The Different Types of Cedarwood Oil

Cedarwood oil is an essential oil that can be found in all sorts of products you may see around your house. It comes from wood and has many different forms. Below you will find information on the most common forms, named by region that they originate from.

Atlas-- also known as Cedrus atlantica, is used to help with acne, arthritis, bronchitis, coughing, dandruff, and stress. The warming and toning properties are very strong and many consider it an aphrodisiac because of the strength of the oil. Typically it's thin with an aroma similar to that of mothballs. It should be avoided during pregnancy.

Chinese- also known as Cupressus funebris, it is a light yellow liquid that is very thin. This form of Cedarwood is used for aches and pains in the muscles, getting rid of warts, skin afflications and it can also be found in cosmetics, perfume and soaps. It is non-toxic and not irritant.

Himalayan- also known as Cedrus deodora, it is colorless and very thin. This form is mostly used as an antiseptic, aphrodisiac and stimulant. This should be avoided during pregnancy.

Texas- also known as Juniperus ashei is colorless and also very thin. It is used for circulation problems, coughs, congestion, sinusitis, oily skin and greasy hair. It has a very strong sweet aroma that is very similar to that of the Virginian form.

Virginian- also known as Juniperus virginiana is primarily used to calm anxiety, stress and nervous tension. Many people use it as an expectorant and antiseptic. Many consumers will recognize this form in over the counter products that are used to fight acne.

All of these versions of Cedarwood can be very beneficial when mixed into bulk bases. Bases range from lotion to shampoo to everything in between. To get the benefits, find a supplier that sells bulk wholesale essential oils as well as large and small quantities of your favorite base. You can mix in an ounce of Cedarwood with a gallon of lotion to reap the benefits. You can also use the oil directly on your skin or hair, but be careful. These products should not be used when pregnant and can be very harmful to someone with sensitive skin. I recommend always starting with very small quantities. If you have any severe reactions to the oils, be sure to consult a doctor and see if there are any that you should steer clear of.

Bulk Apothecary is a full service provider and industry leader of essential oils, cedarwood oils, unscented lotion base and other unscented bases along with plastic bottles, lip balm and any other soap making supplies. We pride ourselves on offering the absolute best quality and best prices in the USA.

Danny Pellegrino - Vice President of Operations for Bulk Apothecary

Original article

A Guide To Buying Aromatherapy Essential Oils

The market for aromatherapy products is huge, and, like most other goods, there's lots of counterfeit items about, so it is sensible to be extremely careful when you are considering a purchase. So, exercise caution before reaching for your wallet.

Before you buy aromatherapy essential oils, you need to ask yourself just why you're buying them. Perhaps it's a candle, a healing liquid or for a massage oil to treat your aching knees, or perhaps for another complaint.

Next, you need to know which essential oils to buy if they are to be blended together. If you're going to use it as massage oil, you need to be sure of which ones to buy. Read up all you can about it or meet a practitioner before investing money in this.

Lastly, please realize that these oils are not made all alike. They vary in origin, method of production, ingredients and purity. So, bear in mind all the above factors before buying your bottles.

Where to buy essential oils from?

Aromatherapy oils can be bought from just about anywhere- dedicated aromatherapy stores, health food shops, herb shops, cosmetic shops, open-air markets, drug stores, supermarkets and online stores.

If you want them as therapeutic essential oils, go to herb stores and health food shops where they are knowledgeable about giving you what you need, rather than go to general supermarkets where you may not get the right thing for your specific requirements. You can also buy them locally in neighborhood health food stores, though they may not have a wide range.

If this is not enough for you and you want a wider canvas to choose from, do you know where to buy them from? Well, you can buy from Internet stores such as MotherNature.com, Essential7, Naturalfragrances.net, 100puresessentialoils.com, quinessence.com, Ebay and Amazon.

Lastly, you can also buy from well-established mail order companies that can send them on to you at a lower cost than any health food store.

This should take away all the confusion in your mind about where to buy essential oils.

Tips for first-time buyers: By now, you know exactly from where to buy, but do you know what to look out for before you buy these oils? Here are some tips:

• Ensure that the essential oils you're buying are sold in traditional glass bottles with a dark amber color that blocks light. Plastic bottles dissolve, get tainted and become weak and impure, so they don't serve the purpose.

• Do you find "100% Essential Oil" or "Pure Essential Oil" on the label of the bottle you're looking at? If yes, buy it.

• To check the purity of these oils, take a break for a few minutes so that your nose is clear of earlier fragrances. When you sniff an essential oil, keep your nose at a safe distance from the bottle or the fragrance might just hit your nostrils and make you dizzy.

• If a bottle looks dated or dusty, set it aside because old products have very low healing abilities as they age with time.

Original article

Intention And Creating A Sacred Space

What is an Intention?

To have in mind a purpose or plan, to have meaning and direction, to aim for and achieve a desired outcome. With this the Universe can align to make what seems to be impossible possible.

Dare to follow your dreams, your love, your goals and passions.
I believe, now is the time more than ever for setting intensions. Setting your Intention is the first step. You can be specific about something in particular for example; change of career or qualities such as feeling calm and relaxed.

When should you set your Intention?
Your Intentions can be daily, weekly, monthly or yearly. Here are some examples;

To be fit physically, emotionally and spiritually
Have excellent health physically, emotionally and spiritually
To work less
To have financial freedom
Be in a loving relationship
To be married and have children
To improve my knowledge and skills
Open your life to love
Celebrate your life
Commune with the Divine
Celebrate your successes
Create financial success
Create abundance and wealth
Honour your transformation in life
Honour Mother Earth
Celebrate the cycles of the Moon
Bring the spirit of nature in to your home
To have a pet
To travel
Enjoy a holiday
Practice mindfulness
Honour all that is good

You have endless opportunities to create an Intention.

Creating Your Sacred Space; When setting an Intention I like to create a sacred space, this helps me too focus. Being creative and surrounded by beauty is essential for me personally so I set a theme. I light candles, have essential oils diffusing, display flowers and crystals, have music playing softly in the background. You van have a candle to light when speaking your Intention, a pen and paper or a journal to write in. Before we go any further it is important to be prepared. Know what your Intention is before you settle in and have it written out and remember you can change the wording or intention. If you are feeling stuck, share it with someone, play with different words. You will know when they are the right ones.

Below I have given you some suggestions on how you can create a sacred space. You may already have a favourite way of doing this. Stick with what is comfortable for you. It is not always going to be practical or possible to spend the time on setting up a sacred space. You can hop out of bed and decide right there and then what your Intention is for the day. Or, you want to have a restful sleep, in which case before going to bed will be more appropriate. Actually before going to bed is a very good time to set your Intention for the following day for example you may tell yourself that you will wake feeling energised and vibrant. Whatever you are doing, see that you are creating something wonderful through your day and stay with gentleness in your heart.

Something that I know to be true is through years of teaching energetic Aromatherapy and creating blends is that 'Thought is Energy, Energy is Matter' whatever we do, we are pouring our energy and thoughts in to it. Be mindful of what you are thinking. Whatever you are thinking is what you will create.

Getting back to setting a sacred space; Firstly I cleanse my space and what better way than to use an Aromatherapy room spray that I make specifically for my Intention. Another way to cleanse and I love this, is to smudge with frankincense resin.

Make sure you are comfortable, allow yourself to relax by breathing in and out slowly and rhythmically, breathe in and out, at the same time you are feeling your body shed any unwanted thoughts and feelings on the out breath. As you take in your next breath feel the purity, the goodness and positive energy flowing in to every cell in your body and all around you. Your body, mind and soul are one, you are feeling grounded, connected, filled with love and pure life force. Remember where you are now is moving you forward, embrace it, enjoy it. You are now ready to begin.

Take a moment to focus on the here and now, gently breathing in and out.
Spend a little time reading over your intention, if it doesn't roll off your tongue and you are not resonating with it, change the wording and play with it. When you can speak your intention with ease, grace and conviction, it is complete.

The next step is to write your Intention on a fresh piece of paper, staying focused on your desired intention. Say it out loud and repeat it as many times as you feel comfortable with. At the same time light your chosen *candle and repeat your intention again. Here you are working with the element of fire which represents action and transformation. Keep the candle burning until it burns down, without interruption.
There are many ways in which to enhance and empower your Intention, sometimes I anoint the candle with an essential oil blend and roll it in crushed herbs. You can do as little or more as you wish.

You can colour co-ordinate your candles to the element of fire for your intention by using a red candle.
You can also follow the cycles of the Moon, when the Moon is full she is at her most potent, when waxing, this is a time for building and when waning a time to release.

Self Talk to Create Your Intention:

I will address myself with self praise
I will treat myself with loving kindness
I Magnify my Magnificence
My heart is filled with gratitude
There is gentleness in my heart

Remember to be aware of what is going on in your mind during the day. What we think we create!

* Never leave your candle to burn without being there.This is a fire hazard, so planning your time is important. If you do go out, blow out your candle and re-light it when you are back.

If you have any questions you can contact me via email: Julie@aromatiqueessentials.com.au or visit my website and subscribe to my newsletter to receive tips, recipes for the oil burner and articles on specific conditions http://www.aromatiqueessentials.com.au/
Join me on Facebook http://www.aromatiqueessentials.com.au/

Original article