Author: Natalie Schunker
Source: ezinearticles.com
Today’s assault on our bodies
People react badly to the word chemical. We all know that allergies are on the increase and yet scientists are developing more and more chemicals. They are in airborne pesticides, in foods we eat and in just about everything we put on our skin. But it is not just man made chemicals that many of us are allergic to. Nature can be equally dangerous. We are becoming increasingly allergic to grasses, trees and flowers. We know this because some of us come out in rashes from lying in the grass and hay fever from flowers and trees is affecting more of us as is the natural poison in nuts and fish. Many of us are also allergic to some natural essences in perfume and creams.
But the complex world of perfumes has almost given up trying to explain itself – smells and bells, musical notes, molecules and lies. Mostly its the industry’s own fault for treating us all like idiots. Advertising is so full of rubbish it would be funny if it wasn’t so sad. Miraculous flowers that do not exist and confusion over terms such as wood essences and pink musk (true musk is now banned as it was extracted from the musk gland from deer). The role of chemists in cosmetics now seems to be reduced to change for changes sake. Their abilities in changing molecular structures is almost miraculous and a huge mystery to most of us. But do we as women want this? Why make up new scents when we have all the lovely traditional perfumes such as Lavender, Geranium, Patchouli, Lemon, Rose, Jasmine that our grandparents loved.
Which brings me to essential oils. These are pure plant, flower or tree extracts, uncontaminated with chemicals and ideally grown under organic conditions. In other words they are natural. Without these essential oils the medical, food and cosmetics industries would not exist. Many essential oils are the main ingredients in drugs prescribed by our orthodox western system of medicine. For example the latest swine flu antidote Tamiflu contains Star Anise, a herb mostly used in Chinese duck and pork dishes. But this time let’s talk about essential oils used mostly in the cosmetics industry. Here are some of my favourites.
Essential oils for our face
Chamomile is a herb grown in England, France, Hungary and Bulgaria. My favourite Chamomile is Chamomile Roman. It is used in pharmaceutics where it is beneficial for nerves, migraine, acne, inflammation, insomnia, menstrual problems, dermatitis eczema, and burns. In cosmetics it is good for normal skin for psoriasis, broken capillaries, combination skin which are both dry and oily in different parts of the body. I have found a night cream which contains chamomile and I like the smell and find it very relaxing.
Cypress oil comes from the leaves and twigs from a tree, grown in the Mediterranean. It is a revitalising astringent as well as good for broken capillaries. It is particularly effective on oily skin. Although this is effective in a facial cream or oil you could also put a few drops in warm water. I also use it in a foot cream combined with Rosemary and English peppermint. In just a few days I found a huge improvement to my dry and cracked feet. I find it very healing and it feels cool and fresh.
Geranium oil comes from the leaves, stalks and flowers of the Geranium plant and is grown in France, Egypt, China, Morocco and USSR. It is used in perfumes, cosmetics and the pharmaceutical industry’s. It is good for normal skin, combination skin (oily and dry), it is also good for broken capillaries. I use it in a hand and body cream I found which also contains gorgeous Patchouli.
Rose oil comes from a bush and is made from the flower petals. The best essential oils come from Bulgaria and Morocco. It is used mostly in the perfumery and cosmetics industry. It is good for normal skin and is often found in day creams. It is good for broken capillaries, combination skin as well as being revitalising. It is also one of the most expensive essential oils on the market.
Carrot oil is a root vegetable grown in various places including the UK. It is used in many moisturising and day and night creams. It has most of the qualities mentioned in the above as well as a rich Vitamin A content (also known as Ritalin in the cosmetics industry).
Lavender oil comes from the flowers of the Lavender bush and is grown in France yet English Lavender is becoming more and more popular. I love its perfume although younger people often associate it with Grandma but believe me when I say that Granny new best! It is used for normal skin, psoriasis, combination skin, its an organic sunscreen, good for burns, as an insect repellent, can be used on stings neat as well as relaxing and smells gorgeous. I found a day cream with Vitamin A and E with touch on lavender and my skin looks and feels younger and clearer.
All of the above oils can be used in face creams, but pure essential oils should never be used undiluted apart from Lavender.
Essential oils for the body
Clary Sage is a herb that comes from France, Spain and USSR and it is used in the pharmaceutical, perfumery and cosmetics industries. I use it in a aluminium free deodorant for its antibacterial qualities combined with Lemon, Tea Tree, Rosemary and Cypress. It works for me.
Rosemary is a herb that come from Spain, France and Japan. The oil comes from the flowers and the leaf. It is mostly used in the pharmaceutical and the veterinary worlds. Its uses are numerous from headaches to skin infections.
Patchouli is a plant and is grown in China, Indonesia and Japan. Its oil comes from the leaves and is mostly used in perfumes and cosmetics although it has lots of medical qualities. It is helpful for skin inflammation, acne, eczema, dandruff and as an antiseptic, but because of its gorgeous perfume it is mostly used in the perfume and cosmetics industries. I love the smell. Its also unisex, men like it, I think it reminds them of leather as it was used to cure leather coats in the 60′s. I have found a gorgeous hand and foot cream mixed with Geranium and Patchouli.
Peppermint is a herb and the oil comes from the whole plant. English Peppermint is now used in chocolate, whilst the other Peppermints go into toothpaste etc. It can be grown in our gardens and is used as a tea for indigestion but it is good for arthritis, migraine, inflammation, nausea and many more ailments. I use it in a foot cream. I love its smell on my tired feet and I know that its an excellent stimulant along with Rosemary and Cypress.
These are just a few essential oils that I use as part of my natural skincare regime, but there are about 300 others out there and we are learning more about them everyday and about their miraculous benefits.
Natalie Schunker is an authority on natural skincare and natural skin care products Apart from writing about her passion she works with a small family business making quality hand made moisturising creams for the face and body. If you are interested in more information head over to – Natural Skincare