by UrbanSqueezeWeb | Dec 1, 2017 | Essential Oils
Your skin is your body’s biggest organ and is exposed to numerous damaging conditions every day. Dry skin can be a major problem and one that can bring about a lot of additional problems including itching, burning and flaking. Over time dry skin can lead to chronic wrinkling and inflammatory conditions like psoriasis and eczema. While the root cause of dry skin may be a variety of environmental and internal issues, choosing the right essential oils that help balance skin health can be a big help.
Some essential oils are both calming and gentle, helping to soothe irritated, inflamed skin. Some, like German Chamomile and lavender contain anti-inflammatory properties. The key to using essential oils successfully is to find the right one for your skin, in the right type of product. Maybe you’ll like the way oil feels on your body but not on your face, for example. Or maybe you don’t like the feeling of straight oil or serum, but you can find a lotion with extracts of essential oils. Experiment with different formulas until you find something that works for you.
In addition to relieving dry skin and the various symptoms associated with it, the aroma of essential oils helps to provide additional health benefits. Essential oils can help reduce anxiety, improve happiness, reduce stress, and more. Not only will you be giving yourself healthier skin, but could also be creating better overall health and well being. So what are the best essential oils to use to treat dry skin?
- Lavender – Lavender essential oil can soothe the body and mind and also provide nourishment to the skin to help replenish and hydrate it. Lavender oil is a traditional treatment for many skin conditions. It’s derived from lavender flowers and contains linalool and linalyl aldehyde, which are known for their anti-inflammatory agents and pain reducers. It provides plenty of aromatherapy benefits along with healthier skin.
- Sandalwood – Sandalwood oil is moisturizing and soothing, with anti-inflammatory and anti-itching properties. Many people also use sandalwood oil for stress relief, adding a few drops to a hot bath to promote relaxation. Sandalwood oil isn’t recommended for pregnant women.
- Rose – Rose essential oil is not only wonderful smelling, it provides calming effects on the mind, AND helps promote better skin health. This essential oil reduces irritation and burning, and helps to moisturize the skin as well.
- Manuka oil – This essential oil has regenerative properties to help heal broken skin, and reduce inflammation and swelling associated with various skin conditions. Manuka oil is very similar to tea tree oil, but while tea tree can be toxic when taken orally in large doses, Manuka is not.
Before using essential oils, test a small amount on your skin to ensure you aren’t allergic or susceptible to any adverse reactions. If you believe you have something more severe than just dry skin, talk to your doctor about your condition and treatment methods before attempting the use of essential oils.
by UrbanSqueezeWeb | Oct 3, 2017 | Essential Oils
In the 17th century, when all of Europe was in the thrust of the Black Plague, a small band of marauding thieves seemed immune to the disease. They would enter the homes of plague victims and have no fear of touching the bodies as they searched for jewelry and money. When the band of thieves was caught, the King demanded to know their secret.
The thieves’ secret had to do with the oils they rubbed on their bodies – their family was from a long lineage of apothecaries, they had knowledge about how to use oils medicinally and prophylactically against disease. The King got the exact formulation they were using against the black plague which according to legend, saved his entire family from the disease. Today we think of essential oils as mere pleasant additions to a relaxing massage. But in olden days, some cultures valued oils even more than gold because their powerful healing properties were known.
The body’s immune system is what’s responsible for fighting disease and infection by the production of white blood cells and antibodies. But it can be difficult to maintain healthy immune function in today’s toxic and stressed environment. With constant exposure to harmful germs and bacteria, poor diet, and lack of sleep, body system stress can negatively affect physical and emotional health. Along with the belief that prevention is better than cure, aromatherapy recognizes the fact that when the body’s vital force is strong, it can overcome disease organisms.
When you have a strong immune system, you are less likely to get ill or if you do get caught off guard your body will be able to easily defend itself. Having certain chronic ailments makes you more susceptible to illness.
The imbalances of immunity can actually be treated with essential oils that build immune system efficiency and integrity. Imbalances can be treated with circulatory essential oils like diuretics, diaphoretics, circulatory regulators or venous tonics, while disinfecting and blood purifying oils can get rid of toxins and pathogens.
Many essential oils have a remarkable ability to both support the immune system and increase one’s rate of healing. One way these oils fight infection is to stimulate the production of white corpuscles, which are part of the body’s immune defense. Still other essential oils encourage new cell growth to promote faster healing. All can be used in conjunction with herbal remedies designed to improve immunity. Relaxation achieved through a massage or bath lowers stress, improves sleep, and thus stimulates the immune system.
There are several essential oils that build immune system integrity by strengthening, stimulating and acting as antibacterial and antiviral agents.
To help restore and strengthen the immune system, use:
- Eucalyptus
- Rosemary
- Sage
- Pine
- Thyme
- Tea tree
- Peppermint
- Juniper
- Bergamot
- Ginger
- Lavender
- Lemongrass
- Myrrh
To help relieve stress and balance psycho-neuro-endocrine function:
- Lavender
- Basil
- Marjoram
- Bergamot
- Geranium
To help stimulate the elimination of excess mucus:
- Tea tree
- Niaouli
- Rosemary
- Thyme
- Sage
- Cajeput
To help the efficiency of detoxifying organs:
- Lemon
- Juniper
- Rosemary
- Eucalyptus
While each of the essential oils above can be used alone, you may find that you enjoy blending them as well. You can experiment to find a blend that works best to support your health. Here’s one possible recipe for using aromatherapy for an immune system health booster.
One of the most beneficial ways for you to get the most from your essential oils is by diffusing them – hence, the term Aromatherapy. Diffusing immune supportive essential oils on a daily basis is a great first line of defense. Using essential oils in a massage blend or rub is also very helpful. The essential oils will be absorbed slowly and over a several hours period of time. With a few exceptions, essential oils should always be diluted into a carrier oil or lotion before being applied to the skin. Some oils can cause a sensitive skin reaction, which should pass quickly once removed. Some oils contain very strong chemicals constituents and if used undiluted can actually cause skin damage.
In using aromatherapy for immune system health (or for any purpose), please use common sense about when to treat yourself and when to call your doctor. Essential oils are not meant to replace the advice and care of your regular medical provider.
by UrbanSqueezeWeb | Sep 2, 2017 | Essential Oils
Essential oils are an integral part of your personalized experience here at the Wellness Collective. We want you to gain the benefits of better health and balance while helping you destress and relax. We believe that essential oils can effectively treat common ailments. Aromatherapy can also help trigger certain states of mind for rejuvenation and relaxation.
By incorporating rich essential oil blends that are designed for your health and relaxation, we can help you find the balance you deserve. Your mind and body are worth it. By using essential oil in massage, we are able to use the healing powers of nature in combination with the health benefits of time-honored muscle relaxation techniques. Studies have shown that essential oils and massage can create a perfect storm of health benefits such as improved sleep quality, reduction of anxiety, stabilization of mood, increased mental capacity, and improvement in memory.
As our stress increases, our bodies break down until muscles grow tense, our systems suffer, and our minds can’t focus. Research suggests that 90% of illness are caused or made worse by stress. This is due to the release of the stress hormone called cortisol. Massage and essential oil application can reduce cortisol dramatically and allow serotonin (a feel-good, anti-pain hormone) to increase. This extra boost helps you fight off pain and anxiety leading to a happier, healthier lifestyle.
We use aromatherapy to create calming and soothing scents that induce relaxation and clarity. With our AromaTouch technique, we apply eight specific therapeutic grade essential oils to trigger relaxation and balance, and offer it for most of our massages.
Our goal is to provide you with a customized, holistic experience that will help rejuvenate you and your body. We are just as rough on our minds as we are on our bodies and essential oils provide a bridge between nature and our busy world.
We use blends from the doTerra collection because they are thoroughly tested and provide superior quality for naturally safe and effective therapeutic-grade essential oils. They take intricate care in the harvest, distillation, and distribution of their oils so we know that you’ll receive the best possible care at our hands.
Your mind, body, and health are worth it. Set up your appointment today and feel the benefits first hand. If you’re a new client, make sure you check out our New Client Special. Our summer 6 pack discount is still going strong. Don’t miss out!
by UrbanSqueezeWeb | Sep 2, 2017 | Essential Oils
Essential oils are a wonderful way to soothe discomfort, ease aches, and connect intimately with your body’s changes as it adapts to create a place of protection and warmth for your baby’s development.
There are some things you should know, however. There are some essential oils that become unsafe during pregnancy (some may cause contractions).
Don’t worry! We’ve compiled a great list of essential oils that can be used during pregnancy (with a few examples of how they can be used), and those that you should avoid.
It is not recommended to ingest essential oils without first verifying that they are safe for ingestion, and always consult your doctor to discuss essential oil use during your pregnancy.
List of Essential Oils Safe for Use during of Pregnancy
- Bergamot – Can be used topically or inhaled. Helps with cold, flu, insomnia, congestion, itching, rashes, stress, tension, upset stomach, and more.
- Eucalyptus – Antiviral, antiseptic, and anti-inflammatory properties
- Geranium – Mix a few drops with a carrier oil and apply to painful joint areas to ease aches.
- Ginger – Fantastic for indigestion, especially when mixed with peppermint. Mix 1-2drops of each and apply the blend in a clockwise motion over your stomach and the bottom of the feet.
- Grapefruit – Wonderful for easing water retention.
- Lavender – Lavender is safe for use after 12 weeks of pregnancy. It helps relieve the pain of pregnancy and reduce water retention. It also helps keep you calm and balanced.
- Lemon – Great for helping reduce water retention and also fills you with energy.
- Lime – Excellent in combination with ginger for morning sickness.
- Neroli – Helps with anxiety and “pregnancy nerves”
- Peppermint – Use peppermint oil sparingly toward the end of pregnancy and while breast feeding, as it has been known to decrease milk production.
- Sweet Orange – Can make you feel happy, uplifted, and calm
- Ylang Ylang – Fantastic all-around essential oil that lowers blood pressure and eases stress and tension. A few drops of this oil in a hot bath can help relieve muscle pain.
There are essential oils that are wonderful for you at times and at other times they are unsafe during pregnancy. Some cause contractions and others can hurt the development of your baby.
These are Essential Oils to AVOID:
Coriander, Costus, Deertongue, Elecampane, Horseradish, Hyssop, Juniper Berry, Melilotus, Mustard, Mugwort, Nutmeg, Origanum, Parsley, Rosemary, Rue, Sassafras, Savin, Savory, Tansy, Thyme, Tonka, Wintergreen, Wormwood
Some safety tips:
- ALWAYS verify if an essential oil is safe to take internally, they will be marked. Consult with your doctor before ingesting any oils.
- Always use essential oils with carrier oil (such as coconut, almond, avocado etc.) The dilution amount should be 1%, which means 6 drops of essential oil to one ounce of carrier oil.
- When using a diffuser, always use a cold cold mist diffuser as heat will degrade the oils. Diffuse approximately 30-60 minutes on and one hour off.
- Never add essential oils to the birthing pool.
- Make sure you buy 100% organic oils from trusted sources to prevent exposure to toxic fertilizer and pesticide chemicals that could harm you or your child.
If relaxation is what you are looking for, consider booking a pregnancy massage with us here at the Wellness Collective instead. Our Prenatal Massage works to reduce back pain, tension, and hip discomfort. This aids in keeping stress low and maintaining a healthy pregnancy.
by UrbanSqueezeWeb | Jul 28, 2017 | Essential Oils
There are so many different commercial air fresheners out there to choose between. From “Summer Breeze” to “Tropical Getaway” the variations are seemingly limitless. However, with these commercial products often comes a long list of chemicals that we cannot even begin to pronounce. These chemicals are created to artificially achieve a desired scent, but often do not even actually smell like the origin of the product itself. It is like the banana flavored taffy that is so overly sweet that it does not actually even taste like a real banana. There is nothing authentic about that!
Many of us love to freshen up out homes and make them smell new and vibrant, but how do we do that without spraying these harmful chemicals into the air that we breathe? Essential oils! Essential oils are created from the extraction of a plant or herbs natural oils and properties and then distilled into a concentrated useful product. Not only do they actually smell like the real materials that they come from, but also offer physical and mental benefits as well. Your grocery store air freshener will not do that!
So how do you take these little bottles of essential oils and make your home smell fresh like summer? We have put together a list of different oil friendly methods to accomplish this while also using them for more than just air refreshers
Diffuse
This is one of the easiest methods and usually the first for new oil users. A diffuser is a device that mixes your oils with water and turns them into a vapor to widely disperse your oils into the air. The beauty of this is that you can mix a variety of oils at a time and customize your own favorite scents. One of our favorites is a mix of lemon, lavender, and peppermint. Not only does this smell fresh and vibrant, but is also known as the allergy trio. The combination of these three oils helps relieve seasonal allergies and help brighten your home at the same time!
Clean
Did you know that you can use your oils to clean your home? Thanks to many oil’s antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties they make for an exceptional companion to your house keeping needs. Do you have a crusty burned cookie sheet? Put a couple of drops of lemon oil on the pan and spread evenly. Let sit for up to an hour and the grime will be easier to wipe away. Orange oil is great for wood furniture and flooring. Mix in a glass spray bottle with distilled water and witch hazel (mixing agent for the oil and water) and spray on your floor before mopping. You can also put a couple of drops on a washcloth and rub into wood furniture to nourish and restore its rich character.
Wear
Wearing oils is another great way to enjoy your oils wherever you go. The majority of essential oils available are able to be applied topically and offer a huge variety of health benefits as well. Lavender is great for easing feelings of anxiousness or stress and can be applied under the jaw line and the wrists. Peppermint is great for improving your mental focus and giving you that second wind in the midafternoon. Always be sure to check the safety rules for the oils you use, especially when using a new to you oil.
Spray
If you prefer to just be able to do a little spritz of fragrance when you feel like it, spraying is a great option. You can buy little 2oz glass spray bottles online at minimal cost and create a large variety of scents to choose from. When mixing, put a few drops of each of the oils you want into the bottle first. Then fill the bottle to at least a third of the way with witch hazel which serves as a mixing agent for the oils and water. Fill the rest of the way with filtered water and presto! An all-natural uniquely you customized air freshener to keep your home smelling like summer all year long!
by UrbanSqueezeWeb | Jul 7, 2017 | Essential Oils
Essential oils smell amazing and have many great health benefits. However, did you know that they can also be extremely beneficial to athletes and other physically active people? The benefits that essential oils have to offer are abundant and almost limitless. Here are just a few ways that you and your active loved ones can use these oils to help improve your athletic performance and help restore your body.
- Sore Muscles
There are a lot of essential oils that offer soothing effects for sore muscles. A few of the most well-known are wintergreen, lavender, peppermint, and eucalyptus. These oils offer a warming effect that helps soothe pain, calm irritation, and relax the sore muscles.
- Improved Breathing
When you are working out, especially during your cardio sessions, you may feel like your lungs are being strained. You know that painful gasping for air feeling? Utilizing essential oils that open up your airways can help with that immensely. The most beneficial oils for this are eucalyptus, wintergreen, and peppermint. These can be used on their own or can be found in oil blends like doTERRA’s Breathe blend. By opening your airways, you are able to allow more oxygen to pass through your lungs and promote healthy O2 exchange which then fuels your muscles, offering a more productive workout.
- Digestive Aide
When working out it is important that your digestive health is in order too. Most athletes accompany their workout regimen with a healthy nutrition plan. When starting a new plan, your body can go through a period of adjustment. Oils like peppermint, DigestZen, and lemon help aide in healthy digestion and regular movements. These can also help with nausea and heart burn which is also often associated with a change in diet or exercise regimen.
- Injuries
Occasionally an athlete may take a spill on the trail or acquire a few blisters. Oils like lavender, tea tree (melaleuca), and frankincense offer many benefits for these kinds of injuries. These oils can calm irritation, disinfect infected areas, and help restore cell regeneration. Apply these quickly to an affected area for immediate and quick natural first aide response.
- Relaxation
At the end of a long workout session, a bit of R&R is essential. Try mixing some lavender, Peace, or Deep Blue in your Epsom salt and take a nice long bath to soothe those sore muscles and help encourage recovery. Diffusing Roman chamomile, lavender, or frankincense can also help calm your mind and allow you to recharge your strength. Most of all, be sure that you are drinking plenty of water, eating a healthy diet, and listening to your body. You are the best measurement for your health, so be sure to take care of your body and address issues if any arise with your doctor.
