Bergamot Oil

It's the inedible, bitter green fruit of the bergamot tree that gives us one of the most commonly used essential oils.  Its refreshing, distinctive aroma lifts the spirit, relaxes frayed nerves and even diminishes anxiety, fear and anger, while the oil itself possesses strong antiseptic and antibacterial properties. 

Its Many Uses

• Adding bergamot oil to a sitz bath helps treat such urinary-tract infections as urethritis and cystitis.
• When applied topically, the oil can help in the healing of irritated skin; thus, it can effectively treat acne and insect bites

Recipes

For Exhaustion~Bergamot oil is restorative and can combat fatigue due to stress or illness.  When it's combined with lime, another oil that is known to counter depression and exhaustion, the blend makes for a potent energy booster.  Place the 2 oils together in a diffuser, nebulizer or aromatherapy lamp. 
8 drops bergamot oil
5 drops lime oil

For Acne & Eczema~Using the oil in a facial steam bath is effective for cleansing and healing the skin. To make a steam bath, add 3 drops of bergmot oil to a large bowl of steaming hot water.  Drape a towel over your head and shoulders, and then bend your face over the bowl.  For 10-15 minutes, breathe deeply, keeping your eyes closed. Caution: Don't use a steam bath if you have any broken facial capillaries.

For Emotional Stress~An aromatic bath can invigorate your body, mind and spirit, especially during times of stress.  Two basic bath blends for tension and stress are bergamot oil and sweet-orange oil; and bergamot oil and clary-sage oil, also an antidepressant.  To prepare either one, blend 3 drops of each oil into the bathwater when the tub is full.  These oils can also be mixed with a carrier oil, such as grapeseed or olive oil, before being added to the bath.  This helps moisturize the skin and ensures an even distribution. 

Natural Mosquito Repellent~Place 2 drops on a cotton ball and put it in a pocket or use the oil in an aromatherapy lamp.

Headache Relief~Dilute bergamot oil with a carrier oil and rub it into your temples or the back of your neck.  A few drops should alleviate the pain, especially if it's tension related.

To Reduce a Fever~A compress with bergamot oil has proven to be cooling and effective.  Mix 5 drops of the oil in 1 qt of cold water and soak 2 cotton towels in it.  Wring out the towels and wrap them around your calves.  Cover the compresses with another towel to keep them in place.  Resoak the compresses when they aer no longer cold, and continue to reapply until the fever subsides.

To Ease the Discomfort of Chicken Pox or Cold Sores~Combine 3 drops each of bergamot oil and eucalyptus oil with 1tsp of a water-based gel, which is used to dilute the oils.  Avoid using vegetable oils, since they can prevent the skin from scabbing over.  Apply several times daily.

Tea Tree Oil

Tea Tree Oil has been referred to as a "first aid kit in a bottle".  Native Australians were vthe first to discover that the tea tree is a remedy for many different ailments.  The aborigines used its leaves to make a medicinal rea that builds and strengthens the immune system.  Today because of its antiviral properties, tea tree oil occupies a favored position in aromatherapy.  It can counteract bacteria, fungi and viruses, as well as eliminate parasites.  It inhibits inflammation, eases pain and protects the skin.  The oil has also been known to penetrate outer layers of the skin and attack infections, helping to heal wounds.  Time tested for aiding coughs, bronchitis, infectious diseases, muscle aches and pains, arthritis, rheumatism, constipation, exzema and nounds; and as a disinfectant.  Keep this versatile oil part of your home medicine chest.

Recipes

Mosquito Repellant
To keep pesky mosquitoes out of your house in summer, try using tea tree oil in a nebulizer, diffuser or a spray bottle of water (4qt of water and 10 drops of tea tre oil).  If the medicinal smell of the pure oil is too strong for your taste, try the following scent mixtures instead:
3 drops tea-tree oil
2 drops lavender oil
2 drops geranium oil
or
4 drops tea-tree oil
3 drops bergamot oil

To help releive the discomfort of cold sores, mix the essential oil with 10 times its volume of carrier oil (olive, almond, or grapeseed oil) and dab on the affected area as soon as symptoms of a developing cold sore appear.

To ease sore throat pain and inhibit inflammation, gargle a solution of 3-6 drops of tea tree oil in one glass of water.

For nasty spider bites, a combination of tea tree and lavender oils applied undiluted to the skin will help clear up and soothe the bites.

To eliminate head lice, add a few drops of the oil on a fine comb and work well through hair.

Tea tree oils can help clear up bronchitis.  Put 5 drops of the oil on a damp, warm cloth on the chest and cover it with a dry hand towel.  It is best to allow the compress to work overnight.

For bleeding gums, put some tea tree oil on a cotton swab and dab it on the affected area.

For irritated skin or shingles, mix tea tree essential oil with sweet almond oil in a 1:9 ratio.  Warm the mixture and apply it to the affected skin 3 times a day.

Highly antiseptic and antifungal, tea tree oil is considered to be a reliable home remedy for athlete's foot.  After showering, dry between the toes well - use a hair dryer for an extra thorough job - and apply a couple drops of undiluted tea tree oil to the affected areas.  It is important to only wear socks made of natural materials, such as cotton or wool.