Calendula officinalis, which is also known as Pot Marigold, is widely considered a wonderful herb to use for skin care and muscle blends. When I found a bottle of steam distilled Calendula Essential Oil, I was quite surprised because Calendula is NOT commonly found as an essential oil. In fact, most companies that sell Calendula Oil are selling a fixed oil which has been infused with Calendula herb.
The technicals: Calendula EO is orange (though it looks yellow on the paper towel in the picture). The color indicates that it's rich in carotenoids and flavonoids. The liquid tends to be a bit thicker than most EOs like peppermint, but not nearly as thick as the resinous EOs like myrrh. The aroma is an interesting mix of earthy, musky, pungent, sweet, and fruity-floral. Steam-distillation, enfleurage and CO2 extraction are the methods used to extract Calendula EO from the petals. According to my research, it’s comprised of about 25% alpha-cadinol, flavonoids, carotenoids, triterpenes, and phytosterols. Calendula Essential Oil exhibits similar therapeutic benefits as the herb, including: antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antispasmodic, cholagogue, emmenagogue, hypotensive, sedative, and vulnerary. The biggest difference between the two falls in methods of application. While the herb may be used topically and internally, the essential oil should only be used topically. Calendula EO would be a great addition to a blend for a minor burn, cut, scrape, bite, sting, or any skin irritation because it would help with disinfecting the wound and speeding up the healing process. I would caution though, don't use it on an infected wound or a deep puncture since it could seal in the infection. Until now, my primary use of Calendula has been for muscle relief. I love to include the infused oil in my personal blends for muscle aches and spasms, for my fibromyalgia, sore muscles, and minor sprains and strains (like when I roll my ankles). The infused oil is also part of my BBG Butter, and I’ve seen that seal minor scrapes and scratches overnight. There really is very little information on the EO, so I think I’ll start running some experiments with it – both as a solo EO in different carriers and as part of different blends for different purposes. (Hmmm, I've been trying to come up with a blend to knock out my keratosis spots - I'll have to try Calendula EO in the next blend.) The primary cautions I see with this essential oil are: * Do NOT use it if you are pregnant. * Use topically only. * Make sure you look closely at what you're buying. It is more common to see Calendula infused oil. Infused means the dried herb was soaked in a carrier oil for a period of weeks. The therapeutic properties of the infused oil will be less powerful than those of the essential oil.
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Spicy, lemony, and peppery with hints of a woody aroma, Elemi Essential Oil has a special affinity for the lungs, skin, and psyche. It's made from the resin of the Elemi tree. This calming, uplifting oil is a cousin to Frankincense and Myrrh - no wonder it does so much for us!
Elemi is great at opening airways and clearing congestion in the sinuses and lungs. You can use it in diffuser blends and chest rubs when you have a cold, the flu, bronchitis, or any kind of wet, boggy respiratory conditions. It can help calm a cough yet encourage loosening and expectoration of excess mucous. Its antibacterial and antiviral properties make it helpful with infections in the airways and on the skin. This is an oil that would be great for daytime diffusion - perhaps blend it with Eucalyptus and peppermint when you have a cold or chest congestion. You might enhance the effects of diffusing by drinking an herbal tea made with Elderberry, Ginger, and Star Anise. Combining the use of external application/inhalation of essential oils like Elemi with the ingestion of herbal teas or tinctures can go a long way to helping your body do what it needs to in order to heal itself. Elemi's benefits also extend to the skin. Cuts, rashes, fungal infections, yeast infections, and irritations may all respond well to diluted applications of Elemi. Because it's a skin cell regenerator, scars and wrinkles may be minimized as well. It is rubefacient, so it may cause areas of application to turn a bit red. Imagine infusing Rosehip Seed Oil with Plantain then adding Elemi, Helichrysum italicum, and Frankincense essential oils. Such a blend would make a powerful skin serum! Perhaps Elemi's best feature is its ability to calm stress without causing drowsiness. Sometimes we find ourselves overwhelmed with work and daily life. Sometimes, we grieve for lost family members or friends. Sometimes we just feel like a situation is hopeless. Elemi can help calm the anxiety, lift the weight of the grief, and encourage us to see light and hope. A few deep breaths of Elemi during some quiet meditation time can help bring back a measure of positive perspective. While Elemi essential oil is generally regarded as safe, you need to check the GC/MS report for each batch of oil you buy. Some batches may contain small amounts of a phenol called methyleugenol. If that chemical is present, then there are specific dilutions recommended for skin application. The one other caution with Elemi is to make sure it doesn't oxidize. It has a three year shelf life if stored in a cool, dark area. Breathe deeply -- in through the nose, out through the mouth!
What? You can't? Congestion? I've got an oil for that!!!! When I think of Ravintsara, the first thing that comes to mind is breathing clearly - free of congestion. On a personal level, I find this oil to be as effective as Eucalyptus globulus, and it's no wonder since it's more than 50% 1,8-Cineole. Ah, but Ravintsara goes beyond Eucalyptus in its therapeutic properties. Let's explore this amazing oil. Ravintsara is a middle note oil that smells like spicy medicine. Therapeutically, it's analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-microbial, antispasmodic, antiviral, decongestant, expectorant, immunostimulant, nervine, a skin penetration enhancer, and vulnerary. My primary use for Ravintsara is in diffuser, shower, and steam blends. In addition to easing respiratory congestion due to allergies or illness, it can actually help balance your immune system to reduce allergic tendencies - an important property for those who suffer from allergies. It does this without causing drowsiness. When I use it in nighttime diffuser blends, I make sure to combine it with oils that are sedative in nature. As an antimicrobial, Ravintsara can be used in homemade cleaning blends and room sprays. It'll knock out germs on surfaces and in the air. Ravintsara is an oil that I (personally) would rarely include in a topical blend because of the high oxide content. While it would help other oils penetrate more deeply into the skin, it has too much potential to irritate the skin or, if overused, to damage skin cells. If I were to include Ravintsara in a topical blend, it would be low dilution and for short term (a few days only). For example, if someone had congested, boggy lungs, I might have him/her use Ravintsara in a chest salve which would include skin-healing carrier and essential oils. Before we get into the safety aspects, the first thing you need to do is verify exactly what oil you have or are about to purchase. Ravintsara - with a -t- in the middle is not the same as Ravensara. Both Ravensara and Ravintsara come from Madagascar, and of the two, Ravintsara's chemical composition makes it a safer oil to use. According to Robert Tisserand, there are two locations that produce Ravintsara: China and Madagascar -- except, the oil from China is usually called Ho Leaf and the one from Madagascar is called Ravintsara. Given these facts, you can see why there might be some confusion. Cautions for Ravintsara include: * Do not use this oil on or near the faces of children under the age of 10. The 1,8-Cineole may slow their breathing and/or central nervous system. * If oxidized, Ravintsara may irritate the skin. * If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, consult your doctor before using (or inhaling) any essential oil. * Always check with your doctor before using any essential oil. * For inhalation and topical use only. * Robert Tisserand recommends a maximum of 11% dilution for topical use for Ravintsara (Ho Leaf) from China, but states no restrictions are needed for Ravintsara from Madagascar. If you were to ask me 'What are 10 EOs I should always have in stock?', my answer would include Ravintsara. As allergy season approaches, this is one oil you might want to try. Resources: 1. Lawless, Julia, The Encyclopedia of Essential Oils, Conari Press, San Francisco, CA, © 2001, pages 169 - 170 2. Tisserand, R. Y. (2014). Essential Oil Safety Second Edition. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier, ©2014, pages 303 - 304 3. Aromatics International https://www.aromatics.com/ 4. Aromahead Institute, School of Essential Oil Studies, www.aromahead.com 5. Butje, Andrea, Component Database in Aromahead Institute, © 2019 Aromahead LLC, Accessed March 14, 2020 Before I get into discussing the oils: If you catch the flu, it's important for you to get medical care. Herbs and oils have their place in supporting our bodies, but acute situations, like flu, require a doctor's care because they can turn into life-threatening situations very quickly. At the end of last week's blog, I let you know that DH had to go to the ER for flu, and that I was coming down with it. He had a follow up appointment the next day with our doctor, and I went in for evaluation at the same time. Doc prescribed Tamiflu for me. Tamiflu is made from Shikimic Acid extracted from Star Anise, so I'm comfortable taking it, and it had me recovering within 48 hours. DH's flu was complicated with pneumonia in little more than 24 hours after getting sick! Medical intervention - including medicines, saved his life.
My point in describing our experience is to let you know that seeking medical help is NOT "wimping out" - it's using common sense. Think of it this way: God gave us foods, herbs, and oils to help us. He also gave us doctors and scientists who create medicines. All that being said, we still used herbs and essential oils to help make us more comfortable while we were sick. This week's blog will discuss several essential oils that can help reduce the germ load in your house, support your immune and respiratory systems during cold and flu season, and provide a few ideas for how to prepare them. Choosing which oils to use and how to use them will depend on your specific circumstances. Initially, we want to make preventative blends. A diffuser blend, a room spray, and a cleaning blend would work well for this. Oils that are antiseptic, antiviral, and air purifiers are key. Tea Tree Essential Oil is possibly one of the most anti-infectious oils available. Frankincense, Lavender, Plai, Cedarwood, Sweet Marjoram (Origanum majorana), and citrus oils (Lemon, Lime, Sweet Orange, Grapefruit, Bergamot, Tangerine) are all great choices that are safe to use even with children and pets in the house. For a room spray, I would put 4 ounces of distilled water in a spray bottle. I would then add 4 drops of Dawn dish detergent (as an emulsifier to keep the oils and water mixed), and 2 drops each of Lavender, Lemon, and Cedarwood essential oils. I'm keeping the quantity I make low so that I don't need to use a preservative. The solution will need to be shaken before use. For a cleaner, I generally just spray white vinegar on the surface to be cleaned, then wipe down with a clean, wet cloth. When I'm sanitizing (before making products), I then spray the wet surface with 70% Isopropyl Alcohol and allow it to air dry. Essential oils can be added to the vinegar to improve its smell. Remember to add a bit of dish soap as an emulsifier and to shake before each use. My nighttime diffuser blends change at least every few months. Post flu, my blend includes Eucalyptus, Lavender, Plai, and Tulsi Basil. This is helping with the lingering cough and slight congestion for me and with the pneumonia for DH. We'll use this blend for a few more days before I change it. Tulsi Basil is highly anti-infectious but comes with significant cautions and should only be used short-term. Eucalyptus has significant quantities of a chemical called 1,8-Cineole which can cause breathing problems in children under age 10, so it should not be used in homes with young children. During illness, using inhalers and/or topical blends can also be quite helpful. An inhaler with eucalyptus, peppermint, and lavender can help reduce inflammation and decongest the sinuses. A chest rub with plai, copaiba, frankincense, and sweet marjoram diluted in Hemp Seed and Tamanu oils can help ease the feeling of chest congestion, inflammation, and soreness from coughing. There are hundreds of essential oils, and at least dozens that could be used effectively during cold and flu season. The few I've listed here are generally considered safe even around children and pets. There are EOs that are much stronger (i.e. cinnamon and clove), however, these come with significant cautions, and are damaging to skin and mucous membrane cells. There is also controversy about the safety of Tea Tree Oil and pets (dogs & cats). Based on what Melissa Shelton, Holistic Veterinarian says in her ADR II book, I believe that it is safe to diffuse Tea Tree around your pets IF you do so in a well ventilated area, diffuse intermittently, and leave a door open so they can leave the room. When using Tea Tree as part of a cleaning solution, it may be best to use it only on surfaces where pets will not have significant contact with it. Ultimately, the oils you choose are based on personal preference and how educated you are in aromatherapy. To model how I make my choices, I've included my thinking process below. *********************************************************************** Here are some of the notes I originally made for this blog. Matching therapeutic properties with chemical families, then selecting oils rich in those families is one of the strategies I use in deciding on which oils I use in specific blends. Antivirals: some monoterpenes, some monoterpenols, some aldehydes, oxides Antimicrobials/Antiseptics: monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, ethers, oxides, phenols Open Airways - decongestant: monoterpenes, ketones, oxides Antispasmodic: (to reduce coughing) some sesquiterpenes, some sesquiterpenols, some monoterpenols, some aldehydes, ethers, some ketones (Note: suppressing a cough isn't always the best answer. Coughing helps clear excess mucus out of our lungs.) Expectorant: oxides Sedative: (to help with sleep) some sesquiterpenes, some sesquiterpenols, some monoterpenols, aldehydes, esters Analgesic: (I.e. sore muscles from coughing) monoterpenes, some sesquiterpenes, some esters, oxides Air purifiers: monoterpenes, oxides Immune Stimulant: some sesquiterpenols, some monoterpenols We see monoterpenes and oxides match many of the therapeutic properties we're looking for, so finding oils with high levels of both would be a good thing. Monoterpenes including limonene, a-pinene, b-pinene, γ-terpinene, and b-myrcene will work beautifully in any type of blend. The only real caution with monoterpene-rich oils is that they oxidize easily, so make sure they're stored properly. Tea Tree Essential Oil is possibly one of the most anti-infectious oils available. Frankincense, Lavender, Plai, Sweet Marjoram from Spain, and citrus oils are also monoterpene-rich. The primary oxide is a chemical called 1,8 Cineole. It's found in EOs like Eucalyptus, Naiouli, Ravintsara, Rosemary, and Cajeput. While it's superb at opening airways, it must be used with caution. Cineole can slow the central nervous system, and slow or stop breathing in children under the age of 10. Because of this, if you have young children in your house, I would recommend oils that do not contain Cineole. If you have asthma, test these oils first by wafting the aroma from the cap of the oil. Sometimes Cineole is helpful for those with asthma, but it may set off an asthma attack. Sesquiterpenes are also affiliated with several of the therapeutic properties. Beta-caryophyllene and alpha-humulene are two powerfully effective sesquiterpenes that enhance each other's efficacy. They are anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial. Copaiba langsdorfii, Copaiba officinalis, and Hops essential oils tend to have higher levels of these chemicals. Let's look then at the oils already mentioned: Tea Tree, Frankincense, Lavender, Plai Sweet Marjoram, Eucalyptus, Naiouli, Ravintsara, Rosemary, Cajeput, Copaiba, Hops, any of the Citrus oils (Lemon, Lime, Sweet Orange, Grapefruit, Bergamot, Tangerine), and any of the evergreens (cedar, pines, spruces, and firs). In a household where everyone is age 10 or older, these are generally safe oils to use. For households with children under the age of 5, I would not recommend using essential oils. And, in homes with children from ages 5 - 9, I would leave out the oils with Cineole: Eucalyptus, Naiouli, Ravintsara, Rosemary ct. Cineole, and Cajeput. Aldehydes, ethers, ketones, oxides, phenols are all very powerful chemicals and all come with significant warnings. My way of thinking is that there are much safer and equally effective oils that can be used. Many of you have heard of strong essential oils like cinnamon and clove. These are powerful, anti-infectious essential oils, because they are high in phenols and aldehydes. However, they also have significant chances of causing damage to skin cells and have a host of precautions. If using these oils on the skin, they need to be diluted to less than 1%. It would be safer to use these as herbs to make and drink an herbal tea. oil-primary chemical-family-warnings (do not use if) clove - eugenol - phenol - .5% dilution, short period, skin irritating, blood thinners, blood clotting, before surgery, autoimmune disorders, pregnancy, immune suppressants, cinnamon - cinnamaldehyde - aldehyde - skin irritant, max dermal 0.05%, blood thinning, not for pregnant or breastfeeding women eucalyptus - 1,8 cineole - oxide - keep out of face of babies and young children - don't use with kids under age 10 due to slowing down of CNS & breathing rosemary - 1,8 cineole - oxide - keep out of face of babies and young children - don't use with kids under age 10, camphor - max 4.8%, keep out of face of babies and young children - don't use with kids under age 10, can cause convulsions (rare with inhalation) Tulsi Basil - eugenol - phenol - many warnings: kids, irritant, liver, clotting disorders **************************************************************** Next week, in Karen's Blog, I'll discuss why there is no cure for viruses. Resources: 1. Watson, Stephanie, Tamiflu Overview, How Stuff Works, (c) 2020, InfoSpace Holdings, LLC, Accessed February 10, 2020, https://health.howstuffworks.com/medicine/medication/tamiflu.htm 2. Shelton, Melissa DVM, The Animal Desk Reference Second Edition: Essential Oils for Animals, (c) March 2018, pp. 285 - 287 3. Butje, Andrea, Aromahead Institute School of Essential Oil Studies, Aromahead.com 4. Aromatics International, Aromatics.com Another ancient, sacred oil, Myrrh brings feelings of peace and promotes meditation. This beautiful oil has the ability to balance body and mind.
Most of us are aware of Myrrh's skin-healing and skin-cell regenerating properties. It's great in skin care products for both young and mature skin. Combined with the right carrier oil, Myrrh can help improve a variety of skin conditions like acne, eczema, wounds, and wrinkles. It works to tone and tighten loose skin while reducing age spots. Myrrh has anti-inflammatory, antispasmoic, and analgesic properties, so including it in blends for arthritis and muscle spasms can bring significant relief. These same properties work to calm gas, menstrual cramps, and even hemorrhoids. Myrrh is especially attuned to the brain, liver. and lungs. It promotes the release of dopamine and serotonin, thus encouraging calmness and relaxation. These attributes may assist the ADHD person to focus. Myrrh is also hepatoprotective - it may protect against liver damage and boost the regeneration of liver tissue. In addition, its antibacterial, antiviral, decongestant, and expectorant properties can help clear the lungs from congestion and infection. Myrrh should not be used by women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. To learn more about Myrrh essential oil, watch for the datasheet to be published in December. For thousands of years, Frankincense has been used in religious ceremonies, to anoint the sick, and to support physical and mental well-being. Archeological evidence suggests that, yes, Frankincense essential oil was distilled and used more than 2000 years ago. Our present-day distillation process of this beautiful oil is much more advanced than that of our distant ancestors, and we now have a greater scientific understanding of the therapeutic properties of Frankincense.
With its base note and sedative property, Frankincense can calm an angry or troubled spirit and relieve anxiety and nervousness. It encourages peace and meditation. Imagine having an inhaler with a Frankincense blend that you can use whenever you like to help you reduce the stress of the day. In my PQ Minder, it helps calm the irritability that accompanies quitting smoking. Its immunostimulant, antibacterial, and antiviral properties can strengthen your immune system to help your body fight off bronchitis, colds, and flu. It can be diffused to help clear the air of the germs that cause these illnesses. These same properties, combined with its skin-healing ability, make Frankincense a great addition to topical blends for minor wounds, rough skin, damaged skin, and skin infections. A belly-massage blend with Frankincense can be used for colic, gas, cramping, and PMS. The antispasmodic and analgesic properties responsible for this may also relax muscle spasms and soothe aching muscles. One of my favorite ways to use Frankincense is in skin care products. Soaps, skin serums, lotions, and skin butters with Frankincense contribute to regenerating skin cells and keeping the skin soft and supple. Frankincense is safe to use with ages 2 and older. (Remember to dilute to 0.5 % for young children.) The only caution is that, if it oxidizes, it may irritate the skin. To learn more about Frankincense essential oil, check out the datasheets in the membership section. Sandalwood's aroma is, perhaps, one of my favorites. It's a deep, exotic-sweet-wood scent that has an immediate calming and relaxing effect. This is not a surprise since Sandalwood has been used for hundreds of years in spiritual ceremonies. The oil itself is quite thick, so it's a good thing that it takes very little to achieve the desired effect.
As mentioned above, Sandalwood is calming and sedating. Along those lines, it's antispasmodic, can decongest and open the lungs, lymph, and veins. While these attributes may not sound related, they are. As the airways and blood vessels open up, we breathe more easily and deeply, and oxygen is better circulated. This can help calm our nerves and relax us -- even help us fall asleep more easily. Perhaps the next best property of Sandalwood is its affinity for the skin. Like Patchouli, I tend to use Sandalwood more in skin care products than anything else. It can cool hot, inflamed skin issues, and help protect and maintain healthy skin. To go with that, it's antifungal and antiviral. It's can be used on Athlete's Foot, minor skin irritations, and cold sores. There are different species of Sandalwood, and because it's expensive, sometimes the oil is adulterated, so it's important to get a GC/MS report when you buy it. (The expensiveness is due to over harvesting.) Robert Tisserand recommends a topical maximum of 2 % dilution (12 drops per ounce of carrier oil).  Patchouli essential oil is like a fine wine -- the older it gets, the better it gets. This oil has at least a 20 year shelf life!!! It's one that people either love or hate. Funny story: A friend of mine insisted that she hated Patchouli and wanted nothing to do with it. When I was creating a skin blend for her, she agreed to have it be one of the oils she would smell in deciding her blend. She didn't look at the names of the oils before checking their aromas. When I held up the Vintage Patchouli, her reaction was an immediate "I love this one!" As it turns out, this was her favorite! Needless to say, Patchouli went into her blend.
I tend to use Patchouli more in skin blends -- for deodorants, body butters, skin serums, moisturizing blends, and scar butters -- because of it's skin healing properties. Yet, perhaps it's time to experiment with it some more. Like last weeks Palmarosa, Patchouli has cooling properties. It can help calm anxiety and lift depression for mental cooling, and it can relieve muscle spasms and tension, and reduce inflammation and pain in acute (minor) injuries or arthritis flare-ups. The high level of patchoulol (a sesquiterpenol), makes this oil antifungal and antibacterial. As an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, it also gives the oil neuroprotective properties. Even better -- there are no known safety issues with Patchouli. Patchouli essential oil has a deep, base note that's distinct and unique. It's both earthy and herbaceous but not overpowering. It reminds me of turning over the fresh dirt in my garden in springtime. If I had to choose just a few oils to stock in my EO refrigerator, Patchouli would be one of them. With its fresh, sweet aroma, Palmarosa reminds me of drinking a cool lemonade while having a picnic in the middle of a grassy field. Just as such a setting would engender a relaxed, happy mood, this oil will inspire a similar calm and open state of mind. Let's discover what else it can do.
Palmarosa is great in diffusing blends during cold and flu season as it may help disinfect the air with its antibacterial properties and can give a boost to the immune system. This makes it a good selection for a home-made cleaning blend too. Its antifungal and skin-loving attributes make it an excellent choice for foot soaks, soaps, lotions, and skin serums. Its cooling energetics may help reduce hot conditions that are both physical and mental -- like fever, muscle spasms, minor injuries, arthritis, anger, jealousy, and anxiety. Geraniol, a monoterpenol, is a major constituent of Palmarosa, and is the main chemical responsible for Palmarosa's therapeutic properties. It has also been scientifically shown to have a neuroprotective effect, and can prove to be a beneficial addition to a plan of prevention and/or management of diseases that affect the brain i.e. dementia. Palmarosa has a 5 year shelf life and is generally considered safe. Robert Tisserand recommends a maximum topical dilution of 6.5% because there is a very low risk of allergic reaction to the geraniol. My first attempt at making home-made bug spray included Lemongrass essential oil. It's fruity-herbal aroma made my back patio smell fresh and inviting. I've come a long way since those days and have made many home remedies using this happy oil. I've also learned to respect its boundaries.
Lemongrass in a spray or diffuser can keep bugs - meaning insects and germs - at bay. It can lift the spirits when you're feeling gloomy while the citral (a combination of the chemicals neral and geranial) act to calm the nerves. In topical blends, Lemongrass is an effective antifungal for skin infections, and its cooling effect may assist in reducing fevers. Its antibacterial properties make it a good choice in products for acne. The citral content (> 70%) comes back into play as an analgesic which may relieve nociceptive pain. Neral and geranial are chemicals in the aldehyde family. Chemicals in this classification need to be kept to low dilutions and used for short periods of time to prevent irritation and/or damage to the skin or mucous membranes. In the case of Lemongrass Essential Oil, that dilution should be a maximum of 0.7% (about 4 drops per 1 ounce of carrier oil). Other EOs in the blend and the carrier oil(s) need to be strong skin protectors/healers. If you take prescribed medications (like certain antidepressants), you'll want to check that Lemongrass won't interfere with them, |
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