Essential Oils for Hayfever and Allergies

Posted on March 13, 2017December 7, 2020 by Johann Callaghan

Today we are in Wexford and I’m going to be talking to you today about hayfever and hayfever symptoms. At the beach we can enjoy the wonderful salt air. Salt air can be very therapeutic against hayfever. It helps to open up the airways and helps to fight any infectious microbes in the airways. It also acts as a decongestant and it helps to stop the effects of hayfever; water eyes, coughing and sneezing. Hayfever typically occurs between March and Oct. If you experience allergy attacks during the winter, then you are probably experiencing other allergy responses from things like animal fur or dust mites.

In addition to the salt air you can also use aromatherapy and essential oils as a natural remedy to help fight against the symptoms of hayfever. Get a half cup of coconut oil, a quarter cup of beeswax and a quarter cup of almond oil. Into that you can add essential oils. Some good essential oils to use are peppermint oil, eucalyptus oil and lavender oil.

Recipe:

Half cup of coconut oil
quarter cup of beeswax
quarter cup of almond oil
20 drops eucalyptus
10 drops peppermint
10 drops of lavender oil

Mix all the ingredients together and make them into a balm. Apply the balm around the nose. This catches all the pollen in the air and stops it from going into the respiratory system. It therefore stops the allergy symptoms.

Peppermint oil is known for it’s anti-inflammatory effects. It’s highly effective and has a lot more properties but in relation to the hayfever the anti-inflammatory properties are probably the most effective in this case.

Eucalyptus oil helps with opening up the airways and acts as a decongestant and is very power in helping you to breath.

The lavender oil is very calming and helps to calm down the histamine. It is a de-stressor also aswell. It has a very calming effect.

The essential oils are very effective; they are natural and come from the plant. It is highly unlikely for anyone to experience reactions to essential oils because their molecular makeup is similar to our own. They are extremely natural and powerful plant remedies. You can also use this balm when you have colds and flus. Apply to the nose when you are blowing your nose. You can use it as a lip balm, a chest balm, lots of different things.

What happens when we get hayfever?

It’s an over-reaction in our immune system to a response to pollen in the case of hayfever. Our immune system produces immunoglobulin e which causes a production of histamine which in turn causes inflammation effects all over the body. This is what causes all the coughing, watery eyes and sneezing.

So I hope you enjoyed my tips today. Please check out my online courses http://courses.therapeutic-healing.ie. Also you can subscribe to my youtube channel.

Back To School: How to Make a Natural Hand Cleaner [Recipe]

Posted on August 26, 2016December 7, 2020 by Johann Callaghan

Back To School: How To Make a Natural Hand Cleaner [Recipe]

It’s that time of year again and the kids are heading back to school. It’s a perfect time to make an effective hand cleaner with essential oils to help ward off those pesky germs.

This hand cleaner is quite different to the alcohol based cleansers which can contribute to breaking down the skin surface layer and drying out the skin. It is also free of triclosan, a known anti-bacterial chemical ingredient found in hand soaps and body washes which is linked to hormone disruption. This hand cleanser is much gentler and is made with skin nourishing ingredients aloe vera gel and essential oils of Tea Tree and Lavender, full of anti-bacterial properties. Aloe Vera gel is probably best known for treating sunburns and for healing minor wounds. It contains anti-bacterial properties and vitamins and minerals so it is a great one to have for cuts and scrapes. Just what every kid needs!

Ingredients

50ml Aloe Vera Gel (Organic Aloe Vera Gel)
5 drops Tea Tree Essential Oil
4 drops Lavender Essential Oil or Orange Essential Oil

Instructions

Mix all ingredients and store in a squeezable tube or pump bottle. (iNeibo Silicone Travel Bottles)
Use as needed to naturally remove germs from hands.

Use a small funnel to transfer into your bottle. If you wanted to make a spray version of this hand sanitiser, all you have to do is use half distilled water and half aloe vera gel and mix together with the essential oils.

The blend is safe to use on children five years and older. This is a fun and very simple recipe that you can even make with your children. You can use this for cuts and scraps and even as an after sun gel or spray.

Have you ever made a hand cleaner? How did it turn out? Please comment below.

If you like this article, and would like to learn more please visit my online courses page.

3 Ways to Exfoliate Your Skin Naturally

Posted on March 9, 2016December 7, 2020 by Johann Callaghan

To exfoliate is to remove the surface dry skin cells, the outermost layers of the stratum corneum. This helps to increase cell turnover, improve skin texture and improves skin tone leaving you with a lovely glow.

Exfoliation, derived from the Latin exfoliatus (to strip of leaves), is a term that describes any process meant to remove dead skin flakes from the body.

Why is it important to exfoliate?

Well, by exfoliating you improve your skin function and any skin issues like blocked pores which lead to further problems like acne, dull skin, pigmentation and fine lines. The skin is a major organ in your body and we need it to work well. It protects us from pathogens in the environment and helps with the process of phagocytosis. It enables the production of vitamin D together with sunshine and cholesterol on our skin . So we want our skin to have the right acid mantle levels and we want it looking radiant aswell.

What do I use to exfoliate?

You can use chemical or physical exfoliants or you can take a gentle salt bath.

What is a Chemical Exfoliant?

Chemical Exfoliant

These exfoliants include ingredients such as AHAs and BHA, and enzymes such as Pumpkin, Papaya, and Pineapple. These ingredients will dissolve dead skin cells and usually have a deeper exfoliating effect. It penetrates further into the pores meaning it helps with blackheads and acne. Using this type can make the skin sensitive to sunlight so it is best to do this at night. Be sure to use chemical exfoliators that are based in natural ingredients, like fruits, milks, or sugars.

Physical Exfoliant

These products are facial, hand and body scrubs. These usually include ingredients like fine sea salt, apricot kernel or pumice stone powder. For the facial, I use bamboo powder. It is so gentle and effective for facial skin. You can also use a dry skin brush which can also help to improve your circulation. Using gentle but firm pressure, start at the ankles and rub in circular motions working up towards the heart. If you are taking a shower, use a loofah sponge.

Detox Baths

If you wanted a more gentle approach with less physical work, you can take a hot bath using sea salts. Sea salt has a cleansing effect on the skin, gently softens and dissolves away surface dead skin cells. All you need is about 1 cupful. You can add your favourite essential oils to the salt before adding to the water. My favourite is lavender and roman chamomile. It completely relaxes me and really helps with sleeping. Great for anyone with difficulties getting to sleep at night, stress and anxiety. Read my article about various different types of detox baths.

What is your favourite exfoliant? I love to use sea salt with almond oil for it’s rich emollient properties and essential oils of lime and grapefruit for it’s bursting citrusy aroma and detoxifying benefits. Let me know, and if you have any questions, please comment below.

If you enjoyed this article and want to know more, check out our online courses or join our Aromatherapy Empowerment Facebook Group where we offer free advice & tips, recipes and more…

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Are you tired from lack of sleep?

Posted on January 31, 2016December 7, 2020 by Johann Callaghan

Quality of sleep is more important than quantity of sleep. Air, water and food is nourishment for your body. Sleep is nourishment for the soul.

Our body is interconnected with the earth. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the Chinese clock and Circadian rhythms are biology and behavioural changes that follow a roughly 24-hourcycle, responding primarily to light and darkness and so we are related to our environment in deep ways. These rhythms are often out of sync as a result of the influence of our environment. We experience disruption or imbalances which affects our sleep/wake cycle, endocrine function, our body temperature regulator and other regulators of our body’s functions.

There are 12 zones which correlate with the organs in the body. The most important time for deep rest is 11-1 and 1-3 when the Gallbladder and Liver are regenerating. To be in deep rem sleep, go to bed at 10pm. The liver filters toxins. It releases and transform stress hormones, adrenalin and cortisol and insulin.

So, are you tired from lack of sleep? Here’s some natural aromatherapy remedies that may help promote ease and reduce stress to enable a good nights sleep.

Using an Essential Oil Blend

Make up a blend of 50ml Almond oil with 2 drops of Vetiver, 5 drops of Roman Chamomile and 8 drops of Lavender oil. Rub oil blend on the bladder meridian (along the sides of the head), the pituitary and pineal gland (produces melatonin which helps us sleep), heart, wrists. Apply to the back of the neck/occipital; this is where breathing is controlled at the cerebellum/brain stem.

Lavender has been used for thousands of years. It contains over 200 chemical constituents and so offers something for almost every symptom while balancing the root cause. It is very a calming and relaxing oil.

Roman Chamomille helps the brain to relax but also helps the digestive system to relax. Great for muscle cramps and a great anti-inflammatory.

Vetiver works directly on the nervous system. Also good for neurological problems like ADHD, dementia, autism. Great for anger and hysteria.

Ylang ylang is a natural aphrodisiac, improves your mood. Great for helping to release locked up emotions. Just what you need before going to bed.

Cedarwood helps to release emotions being processed by the liver at night.

Let me know if this helps you and please leave any relevant comments or questions. I would love to hear from you!