Natural "Bug-Off" DIY Home Blend

 

We are in the middle of summer, and we all  love spending time outdoors, but mosquitoes and other flying/biting insects can ruin the best of outdoor occasions. Synthetic insect repellents smell awful and are known to cause irritation and sensitivity in some people. They are also known to be toxic and can be harmful to the environment.

Below is a gentle insect repellent only requires a few Kasia pure essential oils and other ingredients.   Enjoy a more  pleasant aroma in keeping the bothersome itchy critters away. Keep in mind, your usage and body chemistry potentially affects your resulted scent.

 Bug-Off Repellent

Ingredients:

• 4 oz. clean spray bottle with a fine mist setting (do not use a bottle that previously contained cleaning products or hair products such as hair spray).
• 1.5 ounces of distilled water and 1.5 ounces of high-proof alcohol (vodka is suitable, rubbing alcohol is not). Alternatively, you may omit the alcohol and increase the amount of distilled water to 3 ounces.
• 15 drops  Lemon Tea Tree
• 10 drops Lavender Essential Oil
• 5 drops Lemongrass Essential Oil

Directions: Fill the spray bottle with the choice of either 1.5 ounces of distilled water and 1.5 ounces of alcohol or 3 ounces of distilled water. (Even though a 4 oz. bottle is suggested, leave about 1 oz. unfilled so you can shake the bottle well between uses.) Then, add the essential oils.

To Use: Shake the bottle before each use. Essential oils do not fully dissolve in water and alcohol and will settle. If you do not shake the bottle, you risk having concentrated droplets of essential oil irritate your skin.

Mist onto your skin and clothing and reapply as necessary. Discontinue use if you feel sensitivity from the repellent. Be careful not to mist delicate fabrics or surrounding furniture that may be harmed by the ingredients in the repellent. 

There is no guarantee that this recipe will prevent you or other users from being bitten by insects and it hasn't been scientifically tested for effectiveness.

Relief

For mosquito or other insect bites that don’t demand much attention, a simple dab of essential oil of lavender or tea tree provides relief from itching.  Lavender essential oils reduce swelling and inflammation, and diminish itching or other allergic response. Bentonite clay (available at your natural food store) poultices are of great help for more painful stings or bites. As the clay dries, it pulls toxins to the skin’s surface to keep them from spreading, and it pulls out pus or stingers imbedded in the skin. Adding essential oil to clay keeps the clay reconstituted, preserved, and ready for an emergency.

Essential oils for bites and stings: lavender, tea tree, chamomile, peppermint (stops itching)

Other essential oils that are insect repellents: birch, cedarwood, cinnamon, clove, eucalyptus, lavender, lemongrass (or citronella), orange, patchouli, peppermint (repels ants), pine, sandalwood

Learn more about Kasia Organics - Pure Essential Oils HERE

Favorite essential oils to cleanse and refresh your hair and scalp...

  Our team at Kasia Organic Salon LOVE essential oils.  We use them in hair and skin treatments, as well as infuse our air with our high powered differ for essential oils.  Clients rave about their purchased diffuser and oils .... Essential oils naturally help to balance the skin's oils, cleanse and refresh hair and scalp. They work like a tonic and promote shiny hair. All Kasia Hair Care products have an infusion of an apothecary and helpful essential oils for the hair.

Here are some great essential oils for hair care:

Bergamot Citrus bergamia is uplifting, refreshing, astringent and regulating. Use for most hair types.

Clary Sage Salvia sclarea is balancing (helps to balance sebum), calming and regulating. Use for most hair types especially dry and oily.

Lavender Lavendula angustifolia is calming, relaxing and regenerative. Use for most hair types.

Lemon Citrus limon is soothing and uplifting. Lemon is cleansing, astringent and a skin tonic. Use for most hair types especially oily and light color hair.

Litsea Cubeba litsea cubeba is cleansing and a skin tonic. Use for most hair types and oily hair.

Orange, Sweet Citrus sinensis is uplifting, soothing, calming, balancing (sebum) and regenerative. Use for most hair types.

Peppermint Mentha x piperita is stimulating and increases circulation of the scalp. Use for most hair types and prevention of hair loss and dull hair. Precaution: Keep away from eyes.

Rosemary Rosmarinus officinalis cineol is invigorating and stimulating. Use for most hair types and prevention of hair loss.

Tip Using Essential Oils For Hair Care 1. Apply 1-2 drops essential oil onto your brush and brush your hair. Not only will your hair smell nice, the essential oils will also promote smooth and shiny hair.

Visit Kasiaorganicsalon.com to learn more about essential oils.  Essential oils are available to purchase online.

Reference:  Joan Morais

What can you do about Head Lice?

As we approach another school year, it's better to be safe than sorry  when  the school nurse calls you – your child  have been diagnosed with a case of head lice.Once lice are found your children may not be able to return to school until you have a treatment well at hand. Many parents don’t want to expose their children repeatedly to the toxic chemicals found in the over the counter treatments.   We have many mothers call the salon, and we'd like to post some help to find a option that can repel these intruders. One can use in the hair each time before they shampoo and also for something to apply to the hair in between.

The references for essential oils that work against lice both the live bugs and their eggs aka nits suggested using a blend that may include any of the following essential oils: Tea Tree, Lavender, Anise, Cinnamon Leaf, Oregano, Eucalyptus Globulus, Thyme, Cloves and Peppermint.

Other oils that may also work include: Bergamot, Spearmint, Naiouli, Marjoram, Petitgrain, Pennyroyal, Ravensara, Roman chamomile, Eucalyptus Citriodora, Clary sage, Jasmine, Lemongrass, Rosemary, and Ylang-ylang.

Several recipes suggested the use of Tea Tree. As in studies it was found that Tea Tree was able to kill both the adults and penetrate the egg shell and kill the yet un-hatched eggs by itself at about 83-93%. Another essential oil Oregano showed 100% kill of both adults and eggs. Two other essential oils, Anise and Cinnamon leaf, had high kill rates too. Below is a Basic Lice Blend that can be used to help kill and repel these unwelcome hair and scalp guests. Follow the suggestions for a Pre-shampoo treatment, Post-Shampoo, and a Hair Spray to help repel and prevent future infestations.

Basic Lice Blend

Tea Tree – 10 drops Lavender – 10 drops Oregano – 5 drops Peppermint – 5 drops Cinnamon – 5 drops

Blend in an amber bottle. You may want to double or triple this basic recipe to make it easier for use.

Step one Mix 1 ounce of Jojoba with 7-8 drops of the above blend. Massage into and on the hair. Leave in the hair wrapped in a towel for 1-2 hours. Shampoo hair, do not dry.

Step two Mix ¼ cup water with ¼ cup vinegar, add 7-8 drops of the above Basic Lice blend. Shake well, then rinse the hair with this. Do NOT rinse with water. Comb the hair out thoroughly using a ‘nit’ comb (available at most pharmacy’s). Rinse or wipe the comb to remove debris, dead lice and nits between combing strokes. The vinegar helps to remove the glue that holds the eggs to the hair shafts. After combing thoroughly, let the hair dry.

Step three The day after the shampoo, rinse and combing - Spray on the following - To 8 ounces of our Body spray OR distilled water add 10 drops of the basic lice blend. Spray on the hair once daily between shampooing. If desired increase the Lavender to make the blend more pleasant for use as a hair spray. A light spray misting is all that is necessary.

If necessary repeat Steps One and Two every 5 – 7 days for up to 2 weeks. You can continue Step Three as long as desired as this should help to keep the lice away. If irritation develops discontinue use.

Lice biology

• The life cycle of the louse is about 4 weeks. Approximately 8 days are spent in the egg stage, which is the hardest stage to kill. The eggs then hatch into tiny lice (first instar nymphs), then into second and third instars and finally into adults. Female lice are larger than males.
• Lice eggs are opaque. If they are clear, it means the lice have already hatched out.
• Healthy lice and eggs are found only within 1 cm of the scalp. They are transmitted by head-to-head contact, not by combs, brushes or furniture, and neither do they live in school buildings or home carpets.
• Head lice are not a sign of bad hygiene. They prefer clean hair to dirty hair.

Control

• It may take several months for a person to become sensitised to the presence of lice, so when treating the affected person it is also important to check all people who have been in close contact with the person during that time. Look at the roots of the hair for lice, eggs, lice faeces (black specks) and cast skins. Faeces and skins may also be found on pillows of the affected person.
• Treat only those people who show signs of lice.
• Make sure that enough of the treatment product is used, and follow the instructions as to how long to keep it on the hair. Do not leave it on for less than the suggested time.
• Shampoos in general will not kill lice as the solution is too weak by the time the extra water needed for hair-washing has been added. This applies to both conventional lice shampoos and those containing essential oils. It is much better to use an aqueous or alcoholic lotion or a conditioner base.
• Comb the hair well afterwards to remove dead and dying lice.
• Repeat the treatment after a week, unless told otherwise.
• If the protocol states that the procedure should be repeated every 2 days, or even more often, this implies that the treatment is not effective on lice eggs.

Reference:   Birch Hill Happenings Aromatherapy, LLC

Hair and essential oils? Here's a quick guide!

Essential oils are gentle and natural and do not strip your skin or hair of it's natural protection. The condition of your hair is affected when you are under stress, tense or not eating properly. Essential oils are able to penetrate deeply into the hair shaft and follicle and aid the growth of healthy, shining hair. And there are even essential oils that encourage new hair growth as seen below.  One can add them to their shampoo, or do a scalp massage at night combined with Jojoba Oil.

Essential Oils for Hair Care:

Normal hair: Carrot seed, Cedarwood, Chamomile, Clary Sage, Cypress, Geranium, Juniper, Lavender, Lemon, Orange, Rosemary, Sage, Sandalwood, Thyme, Ylang Ylang.

Dry hair: Carrot seed, Cedarwood, Chamomile, Clary Sage, Geranium, Jasmine, Lavender, Orange, Rosemary, Sandalwood, Ylang Ylang.

Oily Hair: Basil, Bergamot, Cedarwood, Chamomile, Clary Sage, Cypress, Eucalyptus, Geranium, Juniper, Lavender, Lemon, Lemongrass, Orange, Peppermint, Rosemary, Sage, Tea Tree, Thyme, Ylang Ylang.

Scalp conditions (dandruff, sensitive skin, itchiness, inflammation, dermatitis): Cedarwood, Chamomile, Clary Sage, Cypress, Lavender, Lemon, Marjoram, Myrrh, Orange, Patchouli, Rose, Rosemary, Sage, Thyme, Tea Tree, Ylang Ylang.

Hair loss/thinning: Basil, Cypress, Lavender, Lemon, Peppermint, Rosemary, Sage, Thyme, Ylang Ylang.

Find Kasia Apothecary Essential Oils HERE!

Herbs for Hair Care:

Normal hair: Basil, Calendula, Chamomile, Horsetail, Lavender, Linden flowers, Nettle, Parsley leaf, Rosemary, Sage, Watercress.

Dry hair and scalp: Burdock root, Calendula, Chamomile, Comfrey leaf, Elder flowers, Horsetail, Lavender, Marshmallow root, Nettle, Parsley leaf, Sage.

Oily hair and scalp: Bay leaf, Burdock root, Calendula, Chamomile, Horsetail, Lemon Balm, Lavender, Lemon peel, Lemongrass, Nettle, Peppermint, Rosemary, Thyme, Witch Hazel bark, Yarrow leaf and flower.

Scalp conditions (dandruff, sensitive skin, inflammation, itchiness, dermatitis): Burdock root, Calendula, Chamomile, Comfrey leaf, Eucalyptus, Horsetail, Lavender, Marshmallow root, Nettle, Oregano, Peppermint, Rosemary, Sage, Thyme.

Hair loss/thinning: Basil, Nettle, Rosemary, Sage.

Golden highlights: Calendula, Chamomile, Lemon, Sunflower petals.

Dark highlights: Black Tea, Black Walnut hulls (crushed or chopped), Comfrey root, Nettle, Rosemary, Sage.

Red highlights: Calendula, Henna, Hibiscus flowers, Red Clover flowers, Rose hips, Red Rose petals.

Reference:  Mountain Rose

Healing Use of Essential Oils for Winter

The onset of colder temperatures brings with it coughs, colds and flu symptoms. Adverse weather conditions and evenings that darken earlier mean that we all spend a lot more time shut up in homes and workplaces and less time out and about enjoying sunshine, even if we don't suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) we can all start to feel a little down. It is at this time especially, that essential oils extracted from plants during the summer months can really lift our gloom. We've all experienced the power of fragrances and their ability to transport us to another time and place – cinnamon, ginger and orange reminds us of Christmas, rose and lavender takes us to a summer garden.

Medicinally too, essential oils and the plants they are extracted from are becoming more and more widely recognised, from the honey and lemon blend we sip to ease our sore throats to the eucalyptus we inhale to clear our sinuses.

Kasia Organic Salon offers a range of Apothecary Diffusion Blends and Essential Oils that will boost your immunity, freshen up stuffy homes, ward off those winter viruses and raise your mood.

KASIA WINTER WARMING BLEND

Combine the following essential oils: 10 drops of "Spiritual" cedarwood 25 drops of  "Cheerful" bergamot 10 drops of Kasia "Universal Healer"  Lavender You can use the Kasia Winter Warming Blend to make a massage oil, just dilute 4 drops of the blend in 1 ounce of vegetable oil. This blend must not be used topically on the skin if you are pregnant or are going to use a sun bed within 12 hours (bergamot sensitizes the skin to UV light). The Winter Warming Blend can also be diffused into the air, use 3 drops diluted in a small amount of water.

KASIA SORE THROAT GARGLE

To soothe a sore throat and combat infection add just 2 drops of lemon-scented tea tree pure essential oil to a glass of water, use as a gargle and then spit out. Do not swallow, essential oils must not be taken internally.

KASIA MOOD ELEVATING BLEND

1 drop of  "Warming" Cinnamon Leaf

2 drops of "Happy" orange

This zesty blend is perfect for use in a diffuser to elevate your mood and give you some zing.

Best essential oils for artisan skin care...DIY!

Enjoy the following   list of essential oils that work great in skin care recipes and formulas.

Essential Oils For Acne: Tea tree,  lavender, spike lavender, rose   geranium, tea tree, Petitgrain, grapefruit, sandalwood, Vetiver, German chamomile, atlas Cedarwood, rosewood, Palma Rosa, thyme, Cajeput, Niaouli, peppermint, lemongrass

Essential Oils For Combination skin: Australian niaouli, calendula, chamomile, carrot seed, geranium, lavender, palmarosa, rose, rosemary

Essential Oils For Dry Skin: Carrot seed, Cedarwood, clary, frankincense, jasmine, geranium, lavender, orange, Palma Rosa, rose, roman chamo, rosewood, neroli, patchouli, Petitgrain, Mandarine petitgrain, Vetiver, sandalwood, ylangylang, carrot seed, lavender, rose

Essential Oils For Mature Skin: Carrot seed, elemi, Cistus, frankincense, galbanum, fennel, geranium, myrrh, patchouli, rose, Clary, rosewood, sages, cypress, fennel, lavender, neroli, Sea Buckthorn Berry Extract, Rose Hip Extract. Grapefruit, Sandalwood

Essential Oils For Oily Skin: Roman & German chamos, Cedarwood, (atlas, red, texas) geranium, Clary, lavender, Ylang-ylang, lemon, peppermint, Niaouli, Cajeput, cypress, calendula infusion, frankincense, patchouli, sandalwood, juniper, Melissa, yarrow, coriander, Petitgrain, grapefruit, Lavandin, spike lavender, rose.

Essential Oils For Psoriasis: Bergamot, Helichrysum, Cajeput, carrot seed, German or roman chamomile, Lavender, Juniper, Sandalwood, Tea tree

Simple recipes for the skin can include a carrier oil and essential oils. With just these 2  ingredients you can make facial cleansers, eye serums, face serums, oil moisturizers and face mask treatments.

Jojoba Oil is our choice of a carrier oil as it resembles that of your own skin sebum. Thus making it the number one carrier oil used for all skin types. It has exceptional skin-softening properties, as well as the ability to minimize fine lines and wrinkles, promoting skin suppleness while assisting with the rejuvenation of the skin. Jojoba oil helps to break down sebum in plugged-up pores.

Take a journey through Kasia Apothecary Single Note Essential Oils HERE.

Skin Type: nourishing oil for all skin types, most resembles your own skin oils. Good choice for oily or acne prone skin.

Absorption/Feeling on skin: non-greasy

Usage Amount: Can be used at 100% straight from the bottle.

DIY Facial Blend with Kasia Apothecary Essential Oils

Amongst the many great uses of Kasia Apothecary Essential Oils, renewing your facial complexion is one of them.  With simple blends done at home, you can  rejuvenate your skin,  reduce wrinkles, relax your facial muscles, dispel stagnant toxicity, improve circulation, tone  your skin. Kasia Skin Care offers our top selling enMoist Moisturizer and byNight serum, but used in a complimentary way a couple times a week, the following DIY formulations are a great way to love, moisturize and balance your skin.

For both dry or oily skin, use Jojoba oil as your carrier, jojoba oil (really a liquid wax that is quickly absorbed) leaves no residue.

Kasia Apothecary Single Note Oil DIY Formulations

Preferably use in the evening before you catch some quality “Zz’s.”

For Dry Skin:

1 oz Jojoba Oil

3 drops Geranium

3 drops Lavender

2 drops Ylang ylang (optional)

3 drops Cederwood

For Oily Skin:

1 oz Jojoba Oil

5 drops Lavender

5 drops Rosemary

1 drop Lemongrass

For Acne:

1 oz Jojoba Oil

5 drops Lavender

5 drops Bergamont

5 drops Lemon ScentedTea Tree

Usage:

Place a small amount of your oil/single notes onto your fingertips. Apply gently to face with press and release motion.  Enjoy your “Beautiful Health” results!

Essential Oils for SAD - plan ahead!

Diffuse your way to Treating SAD

Plan ahead for SAD!

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) seriously affects thousands during our long, dark, cold winters. The lack of sunlight can cause symptoms like fatigue, oversleeping, sadness, depression, irritation, decreased sex drive, and loss of pleasure and interest in life.

A holistic approach to treating SAD includes light therapy, dietary changes, nutrient supplementation, exercise, and the use of essential oils, which can bring some aromatic light into the dark of northern winters.

Essential oils stimulate the nerve endings of the olfactory bulb, which lies at the back of the nose. These nerve endings stimulate a part of the brain called the limbic system, associated with our most primal instincts, emotions, and memories. Essential oils are particularly effective at stimulating the olfactory system because the molecules of the oils are so small that they enter the bloodstream rapidly and are carried to all parts of the body. This allows the aromatic essences of the oils to affect not just our sense of smell but our entire being.

Essential oils can act as a restorative to the spirit when used in an aromatherapy diffusor, bath, or in a massage oil.

Essential Oils for SAD

• Clary sage (mild depression, aggression, PMS) • Lemon & grapefruit (mild depression, water retention) • Rosemary, basil (fatigue, mental confusion, respiratory concerns) • Pettigrain & bergamot (balancing, uplifting) • Lavender (insomnia, tension headaches)

Bergamot (Citrus bergamia) has a fresh, sweet, fruity scent (it’s often described as being like sunshine in a bottle), and has an uplifting, cheerful effect. Bergamot can help with anxiety, stress, tension, agitation, depression, and insomnia. Bergamot can be used in a diffusor, bath, or on the skin with a carrier oil (do not apply directly to skin).

Lemon (Citrus limonum) has the unmistakable smell of fresh lemons. The oil can stimulate the white blood cells that defend the body against infection. Lemon is refreshing and cooling, brings clarity to mind and emotions, restores vitality, and encourages clear thinking. Its antimicrobial properties and fresh scent also make lemon a great household cleanser and air freshener. Use as an inhalant or with a diffuser, or on skin with a carrier oil in massage oil or bath.

Aromatic Inhalation  through Kasia Apothecary Diffusion Blends..... Lemonlift and Lavendaire!

Reference: Bev Gray, RA, CH, is a Yukoner, skilled herbalist, and registered aromatherapist who loves to share her passion for medicinal and aromatic plants. aromaborealis.com