Just the Essentials
Diffuser Blends for the New Year
Diffuser blends to set intentions and manifest what you are wanting for this new year.
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Essential Oil FAQ
What are essential oils? Essential oils are highly concentrated aromatic compounds that naturally occur in plants. They can be extracted from plant materials such as leaves twigs, seeds, flowers, roots, and wood. How are essential oils extracted from plants? Essential oils are distilled from plant materials such as leaves twigs, seeds, flowers, roots, and wood. They may be steam distilled, hydro (water) distilled, or water/steam distilled. Citrus essential oils are usually cold-pressed, except for lime oil which is steam distilled. CO2 extraction is a method used to extract essential oils from materials that do not tolerate steam extraction. Absolutes are solvent-extracted oil, a common method for producing essential oils from fragile or low-yield materials. For more information, visit Distilling Essential Oils. Are essential oils different from fragrance oils? Fragrance oils are a synthetic mix of components used to create a particular scent. They can be created using natural ingredients, like essential oils, as well as artificial aroma chemicals and other materials. Essential oils are naturally occurring oils distilled from plant materials. What is aromatherapy? Aromatherapy is the practice of inhaling the scent of essential oils and other natural aromatics to support physical, mental, and spiritual wellness. What is a good way to use essential oils for aromatherapy? Diffusing essential oils is a common method that disperses the oils around a room or area to spread the aroma. There are several types of diffusing methods and devices that can be used. Ultrasonic diffusers are popular devices that use water and ultrasonic waves to diffuse essential oils and they can be an array of different shapes and sizes. Can essential oils be used topically? Essential oils can be used topically, but they must first be diluted with a carrier oil. Applying undiluted essential oils to the skin may cause irritation. A 5% dilution rate is recommended for most essential oils. Some essential oils may cause skin sensitivity when exposed to sunlight. Always do a patch test before applying a new essential oil topically for the first time. What are carrier oils? Carrier oils, sometimes called vegetable oils, are fatty oils that can be used to dilute essential oils for topical application. Carrier oils are often extracted from the fatty areas of plants such as nuts and seeds. Fractionate coconut oil, argan oil, sweet almond oil, olive oil, and jojoba oil are examples of carrier oils. Can essential oils be used for soap making? Essential oils are safe to use in soap making, including cold process, hot process, and melt & pour techniques. Using essential oils can add a beautiful natural fragrance as well as beneficial properties for the skin. For more information, visit Using Essential Oils for Soap Making. Can essential oils be used by children? When the proper safety precautions are taken, children can safely enjoy essential oils in many ways. It is best to start by introducing children to essential oils through aromatherapy before venturing into topical application. For more information, visit Are Essential oils Safe for Kids? How should essential oils be stored? Essential oils should be stored in a cool, dry area away from sunlight, preferably in an amber-colored glass bottle to further protect them from light. Essential oils should always be kept out of reach of children and pets. How long do essential oils last? Essential oils do not go rancid, but they can oxidize, deteriorate, and their aromatic quality can decrease. Most essential oils will last for 2 years or more with proper care. Can different essential oils be combined? Essential oils can be great when used individually but they can also be combined. Essential oil blends create complex aromas and can amplify and multiply the beneficial properties of the oils. A good guideline for creating your own blends is to have a combination of around 30% top notes, 50% middle notes, and 20% base notes. You may also enjoy... Incorporating Essential Oils into your Family's Routine Soap Making FAQ Diffuser Blends to Soothe Emotions Lavender Essential Oil Benefits & Uses
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Diffuser Blends to Soothe Emotions
During the emotionally turbulent moments that we all encounter from time to time, the ability to work through our feelings and tackle life with a clear head is a huge advantage. Creating healthy coping strategies can help us to work through even the most intense emotions in a way that supports our happiness and well-being. Self-care techniques such as meditation, journaling, and counseling are great tools for soothing our emotions and leading us back into a positive mindset. Aromatherapy using essential oils can be used in addition to these methods to support emotional healing and soothe our mind, body, and spirit during difficult times. Essential oils have been used throughout history to balance the mood and encourage a healthy mental state. Diffusing these powerful oils has been found to help ease the effects of overwhelming emotions and bring our clouded minds back into focus. Here are a few of our favorite diffuser blends to help soothe our emotions… Anxiety Release Ingredients 3 drops of Lavender Essential Oil 3 drops of Frankincense Essential Oil 3 drops of Sandalwood Essential Oil Say Goodbye to Sadness Ingredients 4 drops of Bergamot Essential Oil 3 drops of Frankincense Essential Oil 3 drops of Grapefruit Essential Oil Let Go of Anger Ingredients 3 drops of Lime Essential Oil 3 drops of Geranium Essential Oil 2 drops of Helichrysum Essential Oil 2 drops of Lavender Essential Oil Grief Support Ingredients 3 drops of Lemon Essential Oil 3 drops of Rosemary Essential Oil 2 drops of Clary Sage Essential Oil 2 drops of Lemongrass Essential Oil Depression Defense Ingredients 5 drops of Lemon Essential Oil 2 drops of Peppermint Essential Oil 2 drops of Ylang Ylang Essential Oil Stress Less Ingredients 4 drops of Sweet Orange Essential Oil 3 drops of Cedarwood Essential Oil 2 drops of Vetiver Essential Oil Banish Frustration Ingredients 4 drops of Spearmint Essential Oil 2 drops of Fir Needle Essential Oil 2 drops of Peppermint Essential Oil 2 drops of Rosemary Essential Oil Wash Away Worry Ingredients 4 drops of Lemon Essential Oil 3 drops of Neroli Essential Oil 3 drops of Patchouli Essential Oil Diffuser Instructions Add water to your diffuser up to the fill line. Add drops of the essential oil blend. This diffuser blend recipe is formulated for a 200ml ultrasonic diffuser. Adjust the amount according to the size and directions of your diffuser. You may also enjoy... Essential Oils for the Crown Chakra Uplift Blend: Meet the Ingredients Lavender Essential Oil for Mental Health Limonene: Terpene Highlight
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Essential Oils & Crystals: Clear Quartz
Clear Quartz is perhaps one of the most popular beneficial crystals and has earned the moniker “Universal Crystal” because of its believed ability to amplify any intentions. It is known to have cleansing and clearing abilities and it can also be used to boost the ability of other crystals or complimenting ingredients. Clear Quartz has been found to enhance emotional stability and encourage a clear state of mind. It may help to support decision-making and point us toward the truth during times of uncertainty. Clear Quartz is believed to be energizing and restorative, working to aid manifestation and guide the mind in meditation while also stimulating mental activity. Essential oils, like crystals, have long been used to support the health and wellness of our minds, bodies, and spirits. Pairing crystals with essential oils that complement their beneficial properties can help to amplify the effects of both elements. Here are a few of our favorite essential oils to use alongside Clear Quartz… Rosemary Essential Oil can help to keep the mind active and alert when used in combination with Clear Quartz. It has been found to boost cognitive function while increasing mental clarity and improving memory. Rosemary may help to enhance concentration and encourage trust in our instincts. Lemon Essential Oil may work to boost the energizing and mentally stimulating effects of Clear Quartz when the two are used together. It is known to combat negative emotions and uplift the mood for a positive state of mind. Lemon may help to support healthy cognition for enhanced concentration and decisiveness. Peppermint Essential Oil can help to give our tired minds a mental boost when used in tandem with Clear Quartz. It may help to increase mental and physical energy while enhancing concentration. Peppermint may also ease feelings of irritability and help to improve memory and information retention. How to use essential oils with Clear Quartz: Clear Intentions Focusing Roll On Ingredients 10ml Amber Glass Roll-On Bottle 1 Small Clear Quartz Crystal 1/3oz of Fractionated Coconut Oil 5 drops of Rosemary Essential Oil 5 drops of Lemon Essential Oil Instructions Add a small piece of clear quartz to the bottle. Add the essential oils and fill the rest of the bottle to the top with fractionated coconut oil. Replace the rollerball and cap, gently shake, and roll across your skin. Manifest Truth Room Spray Ingredients 4oz Amber Glass Bottle with Spray Top 2oz of High Percentage Alcohol 2oz of Distilled Water 1 Small Clear Quartz Crystal 10 drops of Rosemary Essential Oil 10 drops of Peppermint Essential Oil 5 drops of Lemon Essential Oil Instructions Add 2 ounces of high-percentage alcohol to the bottle. Add the crystal and essential oils and fill the remainder of the bottle with water, leaving a little space at the top. Shake well before each use. Spray around the room before meditation or other spiritual practices. You may also enjoy... Essential Oils for the Root Chakra 10 Essential Oils for Meditation Lemon: Product Highlight Rosemary: Product Highlight
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Strong Brew: Exfoliating Coffee Soap
Many of the hardest-working people we know have to wake up early and spend their day outside, working with their hands. Nothing helps prepare us for the day, especially a long one, quite like a hot shower and a fresh cup of coffee. A bar of coffee soap can help to invigorate the body while nourishing our skin. This soap helps to exfoliate, cleanse, and moisturized to keep skin smooth and hydrated despite the hard work and time spent in the elements. A base of coconut, olive, palm, and castor oils combine to make a hard, long-lasting bar of soap with a great lather. The addition of shea butter and superfatting at 5% helps to add moisture back into the skin and soothe irritation. Replacing the water with brewed coffee lends a beautiful warm brown color to the finished bar and a hint of coffee scent. Coffee grounds add gentle exfoliation to help combat rough and dry skin. Sandalwood Vanilla Fragrance Oil has a sweet, rich, yet earthy aroma that pairs perfectly with a mug of morning pick-me-up. Ingredients 9oz of Coconut Oil 9oz of Olive Oil 8oz of Palm Oil 2oz of Castor Oil 2oz of Unrefined Shea Butter 10oz of Brewed Coffee (cooled) 4.3oz of Sodium Hydroxide Lye 2oz of Sandalwood Vanilla Fragrance Oil 3tbsp of Ground Coffee 1/2 cup of Whole Coffee Beans (optional) Supplies Heat Safe Loaf Soap Mold Immersion blender Digital kitchen scale Small bowl for essential oils Medium glass bowl for lye mixture Large glass or stainless steel bowl for oil Pot or double boiler Spoon or rubber spatula Gloves Safety glasses or goggles Instructions ***Make sure to wear safety glasses or goggles, gloves, and long-sleeve clothing. Working with lye and high temperatures requires caution and safe practices. Always make soap in a well-ventilated area. Brew coffee and allow it to cool to room temperature. Measure and combine the fragrance oils and set them aside. Weigh each oil and add them to a large bowl. Place the bowl on top of a large pot that is about 1/3 full of water and bring the water to a boil. Heat the oil until fully melted, stirring occasionally. While the oil is melting, weigh out the lye and cooled coffee in two separate bowls. Slowly add the lye to the coffee while gently stirring until the lye is fully dissolved. Let the oils and lye mixture both cool to 130 degrees or below, ensuring that they are within 10 degrees of each other. Place the immersion blender into the oil, tapping it on the bottom of the bowl to release any air bubbles. This is a safety precaution that prevents the bubbles from coming to the surface when you begin mixing in the lye. Slowly and gently pour the lye mixture into the oil. You can pour down the side of the bowl or down the shaft of the immersion blender to reduce the chance of splashing. Pulse the blender a few times, watching as the oils and lye start to combine. Switch between short pulses and stirring with the blender until the mixture comes together to a very light trace. Add ground coffee and blend until thoroughly combined. Working quickly, stir (do not blend) in the fragrance oil blend. Once the soap reaches about a medium trace, pour it into the mold, scraping the bowl to ensure no soap is left behind. Tap the mold on the work surface to release any trapped air bubbles. Sprinkle whole coffee beans across the top of the loaf and lightly press them into the soap to ensure adhesion. Allow the soap to sit in the molds for 48-72 hours at room temperature. Unmold the soap, cut it into bars, and allow it to cure for 4-6 weeks. Use and enjoy! You may also enjoy: All Clear: Facial Cleansing Soap Cooling Soap: Cold Process Soap Recipe Sore Muscle Massage Bar Using Essential Oils for Soapmaking
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Essential Oils for Your Astrological Sign: Capricorn
Top essential oils for Capricorn Zodiac Sign
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Essential Oils for Your Astrological Sign: Scorpio
Top essential oils for Scorpio Zodiac Sign
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Essential Oils for Your Astrological Sign: Libra
Top essential oils for Libra Zodiac Sign
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Essential Oils for Your Astrological Sign: Virgo
Top essential oils for Virgo Zodiac Sign
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