Raisdale Aromatherapy, 100 Maryland Ave SW (2026)

24/10/2017

Oil of the Month
Lemon (Citrus Limon)
Has a fresh citrus aroma. The oil is pressed from the skin of the fruit. The essential oil can boost circulation, ease digestion, act as an antiseptic eg. when used in a compress over an infected area of the body. Lemon is also good for lifting the mood. It is often described as a cheerful oil and can help you to keep focused and positive.
Blends well with Cypress and Lavender for a soothing yet uplifting experience.
Caution: citrus oils are photosensitising so do not use prior to sun exposure.

24/10/2016

Essential oil of the month
PETITGRAIN (Citrus Aurantium v amara)
Petitgrain is steam distlled from the young branches and twigs of the bitter orange tree (Seville orange).The best oil is believed to come from Paraguay. The oil has a leafy citrus and sweet herbaceous fragrance and is good for calming and uplifting the mind and body. It can help to calm feelings of stress, anger and panic and helps to relieve some digestive and respiratory symptoms. The oil can act as a tonic for the skin and is often found in cosmetic products. It is non toxic and does not cause any irritation so is safe to use.
Average cost of this oil is £2 for 5ml.

09/08/2016

Essential Oil of the Month
MAY CHANG (Litsea Cubeba)
May Chang belongs to the same family as cinnamon and laurel. It is native to China and eastern Asia. The tree has lemon scented leaves and flowers and the oil its self smells somewhere between orange and lemon.
May Chang is used a lot in skincare and is particularly good for spots and oily skin. It is also an effective deodoriser and antiseptic.
May Chang is sometimes known as the oil of tranquility because it promotes physical and mental relaxation. In particular it helps people to cope with workplace stress and improves the ability to switch off.
This oil is very good when used in a vapouriser or spray around the house.

04/07/2016

Essential Oil of the Month
FENNEL (Foeniculum Vulgare)
Fennel essential oil has a warm, aniseed aroma and is distilled from the crushed seeds of the plant. Fennel is a helpful digestive remedy for nausea, flatulence, indigestion and colic. A good way to take this is as tea. Commercially prepared tea bags are available or you can make your own by adding 1 teaspoonful of fennel seeds to a cup of water. Leave for 5 minutes and then remove the seeds before drinking. Some people like to add a dash of honey to the tea.
Fennel oil has a hormonal like action and can be helpful with symptoms of the menopause and menstrual irregularities. It is believed to increase the supply of breast milk.
For the mind it can boost self esteem and courage.
Over the centuries fennel was thought to give protection from witchcraft and all manner of venom. Roman soldiers used to chew the seeds whilst on long marches to suppress their appetite until the next available meal.
Fennel is contraindicated in pregnancy and those who have epilepsy.

31/05/2016

Essential oil of the Month
ROMAN (Anthemis Nobilis) and GERMAN (Matricaria Chamomila) CHAMOMILE
Both plants produce a chemical compound called azulene during the steam distillation process to extract the essential oil. Azulene is an anti inflammatory agent. German chamomile has a much higher azulene content than Roman and is particularly good for skin. I have clients who have found this useful in controlling their eczema and one client also used her mix on sunburn with good effect.
Both chamomiles are soothing and calmimg and have disinfectant properties. Roman chamomile is particularly good for calming nervous anxiety or irritability. Many people drink chamomile tea to help them feel relaxed.
Both chamomiles blend well with geranium, lavender and rose otto.
When buying essential oils always check the latin name to be sure you are buying the correct oil.

28/04/2016

Essential oil of the month
LAVENDER (Lavandula Augustifolia)
This is probably the most well known of all the essential oils and is widely found in perfumes and beauty products. The essential oil has soothing, relaxing and rejuvenating properties as well as acting as an antiseptic and helping to relieve pain especially head tension..
Lavender is picked in the early morning and the best therapeutic oil comes from the straggliest plants rather than those with beautiful flowers and leaves.The name comes from the roman word lavera (to cleanse).
It is important to buy a good quality lavender so look out for the latin name on the bottle. Lower quality oils can often be mixed with lavandin (Lavandula hybrida) or lavenda spike (Lavandula latifolia) which smell similar , are cheaper to produce but have different chemical properties to true lavender.
Sometimes clients will buy a lavender oil to help them sleep but then say it wasn't helpful. Often they have (unknowingly) bought lavandin but marketed as lavender.
Lavender can be used neat on burns after the burn has been cooled with cold water. Gently dry the burn, apply a few drops of lavender and then wrap in cling film to exclude the air and prevent evaporation of the oil. Medical advice must be sought for serious burns.

21/02/2016

Essential Oil of the Month
BASIL (Ocimum Basilicum)
The name Basil comes from the greek word for King (Basileum).The plant originates from Asia and is widely used in traditional Indian medicine. The plant can be found growing in the wild all over the mediterranean and alot of the essential oil comes from plants grown in Egypt.
The essential oil helps to relieve respiratory problems (add 4 drops to a bowl of hot water and inhale or add a couple of drops onto a tissue. If asthmatic add 1 drop). Also good for muscular aches and pains and mental fatigue to help clear the head.
Cautions: Avoid in pregnancy. Use well diluted if you have sensitive skin.
Basil blends well with lemon and lavender for an uplifting mix.

17/01/2016

Essential Oil of the Month
EUCALYPTUS
There are 4 types of eucalyptus essential oil used in aromatherapy. Each has varying amounts of the main chemical compounds found within this family of oils.
Eucalyptus globulus is the most common oil and is low cost due to its abundant supply. This oil is not recommended for children or fragile individuals due to its high eucalyptol content and strong aroma.
Eucalyptus Radiata is widely used in France and has no contra indications.
Eucalyptus Smithii is very similar to Eucalyptus Radiata.
Eucalyptus Citriodora has a lemony smell but is high in citronellal so caution is needed if you have sensitive skin. Always use this oil well diluted in a massage mix or lotion.
Eucalyptus is well known for use in respiratory infections as an inhalation. The oils also help to relieve the symptoms of muscular aches and pains.
Jean Valnet (The practice of aromatherapy 1964) claimed that using a spray containing 2% eucalyptus oil could kill 70% of staphylococci in the air. Australian aborigines used to bind eucalyptus leaves to their wounds to reduce infection.

09/12/2015

Essential Oil of the Month
MYRRH (Commiphora Myrrha)
Myrrh has a spicy, woody aroma and is steam distilled like frankincense. Myrrh has a beneficial effect on the skin and also supports the respiratory, digestive and immune systems. Historians believe that myrrh grew in the Tigris and Euphrates valleys which is now believed to be the site of the biblical garden of Eden.
Myrrh is an emotionally balancing and comforting oil and is a popular oil to use during meditation.
AVOID DURING PREGNANCY.
Myrrh mixes well with frankincense, orange and patchouli.

02/11/2015

Essential Oil of the Month
FRANKINCENSE (Boswellia Carterii)
Frankincense is a gum obtained from the inner bark of the Boswellia Carterii tree. It is collected as large clear globules that are then steam distilled to produce the essential oil.
The Egyptians burned frankincense at sunrise as an offering to the sun god Ra and the oil was widely used in cosmetics as it is today.Frankincense is a skin rejuvenating oil and has a positive effect on mature skin (good added to night cream to reduce wrinkles!) but is also a calming oil. It is often used during meditation as it quietens the mind. A drop of essential oil massaged into the centre of the palm of the hand is very relaxing and calming if you are faced with a stressful situation. The oil has a woody, spicy aroma and blends well with geranium and lavender.

01/10/2015

Essential Oil of the Month
GERANIUM (Pelargonium Graveolens)
Geranium essential oil is distilled from the leaves, stalks and flowers from plants that are grown mainly in Egypt, Morocco and China. It is a gentle oil helping to reduce inflammation and is balancing to the emotions.Geranium is an uplifting oil with sweet aroma and mixes well with Rose, Sandalwood and Lavender essential oils.
Note: Geranium is believed to have an effect on the hormonal system and therefore is contradicted in early pregnancy.

19/08/2015

Carrier oil of the month.
ARGAN Oil (Argania Spinosa)
Argan oil is rich in vitamin E, antioxidants and essential fatty acids. The oil can hydrate dry patches of skin or dry hair and could be used as a daily moisturiser. To condition hair, massage into the roots and scalp and leave for an hour prior to washing.
The oil also has anti inflammatory properties and may be helpful for sports injuries or rheumatic joints.
CAUTION: seek medical advice before using argan oil if you suffer from a nut allergy.
Argan oil production in Morrocco supports over 2 million people and it is mainly produced by women's co operatives. They crack the nut by hand and the kernel is cold pressed to extract the oil. The co operatives give women a degree of autonomy in a male dominated society and provides them with a steady income.

Raisdale Aromatherapy

24/10/2017

24/10/2016

09/08/2016

04/07/2016

31/05/2016

28/04/2016

21/02/2016

17/01/2016

09/12/2015

02/11/2015

01/10/2015

19/08/2015

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