In addition to following the recommendations by the CDC and pretty much staying home, I am taking advantage of the therapeutic benefits of essential oils by diffusing every day. Please note I am not suggesting essential oils are a 'cure' or can 'prevent' the COVID-19 virus! They are, however, very good to diffuse in water to purify the air, help with immunity, aid in clearing congestion, smell wonderful, and are emotionally balancing by helping me feel more comfortable and less afraid!!  

I have reviewed my essential oil chart I made when I was studying for my certification, and looked at the 70 essential oils to find the ones high in airborne anti-microbial and anti-viral constituents:

Essential Oils that are both Airborne Anti-Microbial & Anti-Viral For Diffusing

• Eucalyptus Globulus & Eucalyptus Radiata (less medicinal than globulus, with a fruity undertone)
• Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus)
• Ravintsara (Cinnamomun camphora ct. 1,8 cineol) – be careful around children
• Thyme ct linalool

Essential Oils that are Airborne Anti-Microbial For Diffusing and/or Cleaning

• Laurel Leaf (Laurus nobilis)
• Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
• Rosemary ct camphor
• Rosemary ct 1.8 cineol
• Siberian Fir (Abies sibirica)

Essential Oils that are Good for Congestion, Coughs

• Cajuput (Melaleuca cajuputi)
• Eucalyptus Globulus or Eucalyptus Radiata
• Niaouli (Melaleuca quinquenervia ct 1,8 cineole)
• Peppermint (Mentha x piperita)

Essential Oils that are Good for Children and Elderly:

• Cedarwood (Juniperus virginiana or Cedrus atlantica)
• Fragonia (Adonis fragons)
• Frankincense (Boswellia carterii)
• Rosalina (Melaleuca ericifolia)

• Use 3-4 drops; these are concentrated—more is not better, so any more than a few drops is a waste!

• Diffuse for 30 minutes at a time, up to 2-3 times per day

• Always leave the door open in case your family or pets want to leave

• Do not diffuse in a baby’s room as their systems are not fully developed; can place a diffuser outside of their room

• At night, you can put 1-2 drops on a kleenex and put by your pillow; or carry in your pocket during the day to breathe in as needed

Diffusers I Recommend (can be found on Amazon.com):

- ZAQ Allay Lite Mist Ultrasonic
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0161ZYOA4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

- Syntus Real Bamboo Diffuser
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XC92JGW/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

- Rerii Car Aroma Diffuser
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B017NM8S0Q/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Essential Oil Supplier:

Aromatics International:
www.aromatics.com

Email me for discount codes!

It is amazing how big the hand sanitizing business is and it's provided everywhere from grocery stores, restaurants, public restrooms, not to mention the multitude of packaging so that one can carry it anywhere and anytime....you almost feel like you have to have it! I personally never liked over the counter hand sanitizers as they contain alot of alcohol and it is drying to my skin. Not to mention that I'm not sure what is wrong with just hot water and soap....just like mom said when we were growing up--wash your hands often with hot water and soap! I guess the FDA agreed to that, because as of September 2, 2016, they issued a press release that stated:

"The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today issued a final rule establishing that over-the-counter (OTC) consumer antiseptic wash products containing certain active ingredients can no longer be marketed. Companies will no longer be able to market antibacterial washes with these ingredients because manufacturers did not demonstrate that the ingredients are both safe for long-term daily use and more effective than plain soap and water in preventing illness and the spread of certain infections."

Further on it states:

"The agency issued a proposed rule in 2013 after some data suggested that long-term exposure to certain active ingredients used in antibacterial products — for example, triclosan (liquid soaps) and triclocarban (bar soaps) — could pose health risks, such as bacterial resistance or hormonal effects."

Yikes! This is why essential oils are so exciting, since many plants have antibacterial properties! Sage Aromatique's hand sanitizer was formulated for therapeutic properties of anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-microbial and contains:

- Sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) - key component is d-limonene which has anti-bacterial properties

- Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) - high in linalol which has anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties and linalyl acetate which has anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties

- Cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum) - key component is cinnamaldehyde which has anti-bacterial, anti-microbial and anti-viral properties

- Clove Bud (Eugenia caryophyllata) - key component is eugenol which has anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties

- Rosemary 1,8 cineole (Rosmariunus officinalis ct. 1,8 cineole) - key component is the 1,8 cineole which has airborne antimicrobial, anti-bacterial, and anti-viral properties

These essential oils are mixed in a carrier of aloe vera which is soothing to the hands and will not dry them out! Only spray on hands and feet, and never around the eyes or face.

I carry the 1 oz spray in my purse and also have one at home because it is so effective. When my family was suffering with colds, I used my hand sanitizer frequently and did not get ill. Recently I made a fabulous discovery when I was making dinner that required chopping garlic and I have never been able to remove the garlic odor from my hands for days until I sprayed some hand sanitizer and it removed the garlic smell almost immediately! I was ecstatic! Needless to say this is a popular item for Sage Aromatique...for a 1 oz spray it is $7.00! To order, you can go to the contact page and email or call to place an order!

Note:  FDA Press Release link: http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm517478.htm

What is Aromatherapy?

Very simply, it is the study of scent. As Valerie Cooksley, R.N. and C.A. further defines it as the skilled and controlled use of essential oils for pysical and emotional health and well-being. For me, it is plant science made of chemical components for use in therapeutic and energetic healing. Plant chemistry is actually very clever....essential oils protect the plant from disease and infestation but also encourage pollination from bees and butterflies.

Essential Oils’s are the concentrated essence of the plant. Method of extraction depends on the plant part used, but predominantly, it is steam distillation. The plant material is put in a vat (kind of like a collander) and water is below it and is gently heated. As the water heats up, the glands of the plants rupture and the essentials are released into that water. As the oil floats on the top of the water, it is then removed and that concentrated essence is what is bottled. Other extraction methods include cold-pressed for citrus rinds such as lemon, lime, grapefruit, bergamot and orange. Delicate flower petals like rose and jasmine cannot withstand steam distillation and are solvent-extracted.

Essential oils are used in many ways, such as by rubbing them onto our skin in a carrier with proper dilution. We rub them into the skin which means the essentials go into the bloodstream. Another way is to smell them (i.e. diffusers) and they go into the brain thru the olfactory bulb. This works in the part of our brain which is related to emotions and memories.

This is a very broad overview of aromatherapy. For me it was finding an alternative to commercial cleaners that made my eyes water and skin itch; it was creating formulas to support my immune system, or finding ways to use less synthetics and more natural in the plant world. I look forward to sharing my knowledge and discoveries in future blogs!