What is a Hormone and What Does it Have to Do with Essential Oils?

Nearly everyday we hear someone complain of a hormonal imbalance.  When we do we nod our heads sagely and tsk tsk in sympathy.  How many of us have actually stopped to wonder what a hormone is and how hormones are impacted by essential oils? 


A hormone is a chemical messenger secreted by the endocrine gland.  A hormone will impact the function of another part of the body. Growth hormone impacts the long bones.  Sex hormones impact sexual development and stress will cause the body to secret cortisol.


This article is not meant to be used in lieu of medical treatment. If you suspect you have a hormonal imbalance seek out a doctor to address your concerns. 


So essential oils will mimic the effects of estrogen and in some people throw off the homostasis of the body.  Lavender should not be used by women who have had estrogen based cancers.  Other essential oils that can imitate estrogen include clary sage and geranium.  


You can reduce stress and the production of cortisol by using oils such as sweet orange, bergamot and spearmint which are uplifting.  Other oils to relieve stress and induce sleep include rose essential oils and melissa. 


For more information contact us at Rmichelow@aol.com

W**f My Dog Says! and Lavender Quiets Her Down.

Our coddled dog children deserve to enjoy the benefits of aromatherapy.  After all, we do why shouldn't they?  Well, there are plenty of reasons why direct application of essential oils on dogs is not in their best interest.   

Dogs have thin skin that may not absorb oils well. They can also be allergic to oils and if they are pregnant it is advisable not to use any oils on them.  Sort of unfortunate news especially when one's canine baby is anxious, doesn't like thunder storms and chews the furniture and anything else when left alone and uncrated. 

So what's a devoted dog mommy or daddy to do when their precious hairy son or daughter is woofing for relief?  Yes, there are anti-anxiety drugs for parents who believe their dogs may need them, however there are still efficient ways for canines to relax with aromatherapy. 

The answer is lavender and the method of use is diffusion.  Lavender is generally considered safe for dogs (if you have any questions, check with your vet).  You may diffuse lavender during the day or evening. Lavender's fresh smell will also disguise some doggy odors as well.  The drawback to this diffusion is that you constantly need to be on top of that diffuser ensuring it has it enough lavender.  We suggest using an OmBone from http://www.omstonearomas.com/  or email omstonearomas@yahoo.com for special orders. This terra cotta inexpensive "bone" is actually a personal diffuser that is designed to be attached to your dog's collar. Simply infuse it with a drop or two of lavender and your dog will stay calm for days.  The "bone" can be personalized with your dog's name, breed, astrological sign, mantra or a cool symbol.  Your choice.  It can also be washed when needed.  

So not only will your canine child feel cool, calm and collected, he or she will also look cool when they show off their their attractive OmBone personal diffuser. 

By Rmichelow for Omstonearomas.com

Building an Aroma Wardrobe

Oh there is definitely a glam side to the selection of essential oils. There are "essential" essential oils like eucalyptus and there are the precious, expensive oils, like rose absolute. The "essential" essential oils are your basics, like your white shirt, black pants, black skirt, jacket and pullover in a neutral color. Precious oils are your designer, or signature piece.

Precious oil are your statement oils, just like an Hermes purse or Jimmy Choo shoes. They are the icing on the cake. You don't own alot but you have a few pieces or oils that you pull out for emphasis, such as neroli or melissa.

I have found that sometimes I need some help finding just the right statement piece when I have an important event, so I will turn to the help of a personal shopper in a department store, who somehow manages to find the exactly right thing. Let me be your personal essential oil shopper and offer you some solid advice. When you are first starting out, all the oils are so exciting. It is hard to resist buying everything and seeing how they blend together. It is thrilling to apply the oils or to diffuse them. You will also discover the oils are very expensive, so it pays to take sometime and to think about how you will be using your oils.

As you are aware there is overlap between many oils. It is truly modality where there are alot of options. Rose geranium and rose absolute can both help with hormonal imbalances but the price difference is astronomical. So my advice is to start building your essential oil wardrobe with the basics; these oils are the black skirt, white shirt and black pants, black jacket and neutral pullovers in the essential oils closet. I recommend beginning with extremely versatile oil and then amping up the ante with one precious oil. This is want I recommend, the combinations are endless:

Frankincense, Boswellia carteri Gentle but excellent for all skin types especially mature. Soothing, calms the nervous system, works on the lymph system, reduces pains and swelling. Excellent for depression and respiratory issues. Scent is mild. Blends well with nearly all oils.

Geranium Pelagornium graveolens: Great hormal balancer. Excellent for the skin, can be used neat on acne, relieves muscle spasms, address jet lag, insomnia agitation, fatigue and frustion. Sweetly floral.

Euclyptus Radiata: Stimulating, addresses muscular aches and pains, head ache, antibacterial, antiviral, kills airborne bacteria, works on bronchitis and colds, antiseptic, use on chicken pox, shingles, measles, acne, uplifting, relievesrespiratory problems. Helps with focus and concentration. Smells fresh.

Lavender Lavandula angustifolia: Antidepressent, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antiviral. Relieves anxiety and insomnia, sooths nervous system, helps address PMS, muscular aches and pains, abdominal cramps, nervous stomach, bursitis, hyperactivity, hysterial, encourages self-appreciation. Should not be used by those with estrogenic cancers. Fresh, pleasant, summery

Lemon Citrus Limon: Uplifiting, detoxing, astingent, anti-depressant, joint pain, oily and dull skin, broken capillaries, rejuvenating, helps dislike of exercise. Lemony, citrusy, sunny.

These five oils represent a virtual pharmacopia of oils and many different combinations to address different concerns. I would recommend on basic carrier oil and that would be jojoba oil- its excellent for all skin types and does not leave a greasy film.

Now for our statement pieces --- oils rather. If you suffer from insomnia you may want to consider True Melissa or Melissa Officinalis. This precious oil is the go to oil for insomnia. Sandalwood is also an excellent choice if you are restless, anxious and not sleeping. Or if you are female and you are feeling hormonal, rose absolute with its heady, deep, velvety scent may be just what the doctor ordered. Can't see spending the money? Think about floral infused hydrolats. Hydrolats are the essential oils which were run off during distillation. These oils are all very expensive. You might opt for two - like a designer purse and shoes.

If you don't have the time or desire to blend your own aromas, you might consider selecting a a personal shopper for your oils, blends, body lotions, face creams and gels, http://www.omstonearomas.com/ is just the place for you. Featuring lux creams and lush lotions as well as gel roll-ons, you can pick your product then select your oils, which OmStone will precisely blend. Or just let OmStone know what you are seeking to address, any allergies you may have and they will custom design a product designed just for you. All products are freshly crafted. OmStone products are unique and effective.

There's What in My Face Cream?

There's What in my face cream?  That's what I would like to know.  Today there seems to be an abundance of exotic ingredients that don't make alot of sense to me. 

I am not referring to modern break throughs such as peptides (you can actually feel those working) but it would be nice to understand the difference between pentapeptides and hexapeptides and other peptides?   Other categories of ingredients such as anti-oxidants are critical for skin health but is a goji berry really better than a blue berry?  If so who says and why?  There is also Retin A, Retinal, Retinol, Retinolic acid, Retinaldhydes and vitamin A derived from natural products.  So what's the difference? A good place to start looking for answers is http://www.skinactives.com/.  Not only can you find out the answers to these questions but you can purchase these actives as well.  

But what I find so alarming are some of the more unique ingredients found in todays creams and body lotions.  I  wonder what is the exact purpose and how are they really working.   Check out http://www.beautybrains.com/ for a detailed explaination of how and why snail oil is supposed to work.  Then there are those who swear by Emu oil and animal growth factors.  I'll take essential oils any day.  They are fresh, vegtarian and they smell great and a little goes a long way. 

I think many manufacturers of skincare products and skin professionals who are out to make a name for themselves are looking for a hook - a way to depart from the accepted practice of  breaking down the skin by exfoliating to bring out brighter, new skin. I for one am not convinced that galvanic and electrical treatments to the face are anymore effective than a good 30% peel.  I am open to changing my mind so feel free to post your comments.

Lavender Fatigue

Oops!  I've gone ahead and said it. Lavender Fatigue.  Do you have it?  I certainally do.  It is probably the most over used oil I've come across.

Yes, its chemical properties make it a popular oil.  Its calming and disinfecting and nice for linen closets and your unmentionable drawer.  Its good for the skin.  Its got a gentle aroma.  Yet not only is it over used,  it is used for people who really don't understand this oil and think it smells good with mint or that it is excellent and calming for babies.

Lavender is not good for everyone.  Those with estrogenic based cancers should not use lavender products. My thoughts are that pregnant women and nursing women should not use essential oils and I would not use them on babies.  I am always surprised when people who say they would never, never vaccinate their kids, start plying them with oils and herbs from a very early ages. Vaccinations are at least regulated.  Essential oils are not.

In any case, although I myself like lavender combined with oils such as eucalyptus radiata for massage or bath salts, or even with peppermint, I think it would be nice for those of us in the aromatic world to venture out and try other oils that may offer up some new scentsations! 

How about palmarosa?  This gentle oil has a rosy, slightly grassy scent, which is calming and excellent for skincare.  The oil is well priced and offers up a whole new world of blending possiblities. There's also grapefruit, which is calming and gently stimulating and it can add a devine scent to your laundry.  There's sexy patchouli the scent of the 70's. For other floral scents there is ylang ylang, heady but seductive.

So next time you are thinking up mixing up an interesting synergy leave out the lavender and explore new options.

For fine customized lotions, skincare visit http://www.omstonearomas.com/