by Coral Fehr | Feb 14, 2019 | Pure Joy Blog
Essential Oils and Your Pets
Since essential oils are often seen as just aromatic substances, it can be hard to understand how they are capable of having an impact on an animal’s health. The mystery is easily unlocked when you realize that while the most dominant feature of the essential oil is its scent, their true capabilities are determined by their chemical composition. The complexity of essential oils also makes it possible to use them in a variety of ways.
Did you know that dogs have about 200 million scent receptors and that humans have only 50? Just a drop will do so that the scent is not overwhelming or toxic. Aromatherapy primarily works on the physical level with animals. The antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, sedative or stimulating properties of certain essential oils have been proven to be very effective. Essential oils are most effective and have the greatest benefit with animals when applied topically with a carrier oil. This is because the oils are applied directly to the area in which they are needed.
Here are a few tips for using essential oils when you have pets.
- Essential oil diffusers should be out of reach from your pets to avoid them being accidentally knocked over and the animal drinking the water and oils.
- Treat your pets the same way as you would small children, when it comes to diffusing. Less is best. Restrict diffusing to 1 or 2 drops only.
- Use EXTRA caution with the use of essential oils around cats. They do not possess the liver enzymes that humans do, which makes it very difficult for cats to metabolize essential oils and increasing the risk of toxicity. Make sure there is very good ventilation for your pets when you diffuse. This includes all of your small critters too.
- According to Pure Joy Naturals and their Certified Aromatherapists, Ingestion of essential oils is never an option for humans or animals.
There is a lot of misinformation that is scaring people from using essential oils and their diffusers around their family pets. The general public has knowledge of the basic oils such as lavender, sweet orange, peppermint or lemon and generally use safe oils that would not be a concern when diffused.
The most common scare has been about eucalyptus. As we wrote earlier, treat your pets as small children. The problem with eucalyptus is when people ingest or have their pets ingest this oil. When ingested eucalyptol, is an irritant to the gastrointestinal system, causing discomfort, vomiting, and diarrhea. Never ever ingest essential oils.
Now it is time to relax and enjoy the soothing and calming benefits of a few drops of lavender. You and your pet can reap all of the benefits of top-quality essential oils without the worries. Good ventilation and a reduction of how many drops you use will ensure safe diffusing.
We would be happy to answer any questions you have about essential oils and their uses.
Contact Rob or Coral at [email protected]
by Coral Fehr | Apr 3, 2018 | Pure Joy Blog
Snoring?
Snoring is a topic that is well known to many of us and our spouses. If you have tried all of the pillows, mouth guards and gadgets advertised, you may want to try these simple and effective suggestions so that you can get a really good night’s rest .
Here are our choices for the most effective essential oils for snoring. Sage, Thyme, Marjoram, Lavender, and Cedarwood.
Diffusers are really a terrific way to use the following essential oils at night time.
Sage Oil
One of the best things about sage oil is the effect that it can have on the respiratory tracts. It can relieve inflammation, while also helping to quickly soothe sinus infections, making it an effective solution for acute snoring that is caused by a temporary illness.
How to Use – You can blend 5 drops of sage oil in 1 teaspoon of coconut oil and rub it on your chest or neck before going to sleep. This can help clear out your sinuses while you sleep and boost your immune system against the underlying infection. (Also, great for hot flashes ?)
Another really great way to use this oil is to add 4-5 drops to your diffuser.
Thyme Oil
If your snoring often causes you to wake up multiple times per night, you may need to find a deeper level of sleep! Thyme oil is known to soothe the body and nervous system, leading to uninterrupted and deeper sleep, which is really important if you want to get rid of your snoring.
How to Use – Mix equal parts thyme oil with olive oil and apply it to the wrists and the bottom of the feet before you go to sleep.
You can also add thyme oil to your diffuser for use during the night.
Lavender Oil
This legendary essential oil can be used for everything from sleeplessness to cardiovascular problems and specifically addresses many of the causes of snoring. This oil is among the most popular natural remedies for snoring.
How to Use – Some people choose to place a few drops of this essential oil on their pillow at night to promote clear breathing and stress-free sleep.
Diffusing is one of the most effective ways to use this oil. Add 4-5 drops into your diffuser before bed time.
Cedarwood Oil
By stimulating both the immune and respiratory systems, this oil can quickly counter the factors that lead to snoring. It can reduce inflammation to keep the airways open and calm the mind to deliver higher-quality sleep.
How to Use – This underused oil can be blended with thyme oil, lavender oil and coconut oil then applied to the neck, chest, wrists or feet before bed.
Marjoram Oil
This sinus-clearing oil has been wildly popular in traditional medicine for its ability to stop snoring – often after only a few nights of regular use. Armed with antioxidants and stimulating active ingredients, this oil is closely linked with treatment for sleep apnea, which is one of the main causes of snoring.
How to Use – Mix 4-5 drops of marjoram oil with 1 teaspoon of a carrier oil and apply it to the outer rim of the nostrils, or directly above the top lip. If that is too intense of an aroma, simply apply it to the neck and chest before sleep.
If you would like to share your success story with us please email us at [email protected]
Please do not use this information as a substitute for medial care.
by Coral Fehr | Sep 17, 2017 | Pure Joy Blog
Tea tree is one of the most useful essential oils available.
It is really interesting and important to know that what we call “Tea Tree” essential oil is more accurately known as “Melaleuca Alternifolia”, which is Latin. It’s called Tea Tree because historically the leaves were used to make medicinal tea.
The essential oil come from steam distilling these leaves and extracting a very powerful camphorous oil. This concentrated Tea tree oil is toxic when taken by mouth but very useful when used topically with a carrier oil or by diffusing.
There are actually over 290 different species of Melaleuca. The plants themselves range from a shrub to trees over 100 feet tall. They are diverse but all have common medicinal values.
Here are 3 essential oils from the Malaleuca family:
Melaleuca Alternifolia = Tea Tree Essential Oil – This is Australia’s go to oil for antibacterial and medicinal properties. It’s scent is quite camphorous and it is to be used with caution on the skin because of its strong antimicrobial properties. Here are some facts and uses for Tea Tree Essential Oil.
- It naturally eliminates body odor
- It holds lice at bay and removes ongoing infestation in the hair. (We had sent some Tea Tree Essential Oil to an orphanage in Mexico that had a lice infestation. We were pleased to hear that it was eradicated within a week of adding this oil to shampoos, liquid soaps and laundry detergents.)
- Have an unsightly cold sore? Tea Tree oil calms the pain helps the sore heal faster. Mix tea tree oil with coconut oil and apply daily for best results.
- Tea Tree’s antimicrobial properties helps kill off parasites and fungi that cause foot odor and athlete’s foot. Dilute the oil in coconut carrier oil, and dab affected areas.
- Adding Tea Tree Essential Oil to a home diffuser can help eliminate spores, while spraying tea tree based cleaner on areas that often get moldy –shower door or curtain, washing machine and bathroom surfaces –will help you stay mold and mildew free.
Melaleuca quinquenervia = Niaouli Essential Oil
- As it has very similar therapeutic effects and is gentler to the skin than tea tree oil, Niaouli oil is the best choice for those with sensitive skin. Niaouli essential oil’s disinfecting properties help your body fight infection while stimulating the components that help to heal the skin.
- It has a sweeter yet more antiseptic fragrance, and can be used in addition to or in place of Tea Tree, with less tendency to irritate the skin.
Melaleuca cajuputi = Cajuput Essential Oil
- Cajeput has some properties similar to those found in Eucalyptus (from the Eucalyptol) and Lemon (from the limonene).
- This is a great oil to use in place of or with Tea Tree or Eucalyptus.
- Cajeput contains higher concentrations of 1,8 Cineole (Eucalyptol), limonene and alpha-Terpineol. Tea tree oil contains more Terpinen-4-ol and gamma-Terpinene.
As always, Safety first! The most effective way to use essential oils is by inhalation or topical use with a carrier oil. Never ever ingest essential oils as this is an unsafe practice that can lead to serious injury and organ damage.
by Coral Fehr | Sep 11, 2017 | Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy. Aroma Therapy.
The name says it all.
Aromatherapy, or inhalation, is when essential oils evaporate into the air using a diffuser or breathed in. Apart from providing a pleasant smell, aromatherapy oils can provide respiratory disinfection, decongestant, and psychological benefits. Inhalation is the safest and most effective way to use essential oils.
Inhaling essential oils stimulates the olfactory system, the part of the brain connected to smell, including the nose and the brain. Molecules that enter the nose or mouth pass to the lungs, and from there, to other parts of the body. As the molecules reach the brain, they affect the limbic system, heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory system, memory, stress and hormone balance. In this way, essential oils can have a subtle, yet holistic effect on the body.
Just to clarify, the limbic system is a complex system of nerves and networks in the brain, involving several areas near the edge of the cortex concerned with instinct and mood. It controls the basic emotions (fear, pleasure, anger) and drives such as hunger.
Massage and dermal absorption is another wonderful way to use essential oils. Always use a carrier oil with your essential oil for massage. A greater amount of an essential oil will be absorbed if the carrier oil is a less viscous oil, if the user’s pores are unclogged, and if more skin area is covered by the oil. There are also parts of the body with thinner skin (behind the ears, inside of the wrists, palms of hands, soles of feet, armpits, scalp) through which oils are more quickly absorbed than through other parts with thicker skin (arms, legs, belly, back). Massage is an amazing way to enjoy all of the benefits of essential oils.
Studies have shown that the least effective way to absorb an essential oil is through ingestion. Taken this way, the oil ends up going through a slower intake process by way of the digestive tract where it must pass through several large organs before it reaches the bloodstream. By this time, the oil’s chemical composition will have been altered by every other material it will have passed in these organs before being expelled from the body.
A potentially toxic accumulation of chemicals can occur in the organs with immediate or accumulative damage over time. DO NOT DRINK ESSENTIAL OILS no matter who or what MLM company tells you to do so. Herbs are for tea and consumption, NOT essential oils.
Oral administration always carries the potential for inducing nausea and vomiting, and the presence of food has unpredictable effects on absorption into the bloodstream. After absorption from almost all regions of the gastrointestinal tract, most substances pass directly to the liver and are deactivated in first-pass metabolism but some, paradoxically, are made more toxic. (Robert Tisserand, Essential Oil Safety 2014)
With oral administration, there is great risk of overdose, gastric irritation and interactions with medications. We recommend that you avoid this route of administration completely due to the complexity and potential harm that is imminent with miscalculation and lack of knowledge. It simply is not worth the risk. There are too many variables and the public danger is too high.
So, if inhalation is a safer and more effective way to use essential oils, what are you drinking and ingesting them for? Avoid the unnecessary risks. Just Breathe!
by Coral Fehr | Apr 17, 2017 | Essential Oils for Allergies
Respiratory allergies come along with the beautiful spring weather.
How can essential oils help? Which essential oils are best?
We recommend diffusing or inhalation for direct respiratory results.
- Lavender is a natural antihistamine and anti-inflammatory.
- Peppermint has the power to discharge phlegm and reduce inflammation — a leading cause of allergic reactions
- Eucalyptus contains citronellal, which has analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects; it also works as an expectorant, helping to cleanse the body of toxins that are acting as allergens.
- Frankincense offers relief from coughing and inflamed nasal passages.
- Lemon supports lymphatic system drainage and helps with overcoming respiratory conditions. Studies have shown that lemon essential oil inhibits the growth of bacteria and boosts the immune system.
- Basil Studies prove that basil oil shows antimicrobial activity and can kill bacteria, yeast and mold that can lead to asthma and respiratory damage.
by Coral Fehr | Mar 31, 2017 | Pure Joy Blog
Bergamot, Grapefruit, Lemon, Lime, Orange
There are several common elements with the citrus essential oils.
- Limonene content
- Cold pressed
- Derived from the fruit peel
LIMONENE is the main constituent of citrus essential oils.
- For you chemists, Limonene is formed from geranyl pyrophosphate, via cyclization of a neryl carbocation or its equivalent. The final step involves loss of a proton from the cation to form the alkene. HAHAHAHAHA. True Story. I just wanted you to think that I was smart
- For the rest of us, Limonene or D-Limonene, is a terpene which is an amazing natural compound. It has potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, offers assistance for a variety of metabolic and health problems, has anti-cancer properties, and even helps with weight management.
REAP THE BENEFITS OF THE ANTIOXIDENTS IN CITRUS.
- One of the most recognized benefits of citrus essential oils is their positive effect on the lymphatic system, which plays a role in your body’s detoxification mechanism.
- Using these oils can help boost the activity of lymph glands. This can prevent problems like poor circulation, allergies, cellulite and fluid retention.
CAUTIONS:
- The biggest problems with limonene are “allergies / and “irritations of the skin, eyes, lungs.” The older the essential oil is the more likely it will become oxidized and rancid and the more likely there will be an adverse reaction.
- Citrus oils are a top note in aromatherapy. They dissipate very quickly. The scent does not last very long.
- To have the citrus essential oils last for any period of time and be fresh you must keep them sealed as much as possible. For those who have testers you will need to check them for freshness.
- Citrus fruits contain compounds that make skin more light sensitive.
- When going out on a sunny day be cautious when mixing citrus essential oils into products as you could very easily have sensitivity issues because of them.
- When using topically always always use a carrier oil.
- And ….. for the love of Pete do not drink citrus essential oils no matter who or what MLM tells you that it is ok. We are seeing esophagus burns, liver and kidney damage. If 1 drop equals 40lbs of plant material who in their right mind would eat 40 lbs of grapefruits or oranges.
RANDOM FUN FACTS:
- GRAPEFRUIT: is my go to oil when someone wants to get rid of cellulite, to remove excess fluids, help burn fat or as an appetite suppressant. Mix with a carrier oil and massage onto area. When inhaled, grapefruit oil is great for hangovers, headaches, mental fatigue and depression.
- Several new studies have found limonene in citrus oils to have anti-tumor effects, preventing the growth of many types of tumors.
- NOTHING cleans grease and dirt better than limonene. Add about 20 drops of your favorite citrus essential oil to your dish soap, your liquid hand soap or your bucket of cleaning water.
- Orange essential oil is one of the best oils to use as a deodorant or room freshener.
- With the allergy season approaching it is good to know that citrus fruits and citrus essential oils are natural anti-histamines. Mosquitos absolutely hate citrus oils too.
- Topical application of Citrus essential oils and eating copious amount of citrus fruits are the 1st go to for gout sufferers.
- Citrus essential oils are usually the least expensive of the essential oils because they are fairly easy to make.
This is our GCMS Testing Analysis for Lemon Essential Oil from Argentina: Citrus Limon (L) Burm
- One of the most exciting things for Rob and I as Certified Aromatherapists is to have the constituent data available.
- We are one of the only companies that can provide you with proof of quality essential oils that are used for those who want the reassurance that they are getting high grade products.
- We do not use or offer you oils that do not meet qualifications for a complete oil.
- Thanks for taking time to read this information. Some are printing it and putting it into a binder for education purposes.
CELEBRATION TIME: Rob and I are now officially qualified to teach courses from The Canadian Holistic Therapist Training School in Toronto. We are also new members of the CHFA (Canadian Health Food Association) and we are now CLCA designated as Associate members of the Essential Oil Safety Board Inc. Thanks for all of your encouragement.
COMING SOON: ACCREDITTED CERTIFICATION COURSE
ESSENTIAL OIL SAFETY COST $395.00 +gst
We will be offering this course on site as well as online.
