My Favoriate Essential Oils - Part 3 of 3
Hi there ! So glad to see you – how are you doing these days ? A lot has changed since my last post highlighting Peppermint & Lavender oils and to be honest, it’s taken a bit for me to get over the shock and adjust. I have given myself permission to feel and honor the emotions as they come up - anger, sadness, fear, and overall anxiety are slowing giving way to optimism, gratefulness and periods of peace. Its been a tough go, and I have looked to my oils for more support the last few weeks and have naturally been called to use my favorite two oils – Frankincense and Bergamot.
Frankincense (Boswellia sacra / Boswellia cartellia)
The woodsy, spicy and slightly lemony aroma of Frankincense comes from distilling the resin of a shrub also known as olibanum grown in several different varieties in the Middle East and North Africa. Affectionately thought of as the King of Essential oils, has long been used in religious and spiritual ceremony it brings a clearing and focus to meditation and encourages deep, relaxed breathing and helps us into a deep meditative state to allow messages of healing and personal growth to be absorbed and integrated into our being. I personally have found the grounding and mind calming properties so beneficial over the years, especially when going through periods of change, chaos, high anxiety, and stress. We all go through times when we are needing to let go and heal that which is blocking our personal growth, deal with indecision or reconnect with a higher, divine or universal presence and Frankincense has supported me time and time again.
Inhaling Frankincense using a personal inhaler or diffuser is wonderful during meditation, yoga or other spiritual modalities for clearing, relaxing and centering. When added to facial serums, creams or body lotions, Frankincense’s cell regenerating & anti-inflammatory properties can be beneficial to mature, dry or damaged skin and can help clear acne, balance oily skin, smooth out wrinkles and reduce old scars. Frankincense has immune stimulant qualities which are helpful with colds, flu and respiratory conditions such as asthma, bronchitis, shortness of breath and laryngitis.
Safety FYI - Burning resin produces smoke which contains a psychoactive substance called trahydrocannabinole which could cause unsettling states of mind.
Bergamot (Citrus bergamia Risso & Poit)
My all time, favorite and almost daily go to essential oil is Bergamot. Imagine a clean, crisp, slightly citrusy, grassy & woodsy aroma that almost instantly feels like a hug and puts a slight smile on your face. If you have enjoyed a cup of Earl Grey Tea, you too have taken in the aroma of Bergamot which is also an important ingredient in traditional Eau du Perfume.
Bergamot is known to be anti-infectious, anti-bacterial, anti-viral with calming yet uplifting properties. Is helpful for respiratory system support when inhaled and can be effective against colds, flu, sore throat and help boost the immune system. Bergamot has anti-fungal, anti-septic and tonic properties which can be helpful with acne, oily skin, cold sores / herpes, chicken pox, shingles, eczema, psoriasis, and wounds. When used in a diffuser or in a lotion, Bergamot is an effective insect repellant and can help sooth the itch of bug bites.
It can ease anxiety, depression, stress and when supportive when working with anger, panic, hysteria and grief. Bergamot is connected to the heart chakra and is full of love and happiness, radiates positive energy while remaining balanced.
A member of the Citrus or Rutaceae plant family and related to Orange, Lemon and Lime, the oils are cold pressed or extracted from the peels of almost ripe fruit grown in Morocco, the Ivory Coast and Corsica.
My favorite way to use Bergamot is in a personal inhaler or diffuser. Its crisp uplifting aroma is great on road trips, clears stagnant air and invites positive energy especially in enclosed or small spaces. You can add a drop or two into a dollop of unscented skin lotion, shower gel or Epsom salts which will have you feeling refreshed and recharged in no time.
Safety Note: Cold extracted Bergamot essential oil contains chemical compounds called Bergaptene which can cause phototoxic reactions (skin rashes / burns) when apply to skin that is exposed to sunlight or UV rays . When purchasing Bergamot, ensure it is FCF free - There are varieties of furocoumarin-free (FCF) cold expressed oils available that have had the bergaptene compounds removed. Also look for steam distilled Bergamot oil as the Bergaptene is naturally removed during steam distillation thus safe to use on the skin year-round. We are pleased to offer both FCF free Bergamot and Organic Bergamot
If you are just starting in your exploration of essential oils and not sure where to begin, I encourage you to get to know my favorite six essential oils; Bergamot, Frankincense, Peppermint, Lavender, Sweet Orange and Lemon. These six oils offer healing and protective properties for all areas of wellness – physical, emotional, mental and spiritual and are just waiting to be supportive of your personal and family health goals.
Cheers and stay well my friends
Fawn