Molly, tell me more about how you vaporize the oil? Is it a better delivery system than OP in your opinion?

I don't get the whole sesame oil thing. Every time I try it, it makes me ravenously hungry for the entire day. It's weird. I've tried many oils, but my primary oil is still Flax Seed oil (followed by coconut). And I know that it's one of the less talked about oils around here.

I wonder if my flax seed preference is a gender thing (since most posters seem to be female here - not that there's anything wrong with that ;) ) Or maybe being vegetarian gives me differet tastes or nutritional needs? Who knows? Any guys around here that can chime in on which are your favorite oils?

I simply cannot believe my skin right now. I've tried so many things for my "mature" skin. I had some hyper-pigmentation, some rosacea....spots here and there. I didn't look hideous, but my skin texture was not optimum. Silly me at 50.

So I've been using an assortment of clays, skin actives.....been playing around a lot. But I think I've found my personal mixture. Started using it on my husband too, and we both seem to be benefitting from this mix.

I have been using jojoba oil, with a drop of Sweet Fennel, a drop of lavender, a dollop of Sea Buckthorn Berry Oil and Helichrysum and Patchouli. Below is what I read about the last two, and damn, if it doesn't work beautifully. My rosacea is definitely going away, after just a week of use. Puffy eyes also. I think that Helichrysum would be very effective for dark circles. And any mature zits I had have vanished. Good stuff those essential oils!!

For the age spots, I made a special mix from Skin Actives that has Alpha Lipoic Acid, Barberry Leaf Extract, Ellagic Acid, Ferulic Acid, Lemon Peel Bioferment, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphorate, and Niacinamide. It seems to be very effectively diminishing all age spots, but boy is it strong! I've also been using Pumpkin Enzymes.

Also I discovered Golden Champs. It's the same essential they use to make Joy perfume. It's smells just like Joy (the most expensive perfume in the world). I just also discovered Linden Blossom. I get all my stuff at Nature's Gift.

PATCHOULI

Pogostemon patchouli or pogostemon cablin

(the following description applies to all of our Patchouli oils.)

Patchouli, oil of the 60's is an effective anti-inflammatory for the skin, helpful in healing cracked or inflamed skin, acne, dermatitis and eczema.

It is said to tone and tighten the skin, and is used in many anti wrinkle blends At the same time it helps regulate oily skin and dandruff . Some authorities say it is useful in appetite suppressant blends and, with its skin toning qualities, in combating cellulite.

It is an excellent base note for perfume blends, and is generally considered an aphrodisiac. In small quantities it has a mildly sedative effect, while in large quantities it may be stimulating.


HELICHRYSUM Essential Oils

(Italian Everlasting, Immortelle) Helichrysum Italicum Corsica, Certified Organic, blossoms
The steam distilled oil of the Italian Everlasting is one of the strongest anti-inflammatories I know. I use it in all my skin blends, and have been known to use it neat on bad bruises . The fragrance is warm, slightly honey like, rich and buttery, with green notes of wood, spices, herb. It is a fascinating oil because it is made up of several layers of notes that appear to unfold during the dry down.

Helichrysum is antibacterial, anti-viral and anti-fungal . It is a component of my anti- Acne blends, as well as useful in any rash or skin irritation (blended with German Chamomile CO 2 it gives amazing results!).

The literature and the aromatherapy lists are full of anecdotal evidence of Helichrysum Italicuum's amazing power when used on broken bones , stories of doctors being amazed that the break healed in half the estimated time, etc.

My personal experience is that it can fade bruises almost overnight, turning an angry new bruise to one that looks like a week old almost healed bruise while I slept. It acts by having the blood reabsorbed into the tissue, thus removing the discoloration and the pain caused by pressure on the nerves.

According to Dr. Christoph Streicher, Helichrysum is useful in treating heart palpitations, irregular heartbeat and risk of stroke. Blended with Ylang Ylang it is useful in treating high blood pressure. Dr. Streicher, along with many other authorities, also states that Helichrysum, in a base of Rose Hip Seed Oil will fade older scars.

Any blend created for arthritis, bruising, or scarring needs Helichrysum. One client writes that it is very effective in easing the pain of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. She applies a weak dilution when the pain starts, and within about 10 minutes the pain is gone for hours. (Not sure that relieving the pain and continuing the same activities that caused the pain is wise, but that is a matter of personal choice.)

Read the comments of several of our clients who have used either our Helichrysum essential oil or our Helichrysum hydrosol on this special Helichrysum Healing page.

Mentally, it is very supportive and comforting. It is believed by some to open the right side of the brain and improve creativity as well as increase dream activity. I also use it in a meditation blend to encourage spirituality and personal growth.

Again, according to Dr. Streicher, emotionally it can help an individual get in touch with unresolved feelings, emotions that have been denied and/or buried. It is also helpful in restoring memories that have been buried deep in the past. Dr. Streicher recommends it in psychotherapy to aid a patient in dealing with emotions. It helps release defense mechanisms and offers comfort in processing these emotional traumas. A client who is a psychotherapist uses a blend of Helichrysum and Jasmine Sambac for helping her clients deal with their pasts.

This oil can have very profound spiritual and emotional effects .It is considered by some to be one of the 'sacred' oils.