Spring- when a young man's fancy lightly turns to...Ylang Ylang!

Cananga Flower (Ylang Ylang Flowers) by Ks.mini via Wikimedia Commons 

Back in 1835, Alfred Lord Tennyson pronounced, "In the Spring a young man's fancy lightly turns to thoughts of love." One might add that the warmth and promise of Spring turns all our thoughts to love! And the essential oil to help encourage such thoughts to move into desired channels of attention or just keep our own minds and hearts focused on the emotion of the season? According to aromatherapists, that would be Ylang Ylang. From my own experience with this essential oil in aromatherapy blends, I heartily agree. It has the most luscious, sensual fragrance you can imagine. No wonder it is often used in perfumes. And its fragrance is so concentrated, just a little bit goes a long way. Too much is overpowering.

Ylang Ylang is utilized as an:

Ylang
Ylang Ylang (Cananga odorata) Essential Oil in clear glass vial
by Iteneranttrader via Wikimedia Commons

Antidepressant- its fragrance has qualities that lift the spirit, ease stress, and relax the body and mind

Antiseborrhoeic- helps regulate the natural sebum production in the skin, aiding in relief of seborrhoeic eczema

Antiseptic- acts as a disinfectant and inhibits microbial growth in wounds

Aphrodisiac- used in many cultures to stimulate those thoughts and feelings that arise come Springtime! (Also attributed to balancing hormone levels)

Hypotensive- its stress-lowering qualities contribute to a lower blood pressure

Nervine- boosts the nervous system and reduces emotional strain on nerves

Sedative- its ability to lower stress levels and calm the mind helps induce a good night's sleep (of course, if you are thinking all those "love thoughts" it encourages, that might keep you awake at night!)

Cananga Odorata in Maui, Hawaii by Forest and Kim Starr
via Wikimedia Commons

The essential oil of Ylang Ylang is steam distillation extracted from the fresh flowers of the Ylang Ylang tree, (Cananga Odorata,) commonly found in the rain forests of Asian and South Pacific Islands like Indonesia, Philippines, Java, Sumatra, Comoro and Polynesia. Its chief components are benzyl acetate, benzyl benzoate linalool, caryophyllene, geranyl acetate, methyl benzoate, p-cresyl methyl ether and other components known as Sesquiterpenes, all of which contribute to its fragrance and medicinal properties.

So inhale it, soak in a bath infused with it, massage it in with your carrier oil of choice, or lightly dab it on your skin, and lose yourself in Ylang Ylang's sensual, joyous cloud of Springlike goodness. 

Have a good couple weeks, dear Reader. Thanks for stopping by...y'all come back now! (And inhale deeply...)

Kate

(As always: this post is for information only and does not replace medical advice. Тest out an oil first by placing a small diluted amount on your arm as a patch test. In particular, those who are or could be pregnant should always refer to their physicians before using any essential oils.) 

Caraway Seed Essential Oil...a nod to the Irish

"Caraway" photo by H. Zell , via Wikimedia Commons 

'Tis St. Patrick's Day week so I searched for an essential oil with an Irish connection and decided upon caraway seed. Although caraway seeds are actually an American addition to traditional Irish soda bread, caraway seed cake is indeed authentically Irish. Sometimes called "seedy cake," it is a lovely, gently sweet cake perfect for afternoon tea, especially spread with some wondrously creamy Irish butter. (I've included a recipe at the end of today's post.)

Caraway Seed essential oil has a sweet, spicy, mildly peppery fragrance. It can be dropped into an infuser for inhalation, bath water for soaking, carrier oil/ lotion/ or shampoo for massaging into the skin or scalp. The following are benefits widely

"Caraway Seeds" by Slick, via Wikimedia Commons

attributed to caraway seed oil:

Emotional Wellbeing-- its warming fragrance aids stress relief, mental strain, and emotional fatigue.

Respiratory Health-- acts as an expectorant and useful for coughs, bronchitis, and other respiratory ailments.

Skin and Hair-- as a tissue regenerator, it can help fight oily skin, clear acne, heal bruises and boils, and clean infected wounds. It also soothes itchy skin, as well as dandruff and other scalp problems.

Digestion-- helps relieve upset stomach, colic, and gastric spasms.

So, as if that isn't enough, toss some caraway seeds into a cake recipe and enjoy their unique texture and flavor. You might say you "can have your cake and eat it, too!" Thanks to edible-ireland.com for this culinary treat:

From Edible-Ireland.com

Caraway Seed Cake

adapted from Make, Bake, Love by Lilly Higgins

Serves 8 to 10

175 g (1 1/2 cups) self-raising flour
150 g (1 1/4 cups) caster sugar, plus extra to sprinkle
125 g (1/2 cup + 1 tablespoon) butter, softened
2 eggs
1 tablespoon caraway seeds

(If you’re worried that your batter looks too dry, add in 1 or 2 tablespoons of milk.)

Preheat the oven to 170°C (340°F). Grease and line a 1 lb loaf tin.

Cream the sugar and butter together, then add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Add in the flour and mix just until smooth, taking care not to overmix, then fold in the caraway seeds. Pour the batter into the tin, level the top and sprinkle with sugar.

Bake for about 1 hour (check it after 50 minutes), or until risen and an inserted skewer comes out clean. Leave to rest in the tin for 5 minutes before turning out onto a wire rack to cool

"Rugby Union Flag of Ireland" [Public domain], via Wikimedia Common

Have a good couple weeks, dear Reader. Thanks for stopping by...y'all come back now! 

Sláinte!

Kate

(As always: this post is for information only and does not replace medical advice. Тest out an oil first by placing a small diluted amount on your arm as a patch test. In particular, those who are or could be pregnant should always refer to their physicians before using any essential oils.) 

Reguvinating Juniper...Juniper Berry Essential Oil

"Juniper Berries" By MPF (Own work) via Wikimedia Commons

"Essential OIl" By Itineranttrader (Own work) 
via Wikimedia Commons

I plan to use Juniper Berry essential oil as an essential story element of my work-in-progress cozy mystery novel. So, today, I will share what I've learned about this aromatic botanical. As always: this is for information only and does not replace medical advice. Always test out an oil first by placing a small diluted amount on your arm as a patch test. In particular, those who are or could be pregnant should always refer to their physicians before using any essential oils. Today's featured oil, Juniper Berry, carries a specific precaution for pregnancy as it has been known to stimulate the uterine muscle and must not be used by expectant mothers. It is also advised against for those with kidney or liver disease. Since this essential oil should not be used for young children or infants, it should also not be used by nursing mothers.

Now! After getting those disclaimers out of the way (sounding like those drug ads on TV that show people dancing in the sunshine while the narrator, speaking in a calmly hushed voice, rushes through possible side effects like suicidal thoughts or death,) here are the attributes and uses of Juniper Berry essential oil: 

Three of the major properties of Juniper Berry oil are terpineol, terpinene, and pinene, which can be helpful in treating skin infections and other health issues. It also contains chemicals that flush out free radicals in your bloodstream. 

For:

"Diffuser" by Borutp] via Wikimedia Commons

-Relief of stress, anxiety, drowsiness, and headaches: diffuse into the air using 2-3 drops in an oil warmer or vaporizer or add 8-10 drops to bath water for soaking (in addition, for headaches, add 2-3 drops into carrier oil such as jojoba oil and massage into temples; add lavender oil for enhanced benefit.)

-Pain relief for arthritis, joint pain, muscle fatigue and aiding circulation: add 8-10 drops to bath water for soaking or 2-3 drops to one ounce of carrier oil such as jojoba for massaging into applicable areas

-Alleviating skin problems such as acne, oily skin, psoriasis, dermatitis, weeping eczema: add 2-3 drops to lotion or cream and apply to affected skin or dampen a cotton ball with juniper berry oil and gently wipe skin

-Aiding in healing of wounds: add 6-10 drops to 9 ounces of water, then soak a clean cloth in the mixture, wring it out, and apply as a compress to the infected area

Foot Bath by John R. Frazier, ca 1920 John R. Frazier via Wikimedia Commons

-Relieving hemorrhoids: add a diluted drop to your bath and soak for 20 minutes

-Relieving menstrual cramps: add 2-3 drops to one ounce of carrier oil and massage into lower abdomen

-Regulating appetite: add 2-3 drops to a vaporizer or use in steam inhalation

-Disinfecting the home: mix 5 drops in a quart of water and apply with spray bottle (shake before using)

I understand it is also the main flavoring ingredient in the making of gin...but that's another story...

     

Have a good couple weeks, dear Reader. Thanks for stopping by...y'all come back now! 

Kate