REGENERATION, Part II

            Cedarwood’s antiseptic, astringent actions benefits oily skin, acne, oily hair, dandruff and reduces hair loss.  The following blends treat and regenerate the skin and hair.

Balancing Oily Skin

            In 1 ounce of aloevera gel, add the following essential oils:

                        2 drops of Cedarwood

                        2 drops Lemongrass

                        8 drops of Geranium

                        2 drops of Rosemary

            Allow to cure 3 hours before applying to clean skin twice daily with a cotton ball.  Do not rinse.  Bottle in dark glass with a tight fitting screw cap.

Toner for Acne-prone Skin

            In 4 ounces of witch hazel, available at pharmacies, add the following essential oils:

                          4 drops of Cedarwood

                          2 drops pf Tea Tree

                          3 drops of Eucalyptus

                        10 drops of Lemon Verbena, Lippia Citriodora

                          1 drop of Thyme

            Allow to cure overnight.  Turn the bottle over to mix the oils.  Apply to clean skin with a cotton ball 2 or 3 times daily.  Store in dark glass with a tight fitting screw cap.  Store in the refrigerator.

Hair Care for an Oily Scalp

            In 8 ounces of non fragrant shampoo, add the following essential oils:

                          6 drops of Cedarwood

                          4 drops of Swiss Pine, Pinus cembra

                          4 drops of Sage

                          2 drops of Cypress

                        16 drops of Lemongrass

            Allow to cure overnight.  Shampoo hair and scrub the scalp vigorously.  Let the shampoo penetrate the scalp 3 to 5 minutes before carefully rinsing all the suds from the hair and scalp.  Repeat every other day until the scalp normalizes.  Then shampoo twice a week.  I recommend shampoo without sodium laurel sulfate.  Consider balancing the diet with more fruits and vegetables and very little fats and fried food.

Dandruff Shampoo for an Oily Scalp

            Make the blend above and add

                        10 drops of Lavendula

                          2 drops of Tea Tree

            Follow directions for oily hair care.

            Consider adding essential fatty acids to the diet from 3 ounces of salmon or 1 tablespoon of flaxseed or borage oil.  I recommend cooking whole flaxseed in 1 cup of water for 3 to 5 minutes and drinking the tea.  Flaxseed becomes rancid immediately after oxygen combines with it.  Refrigerate any unused seeds.

Hair Loss Blend

            In 1 ounce of jojoba oil add the following essential oils:

                        10 drops of Rosemary

                          2 drops of Lemongrass

                          2 drops of Swiss Pine, Pinus cembra

                          4 drops of Coriander seed

            Allow to cure 3 hours.  Massage gently onto the scalp where hair loss is occurring every night or 30 minutes before shampooing the hair.  Bottle in dark glass with a tight- fitting screw cap.

            Another property of Cedarwood essential oil is helping a circulation. This property makes it an excellent addition for an arthritis and rheumatic blend.  Circulation to the muscles is especially increased, enhancing joint muscle integrity.  Blends can be made into compress or massage aromas.  Cedarwood tonifies where there is weakness.  The following blends are warming, comforting and uplifting.

Enhancing Blend

For Muscles and Joints

            In 4 ounces of carrier oil, add the following essential oils:

                          6 drops of Cedarwood

                        10 drops of Cinnamon leaf

                          2 drops of Ginger Root

                          3 drops of Cypress

                          5 drops of Juniper berries      

            Allow to cure 3 hours or overnight.  Warm a few tablespoons in a cup or glass of hot  water 3 minutes before massaging onto joints and muscles.  Repeat twice daily for pain, or once daily to continue regeneration.  

Relaxing Blend

For spasms and stiffness

            In 4 ounces of carrier oil, add the following essential oils:

                          4 drops of Cedarwood

                        10 drops of Peppermint

                          6 drops of Eucalyptus

                          1 drop of Angelica Root

                          4 drops of Swiss Pine

                          2 drops of Nutmeg, Myristica Fragrans

                        10 drops of Orange

            Allow to cure 3 hours or overnight.  Massage several drops on affected area.  Add moist heat for several minutes to assist penetration.  Continue to apply the blend every night or every 4 to 6 hours, as needed to reduce symptoms.  Bottle remaining blend in dark glass with a tight fitting screw cap.  Refrigerate.  Warm blend in a cup of hot water before using again.  Moist heat applications will assist this blend.

 Cedarwood is an excellent aid to reduce skin problems. Those with reduced circulation, can also benefit from this blend.  Cedarwood is so strong, I recommend a very light touch in this dilution.  The amounts may be doubled in twice the amount of carrier oil.

            In 1 ounce of jojoba oil, add the following essential oils.

                          1 drop of Cedarwood

                          2 drops of Sandalwood

                        10 drops of Lavendula

                          3 drops of Lemon balm (Melissa)

            Allow to cure 3 hours or overnight.  Swab the affected area with a sterile gauze.  Use a separate gauze for each area treated.  Repeat 2 times daily, always cleaning the affected area thoroughly before applying the blend.  It may take 10 to 21 days for healing and regeneration to occur.

            Cedarwood can be used as an insect repellent for people and pets.  Fleas and ticks move another direction when they smell this balsamic odor.  Use it sparingly in dilution to avoid irritating the skin.  A dilution can be sprayed on a pet’s bed, in an outside setting or on the skin.  Although essential oils do not mix well in water, it is easily dispersed as a spray.  Turn the spray bottle over a few times to disperse the essential oils before misting.  Avoid the eyes or sensitive skin.

Cedar Insect Repellent

            In a 4 ounce spray bottle, add the following essential oils:

                        4 drops of Cedarwood

                        6 drops of Lemon Eucalyptus

                        2 drops of Pine

                        6 drops of Rosemary

            Fill the bottle with distilled water.  Allow to cure overnight before chasing the critters away.

            Remember that Cedarwood is a base note.  It works as a fixative, holding down the blend so the aroma lifts slowly over time.  Use it sparingly, a few drops go a long way.