2003 03: Aromatherapy Newsletter March 2003
President’s Letter
Hello and happy spring to everyone. I can say that officially because my garden says it is spring. I have nowdrops, primulas and crocus. The daffodils are just appearing, the honeysuckle is shooting, as are the mock orange, forsythia and magnolia. The winter jasmine is a mass of yellow flowers but the highlight is a lovely pink rhododendron.
As I write this, the Administration Team is in a workshop learning how to best utilize a new computer program. It makes me think of how great most of us are as an evolving species: we spin into this electronic world and still retain many of the values and traditions of years, even centuries, ago. Aromatherapy would be one tradition that springs to mind. Apart from the hybrid species, we are still using the same plants as our ancestors were. I wonder what they would think of today”s electronic world. I wonder how far off time travel is, or better still “beaming up” to another country. Our shipping department (not to mention our delivery time!) will change considerably when we have a transporter on site!
This month’s newsletter focuses on Children and Aromatherapy. Most of the members of the Green Valley team have children, so the recipes that are included in this month”s newsletter have been quite well tested. The New Year has brought the cold and flu season with it; as a result we have created a top ten list of essential oils for children”s ailments. We tried to break it down in order of their importance, but it seems that everyone has their own way of using their oils and their favorites as well! So, our list contains the best oils to use on children; the order of importance is certainly up to you! Enjoy!
Barb Greenwood
President & CEO
Aromatherapy & Children
Essential oils and hydrosols are wonderful things to introduce to children at an early age, because it teaches them many positive things regarding body health, body awareness and alternative healing techniques.
When essential oils are utilized in massage techniques the benefits double, for the child as well as the parent! It is quality, healthy time together that helps to heal and set positive standards for them later in life. Those of us on staff who have used essential oils on our children from the time they were babies have seen our children grow into young adults who will reach for a bottle of essential oil over a bottle of pills and will try alternative therapies before running to the doctor with every little concern. It has been fascinating watching our children’s healthy growth and development with the help of essential oils. I am certain they will become strong advocates for aromatherapy.
If you’re concerned about using essential oils, perhaps hydrosols, which are the direct by-product of the steam distillation of the plant material, would be a more cautious option. Hydrosols are living waters that carry with them many of the healthy benefits of the plants they came from while the essential oils are being extracted. They can be sprayed onto the body or just in the vicinity of the child for them to inhale. It certainly is worthwhile using these natural creations in place of essential oils.
No matter what you choose, oils or hydrosols, you can be comfortable knowing the recipes contained in this newsletter have been test-piloted by our staff and that your children will most likely approach this new adventure with their usual child-like curiosity!
The Reading Room – An Excellent Book!
Aromatherapy for the Healthy Child
Author: Valerie Ann Worwood
This book is an indispensable guide for every parent who thinks proactively about their children”s long-term physical and mental health. Powerful yet safe, aromatherapy is a sound way to treat everything from diaper rash to asthma to self esteem troubles in children.
Valerie Ann Worwood offers an array of scientifically proven remedies, along with complete charts of essential oils and instructions for aromatherapy massage. She explains how aromatherapy massage can help a child feel emotionally secure and physically healthy. She also describes how aromatherapy can benefit seriously ill children when used in conjunction with Western medicine.
A must have for any parent interested in alternative health therapies for their children!
Hydrosols
A byproduct of the distillation of plant materials for essential oils, hydrosols carry with them only the water soluble components from the plants. They very often smell quite different from the plant or essential oil. Hydrosols have antiseptic properties and are useful for spraying rooms, spraying on bed sheets and on compresses. They can also be sprayed directly onto the face/body (avoid eyes & mouth) for a refreshing, nourishing effect to the skin. Peppermint hydrosol is cooling for fevers and makes a great all over body spray on hot days.
Oil Profile – Ravintsara essential oil
This oil’s phenomenal rise to fame can be attributed to its many therapeutic benefits and its gentleness. In fact, it is so gentle that it is safe to use around children, elderly adults and pregnant mums.
Ravintsara is a multi-action oil that is similar to lavender and, like lavender, it can be more effective when blended with other essential oils.
First and foremost, Ravintsara is a great immuno-stimulant. It is an excellent oil to diffuse around your home, particularly when your little darlings come home from school after spending their day being exposed to goodness knows what. The air in your home will create a safety net around them.
If your children are already showing signs of a cold or the flu a few drops in a bath before they go to bed will often help to keep it at bay.
Ravintsara is also a muscle relaxant and analgesic. Blended with Roman chamomile and lavender it makes an excellent remedy for a fretful child with flu symptoms.
Ravintsara used in baths, massage and diffused into the air has been know to stop the flu in one day.
Staff Recipes
PaulaPaula has blended up a fun, calming lotion for her children by mixing equal portions of into our all natural unscented hand and body lotion. The kids have fun with it because they smell like a Creamsicle and Paula likes it because it helps her crew of three mellow out at the end of the day! |
AliceWhen Alice’s children come down with congested chests and coughs she whips us this recipe for them. (Both are in their early teens; use half the amount on younger children; do not use on babies.)
Add to 10ml carrier oil, shake well and apply before bedtime. |
DeniseDenise’s son suffers from nervous tension, which goes straight to his stomach. This produces headaches and brings on halitosis. This blend seems to clear up the bad breath and gets rid of the headaches as well. He then sleeps like a log and is a much happier fellow for it!
Using the amounts recommended in the blending chart below, mix essential oils in equal amounts and then add to 1 ounce of carrier oil of your choice. Sweet Almond oil is excellent, though be advised if your child has a nut allergy you will have to use another type of oil. |
BobbiWhen Bobbi’s daughter starts to sniffle she is ushered into a warm bath (just before bed) into which this blend is added (her daughter is 10 years old).
Blend oils into salts and mix well. Add salt blend under running water and swirl bath water to thoroughly mix blend into water. Soak for 15-20 minutes.After the bath Bobbi massages our Terminator blend (diluted in a carrier oil) onto her chest and back to give her immune system a boost while she sleeps. This treatment can make the difference between her getting sick and not. If we don’t manage to catch it in time, I have found she gets well much faster than her friends who ALSO manage to catch it! |
Blending Chart for ChildrenDiluted in 30ml (1 fl.oz.) of carrier oil or base cream.
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Top 10 Oils for Children |
Rosewood update
As you all know from past newsletters, Green Valley is no longer carrying Rosewood. We have done our research and have decided to replace it with Petitgrain Terpeneless.
With the terpenes removed from the Petitgrain, a high linalool content is left. This is the chief constituent in Rosewood. The aroma is also very similar to that of Rosewood.
Oil Overviews
- Chamomile (R) essential oil
- for soothing and healing properties. It is good to use for headaches, insomnia, and irritability.
- Mandarin essential oil
- for treating digestive problems (mild antispasmodic, digestive stimulant).
- Manuka essential oil
- for treating colds, sinusitis, bronchitis, etc., Also carries with it anti-histamine properties.
- Eucalyptus Radiata essential oil
- for treating sinus conditions and dealing with infections high in the chest.
- Lavender essential oil
- for calming, sleep inducing properties.
- Orange essential oil
- is an anti-depressant, anti-spasmodic, stomachic and is mildly sedative in its nature.
- Ravintsara essential oil
- for infections and flu-like symptoms.
- Niaouli essential oil
- for anti-bacterial, anti-infectious properties.
- Birch essential oil
- for aches and pains. It has analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties.
*This is educational information and any opinions expressed here-in do not replace professional medical advice. If you are ill, see a suitably qualified medical practitioner.*
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