The planet is full of amazing plants, fungi and life and as I grow older and wiser with experience, I am drawn to what is of the natural world. And that goes beyond food. For the power of essential oils is amazing, and they go well beyond simply being plant concentrates. But first, let me explain that for the past few years, I’ve studied greatly the art of herbal medicine, and in my studies, nothing stands above the natural plant that a medicine or remedy is derived from, which is why when it comes to modern medicines, I will always opt for the natural remedy over the artificial pharmaceutical. Sure, some modern medicines are necessary, but many have a worse affect than the original ailment. Because not only are natural medicines gentler, they have less side effects, and to be real, medicine began with plants. Modern medicine has been around for 200 some years, while herbal medicine has been around since the dawn of time. And through my studies and herbalist experience, nothing is truer. There is power in plants
So these days, I focus on working with natural and whole ingredients in just about everything I possibly can, like making my own natural body care products, or my own teas as medicine, or creating herbal-infused topical salves for a range of ailments. There’s a self-sustaining aspect that I appreciate, but mainly, it’s the ability to control the quality of my medicine that I have the greatest passion for. I hate the idea that many of the foods on the grocer’s shelves and in the pharmacy are loaded full of additives, chemicals, and other unnatural ingredients that tend to have adverse effects, especially when it comes to medicinals, as they have a tendency to have worse side effects than the originally intended treatment.
I recently reached out to Mystic Moments in the UK, because I wanted to feature some of my favorite herbal recipes for medicinals and for general wellbeing, and they’re simply one of the best for the quality of their ingredients, their prices, and because they have perhaps the widest variety of concentrated oils and other ingredients than just about any other company. They were thrilled to team up and were very kind in sending some of their essential oils, like Birch Tar, German Blue Chamomile, Chinese Cedarwood, Bourbon Geranium, Garlic, Ho Leaf, Neroli, Pennyroyal, Wild Ravensara, Indian Sandalwood, Winter Savory, Blue Tansy, and Chamazulene Blue Yarrow.
As I mentioned earlier, essential oils are potent plant concentrates, which have been distilled so that only the plant’s essence, or oil, aroma, and medicinal properties are left. They’re so potent that an undiluted single drop can cause irritation, or if ingested, can cause worse problems, so it’s important to understand proper procedure and dilution rates. So a few drops can go a long way. While I won’t get into all of that here, this information is readily available online, in books, and beyond. Lately, I’ve been digging more into the dried herb, as it is the original source of these properties, but the essential oil is the way to go for quick use and highest potency, averaging at being around 75 times more potent than the dried herb.
What I’ve found to be so impressive about essential oils is their variety of use, because you can use them for just about anything you can imagine. Just about. Essential oils can be used in aromatherapy (diffused into the air and breathed in), topically (neat with a carrier oil or infused in a salve, or lotion, or scrub, etc.), or as a cleaner, in medicine, and more. I use essential oils in my travels, and in my everyday life, and I use them to make my own beard oils, body care products, medicines, cleaners, pet treatment, and for emotional support. Emotionally, aromatherapy is often the best means to balancing emotions, improving mood, and helping to ease my often reeling mind (from anxiety and stress). It’s amazing how well it helps.
But perhaps the biggest positivity I’ve found that essential oils have in my life is what I have been able to create topically. It’s possible to create a topical medicinal approaches for dozens of ailments like tension and migraines, insomnia and stress, sore muscles and joints, inflammation, skin conditions, scars and blemishes, and on and on the list goes, but the point is that essential oils and herbs are mighty powerful with a ridiculous variety of uses. For example, the German Blue Chamomile essential oils has carminative, antispasmodic, mild sedative, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and anticatarrhal properties. While the Garlic oil is quite pungent, it is very effective in assisting in colds and flu, fighting respiratory infections, ear infections, and balancing heart health and blood pressure. The Blue Tansy is a rare oil with powerful anti-inflammatory and anti-histamine, anti-allergen and anti-fungal properties, yet has a rejuvenating effect on the skin, relieving irritation and redness, while providing some anti-aging capabilities.
I recently reached out to Mystic Moments in the UK, because I wanted to feature some of my favorite herbal recipes for medicinals and for general wellbeing, and they’re simply one of the best for the quality of their ingredients, their prices, and because they have perhaps the widest variety of concentrated oils and other ingredients than just about any other company. They were thrilled to team up and were very kind in sending some of their essential oils, like Birch Tar, German Blue Chamomile, Chinese Cedarwood, Bourbon Geranium, Garlic, Ho Leaf, Neroli, Pennyroyal, Wild Ravensara, Indian Sandalwood, Winter Savory, Blue Tansy, and Chamazulene Blue Yarrow.
As I mentioned earlier, essential oils are potent plant concentrates, which have been distilled so that only the plant’s essence, or oil, aroma, and medicinal properties are left. They’re so potent that an undiluted single drop can cause irritation, or if ingested, can cause worse problems, so it’s important to understand proper procedure and dilution rates. So a few drops can go a long way. While I won’t get into all of that here, this information is readily available online, in books, and beyond. Lately, I’ve been digging more into the dried herb, as it is the original source of these properties, but the essential oil is the way to go for quick use and highest potency, averaging at being around 75 times more potent than the dried herb.
What I’ve found to be so impressive about essential oils is their variety of use, because you can use them for just about anything you can imagine. Just about. Essential oils can be used in aromatherapy (diffused into the air and breathed in), topically (neat with a carrier oil or infused in a salve, or lotion, or scrub, etc.), or as a cleaner, in medicine, and more. I use essential oils in my travels, and in my everyday life, and I use them to make my own beard oils, body care products, medicines, cleaners, pet treatment, and for emotional support. Emotionally, aromatherapy is often the best means to balancing emotions, improving mood, and helping to ease my often reeling mind (from anxiety and stress). It’s amazing how well it helps.
But perhaps the biggest positivity I’ve found that essential oils have in my life is what I have been able to create topically. It’s possible to create a topical medicinal approaches for dozens of ailments like tension and migraines, insomnia and stress, sore muscles and joints, inflammation, skin conditions, scars and blemishes, and on and on the list goes, but the point is that essential oils and herbs are mighty powerful with a ridiculous variety of uses. For example, the German Blue Chamomile essential oils has carminative, antispasmodic, mild sedative, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and anticatarrhal properties. While the Garlic oil is quite pungent, it is very effective in assisting in colds and flu, fighting respiratory infections, ear infections, and balancing heart health and blood pressure. The Blue Tansy is a rare oil with powerful anti-inflammatory and anti-histamine, anti-allergen and anti-fungal properties, yet has a rejuvenating effect on the skin, relieving irritation and redness, while providing some anti-aging capabilities.
I experimented with Mystic Moments’ essential oils and found them to be absolutely wonderful. Even if I tried to come up with objective criticism, the only fault I experienced was the regret that I opened the Garlic essential oil before needing it, and the smell has since permeated my essential oil box. But no harm done. Actually, what I found was completely positive, as each has their own unique smells and effects you can feel from simply breathing in each concentrated oil, and each has an impressive range of effects. My favorites from Mystic Moments is the Rosewood, Neroli, Chamomile, Sandalwood and Blue Tansy, but I’ve found the others I listed as being very effective as well, each to their own.
With research, you can figure out new applications for each oil, but to get you started, here’s a medicinal recipe for sore muscles and joints, which can be effective for pain relief and inflammation. I’ve provided a simple recipe with a simple ingredients list and the ultimate recipe, which is more complex, yet extremely potent and effective.
If you would like to learn more about Mystic Moments, click here.
Either topical recipe creates 4-5oz of salve, but a little will go a long way, and so if you decide to make the full batch, try making 4-5 1oz tins, so you can share!
For the ultimate recipe: In a double boiler, infuse the herbs in oil. Extract the medicinal properties on medium heat for 1.5-2 hours. Let cool, then strain with cheesecloth. Now continue the following...
For the simple recipe, start here: In a clean pan, combine oil, wax and heat in double boiler until melted. Remove from heat, let cool one minute then stir in essential oils. Pour into glass jar or metal tin with tight fitting lid. Leave untouched to cool and set, then once cool, rub into sore muscles and joints. Avoid the eyes, as the camphor and menthol can cause irritation. Always do an allergy test by placing a small amount of the salve on the inside of the arm, and if there’s no reaction after an hour or so, feel free to use a bit more liberally as you see fit.
With research, you can figure out new applications for each oil, but to get you started, here’s a medicinal recipe for sore muscles and joints, which can be effective for pain relief and inflammation. I’ve provided a simple recipe with a simple ingredients list and the ultimate recipe, which is more complex, yet extremely potent and effective.
If you would like to learn more about Mystic Moments, click here.
Either topical recipe creates 4-5oz of salve, but a little will go a long way, and so if you decide to make the full batch, try making 4-5 1oz tins, so you can share!
For the ultimate recipe: In a double boiler, infuse the herbs in oil. Extract the medicinal properties on medium heat for 1.5-2 hours. Let cool, then strain with cheesecloth. Now continue the following...
For the simple recipe, start here: In a clean pan, combine oil, wax and heat in double boiler until melted. Remove from heat, let cool one minute then stir in essential oils. Pour into glass jar or metal tin with tight fitting lid. Leave untouched to cool and set, then once cool, rub into sore muscles and joints. Avoid the eyes, as the camphor and menthol can cause irritation. Always do an allergy test by placing a small amount of the salve on the inside of the arm, and if there’s no reaction after an hour or so, feel free to use a bit more liberally as you see fit.
| Ultimate Sore Muscle Salve Recipe: This recipe has a lovely natural icy-hot sensation.
| Simple Sore Muscle Salve Recipe:
*This article is for entertainment use, and should not replace the diagnoses of any disease or the subscribing of any medication. Always consult with your doctor or a medical professional for any and all health-related advice. |
*This article is for entertainment use, and should not replace the diagnoses of any disease or the subscribing of any medication. Always consult with your doctor or a medical professional for any and all health-related advice.
(Main photo by digimages1 via Flickr)
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