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In this episode of the Vetiver Vibes podcast, hosts Nikki Fraser and Rachael Dean, both Certified Clinical Aromatherapists, dive into the fascinating world of essential oils, focusing specifically on eucalyptus. We kick off the episode by discussing the various species of eucalyptus, including eucalyptus radiata, eucalyptus globulus, and eucalyptus dives, highlighting the importance of knowing the botanical names of essential oils for safe and effective use.

As we explore eucalyptus, we touch on its origins, primarily from Australia, and its extraction from the leaves and twigs of the plant. We delve into the chemical composition of eucalyptus, particularly its high content of 1.8 cineol, which is known for its therapeutic benefits, including its ability to open airways, reduce inflammation, and alleviate congestion—making it a popular choice during cold and flu season.

We also discuss the emotional and energetic aspects of eucalyptus, noting its potential to enhance concentration and support mental clarity. Eucalyptus is linked to the heart and crown chakras and is believed to help cleanse negative energy and emotional blocks, allowing for deeper breathing and new perspectives.

Safety is a crucial topic in our conversation, as we emphasize the need for caution when using eucalyptus, especially around children and individuals with asthma or epilepsy. We provide insights into the recommended usage guidelines and the importance of consulting reliable resources, such as the Essential Oil Safety Book by Tisserand and Young.

In addition to the educational content, we share some fun facts about eucalyptus, including its historical use during World War I to combat meningitis and influenza, and the significant amount of leaves required to produce essential oil.

Towards the end of the episode, we shift gears to discuss the essential oils we've been using in our own lives, with Rachael sharing her experience with citrus oils to combat winter blues, and Nikki discussing a blend she used to help alleviate her child's ear discomfort.

We conclude with an uplifting affirmation related to eucalyptus and a card pull from the Oracle of the Essence deck, revealing the sweet orange card, which encourages listeners to embrace opportunities and abundance in their lives.

Join us for this informative and engaging episode as we explore the many facets of eucalyptus and its role in aromatherapy, and don't forget to subscribe and leave a review to support our podcast!

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This podcast is for information purposes only. We are certified clinical aromatherapists and holistic health professionals. If you have a medication concern, please refer to your health team. Everyone’s health is unique to themselves, so the topics and suggestions stated may or may not apply directly to you. Please reach out to an aromatherapist to work with or consider training to become one yourself!

Show music: Happy Dreams - By David Fesliyan

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In this episode of the Vetiver Vibes podcast, we dive into part three of our series on safety dilution, focusing specifically on dermal dilution and its importance based on where you apply essential oils on your body.

As Certified Clinical Aromatherapists, Rachael Dean and Nikki Fraser, are thrilled to share our insights and expertise to help you use essential oils safely and effectively.

We begin by discussing the significance of proper dilution, especially when applying oils to sensitive areas like the face. We recommend a dilution of 0.2% to 1.5% for facial applications, emphasizing the need for caution due to the delicate nature of facial skin. We also touch on the importance of avoiding essential oils near the eyes and suggest alternative remedies, such as herbal tea compresses for issues like styes.

Next, we explore the world of aroma massage, which is one of our favourite practices. We discuss the appropriate dilution rates for body massages, recommending a range of 1.5% to 3%. We share personal anecdotes about our experiences with aroma massage and how to adjust dilutions based on individual needs, particularly for clients with dry skin.

Moving on to body and bath applications, we highlight the importance of diluting essential oils in carrier oils before adding them to bathwater. We provide practical tips for creating your own bath blends, ensuring that listeners understand the necessity of proper dilution to maximize therapeutic benefits.

We then address specific issues such as dermal wounds and pain management, where higher dilutions of 4% to 10% may be appropriate for short-term use, not chronic conditions. We stress the importance of consulting with a clinical aromatherapist for guidance in these situations, as well as the need to start with lower dilutions and gradually increase as necessary.

Throughout the episode, we emphasize the principle of "less is more" when it comes to essential oil usage. We want our listeners to feel empowered to use essential oils safely, ensuring that they can enjoy their benefits for years to come.

As we wrap up this three-part series, we encourage our audience to revisit parts one and two for a comprehensive understanding of dilution principles. We are passionate about spreading the word on safe essential oil practices, and we hope you find this episode informative and helpful in your aromatherapy journey. Thank you for tuning in, and we look forward to sharing more insights in future episodes!

Support the show

This podcast is for information purposes only. We are certified clinical aromatherapists and holistic health professionals. If you have a medication concern, please refer to your health team. Everyone’s health is unique to themselves, so the topics and suggestions stated may or may not apply directly to you. Please reach out to an aromatherapist to work with or consider training to become one yourself!

Show music: Happy Dreams - By David Fesliyan

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In this episode of the Vetiver Vibes podcast, hosts Nikki Fraser and Rachael Dean continue their safety dilution series, focusing specifically on dermal dilution by age. As Certified Clinical Aromatherapists, we understand the importance of using essential oils safely, especially when it comes to children and the elderly.

We begin by discussing the varying dilution ratios needed for different age groups, emphasizing that the essential oils suitable for babies can differ significantly from those for adults. Our chart outlines the recommended dilution percentages for various age ranges: from infants (0-3 months), babies (4 months to 24 months), to young children (2-6 years), and then older children (6-16 years) and adults (16+ years). We stress the importance of starting with lower dilutions and gradually increasing them as necessary, while also highlighting that sometimes essential oils may not be needed at all.

A significant portion of our conversation revolves around the safety of using essential oils on babies. We share personal anecdotes about our experiences as parents, particularly the challenges of dealing with diaper rash and the careful consideration we took when choosing to use essential oils like Roman chamomile and lavender. We caution against using certain oils, such as clove, on infants due to their potential risks.

We also touch on the importance of proper dilution, especially for sensitive skin, and the need for a risk-benefit analysis when deciding to use essential oils on children. As we move through the age groups, we explain that while young children can handle slightly higher dilutions, it’s still wise to err on the side of caution and use the lowest effective percentage.

Additionally, we address the topic of using essential oils with the elderly, emphasizing that frail skin requires lower dilutions and that hydrolats can be a safer alternative, especially for those on oxygen therapy. We remind our listeners that aromatic use of essential oils can often provide the desired benefits without the need for topical application.

Throughout the episode, we encourage our audience to reach out with questions and to download our free dilution charts available on our website. We conclude by inviting listeners to tune in for the next episode, where we will delve deeper into dermal dilutions and their applications.

Thank you for joining us for this informative discussion on essential oil safety and dilution by age. We hope you find the insights shared here valuable for your aromatherapy journey!

Support the show

This podcast is for information purposes only. We are certified clinical aromatherapists and holistic health professionals. If you have a medication concern, please refer to your health team. Everyone’s health is unique to themselves, so the topics and suggestions stated may or may not apply directly to you. Please reach out to an aromatherapist to work with or consider training to become one yourself!

Show music: Happy Dreams - By David Fesliyan