Continuing on with the Under the Radar series, today we will be speaking looking at Niaouli Essential Oil, botanically known as Melaleuca viridiflora, and sometimes called broad-leafed paperbark. The essential oil is steam distilled from the leaves and twigs of this small tree, which is native to woodlands, swamps, and streams of Australia, Madagascar and Papua New Guinea.
The tree's leaves are thick, elliptic, and aromatic. Its flowers are cream, yellow, or yellow-green spikes. the fruits have numerous fine seeds and woody capsules. The bark is papery, hence its nickname, and it is peeled off in layers and used for many purposes. The Aborigines made/make great use of this tree bark, including making bedding, shelter, containers, storage, boats, fish traps, fire tinder, and even wrapping corpses. Medicinally, they made an infusion from the leaves and drunk it, inhaled it, or used it in a bath to treat coughs, colds, congestion, headaches, fever and the flu In fact, many still do.
While this tree and its EO are still used to treat colds and respiratory issues, it is also used quite a bit in perfumery. It is considered a middle note, and has a sweet, fresh, camphoraceous odor. It possesses analgesic, anticatarrhal, antirheumatic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, bactericidal, cicatrizant, diaphoretic, expectorant, stimulant, and vermifuge properties. Because of its cineol content, niaouli oil will produce an expectorant action, which makes it very useful in cases of respiratory congestion such as; bronchitis, coughs, colds, sinusitis and the flu. Additionally, this EO is beneficial when making remedies for; acne, asthma, boils, burns, catarrhal conditions, cuts, cystitis, fever, insect bites, muscular aches and pains, oily skin, poor circulation, rheumatism, sore throat, ulcers, urinary infection, and wounds.
It is generally considered a safe EO, without any special warnings. So the next time you are looking to expand your EO pantry, try some Niaouli oil! Just exercise caution. In the early 1900's many trees were imported to Florida under this name, but were later found to be a different cultivar. So when purchasing this EO, as when buying any EO, make your purchases from reputable companies and check the origin. If it is not from Australia or Madagascar, the largest producing countries, steer away from it.
Make it Yourself Monday- Facial Cleanser
Are you looking for a great facial cleanser? Well you can make your own quite easily, saving yourself money and ensuring that you will have great ingredients, with great benefits.
You will need some;
liquid Castille soap, 2 oz.
distilled water, 1 oz.
lemon, either juice a real lemon or use about 3 drops of EO
chamomile EO, 3 drops If you cannot get the chamomile EO, try steeping some chamomile flower heads in the Castille soap, gently heating it for at least an hour. Do not allow it to boil. When it is done heating, allow it to sit and cool, then strain it and toss out the plant material.
Mix everything together and stir well. Pour into a plastic bottle with a flip top dispensing lid or a plain lid. Store this in the refrigerator when not in use. It should stay fresh for at least two months. Just wash your face and neck with this as you normally would, then rinse with tepid water and pat the skin dry. Make sure that you follow up by properly moisturizing your skin
You will need some;
liquid Castille soap, 2 oz.
distilled water, 1 oz.
lemon, either juice a real lemon or use about 3 drops of EO
chamomile EO, 3 drops If you cannot get the chamomile EO, try steeping some chamomile flower heads in the Castille soap, gently heating it for at least an hour. Do not allow it to boil. When it is done heating, allow it to sit and cool, then strain it and toss out the plant material.
Mix everything together and stir well. Pour into a plastic bottle with a flip top dispensing lid or a plain lid. Store this in the refrigerator when not in use. It should stay fresh for at least two months. Just wash your face and neck with this as you normally would, then rinse with tepid water and pat the skin dry. Make sure that you follow up by properly moisturizing your skin
Fearsome Friday- Reward Yourself with Bath Butter
As you head into the weekend, I hope that you will take some time to relax and rejuvenate. A bit of time to reward yourself for the hard week that is past, and to prepare yourself for the week to come. To that end, I have just the multipurpose product for you to make! And, once made, it will last a while, so it is a gift to yourself that keeps giving! What am I talking about? A bath butter that pulls double duty as a solid perfume. How is this possible? Well, while this butter easily melts in the tub, creating a highly moisturizing and skin softening, it is stiff enough to be applied to the pulse points, offering wonderful scent and some on the go skin softening. It may sound a bit crazy, but why not smell good while moisturizing and why not moisturize while smelling good? With this neat recipe you can have it all!
You will need;
2 ounces beeswax
2 ounces jojoba oil
2 oz sweet almond oil (may use apricot kernel oil)
1/2 ounce EO blend
Heat the beeswax in a double boiler, over medium heat, until melted. As soon as it is completely melted, remove from the heat and add in the other oils, adding the EO last. Mix well and then pour into containers. You may use tins, small glass jars, plastic, as long as it is meant for high heat, or tubes. I like to put some of mine in the twist up tubes for ease of application, these I carry in my purse. While some I put into jars for the bedstand and the bathroom. Once poured, leave them sit on the counter until they are set, usually several hours.
As for using; When bathing, just scoop some out and toss it into the warm, running bath water. As soon as it warms it will melt like butter. Just exercise caution upon entering and exiting the tub, as it may be slippery.
When using as a perfume balm, rub onto skin at pressure points, behind the ears, and/or any rough patch of skin needing soothing.
With care, this recipe generally will last about one year. Make sure to store this product out of direct light, and remember that it will melt in heat. If it does, just set it aside to re-set, or pop it in the fridge to speed up the process a bit. Also, care must be taken to not introduce water into the product at any time. So make sure that it is stored with the lid tightly placed, and that you never use wet fingers to scoop out the product. Introducing water, even a drop, will introduce microbes that tend to grow nasty things.
As for the fragrance, you certainly can use whatever EO, or skin safe Fragrance oil that you like best. (If you do choose a FO, remember that many carried in the big box stores are not meant to be used on the skin, and can cause serious harm if used for this recipe.)
For a peaceful, calming, feminine scent, try this blend; 5 drops rose, 2 drops vanilla, 1 drop clove or all spice.
Of course orange blossom is always a sweet, pick-me-up scent. And, if you mix that with a drop of vanilla you get that dreamy, dreamcicle fragrance. Mix it with a drop of all spice and you will get a complex, dreamy, somewhat sexy fragrance.
Whatever you choose to scent with, I know you will enjoy this soothing, moisturizing, smell good balm, no matter how you use it!
You will need;
2 ounces beeswax
2 ounces jojoba oil
2 oz sweet almond oil (may use apricot kernel oil)
1/2 ounce EO blend
Heat the beeswax in a double boiler, over medium heat, until melted. As soon as it is completely melted, remove from the heat and add in the other oils, adding the EO last. Mix well and then pour into containers. You may use tins, small glass jars, plastic, as long as it is meant for high heat, or tubes. I like to put some of mine in the twist up tubes for ease of application, these I carry in my purse. While some I put into jars for the bedstand and the bathroom. Once poured, leave them sit on the counter until they are set, usually several hours.
As for using; When bathing, just scoop some out and toss it into the warm, running bath water. As soon as it warms it will melt like butter. Just exercise caution upon entering and exiting the tub, as it may be slippery.
When using as a perfume balm, rub onto skin at pressure points, behind the ears, and/or any rough patch of skin needing soothing.
With care, this recipe generally will last about one year. Make sure to store this product out of direct light, and remember that it will melt in heat. If it does, just set it aside to re-set, or pop it in the fridge to speed up the process a bit. Also, care must be taken to not introduce water into the product at any time. So make sure that it is stored with the lid tightly placed, and that you never use wet fingers to scoop out the product. Introducing water, even a drop, will introduce microbes that tend to grow nasty things.
As for the fragrance, you certainly can use whatever EO, or skin safe Fragrance oil that you like best. (If you do choose a FO, remember that many carried in the big box stores are not meant to be used on the skin, and can cause serious harm if used for this recipe.)
For a peaceful, calming, feminine scent, try this blend; 5 drops rose, 2 drops vanilla, 1 drop clove or all spice.
Of course orange blossom is always a sweet, pick-me-up scent. And, if you mix that with a drop of vanilla you get that dreamy, dreamcicle fragrance. Mix it with a drop of all spice and you will get a complex, dreamy, somewhat sexy fragrance.
Whatever you choose to scent with, I know you will enjoy this soothing, moisturizing, smell good balm, no matter how you use it!
What's Up Wednesday-Vote Wisely
I received this old joke in my email in box today. While I don't think it makes a good joke, it does, in my humble opinion, make a good parable.
Heaven or Hell ?
While walking down the street one day a Corrupt
Senator (that may be redundant) was tragically
hit by a car and died.
His soul arrives in heaven and is met by St. Peter
at the entrance.
"Welcome to heaven," says St.. Peter. "Before
you settle in, it seems there is a problem. We
seldom see a high official around these parts,
you see, so we're not sure what to do with you."
"No problem, just let me in," says the Senator.
"Well, I'd like to, but I have orders from the
higher ups. What we'll do is have you spend
one day in hell and one in heaven. Then you
can choose where to spend eternity."
"Really?, I've made up my mind. I want to be
in heaven," says the Senator.
"I'm sorry, but we have our rules."
And with that, St. Peter escorts him to the
elevator and he goes down, down, down to hell.
The doors open and he finds himself in the middle
of a green golf course.
In the distance is a clubhouse and standing in
front of it are all his friends and other politicians
who had worked with him.
Everyone is very happy and in evening dress.
They run to greet him, shake his hand, and
reminisce about the good times they had while
getting rich at the expense of the people.
They played a friendly game of golf and then
dine on lobster, caviar and the finest champagne.
Also present is the devil, who really is a very
friendly guy who is having a good time dancing
and telling jokes.
They are all having such a good time that before
the Senator realizes it, it is time to go.
Everyone gives him a hearty farewell and waves
while the elevator rises.
The elevator goes up, up, up and the door reopens
In heaven where
St. Peter is waiting for him, "Now it's time to visit
heaven...
So, 24 hours passed with the Senator joining a
group of contented souls moving from cloud to
cloud, playing the harp and singing. They have a
good time and, before he realizes it, the 24 hours
have gone by and St. Peter returns.
"Well, then, you've spent a day in hell and another
in heaven. Now choose your eternity."
The Senator reflects for a minute, then he answers:
"Well, I would never have said it before, I mean
heaven has been delightful, but I think I would be better off in hell."
So St. Peter escorts him to the elevator and he
goes down, down, down to hell...
Now the doors of the elevator open and he's in
the middle of a barren land covered with waste
and garbage.
He sees all his friends, dressed in rags, picking
up the trash and putting it in black bags as more trash falls to the ground.
The devil comes over to him and puts his arm around his shoulders.
"I don't understand," stammers the Senator.
"Yesterday I was here and there was a golf
course and clubhouse, and we ate lobster and
caviar, drank champagne, and danced and had
a great time. Now there's just a wasteland full of
garbage and my friends look miserable. What happened?"
The devil smiles at him and says,
"Yesterday we were campaigning,
Today, you voted.."
Vote wisely!
Teaching Tuesday- Under the Radar EO's- Lovage Leaf
We are working our way through my list of essential oils that may not have ever been on your radar before. Today we will be looking at Lovage Leaf. If you are from the UK you are probably wondering why it's in this series, because it is commonly used there. But, if you are from the US you may never have even heard of it. So we are going to remedy that today!
Lovage leaf, botanically known as Levisticum officinalis, is often called "wild celery", and is native to much of Europe and southwestern Asia, with Hungary and France being the largest producing countries. The word "lovage" comes from "love ache", "ache" being a medieval name for parsley. This plant has been cultivated in Europe for centuries, where they utilize the entire plant. The leaves are used as an herb, the roots as a vegetable, and the seeds as a spice (especially in southern European cuisine), similar to fennel seeds. Lovage tea is drunk to stimulate digestion or applied to wounds as an antispetic. And, in the UK, an alcohol lovage cordial is traditionally mixed with brandy (2:1) as a winter drink.
Lovage is a perennial plant that grows five to six feet tall in just a matter of five years time. The stems and leaves are shiny green to yellow, and flowers are produced in umbels at the stem tops, and are yellow to yellowish-green. It flowers in late spring, and the fruit matures in the autumn.
This herbaceous plant has a strong celery flavor (and scent), with a hint of anise. Its unique flavor profile can be used much like you would use celery or parsley, just use a lighter hand because it is strong. It adds great flavor to soups, stews, salads, meats and potato dishes. It is also used as a natural salt substitute, and said to be an aphrodisiac.
While every part of this plant is edible, it is only the leaves that are steam distilled for the essential oil. The Eo, just like the herb itself, has a long history of being used to treat digestive problems and skin conditions. The essential oil is considered to be a middle note, and it has a warm, fresh, sweet and spicy green fragrance.
Lovage leaf, botanically known as Levisticum officinalis, is often called "wild celery", and is native to much of Europe and southwestern Asia, with Hungary and France being the largest producing countries. The word "lovage" comes from "love ache", "ache" being a medieval name for parsley. This plant has been cultivated in Europe for centuries, where they utilize the entire plant. The leaves are used as an herb, the roots as a vegetable, and the seeds as a spice (especially in southern European cuisine), similar to fennel seeds. Lovage tea is drunk to stimulate digestion or applied to wounds as an antispetic. And, in the UK, an alcohol lovage cordial is traditionally mixed with brandy (2:1) as a winter drink.
Lovage is a perennial plant that grows five to six feet tall in just a matter of five years time. The stems and leaves are shiny green to yellow, and flowers are produced in umbels at the stem tops, and are yellow to yellowish-green. It flowers in late spring, and the fruit matures in the autumn.
This herbaceous plant has a strong celery flavor (and scent), with a hint of anise. Its unique flavor profile can be used much like you would use celery or parsley, just use a lighter hand because it is strong. It adds great flavor to soups, stews, salads, meats and potato dishes. It is also used as a natural salt substitute, and said to be an aphrodisiac.
While every part of this plant is edible, it is only the leaves that are steam distilled for the essential oil. The Eo, just like the herb itself, has a long history of being used to treat digestive problems and skin conditions. The essential oil is considered to be a middle note, and it has a warm, fresh, sweet and spicy green fragrance.
It possesses antimicrobial, antiseptic, antispasmodic, carminative, diaphoretic, digestive, diuretic, emmenagogue, expectorant, febrifuge, stimulant, and stomachic properties. Lovage is a strong oil with a distinctive aroma, therefore not much is needed in your blends.
Lovage using formulations benefit conditions of amenorrhea, anemia, congestion, cramps, dysmenorrhea, edema, flatulence, gout, indigestion, poor circulation, rheumatism, spasms, water retention, and muscle aches and pains.
A few drops in a massage oil blend will take advantage of its antispasmodic properties, and offer you an unique formula. Like wise, aging skin care formulations also benefit from the addition of this EO for its circulation building and edema decreasing attributes. I am sure you will find all kinds of formulations that will benefit from the addition of this Eo, now that's on your radar!
Oh, don't use this EO during pregnancy.
Make it Yourself Monday- Omega Three Salad
This weeks Make it Yourself Monday is all about healthy, good food! The following recipe is for a Salmon salad that is full of mega three fatty acids. In other words, the great for you stuff! It is especially good for diabetics and anyone who is trying to eat more healthfully.
You Will Need;
2 Tbsp. of walnut oil (you may substitute canola oil)
2 Tbsp. white wine vinegar
2 small cloves garlic, minced
1/4 tsp. salt, or to taste, but the lower the better!
ground black pepper, to taste
1/2 cup finely chopped celery
1 can (15 oz.) pink or red Alaskan salmon (wild is best)- backbone and skin removed
1/4 cup light canola mayonnaise or other lowfat mayonnaise
1 Tbsp. freshly squeezed lemon juice
Salt and pepper, to taste
4 cups baby spinach leaves
8 cherry tomatoes, cut in half
1/4 cup finely chopped walnuts
DIRECTIONS
In small bowl, whisk together the first five ingredients for the
dressing and set it aside. Mix celery together with salmon, and toss it with
the mayonnaise and the lemon juice. Season it to taste with salt and pepper.
In a large bowl, toss the spinach with the dressing you made, and then top with the salmon mixture. Place the cherry tomato halves around the platter and then sprinkle the top with walnuts.
Nutritional Information Per Serving:
Calories: 212; Protein: 18 g; Carbohydrates: 3 g;
Sodium: 594 mg; Fat 14 g
Exchanges: 1 Vegetable, 2 Medium-Fat Meats, 1 Fat
You Will Need;
2 Tbsp. of walnut oil (you may substitute canola oil)
2 Tbsp. white wine vinegar
2 small cloves garlic, minced
1/4 tsp. salt, or to taste, but the lower the better!
ground black pepper, to taste
1/2 cup finely chopped celery
1 can (15 oz.) pink or red Alaskan salmon (wild is best)- backbone and skin removed
1/4 cup light canola mayonnaise or other lowfat mayonnaise
1 Tbsp. freshly squeezed lemon juice
Salt and pepper, to taste
4 cups baby spinach leaves
8 cherry tomatoes, cut in half
1/4 cup finely chopped walnuts
DIRECTIONS
In small bowl, whisk together the first five ingredients for the
dressing and set it aside. Mix celery together with salmon, and toss it with
the mayonnaise and the lemon juice. Season it to taste with salt and pepper.
In a large bowl, toss the spinach with the dressing you made, and then top with the salmon mixture. Place the cherry tomato halves around the platter and then sprinkle the top with walnuts.
Nutritional Information Per Serving:
Calories: 212; Protein: 18 g; Carbohydrates: 3 g;
Sodium: 594 mg; Fat 14 g
Exchanges: 1 Vegetable, 2 Medium-Fat Meats, 1 Fat
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