Between the chemical treatments, hair conditioners, shampoos, styling tools and styling gels, it is our hair that takes a lot of abuse. We adopt various ways to make our hair look good, but some of the techniques might prove to be damaging for hairs. The following are the three natural oils that will provide you with smooth and health hair and will help in restoring the shine and bounce of the hair. Not only this, these natural oils will help to promote healthy hair growth.

Extra-Virgin Olive Oil

If you don’t like putting salad dressing or eggs on your hair then you can consider the option of applying olive oil on your hair. Since this oil is a natural moisturizer and conditioner, it helps to strengthen your hair and reduced the hair loss as well as dandruff. Follow the steps given below to promote healthy hair growth using olive oil.

- You should combine half cup virgin oil with other oils like lavender or rosemary and store it for 24 hours in a cool, dry place.

- Pour one tablespoon of the mix in your palm and rub your hands to warm the mixture.

- Using fingertips, massages the mixture in your hair.

- You should fasten a plastic bag on your hair with the help of elastic headband and allow it to work for 30 minutes.

- Rinse the mixture and then shampoo.

Argan Oil

This oil is derived from the kernels of the Argan tree, which is found in Morocco and is very rare and this is the reason why this oil is highly expensive. However, the essential fatty acid helps in lending strengthen to the protein in your hair; thereby reducing the spilt ends and makes them strong. It is also rick in Vitamin E and helps a lot in repairing the chemical damage that is done to the hair. It helps to moisturize and shine the hair, without making them feel greasy.

In order to apply them, start by rubbing this oil into your hands and apply it to scalp as described above. In order to distribute oil more evenly, you must use comb or brush.

Coconut Oil

It is not only used in sunny as well as tropical beaches but also it helps to provide a wide range of benefits including:-

- It is rich in Vitamin E, which is vital for healthy hair growth.

- Since it is a natural emollient, the coconut oil bins help you to restore the shine of the hair by sealing the moisture that is there in each of the stand.

- The capric and lauric acids that is found in the oil have got antimicrobial properties. The microbes that are present in the roots an scalp of the hair are a main cause of hair loss and thus the coconut oil helps to stop or slow down the hair loss.

Lemon essential oil provides a wide range of benefits to the user. The lemon reveals the images of cleanliness and freshness. Various researches conducted worldwide shows that this essential oil is capable of killing various types of bacteria in a span of few minutes only. The antiseptic properties of this oil last for many days and it is widely used for destroying the air borne germs in the schools, hospitals as well as hotels. It is also highly effective in neutralizing the body odor of the patients that are suffering from deadly disease of cancer. This essential oil has got high vibrations, which can be compared to a high toned whistle. In comparison, the sandalwood hums like a bumble bee. Such essential oil that has got high vibrations helps in lifting the spirit and helps to remove mental fatigue.

Lemon brings a sense of warmth in an individual. Even though this oil is beneficial for both the psychological as well as physical heaviness, it helps in stimulating mind, enhancing memory as well as increasing the concentration. This oil is rich in d-limonene, which is a powerful antioxidant. It’s used in treating the cold and mouth infections, for people who are suffering from this problem, gargling with lemon essential oil diluted in water. Taking this oil orally by adding it to the propolis tincture is also very helpful. In case of the treatment of the itchy enzymes and measles, you can add this oil to a sponge bath. The ratio of the mixture shall be kept as 1-2 drop for a quart of water.

As these oils helps in strengthening the vascular tissues, it is widely used for treatment of the varicose beings by relieving the pressure on them and improving the circulation of blood in the body.  You may apply it in skin lotions as well as compresses. This oils acts as an antiseptic, disinfectant, astringent as well as styptic that helps in stopping the wounds from bleeding. It also becomes a good remedy when it comes as a cleanser for the treatment of the bleeding wounds. The only care that you should take while applying lemon oil is that you must avoid coming under direct sunlight for prolonged hours if you have this oil applied on your skin. Also, you need to keep a check on the quantities in which you are taking this oil. As the lemon essential oil stimulates the production of potassium carbonate in the body, it helps to counteract a high acid content in the body fluids.

It’s always recommended that you use branded essential oils. The use of oil of uncertain quality might provide you with potentially dangerous, if not life threatening results. You should also have apt information about the usage and dosage of a particular oil so as to ensure that you get the favorable results only.

You must have seen your pets suffering from the menace of ticks and fleas.  If you see them scratching vigorously then it’s evident that fleas and ticks are troubling them and this initial scratching might lead to skin infection and bleeding. As the cosmetic treatment might prove to be dangerous for the pet, it is advised that you make use of natural oils to get rid of this problem. The oil substance which is basically used to get rid of this problem consist of thyme, cinnamon and lemon grass. The application of natural oils is not only safe but also effective for both pets as well as the owners.

Even though natural oil doesn’t possess any threat to the user, it is recommended that you don’t apply it on sensitive area of human body including nose, eyes and ears. In case of pets, you can spray the oil gently starting from the tail, legs or underbelly. After you have sprayed oil on them, you can gently run the coat in the opposite direction so that the oil is able to penetrate the skin of your pet. The application of the oil substance will not harm the pet or the owner, but is very effective in killing ticks and fleas. Also, the natural oils do not interfere with the bloodstream of the pet, but will reach to the hair follicles and provide the coat a nice protection. Thus, it is very safe for the pets to use.

Besides applying them on your pet’s skin, you can effectively use this oil for spraying them in your house, especially in the areas where the fleas infest like room corners, crevices, window sills, beddings etc. Tea tree oil is also an effective flea and pest repellant as fleas do not like odor of this oil. You can prepare it very easily at home. All you need to do is to pour a teaspoonful of the tea tree oil in cup of warm oil. Once it’s ready, then you can use a spray bottle and fill this liquid. Shake the bottle so that the liquid is mixed thoroughly and then you can apply it in your house. You can use this mixture once or twice a day depending upon the fleas and ticks present in your house. You can also use it for getting rid of the skin irritation. Furthermore, eucalyptus essential oil is also very helpful in treating ticks and fleas and can be used as a natural repellant.

Thus, as natural oils do not contain any hazardous chemical substance, it can be used to treat pets. All these products are environment friendly and have got almost no or mild side effects. In case any symptom of irritation appears on application of this oil, you should consult a physician. Always look for certified oil and read the directions of use very carefully before using them.

Essential oils are not only delicate but also volatile in nature as they are extracted from the seed, leaf, flower, root or bark of the plant. The oils are considered as the life force in every plant. Essential oils are said to posses’ powerful properties that help them to pass through all the cell membranes and can permeate the body in a very short period of time.  Each of the oil has got a distinctive aroma, which is popularly used in aromatherapy for various therapeutic as well as curative effects. You have the option of either using the quality essential oils or organic essential oils alone or can just mix them into essential oil blends. In order to achieve high degree of absorption, it is very important that you obtain the best quality essential oils.

A pure and high degree of essential oils exudes great degree of taste, aroma, colour and therapeutic effect. When they are extracted from the plant, the oils’ volatile property is so strong that you will have to dilute them. As the skin absorbs the oils readily, many essential oils can be applied directly on the skin with many beneficial effects, on the other hand some of the oils may cause caustic effects and thus you need to be careful. Majority of the organic essential oils are used for circulating through the air with the help of some special diffusers. A large number of them are also used in other carrier foils for the purpose of massages or other cosmetic preparations. Their best use perhaps is in the field of aromatherapy.

The power of pure organic natural oil blends may be combined so as to create a synergy of the properties and to enhance the power of the oil. For example, the blends that are made by mixing eucalyptus essential oils, cedar wood and lavender flower oils helps for the revival of respiratory system and lungs. The blend will also become more powerfully soothe and clear the membrane and tissues. Majority of the blends are ideal for preparing your own essential oil blends and to use them over time. Besides, you can also purchase the essential oil blends from the market. However, you need to ensure that you are buying them only from reputed stores or quality vendors.

Go for the oils that 100% pure and natural. The best essential oils are those that are processed from the finest plants and are free from any kind of adulteration or dilution. If you are procuring a commercial prepared essential oil, then you should always look for certification of the product before using them. Also, sometimes you will find some products like “fragrance oil”, “perfume oil” and “natural identical oil”. These words might sound attractive to you, but they indicate that the essential oil is not pure single oil and is just a mixture which is commercial prepared.

If you know about the various benefits associated with essential oils then you might be wondering from where to buy these great oils. Well, you can buy essential oils from various sources including chemist shops, departmental stores or even online stores. However, there are few things that you need to consider before you buy essential oils.

Purpose of the Oil

You just need not find out from where to buy essential oils but also you need to figure out for what reason are you buying them. You can go for the food grad oils, fragrant or aromatherapy oils, if you want to use these oils for making candles or fragrances.

Majority of the times synthetic solvents are used for the purpose of distillation of these oils and they are also cost effective. Those in the perfume or manufacturing industry makes heavy use of these oils and thus it cannot be said whether or not they are truly pure. Chewing gum shampoos, air fresheners and laundry detergents are some coming products that consist of these oils. As long as these oils are truly pure, not only they will have a therapeutic value attached to them but they can also be quite beneficial for your health. Thus, make sure you always look for 100% pure oils.

Grade of Essential Oil

If you are using essential oils for your personal use or for your family then it is a must for you to buy only genuine and pure essential oils, especially, when the health practices are involved care must be taken while buying an essential oil. No solvents are used in the preparation of the therapeutic grade oils, which are distilled and tested strictly. Since the production of such high graded essential oil is too expensive, these oils are not readily available in the market. Thus, apart from choosing the place from where to buy essential oils, you need to also make sure that you are buying 100% pure essential oils.

When you are looking for such oils you shall only consider buying it from reputed stores. If you are heavy user of these oils then you must consider buying them from the wholesale programs as it will help you to save a lot of money. Thus, if you are using these oils then keep yourself aware of the above mentioned tips. If you are still confused from where to buy these oils from then you must browse various online stores. These stores not only offer you a wide range of graded essential oils but also offer products at great discounts.

You shall never trust the claims made by company. Also, it is very much required hat you look for the quality certifications on the oil. Since some oils might cause side effects, you shall consult your doctor or physician. Some oils are to be avoided by kids, elders and nursing mothers.

Santalum album is the scientific name of Indian sandalwood. This oil has been use for more than a thousand years now from perfumes to embalming the dead to building temples. A sandalwood tree can produce the oil only after crossing the age of thirty years. The oil that is derived from sandalwood is very thick, but at the same time it is highly rich and luxurious oil. Following are some of the best uses of sandalwood essential oil.

• It soothes emotions and helps in easing the depression. Sandalwood oil is also used to reduce the anxiety and stress. You should apply it topically or use it in a diffuser so as to obtain the benefits.
• It can be used as a perfume. All you need to do is to just apply a drop to the pulse point. Sandalwood has been used as a perfume for at least 5000 years.
• You can also make use of sandalwood oil as a facial. Just add a couple of drops to 1 teaspoon or tablespoon of the carrier oil. Sandalwood helps to prevent rashes, dryness, flakiness as well as plethora of skin problems.
• You may also apply a few drops of this oil daily on the affected skin or scar. Gradually, you will see the scars diminishing and finally disappearing.
• The constituents that are present in the sandalwood oil works in tandem so as the various systems of the body and at the same time they encourage the cellular communications. This helps in the creation of harmony both mentally and physically and helps a person to balance with the changes that are taking place not only in his body, but also life. The anti inflammatory action of this oil is something which you cannot ignore.
• You should apply a drop to your hair after shower. Not only it will make the scent stay with you but also will prevent the hair falls.
• If any oil can be called marvellous for respiratory systems then it’s the sandalwood oil.  You can apply it directly to your chest or can use it in a diffuser. It helps to ease a cough, soothe sore throat or help you to deal with respiratory infections.
• Men may also use sandalwood oil as an aftershave lotion so as to avoid a shaving rash.
• Epi-beta-santalol, which is major constituent of sandalwood oil, is extremely helpful in interrupting the communication system of the virus. Due to the virtue of this constituent this oil asset the body in fighting against the viral infections.

There are some constituents in sandalwood oil which specifically target the reproductive areas or urinary tract system. They not only tone but also assist in case of induced or virus based tumours. They are helpful in providing the body with the tools that helps to combat cystitis as well as urinary tract infections.

Lastly, you should use essential oils that are 100% pure. The oils that are synthetic may have dangerous side effects and this you should avoid them at any cost.

The use of the essential oils is not only limited throughout the day but these oils are also used a lot to assist us in a good night’s sleep. The reason why these oils are popular as sleep enhancers is that because they are natural with almost nil side effects. Their ready availability also is a big plus for them. The calming herbs comes in diverse forms and range from soothing lavender bath to hot cup of chamomile tea. Apart from the common herbs that you have heard of, there are many others that have got properties that reach your spirit, body and mind.

Aromatherapy or using the diffused oils is almost the most common applications of using these herbs to as to get a good sleep. To attain the benefits of these oils you can also indulge in application on the body, basic inhalation or using them internally. If you want to opt for topical application then you should place 3-4 drops of the oil on your palm and apply it on temple, top of head, soles of feet and stomach etc. As not all the oils can be consumed internally, so just list out the flower essences that can be taken internally.

Among the most common and calming oils are the lavender essential oils. The adults are equally benefitted by this oil as children are. In case you don’t have a diffuser then you can rub a few drops of this oil on your soles. Then all you need to do is to take a deep breath while the oils are airborne and feel the calming nerve. Some of the other essential oils that can be used for this purpose include Valerian, Chamomile and Passion flower etc. Diffusing Frankincense or rubbing 2-3 drops of this oil will help to induce calmness and is used for increasing spiritual strength. You will also find oils that will promote dreams and helps you to stabilize emotions.

Just like a good diet or exercise regimes helps to promote a healthy day and good sleep, essential oils also does the same. Enhancing the energy levels during the daytime will help to reduce the body’s function to drain the adrenaline flank, thus promoting a much more relaxed approach to the tasks that you do during daytime. Many people use at least one essential oil each day based on the aptness to that very specific day. Orange oil is usually used for a more relaxed mood, whereas the peppermint or rosemary oil is usually used for mental alertness.

You should also try experiment with oil after you have gained some basic knowledge about them as it will allow you to exploit their potential even more. You should also note that some of the essential oils or natural oils are highly potent and they might cause irritations to the skin. If such a thing occurs, then you should immediately apply pure vegetable oil to the area for dilution.

Majority of the people have got some essential oil or the other at their homes. Besides, you will also come across people who store a wide range of essential oils at the homes. However, storing essential oils requires a little bit of knowledge of the same. Ideally, you should avoid direct contact with the essential oils as they cause irritation to the skin. It is preferred that you use protective glasses and latex gloves. Also, one should avoid using them internally, whereas in case of application to the skin, dilution with a good quality of carrier oils like olive or jojoba oil is required, that too, in a safe ratio.

You should store the oil away from light, heat as well as moisture. It is highly preferred that the essential oils shall only be sold and stored in a dark glass containers and you must keep them away from moisture, heat as well as light as the prolonged exposure is more likely to degrade the oil. You must keep the bottles tightly closed when they are not in use and should also avoid touching the inside of the lid when using the oils. These bottles shall be kept away from children’s reach. You can purchase them as blends of various essential oils. The major advantage of opting for a blend of essential oil is that you need not have individual essential oils with you. However, the disadvantage of the blended essential oils is that you don’t have any control over the blend as you are not mixing yourself and you have to rely on what the manufacturer is offering.

Even though none of the essential oils does not become rancid, still they can get oxidized and deteriorate so as to lose their beneficial properties with due course of time. The oils like citrus oils are going to oxidize and begin to lose their aroma as well as therapeutic properties in as little as 4-6 months. It is also interesting to note that some of the essential oils like sandalwood and patchouli actually mature with age. After opening the bottle, essential oils become volatile liquids. Deterioration of these oils can occur when they are exposed to air, heat and light etc. The citrus oils are especially vulnerable and have a shelf life anywhere between 6-12 months. The reason why these oils are placed in dark bottles or dark places is to minimize the light sensitivity. Preferably, you must store then in the glass bottles as the oil might react with the plastic of the bottles. As these oils are flammable, you must avoid extreme temperatures.

Nowadays, there are a lot of essential oil containers available in the market. You will find them in many attractive designs and colours. If you are running short of options, look for them in various online stores. They are made up of superior quality material and are priced very reasonably.

My dear viewers ,
Wishing you a Very Happy & Exciting New year 2013
Welcome to my new blog for Herbs