Posts Tagged ‘skin’

Aromatherapy Carrier Oil: Sea Buckthorn

Friday, February 12th, 2010

Although Sea Buckthorn’s use dates back thousands of years to the indiginous people’s of Siberia and China, it has  only recently been discovered by modern man.  Historically it was taken internally for nourishment and used externally to treat burns, circulation, wounds, and skin issues.  This yellow colored berry is jammed packed with nutrients.  Not only does it contain a perfect ratio of Omega 3 and 6,  it also composed of 35% Omega 7, and large amounts of Vitamins  C, A, E, B2, B1, F, K and P.  Thanks to the huge amount of Vitamin E, Sea Buckthorn aromatherapy carrier oil has an extra long shelf life of five years.

This plant survives well in extreme cold and recently companies in Canada have begun to grow it as a cash crop.  These days, you need to make sure that your Sea Buckthorn is not a product of China, for these plants will not contain much Vitamin E or C.  Although the seeds and pulp both have nutrients, they are of a different quality and quantity.  If you are using this aromatherapy carrier oil for skin care, make sure it has been extracted from the pulp.

For those of you who like to put more of everything in your blends, take warning!  Only use a 1% dilution of Sea Buckthorn, Carrier Oil in your formulas.  The high beta carotene content will turn your skin a bronze color. With this  dilution, you can Sea Buckthorn aromatherapy carrier oil as an anti-inflammatory to reduce swelling, and flush wounds.   It can also be used in skin rejuvenation and accelerated healing for eczema, acne, rosacea, acne scars, stretch marks, bedsores, heat or radiation burns, sunburn, skin ulcers, wrinkles and dry skin.   When taken internally as a food supplement, it has been known to strengthen blood vessels and cell walls and improve circulation.

Aromatherapy Celebrations! Neroli Facial Cream contains Sea Buckthorn.

Tell us about your experiences with Sea Buckthorn aromatherapy carrier oil!

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Aromatherapy Carrier Oil: Avocado

Saturday, February 6th, 2010

I’ve always enjoyed taking guacamole (avocado dip) to summer parties.  You can make it easily by mashing the yellow green pulp and putting additives in such as garlic, salsa, curry, or tamari.  Everyone loves the rich, creamy texture, and the way it adheres to their chips.  What I didn’t know is that the common, egg shaped, avocado is a power house of vitamins and minerals, and similar to olive oil in it’s ratio of saturated and unsaturated fats. Did you know that an avocado is 60% richer in potassium than a banana, and has a high quantity of  the B vitamins, vitamin E and K?  It is also blessed with Vitamin C, calcium, magnesium phosphorus,  zinc and a high fiber content.

Avocados are also popular because you can use them as a science project for your kids.  Just put  an avocado pit in a glass of water and watch it grow!  However, you want to make sure your pets don’t get curious about why this plant is getting all the attention.  Avocado plants; their leaves, bark, skin and pits are toxic to animals.  Although the avocado is easily grown from seed, commercial growers do not propagate their trees in this manner.  Instead, they use grafting and rootstocks, because this way yields a clone of it’s parent and produces fruit much faster.

The avocado appears to be very ancient.  The oldest remnants, dated at 10,000 years, have been traced to a cave in Coxcaltan, Mexico.  The Aztecs called it the “fertility fruit”, and it’s name in Nahuatl means testicle.  This unusual plant has flowers that bloom in the morning as one sex, close and then later in the day they open as the opposite sex.  And their crop bearing seems to run with the same theme of yin and yang.  (One year is bountiful and the next year is scanty)  Perhaps the Indians used the avocado in some way during their fertility rituals.

Native to the warm, humid climates of the Caribbean, Mexico, South and Central America, the Avocado is now also grown in drier climates of California and New Mexico.  Although Mexico is the largest producer of avocados, most of the ones we eat in the US, are grown in our own country.

Avocado as an aromatherapy carrier oil is noted for its regeneration and rejuvenation properties of the skin.  High in sterolins, it will heal age spots, sun damage and diminish scaring.  Avocado oil has also been shown to increase the skin’s collagen, making it a great oil for mature skin.  It is easily deeply absorbed  and has excellent emollient properties.  Use this aromatherapy carrier oil as a moisturizer to diminish wrinkles and heal, eczema, psoriasis, dry, dehydrated or undernourished skin.

Try Aromatherapy Celebrations! Neroli Facial Cream.  It contains Avocado oil!

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Aromatherapy Carrier Oil: Macadamia Nut

Thursday, December 24th, 2009

Packed with a high nutritional content, Macadamia nuts were eaten by the Australian Aborigines for thousands of years to supplement their diet.  Macadamia nuts have the highest amount of monounsaturated fat of any nut, (22% Omega 7, plus omega 6 and 3),  and they are rich in calcium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, selenium, iron, thiamine, riboflavin, and niacin.  Although native to Australia, these nuts are now grown in several other countries, with the largest producers being Australia and Hawaii.

Because most species of Macadamia are toxic, only two species  (Macadamia Integnfolia and  Macadamia Tetraphylla), can be eaten or used in aromatherapy.  Most Macadamia trees are propagated by grafting,  due to rapid hybridizing in the wild.  Although this evergreen tree will bear nuts for 100 years, it must mature for seven years before it’s nuts will be  ready for harvest.

Macadamia Nut oil is great as a skin conditioner, protectant, and emollient.  It tones and regenerates mature and dry skin and helps retain your skin’s moisture.  This aromatherapy carrier oil closely resembles our skin’s sebum and has a high absorption rate.  Macadamia Nut  oil can also be used to diminish scars, and heal sunburns, minor wounds and irritations.  If stored properly, (in a cool dry place, away from heat and direct sunlight), it will keep for a period of three years.  I’m sure you’ll want to add this Australian oil to your repertoire.

Let us know about your Macadamia Nut experiences!

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