healingways
Essential Oils for Summer
Healing Fragrances for Bites, Allergies and Sunburn by Kathleen Barnes
A breath of sweet lavender oil can quickly reduce stress. A whiff of lemon oil can energize us.
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ssential oils are not magic or folklore. There is solid science behind them,” says Elizabeth Jones, founder of the College of Botanical Healing Arts, in Santa Cruz, California. Here’s what happens after inhaling lavender, the most popular of all essential oils: The cilia—microscopic cellular fibers in the nose—transport the aroma to the olfactory bulb at the bottom of the brain, from where it proceeds to the limbic brain and directly affects the nerves, delivering a soothing effect. “Or put it on your skin and other properties of essential oils are absorbed straight into the bloodstream,” advises Jones, author of Awaken to Healing Fragrance. Thai studies show that a whiff of lavender oil is calming and lowers blood pressure and heart rate, yet there are many more benefits attributed to the art and science of aromatherapy and essential oils. For those struggling with summer maladies, here are several simple solutions essential oils can provide.
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Milwaukee
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Minor Scrapes, Cuts and Blisters Tea tree oil (melaleuca) is tops, because it contains terpenes that kill staphylococcus and other nasty bacteria and works to prevent infection, according to a meta-analysis from the University of Western Australia. The researchers further suggest that tea tree oil may be used in some cases instead of antibiotics. Oregano and eucalyptus oils are likewise acknowledged for their natural abilities to eliminate infection-causing bacteria, fungi and viruses. “Blend all three for a synergistic effect,” says aromatherapy expert Robert Tisserand (RobertTisserand.com), of Ojai, California. “They sort of leapfrog over each other to penetrate the skin and cell walls.”
Sunburn, Bug Bites and Poison Ivy A small amount of undiluted lavender oil will cool sunburn fast, advises Tisserand. Add a few drops to a dollop of cooling aloe vera gel for extra relief and moisture, suggests Jones. Undiluted lavender is also a great remedy for insect bites, says Tisserand. “You can stop the pain of a bee sting in 20 seconds with a few drops.”