Plant Essences & Ultrasonic Aromatherapy Diffuser

Shocking Report Reveals Secret Chemicals in Popular Perfumes and Fragrance Oil

admin — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 09:05:19 +0000

Is the same cologne that’s turning you on damaging your sperm? According to a new report released by the Environmental Working Group (EWG), commissioned by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, seventeen name brand perfume products were found to contain a “complex cocktail of natural essences and synthetic chemicals – often petrochemicals,” including diethyl phthalate, a chemical linked to sperm damage in adult men and abnormal development of reproductive organs in baby boys. Lab results revealed an average of 14 chemicals secretly lurk in common fragrances; some of which have been linked to hormone disruption and allergic reactions while others have not even been assessed for safety in personal care products.

A rose may be a rose. But that rose-like fragrance in your perfume may be something else entirely, concocted from any number of the fragrance industry’s 3,100 stock chemical ingredients, the blend of which is almost always kept hidden from the consumer.

Makers of popular perfumes, colognes and body sprays market their scents with terms like “floral,” “exotic,” or “musky,” but they don’t disclose that many scents are actually a complex cocktail of natural essences and synthetic chemicals – often petrochemicals. Laboratory tests commissioned by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics and analyzed by Environmental Working Group revealed 38 secret chemicals in 17 name brand fragrance products, topped by American Eagle Seventy Seven with 24, Chanel Coco with 18, and Britney Spears Curious and Giorgio Armani Acqua Di Gio with 17.

The average fragrance product tested contained 14 secret chemicals not listed on the label. Among them are chemicals associated with hormone disruption and allergic reactions, and many substances that have not been assessed for safety in personal care products.

Also in the ranks of undisclosed ingredients are chemicals with troubling hazardous properties or with a propensity to accumulate in human tissues. These include diethyl phthalate, a chemical found in 97 percent of Americans (Silva 2004) and linked to sperm damage in human epidemiological studies (Swan 2008), and musk ketone, a synthetic fragrance ingredient that concentrates in human fat tissue and breast milk (Hutter 2009; Reiner 2007).

Lavender Study Report by University of Maryland Medical Center

admin — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 10:44:06 +0000

Overview:

Many people appreciate lavender (Lavandula angustifolia, or Lavandula officinalis) for its fragrance, used in soaps, shampoos, and sachets for scenting clothes. The name lavender comes from the Latin root lavare, which means “to wash.” Lavender may have earned this name because it was frequently used in baths to help purify the body and spirit. However, this herb has also been used as a remedy for a range of ailments from insomnia and anxiety to depression and fatigue. Research has confirmed that lavender produces slight calming, soothing, and sedative effects when its scent is inhaled.

Plant Description:

Lavender is native to the mountainous zones of the Mediterranean where it grows in sunny, stony habitats. Today, it flourishes throughout southern Europe, Australia, and the United States. Lavender is a heavily branched short shrub that grows to a height of roughly 60 centimeters (about 24 inches). Its broad rootstock bears woody branches with upright, rod like, leafy, green shoots. A silvery down covers the gray green narrow leaves, which are oblong and tapered, attached directly at the base, and curled spirally.

The oil in lavender’s small, blue violet flowers gives the herb its fragrant scent. The flowers are arranged in spirals of 6 – 10 blossoms, forming interrupted spikes above the foliage.

Parts Used:

Essential oil is extracted from the fresh flowers of the lavender plant and used for medicinal purposes.

Medicinal Uses and Indications:

A number of studies have reported that lavender essential oil may be beneficial in a variety of conditions, including insomnia, alopecia (hair loss), anxiety, stress, and postoperative pain. However, most of these studies have been small. Lavender is also being studied for antibacterial and antiviral properties. Lavender oil is often used in other forms of integrative medicine, such as massage, acupuncture, and chiropractic manipulation.

Insomnia or Agitation

In folklore, pillows were filled with lavender flowers to help restless people fall sleep. Scientific evidence suggests that aromatherapy with lavender may slow the activity of the nervous system, improve sleep quality, promote relaxation, and lift mood in people suffering from sleep disorders. Studies also suggest that massage with essential oils, particularly lavender, may result in improved sleep quality, more stable mood, better concentration, and reduced anxiety. In one recent study, people who received massage with lavender felt less anxious and more positive than those who received massage alone. Several small studies suggest that lavender aromatherapy may help reduce agitation in patients with dementia. Lavender flowers have also been approved in Germany as a tea for insomnia, restlessness, and nervous stomach irritations.

Alopecia areata

In one study of 86 people with alopecia areata (an autoimmune disease that causes hair to fall out, often in patches), those who massaged their scalps with lavender and other essential oils daily for 7 months experienced significant hair regrowth compared to those who massaged their scalps without the essential oils. However, there is no way to tell whether it was one or the combination of oils that was effective.

Other uses

Aromatherapists also use lavender in inhalation therapy to treat headaches, nervous disorders, and exhaustion. Herbalists treat skin ailments, such as fungal infections (like candidiasis), wounds, eczema, and acne, with lavender oil. It is also used in a healing bath for joint and muscle pain. One study evaluating treatments for children with eczema founded it was therapeutic touch from the mother that improved symptoms; in other words, massage with and without essential oils (including lavender) both reduced the dry, scaly skin lesions. Another study found that lavender oil may improve pain control after surgery. Fifty patients undergoing breast biopsy surgery received either oxygen supplemented with lavender oil or oxygen alone. Patients in the lavender group reported better pain control than patients in the control group.

Available Forms:

Commercial preparations are made from dried flowers and essential oils of the lavender plant. These preparations are available in the following forms:

Aromatherapy oil
Bath gels
Extracts
Infusions
Lotions
Soaps
Teas
Tinctures
Whole, dried flowers

How to Take It:

Pediatric

Oral use in children is not recommended.
May be used topically in diluted concentrations to treat skin infections and injuries, such as minor cuts and scrapes. For proper dilutions speak with a knowledgeable health care provider. There are some aromatherapy formulas for children as well; again speak with a knowledgeable provider for dosing. Never use lavender on an open wound; seek immediate medical attention.
A small study published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2007 concluded that lavender and tea oils in some shampoos, soaps, and lotions may cause gynecomastia, breast development in a male, in boys. If you have any concerns, ask your doctor about using lavender for a child.

Adult

The following are recommended adult doses for lavender:

Internal use: Speak with a knowledgeable health care provider to find the right dose for you.
Inhalation: 2 – 4 drops in 2 – 3 cups of boiling water. Inhale vapors for headache, depression, or insomnia. If you have asthma, talk to your doctor before using essential oil inhalations to see if they are right for you. There are some people who find essential oil used in inhalation form irritating to lungs and/or eyes.
Topical external application: For ease of application, add 1 – 4 drops per tablespoon of base oil (such as almond or olive oil). Lavender oil is toxic if taken orally. Only use the oil externally or by inhalation. Also, avoid contact with eyes or mucous membranes, such as the lips and nostril.

Precautions:

The use of herbs is a time honored approach to strengthening the body and treating disease. Herbs, however, contain active components that can trigger side effects and interact with other herbs, supplements, or medications. For these reasons, you should take herbs with care, under the supervision of a health care provider qualified in the field of botanical medicine.

Some people may develop an allergic reaction to lavender. Nausea, vomiting, headache, and chills have also been reported in some people after inhaling or absorbing lavender through the skin. Lavender applied to skin may cause irritation in some people. Oral use of Lavender may cause constipation, headache, and increased appetite. Lavender oil is toxic if taken orally.

Pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid using lavender.

Possible Interactions:

CNS Depressants — There are no known scientific reports of interactions between lavender and conventional medications. However, because lavender promotes relaxation, it may make the effects of central nervous depressants stronger. These drugs include narcotics such as morphine or oxycodone (OxyContin) for pain, and sedative and anti-anxiety agents such as lorazepam (Ativan), diazepam (Valium), and alprazolam (Xanax). Ask your doctor before using lavender with these and other sedatives.

Article Source: University of Maryland Medical Center

The chemical composition and biological activity of clove essential oil

admin — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 10:27:01 +0000

Abstract

The essential oil extracted from the dried flower buds of clove, Eugenia caryophyllata L. Merr. & Perry (Myrtaceae), is used as a topical application to relieve pain and to promote healing and also finds use in the fragrance and flavouring industries. The main constituents of the essential oil are phenylpropanoids such as carvacrol, thymol, eugenol and cinnamaldehyde. The biological activity of Eugenia caryophyllata has been investigated on several microorganisms and parasites, including pathogenic bacteria, Herpes simplex and hepatitis C viruses.

In addition to its antimicrobial, antioxidant, antifungal and antiviral activity, clove essential oil possesses antiinflammatory, cytotoxic, insect repellent and anaesthetic properties. This short review addresses the chemical composition and biological effects of clove essential oil, and includes new results from GC/MS analysis and a study of its antimicrobial activity against a large number of multi-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis isolated from dialysis biomaterials.

Read the full Research Report

Clove oil may treat itchy rashes

admin — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 10:20:52 +0000

Clove oil could be the answer to drive away those itchy rashes, says a new study.

Queensland Institute of Medical Research (QIMR) researchers said that plant essential oils have long been studied for their effects against mites, ticks, lice and mosquitoes.

“Essential oils and their active chemical components have long been proven to be effective against animal parasites such as cattle ticks, sheep ticks, and rabbit mites. Our research is applying this theory to the human scabies mite,” said Pasay.

Scabies is an itchy rash caused by the scabies mite, which burrows under the skin to lay its eggs.

“We tested the oils on the mites, and found that clove oil killed all the mites within 15 minutes,” Pasay said.

“We also tested eugenol, which makes up 80% of clove oil, and its related compounds for their effects on the mites and found they were comparable to an existing treatment for scabies,” he said.

The study was conducted in collaboration with Griffith University and Wright State University, Ohio, USA.

The paper was published in Public Library of Science ONE and is available online.

Aticle Source: DNA Daily News & Analysis

Essential Oil Eases Pain, Kills Viruses

admin — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 03:24:30 +0000

We often associate the sweet pungent aroma of cloves with the holiday season, but few people ever consider its therapeutic properties. Essential oil of clove can be used for a whole range of purposes, including: pain relief, and killing fungi and viruses.

Easing Pain
Clove essential oil’s is best known for its ability to alleviate toothaches, making it a common ingredient in natural toothpaste and mouthwash. Additionally, it is often added to liniment and massage oils since it component, eugenol, has anti-pain properties.

Candida Infections and Athlete’s Foot
Recent research in the journal Mycoses demonstrates clove oil’s antifungal properties and supports its use on athlete’s foot. Additional research shows that it is effective against a wide variety of other fungi, including candida and vaginal yeast infections.

Kills Viruses
This potent aromatherapy oil has also been shown in studies to halt reproduction of the herpes viruses including those linked to cold sores and shingles.

Because it is a potent oil and can be irritating to mucous membranes and the skin, it should always be diluted in a carrier oil like sweet almond or extra virgin olive oil (about 3 drops in a teaspoon of carrier oil). Also, be sure to do a test patch on the inside of your arm and wait for 24 or 48 hours to be sure you aren’t sensitive to the oil.

Article Source: Care2

Healing advantages of lavender essential oil during episiotomy recovery – a clinical trial

admin — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 03:11:15 +0000

Episiotomy is the most common perineal incision in obstetric and midwifery. Nowadays alternative and complementary methods such as Aromatherapy using essential oils are established as an alternative therapy. This research was carried out to assess the effect of lavender oil in wound healing. This randomized control trial was conducted on 120 primiparous women with singleton pregnancy, without any acute and chronic disease and allergy who had undergone normal spontaneous vaginal delivery and episiotomy.

They were randomly allocated in case and control groups. Case group received lavender oil and controls received povidone-iodine. Incision sites were assessed on the 10th day postpartum. 25 out of 60 women in lavender group and 17 mothers in control group had no pain (p = 0.06). There was no significant difference between two groups in surgery site complications. However, redness in lavender group was significantly less than controls (p < 0.001). This study suggests application of lavender essential oil instead of povidone-iodine for episiotomy wound care.

Article Source: PubMed

Antibacterial and Antifungal Properties of Essential Oils

admin — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 02:59:56 +0000

In recent years there has been an increasing interest in the use of natural substances, and some questions concerning the safety of synthetic compounds have encouraged more detailed studies of plant resources. Essential oils, odorous and volatile products of plant secondary metabolism, have a wide application in folk medicine, food flavouring and preservation as well as in fragrance industries. The antimicrobial properties of essential oils have been known for many centuries. In recent years (1987-2001), a large number of essential oils and their constituents have been investigated for their antimicrobial properties against some bacteria and fungi in more than 500 reports. This paper reviews the classical methods commonly used for the evaluation of essential oils antibacterial and antifungal activities.

The agar diffusion method (paper disc and well) and the dilution method (agar and liquid broth) as well as turbidimetric and impedimetric monitoring of microorganism growth in the presence of tested essential oils are described. Factors influencing the in vitro antimicrobial activity of essential oils and the mechanisms of essential oils action on microorganisms are reported. This paper gives an overview on the susceptibility of human and food-borne bacteria and fungi towards different essential oils and their constituents. Essential oils of spices and herbs (thyme, origanum, mint, cinnamon, salvia and clove) were found to possess the strongest antimicrobial properties among many tested.

Source of article : PubMed

Create Your Own Foot Spa

admin — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 02:55:43 +0000

Aromatherapy Foot Bath

Aromatherapy foot bath solutions can sooth and refresh the feet as well as offer all over relaxation. These are simple to make up at home, using the same base ingredients as the herbal type: baking soda, sea salt or Epsom salts dissolved in hot water. Add a few drops of essential oil, and you have a relaxing and moisturizing aromatherapy foot bath. Essential oils that are commonly used to sooth the feet are lavender, almond, sandalwood, peppermint, chamomile and spearmint. These can be used in any combination you like to sooth and refresh your tired feet.

According to Simple Aromatherapy recipes, a foot bath with 12 drops of lavender essential oil, 3 drops of rose geranium essential oil, and a handful of dried rose petals will calm the nerves after a stressful day and relieve fatigue.

For aching feet, Aromatherapy For recommends a foot bath using 4 drops of thyme and 4 drops of chamomile essential oils.

The Difference between Fragrance Oils, Perfume Oils, Essential Oils and 100% Pure Essential Oils

admin — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 07:30:06 +0000

Aromatherapy essential oils are naturally occurring plant essences found in different parts of plants – the blossom, fruit, leaf, stem, bark, wood or resin. Through a complicated and often expensive process of steam distillation or CO2 extraction, both hydrosol and essential oils are produced. Each essential oil is comprised of between 50 to 500 different naturally occurring natural chemicals, For example, clove essential oil is known for its antiseptic and astringent properties yet it may irritating to the skin and caution must be taken.

What is “100% Pure Essential Oils”?

People often refer to essential oils and fragrance oils interchangeably because of their similarities, but some important differences distinguish them from each other. Essential oils are natural chemicals that are extracted from the leaves, flowers, stems, roots or bark of plants. They are not true oils, but are the aromatic and volatile essences derived from botanicals.

What is “Pure Essential Oils”?

If you see any bottle label that said Pure essential oil, it meants it is not entirely pure plant essences, it can be mixing of frangrance oil with 100% pure essential oils, usually you can get it quite cheap in the market; range from RM15 to RM40 per 10ml bottle.

What is “Frgrance Oils, Aromatic Oils or Perfume Oils”?

Fragrance oils, aromatic oils or perfume oils as they are sometimes called, are manufactured scents. They are artificially created fragrances and they contain artificial substances. They are specifically designed to mimic the scent of a natural product (such as coffee fragrance oil) or are created to invoke a feeling (for example “spring rain”). The range of scents is enormous and fragrance oils are quite inexpensive.

Air Freshener – Are you infusing your body and living space with Toxins and Chemicals?

admin — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 06:02:55 +0000

Accodring to the study, more then 75% of U.S. households are using air freshener made by toxins and chemicals, most of them are contains the substances called phthalates (pronounced THAL-ates), a group of chemicals that are used to dissolve and carry fragrances.

Studies involving rat and human subjects have suggested that high exposures to certain kinds of phthalates can cause cancer, developmental and sex-hormone abnormalities (including decreased testosterone and sperm levels and malformed sex organs) in infants, and can affect fertility.

To understand more about how Chemical Air Freshshener hurting your family, children and yourself, check the below links:

How Air Fresheners Are Killing You

The Health Wyze Report

How “Fresh” Is Air Freshener?

Time Magazine

Are air fresheners bad for your health?

howstuffworks.com

Many Cleaners, Air Fresheners May Pose Health Risks When Used Indoors

Science Daily

Air Fresheners: Easy Greening

Care2.com

Chemical in Many Air Fresheners May Reduce Lung Function

National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)