Public Health Care Option

The beautiful reddish-orange liquid of Rosehip seed oil is becoming well-known as useful skin and beauty product around the world, as scientific study has recently validated it’s positive effects on many types of skin conditions. The pure oil has produced miraculous results for some, useful for a great myriad of conditions from premature aging and over-exposure to the sun, to lessening the appearance of many types of scarring. Where does this luscious oil come from, how does it work, and perhaps of greatest interest, can it work for you?

Rosehip seed oil is extracted from the seed within the fruit of the wild thorny rose bush. Native to Chile, the plant is now cultivated elsewhere in South America with many countries producing the oil. Also found under the name ‘Rosa Mosqueta’, the oil has been used by native people for hundreds of years, but only recently became known to the rest of the world.

The oil can be solvent extracted or cold-pressed, though pressing is the optimal method, as there is no chance of chemical traces being left in the final product. The cold-pressed oil is the most natural; the oil has an exceptionally high essential fatty acid content (‘essential’ meaning the body cannot make it on it’s own from other oils), and is considered quite delicate. Rosehip seed oil should be kept in a cool place, perhaps even under refrigeration, away from light, and should be used within one year of storage.

The oil is one of nature’s best sources of vitamins E and A. Retinoic acid, the acid derivative of vitamin A, is the active ingredient found in Retin-A, which has been used for years as a wrinkle cure because of its ability to speed the time it takes for your skin to regenerate. Rosehip seed oil has been studied for many of the same actions attributed to this pharmaceutical preparation, and has been shown effective without side effects that the man-made version may have.

The first major study on rosehip seed oil was performed in 1983 by a team of researchers at the University of Santiago, Chile. The study’s participants included individuals with diverse forms of skin damage: deep wrinkles and other premature aging, UV damage, radiation damage, acne scarring, burn scarring, dermatitis, and other problems of this type. The oil was shown to have significant, noticeable effects in regenerating the skin, reducing wrinkles and scars, and helping the skin to regain its natural color and tone.

A separate investigation was performed on women with noticeable premature aging of their skin. As before, rosehip seed oil has a major, positive impact on the appearance of wrinkles and sun spots after daily application for four months. Research has continued on the oil, with one study noting: “After 16 weeks of treatment, wrinkles and spots become imperceptible.”

In addition to its skin healing effects, rosehip seed oil is also a perfect moisturizer due to it’s high content of essential fatty acids (EFAs). The oil penetrates the skin quickly and does not leave the skin feeling greasy or oily.

Rosehip seed oil is very gentle – it can be used daily undiluted; because of it’s relative high cost, it may also be diluted in other oils like jojoba or shea nut, and will produce it’s regenerative effects in dilutions as low as 1 tenth of the total concentration.

To smooth scars on the skin, blend of twenty drops of Helichrysum Italicum essential oil in each ounce of rosehip seed and applied daily to the area. Helichrysum Italicum essential oil is well known for its content of regenerative di-ketones, and has long been used for this purpose. For a more luxurious beauty blend, experiment with this combination in four ounces of rosehip seed: five drops Helichrysum, five drops Lavender angustifolia, 3 drops Sandalwood (Pacific Island Sandalwood is an excellent choice), three drops Neroli (bitter orange flower oil), three drops Carrot Seed oil (a very moisturizing essential oil), three drops Geranium (also for hydration), two drops Roman Chamomile (for it’s anti-inflammatory properties), two drops of Jasmine absolute and one drop each of Palmarosa and Ylang Ylang essential oils. This blend is very much appreciated by those using it on a regular basis. Even a simple blend using the Helichrysum and Lavender essential oils will go a long way.

So, whether using rosehip seed oil for healing your skin, or simply giving it a little nourishment, you will almost certainly be happy with the results. This luscious oil, with its broad range of positive effects, is sure to take a prominent place in your natural beauty botanical collection.

For more resources on using essential oils and Bach flower essences therapeutically, visit the Ananda Apothecary.

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Therapeutic grade essential oils hold the promise for a great many people of stimulating the growth of bountiful healthy hair. Whether one is regrowing hair after hair loss, preventing the loss of hair, or just looking to make their hair more beautiful and lustrous than ever, essential oils and the carrier oils that comprise therapeutic aromatherapy formulas are very much worth investigating. We’ll first look at how and why you “build” your recipe, and conclude with a couple excellent formulations.

So What Essential Oils Have The Greatest Potential To Stimulate Hair Growth?

The oils used for hair growth are also those used for skin care in general — the health of the follicles is of course closely related to the health of the scalp and skin. Essential oils for your most effective, custom recipe can be selected from one of three general categories. These are: stimulating (may signal new hair to grow), nutritive (offers important nutrients), and balancing (helps over-oily or over-dry conditions become normal). The most deeply therapeutic means of using essential oils for hair growth is to make an oil treatment formula — a blend of essential oils and carrier oils that is massaged into the scalp and left for some period of time (rather than simply just adding to your conditioner or shampoo).

The Stimulating Essential Oils: Sage and Rosemary

We call them “stimulating” essential oils because they manage to signal the cells in the dermis to increase their metabolism. This means the follicles may become more active at growing new hair. This is the result of these specific oils containing natural “ketones”, chemicals with a “growth stimulating” type of signal. Rosemary Verbenone (a very specific type of Rosemary essential oil) and “Common” or “Dalmatian” Sage are the two most commonly used oils for stimulating hair growth. Of all the oils discussed here, Sage is the one that must be used by a limited population: it should not be used by pregnant or nursing mothers. Use at one percent or less in your total formula (these concentrations will be explained later with the recipes).

The Deep Colored Nutritive Oils: Carrot and Sea Buckthorn

Chock full of growth supporting nutrients Carrot Root, and the new kid on the block Sea Buckthorn Berry essential oils are amazing at supporting follicle health. They each have a diverse collection of antioxidants and growth enhancing vitamins and vitamin-like compounds (the only difference between a vitamin and a vitamin-like compound is a scientific designation — early on, the “vitamins” are the ones you would die without having — though you wouldn’t do so well without having the other either!). You almost can’t have too much of these oils — use at a 2% concentration.

Bringing Balance to Those Follicles

Many, many people have either over-dry or over-oily scalp conditions which wreak havoc on hair growth. Balance is what’s needed here, and here’s the oils to do it. Lavender is the most widely used “balancing” oil, that has a wealth of therapeutic effects. If you do not have an outstanding skin condition that really needs clearing up, add a little Lavender to your blend — it is thought to really tie all the components together to help them work most effectively. If you’ve got an over-oily condition, a little Myrtle essential oil is thought to do the trick. It’s cleansing and balancing at the same time, restoring sebaceous output to proper levels. Finally, for mature women, be sure to use a little Clary Sage, thought to restore cellular estrogen levels to their optimum for the most beautiful skin and hair.

Your Formulation’s Foundation: The “Carrier” Oils

Once you’re essential oils are selected, you can create your own oil treatment formula by adding them to one or more carrier oils. The most popular carrier oils for hair care are: Jojoba, primarily used for moisturizing and giving hair a wonderful luster. Virgin coconut, while needing to be gently melted first to blend with other carriers, is fast becoming one of the most highly-praised therapeutic carrier oils. It is thought to have a very positive effect on hair loss all by itself, and like jojoba, will also result in wonderful hair texture. Evening Primrose is a very important carrier, offering essential fatty acids that we may easily be deficient in. This is best used by mature women, and also where the scalp is generally irritated. Hemp may also be used here. Finally, another very therapeutic carrier oil is Rosehip seed. It, like the nutritive essential oils, has vitamin-like compounds in it that have been shown in studies to promote youthful skin development. While it has not been as extensively researched for hair growth, there’s no reason to think it shouldn’t have as profound an effect on the scalp and follicles.

Putting Your Blend Together

Often folks are a little intimidated by blending. Really, it’s no big deal — far easier than baking virtually anything in your kitchen (and if you’re a raw food fan, it’s about THAT easy!). First, determine your base mixture. Equal parts of the carrier oils you choose is a fine way to go. If you’re using virgin Coconut, Rosehip Seed and Evening Primrose, just use equal parts of each. Making one-ounce of oil treatment? Just estimate filling a 1oz dropper bottle about 1/3rd full with each oil. Then add the essential oils. Each 1 percent essential oil is equal to 8 drops per ounce of total mixture. Using 1 percent Rosemary? Add 8 drops to your blend. Two percent Sea Buckthorn? Use 16 drops. Making 4 ounces instead of 1? Multiply all these numbers times four! Still unsure? Here’s some clear recipes…

High End Botanical Extract Hair Growth Stimulating Formulas

Each recipe will make four (4) ounces total formula, which should last 2-4 months with regular use. For women, use equal parts of all four carriers — that’s 1 ounce each Coconut, Rosehip, Evening Primrose and Jojoba (of course you’re free to modify this !). Add the following essential oils: 16 drops Sage, 16 drops Rosemary, 64 drops Sea Buckthorn, 32 drops Lavender and 16 drops Clary Sage. This will be an absolutely amazing formula. For men, use 2 ounces each Coconut and Rosehip Seed (if you are prone to acne, use Hemp instead of Rosehip). Add the following essential oils: 32 drops Rosemary, 16 drops Sage, 64 drops Carrot Root, 32 drops Lavender. Again, a truly excellent formula!

Gently invert or “spin” the mixture until you feel it’s blended. The best absorption occurs right after the scalp has been immersed in warm water and lightly dried. One dropper-full distributed evenly over the scalp is often enough for complete coverage. Massage in, and leave as long as you like. Overnight is great, just make sure to cover your pillows! And there you have it, your very own, custom, high-end botanical extract formula for stimulating the growth of bountiful, healthy hair.

The author has made available much information about aromatherapy, such as using patchouli essential oil and other wholesale essential oils.

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Why Disease is Prevalent

All of us have experienced sickness one time or another, some to a larger degree than others. It is widely accepted that the body’s own immune system, a complex network of specific cells created to ward off sickness and disease, is greatly compromised when we eat a poor/acid-causing diet, side-step exercise, surround ourselves with environmental toxins, create continuous stress and have unkind attitudes/thoughts about oneself and others. All of these choices lead to toxic build up in the body. At a certain level, the body can no longer juggle such an overload, resulting in weakened defenses and possible disease.

Using Essential Oils for Immune Support

Essential oils are commonly associated with reducing mental stress (triggering areas of the brain such as the amygdala) as well as being stimulating (boost the “get up and go” attitude). When taken internally, essential oils can detoxify and tone the body, and as research indicates, are excellent antimicrobials. All these characteristics support a healthy body and thus benefit the immune system. Yet, few realize that essential oils can also bolster the immune system specifically.

Mechanisms to Support the Immune System

When we bang our leg, get a sliver in our hand or cross paths with infectious entities the immune system is recruited and responds with inflammation – a tool to heal damaged cells and tissue. This initial inflammatory response is vital to restoring the injured area, yet prolonged inflammation can lead to a number of debilitating and often painful diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and even cancer. Research has established that essential oils have the ability to inhibit detrimental inflammatory processes that contribute to disease. Scientists are now investigating the actually mechanisms by which essential oils can enhance the immune system directly.

Melaleuca Gives a Boost

At the Laboratoire de Botanique in France (2006) researchers were able to identify that Melaleuca alternifolia was able to regulate the amount of inflammatory-causing secretions found in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). In so doing, natural anti-inflammatory agents, known as cytokines, were still able to be created and thus boosting the body’s ability to protect and restore itself. This in itself is quite a finding, especially for individuals suffering from conditions associated with chronic inflammation.

Swallowing Pathogens

In our magnificently crafted bodies, we have what is called natural killer cells, or NKs. Their job is to kill viruses and diseased cells such as cancer cells. At Nippon Medical School in Tokyo, Japan (2006), scientists found that phytoncides (essential oils from wood) increased NK activity and restored activity when cell lines were damaged (purposely induced). Researchers proposed that the reason for this effect is that phytoncides induce immune cells that destroy unwanted cells and microbes – perforin, granzyme A, and granulysin respectively.

Ginger EO Controls Immune

At Zhejiang University Medical School in China (2006), scientists looked at the ability of ginger essential oil to regulate immune system functions. Using mice (bless them for their sacrifice), these researchers were able to identify that ginger essential oil can exert suppression of T lymphocytes (a component of the cell-mediated immune response) in cases where such a response is actually harmful to the body, such as with chronic inflammation and autoimmune diseases (like Crohn’s disease).

Conclusion

The level of complexity of our immune system is astounding. This collective network composed of organs, cells and proteins seeks to protect the body from bacteria, parasites, fungi and viruses, as well growth of tumor cells. Those designated with such a task need to remain healthy and fully capable. When the well-being of this system is compromised, recent research suggests that essential oils are capable of stimulating the immune response or redirect its energies when necessary.

The author is a regular contributor to natural ezines on essential oils and aromatherapy . She may be contacted through www.anandaapothecary.com/essential-oils.html.

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Few plants offer the world as many benefits as the coconut. Its name, ‘kalpa vriksha’ in Sanskrit, translates to ‘the tree which provides all that is necessary for life.’ This tree is biologically related to grasses and has provided food and medicine for countless peoples across the earth. In India, Ayurvedic doctors have long utilized the coconut for health and healing, and much of the information we’ve gathered regarding this plant’s medicinal qualities have been used with great effect for centuries.

Taking almost nine months to filter each liter of water in its shell, the coconut is an amazing natural water filter. The water is pulled up through micro-fibers which purify it before it ends in the actual nut of the coconut. This clear life-giving fluid isone of the highest sources of electrolytes found in all of nature. Coconut water is a great re-hydrator and makes an ideal sports drink. When we consume a drink consisting of 55% fresh coconut water and 45% fresh green-leaf juice, or blue-green algaes, we create for ourselves an instantaneous infusion of life energy.

In the long discussion on healthy versus unhealthy fats, coconut oil tips the scales in terms of its health-giving qualities. While it is a saturated fat, not all saturated fats are bad for us. Coconut oil is cholesterol-free and does not transform into a trans-fat, which means it can be used at high heat. It has also been shown that coconut oil is more effective than olive oil at controlling cholesterol. Also, because it is a medium-chain fatty acid, it is easier for the body to digest, meaning the fat can be used more quickly as fuel.

Coconut oil is one of nature’s most versatile and health-enhancing fats. Studies show that coconut oil supports the health of the thyroid gland, which regulates thenecessary anti-aging steroids progesterone, DHEA and pregnenolone. These steroids are required to help prevent heart disease, senility, obesity, cancer and other degenerative diseases associated with aging. Coconut oil also contains capryllic acid as well as lauric acid, both of which are anti-fungal, anti-viral and anti-microbial. It has long been known that caprilyc acid is the most potent yeast-fighting substance, making it an excellent choice for those working with releasing candida and other inner ecology imbalances. Transitioning to coconut oil as one’s fat source also helps to normalize blood sugar levels while increasing energy, building a healthy immune and nervous system and reducing the overall stress on one’s body. It is necessary to note that a ‘therapeutic dose’ of coconut oil consists of daily doses of two to three (or more) tablespoons for an adult.

Cooking with coconut oil is a delightful way to introduce this supplement into your life. Try using it instead of margarine, butter or other vegetable oils. Also, consider using fresh coconuts that are not too old (i.e., forgo the coconut shavings and buy a whole coconut instead).The flesh is primarily fat, and it can be chopped and eaten with fruit for a delectable treat. Coconut oil is also great as an oil for veggies, tossed into your morning smoothie or slathered on bread with spices or preserves. If you’re looking for a way to enhance oats or rice, coconut oil adds a special note to a normally humble dish.

Repairing and nourishing to the skin, coconut oil has been used for thousands of years as a skin moisturizer because it is ideal for all skins types, including dry, rough and wrinkled skin. Aromatherapy uses two types of coconut oil: fractionated and virgin. Virgin coconut oil is solid at room temperature and blends well with essential oils for a thick, nourishing body oil, which does not leave a greasy feel. The same oil that is used in cooking can be used in body care products. Fractionated coconut is a liquid oil that is made when the coconut molecule is cut to a smaller size. This process does not deplete the oil’s healthy qualities, but instead allows us to use coconut oil in a liquid state – an excellent quality in massage applications. Also, fractionated coconut absorbs quickly, does not have a coconut odor and has an extremely long shelf life, all pluses in many situations. Coconut is also blended with other carrier oils, such as jojoba, to create a luscious cream base. Creating your own body care items with coconut oil and essential oils is a lovely, and easy, way to enhance your personal health.

One more thing about the fabulous coconut: this oil is great for use in sexual play. Both the taste and smell of coconut add to the delights of intercourse. A great way to experience coconut is by mixing it with vanilla and cacao oils. Smooth this concoction over your lover’s skin and enjoy.

If you’re searching for a multi-use, healthy oil, search no further than the coconut. Whether you use it in skin blends, salads or massage creams, the coconut is an all-around excellent choice as both a carrier and edible oil. It takes essential oils beautifully and will not leave your skin feeling heavy or greasy. Use it in its many forms and see how this unique plant continues to benefit us in our day to day lives.

You may even try using Flower Essences like Rescue Remedy, along with calming essential oils during the holiday season. For more, visit anandaapothecary.com

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