Posted on

Mood Boosters How to Transform your Winter Gloom

MoodBosters

When it comes to overcoming some winter blues, aromatically the essential oils have magic effects. Amongst the most effective and warming oils are those provided by the Citrus family. No wonder that nature makes them available in the Australian winter. These oils are also called “Happy Oils” and they are not only mood boosters, but they also have wonderful effects on the skin as well as promote a terrific sense of well-being and happiness.

The essential oils are usually obtained from citrus peels and they offer some 50 different chemical compounds with the well-known limonene (LIM) being the main component. These complex compounds have various effects spanning from gastro-protective to antinociceptive. The table below outlines some of the common actions of the most used citrus oils in BIBI Therapy Practice.

Table 1.Benefits of Citrus oils used in BIBI Therapy practice.

Plant name Latin Name Actions Source
Lemon Citrus lemon Anti-inflamatory

Antiseptic: nourish the skin and protecting skin microbiota

Antinociceptive

Eupeptic

Antibacterial: inhibits the growth of certain bacteria

 S1

S2
Orange Citrus sinensis Soothes tensed muscles

Aids as a mood lifter

Detoxifier and excellent booster of the immunity

 S4
Grapefruit Citrus paradisi Reduces the accumulation of liquids that cause coughs

Lymphatic drainage

Reduces hangovers effects,

Used to calm headaches, mental fatigue and depression

Powerful antibacterial: Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhimurium, Serratia marcescens and Proteus vulgaris.

 S5
Lime Citrus aurantifolia relieve stress, exhaustion and anxiety or calm your mind

rheumatism and arthritis and varicose veins

 S1

S6
Caution: All Citrus oils are photosensitive That means they react to sunlight, radiant energy andother UV radiation. If you apply topically the oils on the skin allow minimum 12 hours before you expose the skin to any UV radiation including sunlight.

 

If you would like to get a personal consultation from me and learn how to use Citrus essential oils to beat the winter glooms, you can contact me here. Let’s stay connected!

 

Precautions

If you have a sensitive skin, make sure you conduct a patch test before using them. 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 any ailments you may suffer. The information and reference guides provided here are intended solely for education only. Please seek advice from a specialist or your health care provider.

 

References

S1: Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2013: 859083. doi: 10.1155/2013/859083

S2: Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2017; 2017: 4517971. doi:10.1155/2017/4517971

S3: Chem Cent J. 2015; 9: 68

S4 Mercola 2016

S5 Int. J. Food Sci. and Techn., 2011;46(7):1455-1461

S6 Flavour and Fragrance Journal March 3, 2003

Posted on

Carrier Oils Use in Aromatherapy– So Many Choices

What Does The Research Show?

Carrier oils used in Aromatherapy are commonly cold pressed oils that are used as a Base to dilute an essential oil. Because of their potency, essential oils must be diluted before being applied to the skin. Standard dilutions of essential oils in carrier oils range from 2% to 10%. For a body massage, usually about a tablespoon of carrier oil is sufficient. The dilution ratio of an essential oil depends on various factors such as the way in which it is used, and the age of the client being treated.

Carrier oils are vegetable, nut or seed oils many of which themselves have therapeutic properties (Worwood 1991). Carrier oils used in Aromatherapy should be cold pressed to ensure that they are free of chemical agents used due to processing. The most commonly used carrier oils in Aromatherapy are Almond, Grapeseed, Apricot Kernel, Avocado, Sunflower, Soya, Sesame and Wheatgerm. When choosing carrier oils, BIBI Therapy considers the comedogenic rating of the carrier oils. This rating describes the level to which the oil clogs the pores of the skin with ratings from 0 (will not clog pores) to 5 (will most probably clog the pores), Table 1.

(1) Sweet almond oil (Prunus dulcis): light in texture, clear pale yellow. It is considered to have a relatively low clogging level, it is widely acclaimed and recognised the most popular massage oil; it can be used on all skin types.

(2) Grape seed oil (Vitis vinifera L.) is a popular and easily available oil of a medium texture. Its uses include oily skin; due to its linoleic acid content (Prado et al 2012).

(3) Apricot Kernel (Prunis armeniaca) – similar to sweet almond oil, with its high level of fatty acids it would be best used as a natural emollient for the skin. Aromatherapists use it on the face and neck.

(4) Avocado (Persea Americana) oil is very concentrated in nutrients for the skin (vitamin A, D, E, antioxidants, unsaturated fats). Therefore some of the acclaimed uses are for dry skin, inflammation of the skin, wrinkled skin including on the face as well as pain and inflammation reduction in osteoarthiritis (Christensen et al 2008).

(5) Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) oil has a zero comedogenic rating and very high linoleic acid content. Therefore, this humble oil is the perfect choice for body massage. Furthermore, its vitamin and nutrient rich content has multiple therapeutic effects ranging from antioxidant effects on the skin to wound healing and repair (Lin et al 2017).

Table 1: Comedogenic parameters for some common carrier oils used in BIBI Therapy practice.
Base oil Latin name Comedogenic rating Comments
Sweet Almond Prunis dulcis 2-3 Particular circumstance to use would be as moisturizer for dry skin; soothes stressed and sores muscles; as adjuvant for light forms of dermatitis
Grape seed Vitis vinifera L unknown High linoleic acid composition makes it the choice in breaking down the oleic sebum produced by the skin
Apricot kernel Prunus armeniaca 3-5 Beneficial in suppressing the generation of overall body malodour
Avocado Persea americana 2 May be beneficial in wound healing
Sunflower Helianthus annuus 0 Cold pressed sunflower oil has a range of nutrients and antioxidants

Not All Sunflower oils are best for your skin. Look for cold pressed, organic
This humble sunflower offers the least pore-clogging yet calming effect as base-carrier oil for massage.

For more information on how to use carrier oils contact BIBI Therapy via Facebook page. And 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 any ailments you may suffer. The information and reference guides provided here are intended solely for education only. Please seek advice from a specialist or your health care provider.

References

Christensen et al 2008, Osteoarthritis Cartilage, 16 (4) 399-408 http://www.oarsijournal.com/article/S1063-4584(07)00318-4/fulltext

Lin et al, 2017, Int J Mol Sci. 2018 19(1): 70. 10.3390/ijms19010070

Prado et al, 2012, J. Food Engineering, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfoodeng.2011.10.007

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