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Phototoxicity: What is it and why should I care?

Did you know that some essential oils are ‘phototoxic’?  In this article we will cover the best practices as to how to use essential oils safely in order to avoid extreme sunburn this sunny season. ‘Photo...’ what?  Dovetail two factors that equal a much higher risk of burning: Warmer weather + spending more time outside.  Please take the time to check to see which essential oils are in your skincare products.  The term 'phototoxicity' refers to the property of some essential oils, especially those in the Rutaceae plant family (think citrus), which may cause a chemically induced skin irritation that is activated by light (natural and artificial light, for example a tanning booth). This means that if you apply a phototoxic...

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4 Essential Oils to Help You Avoid Wood Ticks and Stay Safe this Summer

So sorry to 'gross' you out with the image!  But I strongly believe it is a reality that deserves our attention...for the sake of our health and that of our kids and out pets!! This is a very important public service announcement!  At this time of year, I get a lot of questions not only about mosquito aromatherapy blends, but also those effective against wood ticks. With the rise of Lyme Disease in Ontario and beyond, finding solid research to help with repelling wood ticks is very important. An aromatherapist I admire greatly is Robert Tisserand who has been working in the field for +40 years. He and his team at tisserandinstitute.org did the research and have provided us with research-based...

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Diffusing With Care | Part 4

        by Lisa J. Byers, CAHP and CFA Research Committee member Because safety is top-of-mind when diffusing, we asked you to reflect on a number of important questions. In Part 1, we asked ‘Who shares the air space?’ & ‘What oils are you choosing to diffuse?’ In Part 2, we asked ‘When and for how long will you be diffusing?’ & ‘Where will you be diffusing?’ And in Part 3, we discussed how ‘Wise Diffusing Saves You $$$’ – because who doesn’t like saving money? Now in Part 4 we provide some tips and things to look for when purchasing a diffuser for the first time and we provide a list of best practices when cleaning your diffuser....

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Geranium Essential Oil

Here is a piece of research from 2015 that found geranium essential oil reduced anxiety during labor and is recommended as a non-invasive anti-anxiety aid during childbirth. How was geranium essential oil used? Simple: The essences were dropped onto ... pieces of fabric attached to the participant’s collar. Inhalation is simple yet effective!     Lisa June ByersCertified Aromatherapy Health Professional (CAHP)Blending and crafting in Guelph, Ontario, Canada 

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