Aromatherapy Recipe for Fun!

April 8, 2020

Whether you’re looking for something fun to do with your kiddos or you’re honoring your inner child, I have a really fun recipe for you. Make your own play dough. This isn’t your regular play dough, it’s completely customizable with your favorite essential oils and colors (or not) using ingredients you already have in your cupboard. In just a few minutes you’ll create hours of fun. Now, let’s play!

Aromatherapy Play Dough Recipe

Items You’ll Need:

2 cups all purpose flour

1/2 cup salt

2 tablespoons cream of tartar

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

8-10 drops of essential oil

1 1/2 cups boiling water

a few drops of food coloring (optional)

How to Make:

-Mix the flour, salt, and cream of tarter together in a large bowl.

-Mix your essential oil with the vegetable oil and mix into the dry ingredients.

-Boil the water and add food coloring directly to water.

-Pour 1 cup of your boiling water into the mixture and stir, adding the additional 1/2 cup slowly until desired consistency is reached.

-Knead for 3-5 minutes or until its squishy and smooth.

-Store in an air tight container for up to 3 days

*Note: This process is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Do not use if allergic to any ingredients. I recommend you consult your healthcare provider prior to use if you are pregnant or nursing, taking any medications or if you have a medical condition. If irritation occurs discontinue use.

twig leaf flower is an organic vegan gluten free aromatherapy and herbal tea collection lovingly handmade in Dallas, PA by master herbalist and clinical aromatherapist Rebecca Nicely.

Smudging with Essential Oils

January 15, 2020March 25, 2020

What is smudging? It’s a Native American tradition that dispels bad energy from spaces or people. Usually, dried herbs are burned in the ritual. The idea is that the sage or other cleansing herb cleanses the space of negativity and the smoke carries it away. Some people are sensitive to the smoke the burning herb creates or it’s just not possible to perform a traditional smudge ceremony in the area that needs attention. So, I got to work blending essential oils like sage, cedar wood and Palo Santo to create an aromatherapy alternative. My Smudge blend has quickly become my most popular synergy. It’s available in diffusion, roll on, mist and even a little travel kit for hotel rooms or visits with family. While sometimes you can’t cleanse the world of negativity, you can most certainly use Smudge Blend yourself to keep everything positive and aligned in just a few steps.

Here’s how to do it. Start by setting your intention. While holding your intention in your mind and in your heart, lightly mist Smudge Spray above your head and in you immediate surroundings. Picture the negativity evaporate as the mist mixes with the air. Inhale the scent of your roll on and apply it to your inside wrists, behind your ears and the bottoms of your feet if necessary. Envision yourself surrounded by white light and exhale a deep breath and all the uneasy vibes with it. Carry that feeling of openness with you throughout your day. If you need a reset, simply reapply your roll on and repeat your intention to yourself.

Another simple aromatherapy smudge technique is to set your intention, place a few drops of Smudge Essential Oil blend in your diffuser and sit quietly in meditation for a few minutes. As you breathe in, picture yourself inhaling love and peace and visualize yourself releasing any negativity as you exhale.

I hope these techniques help create a bit of balance in your day. As always, if you have any questions, please reach out.

twig leaf flower is an organic vegan gluten free aromatherapy and herbal tea collection lovingly handmade in Dallas, PA by master herbalist and clinical aromatherapist Rebecca Nicely.

Essential Oil Spotlight: Lavender

September 20, 2019

Herbal oil and lavender flowers on wooden background Lavender Essential Oil is my favorite oil. I believe it is the one essential oil that everyone should have handy at all times. It’s an amazing powerhouse that has been used for over 2,500 years.

When you think of lavender, you probably think of calm and relaxation, which it does work amazingly well for. But, did you know Lavender Essential Oil has many other uses? It’s a perfect choice to help with small cuts and bruises, bug bites and can even ease symptoms of nausea. It’s the one oil that can usually apply safely to skin without a carrier oil, including to help heal sunburn. Lavender oil blends well with countless other oils like: sage, cedarwood, geranium, pine, and clary sage. So the next time you need to add a bit of calm to your day, reach for a bottle of Lavender Essential Oil.

twig leaf flower is an organic vegan aromatherapy and herbal collections lovingly handcrafted in Dallas, PA. I’m passionate about aromatherapy and herbalism and can’t wait for you to see the amazing difference truly natural products will make in your life. I offer a variety of holistic items including lotions, bath soaks, lip balms and diffusion blends, along with collections devoted to children and pets. I’m always adding new blends and I’m sure you’ll find something you’ll love. If you have any comments or questions, please feel free to contact me personally rebecca@twigleafflower.com

Essential Oils and Cats

April 8, 2018April 8, 2018

Cats A few times a week I’m approached with questions about essential oil use and cats. As aromatherapists, we have studied the interaction between humans and essential oils pretty thoroughly, but there is still quite a lot of speculation and controversy regarding efficacy and safe use for cats.

In my opinion, it’s better to be safe than sorry. I’m always on the side of caution, because I have seen the effects of misuse of essential oils first hand too often. Because animals can’t communicate directly the issues they may experience, it is even more important that as their guardians, we are extra careful.

Here are the practices that I follow personally, as I’ve been blessed with many kitties in my home. I do not advocate applying essential oils neat (undiluted) ever to cats, and really to any animal without the guidance of a veternarian or a clinical aromatherapist. Cats do not have the liver enzymes that humans possess to metabolize many essential oils, which is the entire point of using aromatherapy therapeutically. If they are unable to uptake it, we shouldn’t be applying it to their skin, as it won’t do them any good and could quite possibly harm them. I would never suggest giving a cat essential oils to ingest, either. If you apply essential oils to your skin, let them soak in before holding your cat so that it doesn’t transfer to them through snuggling and kitty kisses.

Diffusing in a home with cats can be safely done, with a few precautions. Remember, diffusing essential oils can be toxic to humans if it is overdone. You’d usually notice headache or fatigue as first symptoms of overuse, cats can’t let you know that. The key to keeping things safe is low level, intermittent diffusion. Make sure you are diffusing in small amounts, for limited periods of time and offer your cat a way out of the room, should they need some fresh air. They are smart and will leave if something is bothersome to them.

There are a few books that I recommend to check out if you’re interested in more information. Holistic Aromatherapy for Animals: A Comprehensive Guide to the Use of Essential Oils & Hydrosols with Animals by Kristen Leigh Bell and Veterinary Aromatherapy by Nelly Grosjean. They have both worked extensively with animals and aromatherapy and are great resource books. As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please let me know. I’m always happy to help in any way that I can.

How do I clean my diffuser?

January 7, 2018January 7, 2018

Diffusers are an awesome way to add the magic of aromatherapy to your home and office. Sometimes, they start to smell funky or your essential oils are diffusing as well as they once did. That’s a sign that it’s time for some maintenance. Luckily, it’s super easy to clean! Just follow a few quick steps, and you’ll soon be back to enjoying all the benefits that essential oils bring to your life.

Unplug and Empty Your Diffuser

First, unplug your diffuser. There will be steps that you’ll need to plug it back in, but be sure to start with it unplugged. Try to clean your diffuser once it’s naturally run out of oil, so that as little oil as possible goes to waste.

Fill Your Diffuser With Clean Water

Try to use filtered water for this step, tap water will work fine in a pinch. Be careful not to fill your diffuser past the fill line, as doing so can affect your diffuser’s ability to cycle the liquid properly.

Add White Vinegar to the Water

Next, add ten drops of white vinegar to the water in your diffuser. The vinegar is necessary to get rid of any lingering oil and deposits that are stuck to the walls.

Plug in Your Diffuser and Let It Run For Five Minutes

The cleaning solution you just made needs to be run through your diffuser. Once the five minutes are up, empty your diffuser out into your sink.

Scrub or Cotton Swab Tight Spots

If your diffuser came with a cleaning brush, get it ready. If not, a cotton swab works super well. Either way, dip your cleaning tool in vinegar and clean the crevices and corners thoroughly. Dry your diffuser completely before moving on to the next step.

Just Another Step…

You’re almost finished! Fill your diffuser with clean water again and let the diffuser run for three minutes. Empty it and dry it completely. You may need to use cotton swabs to get in the nooks and crannies. Allow your diffuser to air dry before diffusing your favorite oils. That’s all! I clean my diffuser once a week to make sure I get the most benefits from my essential oils.

October 8, 2017

Bottle of mint essential oil on wooden background with selective focus.

Did you know that essential oils can offer natural relief from allergy symptoms? They help reduce inflammation, which is the cause of most of the severe allergic responses, they can help bolster your immune system making your body less vulnerable to allergy triggers and they can block the allergens from entering your home and your body in the first place. What more can you ask for?

Here are a few essential oils I rely on during allergy season:

Lemon Essential Oil helps with lymphatic drainage and helps soothe respiratory conditions.

Peppermint Essential Oil works as a relaxant and will help clear your sinuses.

Lavender Essential Oil is a powerful anti-inflammatory and also a natural antihistamine. So it can strengthen your body against allergens and reduce many of the painful symptoms of your allergies. A drop of Lavender oil applied to the skin can also help treat rashes and hives that can appear from skin allergies.

Try a diffusion blend or a blended roll on remedy and see the amazing difference nature can do for you before you run to the pharmacy for a pill.

If you’d like more information or to purchase an organic aromatherapy Allergy Relief Blend, please visit the link below.

twig leaf flower Allergy Relief Collection

It’s Time for Back to School

September 19, 2017Leave a comment

As the summer turns to fall, it’s time to embrace the new routines of the school year. Set your kiddos up for success with a wonderful diffusion blend to help focus during homework time. Make it a ritual to set up your diffuser each night to signal it’s time to wind down and get to work.

Back to School Diffusion Blend

2 drops of Rosemary

2 drops of Peppermint

2 drops of Frankincense

Proper Dilution is Your First Priority

June 28, 2017June 12, 2017

Special care needs to be taken when working with essential oils and aromatherapy. Pure undiluted essential oils are very potent and some can cause harm if used improperly. For example, approximately 3 pounds of lavender flowers produce just 15mL of lavender essential oil and more than 10,000 pounds of rose petals distill just one pound of rose oil. Most aromatherapists agree that lavender essential oil is the only oil that can safely be applied to the skin neat, or undiluted. All other oils need to be blended with a carrier oil. A carrier oil can be coconut, almond, jojoba or even olive oil. The carrier oil disperses and dilutes the essential oil enough so it can safely be applied to the skin for the maximum therapeutic benefit. I’ve included a handy chart below for your reference.

twig leaf flower is an organic vegan aromatherapy company founded in Dallas, PA. I’m passionate about aromatherapy and herbalism and can’t wait for you to see the amazing difference truly natural products will make in your life. I offer a variety of holistic items including lotions, bath soaks, lip balms and diffusion blends, along with collections devoted to children and pets. I’m always adding new blends and I’m sure you’ll find something you’ll love. If you have any comments or questions, please feel free to contact me personally rebecca@twigleafflower.com

2017 Bloomers Tour of Back Mountain Gardens

June 20, 2017

I’m excited to be a sponsor and a presenter at this wonderful event, The 2017 Tour of Back Mountain Gardens! Stop by and see me in Garden #3 at Harveys Lake. All proceeds from ticket sales benefit the Anthracite Scenic Trails Association, which includes the Back Mountain Trail. You’ll get an inside peek at unique local gardens, DIY displays and design exhibits. I’ll have my Essential Art of Aromatherapy Book and a selection of twig leaf flower goodies for purchase. Rain or shine, this Saturday from 9 am to 4 pm. I look forward to seeing you!

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Using Essential Oils at Home

May 28, 2017June 20, 2017

essential oil bottles

Did you know you can use your Essential Oil Diffusion Blends for more than diffusing? Here are a few additional ways I suggest incorporating them in your life.

Bath: Dilute 8 drops of your essential oils into a half ounce of carrier oil and stir into a warm bath. The carrier oil will help to disperse the essential oils more evenly in the water.

Massage: Mix 3 to 6 drops of your essential oils in 1/2 ounce of a carrier oil like jojoba oil, for adults. For kids under 10 years old, pregnant and nursing mamas or the elderly, just blend 2 to 3 drops in 1/2 ounce of a carrier oil. Before using, make sure the oils are safe to use topically.

Foot Bath: Mix 4 to 5 drops of essential oils with a teaspoon of a carrier oil. Add into the warm foot bath and soak for 20 minutes.

Car: If you don’t have a car diffuser, just add a few drops to a cotton ball to take your favorite blend with you.

Looking for a new blend? Check out my selection of organic aromatherapy blends here.

If you’d like to try your hand at blending your own, check out my new book for ideas and recipes here.