Posted on

Grounded in LOVE with Essential Oils

Rose Petals Phase Mask and Face Mist

I love roses. Do you? If you received so many roses, and don’t know what to do with them read on.

Since I was a child, I learned to appreciate the rose petals beyond their fragile appearance and the exquisite smell. We used rose petals in flavouring the salt or the sugar, we made jam and used them in cooling drinks during the hot summer days. However, this blog is not about the culinary uses of roses. This is the subject of our Nutrition Therapy Blog to be launched soon. Today’s blog is about the Beautifying properties using Rose Petals and Rose Essential oil.

Specifically, I will outline a two of my favourite ways to use rose oil and rose petals for beauty’s sake. It needs to be noted that reference is only made to the Rose Damask type (Rosa damascena), from which the Rose essential oil is extracted.

Favourite # 1

Rose Petal Hydrosol

  • Can be made at home but requires a large amount of petals
  • It is best if it is purchased from a reputable supplier
  • Works wonders as a personal mist spray, similar to the one described in the previous blog
  • The aroma-therapeutic benefits include but are not limited to: excellent hydrating, energising and cooling properties, naturally fragrance that is soothing and helps the regeneration of the skin.
  • Can be emulsified to make your own moisturizer
  • Can be used as a skin toner
  • Can be used in cooking as a flavouring agent
  • Has antimicrobial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities that are confirmed by centuries of use and current research (Mahboubi, 2015)

Favourite #2

Rose Petal Phase Mask includes the use of essential oils. Essentially the mask would target the skin type.

Ingredients: A handful of fresh rose petals if available, else dried petals are always available 1 table spoon of raw honey 1 drop of Rose Essential oil 1 table spoon of White Kaolin Clay 2 table spoons Rose Floral water. The use of more or less water would result in the paste being thicker or thinner. The choice is yours.
Procedure If using fresh petals chop them finely then use a mortar and pestle to grind them well. Add the rest of the ingredients and apply it gently on the face using a fine brush. Rest for about 15 min or until the mask starts to dry but is not fully dried Remove gently with warm water. Enjoy.
BIBI Therapy of this as a Signature Facial Treatment, details Radiance Facial Treatment

For more information on how to formulate your own face mask using essential oils, contact us.

References

Mahboubi, 2015, J Tradit Complement Med. 2015 Oct 30;6(1):10-6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26870673

Posted on

Super-Refreshing Natural Homemade Cooling Mist

Beat the Summer Heat in Style

It’s summer is hotter who knows to keep cooler? I know a way and it’s a spray I hope you’d like and make it straightway.

Well, so far the summer, here in Melbourne has hit us all with its beautiful hot air to the point that in some places even the electricity failed to keep up with the demand.

While having thermal comfort provided by an air conditioning environment is considered a privileged commodity in the 21st century; little do we really know about the diverse indoor air pollutants (e.g. toxins, microbes) that may cause tangible discomfort to our health (Samet and Spengler, 2003).

BIBI Therapy advocates a more holistic approach to keeping cool while achieving odour comfort as well. It is truly simple as well as it is beneficial to the skin microbiome.

The reader has the choice to opt whichever way is suitable for the given individual’s health situation.

My preferred cooling way is using a water/based sprits that I prepare using various herb hydrosols. Some of the advantages making your own mist spray are outlined below:

  • The use of the essential oils in the spray form directly on the skin, keep the sweaty skin free of bacteria and germs;
  • The Peppermint or spearmint oil helps invigorate you with the soft refreshing and cooling properties
  • It is safe to use directly on the skin for the entire family; avoid contact with the eye;
  • The aloe Vera keeps the skin hydrated and helps with any sun exposed regions;
  • It calms the redness and inflammation on acne prone skin
  • It can act as a pH balancer on the skin if it is sprayed on the face, avoiding eye region. Follow with rosehip oil to moisturise for better results.
  • Free from alcohol Palm oil, parabens, mineral oil, synthetic fragrance or colour.

To make the mist just follow the instruction provided below:

Ingredients:Basic Liquid: Lavender hydrosol(10ml) with 100 ml water
Basic Essential Oils: Peppermint or Spearmint 10 drops, Lemongrass Oil 5 drops, Lavender oil 5 drops
Extra Essential Oils: 3 drops of Vetiver or Sandal wood for added perfume benefits
Sage – This will help reduce activity in the sweat glands, which is one of the main causes of body odour.
Aloe Vera Gel
Procedure:Combine the oil with Aloe Vera gel than add the hydrosol and water.
Shake well.
Storage:Store in a glass spritzer bottle to keep the aroma fresh and potent.
For extra cooling effects keep in the fridge.
Use within 2 to 3 weeks of preparation and store in the fridge.
Do not add alcohol as it is drying to the skin.

For more information on how to formulate your own face mist using essential oils, leave a comment below!

Precautions

If you have a sensitive skin, make sure you conduct a patch test before you splash essential oils under your armpit. Check with your family Doctor before attempting to use any essential oil. This is especially important if you are pregnant, nursing or undertaking any special medication including homeopathic medication.

Disclaimer

The information and reference guides provided by BIBI Therapy are intended solely for the general information. Please seek advice from a specialist or your health care provider if you require any advice on medications.

References

Samet and Spengler, Am. J. Public Health 2003, 93(9): 1489-1493

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1447998/

Posted on

Turn Body Stench to Salubrious Skin Beating the Body Odour Smell

Bromhidrosis or body odour is a specific smell an individual has, due to bacterial overgrowth on the skin. The smell is often unpleasant and is related to the specific secretion of sudoriferous (sweat) glands. Most commonly it comprises pheromones, substances that make our unique personal scent.

One’s body odour gets worse under certain conditions, increased bacterial activity due to over sweating as well as a sign of disease (S1). Although, the sweat glands are distributed on various parts of the body (not described here) the unpleasant odour is often localised within the armpit area.

Sweaty Armpit

What can be done to alleviate the problem that may affect your social/work relationships as well as causing psychological distress?

Typical therapy options include:

  • The use of germicidal soap to control the bacterial biofilm;
  • Regular shaving of underarm;
  • The use of antibacterial garments, impregnated with silver or copper;
  • The use of crystal deodorants – that is chunks of salt applied immediately after showering;
  • Surgery or botox injections;
  • And more recently underarm microbial transplants (S2)*

Of course, BIBI Therapy recommends first you try natural therapies. Particularly, it praises the use of essential oils as they have proven benefits for the skin microbiome, in general.

When dealing with a lot of Body Odour the most acceptable antiseptic and anti-bacterial essential oils according to Valerie Ann Worwood are: Lavender, Pine, Thyme, Eucalyptus, Lemon and Bergamot (S3). Not only, using these oils is beneficial for the skin, but you can also formulate your own Deodorant powder or eau de colognes even create your own perfume in an easy way.

You can take control of all aromatic requirements if maintaining natural purity free of any harmful chemicals is important for you.

For more information on how to formulate your own deodorant or perfume, let’s stay connected!

Precautions

If you have a sensitive skin, make sure you conduct a patch test before you splash essential oils under your armpit. Furthermore, dilute 2-3 drops with a teaspoon of carrier oil of your choice and remember to check with your family Doctor before attempting to use any essential oil. This is especially important if you are pregnant, nursing or undertaking any special medication including homeopathic medication.

Disclaimer

BIBI Therapy does not offer a cure for bromhidrosis. The information and reference guides are intended solely for the general information. Please seek advice from a specialist or your health care provider if you require any advice on medications.

* Dr Chris Callewaert, known as Dr Armpit, plans new clinical trials this year, February-April 2018, in Belgium. Contact at info@drarmpit.com if interested.

References

S1 M J Olsson et al, (2014), Psychological Science, 25 (3): 817-823, https://doi.org/10.1177/0956797613515681.

S2 C Calewaert et al (2013), Plos One, August 2013 , https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0070538

S3 Valerie Ann Worwood, The Fragrant Pharmacy: A complete guide to Aromatherapy & Essential Oils, London, 1991