Determine how you plan to use the essential oil Making larger quantities

Making larger quantities
To make 8 fluid oz (1 cup or 250 mL) massage oil, use:

48 drops lavender essential oil
12 drops chamomile essential oil
12 drops sandalwood essential oil
8 drops ylang ylang essential oil

Determine how you plan to use the essential oil.Method

Determine how you plan to use the essential oil.Method
To fill a 10 mL bottle of the essential oil blend, add the following to the bottle:

• 1 teaspoon plus 20 drops lavender essential oil
  
• 30 drops chamomile essential oil
  
• 30 drops sandalwood essential oil
  
• 20 drops ylang ylang essential oil

Cover tightly.

To make a massage oil, add the following essential oils to the 4 fluid ounce bottle:

• 24 drops lavender essential oil
  
• 6 drops chamomile essential oil
  
• 6 drops sandalwood essential oil
  
• 4 drops ylang ylang essential oil

Fill the rest of the bottle with your desired massage oil. Cover tightly.

Determine how you plan to use the essential oil.

Determine how you plan to use the essential oil.
If you simply want to make an essential oil blend to use in an aromatherapy diffuser (a small table-top device provides continuous scent) or to store in a bottle for a variety of purposes, you will need a 10 mL small amber or blue glass bottle with a dropper cap. This essential oil blend should not be applied to skin undiluted.

If you would like to make a massage oil, you will need a bottle that holds between 4 fluid ounces (1/2 cup or 125 mL) and 8 fluid ounces (1 cup or 250 mL), depending on how much you would like to make. Again, amber or blue glass is preferred.

Complementary Therapy for Dogs

Doggie Aromatherapy

I do not suggest adding any essential oils directly to water, as they will not mix water and will rise and stay on the surface. On the other hand you can use essential oils diluted with base oils such as olive, safflower, jojoba, almond or any other vegetable oil and use it externally on your dogs.

• 5 drop of your choice of essential oil
• 10 ml of carrier oil (olive, jojoba, almond etc.)

Mix well and apply away from head (ear, eye, nose) area always. You can use this for dogs and yourself too.

a.. Citronella and lemongrass mixture with your choice of base oil "carrier oil" would make a great insect repellent.

b.. Rose (Rosa damascena), Ylang Ylang (Cananga Odorata), Clary Sage (Salvia sclare) diluted with base oil should help taming tension for your over active dog about to take a trip to the vet or groomer or yourself during a stressful event!

c.. Rosemary (Rosemarinus officinalis), Peppermint (Mentha piperita) with a base oil will help itchy skin, dry or sluggish skin and coat and helps fight against skin parasites.

d.. Lavender and Marjoram diluted with a base oil can help tight, cramping, sore muscles, etc. Add a few drops on your palm and rub gently. Excellent for working dogs and people too!

e.. Myrrh (Commiphora myrrha), Patchouli (Pogostemon cablin) with light base oil will help eczema, bruises, and cracked or chapped skin. You can use it on minor cuts as well. Niaouli Essential Oil (Melaleuca viridiflora) can be included to treat viral infections as well. Please be cautions using certain essential oils on pregnant or seizure prone dogs or people. I say this though I know all is dose-related. Using herbs, essential oils, hydrosols and all other natural therapies need to be respected and used with care as you would all medication. If in doubt always use your best judgment and always ask your trusted vet.

There are many more essential oils and certainly even more combinations one can use, but as you try a few yourselves you can learn to experiment and come up with wonderful concoctions of your own.

Just keep in mind to use essential oils externally, always keep them away from face, eyes and nose and never use them on or around cats, birds, ferrets, etc. I will strongly suggest that you find a few good aromatherapy books and read about essential oil safety first so that you do not fear it, but respect it!

Infusing, a safe and simple alternative:

You can infuse base oils such as olive oil, grapeseed oil (almond oil etc.) with herbs, leaves, and roots, which you can use on your dog without fear. Best of all you can use these infusions on the whole family; you can cook with it as well as using it in your favorite bath recipe.

Prepare enough herbs to make one cup total. Crush them well or you can use a blender to chop them. Place them in a jar (I use a mason jar.) Get your choice of vegetable oil (I prefer olive and hazelnut, but omit hazelnut in case of nut allergies). Slowly pour the oil just enough to cover your crushed herbs. Close the lid as tight as you possibly can. I use a small thick plastic over the jar's mouth and than close the lid to make it more airtight.

Try to keep your herb jar in a warm place about 75 degrees for 7-10 days. I move my infusion jars near the window on sunny days and move them to the cozy warm shelves above my beloved oven!

A few herbs/botanicals of my choice are Alkanet (root), chamomile flowers, calendula petals, chickweed, comfrey root, neem, nettles, peppermint leaves, rosemary, rose blossoms or petals, St. John's Wort and yarrow.

I use only organically grown and suggest that you try your first few infusions with dry botanicals at first. You can venture into fresh ones later as they do have the tendencies to go bad faster.

The combinations are endless and using natural ingredients should not be costly or very hard to make and now you can make your own canine goodies. Next time you are at your health shop look for tea bags, organic apple cider vinegar and dried herbs. Soon you will be busy collecting mason jars, cool new herbs, flower buds and start seeing each and every herb and flower in a different light. A very powerful and healing light.

Welcome to the bewitching world of Mother Nature.

Author: Sevi Kay
© 2001 Mundo L.L.C
http://www.cybercanine.com

Things To Keep In Mind: I do not use or recommend using essential oils internally and suggest you contact a holistic veterinarian to guide you in case you do. Each dog is different so always involve your trusted veterinarian when introducing a new diet as certain herbs may cause allergic reactions however natural or organic they may be.

These aromatherapy recipes are for dogs only. Never use aromatherapy products on cats, birds or other exotic pets and animals. Always keep essential oils away from pets, kids and store them in a cool dark place. Never use essential oils undiluted "neat" on skin or coat. Always label your finished products (date,ingredients used) and store them in a cool place.

Dos and Don'ts of Oils and Creams

Dos and Don'ts of Oils and Creams

There are some important things to keep in mind when dealing with massage oils and creams:

Don't put oils where they are not intended to go. Keep in mind that most massage oils are not intended to go inside the body. Instead, you should use specifically designed lubricants (water-based products like Astroglide are best) for any activities involving penetration or areas inside the body. You should also take care to avoid getting any kind of oils or creams in your eyes.

Do check the Internet, where you can find lots of “recipes” for making homemade massage oils. Experiment and find one that you like best, or be creative and come up with your own unique blend.

Arousing Scents

Arousing Scents

Although it's tough to prove this scientifically, there are certain scents that are commonly believed to encourage erotic feelings and arousal. The most powerful scent connected with arousal is one you can't buy in a bottle: Human pheromones (chemicals the body releases during sexual excitement) tend to have a magnetic effect during close contact with potential partners.

Among nonbiological scents, everyone's tastes are different, so it's virtually impossible to pinpoint a single scent that will be 100 percent effective. However, scents that have been traditionally linked with arousal include cinnamon, vanilla, rose, and musky smells.

In the late '90s, Alan Hirsch, M.D., of the Smell and Taste Treatment and Research Foundation in Chicago, conducted a study to determine which scents people found most physically arousing. Of more than two dozen different scents, men showed the most aroused reaction in response to a blend of lavender and pumpkin pie. Another surprising finding: Both men and women became aroused after smelling a blend of licorice and cucumber.

Oils by Bobbi Dempsey

An essential part of a sensual massage is the use of oil. You can find massage oil just about everywhere — even major chain stores like Wal-Mart sell massage oil, usually near the bath supplies or personal merchandise such as condoms. Here, you can often find very affordable oils in a wide variety of types, including warming massage lotions and oils that heat up on contact.

Types of Oils

When choosing a massage oil, be sure to choose a high-quality product. Keep in mind that there are three basic types of oils: lightweight, medium-weight, and heavyweight. Light oils are moisturizing, as they are absorbed more easily into the skin. Medium oils are a bit slicker and slower to absorb into the skin. Finally, heavy oils are very slick and remain on the skin for an extended amount of time. You won't have to reapply this oil very often. It is best suited for long, Tantric massages.

Massage oils can be great for the skin — but terrible for upholstery and linens. Keep in mind that oil can often be tough to get out of fabrics, so it is a good idea to put down an old (yet comfortable) sheet or towels to protect carpet and furniture.

Massage oils come in a nearly unlimited array of scents (and even flavors). Many people enjoy natural types of scents like vanilla, coconut, rose, lavender, or orange. But there is no one “right” scent. It is completely a matter of personal preference. Variety can be exciting, so keep experimenting with a lot of different scents and combinations of scents to find the fragrance you and your partner enjoy most. Try visiting aromatherapy shops and making your own unique scent combination.