MysticalCharm.com

Flu season has arrived yet again. This year we are faced with a new form of the flu with the H1N1, or swine flu. There is a new vaccine being released but the side effects and the inclusion of Mercury (a known poison) are making the vaccine difficult to embrace. Many health care workers are being mandated to take the vaccine but are reluctant to do so due to the potential effects of the vaccine.

There is an easier way to fight off the flu this season that is also much safer.

First, if you must cough, cover your mouth with your arm. This keeps the virus off of your hands. Second, wash your hands often with soap and warm water. Antibacterial soap will do nothing to kill a virus. Third, if you are sick, please stay home (or go see a doctor, don’t go to work) and keep others from getting what you have.

Fourth, and this is the big one: Boost your own immune system. This will make it much easier to fight whatever you might get and will make being around others much less risky. You say “That’s great but how do I do it?” I can tell you how and it is easy (and relaxing).

Certain essential oils have been known for thousands of years to boost the immune system. They are still being used after all this time all over the world. Why? Because they work.

Do this:
6 drops Lavender Oil
6 drops Bergamot Oil
3 drops Lemon Oil
3 drops Tea Tree Oil
2 drops Myrrh Oil
2 ounces of Vegetable Oil

Combine these together and use as a massage oil. Massage the areas of the body that contain the Lymph nodes, primarily the neck, groin, breasts and under the arms. Work from the extremities toward the heart. These will stimulate the movement of fluids in the lymph system and cleanse the system of metabolic wastes. This has the effect of making the immune system much more efficient at ridding the body of harmful bacteria and viruses. This mixture can also be used in a diffuser (without the vegetable oil) or in a bath (also without the vegetable oil).

Mystical Charm wishes you all to stay happy and healthy this holiday season.

Tags: aromatherapy, flu vaccine, immune booster, immune system, swine flu

The school year is just beginning for most of us. Very soon, though, we will be faced with exams, midterms and eventually finals. Wouldn’t it be nice if there was an easy way to increase your focus while you study AND help you improve your test scores? I think I can help.

First, a little biology. Our sense of smell is linked directly into the memory centers of the brain. A scent can bring back memories from your childhood you thought were long gone. For example, while growing up in Indiana, it was fashionable for everyone (in the 70’s at least) to have a Juniper bush. That scent was around me all the time to the point of not really being aware of it. Now, whenever I smell Juniper I am 10 years old again walking down the street to see if my friends can come out and play.

This simple recipe is easy to make and very powerful. Do this:

1 drop of Jasmine
6 drops of Sweet Orange
3 drops Patchouli

Mix together in a small bottle by gently rolling in your hands and add to a diffuser. Allow this mix to diffuse into the room while you study to increase your mental focus.

Here is where the science meets the real world. Remember how I can be 10 again just by smelling Juniper? Place a small amount of the oil somewhere on your body where you can smell it. The scent will trigger your memory from when you last smelled it, which should be while you were studying.

This really could work with any scent. Chose your favorite from Mystical Charm and feel better come test time.

Tags: aromatherapy, mental focus, study aids

Humans have a complex sense of smell. That sense is tied directly to the brain and into the area associated with emotion and memory. Certain scents have the effect of making a person hungry, tired, relaxed, happy and sometimes, turned on.

Aromatherapy has been used for over 5000 years as a healing art and is still widely practiced in the Far East. Certain scents have been used for lovers for almost as long. In fact, scents are mentioned in the Kama Sutra as part of the art of seduction.

The scents listed here all have been known for a long time to have aphrodisiacal properties. You can uses these in baths, in a diffuser, or added to massage oil for extra intimacy.

Basil: Has a sweet and spicy scent. Known to be an erotic scent. Basil can arouse the senses and awaken the sexual spirit.

Bergamot: Has a floral scent mixed with lemon that eases tension and anxiety. Makes it easier to enjoy the moment.

Cedarwood: Awakens the spirit, opens emotions and allows one to enter into lovemaking much easier. Eases fears.

Frankincense: An erotic scent with a haunting aroma. Simulates the senses and comforts the mind.

Ginger: Pungent and spicy. Heats up the libido and can boost vitality. Cleanses negative feelings and can stimulate trust.

Lavender: an evocative scent that has calming properties. Soothes the mind and opens the heart.

Lime: a scent that adds laughter and cheer to any relationship. Also increases appetite for passion and desire.

Orange: brings warmth and cheerfulness to a relationship.

Patchouli: a deep, musky, erotic scent. Has a very earth scent that decreases inhibition and increases desire.

Rose: a very erotic scent that is a known aphrodisiac. This is why men buy women roses for special occasions and why women love to get roses.

These are just a few. You are welcome to find what works best for you. Mystical Charm has a wide variety of scents and oils for you to experiment with.

Tags: aromatherapy, desire, passion, scents, sex

Being a few pounds over your ideal weight makes you “overweight”.  If, however, that number climbs to more than 30% over your ideal weight, then you qualify as being obese.  Obesity has become an epidemic in the United States.  It has become so bad that our children are now obese.  Excess weight can burden the entire body from the feet all the way to the neck.  That’s not to mention the self esteem issues that arise.  As a matter of fact, obesity related health issues cost the American taxpayer 70 Billion (that’s with a B) dollars annually.

As of 2007, one half of all Americans were on a diet of one form or another.  Infomercials claiming to have the next big breakthrough in weight loss technology are on every night claiming you can lose unwanted pounds in 8 minutes a day.  My theory is that if it sounds too good to be true, it usually is.

There are some simple ways to treat obesity.  Eat less and exercise more. Sounds simple but often, it isn’t.  Willpower waxes and wanes and those cheese fries from Outback are just soooo good.  So what can be done.

First, consult a doctor about the best way to treat the underlying issue.  It could be you overeat due to emotional issues, or hormonal issues, or any number of reasons why.

Second, start some sort of exercise.  Walking is excellent and so is weightlifting.  Together, they are more than twice as effective.

You say “That’s all well and good but what about when I start to lose my will power?”  That is where most people have the biggest issue and I can help.  The solution is easier than you might think.

“Smell your way thin???  I thought you said ‘If it sounds to good to be true, then it usually is’”.  That’s not what I’m telling you.  I’m saying there are certain scents that can boost your willpower and help you stay on track.  It’s the diet and exercise that will take the pounds off.

Do this:

6 drops of Fennel Oil

3 drops Ginger Oil

2 drops Rosemary Oil

1 drop Black Pepper Oil

Combine the oils in a small glass bottle with an airtight top by rolling gently between the hands.  Whenever you feel your willpower starting to wane (I’m looking at you cheese fries) smell the contents and feel your willpower come back.

Another way to increase to effectiveness of your workouts is to rid to body of toxins.  With all of the processing done on today’s food, a buildup of unwanted “crud” is naturally going to happen.  To get rid of these toxins, do this:

3 drops Cypress Oil

2 drops Coriander Oil

2 drops Fennel Oil

1 drop Laurel Oil

Add these to a warm bath and soak for 20-30 minutes.  Repeat daily.  if you find yourself sweating after your bath, that’s normal.  That is caused by the toxins leaving your body.  Be sure to drink plenty of water every day to help flush everything out.

Tags: aromatherapy, obesity, overweight, weight loss

It should come as no surprise that we Americans have a problem with our blood pressure. As a matter of fact, by age 55 30 percent of white American men and 20 percent of white women will have high blood pressure. The problem is worse if you are African-American. Half of all black men and 40 percent of black women will have high blood pressure.

Primarily this is due to a poor diet and a lack of exercise in our culture. If untreated, high blood pressure can lead to target organ damage, kidney failure, loss of vision, heart attack, stroke and ultimately death.

So what can we do? The first step is to change your eating habits and begin some sort of exercise program. It takes dedication but it can be done and lowering your blood pressure takes time. However, there are ways to treat your high blood pressure faster and achieve your goal in less time.

Your sense of smell is very powerful. It can bring back long dead memories of your childhood or of the first time you kissed your significant other. Scientists have recently discovered that your sense of smell is even more powerful.

Inhaling certain scents have powerful effects on your body and mind. There are a few that have a profound effect on your blood pressure. Chamomile is a wonderfully relaxing scent that also brings down a persons stress level. Lavender has been known for centuries to be relaxing and calming. Rose is also a very relaxing scent used to calm a persons nerves and bring down high blood pressure. Orange and lemon are mood enhancing scents that bring stress down as well.

If you have high blood pressure, see a doctor and follow their recommendations. However, to achieve your results faster, use these scents at work or at home and watch the numbers fall.

Tags: aromatherapy, high blood pressure, hypertension

The recession is still going strong, people are losing their jobs, and the housing market is still at the bottom. Today’s world has quite a few people battling depression and for good reasons. The good news is that there is an inexpensive way to battle depression and win.

All you need are a few essential oils, an oil diffuser (or empty spray bottle) and a few minutes of your time.

Blend #1

* 2 drop Rose
* 3 drops Sandalwood
* 1 drop Orange

Blend #2

* 3 drops Bergamot
* 2 drops Clary Sage

Blend #3

* 2 drop Lavender
* 1 drop Ylang Ylang
* 3 drops Grapefruit

Blend #4

* 2 drops Frankincense
* 1 drop Lemon
* 3 drops Jasmine or Neroli

To use a diffuser, multiply the total number of drops by 4. Combine in small bottle and mix by rolling gently in your hands. Add the oil to your diffuser by following the manufactures directions.

To make an air freshener, simply multiply the total number of drops by 6, add to an empty spray bottle with equal parts water and vodka (yes, vodka). Do not use isopropyl alcohol for this as it does not work.

Aromatherapy should not be used as a substitute for proper medical care. If you are very depressed or have thoughts of suicide, contact a medical professional immediately.

Tags: anxiety, aromatherapy, blends, depression, recipies

Aromatherapy is the use of aromatic oils for the treatment and prevention of disease.  Two mechanisms are offered to explain how aromatherapy works.  The first is the effect of aroma on the brain, specifically the limbic system through the olfactory system (how we smell).  The other is a direct effect on the body by the compounds found in the oil.  Aromatherapists have known about the synergy between the oils and our bodies for centuries, but only recently have scientific studies been done.  These studies are proving what practitioners have known all along.

The use of aromatic oils dates back to antiquity when plant materials were dried, macerated in fatty oil, heated and filtered.  For centuries, man has used plants as medicine.  Dioscorides describes the use of oils and their healing properties in his De Materia Medica.  Later, the concent of aromatherapy as we know it today was first described in 1907 by European scientists.  While working with plant oils, scientists discovered the medical uses of oils and aromas to treat hospital patients.

Today, aromatherapy is regarded differently depending on where you are.  In France, where it originated, aromatherapy is widely used in mainstream medicine.  In the United States, Germany, Japan and others, aromatherapy is regarded as a complimentary modality at best and a pseudo scientific hoax at worst.

Whatever your stance, know that the use of essential oils works.  That being said, aromatherapy is not to be used is lieu of traditional medicine.  The use of essential oils and aromatic oils is to be used in conjunction with modern medicine and should be practiced with a skilled practitioners oversight.

Mystical Charm offers a wide variety of Essential Oils and Aromatic Oils.

Tags: aromatherapy, essential oils, oils

A very popular oil in modern days is rose oil. Its benefits vary, from improving circulation, strengthening the immune system, and assisting the body in healing itself. Depending upon how one uses rose oil, it can offer help in various ways. It takes approximately 60,000 roses to produce 1 ounce of pure rose oil or 2 ½ dozen roses for just 1 drop. Pure rose oil is a highly concentrated product and the smallest drop can exhilarate the senses. This article describes various ways to use rose oil as an everyday remedy and discusses some benefits rose oil may offer.

Take 2 drops of pure rose oil and place in a tub of warm water. Keep the bathroom door closed so the scented steam will remain around you. This fills the bathroom with wonderful rose fragrance. Soaking in the rose oil bath will often sooth your mind and body. In addition, rose oil has been known to bring the female hormones back into balance and help with regulating the period and improving fertility.

For centuries rose oil steam has provided relief for respiratory infections, asthma, coughs, hay fever, liver congestion, and nausea. To create a breathing steam bath, fill a large bowl with almost boiling water and add 3 or 5 drops of rose oil. Leaning over the bowl, breathe deeply until you feel relief (usually within minutes). Placing a towel over your head may help direct the vapors better.

If you suffer from chronic aches and pains, monthly cramps, or headaches, this remedy may be right up your alley. A highly effective form of pain relief can be found in a compress. Hot compresses primarily help to relieve chronic pain such as cramps for menstruation or muscle cramps. Cold compresses are better at relieving and reducing swelling, sprains and headaches. Place 4 to 6 drops of rose oil into very hot or icy cold water. Gently dip a folded cloth into the mixture, without fully immersing. Wring out the excess water and apply the cloth compress directly on the affected area. Finally, cover this with either a towel or a polythene wrap as your body soaks in the relief.

Statistics show that stress is a major contributor to illness and poor health, so lessening one’s stress level can be extremely beneficial to overall good health. Rose oil offers a way to target stress. Rose oil fragrance is beneficial in soothing the mind, helping with anger, grief, depression, fear, stress, and tension. When inhaled, minute molecules of oils are quickly absorbed into the bloodstream. As the lungs work to oxygenate the blood, the aroma sends signals directly to the Limbic System. Therefore, spraying a mist of rose oil around the room would one strategy of dispersing the fragrance. To do so, fill a plant mister with 250 ml or a ½ pint of water, ¼ teaspoon sea salt and 5 or 6 drops of rose oil. Shake thoroughly. Spray the room and inhale. Feel the sense of calm wash over you.

Rose calms and supports the heart, helping to nourish ‘heart-yin’ and restore a sense of well-being. The flower has been known to bring warmth to the soul with its ability to heal emotional wounds. Rose oil was first distilled by the Arabic Physician Avicenna, who wrote an entire book on its many healing properties.

There are many brands of rose oils on the market, some claiming to be essential oils while others suggest that rose oil is not considered to be an essential oil. Whether “essential” or not, rose oil appears to have helped millions of people over the centuries in many ways.

As always, oils should not be consumed orally or be used during pregnancy. They should be kept away from children. Contact with eyes should be avoided. It is not recommended to apply rose oil directly on the skin – always check with small amounts for any allergic reactions.

Mystical Charm currently sells high quality rose oil. Be sure to check out their excellent sale prices!

Tags: aromatherapy, rose oil, rose oil baths, rose oil fragrance

A new trend involves the use of essential oils to help with all sorts of problems. Rather than immediately turning to the doctor, some people prefer trying natural remedies first. One such remedy includes the use of essential oils, either as a rub or diffused into the air and breathed inward.

The following essential oils are known particularly for their ability to help with coughs, colds, and even bronchitis:

1. Anise — Anise has the rich and sweet scent of licorice. It is typically used to target bronchitis, colds, coughs, flu, muscle aches, and rheumatism. If someone has endometriosis, skin problems, or hyper-sensitive skin, they should be careful using anise. Anise blends well with other essential oils such as cardamom, Cedarwood, dill, fennel, mandarin, or rosewood.

2. Basil — Basil is sometimes known as the “royal remedy”, and is a beloved culinary plant in India, Asia, and many other Mediterranean countries. It has a sweet, herbaceous scent, and slightly licorice-like. It is typically used for bronchitis, colds, coughs, exhaustion, flu, insect bites, muscle aches, and sinusitis. In addition, basil is often used to treat nausea, motion sickness, diabetes, and constipation, providing Vitamin A, magnesium, potassium, iron, and calcium.

3. Benzoin — Benzoin, also known as gum Benjamin, is one of the classic ingredients of incense and as an aid to respiratory problems. Benzoin gives off a rich, warm, and slightly woody creamy vanilla scent. It targets respiratory system related ailments such as bronchitis, coughing, and laryngitis, and also can help skin problems such as psoriasis, eczema, acne, mouth ulcers, and scar tissue.

4. Cedarwood — The scent of cedarwood is fresh, woody, and balsamic. It targets bronchitis and coughs in addition to lowering stress. It is considered warming, uplifting, and toning in nature, sometimes even as an aphrodisiac because it is both grounding and inspiring. Some other interesting uses of cedarwood are as insect repellant, a help to acne and arthritis, and an aid with dermatitis.

5. Clove — Clove is used particular for asthma, bronchitis, and rheumatism. It can also, however, target arthritis, sprains, and toothaches. Clove is rich in minerals such as calcium, iron, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, and vitamins A and C. Avoid clove if involved with alcoholism, haemophilia, or having kidney or liver problems.

6. Eucalyptus — Eucalyptus is considered a refreshing and up-lifting essential oil. It can be used to treat skin problems as well as combating the effects of colds and the flu. More specifically, it helps arthritis, bronchitis, cold sores, colds, coughing, fever, flu, poor circulation, and sinusitis. Although toxic if ingested, using eucalyptus as an essential oil is quite safe. Eucalyptus blends well with other oils such as thyme essential oil, rosemary essential oil, marjoram essential oil, lavender essential oil, cedarwood essential oil, frankincense essential oil.

7. Peppermint — Peppermint not only helps asthma, headaches, nausea, and sinusitis, it can also aide in colic, exhaustion and vertigo. Peppermint has the reputation of being antiseptic and antibiotic in nature, providing a refreshing and energizing effect in aromatherapy.

Keep in mind that essential oils are for external use only, so be careful while handling them. Essential oils’ purpose in aromatherapy is to have the brain (lymbic system) channel the effects of the oils to balance your body’s systems. Overall, essential oils may not be a cure, but are often considered at least an aide in healing. Their effects could be beneficial to many.

Tags: alternative medicine, aromatherapy, diffused oils, essential oils, oils