Monday, August 23, 2010

The science of Essential Oils

Finally got my hands on the Physicians Desk Reference of Essential Oils  ( 4th edition)
WOW this book is HUGE- and hard to find- will eventually have to give in and buy it. Finding out so much MORE than I knew before- this is one subject that is always growing and expanding -as its being researched constantly. I am always searching for books and furiously copying everything into my notebooks as fast as I can- there's no way I could afford every one of the amazing books I've found at my local Library and thru Search Ohio. If you don't use your library, really you should - its an amazing source of free information or just plain enjoyment. My focus has been on learning- so the books I brought home for enjoyment are untouched as of yet.

Today almost every product you see advertised on TV and on the shelf in any store contains EO's ( essential oils), from your hair color to your laundry detergent and cleaning supplies, your soap and shampoo, your candles and air fresheners. The issue here is that in most cases the EO's are synthetic - this means they duplicate the scent of say- sandalwood - which is now a very rare and expensive oil, as is rose and roman chamomile- in fact it takes approx 760lbs of lavender plant to create approx 68 oz or 8 cups of Lavender EO.
Then we get into how the plants and resins are chemically broken down to get their scent in an oil. Its alot of work - just like science labs create rubies and other gemstones - for reasons such as the real thing is hard to come by or they are less expensive when lab created. Lab created EO's are not pure and usually don't contain any part of the plant or resin its derived from. These synthetic "oils" are actually harmful to us and the environment. The chemicals in these "oils" cause breathing issues and skin irritation and , I have found, make people believe that what they are smelling is the "real" scent of a product- for example- I have been told," I cant take rose its so sickening sweet it gives me a headache", but real rose is a pure clear scent with a green undertone. Its actually quite beautiful and there's a world of difference in real EO's and synthetic ones- even in perfumes and colognes they use synthetic EO's and then add other chemicals to ensure the stuff doesn't go rancid and that it blends- and has staying power.
Real EO's have healing power and they alone can change your life.

EO's and human blood share several common properties. They fight infection , contain hormone-like compounds and initiate regeneration. Working as the chemical defense mechanism of the plant, EO's possess potent anti bacterial, anti fungal and anti viral properties. They also ward off attacks by insects and animals.

The ability of some EO's to work as hormones helps them to bring balance to many physiological systems of the human body. Oils, like clary sage and sage contain sclerol, for example,have an estrogenic action. EO's also play a role in initiating the regeneration process for the plant, the same way the blood does for the human body. The similarity goes even deeper. EO's have a chemical structure that is similar to that found in human cells and tissues. This makes EO's compatible with human protein and enables them to readily be identified and accepted by the body.

EO's have a unique ability to penetrate cell membranes and diffuse thru-out the blood and tissues. The unique lipid- soluble structure of EO's is very similar to the makeup of our cell membranes. The molecules of EO's are relatively small which enhances their ability to penetrate into the cells. When topically applied to the feet or elsewhere, EO's can travel thru-out the body in a matter of minutes.

The ability of some EO's, like clove, to decrease the viscosity (or thickness) of the blood can also enhance circulation of the blood also enhance circulation and immune function. Adequate circulation is vital to good health, since it affects the function of every cell and organ.
Research indicates that when EO's are diffused, they can increase atmospheric oxygen and provide negative ions which in turn, inhibits bacterial growth . This suggests that EO's could play an important role in air purification and neutralizing odors.

Because of their ionizing action, EO's have the ability to break down potentially harmful chemicals and render them non toxic. In the human body, EO's stimulate the secretion of antibodies and enzymes. Oils containing limonene have been shown to prevent and slow the progression of cancer. Other oils, like lavender, have been shown to promote the growth of hair and increase the rate of wound healing. Importantly, because of their complexity, EO's do not disturb the body's natural balance or homeostasis : if one constituent exerts too strong and effect, another constituent may block or counteract it.

Synthetic chemicals, in contrast,usually only have one action and often disrupt the body's homeostasis.

Friday, July 30, 2010

What Are Essential Oils?" Let the Spirit of the plant heal you! "

Taken From: Aromatherapy Pocketbook~ By: Kendra Grace


What Are Essential Oils?

Essential oils are very volatile substances produced from botanical sources. They are the concentrates of aromatic molecules or a plant or its parts; they can be considered the hormones of the plant, as they seem to control certain functions of plant life, including the temperature and the immune system. Essential Oils are also similar to a hormone in that they can stimulate or slow down biological function of cell metabolism. Many people think of essential oils as the "spirit" of the plant.

What Does The Word Botanical mean?

Botanical is a frequently misused word that, when applied correctly, means "from plant origin" . A true botanical oil has not been created by synthesis in a laboratory, but has been distilled or extracted from the plant, or its parts.

What Are Essential Oils Made Of?

Essential oils ( EO's ) are compositions made of the basic organic elements : carbon, oxygen and hydrogen, forming alcohols, aldehydes, esters, ketones, oxides, phenols, and terpenes. An Eo can contain between 10 and 200 components and other trace compounds that are very difficult to analyze. Each EO has more or less complex composition. Some are very simple, as in the case of sandalwood: containing 95%of one compound - an alcohol called santalol- and 5 % of combines composition.
EO's form very interesting and specific molecules that react against such microorganisms as bacteria and viruses. Such molecules can sometimes form a vitamin composition or a hormone type chemical.

Are Synthetic Oils Chemically the same as Botanical Oils?

There are chemists who like to proclaim that synthetic and botanical oils are chemically the same; however, the botanical oils have been proven by experience over thousands of years to have therapeutic or healing properties. The same cannot be said about the synthetic oils. In fact, the opposite is true. (Jean Alnet, M.D., The Practice Of Aromatherapy, P27)
It is my belief that the oils from a plant that grew out of soil under sunshine and rain has an extremely different action to communicate to the human body than an oil born of laboratory synthesis. The action is unique to a botanical oil because its balance formed out of a holistic situation.
Since our bodies are natural living organisms, it makes sense that the extract from another natural living organism would have a more harmonious and efficient interactions than it would with a synthetic compound existing under no living matrix. Can we create ocean water in the lab to be the same as the ocean? 
Synthetic oils may be too "pure" too simple a composition, and not able enough to perform the same complex functions as botanical oils. One may say that trace elements aren't important ans that they make a composition "impure"; however, it is known that if humans occupying the space shuttle mission were away from the Earth long enough, surviving solely on synthetic compounds, then trace elements would become indispensable to sustain their lives.
Why do aromatherapists speak of EO's having life force? I think that perhaps the minute and difficult to analyze trace elements may hold that part of the compositions that pertains to to what we call life force. Our systems can "recognize" and respond to the living balance ( the natural signals) of the botanical oils. One of the important revelations od the rediscovery of aromatherapy is the memory of EO's as life giving substances, which has been lost to the West since the industrial revolution.

Monday, May 24, 2010

Products Available


Now that all of the oils carriers and bottles and toppers and labels and things we needed have arrived - the blending has begun. Carrying a variety of products for health and wellness also for aromatherapy.
Each product is hand blended for you - at the time of your order. Then into each item blended a special ingredient is added to give your blend a "kick" or a "bit of magick".
The products are as follows:
~Bath Salts : $10.50 ea
Sprinkle the salts into your bath while running hot hot water ( as the salt is very coarse ) the salts can be blended for scent only ( seduction, romance or just your fave scent) or for wellness: sleep, relaxation, helping with colds and flu,congestion, coughs, allergies, arthritis, skin conditions, beauty etc.Can relax the muscles and the mind - proven to alleviate pain and helps with mental strain and fatigue. Used regularly will help the skin to be supple and soft and creates a marked difference in health/ wellness to all who use them.
~Bath Oils: Sm: $9.50 Lg: $12.50/ ea
 again for your needs, be it for the scent ( your fave perfume) or for wellness - skin conditions, cold, allergies, coughs, respiratory complaints, sleep, muscle aches, arthritis, joint pain, relaxation, or to set a mood.
~Body/Massage Oils-$15.00- ea
used for after the bath to continue the aromatherapy or healing process. Can be used for massage ( sensual or for tired/achy muscles,for cramps, pain, relaxation, healing, to help with illness and breathing complaints as well)
~Health Products in a bottle Sm:$9.50 Lg. $12.50 -ea
use for aromatherapy to cleanse the air (room sprays) or to freshen a room or fabric surface. Cleanses the vibe of an area as well. Can be used in a tart burner with a little water in the well along with the oils and a tea lite candle to scent a room and reap the benefits of these amazing natural products. Have been proven to enhance the mood and promote a better, healthier environment.Can be used to help you relax and promotes restful sleep, can be used, by application directly to the skin, to speed up the healing of skin irritations and conditions, use for cuts and scrapes, bruises, bites/stings and burns.Can help with acne or wrinkles. Winter time cold/flu blend is proven to be an anti viral and anti bacterial and cleanses the air with a gentle and relaxing natural scent. Use as a steam or straight from the bottle inhalation for an expectorant effect and to soothe allergies or colds. Can help with headaches or migraines. Also use for muscle aches and strains, arthritis and menstrual cramps. Helps with nausea. Also use in cool- mist humidifier in the winter season to help with common colds and illnesses. Use in a business office to freshen and cleanse the air along with setting an uplifting and cheery mood to the entire room. Can be used as a compress to help with many health complaints. There is no end to the uses of these wonderful products.
~Personal Perfume/Cologne- Sm. $9.50- Lg. $12.50-ea
 hand blended for you- your very own personal scent. The use of essential oils when blended correctly, is proven to enhance everything from your mood to helping you change you habits (diet or quit smoking). Can uplift your mood or help you to relax. When applied to the pulse points will help with depression or anxiety, lower stress levels and promote a peaceful and cheery attitude. Can be used ( depending on the blend) for romance and attraction. Also can focus the mind and help concentration and memory. Can be used to help you relax and promotes restful sleep. Can be used to attract positive things to you and to keep the negative vibes away.  There is no end to what these amazing gifts from nature can do for you when blended and used properly and regularly.

* in every product I blend there is a special added ingredient that brings a touch of "magic" to your life. It is infused with blessings and good intent and positive vibes.


You can find me on FaceBook under AngelHawk's Apothecary and I take orders via email as well at :angelhawksapothecary@gmail.com

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

every day brings me closer

Well every day more of my stuff is coming thru the mail to begin the blending and business. I am waiting on bottles and one huge order of oils. I am feeling impatient lol Ready to blend and sell. I have decided that the products I start with will be as follows: Bath salts~ Bath oils~ Hand Blended Perfume and Cologne~Aromatherapy items such as room sprays and oils to burn in a tart burner.
There will be items to benefit health and wellness and also to just make you smell wonderful. Along with a bit of "oomph " or a touch of "magick" in every bottle for each persons needs or wants. I am very excited to start and know that once things begin it will be an amazing journey. Blessings

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

And so it begins ....almost!

Well- yesterday I spent the morning with my Dad and we went to the bank and he gave me the loan for the business its a small loan so I have to be careful and I'm just going to stick my toe in for now and see who's biting lol .  The account is set up and I am waiting on the debit card to begin my purchases and blending. If you know of anyone who is interested in hand blended perfumes and wellness products send them my way- will have room sprays, tub teas, bath salts, and oils, perfume (solid and oils ) body oils, and other things - and the items will be created upon request so bear with me!
I had a wonderful morning with my dad and totally enjoyed spending time with him and am so so grateful for his confidence in me! It is a memory I will always have and forever will tuck into my heart of him. I feel very blessed and am taking baby steps to create (hopefully) a successful home based business!

Friday, April 16, 2010

Prayer for The Sick








Seems of late- lots of beloved friends and relatives are unwell...this is a wonderful prayer to say while you lite a white candle to send healing vibes their way....

PRAYER FOR THE SICK
Crone, Mother, wise woman, you have given us all sorts of herbs, barks, flowers and roots that can heal us. Please grant me the knowledge and wisdom to best use your energies to heal this world, especially *(name of sick person )-(in my case= John Mann.)
Dear Father, healing physician, please send forth your healing energies and put an end to the suffering of the world's sick, especially *(name of sick person) -( John Mann.)
Thank you for you endless compassion.
So Mote It Be.

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Prayers/ Meditaions

Evening Devotion

O God, my Father, I now ready myself for sleep. The day has been long and hard, but there have been many blessing I am very grateful for. If you decide to call me to the Summerland this night, I will have no regrets about my life here on Earth, for I have done my best to please you.
O Goddess, my Mother, I am now ready to place myself in your loving care as I sleep. I find comfort and sanctuary in your arms. Please grant me peace in this life and the next.
So Mote It Be.



**From: The Wiccan Book of Prayer - Mark Ventimiglia