Actions:
*Analgesic: Relieves pain
*Antibiotic: Destroys bacteria and viruses that are infecting the body
*Anti-inflammatory: Reduces swelling and redness
*Antioxidant: Protects the body against aging
*Antiseptic: Keeps bacteria from growing
*Antispasmodic: Eases muscle spasms and cramps
*Diuretic: Causing increased urination
*Emollient: Smooths and softens skin
*Expectorant: Clearning sinuses, lungs, and stomach of mucus
*Laxative: Causing increased bowel movements
*Stimulant: Energizing, motivating
*Sedative: Promotes rest and sleep, relaxing
*Vulnary: Promotes cell growth and repair
Herbal Techniques:
*Compress: A cloth soaked in an herbal infusion then pressed over a wound.
*Decoction: A hot or cold liquid made by boiling twigs and roots.
*Infusion: A hot or cold drink made from leaves and flowers of herbs.
*Ointment: A cream infused with the herbs "juice" or essential oil.
*Poultice: A bag of healing herbs that is pressed over the affected area.
*Syrup: A decoction or infusion sweetened with honey or sugar.
*Tincture: A medicine of soaked herbs in alcohol.
*Tonic: A drink that stimulates the lymphatic system and blood circulation.
Carrier Oils
Carrier oils are used to dilute essential oils to a safe consistency. Also, if you have allergies to certain things, then avoid use of that oil. These are base oils that can be used 100%, unless otherwise noted. This is not a complete list, it is just to get you started.
*Almond (Sweet): Good for all skin types. It helps relieve itching, soreness, dryness, and inflammation. It is lubricating, but not penetrating, making it a good massage oil.
*Apricot Kernel: Good for all skin types, but is especially helpful for prematurely aged, sensitive, inflamed, and dry skin.
*Corn: Soothing for all skin types.
*Grapeseed: Good for all skin types.
*Jojoba: Use as a 10% addition to other oils. Good for inflamed skin, psoriasis, eczema, acne. Penetrates skin very quickly, therefore not good for massage.
*Olive: Use as a 10% addition to other oils. It is soothing and good for rheumatic conditions.
*Peanut: Good for all skin types.
*Safflower: Good for all skin types.
*Sunflower: Good for all skin types.
*Wheatgerm: Use as a 10% addition to other oils. Good for all skin types, but especially beneficial for eczema, psoriasis, prematurely aged skin.
Bruises:
When you have accidentally bumped yourself and are afraid it is going
to bruise, just try this:
Get 2 small containers and fill one with hot water and one with cold
water. Add to each container 2 drops of lavender, 2 drops of rosemary
and 1 drop of geranium. Using a papertowel or washcloth, alternately
apply to the bruised area. You can also use this recipe diluted in a
teaspoon of vegetable oil, and apply to the bruised and surrounding
area.
Burns:
If you burn yourself on a small area, say while cooking or something, apply ice cold water for at least 10 minutes, even if you feel the pain subsiding,
keep putting cold water on it to stop the burning of the tissue under
your skin. Then apply 2 drops of neat (undiluted) lavender directly
onto the burn. Repeat as needed. Then find a CLEAN compress (sterile
gauze or even a clean hanky...whatever it is it HAS to be very clean)
and wet it in cold water with which you have added lavender oil,
squeeze dry, and apply to the burned area. Use 1 drop for every square
inch that has been burned. This can be used for different types of
burns, such as cigarette burns. Many times this will prevent
blistering and even scarring.
Colds:
When you are feeling sick from a common cold, add 2 drops each of Thyme, Tea Tree, Eucalyptus, and Lemon to a very warm bath; breathe deeply while relaxing in the tub.
Cuts:
Gently clean the area with 2 drops of Tea tree and 5 drops of Lavender in 2 cups of warm water. Place 1-3 (depending on the size of the cut) on the sterile bandage after cleaning and place over the cut.
Earache:
For a general regular earache, gently warm about a teaspoon of olive oil then add a drop of lavender; mix well then soak a cotton ball in it and plug your ear. Another thing you can do is to add a drop of tea tree or chamomile with the lavender and rub over the ear area, jaw, and cheek-bone, then apply a warm compress to the entire area. If the pain is persistent, see a doctor.
Ear Infections:
Use 2 drops each of lavender and tea tree diluted in 1 teaspoon of gently warmed olive oil and use soaked cotton ball as an ear plug. For massaging the ear area, jaw, and cheek-bone add 1 drop of thyme or eucalyptus to 2 drops each of lavender and tea tree oils and dilute in 1 teaspoon gently warmed olive oil.
Halitosis:
If you have persistent bad breath, it may be because you have either a gum disease, tooth decay, or a digestive problem. A general solution is 4 drops of lavender diluted in 1 teaspoon of brandy and added to a bit of water and use as a mouthwash. For digestive problems try 2 drops each of peppermint and lemon instead of the lavender and continue with the directions. If you have gum disease or tooth decay, then substitute 2 drops each of tea tree and thyme for the other oils and continue with directions.
Headaches:
For plain ol' headache massage 2 drops of lavender around the temples or base of your skull. Or, dip a clean Q-tip in vegetable oil and then place a drop of peppermint oil on the veggie oil covered swab and use as you would the lavender oil.
For a nervous (tension)headache combine 2 drops of lavender and 1 drop of chamomile, dilute in a small amount of vegetable oil and massage around the achy part of your head.
Heartburn:
Mix 1 drop of peppermint oil in a teaspoon of honey and stir into a glass of warm water. Sip this slowly while you rub your upset tummy with 1 teaspoon of vegetable oil in which you added 2 drops of peppermint oil and 1 drop of eucalyptus oil.
Insect Bites:
Put a drop of neat(undiluted)lavender on the bitten area.
Toothache:
Massage the cheek area with 3 drops chamomile oil, 1 drop clove oil, 1 drop lavender oil diluted in 1 teaspoon of vegetable oil. You may substitute peppermint oil if you do not have clove oil.
Info from Valerie Ann Worwood included on this page.
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