process. They are unadulterated and natural, infused with the aroma of the essential oils. For long years, the aromatherapy waters are used as excellent skin toning lotions and they are commonly employed in some home-made cosmetic products like creams, face masks, and lotions instead of spring water. And, they generally come with a varying number of healing virtues, which are actually in connection with the healing properties of the plants from which the aromatherapy waters are derived.

The aromatherapy waters are now featured by some stores online. One of the most widely known portals for aromatherapy waters is The Heritage Store at CayceCures.com . The Heritage Store has actually been there for 35 years, offering a line of excellent quality natural therapeutic products that are guaranteed to promote health, beauty, and wellness to those who use them. The aromatherapy waters of The Heritage Store are certified, which means that the products has been periodically tested by an independent laboratory which has found the aromatherapy waters to be free of the most common pesticide residues. And, these items now come in eight different kinds: Gardenia, Jasmine, Orange, Lavender, Rose Petals, Lilac, Rosewater and Glycerin, and Sandalwood aromatherapy waters.

The Botanical.com is also out there featuring a number of aromatherapy waters that are guaranteed to be effective for healing and relaxation. All of the aromatherapy waters of Botanical.com are derived from plants that are cultivated and distilled organically, except for their Orange and Rose aromatherapy waters which have been imported. It is also interesting to know that all of the aromatherapy waters are given at reasonable prices, making them great as a facial splash, an air freshener, as a deodorant, as compress, and even in some culinary creations. All of them are moisturizing, cooling, and fragrant which makes them a wonderful scented base in your cream and lotion recipes.

Lastly, there is the Culpeper.co.uk which currently features a selection of aromatherapy waters that are alcohol free and natural. The proponents of these products have maintained that these natural waters are tremendously versatile and can be employed to tone and cleanse the skin, to fragrance the air, and even as an boosting spritzer. They are generally free from artificial preservatives, making them more powerful and effective.

Frankincense in Aromatherapy Tree Gum and Essential Oil

Title: Frankincense in Aromatherapy - Tree, Gum, and Essential Oil

Author: Misty Rae Cech

Article :
Frankincese has been used for thousands of years in churches and temples to carry prayers upon it's smoke to the heavens. What is it about this mysterious tree who's sap was once valued as highly as gold?

The Mysterious Frankincense

Used for many thousands of years, the Frankincense tree has perhaps the greatest association with spiritual practice of any plant on earth. In most of the great ancient cultures, including the Egyptian, Babylonian, Persian, Hebrew, Greek and Roman civilizations, it has played a role in religious and domestic life. Frankincense has been sought after by kings and valued as highly as gold. More recently, the essential oil is gaining popularity with spiritual seekers and natural healers alike. What is so special about this tree that its 'pearls' were given as a gift at the birth of one of history's most revered prophets?

The Hardy Tree and its Tears

The Frankincense tree, or Olibanum, upon first glance, may seem rather unremarkable. It appears as a giant shrub, with many knurled branches topped with abundant slender leaves and occasionally, small white flowers. A native to northern Africa, it looks like it belongs in the desert, growing in some of the world's harshest conditions. But it is not the tree itself, but rather its sap that has such profound lore surrounding it. When the tree's bark is pierced with a knife (known traditionally as a 'Mingaf'), a milky-white oleoresin is exuded - thought the tree is not harmed. The resin forms droplets known as 'tears' or 'pearls', which harden into the orange-brown gum known itself as Frankincense. The English name of this natural incense is derived from the medieval French 'franc', meaning 'pure' or 'free', and from the Latin 'incensium', meaning 'to smoke'.

History's Most Popular Incense

For more than 5000 years, the hardened resin has been burned in temples throughout Egypt, China and India; the Catholic church continues to use it today during Mass. It is one of the four main ingredients in Jewish ceremonial incense, forming an important part of the Sabbath day offerings. The rich smoke of Frankincense (as with other ritual incense) is thought to carry prayers to heaven upon it's smoke. It is also said to deepen the breath and still the mind, making it useful for meditation and yogic practice. The incense may have health benefits as well, producing a highly antiseptic smoke, keeping churches and churchgoers free from disease.According to ancient documents, the great Baal temple of Babylon consumed 2 and a half tons of Frankincense a year. The Frankincense trade was of immense importance in ancient times, peaking about 2000 years ago. Caravans grew to as many as 2 to 3 thousand camels in size. Cities grew up along the trade routes, and heavy taxes and fees for protection, lodging and camel fodder raised the cost of the resin considerably, so much so that it was valued as much as gold. The wealth involved inspired Alexander the Great to plot to control the region, though his death happened to preceed the invasion.

Health Benefits

Frankincense resin is thought to have a bounty of health properties - it was an ingredient in a rejuvenate face mask in ancient Egypt (it was also charred and used as the classic heavy eyeliner seen in much ancient Egyptian art), and at one time was "used to treat every conceivable ill to man". In ayurvedic medicine it is known as salai guggul, used for centuries to treat many conditions, including arthritis. Modern science has isolated the active compounds found to have anti-arthritic properties. Called boswellic acids, these components inhibit the inflammatory process, improve blood supply and prevent further cartilage reduction.

Frankincense Essential Oil

Modern natural medicine and aromatherapy has taken to the use of the essential oil of Frankincense. The oil, having a warm, woody, sweet aroma with a hint of citrus, is steam or CO2 distilled from the resin. It is used for respiratory conditions such as bronchitis, catarrh and asthma; for wrinkles, wounds and dry skin, and in cases of rheumatism, cystitis and leukorrea.The most important effect of the essential oil may be on the nervous system. Regarded as an antidepressant, the aroma can both relax and revitalize, and can help in cases of nervous tension and exhaustion. Frankincense oil contains sesquiterpenes, which stimulate the limbic system, the hypothalamus, the pineal and the pituitary glands. The oil is now being researched for it's ability to increase human growth hormone production. Further, it is considered to strengthen the immune system, which may in-fact occur as a result of it's uplifting properties.Frankincense essential oil can be used in a manner similar to burning of the incense in spiritual practice. Warming in a candle lamp or direct application to the temples and third eye will quiet the mind, deepen the breath, and promote meditative stillness. It is often blended with Sandalwood, Myrrh and Cedarwood for such uses, and the single-pointed concentration it invokes is thought to allow the spirit to soar.

Experimenting with Frankincense

Frankincense resin is widely available at reasonable costs. Most is wildcrafted, being extracted from trees growing in the deserts of northeast Africa - thankfully, the resource is abundant, as the trees easily survive harvesting of the pearls. The small chunks of resin can simply be lit by themselves in a dish or similar container, and allowed to smolder and release their smoke. Frankincense is also available in prepared incense sticks and other incense preparations. In the form of your choosing, simply light and allow some quiet time to experience the deep aroma.With the essential oil, a diffuser or warming lamp can be used to disperse the aroma throughout a space. The oil is also found in aromatherapy candles, where it is released from the heated oil beneath the burning wick. Frankincense oil can be applied directly to the forehead (it is non-irritating or sensitizing) where you can both capture the aroma and absorb the oil directly. Again, take a moment to sit quietly to perceive any effects.The wonderful gift of the Frankincense tree is available in many ways, and has come highly recommended for many thousands of years. Try adding a little Frankincense to your life, and see what the mystery is all about!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Misty Rae Cech is a naturopath and yoga teacher in Boulder, Colorado. She employs aromatherapy essential oils such as Frankincense oil in her practice.

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Guide to aromatherapy waters

Frankincense in Aromatherapy Tree Gum and Essential Oil