Menstrual Cramps

Most women deal with menstrual cramps at one time or another. They definitely aren't fun, and they often make you feel like staying in bed all day, but that isn't the best option. Exercise will usually alleviate menstrual cramps, so go for a walk, a run or a swim or put on your favorite exercise video and follow along. The wii fit is my personal favorite - what could be better than playing video games while you exercise?

If you're in too much pain to get right to the exercise, try applying heat. This is only a temporary fix, but a hot bath or a heat pack will get you on your feet again. Don't worry about buying expensive heat packs. If you have rice or beans in your house, put them in a ziploc bag, microwave it for a bit and wrap it in a dish towel - instant heat pack.

This oil blend will also help:

4 drops marjoram
4 drops lavender
2 drops vetiver
4 teaspoons carrier oil (sweet almond or grapeseed oil)
Combine and massage into your lower abdomen twice a day.
Note: if you don't have lavender, you can replace it with 4 more drops of marjoram.

More Aromatherapy Necklaces

I wanted to show some more options for aromatherapy necklaces, in case you don't like the ones I make. Tomorrow I'll hopefully find time to write up another post with remedies and such in it.

Aromatherapy Necklaces and Pendants

  Curated By: aMagpiesDream

ArtFire.com

Handmade Jewelry

Aromatherapy Necklaces

Yesterday I mentioned aromatherapy necklaces in my post about stress relieving oils and I thought I'd write up a post just about these necklaces. They are awesome if there is a particular blend you want to take with you for some reason. The most common uses for these type of necklaces seem to be stress relief and energy boosting.

I use mine for stress relief. It is usually filled with lavender essential oil, and I can constantly smell it when I'm wearing my necklace. It has been a life saver, because I have found myself in many situations where I felt it would be inappropriate to pull out a tissue to smell whatever oil I had on it, but I was certain I'd be hit with an anxiety attack if I didn't bring something along. Now I just wear it all the time and refill it whenever the scent gets too faint (usually once every couple of weeks).

There are many aromatherapy necklaces available, but I am a picky shopper and couldn't find something I liked within my budget, so (since I make and sell jewelry for a living), I decided to make my own. They are available for sale at A Magpie's Dream, and I have tons and tons of pendants and beads available if you want a custom necklace. Just contact me and we can start designing your necklace together. A custom necklace won't cost any more than a pre-made one, I just need a couple days to make it before I ship it.

Oils to Release Tension and Ease Stress

In today's fast-paced world, many people suffer from stress, and it can often be hard to relax. Stress on its own may not seem dangerous, but it can actually make you sick as well as worsening pre-existing health conditions. Thankfully, there are quite a few oil blends to help relieve stress and tension.

If you are prone to anxiety/stress attacks (like me), try 4 drops of may chang or lavender in an aromatherapy necklace or 2 drops of one of these oils on a tissue. Inhale for a few minutes whenever needed.

I get stress attacks all the the time, and my aromatherapy necklace (which normally contains lavender) is never far away. It has saved me many times, especially since I don't have to open it to get the scent. It just hangs around my neck and the scent continues to calm me through job interviews, family gatherings, arguments and anything else my life throws at me.

Use one of the following essential oil blends in your bath, a massage or a vaporizer to de-stress after a long day:

1 drop turmeric
2 drops neroli
2 drops ginger
Add to your bath.

2 drops myrrh

3 drops geranium

Add to your bath.

Note: avoid myrrh during pregnancy.

3 drops petitgrain

3 drops sandalwood

Add to your bath.

2 drops sandalwood

2 drops orange

1 drop rose

Add to bath or add to 2 teaspoons of carrier oil (sweet almond or grapeseed) and massage into your skin.

Note: avoid strong sunlight for 12 hours after application, or the orange oil may cause a rash.

1 drop vetiver

1 drop neroli

3 drops lavender

Add to your bath or add to 2 teaspoons of carrier oil and massage into your skin after taking a bath.

2 drops ylang ylang

2 drops patchouli

5 drops orange

4 teaspoons carrier oil

Combine and apply as a gentle massage.

Note: avoid strong sunlight for 12 hours because of the orange oil. Also, ylang ylang gives some people headaches

2 drops cedarwood
3 drops lavender
Use in a vaporizer or diffuser or add to 2 teaspoons of carrier oil and massage into neck and shoulders.

3 drops frankincense
3 drops cedarwood
Use in a vaporizer or diffuser.

3 drops frankincense
3 drops bergamot
Use in a vaporizer or diffuser.

Oils for General Aches and Pains

We all suffer from aches and pains once in a while, if not constantly. These remedies will help with your sore back, legs, neck, shoulders, or whatever else might be hurting. Just keep them away from your face.

4 drops lavender
2 drops ginger
Add to bath, then get in and soak for about 20 minutes.

2 drops vetiver
5 drops lavender
3 drops ginger
4 tsp carrier oil (sweet almond or grapeseed)
Combine and use as a daily massage.

2 drops angelica
2 drops vetiver
5 drops lavender
4tsp carrier oil
Combine and apply as a gentle massage.
Note: avoid angelica oil during pregnancy, and stay out of the sun for 12 hours after applying it.

2 drops ginger
2 drops turmeric
2 drops vetiver
4 tsp carrier oil
Combine and apply as a gentle massage.

4 drops marjoram
4 drops ginger
2 drops vetiver
4 tsp carrier oil
Combine and use as a massage.

2 drops peppermint
4 drops rosemary
4 drops black pepper
4 tsp carrier oil
Combine and use as a daily massage.
Note: avoid rosemary oil if you have high blood pressure or epilepsy. If you have sensitive skin only use 1 drop of peppermint.

4 drops rosemary
2 drops lemongrass
4 drops nutmeg
4 teaspoons carrier oil
Combine and use as a massage.
Note: do not use rosemary oil if you have high blood pressure or epilepsy.

3 drops eucalyptus
4 drops rosemary
3 drops ginger
4 teaspoons carrier oil
Combine and use as a massage.
Note: avoid rosemarey oil if you have high blood pressure or epilepsy.

2 drops nutmeg
4 drops cardamom
4 drops grapefruit
4 teaspoons carrier oil
Combine and massage into affected area.
Note: keep affected area out of the sun for 12 hours.

2 drops may chang
4 drops juniper
4 drops lavender
4 drops carrier oil
Combine and massage into affected area.