Lavender Essential Oil

Extracted by steam distillation from the fragrant flowers of the lavender plant, and used for in a wide variety of applications for centuries. The Latin name of lavender is Lavare, which means “to wash”, because it is seen as having a particularly 'clean' aroma.

This was the first later named 'essential oil' discovered by Tisserand in the branch of alternative medicine that has come to be known as aromatherapy.

Antiseptic, antibiotic, anti-fungal, anti-viral, anti-inflammatory 

Bug Repellent*: The smell of lavender essential oil is potent for many types of bugs like mosquitoes, midges, and moths. Apply some of the lavender oil on the exposed skin when outside to prevent these irritating bites. Furthermore, if you do happen to be bitten by one of those bugs, the lavender essential oil has qualities that will reduce the irritation and the pain associated with bug bites

It induces sleep, frequent studies on (elderly) patients have shown it has such a relaxing impact on people that it can often replace modern medicine for sleep issues.

Soporific* (induces sleep). Frequent studies on (elderly) patients have shown it has such a relaxing impact on people that it can often replace modern medicine for sleep issues.

Nervous system*: an excellent tonic for nerves and anxiety, helpful for migraines, headaches, depression, nervous tension and emotional stress. It removes nervous exhaustion and restlessness while increasing mental activity. Used frequently to regulate heart-rate variability.

Acne* is a bacterial infection near the sebum gland, which creates a vicious cycle of irritation, infection and visible sores that can result in serious scarring. This oil inhibits the bacteria that cause infection, regulates over-excretion of sebum, heals the infection and can reduce signs of scarring.

Pain relief*: Excellent for sore, tense muscles, rheumatism, sprains, backache, lumbago, muscular aches,. Regular massage provides relief from joint pain. A study on postoperative pain relief showed that adding the vapour to the oxygen significantly reduced the amount of pain experienced, after a major surgery.

Urinary system: Stimulates urine production, helps restore hormonal balance, reduces cystitis, inflammation of the urinary tract and bladder. Reduces cramps from these and other disorders.

Respiratory systems*: For throat infections, flu, cough, cold, asthma, sinus congestion, bronchitis, whooping cough, laryngitis and tonsillitis. As a vapour, or diluted and applied to the neck, chest and/or back, it loosens and helps naturally eliminate phlegm, relieves congestion, speeds recovery process. The vapour is antibacterial which battles respiratory infections.

Hair*: Very effective on lice, live lice eggs and nits. Very helpful with hair loss. A Sottish study reported more than 40% of alopecia patients had an increase in hair growth from regularly rubbing lavender into their scalp*. Recommended as a preventative measure for male pattern baldness.

Cancer: Though more research is needed, there is a significant amount on the effects of lavender, in combination with other essential oils, in preventing breast cancer in mice and strong indications of lavender battling carcinogenic effects and the presence of cancer.

Blood circulation: Improves blood circulation. Research shows lavender has beneficial effects on coronary circulation. The brain and organs increase their levels of oxygenation, promoting muscle strength and health giving a noticeable boost, skin is bright and flushed with blood, the body is protected from the risk of heart attack and atherosclerosis often associated with poor circulation. It lowers blood pressure and is often used for hypertension.

Digestion: increases the mobility of food within the intestine, also stimulates the production of gastric juices and bile, aiding in the treatment of indigestion, stomach pain, colic, flatulence, vomiting and diarrhoea. 

Immunity: Regular use is indicated as providing resistance to a variety of diseases like TB, typhoid, and diphtheria.

Skin*: Used to treat acne, wrinkles, psoriasis, with chamomile it treats eczema, and all inflammatory skin conditions. It speeds the healing of wounds, cuts, burns, sunburns and reduces the formation of scar tissue. 

Wimin iused to treat leucorrhoea (vaginal discharge).

Blends well with most oils particularly cedar wood, pine, clary sage, geranium and nutmeg.

Word of Caution

It is recommended that diabetics avoid this oil. It can cause allergic reactions in people with unusually sensitive skin. Excessive use may create nausea, vomiting and/or headaches. Only apply topically or inhale. Lavender eo should never be ingested, ingestion can cause serious complications, including blurred vision, difficulty breathing, burning eyes, vomiting, and diarrhoea!\

* coming very soon to recipes blog

For a small list of some of the research done on lavender and other oils see the references on

http://link.springer.com/article/10.2165/00023210-200620040-00001

Clary Sage EO

Clary Sage is extracted by steam distillation from the buds and leaves of the Salvia Sclarea plant. It is believed to be native to Europe and has been highly praised as a medicinal plant throughout history, owing particularly to its numerous benefits for eye health and vision.
A close relative of garden sage, sometimes called “Muscatel Oil”, due to its use for this traditional flavouring.

The chief components are Sclareol, Alpha Terpineol, Geraniol, Linalyl Acetate, Linalool, Caryophyllene, Neryl Acetate and Germacrene-D. Clary means clear, Sage wisdom.
The oil was and still is primarily used as an eye cleanser. However it has many other medicinal applications

Antidepressant: can boost self esteem, confidence, hope and mental strength, thereby efficiently fighting depression, whether due to failures in career or personal life, insecurity, loneliness, stagnation, death of a friend or loved and many other reasons. Relieves anxiety, it can be systematically administered to depression sufferers undergoing rehabilitation.

Anti convulsive: calms, sedates tense nerves, brings peace of mind and reduces convulsions, whether their epileptic or from another nervous or mental condition or disorder.

Antispasmodic: It relaxes nerve impulses and doesn’t allow uncontrollable spasms to occur so is an effective treatment for spasms, muscle, including respiratory system cramps, spasmodic coughs, stomach aches, headaches and spasmodic cholera.

Antibacterial: kills bacteria and fungi, curbs growth and spread of bacterial infections and protects against new infection. Particularly beneficial in curing bacterial infections in the colon, intestines, urinary tract and excretory system. Equally effective in inhibiting harmful bacteria entering our body through water or food.

Antiseptic: Applied topically prevents wounds becoming septic or infected with tetanus. It can protect the body during surgical recovery in all varieties of wounds.

Aphrodisiac: Boosts libido and feelings of sexual desire, very effective in treating frigidity, psychological problems resulting in loss of libido, and even impotency. Effective in males and females, it affects the hormones by increasing testosterone levels, which in turn increases interest in sexual activities and apparently performance.

Astringent:It's astringent properties strengthen gums, it also strengthens and tones the skin, muscles and hair follicles, preventing/minimising hair loss. It functions as an antioxidant by tightening up skin sagging due to free radicals present in the body.

Skin Health: it contains an ester called linalyl acetate, which reduces skin inflammation and heals rashes, it balances and regulates the production of natural oils in the skin, reducing both oily and dry skin making skin look younger. Recommended to be used directly, or mixed into a carrier oil to facilitate maximum absorption and effect.

Carminative: Can eliminate gas quickly, through flatulence, which reduces bloating. It also inhibits the formation of gas.

Emmenagogue: If you are having troubles with irregular, obstructed or painful menses or menopause, try Clary Sage before seeing a gynaecologist. It has no adverse side effects but simply stimulates the opening of obstructed menses, while easing pain. It also cures dizziness and mental irritation during periods and helps regulate them. Excellent for treating Post Menopause Syndrome. It reduces the symptoms and negative effects associated with menstruation like cramping, bloating, mood swings and food cravings by balancing hormone that can run rampant during this time.

Euphoric: Can induce feelings of immense joy, confidence, pleasure, high spirits and fill one with the desire to live life to the fullest. Frequently used to cure depression, chronic stress and anxiety.

Hypotensive: is the antonym of Hypertensive. Very effective in reducing blood pressure by relaxing the veins and arteries, which reduces the risk of heart attack, stroke, atherosclerosis and brain haemorrhaging. Reduces blood pressure, widens the blood vessels allowing increased circulation, increased oxygenation to muscles and the organ systems, which boosts their and overall metabolic performance.

Nervine: Sedates nervous convulsions, nervousness, vertigo, anxiety and hysteria.

Sedative: Reduces inflammations, has an undeniably calming effect. Gives great comfort from chronic stress or anxiety disorders.

Stomachic: Heals ulcers and wounds in the stomach. Stimulates efficient absorption of nutrients, digestion of food and regulation of bowel movements. It protects the integrity of your colon and reduces the chance of serious gastrointestinal conditions, including colorectal cancer.

Deodorant: An efficient deodorant without side effects. It is natural and the effects last.

Digestive: promotes and speeds digestion, relieves indigestion, boosts the secretion of gastric juices and bile, relieves cramping, bloating and abdominal discomfort.

Uterine: helps to maintain good health of the uterus before and after menopause, including uterine tumors, bleeding, and pain, it regulates hormones reducing chances of uterine and ovarian cancer.

Other Benefits: Can battle addiction (particularly drugs) and stimulate a change in mentality towards a positive approach to life. It is anti-inflammatory, can treat back aches and joint pain. It regulates excess sebum production, preventing acne from forming. Eases labour by reducing pain.

A Few Words of Caution: It's relaxant, sedative nature can enhance the intoxicating effects of alcohol and other narcotics. Heavy dosage can cause headaches. Pregnant or nursing women are often advised to avoid using it, though it is highly recommended to have a bottle handy for the actual birth!

Blending: Lemon, Lime, Orange all citrus, Lavender, Pine, Juniper, Geranium, Sandalwood, Jasmine and Frankincense.

An Unexpected Love - a piece by Heli St Luce

I fell in love with my body today

Stopped looking at it for a moment through the world's eyes

That compare and judge, criticise, condemn and despise

I felt it's strength of muscle and bone

The warmth of my skin, it's shades, it’s tones

The fact that it takes by yielding gives in receiving, soft, lush, pliable

I liked for the first time in all my years that my hands

Sink into my tummy and almost disappear

Hands that shape, mould, strain

To re create that which has been destroyed, build it up again

These hands encircled and cradled

As praise for the way that they pull me through the haze

They form order in the chaos and soothe the craze

My hands in my tummy are stroked as they stroke, held as they hold

My body is amazing.

If I think of all the things it can do. How it carries this heavy mind in warmth

My body is an angel to me

For though it's very visible it's something that I rarely see

I don't want to look and when I do, I see, to my ire

It doesn't fit the perfect shape to which I should aspire. It's wrong.

It reflects my love of the sedentary, the imaginary, it reflects my love of food

It's skin shows; that my ancestors were, (and still are by some)

thought of as animals or lesser, lower beings,

Some assume I'm stupid and can't access finer feelings

My hair shows that despite these beliefs, many of the higher order

Were very keen to fuck those of the animals they didn't work to death or slaughter.

My body has shapes that don't fit, can't sit, over fill, stretch and strain

But it makes love and it cuddles and it laughs so loud,

It has hairs where they choose to grow a silly fact of which I‘m proud

It's is not perky but it is firm, it’s cushioned, fleshy, squishy

It is a body of the most  ancient Goddess figurines

For many thousand years this body was a worshipped form

From the honour to this body some say the earliest societies were born

It is a primeval woman's body not a maiden's, nor a boys

It can only hope to be loved by a fearless warrior for the Goddess

One who embraces peril and adventure for their joys

Who holds their breath to plumb the depths, strives to rise to fresher skies on an unknown shore

These and many mysteries my body holds in store.

Today I fell in love with my body

The feeling faded after a short time, drawn away by thoughts, reverie, contemplation

But it felt so good, those few short moments of internal animation

I'm going to do it again as soon as I may, it comes unbidden,

I hope it stays