by Andrew Pacholyk MS L.Ac ~
Peacefulmind.com
Bergamot is a great skin oil good for any skin condition. It is a wonderful insect repellent, and has a very balancing and uplifting quality to it. Traveling whether for business or pleasure can be stressful, having this great little oil can make it less so. Inhaling this oil can help return you to a peaceful, relaxed, energized state. Yet at the same time, if you have been over stimulated by the days events, you could bathe with it at night to help you have a restful sleep. It is analgesic, anti-infectious, anti-inflammatory, anti-parasitic, antiseptic, anti-spasmodic, digestive, sedative, and uplifting.
Geranium helps heal wounds and regenerate tissue. It is anti-depressant, antiseptic, astringent, diuretic, insect repellent, refreshing, relaxing, sedative and is tonic. It helps to release anger and negative memories. It can be used for bleeding, circulatory problems, depression, diabetes, diarrhea, digestion, eczema, gallbladder problems, gastric ulcers, hormonal imbalance, insomnia, jaundice, kidney stones, liver, menstrual problems, neuralgia, regenerating tissue and nerves, ringworm, shingles, sores, sore throats, sterility, urinary stones.
Ginger this warming oil is calming and is used for upset stomachs and nausea. Massage a few drops on your wrists, inhaled from the bottle or dilute a few drops in a carrier oil and massage into the abdomen. Chop up some fresh ginger and boil it into tea and drink a cup or two in order to relieve stomach upset.
Lavender is often called the universal oil, because you can use it for so many things. It is analgesic, anti-coagulant, anti-convulsive, anti-depressant, anti-fungal, anti-infectious, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, anti-spasmodic, anti-toxic, cardiotonic, and is a sedative. It has a very balancing effect on the body, emotions, mind and spirit. It may help acne, allergies, arthritis, asthma, boils, bronchitis, and is excellent for burns of any type. It has been used for cramps, dandruff, depression, diaper rashes, earaches, eczema,fainting, flatulence, hair loss, headaches, high blood pressure, indigestion, insect bites and repellent, infection, flu, insomnia, laryngitis, helps to detoxify the lymphatic system, migraines, nausea, nervous tension. PMS, psoriasis, rashes, helps to prevent scarring, sprains, stress, stretch marks, sunstroke, throat infections, tuberculosis, typhoid fever, thrush, water retention, and wounds.
Lemon oil is excellent for purifying water, and is refreshing to drink in water. It is antiseptic, anti-viral, astringent, invigorating, refreshing and tonic. It may be used for anxiety, balancing blood pressure, digestive problems, fevers, gallstones, promoting leukocyte formation. Helps to clean the lymphatic system, enhances memory, soothing to the respiratory system, and sore throats. Do not go out in the sun with citrus oils on areas where the sun shines. Citrus oils have a slight bleaching effect on the skin that is magnified by the sun. Lemon oil is very toning to the skin, and evens out the complexion.
Orange oil encourages adaptability, eases mind and body and gives us a positive, as well as, optimistic outlook. This oil helps us to stimulate conversation and gets us to express ourselves. Remove gum from shoes, stickers from bottles, sticky surfaces by massaging some orange oil into the material you want to remove and leave it for about 15 minutes. Then slowly start to peel it off or wipe it clean!
Peppermint oil is another essential oil that has a wide variety of uses. It is analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, anti-spasmodic, is invigorating, and cooling. It helps to disperse anger, and has been used for arthritis, candida, colic, depression, fatigue, fevers (diffused or mixed in water and either bathed or misted over the body), food poisoning, headaches, hives, indigestion, liver problems, migraine headaches, morning sickness, motion sickness, nausea and vomiting, nerve regeneration, assists the respiratory functions and helps to open the sinus passages, and relieves toothaches. It can also be used in the treatment of shock. It enhances mental alertness, and is stimulating to the conscious mind. For headaches, apply to the temples, forehead, and back of neck. Also inhaling peppermint opens the sinuses and clears the head.
Vacation usually means more time outside in the sun. Always use a good sunblock, but if you find you have gotten a sunburn, apply lavender all over your burned area. This quickly takes the heat and redness out and relieves the pain. After a day of sunbathing you can make a wonderful oil to massage on your skin after a shower. This will help to re-hydrate the skin, and lessen damage caused by the suns rays.
Sunburn Relief Blend
Lavender 10 drops
Bergamot 3 drops
Geranium 5 drops
add to approximately 2 tablespoons of carrier oil, and massage into damp skin.
Vacations mean more time outdoors and more opportunity for bugs to bite. You can make your own natural bug repellent ahead of time to take with you. In a small dark glass bottle combine the following:
Natural Insect Repellent Blend
15 drops of Lavender
15 drops of Peppermint
30 drops of Bergamot
To use on the body, add 3 drops of the blend to 2 teaspoons of carrier oil and massage on the body.
You can apply a couple of drops of the blend itself to cotton balls and place around your bed roll if camping or in your tent. This blend is not just for mosquitoes but all manner of bugs from sandflies to bedbugs to fleas. If you forget to use it, you can also apply a tiny bit to any bites you have. One drop of the blend will cover several bites.
Often while traveling and particularly out of the country, food and water is not as clean as you may have it at home. A couple of drops of lemon oil will purify one liter of water. You can also add a couple of drops of lemon oil to the water you are rinsing your fruits and vegetables in. This actually will keep them crisper, and a lot cleaner.
