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Aromatherapy Thymes: Orange and Ginger - The Energizing Duo Of Aromatherapy

Written by hernews on December 2, 2008 - 12:55pm
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By: Aromatherapy Thymes/DivineCaroline

The combination of orange (citrus, fresh, and sweet) and ginger (spicy, warm, and radiant) is a harmonious delight, very unique in character and is set apart as one of the best energizing duos of aromatherapy. Orange essential oil has a familiar scent of a fresh cut orange, while ginger has a warm, spicy scent. When you blend orange and ginger they become a bouquet of beauty and wellness, and therapeutically these oils work really well in unison.

Orange for Detox, Beauty, and Brightness
Orange is botanically known as citrus sinenses and is native to southwestern China. It was brought to the West Indies by Columbus and flourishes in tropical climates. The essential oil is extracted from the peel of the orange and is extracted by cold pressing.

Aromatherapists consider orange essential oil to be an antidepressant oil and recommend it for anxiety and depression. Orange is one of the key oils for detoxifying the system and helps the body eliminate internal toxins; it promotes urination to remove uric acid, excess salts, and excess water. It is valuable in the treatment of constipation and slow digestion.

In addition, it is considered a beauty oil, beneficial in skin care, especially in the treatment of acne. Orange is used in private label beauty and cleaning products for its refreshing scent and antiseptic properties. The oil of the orange is delightfully bright and signals optimism and brings wellness to any home. It’s truly a universal blending scent that mixes with just about everything! For a more calming atmosphere add five drops of orange and three drops of ginger in your favorite diffuser, and simply relax.

Ginger for Stomach Upsets and Pregnancy Morning Sickness
It is believed that ginger (zingiber officinale) was brought to Europe between the 10th and 15th century to be used as a condiment. It has been used for medicinal purposes since the ancient times and is recorded specifically in both Chinese and Sanskrit writings. It is also mentioned in the classic literature from the Greeks and was used in the sybaritic sanctuaries of the Romans. The essential oil is extracted by steam distillation from the ginger root.

Ginger has been revered for thousands of years as a universal medicine, especially in countries such as China and India. The Spanish introduced ginger to the West Indies in the 16th century, and today it is renowned for its healing properties and recognized as a popular spice. Ginger root is well known as a culinary herb used in Asian cooking, but in aromatherapy, ginger essential oil kicks a punch for many different aliments, especially fast relief for easing an upset stomach.

It may be inhaled from a tissue to alleviate indigestion and morning sickness during pregnancy. Ginger oil is a nice addition to your massage oil or body scrub, as it can ease minor aches and pains. The warming properties of ginger oil makes it a wonderful choice for a soothing yet invigorating bath and will help improve circulation.

For treating bruises and sores on the skin, ginger is one of the best oils and rubbing it on the affected areas should speed the healing process, and ease the pain associated with the injury. In steam inhalations, it is helpful for colds and flu, and its germicidal properties make it an excellent choice to combat infections. As one of the more odoriferous oils, ginger should be used in moderation, but as you can see, the affinity with orange is unmistakable.

The emphasis when blending essential oils is on the final aroma, not its therapeutic properties. Orange and ginger together create a beautiful fragrant bouquet, with the added bonus being that they also work really well therapeutically.

Orange and Ginger Massage Blend
Add three drops of orange and two drops ginger to your favorite carrier oil. The best carrier oils to use when making a massage blend are jojoba oil and sesame seed oil. Jojoba oil has a very similar chemical makeup to our own skin’s composition, plus during massage, it keeps the skin lubricated to prevent damage. Sesame seed oil plays a vital role because it penetrates into the skin readily and helps remove toxins. A basic massage blends consist of four to five drops of essential oils and one cup of carrier oil. Shake to mix well.

“Let the Sun in” Air Freshener
Add five drops of orange essential oil and three drops of ginger essential oil in a four-ounce spray bottle filed with water. Shake to mix well.

To share your Aromatherapy experience with EmpowHer, visit http://www.EmpowHer.com/share.

Visit: www.DivineCaroline.com

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We value and respect the experiences of all of our HerWriters, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.


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