Essential oils can be a great addition to herbal cleanses or used alone.
They can be used in several ways:
- mix with bath salts, vegetable oils, or apple cider vinegar for a great detoxifying bath.
- add to vegetable oils for a massage
- add to the brush when dry brushing
- add to the wash cloth and used in the shower
- add to a tissue and inhaled
- add a couple of drops on your hand, rub your hands, and inhale
- add essential oils to the appropriate Vita Flex points (liver, kidney) on the feet
- make a compress and put over a specific organ that needs to be cleansed
Alteratives are remedies that cleanse and purify the blood, and they are also called detoxifiers or blood purifiers. They assist the body’s own eliminatory channels by stimulating the liver, lungs, kidneys, bowels, sweat glands, and the lymphatic system to excrete toxins.
Essential oils with lymphatic, diaphoretic, expectorant, diuretic, hepatic, laxative and emmenagogue properties are considered alteratives. **( Explanation at the end of the post)
Most commonly used essential oils with alteratives properties are angelica root, black pepper, carrot seed, cypress, everlasting, fennel, grapefruit, geranium, juniper, lemon, orange, peppermint and rosemary.
Some of my favorite alteratives are:
Cypress
Cypress, (Cupressus sempervirens var. stricta) has a bitter, acidic, sharp, spicy and balsamic-woody top note. The middle note is balsamic-woody, sweet and spicy. The base note smells more like cypress with a forest scent and is not as sweet. The aroma clears the head and is very relaxing.
Cypress was used by the Romans and the Greeks. Sempevirens means ever living, and the tree was dedicated to the gods of the underworld.
It has a calming, balancing, refreshing and clearing effect on the emotions. Cypress is useful in anger and will also restore calm. In France, Dr.Valnet used cypress for bronchitis and coughs at hospitals, and the cough was stopped by putting drops of cypress under the pillows. It also has astringent and vaso-constrictor properties, and may therefore useful in circulatory problems.
Grapefruit
Grapefruit, (Citrus paradisi ) has a sweet, fresh, intense citrus and fruity top note. It is a clean and refreshing smell. The middle note is softer and milder with sweet and pleasant orange-citrus aroma with some bitterness and slightly earthy tone. The base not has the same characteristic scent but is a lot weaker. Grapefruit is uplifting and positive, and it is a very energizing and reviving scent.
Grapefruit has a very uplifting, reviving, and energizing effect on the mood. It has historically been a good choice when feeling stressed, depressed, or suffering from nervous exhaustion. It is very balancing.
Due to its diuretic and detoxifying properties, grapefruit may be useful in cellulites. Grapefruit has historically been used to stimulate the liver and gallbladder, which may help regulating eating disorders. Grapefruit is traditionally used for oily skin and acne. It has also historically been used for stretch marks, fungal infection, wounds and bruises.
LemonLemon, (Citrus limonum) has a sharp, clean and refreshing aroma. It smells like the zest of the fruit. The aroma is very relaxing, but at the same time it feels like it clears the mind and sharpens the senses. It is obvious it is a top note because the scent doesn’t last long.
Lemon increases the ability to concentrate. It lifts the spirit and clears the mind. It is also a powerful antibacterial.
Lemon is said to stimulate the action of the white blood corpuscles, and according to Battalglia it also counteracts the acidity in the body. It also has a tonic effect on the circulatory system. It is well known for its detoxifying and astringent properties.
Here are some other tips of how essential oils can used.
Some people cleanse several times a year, but it also important to keep cleansing all through the year. Eat a wholesome diet with fresh vegetables and fruit, avoid as much toxins as possible, drink lemon water, exercise, and add the essential oils mentioned above.
*This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease.
Lymphatic - Assist the tissue cleansing action of the lymphatic system.
Diaphoretic - Promoting sweating, assisting the excretory functions of the skin.
Expectorant - Promoting expulsion of mucus, assisting the respiratory system.
Diuretic - Promoting urination, assisting excretory functions of the kidneys.
Laxative - Promoting bowel movements, assisting excretory functions of the large intestines. Hepatic - Enhancing liver functions, assisting the liver's detoxifying functions.
Before you leave:
Check out my safety page to make sure you are aware of any contrindications before you use essential oils. Some oils are not suitable when suffering from certain conditions. Also, Read this Before You Start Using Essential oils. Some oils should not be applied prior to sun exposure so make sure you check this list before spending time in the sun.
Not sure how to apply the oils? Visit these pages to learn how to apply the oils: If you're new to essential oils you might want to check out my
Getting Started Guide.
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Johanna is an aromatherapist and she is passionate about educating people about health, essential oils, real food, natural remedies, and nutrition so they make healthier choices in their lives.
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This post is linked to:Fat Tuesday, Detox Challenge , Wildcrafting Wednesday, Natural Living Monday
