Palo Santo: The Sacred Power of this Essential Oil

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Palo santo (Bursera graveolens) is a sacred tree that grows in South America. For centuries, people have used the wood of the palo santo tree for spiritual rituals of cleansing and purification. In fact, the name literally means holy wood. Indeed, this oil is great for spiritual purposes.

Beauty and Purpose in Death

Palo santo is steam distilled from dead trees and fallen branches. After the tree dies, the wood matures, developing a unique chemistry. Interestingly, the same chemistry does not occur when branches or trees are cut. So it is said that the essential oil carries the essence of this sacred tree, lending to its potency.

Clear the Air

The practice of burning palo santo wood to clear negative energy and bringing healing and spiritual connection is common among shamans and saints alike. The essential oil works much the same way. This oil is very uplifting and can help one feel more connected to a higher power and in tune with oneself. Additionally, the oil may remove impurities from the air, when distilled, and from your body, when applied topically. Some people also use palo santo to cleanse negative energy from gems and crystals. Try diffusing palo santo or applying a few drops just before prayer or meditation.

Uplift

Palo santo has a calming, soothing aroma. It contains the constituent d-limonene, which is very therapeutic to the emotions. This oil helps to balance the root chakra, helping us to feel grounded and secure. It also supports the third eye and crown chakras, increasing spirituality and vision. Feeling down? Try a soothing bath with 3 drops palo santo, 2 drops orange, and 3 drops frankincense essential oils.

Protect

The grounding abilities of palo santo help bring a better sense of security. Not only that, but the cleansing properties offer protection as well. It is protective of the skin when applied topically. Traditionally, people used palo santo in smudging practices to cleanse homes and ward off negative influences or entities. Diffusing this oil in your home can uplift and increase the perception of security and protection.

To learn about another sacred tree oil that has been used in religious practices for years, check out this post on frankincense varieties.

For access to more essential oil education, come on and !

Warm Wishes Hand Soap

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Baby, it’s cold outside. Has the cold of the season soaked into you? Maybe your hands are cold from shoveling snow or freezing winter temps? Warm them up with this stimulating and warming hand soap. Not only are the essential oils in this recipe great for purifying and cleansing, many of them are naturally warming as well.

Ingredients

Small foaming soap dispenser

1.8 oz. liquid castile soap

1 tablespoon vegetable glycerin

Distilled water

5 drops lemongrass essential oil

20 drops Eucalyptus radiata essential oil

10 drops rosemary essential oil

7 drops black pepper essential oil

5 drops tea tree essential oil

Instructions

  1. Combine liquid soap, glycerin, and essential oils in soap dispenser.
  2. Next, fill remainder with distilled water. Be sure to leave room to reattach the suds pump.
  3. Shake gently to distribute oils before each use.

To Use

Use this warming hand soap to cleanse and warm up cold hands! Not recommended for facial use. Use caution not to get soap in or around eyes.

Looking for other ways to warm up this winter?

Check out this post about Balancing Kapha Dosha. And soothe sore, chapped hands with this Moisturizing Winter Salve.

Green Tea Skin Toner

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Skin toner is an essential part of my daily skincare routine. With the primary goal of neutralizing the pH of your skin, different toners also offer additional skin-nourishing benefits, depending on the ingredients. This toner is not only great for leaving your skin silky smooth and tightening pores to prevent breakouts, it has the added benefits of Longevity essential oil and matcha green tea.

Longevity essential oil helps to combat free radicals to reduce the signs of aging. To read more about the numerous benefits of this essential oil blend, check out this post about Longevity.

Matcha green tea is a wonderful antioxidant tea. It helps to reduce inflammation inside and outside the body. Matcha also contains natural tannins that help to shrink pores and reduce the production of oil that contributes to acne and other skin issues.

The aloe vera gel adds a cooling, refreshing touch to this toner. It also soothes irritation and reduces topical inflammation.

Ingredients

2 green tea bags

1 tablespoon pure aloe vera gel

35 drops Longevity essential oil

Instructions

  1. Steep tea bags in 1/2 cup of boiling water for 5 min. Remove tea bags, and allow to cool.
  2. Add aloe vera gel and mix to combine.
  3. Then add Longevity essential oil.
  4. Fill two 2oz. spray bottles with toner. Dampen a cotton round with toner, and apply to face one or two times a day, or simply mist directly on clean face.

This recipe will keep at room temperature for about 2 months. You can cut the recipe in half if you only need one bottle, but why not make one to share with a friend, daughter, or sibling? This toner will leave your skin so silky smooth, everyone will want to use it!

Love DIYs like this one? Come check out this recipe for homemade Makeup Remover Pads!

For even more essential oil and health and wellness education, come !

10 Ways to Use Cypress Essential Oil

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Cypress essential oil has a fresh, crisp, slightly woody aroma. It combines well with other woody essential oils, as well as citrus and herbaceous oils. It is often favored by men for topical applications, but this versatile oil has uses that every family member can appreciate.

Detoxification

Cypress oil helps to detoxify the body, primarily through sweating. Apply it during your next detox to help rid your body of unwanted toxins. Or add to a relaxing bath with Epsom salts to encourage detoxification.

For more information about detoxifying the body, check out this post.

Under Eye Bags

Soothe those tired eyes with this rejuvenating blend.

10 drops cypress

5 drops geranium or lavender

5 drops frankincense

Combine in a 10 mL roller bottle and top off with a neutral carrier oil. Apply around the bony eye socket before bedtime, being careful not to get too close to the soft tissue around the eyes. If it stings, dab on a bit of carrier oil or moisturizer. Do not rinse with water, as this will only intensify the stinging.

Missing your pine scented cleaner?

Ditch the synthetic chemical pine cleaner. Instead, amp up your household cleanser with some fresh cypress oil. Not only does it smell great, it has wonderful cleansing properties as well.

Emotional Balance

Cypress has a grounding, yet stimulating effect on the emotions. This makes it ideal to diffuse or wear topically when dealing with death or loss, especially to provide comfort and healing.

Additionally, evergreen cypress represents renewal. Use it when seeking truth, peace, knowledge, growth, and renewal. This oil is powerful at assisting one through release and transformation.

Natural Deodorizer

Cypress is cleansing and purifying. Place a few drops of cypress in stinky shoes, diffuse to eliminate odors, and even add to your deodorant for an extra boost.

Improve Circulation and Relieve Cramping

Add a few drops of cypress to your favorite massage oil and massage into legs and other problem areas to help improve circulation and get the blood flowing.

Reduce the Appearance of Cellulite

As an added benefit, cypress also has a relaxing effect on fascia. I like to add a few drops of cypress to my massage oil and use it with my fascia blaster for added benefit.

Support the Lymph System

Cypress essential oil stimulates the lymphatic system. Apply it over lymph glands or add it to a bath.

Blemish Buster

Cypress is great for skin, particularly oily skin. Add some cypress to your moisturizer, toner, or apply it directly to problem areas. Be sure to avoid the sensitive eye area.

Respiratory Support

The fresh scent of cypress is great for opening up the airways. Try making your own DIY inhaler. Just add 3 drops cypress, 2 drops lavender, and 1 drop peppermint to the wick of a personal inhaler. Use as needed, adding more oils when the scent diminishes.

What are your favorite ways to use cypress essential oil? Comment below and share your ideas!

Looking for more uses for essential oils? Check out 6 Ways to Use Myrrh or 9 Ways to Use Lemongrass.