Judy

Rosemary Therapeutic Essential Oil

With the departure of any leisure time you managed to have during the summer, you may now feel a new sense of purpose; new things to do, new projects, new goals --new needs for energy. Maybe it's the first day of school for your (sob) kindergartner, or shopping with your college- bound teenagers for their dorm decorating needs. This is all new to you, too.
You will find, with all your new fall activities, many areas in which aromatherapy can be a welcome and pleasant helper. All the things you have to do and all the things you have to think about may not match your energy level. New activities use new muscles that may not have been exercised in months. A new season and a new schedule (more like several schedules, really --- every member of your household will have their own schedule, no doubt) bring new hygiene concerns.

 This oil will help you rev up your system to meet all the challenges brought your way.

Rosemary belongs to the rather large family of labiate plants, whose members include mint, clary, sage, basil, thyme, marjoram, patchouli, lavender, hyssop, and myrtle. Among these essential oils, rosemary oil has the longest history and remains the most highly valued. It was used in ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome for mental stimulation, cleansing, and purification. This oil, which is a natural antiseptic, disinfectant, and detoxifier, also stimulates the immune system.

Rosemary, with its clean and strong fragrance, is steam-distilled from the flowers and needle-like leaves of the herb. The "fingerprint" of Rosemary, the leaves and flowers it comes from, tells us it can affect respiration and the brain or emotions. In fact, Rosemary is stimulating to both mind and body.

The stimulating properties of Rosemary make it a natural aid in combating mental fatigue and enhancing concentration as it helps you fight procrastination and forgetfulness. It improves mental clarity and strength against strong emotions and mood swings. This yang oil provides support when you feel sluggishness, or mental fatigue. It stimulates the brain in the area that assist in logical thinking, math, and numbers -- something that is particularly useful in September

The discomfort caused by tension headaches may be soothed with a blend of Wild Rosemary and Lavender, which can be diffused or diluted with Mixing Oil and rubbed into the temples and neck. Sufferers of sinus headaches may find relief with a blend of  Rosemary and Eucalyptus

In Victorian times, women used to rinse their dark hair in Rosemary rinse to enhance its color or shin.

Rosemary blends well with Cedar, Clary Sage, Lemon, Eucalyptus, Peppermint, and Pine

WARNING: Keep Rosemary (or any essential oi) away from your eyes. If you do accidentally get some in your eyes, rinse your eyes with water until the stinging goes away. Do not use Rosemary oil if you are pregnant or epileptic. Rosemary can be very stimulating and may increase blood pressure. We do not recommend Rosemary oil for use on infants, as it is rather strong for them.

You will find the following Rosemary-based hints take advantage of its stimulating properties for waking up and enhancing concentration and memory.

Rosemary's circulatory properties can be used to alleviate the sore muscles and sports pain you will run into now that fall is here. Speaking of sports, Rosemary can also help that locker-room smell that will be coming home from the gym.
You can incorporate Rosemary into your beauty products, in dandruff shampoo, as a hair conditioner, and even as a toner for oily skin.

Oh, that first Monday morning after vacation! For many of us it seems like this is truly the beginning of fall. The following hint can help you hit the ground running.

EYE OPENER

A few drops of Rosemary in a morning shower can give you a fresh start to your day. Try the following hint for an energizing end to your very busy day:

QUICK SHOWER PICK-ME-UP

Shower in cool water. Just before you finish, add a drop or two or Rosemary to your face cloth and rub it all over -- not on your eyes. This will tingle and the scent will sharpen your wits for the day.

MORNING GROUCH

• 15 drops Rosemary

• 10 drops Lemongrass

• 10 drops Grapefruit

Use this mixture - 1 to 2 drops in cold water - as a sponge bath or added to a shower gel.

If your caught without any Grouch Prevention! Try the hint below in this kind of emergency:

GROUCH PREVENTION

• 2 drops of Lavender

• 2 drops Lemon

• 2 drops Peppermint

• 6 drops Rosemary

• 6 drops Tea Tree

Mix all oils together. Use the blend in one of these ways:

• Mix into 16 ounces of water and spray the air around the potential grouch as soon as he or she (you) get up.

• Mix the essential oils into 2 tablespoons of any vegetable oil to use as a body oil after showering.

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ENERGIZING DAY'S END

A few drops of Rosemary in a bath after a physically challenging day really revs up those muscles.

The circulating and stimulating properties of Rosemary make it a perfect aid for those of you who are not morning people. Rosemary helps your blood get going as well as your brain.

 A natural alternative to coffee or other stimulants, rosemary can provide a lift during the day simply by adding it to a simmer pot or diffuser.

For an energizing bath, add 3 drops of rosemary essential oil, 3 drops of Lemon essential oil and 2 drops of Eucalyptus essential oil directly into of tub of warm water. Swirl the water until the oils are mixed or add to a bath/shower gel

THOUGHT PROVOKING ROSEMARY

Rosemary has been known to stimulate memory for so long that ancient Greek and Roman students wore Rosemary wreaths when they studies. Rather than wearing headgear when you study, try this recipe in an air spray:

CONCENTRATION BLEND

• 2 drops Cedar

• 1 drop Eucalyptus

• 4 drops lavender

• 2 drops Orange

• 2 drops Rosemary

Mix all oils Together
Add the essential oils to 16 ounces of water and use as a room spray before you sit down to study. Refresh the room from time to time as you study.

DRIVING ALERT

Before driving in the night, put two drops of Rosemary on a tissue and place it in your pocket or attach it to your visor to help you stay alert the whole ride home

Send a tissue or handkerchief to school with your child, with a few drops of rosemary, lemon, orange, and lavender, to help concentration and good mood.

Children who suffer from inability to concentrate in school can benefit from diffusion of Wild Rosemary in their rooms for part of the night (only an hour at a time).

For Energy and Mental Clarity - The fragrance from rosemary helps renew energy levels and aids concentration. Use the following oil mixture to clear in your head and allow you to think clearly again.

• 3 drops Rosemary

• 1 drop Clary Sage

• 1 drop of Peppermint

AND ONE AND TWO
Rosemary's high hydrogen content makes it warming and stimulating -- it really get your blood moving. This is exactly why it is so good to help deal with muscle aches and pains. This circulatory effect of Rosemary makes it particularly useful in a massage for sore muscles you may have over whelmed with your fall activities.

MUSCLE RUB

• 2 drops Lavender

• 2 drops Lemon

• 2 drops Peppermint

• 4 drops Rosemary

• 2 teaspoons olive oil

Mix essential oils with vegetable oil. Slowly massage this blend into aching muscles

RELAXING FOOT MASSAGE

• 10 drops Rosemary

• 5 drops Lavender

• 2 drops Peppermint

• 3 drops Geranium

Mix these oils in your favorite lotion or massage oil. It may also be mixed with 1 teaspoon of almond oil

Applied externally, rosemary increases warmth and stimulates blood circulation. It is a wonderful antidote for cold feet, tired or weak legs, circulatory problems of extremities, sore muscles, rheumatic pain, arthritis, gout, and paralysis.

For cold feet - Pamper and warmer cold feet with a foot bath containing Rosemary Oil for quick and long lasting results. Mixed 9 drops of oil with the warm water of the foot bath. Be sure to mix well so that the oil dispenses through out. You can mix with a little bath/shower gel as a emulsifier.

GOING FOR THE BURN
Occasionally, you can really overdo it with sports or exercise. This time you need something that will work on revving up the circulation of the offending area (like the recipe for Muscle Rub) along with something soothing, like chamomile.

SPORT PAIN REMEDY

• 5 drops Chamomile

• 5 drops Lavender

• 5 drops Lemon

• 5 drops Peppermint

• 10 drops Rosemary

Mix all essential oils together.

Add them to 2 tablespoons olive oil. Gently massage this into painful muscles.

The Sports Pain Remedy uses higher concentration of essential oils to base oil because you are dealing with a higher concentration of sensation -- it hurts! Be very gentle as you massage the painful area, but be generous with the blend.

To help control minor pain, add 9 drops from Rosemary Oil 4 tsp. Of sweet almond oil and gently rub the gall bladder area.

HAIR! HAIR!

Rosemary is a true friend to hair. It stimulates and conditions the skin of the scalp and stimulates blood flow to the scalp, which in turn strengthens the roots and shafts of hair.

The following hair moisturizer is actually an oil treatment for your hair. It will restore skin and cut down on static electricity, which may be a problem for those of you with dry hair. Hair Moisturizer works very well on hair that has been chemically treated with perms or colorings. Even your hairdresser will be impressed.

HAIR MOISTURIZER

• 8 drops Cedarwood

• 8 drops Lavender

• 12 drops Rosemary

Mix all oils together. Add the essential oils to 2 tablespoons olive oil. This makes enough of the blend for several applications.

Pour about a teaspoon of the blend into the palm of your hand. Warm it by rubbing your palms together. Massage your head, hair, and scalp with the blend. Put a shower cap or warm towel on your head and leave it for fifteen minutes to let the warmth increase your hair's absorption of the blend.

Wash your hair as you normally would. You may want to shampoo and rinse twice.

The hair rinse below makes your hair look healthier and smell great, too.

FLAKE-FREE SHAMPOO

• 20 drops Eucalyptus

• 20 drops Lemon

• 30 drops Rosemary

• 8 ounces Silken Shampoo

Mix the oils together and add to Silken Shampoo. This shampoo will smell and feel strong as you apply it to your hair Once you have lathered up, leave it in your hair for five minutes so the essential oils can be absorbed into your scalp. Feel that tingle? It's starting to work.

For hair loss - Add two drops of Rosemary Oil to shampoo. The oil will help stimulate circulation to the scalp, giving it a bit of a "wake of the call" and, at the same time, improving the nutrient supply in new on to the hair roots. The result will be healthy shiny hair.

A hair conditioner that adds a pleasing scent. Mix 2 drops of rosemary, 2 drops of lavender, 2 drops of Clary Sage and 2 drops of jasmine absolute to half ounce of a base oil. Add drop by a drop to a wooden hairbrush before brushing. 

RINSE FOR DARK HAIR

• 15 drops Cedarwood

• 15 drops Rosemary

Apply as you would any conditioner after you have rinsed the shampoo from your hair. You might be less than happy with your hair because you have the telltale flakes of dandruff. Use the Flake-Free Shampoo in the following recipe to rev up your scalp and help free it from white flakes.

CHANGES OF THE SKIN

As the weather changes, your skin's needs also change. Skin you thought was too oily just a few weeks ago now seems dry. Rosemary encourages dry, mature skin to produce its own oil and also treats acne for those with dry skin. It also helps get rid of canker sores and other viruses. Use the toner below before you apply your moisturizer.

DRY SKIN TONER

• 3 drops Clary Sage

• 2 drops Geranium

• 1 drop Lavender

• 2 drops Rosemary

Mix the oils together. Add to 4 tablespoons spring water. Splash skin before applying moisturizer

Put the above toner into a spray bottle and store the bottle in the refrigerator. This makes a refreshing Spritz for your face after exercise.

Dilute Wild Rosemary with oil or add a few drops to a moisturizing lotion and massage into the skin for arthritis, hair loss, rheumatism and dry skin conditions.      

For cellulite - Adding Rosemary Oil to bath water is helpful for removing water from tissue and improving circulation, which in turn diminishes the appears of cellulite. Mix 10 drop of Rosemary with 2 to 3 tablespoons bath/shower gel or based oil as an emulsifier, and add to bath water.  Because of the brain-energizing qualities of Rosemary, you won't want to make use of it directly before bedtime or you'll find your mind much too busy to fall asleep.

If you like Rosemary, you might also like Thyme, which has a similar sharp scent and also comes from the leaves of the herb. Grow the herbs in your garden or on your windowsill.

As we can all appreciate, knowledge is power. Enjoy your knowledge, enjoy these recipes, enjoy Rosemary, and most of all, enjoy your health

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