Benzoin EO

This golden, aromatic, thick, resinous oil with a vanilla-like aroma has been used for thousands of years, in some of the oldest civilizations for religious ceremonies and as a medicine.

Styrax benzoin is a tree with hairy, oval leaves and fleshy, greenish yellow flowers, it grows to about 20 m (66 ft). Originating in Laos and Vietnam, now grown in Malaysia, Java and Sumatra. Benzoin is the gum resin which exudes from the bark when tapped, the trees produce resin for about 15 to 20 years.
The name is derived from the Arabic (luban-jawi), ‘frankincense from Java’.

In addition to it's document use by the Ancient Greeks and Romans: In 1461, the Sultan of Egypt, Melech Elmazda, sent the Doge of Venice 30 rotoli - 80kg/177lb! The Queen of Cyprus received 15 rotoli from the Sultan in 1476. In 1623, the British set up a factory in Siam (Thailand) to produce and export benzoin.

Nostradamus, gave many recipes using benzoin in a script published in 1556. He classified it as antispasmodic and a tonic for skin infections. In France it was noted as; a pulmonary balsam, taken for colds,‘flu and as an anti-asthmatic. In Britain it was also used as an inhalant and application for ulcers and wounds.

I always keep it in the house and use it undiluted on small wounds and scars, to heal and reduce them respectively - I have sensitive, keloid skin

It's main properties are;

Antidepressant - It uplifts mood, stimulates the heart beat and improves circulation. 

Carminative – flatulent, its relaxing effects relieve inflation of the intestines. It relaxes muscular tension in the abdominal area helping gases pass out, which helps digestion and improves appetite.

Cordial - when inhaled and transmitted to the brain, it stimulates the nervous centre, the heart beat and improves circulation giving a warm feeling. 

Deodorant – Antiseptic – Anti-inflammatory - Anti-rheumatic - 

Relaxant/Sedative - relieves anxiety, tension, stress in the nervous and neurotic systems, relaxes anxiety and stress and tranquillizes. One to be avoided by students, particularly when they intend to study over night.

Disinfectant -an excellent antiseptic, a very effective germicide, bactericide, fungicide and antiviral substances. Its smoke disinfects the zone in which it spreads. Applied externally, it prevents sepsis.

Diuretic - facilitates urination, in frequency and quantity, helping remove toxins from the blood. Urination also helps lower blood pressure, lose weight and improve digestion.

Expectorant - loosens mucus from the respiratory system - trachea, bronchi, lungs - which relieves congestion and eases breathing. Benzoin's tranquillizing properties relax and induce sleep during extreme coughs and colds, it is also used in balms, rubs and vaporizers.

Vulnerary – heals minor wounds

Astringent – causes contraction of skin cells and body tissues, this reduces bleeding from minor abrasions and makes the skin less oily.

Alwareness March 17 - 2 continuing on the theme....

In my opinion there are only two types of women, those who have orgasms like falling off a log and those who have to make an effort to have an orgasm. The girls who have orgasms like falling off a log are usually slaves to the Quim and the larger group who don't see sex largely as a tool or a weapon. Which is not to say that the first group don't or that the second group don't enjoy sex, never have orgasms or aren't also ruled by queen Quim

For myself I can't see the point of having something attached to you or a part of your body that people want to grope but that has little if any sensation. It seems to me that if women are willing to cut through their breasts and in many cases of breast reduction cut off their nipples as well as their inner labia lips so they have breasts and vagina's that they think are more attractive, they cannot be getting much pleasure from these more attractive places. Which means that our sex education is seriously messed up.

How many women listening think it's disgusting or strange, weird, inappropriate, not done to pleasure themselves? If as is the case with far too many women you have no idea how or can't give yourself an orgasm how and why on earth would/do you expect someone else to be able to?

To truly enjoy getting the benefits of getting older we need to come into our sexuality. As you get above 40 having orgasms becomes easier. Unfortunately by the time they get to 40 lots of women have had so many horrible or just inadequate sexual experiences they are not interested in it any more. This is actually cutting off their access to simple and easy rejuvenation.

Some women say they like anal sex. Every one I asked said no they didn't like it the first few times but they got used to it and finally got around to liking it. I remember doing that will alcohol and I wish I hadn't bothered!

One woman said that she'd finally had an orgasm while having anal sex but a longer conversation showed that actually she was just starting to have easier orgasms in general and they were much better when clitoral or vaginal.

My advice to all women of all ages is to get into defining and enjoying your sexuality. Independantly of another especially men.

Once you get over 40 you are too old for guilt, kick it to the kerb. Learn how to pleasure yourself, if you don't already know and give yourself physical, sexual pleasure as often as possible.

I've been talking a lot recently about rape. I think it is important to address what is actually a very common occurrence in our society from childhood to old age. Women all over the world are being raped as I speak.

When I bring this up a sad number of women and far too many men dismiss rape experiences as a 'bad fuck' There is no such thing as a bad fuck. There is either two people engaging in a mutually pleasurable and exciting experience or there is rape.

I am blessed and cursed to have a partner who will not engage in sexual activity with me unless I am fully present. Whenever my mind wanders, if I have a flash back or in anyway am not 100% engaged he stops. Doesn't matter at what stage it is. His doing this has taught me that most of my sexual activity has been rape. Just because you (I) don't(didn't) fight against it or possibly even say anything doesn't make it less so.

Every sexual experience where you were un engaged, uninvited to enjoy each sexual activity, every sexual experience that you were coerced into or did because it was easier than getting home or getting into a fight or argument or where you were too drunk to take part, or where you agreed to do things that did nothing for you – were rape experiences and every single one of them has damaged your ability to connect to your true sexuality and pleasure.

When you can start to admit that these experience were rape, you can begin the journey of connecting to your ability to rejuvenate your core energy. You can begin to recreate the internal connections between your emotional, spiritual, physical, mental and your sexual sides. You can begin to enjoy what it means to be an older woman.

Yes, there can be issues with lubrication, in my experience all lot of that is to do with the fact that most of us are dehydrated the vast majority of the time – a couple of glasses of water and jojoba or coconut oil – both of these are 100% natural fluid waxes so they are fine to use with sex toys which makes them so much better to be putting on or inside you than the nasty (expensive, petroleum derivative) silicone oils that women (and men) are usually persuaded to purchase.

At this point in your life there is a freedom from needing to fear pregnancy (for the heteros) – obviously by this time you know your body and it's cycles so well, you know when the one week is that you can get pregnant and avoid it or take precautions! You know yourself well enough to be able to just explore your sexuality.

Our enjoyment of our sexuality is a baseline connection to our spirituality, which is the key to understanding ourself which is the key to becoming happy.